Encounter

MATTHEW

I can’t stop myself from smiling. Everything is perfect right now. The place where I landed and Aleia. This is the kind of life that every man wanted, but I know I can’t stay here forever. I just need to buy some time, hoping that when I come back, the engagement thing is gone.

But I think I can’t go on with my life without her. I wanted to take her with me. She is the perfect girl that I am looking for. Plain, simple, independent. But would she leave this place just to be with me? This is her home.

“Zach, are you coming with me tonight?” she asked while she was sitting beside me. I volunteered to drive for her. This girl is doing a man’s job. For God’s sake.

“Where are we going?” I asked and took a glance at her. She was looking outside, and then she looked at me.

“Jake’s birthday,” she replied.

The thought of that man irritated me. He was so intimidating, and I was somehow jealous when she was with him.

“Not sure. Are you that close?” I asked

“Jake is one of my childhood friends when we lived here-” She immediately stopped as if she realized she said something that is not supposed to be told.

“When you lived here? Why? Did you live somewhere? I thought you had been living here ever since you were born.”

She cleared her throat and tried to manage her composure.” I mean, I went somewhere to study. I just got back a few years ago.”

I nodded. Okay! But I was not convinced, though. “Anyway, how much do you earn as a teacher that you still need to get another job? And take note -a heavy job.”

“It is improper to ask for someone’s income. That is too personal,” she said while trying to fix her hair.” Stop staring, Zach. Just focus on the road,” she said, smiling.

“Well, you’re too pretty to ignore. Or are you even aware of that? About the income thing, sorry for asking. I’m just concerned about your health.”

“I earn nothing from that.”

My jaw dropped. “How come?”

“I do it voluntarily for charity. I love kids because they remind me of my childhood. When I was young back then, I did not have the time to study, play, and have fun. My mother was sick, and I needed to take care of her.”

“And because you love them, you accepted the job for free?” I said. I’m not sure if I can get to her point-no one will do that in this practical time.

“Yes. Sometimes in life, there are times that we sacrifice ourselves for the people and the things that we love. Have you been in love before?” she asked.

I shook my head. “I don’t think so.”

Love for me is a complicated thing. They’ll make us believe that they love you when the truth is they only love your money.

“Have you?” I asked back.

She nodded. I’m not sure about how I was feeling. I was jealous for a moment. I don’t have the right. I focussed on the road to divert my attention.

“I fell in love with him when I was ten, and I still love him until now. I thought when love is not entertained, it will vanish like a cloud of smoke. But, hell, the fire just keeps on going. I love him even harder now.”

With that, I looked at her without knowing that she was looking at me intensely. So sad I was not the one she was referring to. I’ll bet my life; it was Jake. Since she mentioned childhood friend and she has been in love with him since she was ten.

“Lucky man,” I smiled sarcastically.

“Yeah, he is fortunate indeed that I want to strangle his neck for making me suffer all these years. Though, it was not his fault.”

I laughed a bit. Why would she do that to the man she loved?

We remained silent after that conversation until we finished the delivery. I was still in deep thought about what she said.

“Have you had breakfast?” she asked. We were on our way to the truck. We stopped near its doorway.

“No. I’m not hungry.” I was startled when she held me in my waist and grabbed me somewhere. It made me happy, though.

” Where are we going?” I asked, smiling. We looked like a couple in quarrel, and I thought we looked cute.

She paused for a while, catching her breath, with her hands on her waist. She sexily raked her falling her and pushed it upward. She even wet her lips, still grabbing for breath.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“Let’s eat some,” she said.

“But, why are we in a hurry? We could just stroll.” I asked and pulled her away. She looked even sexier with a bit of sweat on her face and neck. I swallowed. She’s just an inches away from me. I could even smell her sweet, delicate scent like the breath of ocean mixed with the heat of the sun.” Can you forget about that man?” I asked.

“I can’t. He’s with me wherever I go.”

I lowered my lips, ready to kiss her again. “Just now. Forget him- just now,” I said almost in a whisper and claimed her lips. It was soft and sweet as usual that I even bit it. I heard her moan, and that even intensified the fire inside me. After a few moments of intense kissing, I let go of her lips.

“If you love him, then why do you always kiss me like I am the man you love?” I asked to tease her.

“Because it is you,” she murmured something. I did not hear clearly. She walked ahead of me, and I followed her.

We ended up at a small eatery where she ordered foods that were new to me. I was even hesitant at first to eat there. It was my first time- eating in that kind of place. But I can’t complain. Aleia enjoyed her food, and I was mesmerized by just looking at her.

Then, I realized that she was the perfect woman I was looking for. I have to make her mine.