“By the way, Jamie, where did you go?” he asked.
I blinked several times because I wasn’t sure if I should tell him that I stayed with Brent. I was afraid he might misinterpret everything. But if I lied, he might find out the truth from someone else.
“I just went behind the church. Brent has a house there. But, where is Kate and the kids?”
“Repeat what you just said!” Samer’s voice raised, and he looked at me angrily.
I knew it; he misinterpreted what I said.
I tried to avoid offending him, but that’s what happened. Samer got upset and left me alone in the room. He didn’t say anything bad, but I think I would have preferred that rather than him just staying silent. I know deep down that I didn’t do anything wrong to Samer, or at least not intentionally, but I also know that convincing him would be difficult.
As I sat there alone, I tried to reminisce about the time when things were still okay between us. The time when we were just friends. I didn’t want to regret why I agreed to take our friendship to the next level, but that’s what I feel now.
To be honest, I wish I could go back to how it used to be when he wasn’t mad at me, when everything was fine between us, and when we could joke around all day or all night.
I felt like a fool, just staring into space. I went back and revisited each event since Samer returned to the Claybourne. Could it be possible that he just led me on? But during those times, I didn’t feel like he was just playing with me. I closed my eyes while reminiscing about the happy moments we had together.
I love him so much, and I’m willing to do anything to make him mine. I can only accomplish my mission if I find out if something was wrong before. I took a deep breath while lying on the bed, trying to revisit everything. It seems that the only answers to my questions are in the past.
Before I had a relationship with Samer, my life was uncomplicated. I was happy with my job, and overall, I was content. Although some people were jealous of me back then, I didn’t care because I knew we were just friends with Samer.
But when we started a relationship, my perspective on life changed a bit. And things became even more complicated when Kate entered our lives. Supposedly, she was engaged to another man, but I didn’t know the updates as to why she always seemed to be close to Samer.
My mind got tired from thinking about how to handle the situation. I took a deep breath before heading to the bathroom to take a shower. I couldn’t think of anything else except facing whatever problems come my way. But I believe I need to talk to Kate properly about our arrangements, but I might end up embarrassing myself.
I didn’t have a ring to hold on to, and I didn’t have any papers to prove that I have more rights than Kate. Of course, I just don’t want to be embarrassed. I quickly showered because I will talk to Kate right away, no need to postpone it.
I was just fixing my hair when suddenly, there was a knock outside. It was a strong knock, like it’s Rhea. I immediately went to the door, and I wasn’t surprised when I opened it and saw Rhea.
“Miss, your boys got into another mess!” Rhea said.
“What do you mean?” My mind was a mess, so I didn’t immediately understand what Rhea was saying.
“Brent and Samer!”
As they clashed down below, no one dared to help. Their staff just watched. Even I just watched and let the two men hurt each other until they gave up on their own.
They wanted to punch each other? Then let them punch!
As I watched the two men below, all the solutions I planned vanished like bubbles. Whatever happens, they will remain adversaries. Well, let them handle their own lives!
When I turned my back on Brent and Samer, there were teardrops trying to escape from my eyes, but I ignored them. I went straight to the room where my suitcase was, took it, and left without saying goodbye.
They will never see me again!
As I said, I suddenly disappeared from Brent and Samer’s sight. I went on indefinite leave from the office, and everything I needed to do there was delegated to my staff. I doubt if Samer looked for me, as Kate was probably there with him.
I’ve been alone at home for a week, eating whatever is in the pantry. Luckily, I have enough stocks, so I don’t worry about going hungry. I only open my phone in the early hours because I know Samer is asleep at that time.
My only sources of entertainment during the day are books and movies. I tried to beautify my garden, but I’m not good at gardening. I attempted to sew clothes for my dog out of boredom, but it turned out to be a failure. I even cleaned the entire house, including the wine bottles in the cellar.
It’s only been a week, but I feel like I’m going crazy out of boredom. Maybe Samer needs to leave his comfort zone and go somewhere else to change things up. But where can I go? I have only a few friends, and I don’t talk to them often.
I can’t go back to Stonewick because Brent might think I chose him. They can all deal with their own lives. And Samer, I can’t understand why he’s still close to his ex-wife. She should be an ex, but she’s just meddling!
I wake up at four in the morning to water my plants. While watering, I talk on the phone with my former neighbor, Kevin. I’m not a bad person, but I need to get back at those who hurt me. At first, I didn’t want to stoop to their level, especially with Kate, Michelle, and even Brent.
