When She Cries

We Meet Again

    I'm standing right in the doorsteps of my home. I can't push myself to even touch the doorknob. The fear of what might greet me, or what I might be in the moment I step inside. I had a very bad feeling, bad thoughts that clouded my mind since this afternoon. It's quite unusual that even my friends won't tell me anything about him, it looks like they know something but just won't tell me. I shrugged the bad thoughts off " Bella, you can't just stand there if it's bound to end then let it happen. "  I entered the house and quietly approached our bedroom. It's already late so I have to be quiet, can't wake him up. From the door of our bedroom, I can smell the scent of a woman's perfume. I stepped on clothing at the doorstep. I picked it up to see it's a woman's shirt. The moment I looked up, I can see Gino, in our bed, on top of his secretary. 

    Frozen, I was standing there looking at them, my eyes were filled with tears, I slammed my luggage on the floor. The sound startled the both of them. " Bella, I can explain. " He hurriedly dressed to approach me, but I ran away, as quickly as I can. Luckily, I was able to ride on a cab, while Gino was trying to chase me. 

    I spend the night at a nearby hotel. I wanna call my friends, but it's late, I don't wanna disturb them from their sleep. I had a couple of missed calls from Gino. 

    The memory of him on top of another woman was the last thing that I expected to happen. I was expecting for a battling argument or even a cold shoulder treatment. But not see him naked, the worst part is he laid her on our bed. The bed that I had been sleeping since the day we got married. How can I even come home with the thought of that?

     But then I realized, do I really have the right to be mad at him when I myself did the same thing with Tristan. Why am I even hurt, when before I arrived I was even preparing to end things with him.  Should I even be thankful that he gave me such a reasonable reason to break up with him? " C' mon Bella, this is what you wanted right? to focus on yourself and not on this relationship. You know that the moment he laid his hands on you is a sign that your marriage is failing. You went for a vacation to think things through, and I'm quite sure that you had decided to end things with him. " I muttered to myself. But I can't answer his calls, maybe I wanted to figure out things first. I'm not ready for confrontation, just wanna decide for once that I won't end up in regrets. 

    I cried all night, tears put me to sleep. "Tomorrow's gonna be a good day. " 

    I waked up to the sound of my phone ringing. I checked my phone, I had 20 missed calls from him. Images are still flashing, can't seem to forget it even with a good sleep in this comfortable hotel. With no clothes with me, I need to return home to get some. I planned on renting an Air BnB for a month. I don't want our families to know what happened, and so as my friends. I wanted to stay someplace else to figure out what I really wanted. But I'm aware that we both made a mistake, what makes it different is I caught them in the act, while Gino had no idea about Tristan. But what bothers me though, is for how many months did they hid their affair, is it possible that the same woman owns the lipstick stain on his shirt before.

    A lot of questions puzzled me, but what I know is I'm not ready to talk. It's already noon, it's a great time to go back to our house to pack my things since Gino is at work. I hurriedly pack my things, I can't even look at the bed, the anger, the pain from the betrayal. 

    I was able to find a good place to stay, an air BnB unit near my workplace. It's a studio apartment, with good interior, suited for an independent working woman like me. Aside from the unit itself, it has a good view of the city lights. The price is right for the place, this is a steal deal. 

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After 6 months 

It's been months, Gino and I had not been on speaking terms. I decided to keep my silence, but I still get calls from him every day. I lost a lot of weight, I'm shaping myself back, decided to go for healthier options. I also went back to work, I regained what I lost, I'm back on top of the game. This Miss Independent thing really did work out for me. Though I did get questions from friends about my married life, I handled it how an empowered woman should. I feel good about myself. Safe to say, I gained my career back, Bella is back.  

    " Congrats with your promotion Bella!" Ms. Azurea, our operations manager, shakes my hand. " This entails greater responsibility, but you have my trust. No doubt you can pull this off. " 

    " Thank you, Ma'am. I won't be able to get this promotion without your permission to go on sabbatical leave.  " I jokingly said.

    " For this project, you'll be working hand in hand with the junior manager from Manila. " The door opened behind me, " Just right on time. Thank you for joining us. "  Ms. Azurea stood up, " Bella, I'd like you to meet Tristan, junior manager from our Manila branch. He just got off from the plane. Hope you two can work well in this new project. "