"Are we supposed to part ways here?" Erina asked, her face looking sad.
Cater smiled faintly. "We'll meet again. I promise," he said, gently stroking her hair.
After meeting Erina at the bar earlier, he began to realize his true feelings for her. It made him realize that he still harbored deep-seated feelings for her.
"Can you decide where all this is heading?" Erina looked directly at Cater.
"What do you mean?"
Erina sighed deeply before speaking. "You're married to that woman. So, what are your feelings for me now? I wouldn't feel comfortable if you intentionally pursue a relationship with me while you belong to someone else. I'm not that kind of person to steal you away from her," Erina confessed honestly. Despite everything, she still had a conscience not to take what didn't belong to her.
Cater fell silent for a moment, simply gazing at Erina's face. Then, he spoke ambiguously, "In that case, give me time to reassess my feelings. If I'm truly sure about my feelings, then I'll choose you and leave Sian. But I'll take full responsibility for all my decisions. And if, on the other hand, I'm uncertain about you, I'll return to Sian, and... with a heavy heart, I'll never show up in front of you again," Cater said softly.
"You still like to be indecisive, just like before."
"Feelings are difficult to ascertain, especially when you're caught in a difficult choice."
"Alright. Then I'll give you time to think. This is your last chance. I hope you use it wisely," Erina's decision was clear. She didn't want to feel uncertain about her relationship with a man who already belonged to another woman. She wanted to make sure if Cater could make good use of that chance.
Cater's face seemed to brighten slightly. Somehow, he felt a warm feeling that had long been absent, now returning. It might be difficult for him, but with the influx of positive feelings, he didn't want to be indecisive like before.
"Thank you for the opportunity," Cater said, kissing the back of Erina's hand.
A small laughter of happiness escaped Erina's lips. Even though she began to feel happy, deep down, she also feared receiving bad karma for her actions.
***
"Where have you been?" Sian stood right at the entrance of the hotel room. Her face showed a thousand restrained frustrations, ready to burst at any moment.
"From outside, is there something wrong?" Cater replied casually. He disregarded the worry that filled his wife.
Sian's expression immediately turned sour. "Why do you talk as if nothing happened?" she asked sharply. Being left alone in the hotel room for the umpteenth time was more than enough to make her feel neglected.
Cater raised an eyebrow. "Tsk. You've unconsciously raised your voice. It's not good if we argue in public like this," he said coldly. Then, he immediately walked away, leaving his restless wife behind, to the bathroom.
Morning had arrived, and the soft morning sunlight slowly crept into the hotel room, filling the morning sunlight gently.
An empty bottle of Cask Strength Scotch Whisky lay under the sofa, rolling right under Cater's feet.
Cater, who had just finished showering, was surprised to find Sian in her current state, nearly unconscious. He walked towards the sofa, intending to move her onto the bed.
"LET GO!"
Cater was taken aback by Sian's sudden shout. The woman he was carrying began to struggle in his arms. He almost dropped her if he hadn't managed to keep his balance.
"Relax, Sian... I just want to move you to the bed," Cater said gently.
"LET ME GO, YOU BASTARD!" Sian repeatedly struck Cater's chest, trying to resist.
Cater, knowing Sian's current state, decided to give in. Instead of being fueled by emotions, he chose to be patient with her. He realized Sian's frustration, surely caused by him, so he tried to take responsibility as best he could.
"Sian... I'm truly sorry," Cater said softly. "Stop hurting yourself like this. You make me sad seeing you like this."
"SHUT UP, YOU BASTARD!" Sian didn't want to listen; she kept hitting Cater's chest even harder than before. But her efforts were futile; Cater ignored them and let himself be continuously hit by his wife.
"If you're uncomfortable with me for now, just let out all your anger on me. You have the right to be angry with me," he said gently, but also painfully at the same time.
Initially, Sian's punches felt so strong, coupled with her continuous struggling, making Cater feel uncomfortable. But gradually, she began to stop hitting him and just remained silent.
"Why? Why don't you just do it? I've given you the chance to express your discomfort to me once. Don't keep burying your pain for too long..." Cater couldn't understand why Sian was so stubborn, refusing to express her true feelings.
"It's too hard... hard... I also... sobs... don't understand what's happening to me," Sian said softly, almost inaudible.
A sigh escaped Cater's lips; he felt tired of this pattern. Sian, his wife, never seemed to be able to speak honestly and express her feelings clearly. It made him increasingly doubtful.
"Everything would be easier if you could express your anxiety to me just once. If you keep hiding it, you're only making the situation more difficult," Cater said while gently laying Sian on the bed.
GREP
Sian grabbed Cater's shirt, nearly causing him to fall onto her. But he was quick enough to steady himself, preventing himself from falling onto her.
"How could I give words of hatred to you when I truly love you? I'm too in love with you to say anything bad about you. Everything about you is beautiful and sweet. Your flaws even add to your beauty," Sian said, her eyes glistening with tears. In her semi-drunk state, although not entirely, she could speak honestly; emotional feelings would easily approach her, influencing her own words.