Chapter Three

The knock on my door jolted me awake from my restless slumber. Groggily, I stumbled towards the door, my mind still fuzzy from the few hours of sleep I had managed to get. I slept almost four in the morning, sulking and crying and whoever the person behind the door was, I would surely break the leg.

I am sure as hell that this could not be Maximo. That man hasn't been in my place.

I am yawning while opening the door and met with the sight of Maximo standing there, dressed impeccably in his white suit, ready to face the day.

My still sleepy and obviously puffy eyes grew big because of his sudden presence outside my room.

And at this early hour?!

Why are you excited, Cza Georgianne? A voice inside my head intervened which lead me back to my senses.

"Can you prepare breakfast?" That was a cold one, phew, but I am giving it to him.

It's new! He doesn't ask me to cook for him. Why the sudden change of mood? Did he realize that he went overboard last night?

Although his words were curt and dismissive, yet any glimmer of hope I had felt at seeing him at my door dissipated like mist in the morning sun. He seemed uninterested in me or anything beyond the surface-level interactions we had grown accustomed to.

Still, a part of me clung to that tiny glimmer of hope, thinking that maybe, just maybe, he wanted to taste the food I cooked after weeks of rejection. My heart raced with excitement as I nodded eagerly, hoping for a chance to connect with him even in the smallest way.

Before I made my way to the kitchen, I splashed water on my face, trying to shake off the heaviness that weighed on my heart from last night. But the memory of last night's betrayal lingered, dampening my spirits once more.

I rush down to the kitchen with excitement and was about to find Maximo when I saw Jasmine sitting next to him in front of the bar counter.

Wow, what the hell? She's still here?

I look at Maximo who did not even give me a glance. He's busy on his iPad while Jasmine is looking at me as if I am a villain in their own story.

"I am not really a picky eater, so you could just cook anything for breakfast." Jasmine broke the silence.

My mind told me not to respond. I donned a facade of composure as I prepared breakfast, suppressing the pain that threatened to overflow. It was disheartening to see him treat me like a mere servant, asking me to cook for him and the woman he had spent the night with.

After their silly hot night, they are going to treat me as their servant.

I silently cooked, trying not to let my emotions show. I couldn't help but blame Jasmine; she was well aware of the complexities of our marriage and Maximo's heartless actions. Still, it was difficult to witness her cling to him, giggling as if nothing had happened.

"Hurry up with breakfast," Maximo uttered indifferently.

"Don't pressure her, babe. Besides, it's still early for work."

Ignoring Jasmine's voice, his words cut through me like a knife. There was no appreciation or acknowledgment of my efforts, only the expectation that I serve him without question.

I forced a smile. "Yes, of course, in fact, the foods are ready."

I placed the food on the table, feeling a lump in my throat as I watched Maximo and Jasmine share a seemingly carefree moment. The ache in my chest intensified, a reminder of the hollowness in my marriage.

As they ate, I observed them from afar, feeling like an outsider in my own home.

Well, at least Maximo finally ate the food I cook. A voice mumbled inside me, trying to stipulate the consolation of this martyrdom I have created myself.

I knew that I couldn't keep living like this, pretending that everything was fine when it was far from it. I needed to find my own strength, to confront the painful truth of our situation.

It's funny how this one month changed everything for me, including the new flourished feelings I have for him. One month isn't long but I am the only one chasing for this relationship.

Once upon a time, it was only a silly crush for Heath, but now, I am married to someone who could not even accept the bond we have for each other.

How romantic.

As I cleaned up after breakfast. Maximo and Jasmine left the house without bidding goodbye or a single gratification. A tear escaped from my eyes one more time before I decided to call my best friend.

The second line only keeps on ringing.

Disappointment washed over me when I couldn't reach Heart. She was probably still deep in slumber, recovering from last night's party.

"I have no one..." I whispered and started to cry once more.

Just as I was about to end the call, a surprising voice broke the silence on the other line.

"Hello?"

It was Heath, Heart's enigmatic older brother.

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips despite the tears as I heard his voice.

I sniff and wipe off the tears while trying to make my voice unshaken.

"I-Is Heart asleep?"

Heath had always been a one-word man, seemingly nonchalant and distant, but there was something about him that had captured my heart from the moment we met. He was my first love, but he had never seen me as anything more than his sister's best friend.

My feelings for him had been buried deep when Maximo entered my life, turning everything upside down.

"She's still asleep."

I nod my head.

I asked if I could come over, and he agreed without hesitation.

I put on my cute outfit to conceal myself and drove the car gifted to me by Jackson, Maximo's father, to Heart's place.

My thoughts were conflicted, torn between the pain of last night's betrayal and the warmth of seeing Heath again.

He wasn't at our wedding last month. I wonder what he is up to these days.

Probably studying again.

As I approached the entrance of Heart's house, I saw Heath waiting for me. My heart leaped, and I ran towards him, hoping for a moment of comfort and solace.

Well, I failed.

As I stepped inside the house, the pain from last night's events rushed back, and my tears fell uncontrollably. I remembered how Maximo had treated me with indifference, choosing to be with someone else while I was left feeling broken and discarded.

Heath's expression softened as he saw my tears, and he gently wrapped his arms around me in a comforting embrace. I clung to him, seeking refuge from the storm of emotions raging inside me.

"What happened, Cza? Why are you crying?"

I sobbed. "It's Maximo... I-It hurts, Heath."

 I could wait for Heart to wake up. Heath's presence felt like a lifeline in the midst of my despair. Despite all the years I had harbored feelings for him, it was Heath who held me in my darkest moments, even when he didn't fully understand the depth of my pain.

"I may not know all the details, but I'm here for you, Cza. Whatever you need, I'll be here."

"It just feels so heavy. I wish I didn't agree to this." I mumbled, still not giving him any context.

This time, I simply just want someone I can lean to. And it was Heath who is there for me today.

The last person whom I could think of comforting me. Heath and I only had fleeting conversations from the past. We have known each other’s family for a very long time but throughout those years, Heath didn’t show any concern to me. Except today.

If this only was months ago, I would be so happy to be in between Heath’s arms but not today. Not when my heart is still aching for my supposedly husband.

While my face is buried in his chest, my phone rang and vibrated. Without checking who the caller is, I tap on the screen and put it on my ear.

"Where are you? You're not in the house."