ERIC MAXWELL

All night I cannot take any sleep because this evening event. Why is it so hard when I decided to give up? Why now he shows the sincerity? When my heart already numb to the pain. When I was losing a courage to take another risk. It is too late to reverse the situation.

I have made a mistake by mentioning his late husband. I could see how broken he was at the mention it. The hurting flashed clearly in his eyes before he turned away. It was my fault inflicting him with uncalled memories. I rubbed a salt on his bleeding heart. The heart that not fully yet heals. His body was slightly shaking when he admittedly the power and money have no power to save his late husband.

When he mentioned about to end his life, I couldn't find any word to comfort him. The word itself caused me to tremble in fear. What if he really did it? What if he can't take this parting well? It is dangerous not just for my heart but also my mind. It shocked me when seeing the most strong and powerful man defeated in the name of love. It's also the first time I saw his other side. The vulnerable self he tries to hide from public eyes.

After pondering the matters all night, the result still nowhere found. I need a little more time. To analyze from all aspects and bet on all possibilities of each choice. Meeting him again had softened my resolved. Throwing me into chaos mind. His sincerity slowly entering my mind. This is not the Russel I'd known. The man I have been together for almost two years.

This new side of him scared me the most. Who has caused it? It is me, right? A mild headache hit me due lacked of sleeping. But no matter what I do, I still can't sleep. The night felt so long. Long enough to clog my already heavy heart.

The man still suffering the heavy blow after losing his past love. However, he dared to take a new bet to restart his life. Once again to open his heart. Walking in the path of the love. What if he bet failed? He would suffer the greatest pain again. Not just him but that would leave a great impact in my life too.

Would I able to stand again? I think no. I have no strength to arise anymore. Everything will end if this bet failed. No more a man called Eric Maxwell living in this world. I would descend to another world. The idea scared me more than any other possibility. Love alone not enough to survive in this world.

I think the fastest way to resolve this by facing him again. Honestly, I have no way to face him now. I will quickly sweep to his side when looking into his eyes. He is a smooth talker, a crucial ability to any businessman. One word from him while makes eye contact enough to sweep me off from my resolve. Thus, the idea also cannot be used. His tongue is better than any lawyer out there or therapists.

We have shared the same bedroom, the same bed and a blanket for almost two years. Aside that, I was also his ex-secretary. The amount enough to let me know more or less about him. I found his resolved and that scared me than I already was.

This evening he did not talk in a roundabout but rather in straight word. His word also not in the level of Shakespeare or any sweet poem. He only gives me a promise of happiness, love and a chance to amend his mistake. It seems really plain. However, the promise and word enough to shake my calmness.

Fear coursed my whole being, as I do not know which part to take. Either to concede or fight on. Because of the great pressure unable to be resolved in the shortest time, I'd chosen to leave. I lied to the doctor. Lying on them, about Russel and I have agreed to transfer to another hospital. They believed my word and released me without contacting Russel.

They knew a busiest businessman like Russel can't stay still at the same place for a long time. Wait a second, who have managed the company after he taken the long leave? Maxim? I think that is the one person he can put all trust. There a lot things still mystery about Russel. Hiding well under his indifferent mask.

I hopped into Larry's car and we get to cabin house belongs to Owen. Larry knows I wanted a place to be hidden. He just does not know I have left the hospital under the lying excuses. I have no choice right now. Russel is stalking right behind my heel. He never lacked a chain of informer to track me down. The proof is right now, right here. I had chosen a place unrelated to his world but he still found me. He is a scariest man.

Meeting him again caused me back to a day we have spent together. Those random memories coming back. They make me either smile or cry without a reason. I wished to be knocked out on the head. Forgetting all the memories and build up a new life without the man in the picture. I wanted to take him out so badly off my mind. So bad that I was slowly losing my sane.

I do not know how long I can hide here. Soon or later, he might be here. Every time someone opens the door, I will jump on my heel. Afraid the person whom enter the house is he. I begin to develop a phobia symptom. Most of the time, I just confined myself in the room.

Two days have passed after I discharged from the hospital. My head kept throbbing because lack of sleeping. Sometimes, I found myself sleeping in the bathtub or backyard swing when reading something. Larry brings me deeper into the wilderness to distract me from thinking about unrelated stuff. The wildlife sightseeing successful distracts me.

With a tired body, that night I finally get a healthy sleep. No dream or overthinking. I forgot when the last time I could sleep this soundless. The next morning, I wake up with the refreshing body, feeling like a vitality had been restored to its peak. Maybe I could beg Larry to bring me again there.

