C9 09

Though Eric succeeded to sow some seeds of doubts regarding Sean's personality, all those just disappeared like bubbles every time I was with my husband. I could never remember any of his flaws because he showered me with utmost care and love. Eric also took his distance from me so I was able to focus on learning my new responsibilities. Dr. Fabella and the rest of the administrative council were so patient with me. And with Sean's full support, I was able to adapt to my new designation faster than I thought I would be.

One busy day, Dr. Fabella encouraged me to take a half-day off. Perhaps he knew that I got so drained already. There were lots of meetings and orientations, and it got me dead tired at the end of the day.

I went to Laminae to surprise Sean. Ever since we returned from Hawaii, I had not visited the company anymore. I hadn't even met my team as the head of the clinic.

"Dr. Red, glad to see you again!" Hazel ran to meet me while I was yet at the lobby, her face beaming with excitement. She happened to peep outside looking for someone when she saw me.

Even if we had not bonded yet as work colleagues, I was already fond of her. She was sweet, thoughtful, family-oriented, and hospitable. She possessed the characteristics of a good friend. I hugged her tight, and I could feel how elated she was.

"How's everyone here?" I asked as we entered the clinic staff's lounge.

I regretted the fact that I never spared time to meet my old friends like Dr. Mimi, Dr. Leila, and the rest.

"We are fine, doc. There was not so much incidence that happened among the workers here except for minor complaints like headaches, and body pains. However, we got piles of paper works ever since Miss Sevilla is appointed as the proxy of Mr. Grey's executive secretary while she's on maternity leave."

"Miss Sevilla?" I furrowed my brows as my dear ears picked the name.

"Yes, doc. Miss Rya Sevilla-" Hazel suddenly stopped and gasped, her eyes widening in horror as she covered her mouth with her hand.

"Oh, I'm damned!"Hazel stood up and paced back and forth, slapping her forehead and cursing herself.

"Haze, please stop! What's wrong?" I raised my voice. I got impatient and dying to know about this bomb. Issues with Sean never ended. First, at the party, and now, this.

Rya Sevilla was the pseudo name she used when President Ric Abella brought her to TAG Medical Center to hide her from the scandalous eyes of the public, and from the wrath of his family. This illicit relationship between the country's president and Calla was exposed to the public a few months ago. To save their reputation and pride, the president asked Sean a favor to keep her under his care.

Little did the president know that Sean and Calla had a romantic love affair in Sama Island. The fact that she was able to sneak around with Sean, indulging in their sexual escapades in one of the pristine beaches of Sama Island, meant that the president was not around. With his calls of duty as the highest officer of the nation, he was expected to go on travel most of the time. Someone had said, "while the cat is away, the mouse will play."

To Calla, it probably had no meaning, but to Sean, it gave him the best memories of first love and first sexual experience. He even got crazy in looking for her when she suddenly disappeared. Just as Sean accepted the fact that she was just a part of his fleeting memories, she came again at his doorstep, claiming that she was pregnant with Sean's child.

Unfortunately, her coming was a little late, or so I thought because Sean and mine's relationship had started to bloom. I knew Sean tried hard to forget her because he knew through his private investigation that she was the woman that captured Eric's heart. She was the reason why Eric did not give his heart to me. And she was the cause of my consistent emotional heartbreak within those five years I lived as Eric's common-law partner.

Aside from her involvement with Eric, she also became President Ric Abella's other woman. If rumors were true, her love for money and wealth made her ran away from Eric. To think, Calla was just an ordinary island girl when Eric took her to his home. He clothed and refined her, creating her into the woman she is today. Yet, Calla did not value Eric's role in her life; she left him for someone richer and more powerful.

This woman never stopped inflicting wounds in my heart. Of all the beautiful women out there, she also came into Sean's life. Sean may be firm in his promise to marry me only, but she had become my nightmare every night. I was afraid that their child would bind them together and I would be left hurting again. Sean told me frankly, that he would not turn his back on the child.

I grabbed Hazel's arm and had her sit beside me on the couch. I looked into her eyes and held her gaze.

"Why are you afraid?"

"Mr. Grey made me promise that I wouldn't tell anyone that she is working for him."

I held my breath for a while, trying my best to remain calm. "Where is her office?"

"Mr. Grey converted the adjacent room next to his so that only he can have access to her office."

"Haze, what is there to be afraid of? As you said she is just working as a proxy to his executive secretary."

Hazel began to sob. Glints of guilt and pity spread across her face. "Dr. Red, can't you see it? Why would Mr. Grey hide her from you? Not only that-"

"What?"

Hazel answered me with her sobs. My heart broke a thousand times watching her crying because of me.

"Dr. Red, promise me that you won't tell your husband about this." Hazel looked at me like a wet and innocent puppy.

"Alright, but with a condition," I answered, and her eyes lit up.

"Keep me updated."

She nodded and hugged me tight, her tears still fell like a torrent on a summer day.

"Where does this woman live?"

Hazel's eyes widened again, reflecting another wave of fear. Yet, she could not back out from her promise.

"She stays in Mr. Grey's room next to yours."