TEARS fell on Laurie’s cheeks as Ken kissed her lips wildly. His lips pressed harder on her as if he’s punishing her for shunning him away. Laurie doesn’t understand why he’s doing this to her or why he’s back in her life again? 

She shut her eyes. And, why am I letting him do this to me? Laurie tried to push Ken. “Stop this…” she begged. “Please, Ken…”

The man stopped kissing her, but he remained his lips on her cheek. His breath was hot that Laurie felt it burning on her skin. The sound of his heavy breathing was like a tremendous storm threatening to rain on her again. Should she surrender on his touch also? Is it what she really wanted?

Tears continued to stream down her cheeks. Laurie missed him so much, but this is wrong. What’s happening between them now is completely wrong, but she doesn’t have enough strength to stop him. His burning kisses were like sending her commands to surrender… to submit to him…

“Why…” Ken asked in an almost inaudible tone. “Why are you pushing me away, Laurie?”

Laurie bit her lower lip to fight back her tears again. “We’re done, Ken.”

“No…” he protested. “I never allow you to leave me…” his lips went to the side of mine, teasing my lips.

“Ken…” She breathed deeply before she spoke again. “Ken, stop this—!”

“You left me!” he cut off and pulled back from her. “You just left me, Laurie.”

“Leave my house now,” she said and stepped away from him. “Leave before I call the police—”

Ken’s phone rang, but the man ignored it. “Aren’t you going to ask me why I’m here in the Philippines?”

“I don’t need to know, and I don’t care,” Laurie said and was about to go the door when her phone rang too. “Tyler is calling me,” she said and showed her cell phone screen to Ken. “Leave now, Ken. Or, I will tell Tyler to drag you out of here.”

Ken scoffed. “You’ve changed a lot, Laurie…” he said and shook his head. “And, that kind of personality only made you even attractive in my eyes.”

Laurie glared at him. “I don’t want to see your face again, Ken.” She bit her lip to prevent her voice from shaking. 

“Really?” Ken asked with a laugh. “Then, why did you sign the contract with Tyler?” He took steps towards her. “I showed up before you get to sign them.”

Laurie pressed her lips together. That’s what she kept on asking herself too. “Because it’s purely professional—”

“Spare me, Laurie,” Ken cut off. “You have the choice to refuse on signing the contract the moment that I showed up at your dinner table,” he smirked. “What’s your plan, Laurie?”

Laurie heaved a sigh. “Just go, Ken…” She looked away. “We don’t need this conversation because we’re done. Let’s just move on—”

“How are we going to move on from the past that was never meant to happen?” he asked in a stern voice. “How am I going to move on from the wounds you left in me, Laurie? I suffered from the years that you’re not with me—”

“And, what do you think happened to me?” she asked with bitterness in her voice. “You hurt me too, Ken. It was you who ruined our marriage—”

“How many times do I have to tell you that I am also the victim here?!” he shouted.

“Damn you,” she hissed, grabbed something on her side, and threw it to him. “Damn you! You ruined my life!”

Ken held her shoulders. “Laurie, that’s why I’m here…” he murmured. “Let’s make it up—”

“No!” she pushed him back. “I don’t need you in my life now, Ken.”

Ken’s gaze darkened. “What did you say?”

Laurie paused and felt a sudden chill along her spine. With the way Ken looked at her, Laurie’s heartbeat started to beat fast. “G-go away…” Her voice quivered. “Ken, please, we’re done—”

The man grabbed her shoulders and held her tightly. His fingers dug on her skin, making her squealed in pain. This is the first time that she saw him got mad like this. “I don’t want to hear those words again, Laurie.”

Horror was written on Laurie’s face as she started to lose herself in Ken’s dark gaze. “Ken…”

Ken’s lips lowered on hers, but before it touched her lips, Tyler’s voice roared from the outside.

“Laurie? Ken?” Tyler asked hesitantly after a series of knocks. “What’s happening in there?”

Laurie thought Ken would let go of her, but to her surprise, he dragged her arm towards the room and stripped her clothes.

“Ken, please, stop this…” she begged and kneeled in front of him. “Stop this…” Tears streamed down her face. 

The man stiffened. Laurie can see it in his eyes that he was moved by her pleadings. Did he really change? I asked while looking straight into her eyes. The light from the kitchen cast a shadow on half of his face.

“Stand up,” he commanded and broke their stare. His jaw clenched as if trying to control himself. “I don’t want to look at you from this angle.”

Laurie quickly went on her feet and took that opportunity to leap the room. She thought Ken would chase her and strangle her again, but he didn’t. He stepped out of her room quietly.

“Laurie? Ken?” Tyler shouted again and pound on the door. “What’s happening in there? Laurie?!”

“Open the door,” Ken told her. “Before Tyler could call the police.”

Laurie’s chest hammered, but she still managed to fix her dress before opening the door. Tyler immediately stepped inside and looked for Ken.

“What happened? Where’s Ken?” he asked, brows furrowed. “Why aren’t the two of you answering my calls?”

Laurie took a deep breath. She was about to speak when Ken stepped out from the toilet. He looked as if he just washed his face; droplets of water dripped on the side of his sharp jawline. He then looked at Tyler quizzically.

“You’re going to use the toilet, too?” he asked casually as if nothing happened between them just seconds ago. He picked his phone on the table and knotted his forehead. “Why are you calling me?”

Laurie opened her mouth to speak, but she couldn’t find the words. Ken was indeed an actor; that’s how he lured her to be with him in his darkest corner. She shivered at the memory and quickly ditched it.

“I called Laurie’s phone too,” Tyler replied, still confused. “What’s happening?”

“I-I was in my room. I left my phone on the couch…” Laurie lied. “I-I’m sorry, Tyler—”

“Thanks, Laurie,” Ken cut off. “We’ll see you the day after tomorrow.”

Without letting her and Tyler speak, Ken dragged Tyler out of her house. Before he closed the door, their gazes met, and Laurie suddenly wanted to run again.

***