Love over Desire

Chapter 3 The Note

Sadie’s POV

“Ma’am, I’m sorry but I can’t fix it right now. There’s a problem with the engine,” the mechanic told me. “Just come back tomorrow,” he added.

“Okay, kuya. This van is really old, that’s why it’s got a lot of problems,” I replied. (Kuya is a Tagalog term of respect for an older male.)

“But I’m really impressed, ma’am, that you still use it even on mountainous and rough roads,” he said in awe.

“That’s why, kuya, I have you check it every month for my safety,” I said with a smile. “I’ll leave the van with you, kuya. I’m leaving now,” I told him.

“Okay, ma’am, thank you for your trust,” the mechanic said.

It’s about a 15 to 30-minute walk from the repair shop to my brother’s apartment, so I decided to just walk. It’s a waste of money to pay for a tricycle or a taxi, if I can just walk the distance. It’s almost 4 PM, so the sun isn’t too harsh anymore.

As I was walking, my stomach suddenly rumbled. I winced, holding my stomach. That’s when I realized I hadn’t eaten lunch yet. The last thing I ate was the food Nanay Annie packed for me that I ate on the road while driving. I felt a surge of hunger, a gnawing emptiness that made me feel even more tired. I looked around to find somewhere to eat. In the distance, I saw a restaurant, so I went in, hoping to find something to fill the void in my stomach and my spirit.

A minutes later...

I was outside my brother’s apartment, I’d been walking back and forth for a while now. People passing by were looking at me, and I could feel their curious glances. I felt a blush creeping up my neck, and my heart beat a little faster. “I think I’m going crazy! My mind is debating whether to go in or not because that man might be inside.” “Whatever, I’ll let Batman handle it,” I told myself, trying to laugh it off, but the nervousness was tightening in my chest. I finally opened the door, bracing myself for whatever I might find inside.

A deafening silence greeted me. I let out a shaky breath, relieved to see no trace or shadow of the man inside. But deep down, I felt a pang of disappointment, a fleeting flicker of longing that I couldn’t quite explain. “Oh come on self, don’t fall for that jerk, he’s your rival in business, he snatched your major client, right?” I scolded myself, trying to rationalize my feelings.

I went straight to the bedroom because my body was calling out to me, exhausted. I was about to lie down, but my eyes were drawn to a package on the side table. It was clearly expensive takeout because of the beautiful packaging and the name of the most popular restaurant in the whole city was printed on it. I reached for it, and it was still warm, so I knew the he had just left. My heart skipped a beat. Why was he doing this? Why was he leaving me food? And why did it feel like a deliberate act, a subtle way of reminding me of his presence?

“Eat me, taste me,” the sticky note said. As soon as I read it, a double meaning seemed to enter my mind. I shook my head, trying to erase it. Erase. Erase. Erase.

My innocence…my innocence tainted with green!

“Damn you pervert! You’ve made my brain turn to mush!” I said, cursing Markku, my anger a hot flame in my chest.

“Kunnes tapaamme taas,

rakkauuteni.”

--Markku

Another note from Markku. What could it mean? I asked myself, my mind swirling with confusion and a strange, unsettling mixture of annoyance and intrigue. “I think that pervert is using a love spell on me,” I exclaimed, trying to laugh it off, but the words felt hollow.

I put the food back on the side table, feeling strangely conflicted. I took out my phone. Suddenly, a message popped up.

“Consider yourself lucky, I’m leaving you on your own tonight, rakas.”

“Yes, lucky enough. There are no flies buzzing around me,” I replied, my fingers trembling as I typed. I threw my phone on the bed. Then went straight to the bathroom to freshen up. I needed to get some rest early. I have another long drive tomorrow.

I picked up my van from the repair shop the next day. Thankfully, everything was fixed perfectly. All the necessary repairs were completed.

I checked my watch; it was already 7:00 AM. I still had time to stop by a department store. I needed to buy some new clothes because mine were practically rags. I had a few sturdy pieces left, but they were faded. I parked near a mall and went straight to the department store to find what I needed.

I was in the underwear section when I saw something rather unpleasant. There was a couple not far from me, and the man seemed to have forgotten they were in a department store. He must have thought he was in a hotel because he kept fondling the woman's behind which she clearly enjoyed it.

"Oh, stop it, baby, you're so naughty," the woman playfully scolded the man. "Look, baby, I think this suits me," the woman said flirtatiously, showing him a daring bikini set.

"Let's see if it really fits you," He added. And she was stunned by that familiar voice. It was Marrku's voice. "Come on, I'll join you,"he flirted back.

"This is crazy!" my mind screamed.

"I'll love it, baby," the woman said seductively.

"My God, my God, please keep me away from these people!"

Markku pulled the woman towards the fitting room. He was just about to close the door when his gaze landed on her. Their eyes met, he smirked, and even waved before finally closing the door.

I was shocked. Such a pervert! Oh my god, in the fitting room of all places! My mind flashed with disturbing images of what they might be doing in there. Shudders Yuck! Markku, you're disgusting!

HAPPY READING ♥️

_TAGAILOCOSNAK