Dale’s Arrange Wife (ENGLISH VERSION)

For the few days that Lauren wasn’t here, I felt how much I had lost in my life. I got used to her always being there and serving me. I got used to being taken care of by her. But now I’m alone.

I took my phone and looked at the screen. I don’t know why but I went to the history call. I’m looking for something but I don’t know what or who. It’s like I’m waiting for someone to call me.

‘Oh come on! I knew Lauren’s call was what I was waiting for.’

I leaned on the bed and took a deep breath. Every corner of this room reminds me of her. Everything here reminds him of her.

But I have to get used to it. Because I know we can only go this far. Our relationship is going nowhere and will end in divorce. I sighed thinking that I will lose her forever. I know this is for the best of her, but why am I hurt? It hurts me to think that I won’t be able to be with her anymore, more than anything, our relationship is broken.

We swear to remain friends. But I lost not only my wife but also my friend. I lost a friend who I could lean on and always be by my side. I hope she doesn’t just admit that she loves me. Even though I felt something strange, I could have made a way out.

I was thrown back to my feet when the doorbell rang. I didn’t expect any visitors. But because I was curious about who was there, I stood up to open it. When I opened the door I saw a woman standing.

“Yes?”

“Good morning, Mr. Dy, I am the staff of Mr. Hendrick Lee, Ma’am Lauren ordered me to get her red bag that is in the walk-in closet.” I was looking at the woman and then I looked at the car behind her with the engine running. It’s Hendrick’s car but I am not sure who is inside.

“Where is she?”

“It’s at the hotel, with Sir Hendrick.”

“Just wait here.” I closed the door and immediately went inside. I stood for a few minutes to think. They were together, I thought she was alone. She said he loves me but now she is with him.

I hate myself. Even though I know I have no right, I still can’t lie to myself that I’m upset. I hate the two of them together and I hate to think about what they might have done.

I can’t do anything because this is what I want. I hope she is happy.

I went to the walk-in closet. I don’t get into it much because Lauren always prepares my stuff. The smell of this closet is the same as Lauren’s perfume. I feel her presence in this room.

I saw the red bag beside my bag. This is what we used when we went to Palawan. And a lot of scenarios flashback to me. I stood on the shelf. I’m disgusted with myself and I don’t understand what’s happening to me. I want to go out and tell the staff to tell Lauren that she came home here to get her stuff.

But in the end, I chose to take the bag and give it to the staff. There’s no reason to get her back. I am happy that she already moved on with Hendrick right now. And I wish them happiness.

I AM OUTSIDE Lauren’s aunt Laura’s house. Talking to Carmona last time and giving her the forgiveness she asks for is not enough for me. I forgive her—yes. But I want to know everything. I still have questions that I want to know the answer to her. I still believe she has her own reason and I will only be quiet when I get that reason.

I got out of the car and immediately saw her. She was holding a small piece of paper and smiling as she looked at it, she kissed it and then stuck it in the notebook. She’s sitting in a wheelchair at the edge of the pool. I slowly walked toward her.

I feel no anger, no fear either, all I have is pity for her situation. Somehow, she was also close to me before all that happened. I also admired her and considered her a second mother.

“Dale?” I see the spark in her eyes when she sees me.

“Can we talk?” she pointed at the chair so I pulled it when suddenly Lauren’s auntie came.

“What are you doing here?” There was nervousness and fear on her face when she saw me.

“Laura.”

“I just want to talk to Carmona.” Carmona motioned to her. She looked at me first and grabbed her friend’s shoulder before leaving. When we were the only ones left, she smiled at me.

“Why are you here, Dale?” I can’t deny that she’s happy. The joy was evident in her eyes and face.

“We didn’t talk properly. I have forgiven you and that is true. But I still want to ask you something. I want to know something. I still want to talk to you properly and we part ways and forgive each other forever.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Why me?” I ask. “Why out of all the students you have, why did you do that to me? It’s clear to me that you planned it. Why?”

