His Punishment

by Pia Marie

  But her story was different from the book. Yes she had two men over her, but she couldn’t pick the one she really loves. Why is life being cruel to me?

  She heard the elevator door open but none of them left. She decided to go ahead of the two guys and she was instantly followed and both of them held her by her arm. She stopped in her tracks and looked at the ceiling.

  She then looked at James who is glaring at Miguel. She looked at Miguel and found him doing the same.

  “I can walk by myself, thank you.” And she slipped away from either arm that held on to her. She went directly to the dining hall and found James’ dad and her dad sitting and laughing.

  How she wished the two were talking about her future with James. Ironically, they are talking about their future alright. Not about love matters, but their successful and wealthy future ahead.

  “Hi dad. Hi Sir.” she kissed her dad on the cheek.

  “Please call me Uncle John.” James’ father smiled at her.

  Wish you said, call me dad, she thought silently and smiled back.

  She felt her chair being pulled for her as she held the armrest, she looked back and saw the two guys helping her all at the same time. She narrowed her eyes at both of them when she saw they are still glaring at each other.

  “Please . . .” she pulled the chair by herself. True she felt special at the attention from both of them, but it was unbearable seeing them glowering at each other.

  They both sat beside her, sandwiching her again.

  “So, as you know already, we are expanding Subic Intercontinental from becoming one of our biggest resort-hotels to one of the most elegant resort-casino,” her father looked at her explaining.

  “We know this is a shock to you, but I actually didn’t consider a venture like this until I saw James’ proposal.” Uncle John explained.

  I looked at James wondering when and why he ever gave that proposal.

  “What proposal?” James was as puzzled as she was.

  “Honestly, I saw one of your papers in Business to Business Marketing. The proposal you made there was realistic and seemed promising.” His dad answered the question on his mind.

  “You mean . . .” he asked his father again.

  “Yes, I saw it on your desk. It was graded and got a good mark by your professor.” His dad was proud of him.

  “Oh, actually, it was a paired project, between me and Tara.” He smiled at her pleased that their indirect proposal was accepted by their fathers. He saw her smiled back at him.

  “I know. I saw the title page of your proposal and I was amazed at how the two of you came up with it,” his dad continued.

  “I was amazed as well when John here met with me. We have known each other for a while now, but we never thought of any business together. Not that it wasn’t a plausible idea, but because we just never gave it a thought,” her father explained.

  “Now here we are with execution of the proposals you came up with and it is excellent so far.” His dad said.

  “Thanks for considering it, Mr. Salvador.” James politely said as he sensed the indirect applause of Tara’s dad.

  “Oh, cut the formality son, you call me Uncle Tom.” He offered him.

  Son? How I wish I would be. What magic can I do to make me your son-in-law. He wandered off.

  “Plus, the hiring of Miguel was a good start. He came from one of the most established hotels in the metro. He is definitely an advantage to us,” her dad acknowledged Miguel.

  “Thank you sir.” Miguel smiled when he was recognized by her father.

  “Later after lunch, you will be meeting with the department heads of the hotel.” Her dad told him.

  She looked at Miguel and she saw he was happy that he is being welcomed so warmly. She looked at James and he saw him scrunching his jaws once again.

  Their food was delivered to their table one by one and they started to grab a piece of the dishes. James moved to take a portion of the steamed fish as Miguel sliced a fraction of the grilled pork. They both supplied Tara at the same time. Their fathers did not notice as they were busy chatting with each other.

  Tara moved both of their forks rejecting their offer.

  “I can help myself.” She reminded both of them.

  They continued eating silently and she never glanced at either one of them.

  She was pleased when a staff requested Miguel to come with him for the meeting with the department heads. She looked over at James and clearly, she wasn’t the only one relieved.

  Actually, Miguel is a good guy and Tara can’t help liking him. But she never promised him anything more than friendship. She promised she would give him one shot at trying to make her fall for him. She is open to it, but she wasn’t sure about her heart.

  “Coffee or tea?” she heard James asking her when he saw she was done eating.

  “Coffee will be good,” she replied.

  “Do you serve Caramel Machiatto here?” he asked her.

  She looked at him and smiled. He remembered.

  “Yes Tara, I remember. I remember every single moment,” pain was so visible in his eyes.

  “So, let’s start . . .” her father handed out folders to the three of them, outlining the plans for the casino operation expansion.

  ***

  It was five in the afternoon when the luncheon meeting was adjourned. James was feeling giddy. He wanted to go out to buy the pregnancy test in the drugstore near the duty free shops. He was on his way out when he noticed Tara sitting in one of the benches near the pool.

  Her hair was not tied. It was free flowing. And she looked lovely as the afternoon breeze blows her hair softly.

  She looked like an angel, James thought. He can’t count the number of times that Tara’s sight hypnotized him. He moved closer to her and sat down at the pool bench across hers.

  She was too engrossed in her thinking that she didn’t notice that he was already gawking at her.

  “Too deep . . .” he sighed.

  Tara heard his voice and turned to him.