Larry is humming a song while cooking breakfast. The aroma caused me salivation. Aside from his crazy work, Larry also good in the kitchen. He always accompanied mum cooking back at home. Mom had taught him with all sort tricks to cook the best dishes.

"What do you want to eat?" Larry said after noticing me.

"Let stick with anything you have cooked." I bring out two glasses with a bottle of orange juice.

"Okay." He continues humming again.

Half an hour later, the breakfast already served on the small dining table. We eat in silence as Larry had been trained in his family to eat without making any noise. The years of habit cannot be erased so long you are alive. A week he stayed at my home, he was a little awkward watching everything we did was opposite with his family practise. I was thinking if I ever living in that type of family, I might have chosen a death than living. That is one hell of boring life when you cannot do that and this.

"Hey, how is your man going?" His question almost causes me spurt the drink.

"Dunno." I shrugged my shoulder.

"He really a true hottie when seeing in close view." I rolled my eyes.

"Not really." I said bringing my plate to sink and wash it. I also clean the kitchen. Larry still eyed me with amused smirks.

I left the room and return to the temporary bedroom. Luckily, Larry has brought some of my stuff here. I flipped the sketching book, turning that one full with Russel's face. Damn!

A touched on the shoulder stop me from sketching. Thank God, he is Larry. He plopped down on the comforting mattress. I am feeling eerie seeing his unreadable eyes. Some part of me feeling uneasy. He looks a little off from his usual self.

"Are you really don't know where he is?" Larry is asking again.

"Yes, I really don't care what he is doing here." I turned to another way.

"Really? Too bad. I see you are head over heel, chasing his shadow nonstop."

"Nonsense!" I bite my lips.

"My best quality is, nothing can run away from my sight. I am still remembered even a trivial thing like what shirt your mother wear when we celebrating each of my birthday." I smirked.

"The loved already withering before it bloom." I huffed.

"Did he ever tell that your sulking face is quite seducing?" I felt my body hair stand up by the statement. "You're so beautiful in term of man standard of beauty."

"Hey, what are you doing?" I retreat backward until my body landed on the soft mattress.

"If you really don't have any feeling for him, then let me make love to you?" My breath is hitching when his face only an inch from mine.

"Are you crazy?" I pushed his chest.

"I am not. However, you have pushed me to my limit. Please let me do it once." A strange misty emotion flash in his eyes. "Eric, we have both feeling a bitterness in the unrequited love. You can lay a thousand lies to anyone else but not me. I knew you really love the bastard."

"Why you keep talking nonsense?" Without me noticed, Larry has already undone all my buttons. Leaving my chest bare to his eyes.

"On the account of friendship, let me heal you by overwritten all the treatment by that good for nothing husband. We know each other longer than any man you have fallen in love. I know a single detail what you like or not. Thus, I am really confident, I can give you a true happiness." His word makes me stupor for a second. Did am I still dreaming?

"No, stop this craziness, Larry. Both of us doesn't need it." Please I begged him. A fear coursing my whole body.

"I won't hurt you. I loved your family, thinking them as my own blood. And, you the best buddy I ever have." His hand pinched my nipples causes me slight moans.

"Larryy... please... no..." I am stuttering because the man I see now not the real Larry. "Stop it." I pushed him. If he continues begging, I might surrender to this craziness shortly.

"Hey, I don't mean to make you cry. Shhh." He stops the perverse action and hugs me when I start crying. Feeling hopeless and under pressure of being unfaithful. I felt disgusted with Larry's touch. Dirty.

Causing the tears welling in my eyes and break down when I lost all strength to resist him. Yeah, I am longing a happiness. A happiness to be together with the one I loved. The person whom loved me for who I was. As well providing me a true love. I am tired kept falling for someone who did not love me back. I am super tired being hopeless and a beggar.

"Bastard!" A high pitched shouting in the room wake me up from miserable thought. Larry had been sent down the bed.

"What the fuck!" My body instantly shaking when spot the raging familiar man.

"Who give you a permission to touch my man? Another punch landed on Larry face. "Go and die bastard." I caught Russel's hand before he landed a third punch.

He caught us in most compromise situations. "Try touching him again and you can say goodbye to your life." That is not an empty promise either.

"Your man? Don't be joking, prick. If you value him so much, why you take so long to track him down? Why he'd choose to run away?" Larry smirk with swelling cheek.

"Stop it!' I shouted when Russel wanted to smash Larry's face again.

