The Truth 9

I got lost in my thoughts as I traced his lips with my finger. Rya Sevilla's lovely face flashed in my mind, and I started to imagine Sean's lips on hers. I snatched my hand back and looked away; the sense of humiliation started to rule my emotion. All of a sudden, I lost interest in listening to what he wanted to tell me.

"What is it?" Sean asked, and I could tell through that question that he understood that something was wrong.

"I-I suddenly feel dizzy," I lied. I couldn't tell him about my suspicion that Rya Sevilla was Calla, and that I knew that he hid her somewhere. The thought hurt me, and I couldn't possibly get intimate with someone who had started cheating on me at an early stage of a relationship he himself had wanted to establish.

A glint of worry spread across his face. He touched my head and my neck like I was a kid who was burning with fever. Without any word, he lifted me in his arms and placed me at the center of the bed. He then pulled up the sheets up to my shoulders then pulled another layer of curtains on the wall to veil the room from the penetrating sun rays.

"I'm sorry to wake you up early. Get some rest first. If you don't feel better by noontime, then let's go back to the city."

I did not reply because I felt guilty. I just closed my eyes, hoping I'd catch some sleep and feel emotionally better later. If only I were not curious about the mysteries implied my Sean's coming into my life, I would have left him before it would be too late for me to let go.

"Put this on," he said, and I felt his hand on my head, slipping a band around my head and a mask in my eyes, "so that you can rest well."

"Thank you," I whispered and pursed a smile, turning to my side afterward so that I could curl up and pull my knees upward in a fetal position. It earned me a kiss on my temple before I heard him closing the door.

Just as I was about to drift into the dreamland, Sean's phone vibrated on top of the bedside table. I smirked as I propped up to take a look, pressing an elbow on the bed.

This man is really careless. If he dares to hide something, he should supposedly be careful with his phone, or at least turn the notifications off on the locked screen.

I moved to the side of the bed then looked at the screen without having to touch it. The name Samsam was blinking in bold letters beside a green dial icon.

"Dr. Yrna's proxy sent me a box of folic acid. She said, that's all I need for my first trimester. Sean, I am already starting to feel nauseated. I hate this feeling. How's the business trip? I miss you already."

I felt a heavy lump running over my chest. I moved back to my bed and pulled on the covers up to my head. At that moment, I wanted to cry, but I took a deep breath and bit my lip. I should not get affected. The relationship was still too fresh to ruin me emotionally. Why not act as a good player of the game?

The door opened, and I heard Sean's footsteps coming to the bedside. A clattering of a cup against another object suggested that Sean must have placed something on the bedside table. I continued closing my eyes but tuned up my sense of hearing to be able to interpret his movements. The phone sounded again, and I knew it was a call. He picked it up right away because the sound immediately stopped.

"Hello," he said as the sound of his footsteps got a little farther away from me. "I got your message, and I'm glad you have the supplement. Whatever you need while I am away, just call Philip. You have his number. He will come anytime to attend to your needs."

Philip. The second name I'd put on my list. And the key to knowing more about this woman. Most of all, a confirmation that Sean was keeping her.

I stayed motionless while lying on my side, afraid that Sean would catch me prying over him. I shut my eyes off as I heard his footsteps coming towards me. Then the bed sank, and I felt his hand on my forehead again. Afraid that he'd know I was pretending I was asleep, I opened my eyes and pulled the cover down.

"How are you feeling now? Does it get worse?" Sean asked, holding my hand to help me get up.

"Hmmn, a little."

"Drink this tea. You will feel good after this." He picked up the glass kettle he brought and poured it on a cup. "This is a concoction from what we call as miracle leaves. I know medical people don't advise taking herbal teas, but my friend, who knows a lot about healing and cure, says this is good."

"Who's that friend, you said?" I asked to keep our conversation going because, honestly, I lost the interest to talk to him again.

"He was someone important before, but fate pulled him down, so he resumes to his traditional way of discovering nature."

Bringing the cup to my lips, I sipped a little to taste it. The lukewarm fluid and the fresh aroma of fresh leaves concealed the slightly bittersweet taste. I gulped the content until I consumed it all. It tasted good, so I reached out to the kettle to have another cup.

"Let me do it," Sean said, stopping my hand mid-air.

He placed a hand behind my head and pulled me closer to him. He then bent down and kissed my forehead before he lifted the kettle. My raging emotion started to calm down again at this simple, caring act.

"Go back to sleep while I prepare our breakfast," he said after I emptied the cup. He then lifted the cover, gesturing to let me lie down again.

"No, let me help."

"Not this morning. Maybe in the evening."

He bent down and placed an arm under my thighs and another on my back, setting me back to bed. Just as my head touched the pillow again, he lowered his head and gently sucked my lips. I raised my hands and locked it around his neck, responding to his moves. At the moment, I forgot all about my humiliation I felt earlier. I kissed him back until he pulled down the covers and let his hand creep under my shirt. My kisses went harder as his fingers found my tips, rolling it between his fingers.

I lifted my shirt, exposing myself, urging him to explore more. Unconsciously, our eyes locked, and I saw that burning desire in his eyes. He bent down and gave each of my nipples a gentle suck. I arched my body forward to give him more access, but he stood up and pulled my shirt down.

"Sorry for stealing your rest time," he said, giving me that dark gaze.

Damn him, I wanted more. Before I could reply, he stepped away and said,

"I'm going to see my friend who gave these leaves. Be right back."