Chapter 69: The Trials

Emily Reyes POV

(China, Marco Junior Apartment)

A dark-haired young woman with innocent features slid a key into its lock, confident that the device would turn. It's always backward. She turned the knob and pushed the door open. He hasn't been home for over two weeks and she wants to know why. Where did he go, and who did he go to see? Did he travel without me? This she did not like. He is hers. That's how it is. He is hers and she is his. That's how it should be.

Any time you give yourself to someone, they become bound to each other in spirit. That's what his father always told her. She always says that the person she gave her virginity to is also his. Teddy Romero, that was Emily's first love name, she would never forget. Teddy is a very handsome man. Short brown hair, bright gray eyes, and a perfect face, angelic face, but Teddy got bored with her and told her that she was too clingy. He tried to negotiate with her, but she didn't want to. He left her for another woman, who later became his wife. Emily hates him because of their breakup. She hated her for being so...beautiful. What does she have that Emily doesn't have? Emily is kind. She was a good woman and did everything the right way. She knows how to treat a man when she gets them.

But, Teddy Romero did not understand that, he did not see a truly loving and loving person.

So...Emily left this thought unfinished when she saw a drawer located on the east wall of the kitchen, separated from the living room by the two large pillars that adorned the entrance to the kitchen. This drawer is located under the countertop which contains the built-in microwave. Emily wonders how much he paid for this beautiful place. How much did he spend trying to get away from where Andrew and Tanya were? She frowned when he thought of them. They have no reason not to like her. She didn't do anything to them. They are not better than her. They have no right to think that they are.

Sighing, she pulled open the drawer and shook out the papers scattered inside. Her eyes caught the words China Air Lines. Raising an eyebrow, she opened the paper. She read that he bought a round trip ticket for one thousand and seventy-five dollars to a place called Manila, Philippines. She remembered what he said about the Philippines, but she wasn't too sure about the place. She couldn't remember the location of the place, but she knew it was in the eastern part of Asia, near the bay. Clearing her throat, she saw that he would be back in a few days. He thought he would stop then just to pluck some feathers. A sigh entered her heart as she thought of the fire-filled green orbs. He might have just glanced at her with deep desire, but he knew it existed. He knows she loves him. He wanted her as much as she loved and desired him. But, he needs to show her that they are right for each other. She needs to show Marco Junior that no other woman can do for him what she can.

No woman.

Hershey's is already in the past. Whoever she is. Although he refuses to talk about her, Emily can't stand him. He hated her for breaking his heart. He had seen Marco Junior sitting in his room staring at Hershey's picture many times. Of course, he didn't know she was there, but she felt his pain, felt his heartache. Every bit of it and knew that whoever this Hershey was, she didn't deserve him then. Putting the papers back in the drawer, she closed them and walked into the apartment.

XXX

Hershey's POV

(Flashback)

Hershey ran her fingers through her hair, soaking in the shower. He noticed about an inch of new growth on the bottom of the straight. As soon as the water hit the strands, they merged back into the curly original pattern she had in her nearly twenty years on earth. When they did, she grabbed the shampoo held in a basket attached to the shower head. She poured some on her hands and washed her hair. Her thoughts immediately turned to dawn. There was something about the feel of her hair that brought the two of them back to the couch. She couldn't believe that he had said what was in her heart. It feels good to say the first thing that comes to mind. It felt good to relieve all the tension she had built up. It feels good to be reckless. They never once thought about condoms.

Although she was sure he had deposited the love inside her, because of how sensitive she was in that area, she wasn't worried if Marco Junior would get her pregnant. She has been on birth control since having Jeromy. That is a PCP- (Primary Care Physician) recommendation. She took what she said because of the fact that she really didn't want children then. She tells him that once she finishes breastfeeding Jeromy, she can start any method she chooses. Because of her height and weight, she recommended the injection. A week after Marco Junior got drunk for the first time, she took birth control.

