“What are you two saying? I have habitual panic attacks?” I burst into the living room after hearing them mentioning the term ‘panic attack.’
“You misunderstood us, Yen. Zed only wants to mean you’re scared of guns and any explosives.”
I looked at Zed, then back to Kim.
“I’m sorry, dear. I have been used to using the term because it’s sometimes included in one of my topics, “Overcoming Fears" and "Getting Out Of Your Comfort Zones."
I shifted my gaze between the two of them again, although Zed had convinced me with his explanation. Seeing the guilty looks on their faces, I lost my intention to go deeper. And besides, we only have a few minutes left before risking the cancellation of our flight.
“Wait, I’ll get your suitcase. Please excuse me, Mr. Mori.”
“Please have a seat, Kim.” I walked over to the sofa, leading the way for Kim. I then sat down ahead of him, gesturing for him to sit down across from me.
He followed me, but he remained standing, looking at the huge wall frame of Zed and mine’s wedding. Zed was hugging me from behind, interlocking his fingers on my navel.
“I’m fine, thanks. We wouldn’t take long anyway.”
“Why do you bother to drop by? Zed could drive me to the airport,” I asked, breaking his gaze from our wedding photo. With his intense stare, I wouldn’t wonder if, in the next second, the glass frame would get shattered into pieces.
He shrugged his shoulders before opening his mouth to answer. All his movements at the moment, including the tilting of his head and the way he gestured with his hands, defined his elegance and exquisite physique better. I then found myself staring at him.
My goodness, gracious. He’s so handsome!
If the child in my womb would be a boy, he would surely be resembling him. I recalled some folks saying that if you want your child to look like someone, keep a photo of him or her that you could stare at many times a day. Then you would have the assurance that the child would indeed look like the person you are obsessed with. However, they also said that if you hated someone during your pregnancy, his ugly physical attributes and character would also reflect on your child.
“Don’t bother Zed anymore. Your place is on the way, so why not pick you up?” he suddenly spoke, snapping me out of my trance.
“Has Mr. Yuki returned to Japan?” I asked. I couldn’t get that curiosity out of my mind.
“Not yet, but I didn’t show up at home.”
I pulled my brows together, looking at him with a puzzled look.
“Then why did you say you’re just nearby?” I couldn’t care less if he gets pissed off by my questioning.
“I bought the old house that Mr. Yuki bought for Maezy. She doesn’t know about it.”
I gasped in surprise, recalling what Mr. Yuki said during that dinner. “So that’s why Mr. Yuki felt that he wasn’t in his own home.”
“It’s true. Although the structure of all the houses here are similar, the old man could still feel the difference.”
“Then why did she sell the old house?” Once my curiosity is heightened, I couldn’t stop wanting to find the truth.
“For decency reason. Mr. Yuki is my foster father…”
His revelation dropped like a bomb, leaving me staring at him unblinking. However, my shock ended when I heard Zed’s footsteps coming towards us.
“Why are you so mysterious, Mr. Mori?” I turned to look over in Zed’s direction. I knew he overheard the last part of what Kim said.
“Life would be so boring without mysteries,” he chuckled, showing his perfect set of white teeth that deepened his handsomeness. “Right, Mr. Ramos?”
Mr. Ramos, Mr. Mori. How could they be so formal when I myself was addressing my boss with his first name?
“Can you stop the formality, please? If we call each other with our first names, then both of you do the same.”
“Sounds good, Yen.” He then looked at Zed, then back to me. “Shall we go now?”
“Of course.”
Zed suddenly squatted on the floor facing me. I raised my brows, wondering why he did that. To another of my stupidity, I only got it when he placed a pair of shoes on the floor. Removing my slippers, he then put on my new shoes.
“Thank you, dear,” I said, throwing my arms around his neck. I then tilted my head and pressed my lips on his.
He hugged me as his answer. Remembering that Kim was around, I glanced at him. Our eyes met, but he looked away.
“I’ll go out, first.”
Looking at Kim’s retreating back, I then kissed Zed again and whispered in his ears, “I sent a movie link into your messenger account. Please watch it later.”
He probably guessed that the movie was something erotic, he burst into soft laughter. “You naughty girl.”
“Promise me,” I glared at him, waiting for his answer.
“Alright, alright. I’ll do it right this morning.”
“Good.”
Zed then picked up my suitcase and walked me to the gate. Kim was already inside, watching us through the rolled-out window. After placing my suitcase inside the trunk, Zed opened the door for me.
“Be safe, dear. You, too, Mr. – “
I laughed. Zed apparently still felt awkward about it.
“Thanks, Zed.”
Kim’s driver turned on the engine and began moving. I then waved goodbye to Zed before closing the window. He also waved back and followed us with his gaze. He was still smiling, but I guessed I saw glints of pain in his eyes.
Don’t, Zed. No matter how imperfect you are, I wouldn’t stain our marriage.
“You miss him already?” Kim’s voice pierced into my ear, breaking my thoughts on Zed.
“This is my first travel after our marriage,” I smiled, turning to look at him. “Maybe Maezy has got used to your frequent travels.”
“No. He always had someone to fill her loneliness. When daddy got sick, he got James. Now that I have come into her life, she has Tim.”
I glued my eyes on him for a couple of seconds. I then understood the role of a man named James in the life of Maezy. But how did Kim take in this ugly truth about his wife? Is that how much he loves her? Is that how blind he becomes because of his love for her?
“Kim, may I ask something?” I asked after some moments of silence.
“Sure.”
“What is your secret in having such a strong heart? How can you make love to Maezy when you know she is also spreading her legs before all these men; even before Mr. Yuki?”
He chuckled, and I felt stupid, regretting to have asked this sensitive question.
“There is a definite wall between lust and love. With Maezy, it’s pure lust.”
Goosebumps spread all over my body at how he spoke those words without any awkwardness. But once I started a question, I wouldn’t stop asking until I got satisfied.
“To whom do you give your love?”
He looked straight into my eyes, drawing a race on my heartbeats.
“Jakara Blue.”