The Damsel, a Mistress?

-

Previously:
Gossip Girl: Truth and Consequences

It was the big night. I was finally going to tell my friends about Jeremy and I was dreading their reactions. We were drinking, catching up and after the usual chit chat, I cleared my throat to begin.

"So, I 'm ... well ... I'm sort of involved with someone," I announced. "His name is J. He's …" I trailed off and shook my head, smiling as I remembered him. I still couldn't believe it.

"He's amazing. He's beautiful, intelligent, passionate, hard working. He's also a blogger. He's tall, and really well-built and … he has a wife and three kids," I said hurrying the last few words.

The room exploded.

"Oh my God! You mean he's married?" Vackie said.

"Oh my God! Go!! Guapo naman pala!" Carlo said.

"Oh my God! Don't tell me querida ka na rin?" Fran said.

But nothing could top Arlan's reaction.

"Honey … ," he slowly said. "Baka lasing ka lang. (Maybe you're just drunk)"

"Gaga! (Fucker!)" I said laughing. "I am not … was not drunk! Grabeeeeeee … I'm so in love," I squealed in delight. "I am."

The room exploded. Again.

"In love na agad?" V said in disbelief.

"Ayyyy! Happy! Finally!" C screamed.

"OMG!!! The L word!" F cried out.

"Honey … sigurado ka ba?" A asked.

After we all quieted down, Vackie proceeded to interrogate me. 

"So what happened to the guy who once said 'I'll never … ever … ever … ever … ever … ever … ever …. ever … ever …. ever … everrrrrrrrrr go for someone who's in a relationship?'" he asked disapprovingly.

"I know! I know," I admitted. Not so long ago, I did say those words. I had vowed I will never again engage in extra marital affairs. I was, in fact, adamant. How could I ... after what I went through with my ex? I knew all too well the pain it causes and I didn't want to cause that much pain to someone else.

"Kung makapag sermon ka sa akin dati!" V said. "Pina guilty mo ako ng sobrang sobra yun pala ikaw rin!"

"But honey, he's just so fucking amazing. I mean, he gets me," I tried to explain. "He gets my stories, my work. I can talk to him about interest rates, debt restructuring. I can read to him Updike, we can talk poetry …"

"Pero may asawa," V interrupted.

"And he's finishing a degree in econometrics. He's studied in the U.S. He runs his own empire, he's very affluent," I continued.

"Pero may asawa."

"And he's hot. Sobrang guapo! As in!! The kind of guy we've always wanted."

"Pero may asawa."

"Fine! Yes, may asawa siya. And I'm not saying I'll be a mistress forever. But honey, I haven't been this happy in a long time."

It has been awhile. Though I have had encounters with countless men, no one had made my heart race like Jeremy does. Our affinity for each other had grown deeper with every passing week, as we discover common interests and passions in life. We argue and discuss and fight and make up. He is so willful I had to learn to be more patient. He drives me crazy. I had forgotten how it felt like; to feel so much it overwhelms you. 

And maybe … I just want to be selfish for now. Jeremy makes me happy. Sometimes, I wonder why the heavens sent him. A gift or ... a curse? He's almost everything I ever wanted. But the gods can play cruel tricks.

"So when do we meet this mysterious guy of yours?" my friends asked.

"When he comes back sometime before my birthday," I replied. "And oh, I forgot to tell you we're planning a trip. Somewhere I've always wanted," I said grinning.

"Hay ... basta ako, nung sinabi mo pa lang guapo, check na agad!" Carlo said, giving his approval. "Bonus na lang na matalino, masipag. You know me, I'm superficial."

"Hay naku. Ikaw talaga Carlo, pasaway ka! Basta ako ... I'm still studying the morality clause," Vackie said.

"Hahahaha. Morality clause talaga??? Hindi ba puedeng hot okay na?" I said. "Pero God … grabe naloloka ako kay J minsan. Imagine, he once asked me for my bank account."

"Ha? Bakit?" Carlo said.

"He wanted to transfer some money to me raw," I replied. "For our quote unquote ... love nest ... raw."

The room exploded. Again.

"OMG!!!!! Nakakalokaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" everybody screamed at once.

"And take note: dollar account," I added. "So ladies, pop quiz on this lovely summer evening: Is it okay to accept money from your married lover? And, how much … is too much?"

The room exploded. Again.

-