  “Oh. You’re here,” she reacted.

  “What are you thinking about?” he asked.

  “Nothing. Funny how other people think that others are in deep thoughts when they are staring somewhere and alone.” She turned her head away from his face and stared back at what seemed like an imaginary object she is seeing.

  “I’m going to the drugstore.” He shrugged at her remark.

  “Okay. Take care.” she said to him.

  “I’ll meet you at your room when I come back?” he asked raising one of his bushy eyebrows.

  “I’ll just knock on your door whenever I’m ready,” she sighed heavily.

  She knows she is not pregnant. She had her period already. But it was hard to argue with James. He was hopeful and she doesn’t know how he will take it when he finds out she was right all along.

  “I’ll be back quick and I will wait for you in my room.” He whispered to her as he touched the back of her hand and gripped it lightly before rushing out.

  She was so confused. She wanted James. She wanted him forever. If she had been pregnant then it would definitely be happy ever after for them. But was it even possible? She shook her head and laid back on the pool bench.

  She watched the happy families swimming. Sweet couples lying in the benches, ecstatic kids jumping from the pool sides and into the water.

  Cruel cruel life, why me?

  Miguel has been looking for Tara since he got out of the departmental meeting and couldn’t find her. He searched almost the entire hotel but could not find her. He dialed her phone but no one was answering. He remembered not noticing Tara and her phone over lunch so he concluded that her mobile phone was left in the room.

  He decided to go back to his room when he gave up looking for her.

  He was near her hotel room when he heard James’ door opened. He didn’t want to talk to him, but for the sake of Tara, he turned around willing to ask him if he saw her.

 
; He was shocked at what he saw.

  “Tara?” he frowned as he saw her sneaking out of James’ door.

  “Migs!” she jumped a bit in surprise.

  He was as surprised as she was especially after seeing her in just her hotel robes. He shook his head at the thought of what’s beneath it or if there was something beneath it at all.

  Flashback

  After thirty minutes that James left, she went back to her room and decided to take a shower. She most definitely needed to cool off at this moment.

  Too much thoughts have been swarming in her head and worst is she doesn’t know how to deal with any of them. Plus the fact that James is thinking that she is pregnant with his child too.

  She wasn’t sure what she was wishing for. Though she was positive that she isn’t pregnant, she can’t help but think herself why she was awfully dizzy even after she had her nap in the chopper and rested for an hour or so at her room when they arrived.

  Her thoughts were just too perplexed. She was sincerely wishing that the test result would be in her favor. But that got her thinking again. She didn’t know how many lines would be favorable? One? Two?

  If it would be one, it will just mean James will be out of her life forever. Not even a hint of a slight chance for them. But then she felt sad. She didn’t know whether she is wishing for this or the other.

  If it would be two, it will mean, James will marry her at the nearest church or city hall perhaps first thing tomorrow morning. She felt happy. But then she thought of Rhea. If her results turn positive tonight that means he will not marry Rhea and his life will be in danger for sure.

  He got the daughter of the most powerful man in the Armed Forces of the Philippines pregnant. Tara was sure Rhea’s father won’t just let James get away with that. Actually, she was sure that Rhea would exhaust all possibilities just to give her child a name.

  She didn’t know what to think anymore. She turned on the faucet to the tub and mixed the hot and cold water. She walked to the room as filling the tub would take a while.

  Her hot tea that she ordered through room service is at the coffee table near the window. She sat down and viewed the hotel’s pool at the bottom. The sun has set a few minutes ago and she could still see the red orange beams glowing at the sky. She pulled the curtains farther apart and sat at the middle of the divan lying just below the big windows and stared outside.

  She sighed heavily and looked at the sky blankly again just like she did this afternoon at the poolside before James interrupted her. She wonders if he is back.

  She suddenly heard light tapping on her door and stood up to check who it was.

  “James!” she was surprised. “I told you I’d come to you if I’m ready.”

  “But you might back out.” He said just noticing she was on her robes. “Do . . . you . . . uhm . . .” he stammered as he swished his fingers in front of her robes, but not touching them.

  Tara clutched tightly on the ribbon. “What?!”

  “Wear something!” he demanded.

  “I am.” She was still in her shirt and boyleg. She just wanted the warmth of the robe in her skin as she felt cold from all her nervousness.

  “Here,” he handed her the bag and she took it.

  “Three?” she asked him why he bought a lot.

  “Just in case the first and second is negative, there would still be a third chance,” he shrugged.

  “James, I just need one to confirm.” She went to the bathroom and turned the knob of the tub’s faucet.

  “Uhm, can we do this in your room?” She hollered to him as she slid her feet in a pair of plush slippers.

  “Why?” he asked puzzled.

  “I don’t know. Miguel might look for me or something.” She was really tensed.

  He frowned at the sound of his name on her lips. He hates how that name rolls in her tongue. Though he doesn’t care if ever Miguel finds them together in her room, he can’t help but agree on what she wanted.

  “Okay.” He opened the door for her and then turned the knob of his room and made her enter first.

