Chapter 7
Ann was staring at the sky through the airplane’s window. The majestic sun already bid goodbye hours ago while the luminescent moon is slowly making its grand entrance. From above, the beautiful lights of Paris were purely astonishing. In a couple of minutes, the airplane would land and Ann was very excited to see the famous City of Lights. Of all the cities in the world, Paris was Ann’s favorite. Years had passed since she visited the city so she was blissful when she found out that she’ll have the chance to visit it once again.
It’s been only a day since she last saw Aum but she felt like she haven’t seen him for centuries! She was obviously missing her husband, but does he miss her too? Ann really wanted to go to Paris with Aum. Because of their schedules doesn’t match, they rarely spend time together. It’s even hard for them to have a meal together. Ann sighed as she looked at the wallet size wedding picture. She had always kept this picture on her wallet for her to always remember their beautiful wedding. Although it was an arranged marriage, Aum and Ann learned to love each other. Their parents were very happy for their businesses’ future are secured and also seeing their son and daughter happy. What their parents don’t know is that Aum and Ann’s marriage is slowly crumbling but Ann kept on denying it to herself, thinking that they would make things work again.
The airplane landed on the Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport and after going through the airport hassle, Ann was finally seated on the back of a black limousine that their wonderful host sent them to pick them up.
“What time are you going to meet Mr. Theeradeth tomorrow?” Rita, Ann’s younger sister, asked her. Since Rita studied in Paris for more than 5 years, she was the best companion for Ann in this trip. But still, it would’ve been better if Aum was with her. Occupied with thoughts about Aum, Ann wasn’t paying attention to what Rita was asking her. She was holding her cell phone and was ready to call Aum but Rita interrupted her.
“P’Ann, are you planning to call P’Aum?” Rita asked her. She was a little worried about her sister. Ever since they boarded the airplane in Bangkok, Ann wasn’t in the mood to talk her, only answering some of her questions. She knew something is up between her sister and her brother-in-law but she doesn’t know how to open up a conversation about it.
“Yes. I want to know if he already had his breakfast.” Ann told her as she dialed Aum’s cell phone number and placed the cell phone’s earpiece on her ear. But Rita immediately took her cell phone away.
“Hey! Give it back to me!” Ann whined like a little girl, asking for her cell phone.
“Call him later when he’s already awake! It’s only 4 in the morning in Bangkok!” Rita explained to her. She cancelled the call and gave Ann her cell phone.
“Yeah… You’re right. He’s probably still sleeping by now.” Ann told her calmly but she was still thinking about Aum.
What Ann didn’t know, Aum was now wide awake in an ungodly hour. Usually, Aum wakes up around 8 in the morning but now, he woke up earlier. According to Piam, Aff wakes up at 5:00 sharp every morning, no matter how tired she is. Aum wanted to prepare breakfast for her so he woke up early.
Not wanting to wake up Aff, Aum gently left the bed. Only wearing his boxer shorts and not even bothering to comb his hair, Aum hurriedly stormed his way to the kitchen. He wanted Aff’s breakfast to be ready before she wakes up.
While cooking breakfast, Aum suddenly remembered something. He remembered the morning when he cooked breakfast for Ann. It wasn’t exactly their first morning as husband and wife but it was after the night they had finally made love. It took them almost 7 months after they got married before they made love. Since it was an arranged marriage, both of them were still in the process of knowing each other during the first months.
History was repeating itself. After he and Ann made love for the very first time, Aum also cooked breakfast for her. Feeling of guilt started to flow into him. Last night, when he was having a great time with Aff, he didn’t even remember that there was a woman named Ann in his life. It didn’t even come to his mind that he was a married man. But you can’t blame him. Aff was indeed too hot to resist and maybe, other men were also lusting for her, not only him. Yes, he was only lusting for her, no other feelings. Love and lust are not the same, he thought. After everything is done, he’ll eventually be faithful to Ann again and live happily with her and his child. But what if, something goes wrong? What if he unexpectedly falls in love with her? You can control your mind but you can’t control your heart from falling in love, no matter what the circumstances are.
---TBC---