Chapter 5 Sean's Explanation

Mine had just arrived at her office wearing sunglasses because her eyes were puffy from crying. She was standing in front of the elevator.

"Good morning, Mine," greeted someone, making Jasmine turn to the source of the voice.

"Erwin?" exclaimed Jasmine, frowning at Erwin's presence in her office in the morning. "Why are you here so early?"

"Aren't we going to have a meeting together?" Erwin exclaimed.

"But that's in an hour," Jasmine exclaimed.

"I know. I was too lazy to go back and forth, so I decided to come straight here," said Erwin.

"Fine, whatever you want," said Jasmine, pressing the elevator button on the wall.

"Any schedule this morning before the meeting?" asked Erwin.

"Nothing," replied Mine.

"Why don't we have coffee first?" Erwin asked, making Mine pause for a moment as if considering it.

"Okay," Mine replied.

The two of them walked to the coffee shop near Mine's office.

Once there, Erwin immediately ordered Mine's and his favorite coffee.

"As usual," Erwin exclaimed, placing the coffee cup on the table in front of mine.

"You know my favorite coffee," Mine said.

"Always," Erwin replied.

They brewed their coffee.

"What's wrong with your eyes?" asked Erwin, watching mine.

"What's wrong?" asked Mine.

"I haven't taken off my glasses since earlier. Are your eyes hurting? Or panda eyes from lack of sleep?" asked Erwin.

"It's just," Mine was silent for a moment, thinking of the right answer. "My eyes are a little red and seem to be sensitive to dust. So I'm wearing these glasses."

"But you were fine yesterday," Erwin said suspiciously.

"Yes, because last night I caught a glimpse badly enough that my eyes turned red from irritation," Mine explained, trying to hide her lie by taking another sip of her coffee.

"Oh yeah, where is your husband now?" asked Erwin, putting Jasmine back in a bad mood because she had to remember Sean.

"Why ask him?" Jasmine replied sarcastically.

"So what? We used to be schoolmates," Erwin exclaimed.

"He's working in Brazil," Mine replied.

Mine glanced at her cell phone, which was quiet with no notifications. After yesterday, she silenced Sean, and until now, he still hadn't contacted her.

'What a cold, heartless man! Not even an apology or explanation. And again, why do I have to answer honestly? Can't I just lie to protect my feelings? Gosh, why would I fall for a guy like that?' she thought.

"Jasmine!" Erwin exclaimed, waking up Mine, who was glued to the screen of the cellphone he had placed on the table.

"Ah yes!" Mine exclaimed, turning her gaze to Erwin.

"What's wrong?" asked Erwin.

"It's nothing. I think I need to go upstairs. I'll see you in the meeting room later," Mine exclaimed, getting up from her seat and grabbing her cellphone.

Erwin just watched mine leave. He looked at Mine's used coffee cup in front of him. There was a lipstick stain on it. Erwin picked up the coffee cup and took a sip of Mine's used coffee right where the lipstick stain was.

"Ummm, not bad, and very sweet," he grinned.

***

Mine took off her glasses and threw them on her desk. She reached into her pants pocket and went back to checking her empty notifications.

"That cold guy, really!" Mine exclaimed so annoyed that she wanted to cry again. She took a seat in her oversized chair as she sighed. She rubbed her face furiously and recalled the video she received where Sean was with a woman.

Mine's mind was racing, and her heart was at war. Between believing Sean and not. It made Mine's head want to burst, and she felt like screaming out her frustration.

Tringg...

Mine took her cell phone and saw whose chat it was.

Sean

I'm on a flight. So I haven't been able to contact you. What's clear is that woman is not me. I only helped that woman. I'll explain everything when I get back. Don't get angry again, and trust me.

Jasmine felt quite relieved to hear Sean's explanation. She hoped that Sean was not lying to her.

***