Close Your Eyes, Ciem

Chapter Twenty-Four

I don't know why, but something's off. Adam was silent the whole drive, and I'm not used to it. He has always got something to say, like about his work or about his friends and family. Now he's just silently driving, his eyes fixed on the road.

"Adam?" I called him, my voice a soft murmur.

He shot me a sideway glance. "Yeah?"

"Are you alright?"

Natigilan siya nang sabihin ko iyon, pero agad siyang ngumiti at tumango. "I'm just tired, baby."

His eyes felt so heavy just by looking at it. His mind is somewhere else, too. I think there's something going on with him but he won't tell me.

"Do you want to go back to your home?" I asked. I think he's a little bit homesick. It's normal, but it should not be ignored.

He chuckled, shaking his head slowly. "We have a new home now, baby. Don't think too much. I'm alright. I'll regain my energy once we eat something," he said and gave me a reassuring smile.

Maybe he's right. Maybe I was just thinking too much. He never lied to me so there's no reason for me to not believe him.

When we arrived at the restaurant, he led me to a small table. It's late hour for dinner, so most of the tables were empty. He pulled out my chair and I sat there. He sat across from me.

The only light is coming from a few candles placed on the table and different sides and corners of the restaurant. A waiter approached us and, without saying a word, poured us wine and left the bottle. There are no menus. Adam had ordered for us in advance, so there will be no interruptions from wait staff aside from the bringing and clearing of the courses.

I watched him as he sipped the wine. He noticed I was staring at him, making his lips curve into a wonderful smile. I love watching him, and he loves being watched by me. We've been together for years, broke up and haven't seen each other for so long, but we managed to find our way back to each other. I'm really happy that he's here with me.

I felt his eyes moved over me. From my eyes to my nose, cheeks . . . lips. The curve of my neck. Slope of my shoulders. