His and Her Circumstances

Chapter 1 - Waking up beside you

Chapter 1 - Waking up beside you

“Let’s break up.”

My hands stopped cutting the well-cooked steak after hearing those words. I looked at the man who heartily continued his meals as if that is the best thing to do in this world.

I waited for a while if he would at least add some explanations, but only the sound of his cutlery answered my silence. I was thinking deep in my mind that this was just a big joke and he would later laugh excessively to say that I shouldn’t be too serious in life.

One second…

Two seconds…

A minute…

I instinctively reached out to the still full glass of cold water to clear my throat and mind. Just a moment ago, my heart was full of hope that today’s dinner would be the start of our new life. I am more than ready to say yes if he suddenly pops the big question.

My assumptions and daydreaming even drove me to wear my best dress and make-up. I have my most expensive accessory with me and my designer bag. I was almost sure that tonight would be the night that I was waiting for. I never doubt the fact that Lucas and I shared the same mindset and that he is also thinking that it is already high time to tie the knot.

I don’t have to think twice about the answer if someone asks me if Lucas is the man that I want to spend the rest of my life with.

We’ve been together for three years now and our relationship is as smooth sailing as my career. It is not once that someone tells us that we are the perfect pair. We never had any major disagreements or problems with each other. Even our bodies are undeniably compatible. Our good record gave me the reason to conclude that he is already the one.

“Why?”

My patience could no longer hold my mouth. If he is joking, then it is now the best time to say so.

Finally, Lucas stopped eating and looked me in the eyes. His serious handsome face and perfect jawline are as captivating as ever. I was never hooked on the look, but I can’t help to think that my man is just the perfect package.

“Marianne, your secretary, is pregnant with my child. I plan to marry her as soon as possible.”

My body trembled after hearing his reason. I am not one of those people who easily let myself get close to another, but I was pretty sure that Marianne is one of those few people that I care about.

I even pampered her a lot during and after our work hours. I never hesitated to give her the bag that I just bought when she asked for it. I treated her like my real sister all this goddam time.

“Since when?.”

I managed to ask him a question without a shaking voice.

“Since when what? Since when did we start our affair?”

“Everything. The affair, the pregnancy, everything…”

Lucas chuckled after I answered his questions. His face was full of amazement, as if asking himself if all those words that he heard were true.

“You don’t have to pretend that you are hurt because of my misdeed. I am fully aware that this relationship is just a passing affair for you.”

My eyes widen as I digest his words little by little. I was and still am serious about this relationship. I may not be the sweetest and most expressive woman in the world, but I’m still trying my best to show how deep my love for him is.

“Also, aren’t you the same? I heard that you have been sleeping with one of the directors since you started at the company. No wonder you reached your current position faster than everyone else.”

The hand that is tightly gripping the handle of my bag lost its force and was just left resting on my legs. Things are getting more and more absurd as I keep my mouth shut. The argument that should be started by me has been twisted in a different way that I did not expect.

I never did the disgusting way of warming other men’s beds just to achieve whatever I have now. I worked harder than anyone else and even sacrificed the part of my youth when I should be enjoying life.

It was always my motto to work now and play later. I never regret my sacrifices and decisions in life since they brought me to wherever I currently am. Also, I believe that Lucas is fully aware of that and he considers it one of my good points.

He may not be the first man who I shared my bed with, but it doesn’t mean that I’m just a loose woman spreading my legs to any man that I meet. It just so happens that I believe that one should offer themselves as a whole to the person that they are with.

We are not even in a conservative society, so the idea of losing one’s virginity before marriage is not a big deal.

“You don’t have to worry. I will never tell those things to anyone. I, at least, acknowledge your dedication to your job. Also, I enjoyed doing it with you, so no wonder even those old geezers will find you appealing in that department.”

I wanted to slap him and throw the glass of water waiting near my hand, but I chose to just calm myself as much as I could.

Physically hurting or embarrassing him will only give me a little satisfaction, and it won’t be beneficial in my end to start a commotion in a public place.

“Lucas…not once did I do those things to achieve what I have now. You can properly break up with me even without those insults. Also, too bad, I loved you.”

Confirming that I have loved him will never be a regret of mine. That is true and it won’t change the fact that is how I feel until before his revelations begin.

I did not give him a chance to talk back right after my only defense. He may call me petty, but I at least deserve to give the last word in this relationship. My actions were quick right after that and I walked out of the restaurant without looking back.

