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The private jet took off at the first break of dawn and despite the relief I felt, I couldn't shake off that feeling that I was leaving a part of me behind. Mike was a part of me, no matter how I tried to deny it. Two years spent with him is hard to forget in just one night.
Joan's brother was very hospitable. We've met a couple of times in the past but we weren't really close. He didn't ask questions when he saw me, he only welcomed me and here we are, flying far away from the place I've called home for so long now.
I inhaled deeply and let it out, blinking back stubborn tears that wouldn't leave me alone. I took out my phone from my purse and logged into the security cameras at Mike's house. I found that of our room and opened it, leaning into the seat as I watched.
Mike was just waking up. As usual, he reached out on the bed, only looking up when he didn't touch me. I had left the pictures on the bed so that'd be the first thing he sees when he wakes up. He was still very sleepy but when he picked up one of the pictures, his eyes widened in shock.
I watched him pick up his phone. He was probably trying to call me, it didn't go through. I had blocked his number as soon as I was out of his house. He restlessly searched for me.
The more I watched, the more I wondered if I had made the right decision so I turned it off and tossed my phone aside. I began looking through the windows and the tears fell anyway. I tried to be as quiet as possible but it was useless.
" Are you okay?" I heard Joan's brother ask.
I sniffed and wiped my eyes.
" I'll be fine" I said without looking at him.
There was silence for a while and then he said,
" A man who cheats on you is not worth your tears so please don't cry"
His words were unexpected and it brought me some sort of comfort. I took a deep breath and wiped my eyes again, this time however, I told myself that would be the last tears I'd shed for Mike. I won't cry anymore.
" Thank you" I mumbled. He simply nodded at me.
We didn't speak for the rest of the 10-hour flight. I dozed off at some point, having had very little sleep last night. When I woke up incidentally coincided with our arrival at Hawaii. The jet landed and we alighted.
Joan was waiting for us. She came up to me first and pulled me into a comforting hug.
" I am so sorry, Jessica that you have to go through this" she said.
I tried to smile.
" Thank you for helping me out. I believe I'll be fine " I said.
She hugged me again, going to hug her brother afterwards.
We were driven to the villa Joan resided in, at the Big Island, as it is called. The beach was beautiful even under the afternoon sun. Joan led me to my room, just opposite hers.
Once I was settled in, we sat down at the balcony to talk.
" So what happened exactly? How did you find out?" Joan asked.
" We just went to this party and a lady slipped pictures of both of them into my bag " I said painfully.
" She had some guts "
" She didn't know he was married. I don't even blame her, I'm grateful she had the courage to do something when she found out or else Mike would have continued in his deceit "
Joan heaved.
" Does he know where you are?" She asked.
" No. I left as soon as I found out. He was drunk and asleep when I left"
" So what are you going to do now?" She asked the question I had been avoiding all along.
" I really don't know Joan" I said in a slight whisper.
" I have very little money in my account if I was to start afresh. I was so dependent on Mike that I didn't even bother to do something for myself, I just never expected this " I said.
" I understand how you feel Jess. You can stay here for as long as you want, however long you need to figure it out, I really don't mind" Joan said.
I tried to smile my gratitude.
" Thank you Joan. I really should have listened to you and my parents about Mike"
" Don't blame yourself. Mike's the wrong one, he doesn't deserve your tears or your heart"
The more I heard the words, the more it imprinted on my mind and my heart. Mike doesn't deserve me.
" Thank you again, Joan. What would I do without you?" I said.
" Anytime Jess. I'm always here for you, anytime"
And I knew she was telling the truth. Joan would always be there for me. Despite how I treated her in the past and distanced myself from her, she still responded when I needed her the most and I know she'll always do just that.
So with this thought in my mind, I settled in fully into the Big Island. I blocked every means in which Mike could use to contact me. My first step was to heal fully before deciding on what next to do with my life. And that was exactly what I tried to do.
It was almost like a vacation.
I stayed indoors for days and barely went out, Joan kept me company when she was less busy from work.
Today however, I got bored and decided to go out to the beach. The sight was beautiful and I got carried away just sitting there and watching it.
" Can I join you?" I heard a deep voice say behind me. I turned to the voice and my breath seized when my eyes fell on the most man I have ever seen.