“GOOD morning, Mother,” Celine greeted with a sheepish smile when she returned home.
Her mother, Celda, was pouring her newly brewed ointment in small bottles as usual. She used to be a faith healer.
Celda put her hands on her waist with a disapproving look.
“Celine! Where have you been? You’ve been out all night!”
“I… I helped at the inn for a few pennies a-as usual. It was urgent, and there was a lot of stuff to do. You know, when guests drink too much.”
Well, it was true. When she was not busy at their stall, Celine would do part-time jobs for extra money. She did not have to do it when there was Ernest. But Celine still had her pride.
“Aren’t you going to open the stall?”
“I would, Mother. I just have to change my clothes.”
Celine went to her room and sighed in relief. She was glad her mother did not ask that much. She was pretty understanding of her, and she knew she loved her. It’s just that they were poor. Her father got sick that led to their huge debt to Ernest. He still died, and now she had to be with Ernest and satisfy him as payment. She was only hoping he would get tired of her so she could finally be free. But Gareth came…
She sat on her bed and took out the sketch he had made for her this morning. She could not help a smile. Celine was hesitant to part with him this morning, and so was he. But they already agreed to meet again.
“I THOUGHT you’re not going to open your stall today. You were late,” Marinel said.
“I know. I was occupied yesterday until this morning,” Celine said with a smile.
“You look happy. What happened?” her friend asked suspiciously.
“Nothing. I’m just inspired to do business today. We have a lot of debts to pay, remember?”
At noon, Ernest showed up at her stall. Celine had to pretend she was a little enthusiastic, but when he informed her that he would be away for a few days for business, she thought it was good news. And he even brought a present for her.
“You were admiring this from the other day, weren’t you?” he said as he held the small canvas. Dandelions that seemed to be dancing were painted on it.
Her eyes widened. “You bought it from the exhibit?”
“Of course. Do you like it?”
She held the canvas and stared at it.
“I love it!” she said. Why would she not love it? It was from Gareth. “Thank you, Ernest! I hope you have a safe trip.”
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Ernest cupped her face and kissed her.
Celine closed her eyes and kissed him back, pretending she was kissing Gareth. It really felt different.
“SURPRISE,” Celine smiled as Gareth opened the door.
Gareth looked tired, his hair unruly, but he managed a smile.
“You’re early,” he said as he pulled her in.
“I told Mother I’m not feeling well, and she bought it. I brought you food in case you missed your meal.” She motioned the box wrapped in thick cloth.
“How did you know? Are you my soulmate?”
Celine giggled.
“Is everything all right?”
“Yes, now that I see you. I’ve been frustrated since this morning. I understand why. I need you.”
“You must be hungry now,” Celine dismissed teasingly. She walked to the kitchen as if that was the most natural thing to do. “What are you working on right now?”
“It’s a surprise,” he replied from behind her. “So, did Ernest give you the painting he bought from me?”
“Yes. He brought it this afternoon. I love it.” She took out two plates and jumped when Gareth suddenly hugged her from behind.
“Are you here to show your appreciation?”
Celine flinched at the feel of his warm breath against her neck.
“Y-yes. And Ernest left for business. He’ll be away for days. That means I have more time to be with you. I’m all yours.”
“That sounds nice. And what did you bring for me?”
“Curry. I hope you like it.”
“Hmm… so soft.”
“Gareth!” Celine arched her back as his hands grabbed her breasts and fondled them. The cloth of her dress did not stop her nipples from hardening in arousal.
“DOES HE do you like this, huh, Celine? Does he make you feel this way?” Gareth demanded as he relentlessly pounded behind her.
He was kneeling on the bed, Celine on her hands and knees. He was shaking her hard.
“N-no, no, he doesn’t,” she replied breathlessly, her hands clutching the sheets.
Gareth seemed to take things rough. Sometimes she thought he was treating her like a whore. Well, maybe she was. He knew about her setup with Ernest. But her body said otherwise. Her whole being wanted to be taken that way. Her sensitive walls clung to him as he brought her closer to bliss with every thrust.
“Do you like it when I make love to you this way?” he roared, panting hard.
“Y-yes! Y-yes, I like it better than Ernest—oh, Gareth! I can’t take it anymore!”
“Come for me, Celine, come for me!”
“G-Gareth!” Celine collapsed on the bed, shaking uncontrollably at her orgasm that seemed to never end.
Then she felt Gareth’s warm seed pouring inside her. He fell beside her, his rugged breathing ringing in her ears.
“WHAT ARE you thinking? Is something wrong?” Celine asked as she watched Gareth stare at the ceiling.
Gareth rolled to his side, facing her.
“I just realized that I could not imagine you sleeping with Ernest anymore. I want you all to myself, Celine. I must be out of my mind.”
“G-Gareth.”
“Will you go with me? Let’s get away from here. Let’s build our own family. I’ll give you the life that you want, the life that you deserve.”
Celine blinked. She could not believe what she had just heard. The life that she wanted, the life that she deserved… Tears welled up her eyes.
