CHAPTER 35: JEALOUSY

After a much needed time bathing and choosing the appropriate corporate suit for my second day at work, my feet led me to the balcony where the morning light was gloriously emanating, which only added to the amazing feeling I felt earlier on. Feeling the soft calming wind, which mildly caresses my skin, I leaned forward the bannister to have a closer look of the outdoors where I haven’t seen before from this angle.


Roaming my eyes at the magnificent view made me look forward to what the day had in store for me. The sun was up and adorned with cottony white clouds on the sea of bluish sky. It was a perfect day, which I embarked with a perfect meal being with people I commenced to value.


I was about to get back in to finish fixing myself when I caught a glance of Lewis and Nicole walking towards the fish pond. My curiosity made me stay for a while longer as I watched them keenly. I got intrigued seeing them together now, although I noticed how close they were during meal time. Nicole sat on a stone bench, while the other stood just a few inches away from her.


By looking alone at her face, I could immediately comprehend that something was bothering her. The way she wrings her hands and how her facial expression appeared, shows that she was in deep thoughts. Lewis’ back was facing my line of sight, so I didn’t have a clue of what his reaction was nor what he was saying as Nicole gazed at him and seemed to be listening. After a minute or so, Nicole abruptly stood and wrapped her arms around Lewis’ neck. From her disturbed look just a couple of seconds ago, which transformed to extreme joy that was written all over her beautiful face, Lewis must have said something to her that made her ecstatically delighted.


My lips automatically curved into a smile at the sight of them. Anyone who would see the two could swiftly conclude that something wonderful and magical had just occurred. Even from afar, I could wind up what I witnessed. Lewis and Nicole have a blossoming love for each other. It was evident in Nicole’s gestures and smiles. She looked so happy and exuberant.


I forced myself to head back inside and give them the privacy that lovers deserve. I am happy for Lewis that finally he had found a person who would make him look forward to life. Nicole seems to be a nice woman, judging solely with the way she spoke and meekly acted at the occasions I saw her. They would definitely be a lovely couple. The two also look good together, both having pleasing appearances and their heights even matches.


Removing my thoughts away from the lovebirds, I swiftly finished my preparation so I could leave and head to work early. I didn’t report for work the day before, so I got a lot of catching up to do ahead of me today. After taking a final glance of myself in front of a full-length mirror, I headed out and walked across my room to see my father and bid my farewell to him. Knocking first before opening his door, I walked straight towards his bed and a smile automatically appeared on my face at the sight of him soundly sleeping. Not wanting to disturb his solemness, I simply gave him a light peck on his forehead before whispering.


“Goodbye, Dad. I’ll be heading for work now. Don’t stress yourself today and I’ll see you later when I get back. I love you so much, Daddy.”


I silently walked towards the door and gently closed it behind me. Full of positivity and determination, I made my way to the garage where Mr. Louis was patiently waiting for me beside the handsome vehicle that fetched me at the airport the time I first arrived at the city, which according to my generous father would be my personal service.


He smiled respectfully at the sight of me before opening the limousine’s door. I thanked him after I settled in. “Off to work, Miss Hunt?”


“Yes, Mr. Louis,” I answered back with respect as well.


“Right away, Miss Hunt.”


On my way to the Empire, my thoughts travel back to what I saw earlier at the balcony. Then out of nowhere as if with a blink of an eye, something undefined and unexpected stirred inside of me that made me slightly uneasy and deeply boggled. I shouldn’t be experiencing this sudden contraction inside my heart, which I mindlessly felt at this moment, as visions of Lewis and Nicole were doing right now with themselves filling my mind.


Why do I feel that I was slightly bothered and a bit upset at what my mind was thinking as well as out of the blue, disconcerted? It was as if a portion inside my heart was briskly stirring and disturbingly disquieting the serenity I experienced earlier. This made my mind swirl with puzzlement and alarming confusion, because I shouldn’t be feeling an inch of this strange emotion, which was slowly creeping in me in the first place.


I should be glad for both of them, because they had finally found love in each other's arms and both deserved it, but why do I feel the opposite in a jiffy? Why do I feel hollowness as I think of Lewis finally having a girlfriend and someone who he will cherish and love? This certainly troubles me as I lean my elbow at the window knowing for a fact that I mustn’t feel this way, because Lewis and I were merely friends, yet why am I experiencing this uncanny feeling that I somehow object with the thought of them being in a relationship?


I dug deeper in the very core of my heart, wanting to expose and reveal what this uncertain emotion that’s caking inside of me, while my mind continued to run through the sight I saw at the pond earlier. My eyes literally socked out of my socket after defining what causes my agitation.


“What the fuck!” I jolted off from my seat and made Mr. Louis stepped on the brake and the vehicle abruptly stopped from moving.


“Is something the matter, Miss Hunt? Have you left something back at the mansion?” He asked, staring at me with deep concern. I gazed at him dumbfounded and somewhat ashamed of my sudden outburst before responding.


“No, it’s nothing, Mr. Louis. Let’s go ahead.”


Realization struck me like how a lightning strike mightily during a stormy rain. I was left in a state of disorientation and utmost disturbance as I finally culminated what the certain emotion was birthing in me. My system paused in perplexity as I unbelievably made a conclusion, which made my head spin with disbelief as headache started to build up.


Jealousy. That’s the exact and ultimate feeling that is making me dizzy right now. That was the reason why I was uneasy and a bit upset seeing them earlier and what my mind thought they were actually commencing now together, which I didn’t feel at first. But now as I think deep of it, I am somewhat lost with the feeling of insecurity towards Nicole. I started to compare myself with her, thinking of what qualities she owns and her physical attributes that I don't possess, which all of a sudden caught Lewis' attention and affection for her after his confession to me and the cares he showed towards me.


I couldn’t believe it myself. I couldn’t grasp why I was feeling this towards the man who I treated as merely a friend and had been verbally straight-forward of expressing my thoughts that I didn’t wish to go beyond anything else except friendship.


‘Why do I feel jealous of her so abruptly? Why do I even perceive such an emotion after clearly stating to Lewis that I didn’t wish to venture and indulge myself in other things except for the sole purpose of what I was here for? Why does my heart suddenly feel restless and inquietude, where I shouldn’t be? Why am I even apprehensively dismayed right this very moment?’