I grabbed the first cab that came my way and asked the driver to take me to a specific address.

Only that place comes to mind after the commotion that bewildered my stereotypical life dawned on me.

My excitement this morning and the stress this evening were already manifesting in my body. I could feel the built-up fatigue making me more weary and emotional as I think of all my happy days with Lucas.

I never thought that we would end like this. No, that is not correct….I never thought that our relationship would one day come to an end.

I am a strong independent woman, but it did not stop the hot tears from falling into my eyes. I feel stupid for wasting all those years with a man that could say those words without batting an eye.

If he did not love me, then at least I think I deserve his respect.

My eyes were still wet and red when we reached the place that could save me from this depression.

I hurriedly entered the classy bar and sat down on a reserved chair in the corner of the bartender's station. Anna Webb, the owner and my best friend, was busy making a drink for one of her patrons when she noticed my presence.

Her pretty bob-cut hair, adorned with nothing but a small clip, flipped a little when she checked if I was the person that she thinks she was.

“So, your current man broke up with you?”

It fascinates me how she always guesses the reason why I’m showing myself in front of her. We may not always be together, but it is not as if I only visit her place whenever someone breaks up with me.

“Yeah. How did you know?”

“Mother’s instinct.”

I could only laugh after hearing her answer. We are both mature, but Anna wins in the humor department. She always knew the best words for every kind of situation.

“Funny enough, why did you cry for him? This is not even the first time that your boyfriend is the one who initiated the separation. What could be the reason this time?”

Anna bombarded me with questions while handing me a glass of martini. This is her way of making me talk without the awkwardness of the current situation.

“The douche and my secretary cheated on me and got the ho pregnant. Also, the audacity of that man, he even accused me of inappropriate actions in our company. I feel like an i***t for wasting the whole three years of my life with him.”

“Ohhh…so it’s the first time.”

“First time what?

“First time that a guy broke up with you for a negative reason.”

I tried to remember all my exes and their petty reasons for breaking up with me. The first one was in high school and he used the stupid excuse of preparing for the university entrance exam. I believed him with all my heart and waited until we were done with all of our examinations, but the next thing that I heard was that he was already in a relationship with one of our classmates.

The two did not even hide their relationship, as if parading to the whole world that they are such a match.

The second guy was when I was at university and his lame reason was that I was too perfect for him. I remember being overly agitated since I never consider myself one and the last thing that I have in mind is having a superiority complex.

I gave that man a big slap but soon regretted it since someone saw us and made a big deal out of it. I’ve been called a sadistic woman in our entire university days.

The third guy and the last one before Lucas have the biggest impact on me. He is a teacher and has a rather conservative view of women. His take on gender equality is not positive at all and he believes that a woman is born to give birth to a child and stay inside the house.

But his conservatism did not include himself, since he made me spend my first night with him right after our first date. I was still naive at that time and I still can't believe that I let myself fall into that animal.

My break up with him made me question my career and my standing in society. I am just lucky enough that Anna is there to support me that whole time.

My career became my focus right after our break up and that is when I met Lucas. He is only an assistant manager at that time and his tenacity to climb the corporate ladder made me fall for him.

I thought that we were the perfect match. How absurd! I believe all his kisses and whispers of love.

The liquor bottle that Anna gave me, after finishing the martini glass in an instant, is now empty. I usually stay with her in the bar until I become sober, but I forced myself to go home tonight.

I’m glad that I did not bring my car since it will be a bother to pick it up the next day.

My body is swaying as I exit the elevator. I had too much drink and my vision is getting hazy. My unit was still a few steps away when I bumped into a man and lost consciousness.

* * *

My head hurts like crazy. After a heartache is a stupid headache. Why do I have to suffer all the aches in the world just because I was born a human?

I opened my eyes and saw an unfamiliar ceiling and room. My beautiful lampshade was gone and was replaced by a lame table light. I reached out to my rumbling stomach and noticed that I was not wearing a single piece of cloth.

This is not an alarming matter, since I always take off my clothes before I sleep. I love the freedom that nakedness brings to me.

I was about to stand up when I saw a man sleeping beside me.

A naked man…

No…

He is not a man yet…

The familiar boy is the 17-year-old son of my neighbor.

I slapped my head and swore to myself that I would never drink again.