C16 Chapter 15: Last Hug

Sofia's Point of View :

"Mmmm, it mells good, Sofia," Mom said from behind me. What she was referring to was what I was cooking.

"It's for Alexus," I said while smiling big.

"My daughter is so sweet," mom teased me.

"No I'm not, I'm just cooking for him." I laughed in response to mommy.

After our short conversation, mom left me in the kitchen.

As I cook this marinated chicken, which is Alexus' favorite I can’t help but take the smiles off my lips. For sure, it will be fun. It's my first time I cooked for him, this is also the first time I will bring him food to his office. It's nothing, I just wanted to act like his real wife.

It's been almost two months since Alexus changed. I mean, ever since he became sweet to me. We are now living under the same roof as if we were a real couple. We haven't even talked about the contract. I feel like, it’s gone. It seems real to all of us. No contract, nothing will end. That's how I feel.

After I cooked the marinated chicken I carefully placed it in the lunch box I had prepared. After, I put it in the lunch box, I put it in a basket.

"Perfect!" I said after I finished preparing the foods that I had prepared for Alexus.

"Mom, I'm leaving." I said goodbye to mom who is busy watching K-Drama.

"All right, goodluck to you. Be careful too," she ordered without looking at me.

"Yes mom, thank you." After I left the house, I immediately took a taxi. While in the taxi, I was smiling again. No, I'm obsessed with myself without knowing it.

After 30 minutes I also reached Alexus' company. This is my second time to come here. The first time I came here was on the day of my wedding—my unexpected wedding to be exact.

You know Alexus, his hobby is surprising me. While I was in the elevator I was accompanied by three women.

"Did you know that Boss's ex-girlfriend is here?" Asking one of her two other colleagues.

"Yes sis! She's really beautiful and sexy in person!"

"It's too much! It's a pity and they suddenly broke up, isn't it?" The other girl added.

"Yes, but miss Nicole is asking for a second chance. No man will reject a goddess like her! So, maybe they will back into each other's arms."

At first I didn't feel any fear, but after I heard Nicole's name, the nervousness I feel now started. Even though I knew what I could possibly reach in Alexus ’office I still insisted on going for it with the food I had prepared for him.

"Babe please, I'm begging you. P-please, Comeback..." I wasn't surprised when I arrived. Nicole is now kneeling in front of Alexus, she apologizes to him. While Alexus remained standing.

"You don't have to do this, I've forgiven you for a long time Nicole and I understand you." Alexus knelt down so he could match Nicole's kneeling. He slowly wiped the tears running down her cheek.

"So you mean..." Nicole suddenly stop from crying. Maybe, she couldn't believe that Alexus is forgiving her.

"Ssshh," I saw how Alexus wipe Nicole's tears. He's doing it in a gentle way.

While seeing him doing it to her, I suddenly feel a sharp thing in my chest causing me hard to breathe.

"I love you babe. I love you." Nicole's said while hugging him. She buried her face on Alexus shoulder. They're so sweet—yet it's killing me seeing them.

"I love you more than you love me," I finally backed away after hearing Alexus answer to Nicole. Of course, he loves her more than anything else—more than anyone. I'm so stupid for falling in love with him.

—

"Baby, why are you still carrying that?" Mom greeted me with a question when I got home.

"Because Alexus texted me. He said he had lunch with his new client." I lied.

"Is that so?"

"Yes mom." I didn't let mommy knows that I had cried. I don't want her to worry about me anymore. I just decided to go to my room and lie down. Maybe I'll just sleep, so that it will ease the pain I am feeling.

"Sofia, hey wake up!" I woke up because of the familiar voice calling me. When I opened my eyes I was not mistaken. It's Alexus.

"I'm leaving," he directed me.

"Okay." I gave him my fake smile.

"Is it okay?" He asked in disbelief.

"Why, what do you want me to say? You want me to stop you? You want me to beg you to 'Please, don't leave me Alexus because I can't?' If I do that won't you leave me?" I said full of sarcasm.

"Isn't it? Because who am I? I'm the only woman you paid to bring your child! Isn't it?" My tears started flowing as I said those words to him.

"Sofia, why are you acting like that?" I laughed because of his stupid question.

"Isn't it obvious Alexus? Because you trained me! You let me!" I shouted.

"You trained me to always be by your side, you let me fall for you harder. Alexus, I love you. I love you," I couldn't control my emotions so I was honest with him out of nowhere. After all, he's also leaving, so maybe it's okay if he knows how I really feel for him, right? I cried even more after he turned his back on me as if he just didn't care to what I said.

"Didn't I tell you from the beginning that you can't like me?" It brings so much pain on me hearing those words from him.

"I tried not to. But my heart is the one who wants to love you, besides, didn't you also say that you will try to love me?" I cried telling him.

"And you hope so? Sofia, it still Nicole. She's the only one I love." I laughed. Of course, he only loved Nicole. But here I am—loving him too.

"I know, I know that she's the only one. But do you still have to shout that at me?" I let myself cry. To cry and release the pain.

"If it's necessary just for you to receive, why not?" Why is it so painful for him to speak? Why is it like this? This is my first time falling in love and yet it feels like this. If I only knew that this is how it feels to love someone who can't love you — I wish I hadn't loved him. I hope I don't fall in love anymore.

"I'm leaving," he let out. Why does he even need to say goodbye? He can just leave suddenly, right?

"How about the deal? The contract?" Even though I looked like a fool I still decided to ask him that thing. Even I already know what the answer is—that will end with us.

"Forget about it!" I don't know but, its so painful. Very painful. Shouldn't I be happy because finally the deal is over, the contract is gone? But why do I feel the opposite?

"Fine. If that's what you want, but I'll give you back the money." I told him.

"There's no need," he refuses.

"It's necessary. I don't want you to think that I really look like money, I'll give it back after all, I haven't moved it yet! I just save up the money I spent, the one at my mom's fine hospital and pay off our debt." I explained.

"If that's what you want," he said to end our conversation.

"Wait," I stopped him after he stepped forward to get out of my room. After he stopped I quickly hugged him tightly. This is the last time I hug him so I just want to do it completely.

"Always take care of yourself," I smiled at him before he finally turned his back on me. I sat up and hugged my knees as I held back my tears. This is too much. The pain is too much.