Zed's POV
Meeting different kinds of people makes my mind sharp in reading their emotions. I can tell if they are genuinely motivated or obliged. I can also see who can exercise leadership and those who are only good at words.
So, when Ella acted out, I knew she was jealous of Yen. She was hurting over the paintings that made her think I'm still crazy about Yen. But jealous or not, I can't afford to expect more from her—more than what we live for in the present.
Sad to say, I'm happy with our progress. Ella's little acts of jealousy flatter me. It gives me hope that she will come to me if James truly rejects her. It makes me hope that she will stop begging for him to accept her and their child if I move faster. But I will wait until she is brave enough to tell me she chooses me over James. I will give her full freedom from the very start so that I can also set my mind that someday this relationship will also come to an end.
I know I'm going to get hurt again in the process. But I promise myself that I will face my loss bravely this time. And I have decided to accept the fact that pain always comes after love. I can neither deny that the best time of your life is when you fall in love, even if you know you'll be hurting in the end.
I canceled all my speaking engagements for the week. And I refuse to accept new ones for the whole month. I will devote my entire month to Ella and give her my time and focus. Because this is also about giving time to my heart and my future.
"Dear, Ara is coming over to see our place. She needs it for her planning," I tell her while we are having breakfast in the garden. It has become a routine for us, aside from the pure sunshine and beautiful ambiance we get every morning.
"Planning? For what?"
"Yes. For the blessing of the house. If you still remember, she offered to do the designing, decorations, and all."
"Ah, yes," she chuckles, recalling "What time will she come over?"
"Maybe an hour from now."
She scrambles to her feet, her eyes horrified. "Why didn't you tell me ahead? I no longer have time to prepare food for her."
"You don't have to. There are restaurants we can order from."
"No, Zed. What will she think of me?" She knows Ara is Yen's best friend. So, I understand if she doesn't want Ara to get a bad impression on her.
She dashes towards the kitchen and I follow her. Ever since she's in the house, I stop buying food from outside. She always cooks, something Yen couldn't do in the past.
"How about helping you?" I say, wrapping my arms around her waist while nipping the side of her neck. I know I can't stop her from doing what her mind has set.
She glances at the clock on the wall, then shakes her head. "Do something else. I can do this."
"Okay. I'll wash the dishes."
I steal glances at Ella as she starts cutting spices. She ties her hair in a neat bun, making her look fresh even as she runs here and there. Anyone couldn't tell how deftly and efficiently she can work in the kitchen if they are to see only her elegant and graceful demeanor. And she gets more and more beautiful every minute I get to stare at her.
"You're staring again. Stop it," she says, chuckling.
"It's your fault," I shrug, and start arranging the dishes on the cupboards.
"How is it my fault?"
"Your fault because you're beautiful. And innocently seductive."
"Stop it, Zed. You better go back to work. You're getting worse with your flatteries."
I laugh but her words make me want to squeeze her in my arms. Before she can throw a glance again, I'm already standing at her back, nuzzling her ear.
"Your vacation makes you hornier each day," she says, moving her head away.
"It's your fault. Why do you always have to be sexy?" I run my arms inside her blouse, unhooking her bra.
"Zed, later. I'll be all yours. Just not now."
But I can't stop. She's so tempting that I can spend a day just making love to her or cuddling her in my arms.
"Go ahead. Don't mind me."
"Silly."
I slide my hands under her bra and start making circles around her breast. She resists the temptation, trying to ignore me and continue peeling the onions. When I rub the centermost of her nipples, she drops the onions and arches her body backward.
"Zed, stop it."
"I'll be quick," I whisper.
I never knew how addictive sex can be until Ella brings out the best in me. I lift her and place her on top of our wooden table, her head resting below her bowls of spices, cutting boards, and knife. I'm confident we won't ruin anything. Because no matter how hard we wrestle above, a narra wood will never give way. And no matter how much Ella tries to resist, she always gives up when I hit her weakness. And that's when I devour her sweetness down there.
In the next seconds, she's already flailing her arms and legs in the air, screaming in pleasure as I plow on her hairless field. Her spices also toss high in the air, but I don't have time to mind it. Neither does she. We are lost in pleasure, thinking of nothing else but riding in the heights of sexual desire.
"Shall I stop?" I ask her as her body rocks in orgasm after my oral exploration.
"I'll kill you."
I laugh, giving in to her wishes. I pump hard, rocking the table. The screeching noise from the feet of the table doesn't disturb her either. She screams and moans like it's her first time, encouraging me to give her that mind-blowing orgasm.