She did not want to have more children with him at that time. She did not want to include any child in their already destroyed relationship. Swallowing, she took out a peach-colored sponge and body wash. She knew she didn't use a towel or anything to wash her body. As she worked the soap into a deep soapbox, she wondered what he was doing downstairs, whether he was awake or asleep. She woke up early because she had to be at work around two o'clock in the afternoon this Friday was always the day to rest. Half days at the office. She enjoyed it.

XXX

Marco Junior woke up that afternoon stiff and sore. He knew Hershey was gone. She woke up when he tried to move her that morning. He had gone back to sleep, too tired to protest or even get up on his own. He felt it when he covered the blanket he had kicked off the floor long ago, over him- before she left for work. He even heard the car start and pull out of the driveway. Opening his mouth in a yawn, he opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling. The scent of her perfume still lingers in the air. His mouth was still filled with the taste of her flesh. He felt an instant erection occur at this thought. He remembered the feeling of soft wet skin when he entered her, the feeling of oneness. He laughed at the thought of unity.

He's getting really fuzzy. He never used that word or even allowed that word to enter there. That is the truth. He loves Hershey and felt-oneness- if that's the right idea. He felt complete with her. Even that seemed ridiculous to him. Does something make him feel complete? He does! His mind said logically. He still loves Hershey, he loved her more than two years ago when she left. He had never felt at home with any of the other three women he had been with. She was the only one he loved. He never felt like he needed someone as he did her. Was that even a rational feeling? Is it good to need someone the way he feels he needs her?

He won't even have a proper day if something goes wrong there. His mother always taught him to rely on God for everything. What would her mother say if he felt she needed Hershey more than God? As if answering, he heard his mother's voice and smelled her perfume, "God's the one who gave you Hershey."

"God didn't give me that, Hershey." He whispered. "You sure don't do it by yourself," he said firmly in his mind. He smiled. Yes, that's his mother. He will make sure he knows that Hershey is a blessing and that the only person who can give him that blessing is God. Looking up at the ceiling he smiled at an invisible God. "Maybe you really love me?" There was no reassuring reply back. Only the steady flow of blood filled his heart. God, he loved that girl.

XXX

"Hi, good day!" Hershey greeted the receptionist that morning as she made her way to her office, pep in her step. As soon as she entered the office, she was surprised to see Derek leaning against her desk, playing with some pencils scattered around the place.

"How did you get in here?" She asked, slightly annoyed by his presence.

"I haven't seen you in a few weeks. I just wanted to see how you are doing."

Hershey smiled, "Well, I'm alright. How about you?" She placed her purse on the coat rack that sat in one of the corners next to her desk.

"I'm doing good. I would be better if a certain somebody returns my calls every now and again."

Hershey sighed, "I've been busy."

"To what?"

Hershey pulled the chair from under the desk, "That doesn't really concern you Derek."

Derek laughed sarcastically, "You've been with him for a while now! Haven't you?" He accused.

Hershey raised a hand to his face, "He has a name and I really don't see how that relates to this conversation."

"Whatever, Hershey. I just came to see if you want to watch a movie or something tonight, you know, chill out?"

Hershey sighed, "What time?"

"About nine o'clock." Hershey nodded, "Just as friends, Derek, nothing more."

Derek held up two hands in the truce, "No more than that. Believe me, I've given up on that status for now."

Hershey looked at him, "What? No's bothering you now?"

Derek shook his head irritated, "No, I know that you're with him and that's enough for me to back off."

Hershey stared at him, her eyes wide with wonder. Not sure what to say. After saying that, Derek stood up and left the office.

Marco Junior pressed his answering machine, checking the messages. "Hey, Marc, this is Hershey, I just wanted to let you know that I will be there tonight. I'm just going to take care of something. I'll just call you when I'm on my way." The answering machine beeped, signaling the end of the message. Marco Junior took the keys he had left next to the machine and went up to his room.

XXX