Those three people are the reasons why I have trust issues. I just want to be happy, but why are there always obstacles?
Before, Michelle was the obstacle to my happiness, and recently, it’s Kate. Can’t I be happy? What do they want? To keep my beauty hidden in a corner? That’s just unfair!
“Did you do what I asked?” I asked the man on the other line.
Am I a bad person for wanting revenge for what I’ve been through in life? Yes, I’m lucky when it comes to money, but unlucky in love. I was unlucky with Brent, and I was unlucky with Samer too.
“Don’t you think you’ll regret what you’re about to do, Jamie? I know you still have feelings for him,” Kevin said on the other line.
“Why are you asking so many questions now? If you don’t want to do it, then don’t!” I raised my voice because I got annoyed with his tone.
What’s it to him if what I’m about to do is a sin? My condition for forgiving him for what he did is clear, and if he can’t fulfill that, then nothing will happen between the two of them.
“I just don’t want you to regret what you’re about to do,” Kevin said.
“Did you regret meddling in my life before? How did it feel?” I asked him.
“It hurts,” he replied briefly, but I understood the meaning of that word.
I also regret why I fell for Brent’s sweet words before. I get annoyed every time I think about it. Maybe I was desperate like Michelle said, which is why I let Brent in. I accept that, and I was in denial before, but that’s the truth of why I fell for his sweet words.
“So will you do it or not?” I asked Kevin on the other line.
“If that’s what you want, then I’ll do it. I just don’t want you to suffer,” he added.
“Thank you for your concern, but I’m fine,” I lied to Kevin because I didn’t want the conversation to go any longer. “When will you do it?”
“Tonight,” he replied.
“Alright, just let me know when it’s done. I don’t want you to mess up with this,” I told him.
“You can count on me, Jamie.” Kevin promised before hanging up the phone.
After talking to Kevin, I finished what I was doing. It was difficult to move around without light, but I couldn’t turn on the lights in the garden. After watering my plants, I went back inside to cook food.
Usually, I only cook once to avoid being disturbed during my movie marathon. Before eating, I chatted with Rhea to get updates about what’s happening at the office.
“Don’t you plan on coming back? I don’t like Kate,” Rhea said.
I frowned at what I heard and asked the woman, “What do you mean?”
“She replaced you as soon as you disappeared,” she said.
Even through the phone, I could detect the disgust in Rhea’s voice about what’s happening in the hotel, but what could she do? Nothing! And I can’t do anything either because Samer is the one who always gets what he wants there.
“When was this?” I asked Rhea because I wanted to know when Samer put his ex in HR.
“One week ago,” Rhea replied.
One week ago? Whoa, that’s quick! It seems like Samer was happy I was gone because he’s free to do whatever he wants.
“Then they should just be together!” I said.
“Where are you? Boss keeps asking me about you,” Rhea said.
“Next time, just tell him I’m still in the Claybourne,” I said jokingly because I didn’t want Samer to know where I really was. I didn’t want anyone to know. I just needed a break. A break from people who hurt others!
“Talk to him about your issues,” Rhea suggested.
“If you were in my shoes, what would you do, Rhea?” I asked her, and she hesitated for a moment before looking up at the ceiling of the office to think about the right answer.
“I might go crazy,” she answered, and I laughed because that was the first thing that came to my mind too.
I chose to be alone instead of becoming a criminal. I don’t want to give birth inside a prison, for God’s sake! It wouldn’t be fair to my future baby if I give birth there. Samer doesn’t know about my pregnancy, and I have no plans to tell him. What’s the point? He might have second thoughts about us having a child together.
After my chat with Rhea, I couldn’t taste anything, even though the hotdog and corned beef I cooked were delicious. I was still bothered by what Rhea said about Kate immediately replacing me in my position. What a wow for both of them! They’re both annoying!
Samer really stood his ground that we’re done. Well, he’s not a loss! But why do I feel like crying again? Why does it still hurt? I shouldn’t think about him. He made his choice, and it’s not me. Is there anything else I can do?
As the replay of the recorded conversation with Brent ended, I smiled. I was sure it would burn Michelle’s ears when she hears it. I searched for Kate’s name on Facebook and sent her the audio file right away.
“One more to go,” I said to myself because Samer is the grand finale!