I heard her sigh. She opened the notebook she was holding and then took out the small piece of paper she was looking at earlier. She placed it on the table and I saw it was a photo that made me frown.

Our photo when I won the science quiz bee. Get it before it all happens. We were both smiling and our faces were touching. We are like siblings taking a picture. She’s looking young way back then even though she was twelve years older than me.

Next, she took the string bracelet. This is my gift to her on the same day as a thankful gift for being a mentor. I remember when I gave it to her, she kissed me on the cheek and she was very happy. Even my parents were happy to see the closeness we have.

“Because I loved you, Dale.” I frowned because of what she said. “I may be stupid to fall in love with a man that is younger than me. People will call me a pedophile to have a sexual attraction to a young man. But Dale, my feelings for you are not just sexual attraction. But I loved you.”

I shook my head at what she said and let her talk. I didn’t expect her to say that. I thought sex was the only reason why it happened.

“I treated everyone as my child, but when it comes to you, I can’t. I tried to stop what I was feeling. I thought maybe because I was just excited because I haven’t had a boyfriend for a long time and because of all of you, you are a bit mature so I feel different about you.”

“But as time goes on, my love deepens. I turned my feelings to others and I had a boyfriend but his fantasy in bed is different, he wants me to think of another person when we have intercourse. He prefers to call me another man while he claims me brutally. And I can’t help but mention your name and I admit that I get what I want better when you’re on my mind.”

“Since then, I’ve been thinking about you when we have sex, but soon we broke up. It’s like he just made me taste sin and then left me. I started to please myself while thinking of you. I was content to take care of myself when you were in my imagination. I made it, and somehow I’m happy.”

“But the day came when I was jealous when people noticed you. I’m annoyed that you notice someone else besides me. I hate it when I think someone will touch you, someone, you’re going to kiss. So I planned it. I am sorry for making you that way, Dale. But that’s how I thought you wouldn’t leave me.”

“I don’t know, but I am deeply in love with you even though I know it’s impossible, even though I know it’s forbidden. Maniac, lustful, flirtatious, that’s what other people call me. I accept that because it is the truth. But I know in my heart. I loved you, Dale. I love you until now. And this photo is the only thing that makes me happy even when I’m in jail.”

I couldn’t answer what she said. Maybe she was able to exploit me. She made me bad, but not everything she made was just an animal. Because she also took care of me. Maybe yes, because she can do what she wants. But somehow, she makes me feel that I am special too.

With her, I experienced the love that I couldn’t get from my family. She made me feel special. She gave me joy.

“When I found that you and Lauren got married, I felt happy for both of you. Because I know you will be happy. I want you to be happy.”

“I hate you,” I started.

“Dale.”

“I hate you for making me a monster, Carmona.” I saw the tears in her eyes. The pain.

“Because I was bad in bed because of you.”

“I’m sorry, Dale. I am sorry.”Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

“But I know that if I continue to be angry with you, I am only feeding myself in anger. Besides, I can’t deny that somehow you make me feel special, you treat me good.”

“Dale, I’m sorry,” She said crying. “Forgive me if I loved you and until now I still love you. I’m not a troublemaker and I have no plans to destroy you. I just want to love you, in my current situation that’s all I’m clinging to.” I stood up and approached her.

“I truly forgive you, and now I know the truth. I wish you the happiness that you deserve too, Carmona. I hope you also find true happiness in your heart. You are free to love me even from a distance but I’m sorry because I can’t return that love to you.”

“I’m happy to hold on to my love. As long as I love you, even if you don’t love me, it’s fine with me.”

I hug her. I felt her caressing my back so I also caressed her back. I wanted to be free from our past.

“Thank you, Dale. Thanks a lot.”

“Now I know why you’re pushing me, Dwayne Dale.” Carmona and I turned around together. I saw Lauren standing behind me while glaring at us.

“Lauren, daughter.”

“It’s because of that girl that is why you’re pushing me.”