  She went directly to the bathroom and locked herself. She knew she isn’t ready to take this. She doesn’t know where her confidence suddenly went to. Early this morning, she was so sure she’s not pregnant. She has no idea how come she is now so edgy.

  “Are you done?” she heard him ask with anticipation.

  “NO!” it hasn’t been a minute that she was inside. “I haven’t even peed yet.”

  “Hurry!”

  She peed nervously feeling her body tremble. The excitement in James’ voice made her feel more nervous. She collected the sample with her cold and shaking hands. She took the little dropper and got some urine and dropped three times to the strip. She was so worried when she saw the white part get all pink.

  She clutched her chest. Then suddenly it subsided and she finally saw it.

  She kept silent and leaned on the bathroom wall behind her.

  “What’s taking you so long?” she heard James ask.

  He was so excited to know the result. He was keeping all his fingers crossed, even his toes if he could do that. He wanted Tara to be the mother of his children. He was earnestly hoping she is bearing his child now.

  “Tara!” he can’t wait any longer and knocked on the restroom’s door.

  He heard the bathroom door open but Tara didn’t go out. He found her leaning at the bathroom wall. Her eyes were closed and tears were flowing down her cheeks. He went to look for the strip but it wasn’t in the bathroom.

  “Where is it? What did it say?” he embraced her.

  He felt Tara’s hand move up and stretched her hand to him. He took it and saw the result. One line.

  He didn’t know how to react. He just hugged her. He had been so wishful it was positive. He can’t help but think that when it was Rhea’s result, he wanted a negative. Now that he is hoping for Tara’s positive it comes out negative. He cried. Why are the odds always against him?

  She was trying to be in control and pushed James gently away from her.

  “Why? Test one more time. Please?” he was pleading with his wet eyes.

  “James, let’s just face it. We can never be together,” she was crying as she said the words.

  “No. Tara. No!” he was crying so hard in her shoulders.

  “Marry Rhea. It’s the original plan.” She kept crying and still trying to let go of James but he wouldn’t.

  “I want you not her,” he was trying to hold on to her.

  “You already have an obligation James. With Rhea. Not with me.” She finally pushed him and escaped.

  She sneaked out of the room making sure that if Miguel was at his room, he won’t hear her. She gently closed James’ door as tears slid down her cheeks.

  End of Flashback

  Miguel walked closer to see her face was flushed with tears.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked. “What did he do to you?” the reaction on his face and the sudden movement to James’ door was like an indication that he wanted to slam it open and strangle James. But she stopped him from moving nearer.

  “Not now Migs. I want to be alone.” She said and entered her room.

  She went straight to the coffee table and viewed the dark sky outside her. There were no stars, just dark clouds with the moon hiding behind it.

  She collapsed on the floor and sat. She hugged her knees as she continued pouring all the tears for her and James.

  She slid her right hand in her robe’s pocket and got the strip. She cried harder after staring at it again.

  Two lines. It was the truth but he can never know. She loved him too much to put his life in danger. It will forever be her nasty little secret and she was determined to keep it that way ‘til her last breath.

  Chapter 17

  It was hard for Tara to face James after finding out she is pregnant with his child. But she tried to act professional towards him and he does the same. Their fathers left them that Sunday and asked them to w
ork on the expansion.

  The sadness in their eyes was very evident. It was good that none of their parents are there to witness it or they will surely ask.

  It was only Miguel who noticed but he has been awfully busy with his own work that he didn’t have enough time to stay with Tara. He comes to her room every night though to see how she is doing. He didn’t know anything about her pregnancy. All he knew was that her pent up emotions was just because she still loves James and though he was within an arm’s reach, he is still unreachable.

  He went straight to his room one night after seeing Tara still gloomy and depressed in her favorite spot, the pool side at sunset. He didn’t bother to question her. She has told him a dozen times that she really wants to be alone and this time he let her be.

  “Hello.” He said once he heard the girl answer on the other line when he called through his mobile phone.

  “Hi. How’s everything?” the cheerful voice asked.

  “James and Tara are at Subic Intercontinental. Did you know?” he asked.

  “What? Til when?” the girl asked.

  “Indefinitely.”

  “How come you just told me now?” the girl’s voice rising.

  “There’s one more thing you should know,” his voice trailed.

  “What?”

  “I can’t do this anymore Rhea. I’m already in love with her,” he started confessing.

  He heard her laugh so happily. “That’s good to hear my money didn’t go to waste with you Miguel. I knew you’re perfect for the job.” She sounded more than pleased.

  “Shut up. I’m giving you all your money back. I don’t need any of it anymore you slut!” He became mad as she emphasized the words of her money.

  “You never complained in my hotel room darling!”

  “I pity James for having to marry you. God knows how many guys have entered your fucking overused hole!” he felt disgusted.

  “Admit it! You loved every minute you were inside me!” she mocked him.

  “Fuck you! Just get over here and get James out of our sight!” he was so irritated with her that he just ended the call without warning.

  Once he placed his cell on the table, he felt miserable and looked outside his bedroom window.