CHAPTER 38

I arrived at my clinic, which was supposed to be closed today because it's Saturday. But I couldn't think of any other way to escape that situation. Sometimes, I wanted to slap myself. I'm helping him with his treatment, but I'm too scared to be with him all the time. However, I have other plans now and need to stick to them.

I unlocked the door and stepped into the dimly lit clinic. The cool, sterile air hit me as I flicked on the lights, and the hum of the fluorescent bulbs filled the silence. I set my cream tote bag on the reception desk and sat on the bench nearby, trying to calm myself by combing my fingers through my hair. It's hard to control my emotions when I'm always facing Hector.

"Clara,"

The sudden voice startled me. I turned to the door, surprised to see Hector standing there. How did he track me down?

I felt even more tense. "Wh—why?" I stammered.

He handed me something, and my eyes widened when I realized it was my wallet. I had left it behind. Embarrassed, I laughed and touched my left temple, wondering what was happening to me. I took the wallet from him and said, "Thank you. Sorry, I was in a hurry earlier."

He didn't respond and walked out the door, his movements appearing robotic. I quickly stood up from the bench. "Wait a minute! Can you still get back?"

He looked at me blankly, like a lost child who understood nothing. I locked the clinic door again and accompanied him back to the ER.

***

A broad smile spread across my face as I walked down the hallway, heading back to my clinic from the ER. My steps faltered when I saw Eric at the door, leaning against the wall. His hands were deep in his pockets, and his eyes were fixed on me with an intense, almost brooding expression. The air around him thickened with unspoken thoughts, a familiar tension filling the space between us lately.

"I went to your condo," he said as I approached. He kissed me on the forehead. "They said you weren't there. So I thought of this as my last resort."

His tone was different, but I didn't question it. I held his left hand. "Sorry, baby, I didn't let you know."

I let go of him and took the key from my pocket. I unlocked the door and walked straight to my office.

"Even on a Saturday?" he said lifelessly from behind me. I stopped walking and turned back to him. "Isn't this our time together?"

Hector had already given me a headache earlier, and now Eric was adding another one. I needed to lie. "I'm sorry. I have to extend my working hours. I need to do some research."

He snickered suddenly, but his expression quickly changed. His eyebrows furrowed. I turned away and walked to the bench to get my cream tote bag. But I jolted when he suddenly hugged me from behind.

"Lately, it feels like I always miss you," he whispered in my left ear. Due to the tension I had been experiencing earlier, my bad mood escalated. It got worse when he licked my left ear.

"Eric, please stop!" I protested.

I took a deep breath, forcing him to let go. I started walking away from him.

"Is he the reason?" Eric asked, his voice implying judgment. I was holding the doorknob to my office door. I turned to look at him again, puzzled and concerned.

He took a deep breath and scratched his head. "Let's go out for lunch. I want to show you something in the studio," he said, now calmer.

"I'm sorry, I can't—" I stopped speaking when he grabbed my left arm.

His reaction took me by surprise. "No! We're having lunch outside; this is our day together. Stop it!" he burst out, his voice laced with a sudden, fiery anger that caught me off guard.

For the first time, I felt genuinely scared of Eric. His grip on my arm tightened painfully, and I couldn't understand why he was so furious. "Eric! What the hell? Let go of me! What's going on with you?"

I struggled until he finally let go of me. At that moment, the man before me wasn't Eric anymore. "Why are you acting like this?" I asked, my voice laced with anger but mixed with fear.

He remained silent, turning away from me and striding off. Suddenly, without warning, he swung his fist into the reception table with a loud thud. I jumped, my heart pounding in fear, the violent outburst shattering the tense silence.

"Eric!" I cried out, tears almost welling up in my eyes from fear of what he did.

He didn't look back at me. In his lifeless tone, he said, "Close this clinic now; I'll wait for you in the car."

He walked straight out without looking back. I was so confused, clutching my chest. It was the first time I saw that side of him, so angry. But I didn't know why. What's the reason? Why won't he tell me? I had no choice but to follow.

We had lunch at a restaurant near the hospital. Eric didn't speak to me the entire time we ate, which made me lose my appetite. I could still feel the anxiety from what he did earlier. I was not too fond of the silence between us. I finally gathered the courage to talk to him when lunch was over.

"I thought you were going to take me to your studio," I asked. We were inside Eric's car.

"I've changed my mind," he replied, eyes straight to the road. "I'll get you back to your clinic. Your car is there, right?"

Once again, a long silence enveloped us. I let out a deep sigh. "Eric, is there a problem? Why are you acting like this today?"

"Ask yourself that!" he snapped. My brows furrowed; I hadn't done anything wrong to him.

"Why? I don't understand you. Have I neglected you too much?" I asked again, trying to understand. "I'm sorry if I've been neglecting you."

Then, my voice gradually softened. A thought crossed my mind: does Eric know something? But I didn't want to think like that.

"You should think your time is for me alone," he added angrily.

I still needed clarification. "Are you mad because I went to work today?"

He didn't answer. He just kept driving until we reached the hospital. When I exited his car, he suddenly left without saying goodbye. I stood at the hospital's entrance, almost like a statue. My mind was in turmoil. I brushed my hair back and tried to guess why he acted that way. I decided not to call him anymore.

That night, I couldn't stop thinking about what happened. Eric texted me, and I read it before going to bed.

Baby, I'm sorry. I love you, and I don't want to lose you.

I looked at the ceiling and sighed. Eric knows something, but he doesn't want to tell me. The thought I feared most was slowly turning into reality.

Now, I feel like I'm drifting into nothingness. I think I'm losing my way in my relationship with Eric. I am serious about him, but Hector's arrival has changed everything. My focus has shifted to Hector. I couldn't shake the feeling that this was why Eric became agitated earlier; he knew something and could sense it.

I need to focus on my plans. Before the situation worsens, I'll distance myself from Hector and do everything possible to get him out of my life. I hope that I can still get out of this mess.