“D-do you… do you really want to take me seriously? I’m just a poor girl, and you are…”
“I don’t care about your insecurities. I’ll give you a new life, a better one. I’ll treat you better.” He stroked her cheek. “You don’t have to live like this anymore.”
“But my mother…”
“It’ll be just you and me. If you wanted to start anew, you have to leave everything behind.”
That’s what she wanted. To start a new life, leave everything behind. She wanted that so bad. But her mother was holding her back.
“But I love her. I can’t just leave her alone,” she protested.
“You’re not going to be with her forever. You have to think about your own happiness, even just for today, Celine. Are you going to live the rest of your life with regret?”
Celine fell silent. If she was an orphan, that would have been easy. But Gareth’s offer was really tempting. He was practically making her dreams come true. But her mother was her only family…
Why did Gareth have to bring that up? She was torn!
“Celine?”
“I want to be with you, too, Gareth. I want to get away from here. But you must give me some time to make up my mind. Would that be all right?”
Gareth nodded with a smile.
“If that’s what you want. If you choose yourself this time, I promise you will never regret it.”
“I CAN’T believe we have to part now,” Celine said as they stopped outside the small gate of their house. It was already dark. She could not spend another night in his place, so he walked her home instead.
“There will come a time that we won’t have to part anymore,” Gareth said confidently.
Celine giggled softly.
“Thank you again.”
“See you tomorrow.” Gareth pulled her by the waist and kissed her unceremoniously.
“Gareth!” Celine uttered. “Someone might see us.”
“I see no one.” And he kissed her again.
Celine moaned as she pressed her body against his and kissed him back. She could never get enough of him.
“You really have to go,” she said. “Take care. Good night.”
“Good night.” Gareth pulled away hesitantly.
Celine waved and smiled as she watched him walk away.
“Celine.”
Celine jumped when she was about to go inside. She caught her chest in shock.
“M-Miguel! What are you… how long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough to see you kiss that man.”
Miguel was Ernest’s good friend. The three of them were friends. For a long time, Celine had harbored feelings for Miguel. She was her dream man. Miguel was a talented sculptor. He came from a well-off family even though he was already an orphan. That was the reason why she was fascinated with Gareth the first time she met him. He was just like Miguel.
But he broke her heart when he gave way for Ernest. She thought he did not love her enough to fight for her. Though they remained friends, some things did not stay the same.
“You’re cheating on Ernest.”
“Will you tell him?” she retorted.
“What’s going on, Celine?”
“He makes me happy. Is it a crime to choose happiness even if it was stolen?” she asked bitterly.
Miguel stared in disbelief.
“You barely knew him.”
“It did not matter. He makes me happy. He was not like Ernest. He was not like you. I used to think that things would have been different if you had fought for me. But I realized maybe you don’t want me enough.”
“T-that’s not true.”
“You value your loyalty to Ernest over your feelings for me.”
“I’m sorry, Celine…”
“If you really care for me, Miguel, you’ll pretend you did not see anything.”
CELINE took a deep breath as she closed the door of her room. She always wondered how different things could have been if she had been born into a wealthy family. Being with Ernest for his money did not feel right, though. But with Gareth, she would not mind struggling again because she knew it would be worth it.
She’s going to have a happy future with him. Her mother, her poor mother, she hoped Celda would understand.
IT WAS Gareth’s last day of exhibit. Celine tiptoed her way to the crowd, trying to find him. And then her eyes met his. She saw him sigh in relief. He was looking for her, too. Gareth said something to a group of women surrounding him and made his way to her.
“It looks like you’re more popular than your artworks,” she said, pursing her lips.
“That’s not true. Are you jealous?”
“That’s not true.”
Gareth chuckled. “I thought you’re not coming.”
“The stall was swamped. I could not close it right away.”
“The exhibit is almost done. There’s something I want to show you.”
Celine bit her lip like a child.
“I can’t wait.”
“WHERE IS IT?” Celine asked as soon as Gareth closed the door of his villa.
“It’s in my room. But I have to cover your eyes first.”
“What?” Celine could not help giggling as Gareth put a hand on her eyes.
He guided her to his room, her heart pounding in excitement.
“There you go.”
She rubbed her eyes as Gareth pulled his hand away. And she blinked. There was a wide canvas in front of her. It was a painting of a house in front of a stream. Behind the house were tall trees, and there was the clear blue sky.
“I-it’s… it’s beautiful!” she uttered.
“This is what the house I used to share with my deceased wife looks like. We dreamt of it together. But when she died, it felt empty and lonely. Maybe if you go with me, this house will look alive again.”
“Oh, Gareth…” She turned to him, trying to contain her emotions.
“I’ll make you a queen, Celine,” he uttered sincerely.
“Yes!” She threw her arms around him.
“Yes?”
“I’ll go with you.”
Gareth cupped her face.
“You would?”
She nodded and giggled.
Gareth sighed and chuckled in relief.
“I promise you will never regret it.” He claimed her mouth for a blissful kiss.