Strangers in Love

CHAPTER 12: UNO'S JEALOUSY

Ada's POVYohan invited me to a team dinner, it was also my last night with the team so I accepted his invite. It was irritating, annoying, and uncomfortable at first but I became more and more at ease as the party went on.

The party ended around 10 p.m. and there's only me, Dale, Lina, Trisha and of course, Yohan left. We talked a little longer and there was something that kept bothering me. It all started because of those stupid photos my Uncle posted online.

But no, there is really something bothering me, it's the way Yohan looks at me. The look that is gentle and loving, yet questioning and something that's as if he's looking through your soul; and that is confusing me.

We left the bar together and walked along the sidewalk. Yohan and I walk behind Lina, Dale, and Trisha.

"So, when are you moving back to your department?" Yohan asked smiling while I was lost in my thoughts.

"Uh, probably next week." I pause to look at him, and yes, his smile convinced me to move my resignation date, then I look back at the ground, "I think I'll have to be there until the shoot for the next episode is done."

He jolted as if he heard the good news, "Are you really?" then the trio turn around to look at us. "I mean, that's.. that's great!" Then he looked down and put her hands on his face to cover.

"What, did she say yes already?" Trisha said and the trio laughed devilishly. To keep me from laughing, I tried to change the subject. "By the way, I can take a taxi from here."

"Wait! Isn't he taking you home?" said Lina, pointing at Yohan.

I waved my hand for a no. And hailed a taxi "Oh, I'm fine. And he already had beer, so it's not safe for him to drive." I said and a taxi stopped in front of us. I waved my hands goodbye and went inside the cab.

And from the mirror, I saw Yohan take a picture of the cab's license number so I popped my head out of the window but before I could speak, he shouted, "For safety!" I chuckled and the taxi left.

On my way home, an unregistered number is trying to contact me, but I rejected it. 'Who would call me this late hour?' I think to myself. Then it rang again, so I decided to answer it. "Hello?" but no one answered, only deep breathing.

"Who is this?" I asked again.

"Marie.." said the most familiar deep voice from the other line. It almost choked me when I heard him say my second name. Yes, with that, I already know who that person is.

I couldn’t speak. No, I can't speak at all. It feels like there is a big lump in my throat that's stopping me to speak.

"Marie.. Who is he?" he asked in a hoarse voice.

"Who the f**k is he, Marie?!" he shouted stressing the F-word.

"He is.. He is none of your business!" I said then I cut the call. He tried to call me again, but I kept on rejecting his call. When he stopped ringing my phone, I blocked his number.

Since it's already 10 p.m., there are fewer cars along the way, so it took us only 15 minutes to reach my house. I paid my fare, got off, and before I could step in my doorway, a man appeared in front of me, wobbling.

"Why are you here?" I asked with firmness in my tone.

"I miss you, Marie.." he tried to grab me but I dodge just in time.

"Uno, you're drunk. Go home." pushing him away.

Uno shouted, trying to hold my hand but he caught my left arm instead. "Who is that f*****g bastard?!" he paused staring at my eyes while struggling to stand.

"I saw you! I saw you at the bar! I saw everything! I saw how you look at him!"

"Why are you acting so jealous?" I hold the hands that are tightly gripping my arm to release it from his grip, asking him in a frustrated tone. Indeed, I am tired of this.

He then continues but lowering his voice, "You never looked at me the way you look at him.." he slowly crouched down brushing his hair, "Why are you so hard to love? Why is it so easy for you to move on?"

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath and spoke in a gentle voice, "Uno, we're over three years ago.. So please.. Go home.."

I walked past him to unlock my door, just in time for me to open it, Uno hugged me from behind. He wrapped his arms around my waist tightly; too tight.

"Uno, stop. You're hurting me." I said while trying to remove his arms around me.

"Marie, I'll do everything. Come back to me.. I will change.. Please.." he pleads.

I spoke again heaving a deep exhale, "We'll talk when you're sober. Go home now."

Uno let go of me, standing behind me he said, "Can't I sleepover? Just for tonight. I miss you. I really miss holding you."

I do not like where this conversation is going, so the moment he stepped back, I opened the door and quickly ran inside. He tried to dodge the door with his hands, fortunately, I slammed the door hard before he could reach it.

Uno shouted from outside, "Ada Marie! We're not done yet! I'll come here every night until you come back to me!" he said that in a serious and loud manner.

I sat down with my knees on my chest and my hands covering my eyes. Is it that hard to love me? Didn't I cry enough? Isn't three years of pain and restraining myself enough?