It’s too old to even fight with a single argument, but for Sam, it convicted her whole purpose as a woman. Being disrespected with a single word is everything to Sam. He shouted only a sentence and it broke her dignity. Sam would never accept and tolerate that kind of action towards her.
Why is he even asking about their marriage when he’s apologizing? Sam didn’t want to believe this man’s attitude at all. As their relationship took its 10th year peak, she realized the bumps of the road. Sometimes, you just have to let go of too much pain. Like what she’s experiencing with Zach.
“Do you just have to do this now when we’re going to get married in a few months?” Zach asked her. Sam couldn't believe she's hearing that question. How can he even think of this marriage by now? When his behavior wasn't the same as when they're just both a couple? Sam shook her head.
Looking at his eyes, Sam didn’t know if he was the same man she loved at first sight. Did he change a lot?
“Do you have to do that now?” He's afraid, and she could sense it in his tone. What if she does call off the marriage? She has the right to do so. They’re just living inside the same house and didn’t have a blessing of the church. Sam still has the opportunity to step back and cut the rope.
“I have to, if you continued being like that. I can’t stay with a man who has a short temper. I just knew you’d show your true color once we live under the same roof,” she reckoned. Zach didn’t respond right away. He stood there, with regrets painted all over his face. Sam furrowed her eyebrows, placing her hands in her hips.
“Please, Zach, stay away from me for a while. I know you wanted the same thing, too.”
…
Zach felt lost. He’s walking out of the condominium with a bag of goods in one hand. He saw a familiar face as soon as he reached the exit. It’s Lyza. She turned in his direction, and she halted in her tracks. Zach smiled a little. He approached her, bowing down his head. Lyza’s eyes landed upon his bag, asking, “Sam’s upstairs. Did you go there?”
Zach nodded silently. His eyes were empty. Sam must have turned down to go home. Lyza sighed, muttering, “You know Sam so well, Zach. She will refuse your pleading repeatedly. She’s not going to tear down that wall.”
Zach felt down at all. If he hadn’t shouted that time, nothing like this will happen. He cleared his throat, at least offered the grocery bag to Lyza’s hand, saying, “Give this to her. It’s her favorites for a week. She’d survive not going home with this.”Lyza held onto the plastic bag. The generosity Zach showed today will show how much he love Sam inside 10 years. Lyza nodded, saying, “Thank you. I’m sure Sam will enjoy it.”
…
Sam was arranging the laundry. It’s been two weeks since they washed their clothes, someone should take an initiative. Zach came up to the laundry room and planted a kiss in her forehead. “I’ll go. I have to take the overtime this Sunday.”
Sam nodded, muttering, “Take care.”
Zach closed the door. Sam sighed as she continued to arrange the clothes. She was already getting finished a few moments after Zach went out of the house… when something in his polo’s collar caught her eye. “What is this?” she asked.
She hitched the edges of the polo, and recognized the mark. Sam widened her eyes, covering her mouth. It was a lipstick stain. Why did it have to be here? Sam turned to the door, gritting her teeth, seeing how bright red this could be. She knuckled her fists, letting go of the polo in the floor.
…
Lyza placed down the grocery bag in the table while Sam was preparing their dinner. She wore off her coat, placed it on the rack, and asked, “Sam, are you sure you’re still angry with Zach? Look at what he gave to me outside of the condo.”
Sam placed the hot bowl in one of the table, turning to the goods. There was her favorite biscuit on the side, and she sighed. She completely ignored it, opposed to what Lyza expected for her reaction. Sam couldn’t get swayed with those little things now. It felt different at all.
Lyza took a seat down upon her chair, was going to ask a question, but Sam said, “I’ve been hiding this for you for weeks, Lyza, but I saw something different to Zach.”
She couldn’t remember how she reacted that time. When Zach has gone home the night she finished the laundry, Sam didn’t talk to him that fervently. Zach blabbered a lot about his work, but she didn’t listen to every word. That must be why she’s taking a lot of time to be warm with his hugs again. She was too attached to even start with. Lyza crossed her arms over her chest, asking, “What was it?”
Sam fiddled with her hands in her abdomen. Something sent shivers in her spine. That lipstick stain etched in her mind as if a nightmare just burst out of her eyes. Sam stayed at the corner of the counter, admitting, “I saw a lipstick stain in his polo when I’m doing the laundry 2 weeks ago. I was surprised to see that.”
Lyza’s jaw dropped on the floor. Sam shut her lips for a while, but she’s glad she’s now saying it through. Lyza sat upright, puzzled, asking, “Why are you saying that now?”
Sam shook her head. “I thought it was just a wrong sight of an eye. Turns out, it’s real. He started to change the day when our 10th anniversary happened. Everything else didn’t become the same way as it is.”
