CHAPTER 14

Eric was easy to be around, and I couldn't believe I was hanging out with a man now. Nothing was wrong with it since we were both single and searching for happiness again. I cherished every moment we spent together. Every look and movement we shared showed our mutual affection without saying a word. I couldn't believe I was slowly changing my previous stance. I wanted everything to change gradually, as I desired. Finally, I had freed myself from the chains that had held me for nearly seven years.

By the time we finished our tasks, it was already five in the afternoon. I added some filler items, like mason jars and IKEA boxes, to the newly made shelves in my kitchen. Eric's skills continued to amaze me. He was good at what he did, and I didn't realize how useful he could be in these things. I was delighted with his work. He helped me put up the decorations, and sometimes, we would gaze at each other with broad smiles without saying a word. We hardly felt tired throughout the whole day.

"By the way, Tita Cecile's birthday is next week," Eric said.

"Really? What are you planning?"

"It's a surprise party, but I wanted to keep it low-key since we do it often."

"Can I help?"

"Do you have any ideas? I'm thinking of a prank surprise."

"Don't, it's not a good idea," I replied.

"We're done!" Eric interrupted our conversation.

Eric stood up while I remained seated on the floor, as the shelves were just a meter high. The joy that overtook me as I surveyed the setup was indescribable. I couldn't resist looking around the entire unit while adjusting some decorations.

When I shifted my attention towards Eric, I was taken aback. Unaware of my presence, he had his back to me and was taking off his gray shirt.

"Where's your bathroom?" he asked. I quickly shifted my gaze back to the shelves, pretending to be busy. "Can I take a shower?"

"Sure," I replied without looking at him. I pointed to the left. "That door over there."

The sound of a zipper and items clinking caught my attention. He must have retrieved something from his bag. This observation made me smile, realizing he had come prepared. I finally breathed a sigh of relief only after the bathroom door shut.

I stood up and went to the living room. I picked up my psychology books from the low table and placed them on the console shelves. I grabbed a stool, perched on it, and started stacking the books.

Admiring the arrangement, I felt a sense of accomplishment. I wanted to emulate Marie Kondo, whose show I enjoyed watching.

"Can you help me?" Eric's voice startled me from behind.

I cringed and lost my balance on the stool, but Eric quickly caught me. I found myself in his strong arms, our faces so close I could smell his minty breath.

"Are you okay? That was close," Eric said with concern, bringing me back to my senses.

I quickly walked away, distancing myself. I was even more stunned when I saw Eric had no clothes on except for a towel wrapped around his waist.

"Whoa! Easy, I didn't mean to startle you," Eric exclaimed. He raised his hands in surrender, inadvertently highlighting his well-toned physique.

When we were in Busuanga recently, Eric rarely went topless, so I hadn't seen his body up close like this. His six-pack abs and well-defined pectoral muscles were captivating. His tattoo added to his allure. He looked good, even in just a towel. I felt my face flush with embarrassment.

As my eyes wandered to his face, he was already grinning. We locked eyes for almost a minute without a word, and I bit my lip unconsciously.

Suddenly, Eric was right in front of me, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from his body. He wrapped his arms around me, and I could smell his pleasing, musky scent. It felt good, and I didn't try to pull away. Being this close to him filled me with a thrilling excitement I hadn't felt before. I was curious about what he would do next, so I didn't stop him.

Gradually, I felt the gentle touch of his left hand inside my shirt at my back. I couldn't help but sharply inhale when I noticed what he was doing. At the same time, I felt something press against me through the towel but didn't ask about it. I decided not to stop him and closed my eyes instead.

"I don't know how to open your shower," Eric whispered, his warm breath tickling my ear. "Can you show me how?"

When he pressed his lips against my ear, I gasped again. The pleasurable sensation was overwhelming. I held his back tightly, causing the towel around his waist to fall. I was oblivious to the fact that he was now naked, but I no longer cared as he began to move his tongue along my ear.

