Chapter 22 Face to Face

Elaine’s face turned pale and rushed outside the room. She did not wait for Tan to say another word or he’d see her almost breaking to tears just because of his angry snap. She was still confused and stunned as she went inside her room, locked the doors and sat at the edge of his bed.

She thought Tan and Janine’s relationship was over. Mrs. Crisostomo even slapped her for ruining her daughter’s life. She could not even believe that Tan did not end his relationship with Janine. He was not the disloyal type of man. He believed in the sacredness of a wedding regardless of the circumstances.

All the De Marco men were all one-woman kind. Yeah, right, she agreed. But those men were faithful because their wives were loyal and good people. How about her? All those months they were together, could she even tell how many days or weeks Tan had ever felt happy?

Why was she even surprised and hurt? Tan clearly said they owe no marital obligation to each other. She offered him help, he accepted it because she insisted – and perhaps he wanted to show her he was over her a long time ago.

Elaine straightened her back when she heard Tan’s car leaving. Every insult that came from his mouth leaves traces of pain in her heart. But she could not blame him no matter how hard she bleeds.

Drew said she should’ve convinced herself to forget him and forgive herself. She knew making Tan fall for her would be hard since she could still not bring herself to trust him. That would save them both from heartache.

Many times Elaine tried to forget everything but no matter what she does, she could not forget him. She had a lot of things to regret in the past, one was the love she wanted to give him so much but could not. Her guilt, her pain and secrets she was supposed to share with him but she dared not.

She promised herself one day, she’d give Tan the happiness he deserved – with her. That made her fight and collect herself. It was selfish and she might have chosen the wrong path. But if the time comes she realizes she took the wrong way and she needs to give up, perhaps it won’t be too late if she’d deviate.

Elaine sighed, smiling bitterly. She lied down on the bed and stared at the pink ceiling. She thought of Marco and the bitterness on her smile faded.

The ceiling and walls were supposed to be painted white, but she decided to follow Marco’s advice. Pink. That was not so her.

She was still staring at the ceiling when her phone rang. Dra. Sandra Geronimo, a close friend of hers was calling, reminding her to come to her clinic by three PM.

By 1 PM, Elaine was already driving her car to the hospital where Dra. Sandra was working as a psychotherapist. The Doctor called and texted her many times it was a waste if she’d ignore her. Anyway, the last time she visited her was two months ago. For sure the middle-aged woman has a lot of things to say now.

She needs to visit her too to inquire about episodes of anxiety and panic attacks she has been experiencing for the past 2 months.

Soon as Elaine entered her clinic, Dra. Sandra reprimanded her the same way she reprimands her only child who was a high-schooler. Elaine was like a daughter to her. Though she nags a lot, Elaine was very grateful for her.

“Have you been listening to your nutritionist?” at last, she asked; getting them down to business.

Elaine nodded though it has been a week since she last talked to the nutritionist she hired for her.

“I’ll schedule occasional maintenance visits so we can make sure that your attacks remain under control.”

“I decided to try to avoid going out, Sandra. I’m thinking of discontinuing the treatment…”

“Without it, the attacks may get worse. You might experience relapses and you’ll experience attacks more often. No matter how hard you try to keep away from the things that will trigger the attacks, you know you can not hide from them forever. You are still very young. Don’t let your fear restrain you from enjoying your life.”

Elaine chuckled. “When did you say again is my schedule? Once or twice a week? Can I at least choose what day?”

After visiting Sandra – Elaine found herself driving to AMM Hospital. Sandra was right. She must not restrict herself in fear of the upcoming attacks. Instead of avoiding locations or experiences that seemed to trigger it, perhaps exposing herself to them was a better idea.

Elaine glance at the oatmeal cookies she bought along the way. Her smile was hopeful and optimistic. She was even singing while she drives to the hospital.

Tan instructed Yena not to accept her in his office again and she would not want to trouble her secretary again. She was still embarrassed about what happened a few weeks ago. Elaine took the box of cookies after successfully parking her car. She went inside the hospital and rode the elevator. Yena quickly stood up upon seeing her.

“Good morning, Ma’am.”

“Hi. Can I borrow a pen?” she asked, smiling slightly. She thanked her when she handed her her pen. She started writing something on the card attached to the box of cookies. “Is he inside?” he asked, referring to her husband.

The secretary looked surprised. “Doc Tan sent out his resignation letter through email the other day, Ma’am. The board was actually in chaos. Dr Villaverde is now temporarily occupying his office…”

Elaine was stunned. Did Tan resign? Why?

Elaine was still in a daze when she gets off the elevator at the hospital lobby. Why did Tan resign all of a sudden? He would not make that drastic decision if there was no enough reason. But what could the reason be? His dream was to save lives. He wanted to build his own hospital for the poor. Each time he mentions it, she could see his eyes gleaming with genuine happiness.

