She also excused herself to Red to go back to work.
"No, you'll come with us," Red stopped her just as she was about to turn around.
Clayton and Faith were stunned and looked at her. Only then did Faith take a closer look at her.
"Why would you like to bring your brother's employee?" Faith asked in astonishment to Red while staring at him.
Red smiled and put his arm around her.
"She's not just my brother's employee. We, ah ... We have this special connection," Red looked at her with a smile when he said that.
"Oh!" Faith reacted.
"She's Red's ex-girlfriend," Clayton suddenly replied as if his mood had changed.
She saw Red's startled look as well as he stared at his brother.
"Wow! Isn't it fun? Both of you will eat out with your exes," the woman laughed.
She felt awkward. She didn't think she should go with them.
"I think I'll stay because I still have a lot of work to do," he said very softly like a whisper to Red so Red needed to move his ears near her lips so he could hear her.
"I want you to come with us. I missed you, Nap," Red replied pinching her two cheeks softly.
"Alright, save your sweetness for later. You can just both get a room once we're done eating," Clayton said again with a dark face staring at the two of them.
Red was even more surprised by his older brother's reaction.
Faith, on the other hand, seemed to have not noticed the tension and even smiled at the man.
"Maybe Red might get married sooner than you. How does a double wedding sound to you?" the woman said jokingly.
Clayton was already smiling when he turned to Faith.
"You and your silly ideas," Clayton joked as well.
He took the woman by the arm and said goodbye to Mrs. Dominguez before leading Faith out.
"What's with my brother? He's acting strange," Red said while shaking his head.
She just smiled shyly at the man then turned to Mrs. Dominguez to excuse herself.
"Enjoy!" smiling, she answered and immediately focused on her work.
Hesitantly, she picked up her bag on the table and went with Red. He and Red got in the car and they followed Clayton's car.
While they were eating, Faith's started talking again but focusing her eyes only on Clayton.
Red asked her how she's been and also asked about her mother. She told him the good news about her mother.
Red mentioned that he only went back to the Philippines because Faith asked him to accompany her going back home. He will also return to the States immediately.
She also asked about Mike. There were traces on Red's face that he was happy and contented with his life there with Mike. Their voices were so soft as they talked, afraid that the two might hear them.
After their lunch, Clayton did not return to the office. He accompanied Faith to who knows where.
Red took her back to the office and left immediately.
Stunned, she just stared at her computer.
Is her job with Clayton done? When will she leave his office?
She had already talked to an acquaintance in Olongapo who she asked to find them a place to stay once she and her mother goes back to their hometown.
What she wanted was somewhere away from her stepfather. She plans to have a store for her mother.
About her? She didn't know yet, depending on whether she would succeed in her other plan.
It depends... if the few nights she spent with Clayton since she decided to get pregnant will finally bear her a child from him.
Clayton spoke to her the next day in the office while Mrs. Dominguez was out. She sat in the chair in front of the man's desk.
He cleared his throat before speaking.
"As I've said before, our deal will end once Faith arrives. I won't be able to take you and pick you up at work. I will always cherish the moments we shared together, Sam. Thank you for making me a man again," he said sincerely as he touched her hand.
She wanted to cry. She was very careful not to shed even one single tear. She smiled sparingly at the man she had learned to love.
"I can't forget you either, Clay," She wanted to say that she loves him but that's all she could confess to him.
He suddenly laughed softly and let go of her hand.
"Why are we getting emotional as if we won't meet again? We will still meet every day at the office and we can remain as friends, right?" smiling he says.
She nodded even though she knew that she could no longer afford to continue working with him. She couldn't bear the pain when she could see him every day with another woman.
In fact, she had already talked to her mother the other night. Although her mother was surprised by her decision, she agreed that they would return to Olongapo.
She never mentioned to her mother the existence of her warrant and about what happened to her stepfather. She doesn't need to know anymore, especially since the records of what happened to her stepfather have been deleted.
"I-I'm happy for you, Clay. I hope y-your w-wedding will push through now," she seemed to be squeezing her heart when she said that.
She wanted to cry but she tried not to let the man notice how she really feels. He stared at her intently.
"Thank you. I also want you to have a good life. I don't want you to even step into a bar again. If you need my help, I'll always be here," He said sincerely.
She nodded because she could no longer speak. When there was a knock on the door, she immediately stood up and excused herself to Clayton.
Faith entered just in time.
"Clay, I just want to remind you about our dinner tonight. I already told Mom and Dad," Faith immediately opened up to the man.
Clayton approached the woman and kissed her on the cheek.
"Of course, how can I forget that?" His immediate answer.
She sat down on her seat and remained her head down. It was as if a large dagger had been stabbed into her heart that could not be removed.
"I want to go shopping. Can you please come with me? I don't have anything to wear later," the woman's voice was so soft and sweet.
"That's unbelievable. You have a very big walk-in closet full of dresses," Clayton said jokingly.
"Oh, come on, Babe. You know how I love new dresses!" the woman even adjusts the man's collar while saying that.
"Alright, you won," Clayton said smiling.
Clayton told her they will just go out first. She just nodded. When the two left, she was there, crying on her palms. The pain she felt at that time was unbearable.
She didn't know how long she cried and cried until she came up with a decision.
Tears flowed as she faced the computer. She typed her resignation letter. Clayton did not return to the office that day so she just left the letter on his desk. It was her last day at the office.
She also talked to an acquaintance in Olongapo and was informed that she saw a place already for them where they could live and build a store. Next week they will go home to Olongapo.
She did not come to the office the next day so she just lay in bed even at nine in the morning. Earlier, her mother called her to eat but she did not want to get up because she was feeling a little unwell.
She was even surprised when the phone rang. She stared at the screen when it became clear that Clayton was the caller. He had read her resignation letter for sure. She was forced to answer the call as it continued to ring.
"Hello?" She answered in a low voice.
"Where are you? What is this letter on my desk?" Clayton immediately opened up.
She was frightened by the tone of his voice as if he didn't like what he just read. She swallowed hard before answering.
"I-I'm going to resign," Her voice weakened even more.
"Why?" His voice was more frightening when he got her confirmation.
"B-because my mother wants us to go back to Olongapo," She thought to give that as an alibi.
He hasn't spoken on the other line for a long time. She could even hear his deep breathing.
"Then what are you going to do there? Will you find another man to dance with?" His voice has a trace of disgust and anger.
Her ears tingled at what she heard, especially since she was hurt already.