We started to move and walk while he continued doing that, and I didn't realize we had entered the bathroom. We reached the shower, and he leaned me against the wall. He gave me a passionate kiss, searching for my tongue and sucking it. It felt overwhelmingly good.

I pressed the button to start the shower, and the water began to flow over us, but we didn't stop kissing. It reminded me of a similarly passionate moment I had experienced not too long ago. Then, I felt Eric's hand move under my shirt, softly reaching my bra. He started kissing my neck, making it hard for me to stay focused. I didn't know Eric could make me feel this way. He knew what made a woman happy.

Suddenly, I opened my eyes as if I returned to my senses because my thoughts had accidentally taken me back in time again.

***

"Daddy, you're annoying. So, this is your Valentine's surprise you were talking about," I blurted out to Hector.

Hector and I went to Sogo after our Valentine's date. I couldn't believe I had agreed to go in with him. But we were both eighteen years old at that time. I recall how we playfully laughed and teased each other inside our chosen room. AN ("SOGO" is a famous love hotel in the Philippines)

Hector went topless and embraced me tightly from behind. "As if anything will happen between us here. Don't be too ambitious."

I smack his head with my palms. "Whatever! I'm nervous right now."

Hector tightened his embrace even more. "Mommy, I won't take that until we're stable. Remember, that's my promise," he said.

I couldn't understand what he meant, but I was willing to do whatever he wanted to do to me. We also do things that normal couples do but with limitations. He won't take advantage of my femininity if he knows it's not the right time yet. Maybe he still respects me. I also found out that Hector is demisexual.

"Then why did you bring me here?" I snapped.

"Nothing, just orienting yourself. We eavesdrop in the next room."

I grabbed one of the pillows and hit him. I said, "You're so silly!" He stopped me and playfully kissed me on my cheeks. I giggled while screaming.

The laughter rang in my ears, coming from my memories.

"Stop it, Eric!" I exclaimed as I suddenly snapped back to my senses. I pushed away his naked body.

I lowered my shirt and went out of the bathroom. I glanced back at it once I heard Eric lock the bathroom door. I headed to the balcony and wiped my face from embarrassment with a hint of frustration. That's when I realized half of my body was wet, so I took a deep breath.

I couldn't believe those memories resurfaced again. But I firmly said to myself, little by little, I will forget you, Hector.

***

I had to join Eric in waiting for a Grab outside the building at seven in the evening. I couldn't believe how casual he was after what had happened earlier. I just laughed at myself. Now that I'm an adult, can I occasionally experience such things? And who else would stop me?

"Can I have your number?" said Eric. We stood at the side of the condominium building driveway.

I handed over my Android phone and let him copy my number onto it. Grab arrived, and he climbed into the car. He even gave me a missed call.

Eric waved goodbye from the car window and said, "I hope to see you again." I nodded and said nothing else. My blood began to rush up to my face again.

I couldn't sleep that night. I kept remembering what had happened earlier. I could still feel Eric's muscles and musky scent, even though he had been sweating all day. I couldn't help but cover my face with my palms, followed by embarrassing laughter. I couldn't believe he was on my mind this whole night through.

However, I couldn't help but remember those moments in Sogo with Hector. I revisited them once more.

***

"Daddy! Did you hear that?" I asked Hector.

He was quiet and even turned off the television in front of us. He placed his finger on his lips, gesturing me to be silent.

Ahh...Ahh...Ahh

The sound of people's voices. I covered my mouth with my palms. "What is that?"

"Be quiet, Mommy. We're trying to listen to it."

Hector's tone made it clear he was teasing me again. He knew exactly what I was saying but always played along. I grabbed the pillow once more and playfully hit him with it. "You're so naughty! I already know that."

Then, I found myself laughing alone as memories faded away from my mind. I lifted my knee and hugged it. I sat down on the floor and leaned against the sofa. I gazed at the shelves that Eric had made.

"Hector, I hope this will be my last." Sadness had enveloped me again. "I am truly ready to let you go,"