15: Kissed

Today is our last day here in Singapore, so after the meeting we accepted the invitation of the Chinese investor to eat and chill at the bar. They were women so I was not expected to come.

Awi and I will only drink one goblet, because we are not used to drinking, fortunately our companions are not too drunk either. They just want to relax, but I don't know if they can relax here. The noise and the lights are also dizzying.

"Come on, let's dance!"

I just laughed at their invitation because I don't know how to dance. I'm ashamed. I'm big, maybe later I'll bump into someone on the dance floor.

"You are with them," I said to Awi.

"My hip hurts," he answered with a grimace. My whole body hurts too. There isn't a day that my body doesn't hurt because of our intense working out.

It was past eleven pm already, but we're still here. Our companions are already drunk and they're enjoying.

We can't leave early because of what else they say. We don't want to give them a bad impression.

They are on the dance floor again.

My eyelids are getting heavy. Maybe they will ask to go home at midnight and maybe I can sleep here.

"Ah, Sir, we didn't order anything." The waiter put down a glass. I don't know if the shake he just downed had alcohol in it.

"It's from the gentleman from the VIP, ma'am."

"Who?"

It seems like it doesn't want to answer. "He already left," he answered.

"That's fruit shake. There's no alcohol."

Two fruit shakes. Who did it come from and why did he give it to us? Awi and I looked at each other.

"Looks like you have an admirer again." He started drinking again.

"What if it involves drugs?"

"The praning, huh? If there is any, we won't be harmed because we have a bodyguard with us. Go ahead, taste it, it's delicious."

He has a point and it's a shame if we don't drink it, because it's too late when I realize I'm on a diet.

"You're really despicable, Awi."

He just laughed at me. "Let's just work out hard when we get back to the Philippines."

I didn't finish the shake, only half. I resisted not consuming it even though it was delicious. It's still a mystery to me who it's from. Maybe Daddy's friend? Could be.

It was afternoon when we landed in the Philippines. Even though we were tired, we went straight to the office because I had to sign a document. I was really tired so I decided to go home to Dad's house. I want to sleep and I don't want the stress to greet me, even though I'm not sure if Jacob is home yet. Tomorrow I will say hello to Manang. Right now I just want to sleep well.

"Good evening po, Ma'am."

"Good evening too. I'm going to bed, so don't tell Daddy and Cora that I'm here."

"Alright ma'am."

After changing my clothes, I immediately fell asleep. I also sleep straight away.

I went down at seven to accompany Daddy to breakfast.

"Daddy!" He was reading a newspaper while drinking coffee.

"I missed you!"

"I missed you too, hija.. What are you doing here this early?"

"I slept here."

"Why don't you go straight to your house with your wife? Are you two enemies?"

"No, dad. I was very sleepy last night and it's closer here than our house so I went straight here."

"Okay, hija. By the way, how's your business trip?"

"It's okay, Dad."

"Yes Cora shovel?"

"He hasn't come home for a week, eh. His mother is already in trouble."

It's really Cora. When his mother got old she still continued to give him headaches.

Where is he again? Could she be with her married boyfriend again? This is what I was saying yesterday, e. Stress will greet me when I arrive in the Philippines.

Daddy and I didn't talk for a long time because he had to go to the office early.

"By the way... You look good, Anak."

"Thank you, Daddy." It means he noticed that I have lost weight.

I also left after he left, because we also had a meeting today.

It was a busy day since I was gone for a month. A lot needs to be signed, a lot needs to be studied in the reports piled up on my desk.

I went home at six o'clock. We haven't gotten back to Awi's gym yet, it's still tomorrow.

"How are you, Manang? Is Jacob here yet?"

"Not yet, hija. You know your husband, he always comes home late. There are extras in his work."

"Okay, Manang. I'm going to rest."

"By the way, hija, your friend came here a while ago. He was looking for you."

"When was that, Manang?"

"Three days ago."

"Okay." Doesn't he know I'm in Singapore? Didn't I tell him?

I will call him tomorrow. I'm sleepy again. I won't even eat anymore.

Jacob and I went to the kitchen together the next morning. He is dressed in office attire. I'm wearing coordinates now. I smiled when I noticed that he was staring at me for quite some time.

It means I have really lost weight. I don't get discouraged as much anymore, just one by one. The dark marks have also faded and some scars have healed because of my few sessions at the clinic.

I tasted it. "Good morning, how are you?"

He smiled and looked away and just then someone called him. He didn't even answer me. He just left. Even so, I'm still happy because of his reaction earlier.

For ten weeks I lost ten actions. I'm still big but at least I can wear proper clothes.

My husband still treats me coldly but something has changed a little. He can look at me now.

I'm inspired to lose weight and beautify.

Saturday night, I had a hard time sleeping so I thought of jogging outside.

Just as I was leaving the door of the house, Jacob's car arrived. Even on Saturday he left. I don't know if he has work even on Saturdays.

He just looked at me but said nothing.

But even so, I still tried to talk to him.

"Have you eaten?"

I didn't even get a reaction or answer from him. He just passed me. He smelled of alcohol so I didn't touch him anymore because he might just get angrier with me.

After jogging, I took a shower. I was about to go to bed when the door opened. I'm still a bit shocked.

"Wh-Why?" I asked Jacob while looking at him in disbelief.

He came so close to me that I froze in my place. He stopped in front of me.

"Not-"

I couldn't continue to say anything because he just kissed me.