Chapter 3

I was dumbfounded while sitting on the swivel chair here in my office. I bit my nails while thinking about what happened earlier. Boss scolded me because I didn't go to company for a week. I deserve to be reprimanded because I was negligent in my work.

What Minda said to me earlier is still bothering me. How beautiful Steven's wife is. I feel like my heart is being murdered because of the pain. I can't help being jealous either.

I immediately wiped my tears. I have many thoughts and they are even adding more. Steven's wife does not deserve to be fooled. Even though Steven told me that they just reconciled, she is still his wife and there is no reason to cheat.

It was obvious that his wife was ahead of me. While we have been in a relationship for a year, they have been married for a year. Steven is really good. He kept up with us. But now, maybe he has realized that what we did was wrong.

I think he is fixing his relationship with his wife. I adjusted my seat and was about to continue typing when someone suddenly knocked on the door. I took a sip and composed myself.

"Come in," I said curtly and looked back at the screen.

I didn't look at the door opening and closing. I just kept doing what I was doing because my boss needed it now.

"Miss Suarez."

I stopped and looked up. I immediately stood up when I saw Ma'am Tea standing in front of me.

"M-Ma'am!" I said in shock.

Ma'am Tea is my boss' wife. She rarely visited the company so her visit was surprising especially in my small office. She is wearing a simple white floral dress and wedge sandals. Her hair is tied and she doesn't have much lipstick on her face.

She smiled at me and looked around the office. I quickly left the desk and approached Ma'am.

"Ma'am, would you like some coffee?" I asked confused. "Wait, I'll make you one."

I was about to go to the coffee maker when she grabbed my arm so I stopped and turned to her.

"Miss Suarez..." She smiled. "I'm not here for that."

I swallowed when she pulled me to the couch and sat me down. She held my hand that was on my thigh and looked at me seriously.

"I am here because I need you," she said seriously and then smiled.

My lips parted and I looked at her confused. "Yes? Me?" I taught myself.

She nodded. "There's a party coming up and my family is invited. But then, my husband and I can't go because that day is our anniversary."

I swallowed.

"So, can you be my son's muse?" She asked. "You know Ethan, right?"

I want to say no to her because I might see Steven again at the party.

"Ma'am-"

"It's a masquerade ball," she immediately cut me off. She must have noticed my nervousness.

I swallowed again. I am ashamed to reject Ma'am Tea because she is a nice person. But I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard the masquerade ball. Maybe I won't be recognized because I have a mask on my face I took a deep breath and nodded to Ma'am Tea.

"I'll do it, Ma'am!"

Her lips parted and she immediately hugged me.

"Oh, dear! Thank you so much. I owe you a lot. Don't worry, we will take care of the gown you wear."

I just smiled and hoped I wouldn't see Steven at that ball.

***

"What now?" Minda asked as she took a bite of what she was eating.

Today we are eating lunch at the company canteen. I don't know what she is asking and what she is referring to.

"What do you mean?" I asked in surprise as I cut into the pork chop I bought earlier.

She looked at me. "Masquerade ball!"

I stopped eating and looked up at her. "How did you know that?"

"Duh, who else? I only heard from Janna!" She glared at me and then took a bite of the hotdog. "They say you suck because you were chosen. Bitches! They were just bitter of you because they weren't chosen."

I sighed. "That's their opinion, there's nothing we can do."

No matter what we do in life, we definitely have haters. Even if you don't do anything wrong, there are people who are really watching your behavior. There are people who really try to pull you down. The right thing to do is not to judge them because no matter what other people say about me, that will remain with them because I know myself.

Minda and I had a quick lunch because Boss called me. I'm nervous because I might be scolded again, especially since I'm a little late.

"Good day," I greeted as I opened the door to my Boss's office. "What is it, Boss?"

I was greeted by the coldness of the air-con. I hugged myself and then softly closed the door.

I just noticed that Boss was sitting on the couch with someone. I felt that he was looking at me so I turned to him and realized that he was Boss's son. It's not just in the stance he's just a normal person. If I compare him to Steven, I can say that he looks more approachable. The dimple is clear and even appears when smiling.

"Good day," I greeted Sir Ethan before turning to Boss.

"Miss Suarez.." Boss stood up from his swivel chair and walked towards his son. "Meet my son, Mike Ethan. He will represent our family and company so please guide him."

I nodded and turned to Sir Ethan who was still looking at me. I looked away because I was scared.

"We will just deliver what you will wear for the party," Boss said and looked at me. He folded his arms and raised an eyebrow at me. "Where do you live?"

"In the middle corner of the street," I answered immediately.

He nodded and returned to his desk. He sat in his swivel chair and folded his hands while on the table.

