Chapter 5 Happy heart

Chapter 5

Standing on his black Chevrolet is the monster himself. He stood there, visibly annoyed, waiting for me outside the office. I peeked through my office window and saw him getting bored while waiting for me.

"You're such a fool, Clea. Look at yourself! So ecstatic!" Karen pinched me when she saw me peeping through the window. I knew my eyes were gleaming with happiness as I stared at the infuriating monster, who was now playing with his tongue, hands tucked inside his jeans' pockets. He resembled those mafia characters I had read about in books-elegant, intimidating, with a body that could rival the gods of Mount Olympus. I couldn't get over him.

I snapped my gaze away from my husband and smirked haughtily at Karen. "I'm happy he's waiting for me today."

I returned to my swivel chair and noticed Karen rolling her eyes back and forth in response to what I said.

"Sometimes, Clea, you should see if anything has really changed. Aren't you curious why he suddenly cares about you again?"

Of course I am. But what can I do after enduring years of hell with him? This is the only time I experience the bliss of heaven, as he touches me with his calloused hands and envelops me with his warmth.

"Clea... I'm happy to see you smile and happy, but I'm afraid he has something up his sleeve again to ruin you."

She added, shaking her head in disappointment. But what else can be ruined when he is my greatest turmoil, and I willingly embrace the havoc he brings?

I let out a sigh. "Ren, can't I be happy for once? I don't care how much pain he will cause me again, but can I feel Miguel, the one I loved before, once more?"

Tears welled up in my eyes. I've experienced and felt pain for too long. Can't I experience happiness again?

I know he's a monster. He killed me with his venomous spell, piercing my heart and soul, but I am a willing victim. It may be cliché to everyone else, but I would even catch a bullet for him. I am a martyr in love, and Miguel is my greatest downfall.

My friend slowly approached me, gave me a weak smile, and hugged me tightly. "I'm your friend; I just don't want you to get hurt again. I mean, you're always hurting."

She joked, making me pinch her, and we both laughed sloppily.

She released her embrace and sat in front of me. "When are you going to leave? He's been waiting to pick you up."

She raised an eyebrow, curiously taking some papers from my desk and flipping through them.

I shook my head and returned my gaze to the computer screen. "Twenty minutes, because I still have to finish a report."

I didn't see her rolling her eyes this time since I was focused on my work. But in my mind, I could picture her doing it. I guess it would be strange not to see Karen roll her eyes at me or anything else she doesn't like to see or hear.

She stood up and looked out the window again. I'm sure she was looking at Miguel, though I only saw her movements in my peripheral vision.

"If I were you, I'd leave now and go home with your beloved husband because people here are giving you nasty looks!"

She said this, forcefully pulling the curtain back and leaning against it, staring at me with her left eyebrow raised. It's strange to hear her speak so poetically.

"If you're concerned about your work, guess what? I'm your secretary, so leave it to me. Gad!"

She exclaimed, frustrated, and waved me away. I had no choice but to accept that my secretary was now acting like my boss.

I chuckled at her, and she sat in my swivel chair, continuing with my work.

"I thought you didn't like Miguel for me. Why does it seem like you're now pushing me toward him, you witch?"

She gave me a lazy look again, and once again, she rolled her eyes but quickly returned to her task.

"You fool. I don't like Miguel, but I like seeing you smile. Gad Caprice, look at your eyes shining with happiness today!" She shouted.

She gave me a death glare again, so I raised my hands in surrender. I knew my eyes sparkled with joy and excitement, grateful that sorrow and pain hadn't visited me when I woke up this morning.

"Thanks, Ren." I gave her a genuine smile, but knowing her, she just nodded, furrowing her brows and rolling her eyes.

She hummed, refocusing on my computer. "Just go, Caprice. I know how excited you are to go home and be fetched by your husband."

She grimaced as she said those words, although I understood where her hatred came from. She had never liked Miguel from the beginning, and she didn't even hide her annoyance whenever I talked about him and our relationship. She's my friend, and she knows me well. Sometimes I'm afraid to hide things from her because, with just one look, she can read my soul.

I shook my head in despair at how Karen wouldn't change her perspective on my husband. Miguel may be a monster, but I know he's a good guy deep down. He's just clouded by the monster he chose to become. I know him-he's selfless, but that was before. However, I still believe he can change.

I quickly gathered my things because I knew Miguel was impatient and could start an argument at any moment. But I also hoped he wouldn't. He's making progress, or so I thought.

"And Clea, can you at least promise to call me if something bad happens? I'm your best friend, and you know you can share anything with me. Please?"

She said this before I could reach for the door. I saw tears glistening in her eyes as they streamed down her cheeks. I gasped in awe at how quickly things had changed. One moment she was being bitchy, and now she had become soft and vulnerable. I loved both sides of her.

I nodded, even though I knew I couldn't promise her anything. She was dealing with her own problems, and the least I could do was spare her mine. My problems were mine to deal with. I knew she just wanted to be involved, but as much as possible, I didn't want anyone to know about Miguel physically hurting me. It would tarnish his reputation.

I gave her a curt smile and waved my hand as I saw her wiping her tears. I opened the door without looking back and hurried outside because I knew the monster was impatient and could unleash his fury at any moment.

The security guard smiled and opened the door for me to leave. I could hear his laughter as he saw Miguel raise an eyebrow when he saw me coming out.

"Oh, ma'am, it looks like Sir has been waiting for you for quite a while," he said, grinning.

I shook my head and smiled. "Let him be, Manong."

"Take care, ma'am!" Manong called out as I walked away from the door. Miguel's gaze didn't leave me as I made my way toward him.

"Hi," I whispered softly, causing his eyebrows to furrow again.

He raised an eyebrow and glanced back at my office before turning his gaze back to me.

He studied me for a while. "Why did it take you so long?"

He opened the car door, so I calmly got in, but his brows remained furrowed as he entered the car. He looked at me intently, his hands on the steering wheel, so I lowered my head. I knew he was impatient, but I also hadn't asked him to pick me up.

"Why aren't you answering, Cleopatra?" I glanced at him in surprise, and his brows furrowed even more. "What now?"

I gestured towards the security guard outside, who was repeatedly glancing at our car. Miguel followed my gaze and angrily hit the steering wheel, releasing a frustrated sigh.

"What the hell-" he began to say but ended up glaring at me as I pointed at the security guard who kept looking at our car.

He followed my hand with his eyes and abruptly ran his hand through his hair, making me nervous and embarrassed. I thanked heaven that the car windows were tinted; otherwise, I would be the topic of gossip among our employees tomorrow. I didn't want to be their subject for a week just because of a kiss. I enjoyed his kisses, but being seen kissing him in company wasn't one of my desires.

We passed by a grocery store, which reminded me that our food supplies at home were likely depleted. It had been two weeks since I last stocked up.

"Miguel, let's make a quick stop at the mall. I'm sure our food supply at home is running out."

I gave him a questioning look, and he simply nodded before pulling into the parking lot. It was late afternoon now, and the scorching heat of the day had subsided. The mall parking lot was almost full due to rush hour. We drove around, searching for a parking space, but it seemed impossible to find one nearby.

We parked meters away from our intended destination, and we both walked towards the mall. Fortunately, the sun was no longer scorching, making the walk more bearable. Miguel followed behind me as high school girls blatantly stared at him, causing him to adjust his scruffy hair. I saw their eyes sigh dreamily whenever my husband shook his head, which made me wait for him to catch up with me.