Chapter 2
1280 Words
Kiera brought me to her house, and I decided to stay there for the meantime. Thankfully, it's Sunday, so I didn’t have to worry about going to work.
How I wish I could talk to Ezeckiel right now. I miss him so much. But how can I reach him if his phone is always turned off? I’m feeling a mix of anxiety and frustration because he hasn’t even tried to contact me.
I’ve called him so many times, but it’s always the same—no answer.
Ezeckiel, what’s happening to you? Why can’t I reach you anymore?
It was already afternoon, and still, there was no change. I couldn’t contact any of his friends either. The only hope I had left was his mother, Leonora Sandoval. She had always been kind to me, and we had grown close.
My heart leapt with hope when I heard the phone ringing in their mansion. The maid answered the call, but what she said shocked me: I was told never to call again because they no longer knew anyone named Celestine.
But deep in my heart, I knew it wasn’t the maid who said that. It was Ezeckiel’s mother.
It felt like I had been doused with ice water.
"Hey, Celestine, what happened to you?" Kiera said as she entered the room carrying a tray of food.
She placed it on the side table. She had just woken up after staying up all night to pick me up from the café.
"Gosh, this room is going to flood again. Stop crying. You don’t even know the real reason yet why you can’t contact your husband."
"I have a bad feeling, Kiera. I think they already know what happened to me. That’s why Ezeckiel’s mom said that. What am I going to do? I can’t lose my husband. I love him so much," I sobbed as tears streamed endlessly down my cheeks. Kiera tried to comfort me.
"You didn’t do anything wrong, Celestine. You said you didn’t even feel any pain down there. That means you still have a chance to explain everything to your husband. It’s not too late."
"But I can’t contact him anymore. I’m sure he already knows about what happened, probably because of Eloisa. I need to go home, Kiera—immediately. I can’t lose him."
"But you can’t leave for another month."
"No, I want to quit my job. I’d rather lose my job than lose Ezeckiel."
"Okay, but that’s not something you can just decide on a whim. You signed a contract, and you’re supposed to finish it in a month."
"Kiera, I need your help. Can you handle everything for me here? Please, I need to go back to the Philippines."
"Alright, just give me one week. I’ll help you. Stop crying, okay? You’re making me tear up too, like I just got dumped."
"i***t, don’t cry. You’re not even married."
"I’m just joking! I’m trying to make you laugh. Try calling him again, maybe he’ll finally pick up."
"I already tried, but still nothing."
"Eat first. You look terrible. You’re stressing me out too. I don’t know what to do with you anymore."
I immediately dug into the food on the tray and nearly finished everything.
"You’re such a glutton! I thought you were about to eat the plate too."
"Shut up! I’m not crazy."
"Almost! Try to get some sleep. You need to be ready for work tomorrow."
"Kiera, I don’t think I can go to work. Not while I’m going through this."
"I want to quit as soon as possible. I can’t focus until I talk to Ezeckiel."
"Alright. Just go to work tomorrow—just for one week. Can you manage that?"
"I don’t think I can."
"Force yourself. Next week, you’ll be on a flight back to the Philippines."
"Fine. I’ll try."
"Don’t just try. Do it."
After that conversation, I finally fell asleep. I needed rest for work the next day. I had to push myself to be okay, at least during working hours, and try to set my thoughts about Ezeckiel aside.
The next morning, Kiera and I arrived early at work. The moment we walked in, I noticed people staring at me strangely, whispering to each other. I didn’t understand what was going on. I ignored it and went straight to my office. Just as I was about to open the door, my secretary approached.
"Why, Nadia?" I asked.
"Ma’am, you have a meeting in Mr. Del Fuego’s office—right now."
"Okay. I’ll go."
A sudden wave of nervousness washed over me. This was the first time the CEO had summoned me this early. I stood outside his office door, hesitated for a second, then knocked and slowly opened it. The old CEO was already seated inside. He looked like he had been there even earlier than me.
"Good morning, sir."
"You may take your seat, Miss Ellison."
I sat down on the right side, and he immediately began talking. My heart sank as I listened. Even he had heard about what happened to me that night. I didn’t know whether to feel relieved or scared—because it meant I’d be able to go back to the Philippines, but also that I’d be breaking my contract, and there would be consequences.
Everything I worked hard for was suddenly falling apart.
"I’m sorry, Miss Ellison," were his final words. I couldn’t look at him. Shame and confusion overwhelmed me.
I am not a dirty woman. They’re all wrong about me.
I had no choice but to accept their accusations—for now. My mind was still in chaos, and I still couldn’t contact my husband.
I said my goodbyes properly and left the company where I had started chasing my dreams. All my sacrifices, all my sweat and effort—gone in a single night because of one mistake.
I tried calling Ezeckiel again, but his phone was still off.
I was walking in the parking lot when I suddenly bumped into someone. My blood boiled—it was the man from that night at the hotel.
"You again?!" I snapped.
"Yeah, it’s me. Small world, huh? And we run into each other in a parking lot."
I didn’t want to talk to him. I was feeling a whirlwind of emotions, and I didn’t trust myself not to slap him again—or worse. He had ruined me. My dreams. My marriage. Especially Ezeckiel—he meant everything to me.
I turned and walked away, heading straight to my car. But I didn’t realize he had followed me.
He knocked on my car window and wouldn’t stop. Annoyed, I rolled it down.
"Can you please stop this nonsense?!" I snapped.
"Can we just talk about what happened?"
I stepped out of the car and punched him in the face. His eyes narrowed in pain.
He grinned, annoyingly.
"You’re feisty. I really like that about you," he said, holding his jaw.
"Don’t worry. I don’t hit women. I just want to talk—nothing else, okay?"
"Why should we talk?! You ruined my life—my career, everything!" I shouted.
"Why? What happened?"
"Oh, so now you want to know?" I said bitterly, tears falling down my cheeks.
"Hey, don’t cry out here. People might think I’m making you cry."
"I’m leaving. Don’t follow me."
"Wait. Take my calling card—just in case you want to talk or ask about what really happened that night."
I froze for a moment. A part of me was curious. But I had no trust left in anyone.
I took the card from him, slammed my car door shut, and drove off.
- Writer