"Alright, I'll just have it delivered. You already know maybe about what you'll do at the party because you're joining me in the ones I attended."

I nodded and let out a deep breath. Maybe, this is what I will focus on first. When I got home, I was surprised and stopped to open the door when I saw a box on the floor, near the door. I looked around and asked the neighbor whose box it was and why it was in front of my door.

"I don't know, Miss!" my neighbor shook her head. "I just noticed that there is a box at your door."

I sighed and nodded.

Maybe it's for me because it's right next to my door. I opened the door and carried the box inside my room. I put it on the bed and immediately took a cutter. I took a deep breath and wondered who the box was from. I scratched the back of my neck before opening the box.

When I opened the box, I dropped the cutter in amazement. My lips parted as my heart beat faster. Inside the box are beauty products, expensive perfumes and other items that I love.

What caught my attention the most was the envelope attached to the perfume. I took it and opened it.

Meet me at the park - Steven.

I was stunned. My heart beat faster and I dropped the paper. What is this again, Steven? I thought it was gone? What is this again? Why is there anything like this? Why is he always torturing me?

I closed the box in annoyance and tears slowly fell from my eyes. I quickly wiped it with just my hand and inhaled. I quickly got dressed and decided to meet him, not for him, but to return what he had given. When it got dark, I carried the box while waiting for a ride. When a tricycle came, I immediately stopped it and got on it.

"In the park," I said trembling and tightened the grip on the box.

The driver just nodded and left. I arrived at the park in just a few minutes. I immediately saw him in the dark part of the park, leaning against his car.

I took a deep breath before walking towards him. The breeze, the sea just near the park, and the soft laughter of young people is what I hear as I approach. Of all the places, is it really here in the dark side?

He straightened up when he saw me. His eyes dropped to the box I was carrying and I saw how his expression changed. I dropped the box in front of him and looked at him annoyed.

"Steven, I just want a quiet life. Don't send me like this anymore. We're done and there's no reason for us to see each other anymore!" I told him firmly and immediately turned away.

I hadn't even taken a step when he suddenly hugged me from behind. I struggled in his embrace and tried to keep his face away from him trying to kiss me.

My tears flowed and I violently moved my body away from him. I succeeded and got away from him. I could clearly see his eyes puffy, as if he was very tired. His clothes are out of order and his hair is a mess.

"Steven... I'm begging you.. please.." I folded my hand and put it to my lips. "Please... let me go."

"Why would I let you go? I'm just going to waste the year we spent together? What the fuck, Tori? That's it?" He ruffled his hair before looking at me again. "I told you, I've been taking care of our annulment paper for a long time. All that's missing is her signature."

"That's not what I want!" I screamed as I burst into tears. "That's not what I want to hear! That's not what I want to happen! Because no matter what you do, you can't change my mind. You made me look like a fool! I cut you off! I'm not a flirty girl! I'm not a mistress! No, I want to be happy..."

He didn't answer. He just kept looking at me.

"Is that why you're looking for someone else now? The one without a wife?"

I was surprised by his accusation. His face was very angry and his eyes were burning with anger.

"What?" His jaw tightened and he stepped closer to me. "You will date that fucking Ethan because he doesn't have a wife?"

"What are you talking about? Can you please stop, Steven? I'm so tired!"

My eyes widened and I took a step back when I saw him hurrying towards me and effortlessly grabbed my waist and violently pushed me against his car.

I felt pain in my back because of what he did. I was about to push him away when he brought his face closer and pressed me with a violent and aggressive kiss. His hand was clinging to the top of his car. I avoid his kiss as I punch his hard chest. He almost crushed my lips because of his kiss.

My tears flowed as he kissed my neck.

"I miss you so much... Please come back to me," he begged.

I sobbed while shaking my head. I no longer have the strength to push him. My hand was shaking because it was so weak. He didn't let me leave and pushed me inside his car.

"S-Steven..."

"I love you, baby. Please don't push me away..." And he closed the door of his car and kissed me quickly.

That's when I finally gave in to him and responded to his violent kiss as if he was punishing me.

The next morning I was sitting on the bed in a daze while Steven was fast asleep next to me. My body trembled as I realized that something had happened to us. My chest tightened and I was suddenly angry with myself. Conscience visited me. Tears welled up in my eyes and I covered my mouth to stop myself from sobbing.

That shouldn't have happened!

I shook my head and hurriedly picked up my clothes and put them on. I can't do this anymore. I didn't mean to... no...

When I got home, I immediately locked myself in the bathroom and soaped all over the kiss marks that Steven left on me. I sob and slap myself to wake up to the fact that I did wrong... we did wrong.

"I can't take it anymore..." I covered my face and sobbed quietly.