Relationships didn’t mean to be happy all along. It has to have ups and downs, and the things were really not overwhelmed with smiles. Relationships don’t last long if they’re going to give up in each other. In Sam’s experience, she’s dealing with the love of his life cheating behind his back.
Sam clenched her jaw. She added, “With the lipstick stain I saw in his polo, the trust I had given to him deteriorated all of a sudden, Lyza. It became nothing today.”
Lyza shook her head. This is all wrong in the first place. Sam had never been that vocal with her pain, but everything crushed her. It was grinding her bit by bit. Her heart broke into million pieces repeatedly. Lyza scolded, “Why do you have to stay for another week? Knowing he might be cheating behind your back?”
Nothing has been confirmed yet. She was still observing Zach’s actions towards everything. When she nagged about fixing the light bulb, he suddenly revolted. Sam didn’t know if it was Zach.
“No one confirmed it yet. I don’t want to jump into conclusions, Lyza.”
“But the fact that he has a lipstick stain underneath the collar that day meant he’s hooking up with somebody else!” Lyza raised her voice. Sam shook her head. Biting her lip, Lyza gripped the grocery bags and threw it on the huge trash bin. Sam didn’t even retaliate from what she had done. Guessing from her emotional status, she didn’t feel anything about what Zach had bought.
“You should throw out someone who’s that toxic, Sam. It’s not good for your health.”
How can she do that? When the man she dearly loved slipped away from her fingers in just one blink? Did she change, or something in her attitude turned her off? It was the moment she realized two sides have faults. Sam’s mind whispered to her lips, “I don’t know what to do, Lyza.”
She felt hopeless. No solution crossed her mind at the very least. Lyza sighed, pitying her friend in a while. Sam sulked, looking down as she closed her eyes. She bit her lip, thinking of what to do, but Lyza was a fast thinker than she was. “You need a spy, Sam. And I’m going to do that for you.”
She creased her forehead. Sam inquired, “What? What are you saying? That is such a mistake no one should find out.”
Lyza tilted her head to one side. “I worked under the radio department, Sam. My office is at the side of the top radio producer star, Mr. Zach Gonzales, you’re cheater boyfriend.”
She must have overlooked that information. She should trust Lyza this day. Sam scratched the back of her head, thinking of the consequences of their actions. Lyza cleared her throat, reassuring, “I’m sure I can catch something fishy with Zach. Now that I have the backbone of what you said, the lipstick stain underneath his collar.”
“Stay on radar, Lyza. Don’t jump out to startle them. Just capture photos and send it to me.” Sam didn’t want to go against the current flow. If Zach had changed because of the mistress, she must find it out. Sam would never settle for the less of his boyfriend’s expectations. She doesn’t want to live behind the shadows of his mistress when she’s the real one.
Kissing her underneath the sweet music of the hotel room meant how much thirsty Zach had been. He slammed the door, making sure it’s locked, and pulled her closer. He swirled his tongue to her. She did the same thing. A chuckle even came out from her lips. The back of her knees found the edge of the bed, and she quickly sit down. Zach traveled his hands to her tight coat, and slipped his fingers on the button. He released it and wore it off from her smooth shoulders. Zach was a bit aggressive this time. She scraped her hands in his scalp, pulling the strands, and it made Zach grit his teeth in her chin. She moaned, liked the pleasure he brought to her. Zach whispered, “I wanted to be inside you, Stacy.” Opening her eyes, she pushed him away. That hard he sprawled on the floor right away. Stacy puffed her cheeks, glaring at him. Zach has come to his senses, yelping out, “Why are you resisting me now?” Stacy brushed her fingers in her scalp, c
Sam decided to take the overtime job today again. Besides, she got nothing to do in Lyza’s house but to slack off in her soft couch. Her office was silent, and the only noise she can hear was the keyboard she’s typing on. Sam’s heart became heavy as usual, and she had gathered up a lot of strength every morning to get out of Lyza’s couch. It has been 4 days since she last seen Zach, and they’re not communicating ever since.He must have enjoyed a lot with his mistress, eh?Whenever it flooded his mind, Sam got distracted. Her eyes gone back to the ring she received when Zach proposed the marriage to her, and she chuckled. Why was she still wearing this? Sam leaned back to her swiveling chair, sighing. Looking at the glamorous gem perched at the top of the silver ring, it’s beautiful. Sam knew she was the happiest when she received that ring. She wanted to spend her life with Zach, no matter what happened.But
