"LEAVING THE DREAM"

FOUR in the morning, Lana woke up and could not go back to sleep. The young lady smiled and then stared at the perfect face beside her that was now sound asleep as he hugged her tightly.

His red and thin lips. She never thought she would experience their kiss.

But it happened.

In fact, it was more than she had dreamed, more than anyone could have imagined she had experienced.

Lana's face quickly warmed as she remembered everything that had happened to them last night. How Andrew claimed her. How he made her feel the intense longing and happiness that she knew she would never feel with anyone again.

“But our worlds are different. And whether I admit it or not, I have to wake up from this beautiful dream, for in the end I will not be hurt,” the young lady whispered then stared at the handsome face of the man to whom she gave her virginity.

That is true.

What happened to them, she knew she would never forget.

But she also had to admit to herself that what had happened would not have to happen again. And there, she felt a seemingly sharp knife draw into her chest.

They are from different worlds.

And even to say that she caught the young man's attention.

Even if it was said that he had taken an interest in her, she still could not deny the fact that she had become vulnerable. So she consented to that one-night stand.

She didn’t want to be scandalized just in case. She didn't want her aunt to know that once in her life she had sex with a man who was not her husband or even her boyfriend.

She would definitely look like a desperate fan when that happened and she didn’t want that to happen.

She didn't want her Mama Cecille to feel bad for her. The woman sacrificed her own happiness to take care and raise her properly.

That's why a decision was made in Lana's mind right then. The smile was bitter on her lips as she stared at the young man next to her for the last time.

She is sure that the next day when he woke up, Andrew would not look for her. He has many options. Women who are so much better than her. Because just like what he told her, as a fan she knows what his preferences are.

And if she is to be asked, she knows she is not among the best on his list, because she is only ranked second best. Maybe the young man just had no other option so he chose her.

There again Lana felt the drawing of what looked like a knife on her chest.

*****

“WHY you are here already? Shouldn't you come back tomorrow?” before lunch she returned to Quezon City.

Tired, Lana dropped herself on the long chair in their living room. "It's my birthday today," she said to her aunt with a smile. "Let's go out Ma, my treat," she added.

“Happy birthday. By the way, I have a gift for you,” Mama Cecille greeted her.

"Gift?"

Her Mama Cecille nodded.

"Just a minute," she said as she entered her room for a while and then returned immediately. "I haven't wrapped it up," she handed her a paper bag from a well-known mall.

Lana felt intense excitement so she hurriedly took the contents out of the paper bag. And that was just her surprise.

"Wow, Mama, it's beautiful!" she compliments and immediately stood up to see how the floral beige dress would look on her. She knew it was sewn by Mama Cecille.

"Did you like it?" Mama Cecille asked.

She nodded consecutively. "I'm going to wear it now," she said hugging her aunt tightly. "Thank you so much, Mama," then she suddenly remembered what happened between her and Andrew last night so she quickly felt guilt.

"That's simple compared to everything you've done for the two of us, sweetie," Mama Cecille replied then stroked her long hair. "You are really beautiful, Lana. It's a pity you don't have a boyfriend,” she heard her aunt teasing her again.

Lana pouted her lips upon hearing that. "Mama," she said.

Her Mama Cecille laughed out loud. “Before I forget, Marius was here this morning. He brought a cake, it was in the refrigerator,” she added. "I'm going to take a bath so we can leave," she added.

"All right," Lana replied then pulled her suitcase into her room.

At the door, the young lady saw a familiar picture hanging on the wall of her room. At the same time the delicious shiver she quickly felt as she remembered how Andrew had claimed her the other night.

His warm lips, the scorching caress of his hands, the intense fire of lust in his eyes. The way he kissed and felt even the most hidden part of her body. And most of all, every stab and bodyweight he gave her.

All of that, Lana knew she would keep remembering, would keep coming back to her mind. And will also continue to give a delicious creep to her whole being.

She would be lying if she didn’t admit to herself that she wanted to once again do that with Andrew.

She wanted to again experience the feeling of being kissed and claimed by him.

But it wasn’t right, nor would her heart be safe in that kind of setup. She had to avoid it, even before she was hurt badly by her inexplicable feelings for that man.

*****

"WOULD go looking for her? May goodness Andrew, can you even hear yourself?" it was the voice of Tina Silverio, her manager and a distant relative of her mother.

“Auntie, what's wrong? I want to see her,” Andrew explained to the woman in her late forties.

Tina rolled her eyes and sat down in the chair opposite him. "Tell me, is she the first woman you've had a one-night stand with?"

“No! But ---, ”

“See? So why? What's the point and do you still need to find her? Didn't she leave? Left you without saying goodbye? It means she wants privacy after what happened so give it to her,” she advised without letting him finish what he wanted to say.

When Andrew did not speak the woman continued.

“It's better to focus on your career and business. You don’t have to force yourself on an ordinary woman who doesn’t seem interested in you,” she emphasized the last statement.

Andrew's eyebrows met quickly at what he was heard.

"What?" he protested at the last thing his aunt said.

Tina's eyebrows rose.

“What? Isn't that true? Let her go. You are an actor, a successful businessman, why do you need to find someone like her that you don't even really know? Unless you're in love? ” at the last word, Tina laughed softly.

"Of course not! I just want to see her, I want to talk to her. But if you say that is not good and does not improve my image, fine!”

Tina nodded. "Go home and rest," she shooed him away.

Andrew just nodded in response then kissed the woman on the cheek and left.

*****

ANDREW is already on the road but Lana is still on his mind. Wouldn’t he accept that she had left him? Or he just regrets that he didn't get her address or even cellphone number?

Andrew sighed sadly. He knew he saw something special in Lana that he liked. So he thought of finding her. But just like what her aunt and manager said, it was a one-night stand.

If she leaves without saying goodbye, that means only one thing. She wants privacy, and he needs to give that to her.

He also doesn't want any trouble. That would ruin his career. Because if it's just sex,he can get that from others. Women who are more than Lana.