I end my pumping just as our doorbell buzzes. Startles, she hurries off upstairs to shower while I grab my shorts before heading to the main door.
Ara leaps and throws her arms around me as soon as I open the door. To my shock, I see Yen coming out of the car and walking towards us.
"Ar, no. I'm sticky and wet!" I push her gently, but awkwardly. "Just did some exercises."
"You look more gorgeous these days, Zed. See, your skin is glowing and pinkish," Ara says as she runs her eyes from my head to my toes. I laugh. She's always the tactless but sweet person I know. But then she scrunches her nose.
"What?"
"I know that smell. Yuck. Is that what you mean by your exercises?" She giggles, casting a glance at Yen. "You reek of sex."
"Yen. You're here." I change the awkward topic by acknowledging Yen's presence. I also step forward and kiss her on the cheek.
"Nah, it's Ara."
Ara bursts out laughing as she tells how she tricked Yen into coming with her.
"Come inside," I say, inviting the ladies in.
Ara gasps as soon as she steps inside, admiring the beauty of the interior of the house.
"I can't believe this is your house. It speaks of elegance and sophistication," she gestures with her arms spreading wide like she's reciting a poem in front of a huge crowd.
"It's not me, but Ella," I say, looking up at Ella who is now climbing down the stairs.
"Hello, ladies," she greets with a warm grin on her face.
"Hello, Ella," Ara greets back, but Yen just smiles, looking at her. But when Ella walks towards us, Yen meets her halfway and kisses her on the cheek. I can't believe how she acts professionally despite the awkwardness.
"I hope you don't mind. Ara tricks me into coming here."
"I don't. Promise," Ella answers, chuckling and glancing at me.
Ara suddenly interrupts. "Zed, can you tour us around your house?"
"Sure," I reply, leading them right away to the garden in the backyard.
"OMG! OMG! This is twenty times more beautiful than the first one!"
Ara is referring to the garden I made for Yen. I glance at her and I see a glint of pain in her eyes. To shorten her discomfort, I usher them to the door leading to the kitchen.
"It's hot here. Let's go inside," I say, pointing to the door.
"Right. Unless you'll sponsor my next facial care."
Ara runs inside right away, but Yen walks slowly and silently behind Ella. I stand by the door frame, waiting for the ladies to get inside.
Suddenly, Ara's loud scream has us running towards her.
"What's happening here?"
"What?!" we all ask in unison.
"Is there a tiger here?"
We all follow Ara's eyes as she looks with horror at the scattered herbs and spices, shattered bowl, rolling onions, and the knife and board on the floor.
I got stunned for a few seconds but ended up laughing hard afterward. But then Ara covers her mouth, muffling her giggles as her eyes rest at Ella's panties on top of the table. I feel awkward because its crotch is facing outward, making it obvious that I stripped it out from her. To make it worse, Ella's blouse and shorts hang on top of the chair's backrest.
My bad, I forgot about it!
I glance at Ella and I know she's dying inside. I screw it all up and put her in shame.
Before I can think of the right words, Ara exclaims again with her big mouth.
"Eww, the world of the married!"
"Ara!" I pull her away, sparing Ella from the discomfort. Ella follows her, her face turning pale in shame as she glances at me. But Ara is quick to put her arm around her shoulder, comforting her.
"It's fine. We always do that, even in pools," she giggles, making Ella laugh with her. "And you know what, my son has caught me many times doing it. There was even one time..."
I sigh and go back to clean up the mess as Ara's voice fades. I'm glad that Ara is able to comfort Ella by her tactlessness again. But to my surprise, I notice Yen standing by the doorframe. It seems like she's rooted to the floor as a look of disbelief overwrites her expression.
"Yen?"
"I'm sorry," she says, looking down. May I use your bathroom?"
"Sure," I say, but my eyes got stuck at the tears in her eyes.
"You're crying. Why?" I know I shouldn't have asked. It was only a few days ago when she told me she want me back into her life. I thought it was just her guilt, but seeing her crying now makes me wonder if she has regrets about leaving me.
She chuckles, but her endless tears expose her fake smiles. "Don't worry, Zed. They are tears of joy because I know through this mess that you are healed."
"What do you mean?" I ask like an idiot, unable to catch the meaning of her statement right away. Or perhaps, I am just too distracted by the awkwardness of the situation.
"I see you're getting wilder in sex. So, it means you are truly healed."
I nod and smile, gesturing in the direction of the bathroom.