Chapter 8 BathTub

--Flashback--

December 5, 2009

Baguio City, Philippines

Sean strode inside that music bar in Baguio City. He was on his ride from Manila going home to Baguio when he received a call from Miguel. His mother picked Thera up at the Teacaf.

A few days ago, Sean told her that he liked someone and he has a plan of marrying her. He remembered mentioning Thera but he did not expect Charry to drive to Baguio City to personally meet her ASAP.

Sean was not prepared by the sudden meeting. And what he worries about the most was that his mother might have told Thera his plan of marrying her when he’s not even courting her yet. Sean had to rush things. He needs to marry Thera by June. He was not used to courting and such, but he was planning to propose to her once he has the chance.

The loud music from the performing band greeted Sean as he entered The Hype Bar. His eyes immediately wandered. He couldn’t see his mother nor Thera. His gaze reverted to the second floor of the bar. Just like the first floor, it was jampacked with people, dancing to the tune of Cindy Lauper’s 1983 hit song “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”

He was about to take the stairs when he suddenly heard shouts and clamor. Curious, Sean turned in the direction of the stage where the band was performing live. He froze as he saw his mother holding the microphone. She was grinning from ear to ear, casually jiving to the music.

“I come home, in the morning light

my mother says when are you gonna live your life right?

Oh, mother dear, we’re not the fortunate ones,

and girls, they wanna have fun.

Oh, girls just wanna have fun…”

Sean noticed his mother was smiling, and her eyes glistened as she performed. She was even dancing to the music. It had been ages ago since Charry decided to leave the music industry. Seeing her enjoying the song made him happy. His father would be merrier if he got to see her again like this.

Soon after, his mother went down from the stage. When she came up again, she was tugging a girl on Tea Caf’s uniform. It was Thera who gladly accepts the microphone that his mother handed her. She was smiling widely. When Thera started to sing, she made everyone laugh. Her voice was like a chair scraping across the tiled floor. But that just made the song and the performance more fun.

“The phone rings in the middle of the night

my father yells what are you gonna do with your life?

Oh, daddy dear, you know you’re still number one

But girls they wanna have fun.

Oh, girls just want to have fun…”

Thera wouldn’t pass as a singer, but she was a good dancer. A funny one. It looked like she enjoyed it as much as his mother and the rest of the people inside the bar do. In just a few seconds, the dance floor was filled with the crowd singing with his mother and dancing at the same time to Thera’s funny dance steps.

--End of Flashback--

October 22, 2019

Baguio City, Philippines

Thera’s mouth dropped open. She was staring at Sean, could not find words to say.

“Why would I pretend?” she asked, puzzled. She couldn’t comprehend what Sean just said.

“Sign the annulment papers, Thera. Let’s not make this hard for both of us.”

Annulment. She shook her head. Her head suddenly hurts. Did her ears fail her? Was this a prank? But no, Sean sounded and looked serious. A few days ago she was just convincing herself that this man was now a part of her life, yet here he was, already planning to annul her. What was going on?

Sean started the car’s engine again. Thera had a lot of questions on her mind, rumbled like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. What was Sean’s reason for the annulment? Did he fall out of love after nearly ten years of marriage? Did she do him wrong?

What made him think that she was just faking her amnesia? Does he believe that she would resort to that kind of excuse just to stop him from leaving her? Based on Sean’s words, it seemed that she was the one delaying it. Why? Did she love him this much she could not afford to lose him?

If her seventeen-year-old-self had to decide, she would give Sean what he wanted. At the very moment, she could not feel anything special towards him anyway. It was even hard to see them as friends. He was too formal and civil towards her.

But she was not sure of the consequences. What if she wakes up one day and her memories are back? What if she truly loves him? She would go crazy once she finds out she lost him. Could she blame herself for the mistake that she made?

But how about Sean? Was it even right to keep him in a marriage without love? She would be living her life lying and deceiving herself. Wouldn’t it be selfish and heartbreaking to force yourself to someone who wanted to free himself from your embrace? Sean must have found someone new. It must be the girl who phoned him last week—the one he addressed Babe.

Thera heaved a deep sigh. Yes, she has a lot of money now, a beautiful house, a successful career, and she got even more attractive. But it seemed like she forgot to wish for a happy marriage and a faithful husband. What a waste, she married the wrong man.

Whoever that woman Sean replaced her, she wanted to know. But before that, she wanted to know what the twenty-nine years old Thera feels towards her husband before she lost her memories. Only then could she decide if she would sign the annulment papers or make a way to get him back.

Sean and Thera ignored each other on their way to his two-story villa in Baguio City. Thera unbuckled her seatbelt when Sean’s car pulled over in front of the villa and got off immediately. She doesn’t have to wait for Sean to open the door for her and help her out. This man is no gentleman.

Thera had already seen the villa from afar. It was breathtakingly beautiful. The villa may not be as big as the Dao Ming mansion, but it was modern and comfy.

It was a few kilometers away from Camp John Hay Park and Mines View Park. The gazebo near the heated infinity swimming pool caught Thera’s attention. She did not know how to swim, but she might learn this summer. The pool was too beautiful to be just a display. Aside from the pool, she was also fascinated with the balconies surrounding the villa. Each balcony has a set of tables and chairs for two.

Thera contained her amazement as the spacious living room greeted her. The modern-style fireplace beside the sofa set made her feel like she was on tour in Europe. She had been dreaming of having a house like that in Baguio.

She turned to Sean and found him looking at her. His hands were inside his pockets. Thera pressed her lips together. How come Sean’s villa has everything that she dreamed of? Did he do that for her? Perhaps,when he still loves her.

“Good morning.” greeted the girl who appeared from the dining area. She looked like she was a decade younger than her. “The food is ready.”

Ah, perfect timing, she was starving. She turned to Sean, whose eyes were now glued to his shoes.

“Where is my room?” she asked the girl.

“Sir Sean uses the master suite. You can choose one from the four available guestrooms, Ma’am.”

“Take my wife to my room after lunch.” At last, Sean spoke.

Thera went still for a moment. My wife. And then, she looked at him intently. Was he possessed? How generous of him to give up the master suite after snarling at her.

She opened her mouth to tell him that she was fine using one of the guestrooms but just when she was about to speak the first word, Sean turned his back on her. He headed outside. And not too long after he left, she heard the car engine. The jerk left again.

She took a deep breath. How could she live with him when he was always acting cold towards her?

After her meal, Fely, the girl who greeted her ushered Thera to the master suite. While she was eating, she instructed them to transfer Sean’s things to the guestroom. There were two servants at the villa. Fely and her aunt, Ate Ising. Aside from them, there was Tatay Lando, a stay-out gardener.

The master suite has a dark blue blackout curtain that prevented the light outside to pass through the windows. The style suits Sean, mysterious. And she was sure that he has this personality that was even darker than that room

Thera headed to the bathroom afterward. She was happy that Fely already prepared a bubble bath for her. After a stressful day, it would be nice to have a warm bath.

She took off her blouse and jeans and donned a robe. But when she was about to get into the tub, she suddenly felt dizzy. Thera shut her eyes and held onto the edge of the bathtub.

She could see blurry images at the back of her head...

'Damn it, Thera. Get dressed!'

She gasped and quickly opened her eyes, chaos in her head, wide-eyed. It was her... And Sean. Inside the same bathroom.