Was Textile the reason? Was the problem bigger than she thought? But Tan did not need to resign now that he was the heir of DM Textile. His Uncle Ali and Uncle Lian were still there to help him run the company.

Just a few meters from the revolving door that would lead her out of the hospital, Elaine felt a hand on her arm. Her eyes flew from the hand on her arm to the face of the woman who owns it.

It was Janine – who was unsmiling.

“IF you have anything to say, say it now. I still have an urgent meeting with a client, I can not afford to spare a minute,” Elaine said. It felt like she was in a glaring competition in which both of them were determined to win.

They end up in a nearby coffee shop. Janine was sitting in front of her, her long slender legs were crossed. Elaine sighed when Janine scoffed. The Doctor put her cup on top of the table, straightened her back and crossed her arms on her chest. The witch sure looked classy despite having a bitchy attitude. She was jealous.

“What have you been doing until now, Elaine?” Janine asked suddenly. Elaine could not comprehend if she was just asking her a simple question or she was already insulting.

“Let’s cut the chase. What do you want to say?”

Janine smiled in a mocking manner, then, her eyes started to shoot daggers.

“Forcing Tan into marriage after breaking him apart. Making him resign to the very job he loves because you supported the bullshit his grandfather set up. You are enjoying playing house while he was out there having a hard time. Can you not even feel guilty? Do you feel no remorse after what you have done to him?”

Elaine tried to open her mouth to say something, but she was totally caught off guard. It felt like someone stabbed her chest – was she the reason Tan resigned?

“You have a thick face, Elaine. What kind of wife can bear to watch her own husband suffer for so long? You came back as if nothing happened. Create chaos and stole someone who does not belong to you anymore. Three years, Elaine. America? I don’t fucking believe you went there.”

Janine stood up and walked out after saying those things while Elaine was left unable to speak. She swallowed the lump in her throat, clenched her cold, sweaty hands together. Her heart was racing a little bit. Her now teary eyes followed Janine who was walking away gracefully.

MARCO was almost two blocks away from his Uncle’s house when she saw Elaine outside the 24/7 convenience store. He pulled over. The woman was sitting on a plastic folding table, holding a can of beer in her hand. He shook his head and parked his car.

How could Elaine manage to drink outside after what happened last night? Elaine just threw him a glance, did not even move an inch even when he sat on the chair in front of her. She might have a drink a lot seeing her face reddish.

The smallest smile crossed Marco’s face. This was exactly how she looked like the first time he met her… He took a piece of chips served on top of the table.

“I’m surprised to see you here. Did you finish all the canned beers we found in the trash bin?”

When Elaine lifted her face and stared at him, Marco wanted to look away. He could see the pain in her eyes.

“Have you experienced being hurt by someone you love, Marco?” she asked, quietly.

Marco cleared his throat. “Why are you asking that?”

Elaine smile was bitter. “I used to think that only women could be heartbroken. And only men are capable of leaving and hurting their partners… But my husband cried in front of me.”

Not a single word came out of Marco’s mouth. He did not stop Elaine when she drunk her beer bottoms up. He decided not to answer her question earlier because he knew she wasn’t waiting for his reply. She carries a lot of load on her chest since forever that she wanted so much to unload, but she could not let it all go just yet. Listening to her thank giving her advice would be a better option.

Elaine sighed. “There was nothing compassionate about the way I broke up with him. It was cruel and I was horrible. I just broke his heart like that,” then, her voice cracked and tears started to sting her eyes.

Marco avoided her gaze. Elaine wiped her tears away using the palm of her hand.

“You’ve had enough,” he said gently and grabbed Elaine’s beer.

Elaine stood up, wobbling. She grabbed her bad and sighed loudly. “I’m going home.”

“I’ll drive you.” Marco said, gently grabbed her elbow and guided her to his car.

He threw her a glance when he finally sat on the driver’s seat. Her head rested on the headrest, sad eyes focused outside the car.

Marco sighed. ‘If you love him that much, why did you break up with him?’

A few minutes later, they arrived at their destination.

“We’re here.”

When Marco glanced at her, he noticed Elaine was sleeping. She looked peaceful and lovelier when asleep, Marco decided, smiling and shaking his head. He unfastened his seatbelt and tried to wake her up but only a slow and soft moan came from mouth.

Marco forced his gaze away from Elaine’s slightly parted lips. He took her bag on her lap and started looking for her keys. He got off the car when he finds it. He carefully opened the door beside Elaine.

He deliberately supported her head, scooped her in his arms, and carried her. Marco was already in front of the gate when it suddenly opened. Tan, who was holding a garbage bag, went out. His forehead quickly knotted upon seeing him. From Marco’s face, his dangerous yet blank gaze travelled down to the woman sleeping in his arms.

Marco suppressed a smirk when a muscle on Tan’s jaw flexed. Tan dropped the garbage bag on the concrete floor and took Elaine away from him without a single word.