"Let's go." Without waiting me reply, he simply grabbed my hand down the staircases. When we almost outside, he put his jacket over me, zipping it up to my neck. Causing me realized how shameful myself right now.

The driving turned death still. No sound from radio station or anything. Totally silence. His hand tightly gripped the steering as his lips turned into a straight line.

"I...hmm" I try to explain.

"Stop... I don't want to hear anything. Damn!" I almost jumped from my seat when he is suddenly cursing in a high pitch tone. His hand wheeling the car to the left side. A jeep passed us with a jeering laughed.

"Are they really want a death?" He stopped the car, checking me as if I have broken. "Are you okay?"

I bit my lips to restrain from laughing. Did he think I would die from the shock? "I am okay."

"Thank god!" He wiped his face. "I know you want to explain the situation but please don't speak about it right now. I have a very bad habit and thoughtless tongue when in deep anger. I did not want to hurt you more than I already did. I loved you. I wanted to repair our marriage so badly. Everything is my fault, so I make a resolution to amend it." He rests his forehead on the steering.

"I am sorry." That is the only word I could say after hearing his heartfelt confession.

RUSSEL HENDRICK

I am searching like the crazy. Feeling powerless, as I do not know anyone to ask for help. The people at his previous rented house refused to leak any information about him. He was well prepared when planning the escape plan.

I think the rude man also involved in this matter. All day and night, I am searching around the small town like a madman. No matter who I asked they never spilled any word. When I was reaching the limit, the previous doctor bumped into me.

The old doctor given an honest smile and asked a latest update. He shocked when I was telling him about Eric. Thankfully, the doctor told me about the place he might be hiding. I typed the address in the map and followed the given direction.

The place is quite hidden and located in the outskirt area. It is a small park that also providing a veterinary clinic. The man I remember names Owen eyed me with guilty looks. Bingo, I think I'd hit the correct place.

"What are you doing here?" Owen hard tone greets me.

"Is Eric here?" I asked.

"If he doesn't want to meet then better you leave the ground quietly."

"Don't advise me when I only asked about his whereabouts. You have no right to meddle in our marriage life.' Finally, I lost all respect. The sudden high tone shocked the man.

"Follow me." He sighed heavily as lead the way.

We climbed the staircases with my heart drumming in racing beats. A happiness shone in me when thinking I can meet the man I loved presently. I would do anything to catch his heart again. This long separation is enough to teach me the value of the man called Eric. He is my everything. My world, my precious one, and only one of rare gem in this world.

I take a deep breathe when facing the only door separating my loved one and me. A smile makes its way to my face. Calming myself by counting one to three, I open the door. Luckily, it does not lock. My foot only a step in the room when I saw the most heartbreaking scenes. I felt like crying aloud. Seeing a strange man on top my beloved.

Nevertheless, my anger gets better than my calm self. Without thinking twice, I run near the bed and release a fist onto the man abdomen. He rolled down the bed while clamping the hit area. My sight turned red. A sign of dangerous anger. I forget the purpose of coming here. Forgetting another person who I longed so much.

What I wanted right now is killing this man. He dared to touch my love without permission. Every word he have muttering only fuel up the anger in me. I presented him another punched directly to his face. I wanted to release more but a hand stops me. He shakes his nod in protest.

Turning around, I said, "Let's go." I grabbed Eric hand and led him out without giving him any time to reply. His body a little shaking although he might not notice it.

The driving so silent without any sound except the car's engine. I focus on driving and calming myself in the process. There is a lot I wanted to ask. But the situation right now only brings a disaster If I keep playing with my limit. First of all, I need to calm and clear myself from any anger. To do it, I need a real peace both internal and external.

Who will able to stay calm when catching their partner with a stranger? Who wouldn't restore a great anger after watching it? Tell me if out there have a people with saint level, keeping all the bad emotion under control. Too bad I am not one of these saint type.

I am rather same level as the demon. Feeding on anger and negative feelings as if they are the best food for my vitality. As a motivation to strive alive

"I...hmm" Eric's word wake me up from the wanderer mind. A guilty is clearly shown in his eyes.

"Stop... I don't want to hear anything." I stopped him before my anger skyrocket. A noisy engine grabbed my attention on the road again. "Damn!" I spotted a green jeep almost close to the car I am driving.

Quickly, I am maneuvering to left side, hitting the grassy area. The jeering cheers obviously coming from that car. They must be a drunkard people seeing as the jeep swaying right and left. Instantly, I am facing Eric, checking if he has any injured.

