We arrived at about six in the evening, but Zed wasn't in the house anymore. He had probably left for his lecture tonight, so I sent him a message to inform him of my arrival.
"Welcome home, dear. I'm already here in the Bayfront Hotel. Just heat the food I have prepared for you. Don't wait for me anymore since you need to have a good rest."
I roamed around the house and wondered how my home with Kim looked like. Perhaps, our few months of staying together had already let us set up a house of our own. And probably, he had turned that apartelle into our residence.
A wave of mixed emotion stirred my emotion. Something deep inside had recognized Kim all along, only that I couldn't remember. Since Zed and I were into a seven-year relationship, it only meant that Zed was my first boyfriend and left for Japan when we were in our second year of the relationship. I began to wonder if Zed knew all about my amnesia. And as to why I got it, I still have to discover it.
I went to the bathroom and got a quick shower before changing into a new set of cotton mini dress. I was too emotionally bothered that I didn't feel like sleeping. Then, just when I was about to go out, my phone rang. It was Kim.
"Sweetheart, how are you? Have you had your dinner?"
I got tongue-tied upon hearing him calling me with an endearment. My heart turned a frenzy again, banging loudly against my chest.
Was this a sign that he would indeed fight for our marriage? If he would, he could. He could cancel his declaration of presumptive death anytime and file for the nullity of my subsequent marriage with Zed on the ground of psychological incapacity.
"I don't have any appetite."
"No, that's not an excuse. I'll pick you up, and let's have dinner together."
"Kim, please."
There was silence for a while before I heard a sigh.
"Alright. I won't pester you anymore until your memories return."
"No, Kim. Even if the law calls us to reunite together, my conscience can't. I already have Zed, and you have Maezy. I can't turn deaf and mute on their feelings. So even if you resort to legal proceedings and charge me with bigamy, know that you can't still have all of me. Because Zed will always be a part of me, and hurting him means hurting me as well."
"What about me? I have turned the world upside down to find you. Only to know the reason why I couldn't find you, and it's because you are bringing the name Yen Vergara after five years."
"Kim-" I didn't know what to say anymore. I still couldn't figure how Mr. Williams changed my name into Jakara Blue.
"I need you, Yen."
"Kim, please give me some space and time to think it over."
"As long as you are not resigning from the job."
Kim had really seen through my next move. After that, of course, I was planning to leave his company to prevent this craziness between us.
"As long as you won't tell Zed about us."
"For now, yes," he replied, but it wasn't a life-long promise."
"Okay. Bye."
"Bye. I love you."
I choked. Kim had started imposing his role and rights already.
I booked a taxi ride that would take me to Bayfront Hotel. I then went directly to the reception area to inquire about the function hall number where Zed had his speaking engagement. The receptionist then smiled at me and said,
"I am not sure if you can get in, ma'am. The reserved seats had been all occupied long ago. Mr. Zed is such a famous and effective speaker that the halls are always flooded with a huge crowd."
I felt flattered and proud of my husband. However, I also pitied the flaw he had as a man. Who would expect that behind his powerful aura, he had this weakness of limping on the bed?
"Fear keeps you from progressing and keeping your goal. For example, you have this stage fright or fear of public speaking. So you have to set your mind on this new learning first. Then, convince yourself that you can do it. Because whatever our mind can conceive, our body can achieve. And there is even a song that goes, "Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all." And loving yourself makes you believe you can achieve something great," I heard Zed's as I silently entered the door to the function room. His voice echoed in convincing power.
The whole room was quiet, and all ears were on him. Some were even jotting down every highlight he said. And as I saw how the crowd got mesmerized by him, I felt like something was obstructing my throat.
He looked so stunning in his grey suit -- his chiseled jawline, well-carved nose, and deep-set eyes made him an almost perfect creation before any human eyes.
"By the way, ladies and gentlemen, I would like you to acknowledge the arrival of my wife," Zed suddenly said; his affectionate gaze was on me.
"She's that beautiful lady at the back. Mrs. Yen Ramos, he paused, gesturing a hand at me, "can you please stand up?"
I stood up and smiled, running my eyes on everyone. But when my eyes strayed on a corner, I saw a familiar figure looking at me.
My goodness, it's Kim. What is he doing here?
"Thank you, dear. Now, back to our topic..."
I sat down for a while, listening to my husband. While I felt proud of him, I couldn't help throwing side glances at Kim at the far side of the opposite corner. I stayed a while longer until I couldn't hold back anymore. So, I went out and walked towards the bathroom. But as I passed by the elevator, it suddenly opened, and a pair of arms pulled me inside.
"Kim, what are you doing?" I lifted my face against the constraints of his arms.
"Just missing you," he smiled, planting a kiss on my forehead.
"Are you crazy?" I asked, gritting my teeth. "Where are you taking me?"
"Upstairs. I forget to return something to you."
Thinking that it's no use to argue with him, I just followed him obediently. Kim stopped and ushered me inside a room on the fifth floor, and as soon as he closed the door, he suddenly turned and pinned me on it. Kim immediately pulled my chin and angled his head to kiss me. I sighed, but the sound of it got buried into the hollow of his mouth.
"What's happening with you?" I said, pushing him away.
"I need you. And I would go crazy if I won't have you tonight."
I heaved out a deeper sigh. He started kissing me again while his hands moved to my butt. In less than a second, his hands crawled to the hem of my dress and lifted it out of my head.
"Wait," I said, pushing me again. But I was already standing with only the tiny pieces of my lingerie on. "What do you want to return to me?"
He put a hand on his trouser's pocket and pulled out a pair of bra and panties that I left at the apartelle. I reached out to take it from him, but he put it back in his pocket.
"Later."
My eyes widened when he lifted me off and placed me on the bed. Then, without any delay, he captured my lips again while his hands were stripping off the remaining tiny pieces of the cloth in my body.