Sam’s empty eyes landed to Zach’s panicking ones. His hair was tousled, like he was just gotten out of a bewitching love-making session. Standing there, she knew it. There was a silhouette of a woman by Zach’s back, only a distance from the door. Sam chose to ignore it, but her insides crumpled like a paper. It kept on shattering, like someone slammed a sledgehammer. Sam sighed. She waited for Zach to ask the question, but Sam’s not going to respond. She’s not here to come home. She’s here to confront someone. Zach let go of the doorknob, saying, “You’re home.” Sam thought he’s going to ask that question. She thought he’s going to ask if the week is over yet. Sam thought he’s going to push her away because of that damn space, but no. He welcomed her home… with the mistress behind his back. What a brazen act to do. Zach stood there with his stony face. Sam didn’t even form the words, but her eyes speak of loathe. Zach sighed, knowing Sam had seen Stacy. He
1 year ago. Before everything fell apart. “You promised to be with me forever?” It was their 9th anniversary, and they celebrated in the small restaurant by the street of their home. They don’t have time to book somewhere elegant, so they decided to celebrate it simple. Sam and Zach sat down by the table, waiting for their order. The sweet and serene music played over the speakers, adding the cozy and romantic atmosphere in. Sam couldn’t help but to stare at him fixatedly. Zach is the only rest she has known. After 9 years of being with him, she couldn’t help to fall in love further. Everything about him was perfect. Zach sighed, uttering sadly, “I’m sad now, you know.” “Why?” “The rank of my show goes down on like… 100 units. That’s a 20 person lost listeners on our show.” Zach doesn’t want any failure in life, but this doesn’t mean everything he does will lead to a wrong path. Sam understood the statistics of the radi
How could the man she used to spend her days with became a stranger in just one snap? How could the woman he used to kiss at night and cuddle at sleep became a person he’s just going to pass in the street? It all goes back to the top. When the first time they glanced at each other’s eyes, they didn’t know each other well. And now, it all happened again. Zach furrowed his eyebrows, darting his eyes somewhere. He was the first one to back out. Zach couldn’t stand Sam’s empty eyes at him. It was what she usually glimpsed at him. It was how fast the day changes. How fast the stars disappeared at night whenever the sun rises. How fast the sunset began. Sam didn’t even convey a single word and just flapped back the papers in the clipboard. She breathed, her eyes looking straight ahead. Zach didn’t even move an inch, and why does Sam cared? It’s lunchtime. They always run up each other in between of works when 12 o’clock hit the clock
How could the man she used to spend her days with became a stranger in just one snap? How could the woman he used to kiss at night and cuddle at sleep became a person he’s just going to pass in the street? It all goes back to the top. When the first time they glanced at each other’s eyes, they didn’t know each other well. And now, it all happened again. Zach furrowed his eyebrows, darting his eyes somewhere. He was the first one to back out. Zach couldn’t stand Sam’s empty eyes at him. It was what she usually glimpsed at him. It was how fast the day changes. How fast the stars disappeared at night whenever the sun rises. How fast the sunset began. Sam didn’t even convey a single word and just flapped back the papers in the clipboard. She breathed, her eyes looking straight ahead. Zach didn’t even move an inch, and why does Sam cared? It’s lunchtime. They always run up each other in between of works when 12 o’clock hit the clock
Yet, the moment she turned her heel around after buying some coffee, Zach was behind her. She nearly bumped in his chest, holding the coffee steadily. Sam was wearing a cap, and Zach recognized it at once. Sam cleared her throat, pretending he was a stranger, and walked away. Zach didn’t have anything to say and just step forward. It’s nothing to get bothered about. Zach composed himself, and ordered something fast. The barista said he’ll have to wait for a few moments for his coffee. Zach paid at the counter. He was about to chase Sam but she went out of the shop hastily. Zach stood there, sighing. His heart lost a half of it, making him numb, something that is unusual for him. But he stayed strong no matter what. Like a rose wilted inside his heart, he stayed as courageous as he can outside. Of course, Sam wouldn’t be grateful of what happened last time. Who was Zach in her life again? He was once her savior. And it has something to do wit
“I just have some handouts here to bring to the drama department for the trainees. The instructor said to bring it before their duty ends.” Zach couldn’t contain the fear. That time, 11 years ago, wasn’t supposed to leave his mind until now. Zach weren’t a man if he ever made her cry, and it proved one thing for Ethan. It’s such a shame for him to stand at the same bridge as him.“Oh, that sounds great. Are you delivering it yourself?” Ethan wasn’t bringing up the subject at all. It made Zach intimidated. Something about his words meant he doesn’t even care about Zach at all. Sam got betrayed by no other than his longtime boyfriend.“Yeah, Ethan.”“Carry on. I still have some work to do. Good thing we ran at each other. And… I wanted to invite you for dinner later. Top stars, including producers and directors, have a little gathering over there.” Ethan ga