He looks funny and a little bit seducing when biting his lips. His eyes clearly show an amusing emotion. After ensuring he gets no injury, I drive the car again until we reached the hotel. He is half hearted, following me to the room.

"I will brings you back to our home tomorrow." I tell him.

"Argh? What? I don't want to..." He answered me immediately.

"I need you." I faced him. "What should I do to prove my love for you?" His back against the wall.

"You don't need to do anything. What you wanted the most is this heart, not me." He avoids from meeting my eyes.

"The one I need is you. I swear by God's name." I cupped his face.

"I don't believe it. I do not want to place any bet, anymore. It's enough. I also have left a divorce paper back at home." He used his palm to push me.

"I really love you, Eric. About the divorce paper... hmm."

"Hmm... what?" A fear flash in his eyes.

"In the drunkard state, I have soaked it whiskey glass." He looked a little relief from the news. "Even if the matter didn't happen, I never intent to turn it to court."

"Liar."

"Nope. Because this separation really opens my eyes and mind to see a real lover for myself." I closes our distance, placing my lips on him.

His struggles turned weak. I supported his body before his fall on the floor. I saw my reflection in his misty eyes. "I hate you. I hate you so much. You gave me a hope but it's faked. I don't want to go through it again. It is so painful."

"I promise you, I won't hurt you ever again. If you feel me cheat or flirting behind you, you can castrate me on the spot." A faint smile appeared in his teary face.

"Is it true?" Finally, I saw a slight hope.

"Yes, it is true. I have only belonged to you."

"I don't want to hear any hurtful scandal."

"Yes, I won't let anybody spread nonsense rumour again."

"I only want you to exclusively belong to me. At least, for this life I wanted you to only have me in your heart. I don't want to be compared to your past love. We are nothing alike."

"Yes, myself only for you alone. As someone closer to both of you, I can guarantee Nate and you truly a different person."

"And, who is you love most?"

"Both of you." I envelop him in my hugs. Letting him bend all the pent up emotions. He punches me slightly.

"I hate your honest confession. At least, choose one of us."

"So, you prefer me to continue lying?" I chuckle while caressing his back.

"No, I like it when you are honest." His hand encircled my waist. "Are you really won't hurt me again?"

"Yes, I promise, Love." I whispered.

"Oh God..." A soft sobbing drifted into my ears.

"Please don't cry again. Or else, you just make me break another promise." I patted his back softly.

"Hmm..." A soft muffled voice reply me. I scoop the trembling body, bringing him to the bed. I placed him in between my legs, hugging him from behind.

"Russel, would you mind to tell me about your previous husband?" Suddenly he makes a weird request.

"Are you ready to hear?" I am asking him for confirmation.

"Yeah, I want to hear everything from your own mouth, please."

"Okay, I wanted you to promise stay in positive." He nods in understanding.

"I am not a good storyteller, so bear with me." I chuckled when resting my chin over his shoulder.

"Nate and I first encountered when I enrolled in boarding school. He was opposite from me, cheerful, and a life full with vibrant. He made the follower student thought he was from a poor family judging from his clothes." I recounted our first meeting.

"A low key?"

"Yeah, correct. We become closer when the teacher assigned us as a two-man team. Spending time together, we interacted as a friend in the beginning. Little by little, he broke the invisible wall around me. The first person who saw the real me but he never critics me like certain people. He accepted my flaws as nothing. Getting closer, he enclosed the details of his family. Apparently, he was coming from business rival and aware who I was at the first time he spotted me." I paused.

"Scott Prime?" He guessed.

"Correct. For years, we kept our relation in the dark, knowing both families were from the conservative line. The secret did not last long when you are having relatives with greedy needs. One day, everything burst with solid proofs presented to my parents and grandfather. I was kicked out from the company and house when defending my love. Grandfather confiscated all the things from my possession, blocking all cards, leaving me without a single penny on hand." I laughed when reminiscing the old memories.

"Why are you laughing? They are insane and cruel." I kissed Eric's cheek when sensing he is a little trembling.

"They were an idiot. They think I would crawl back to family when they drove me out because of my sexuality. I proved them wrong. I knew soon or soonest I would face the situation. Thus, I have my own income without them knowing." Our finger interlaced together.

"And?" Eric wanted me to continue the story. I am glad he did not feel jealous over the past. Little by little, I feel my chest become peace and lighter telling him all about the hidden past. I have someone to share my misery now.

A/N

Hi guys, hope you enjoy this chapter as well. Thank you very much for previous comment and voting. Hope you would continue to support the story until the end. Love you guy. See you in the next update.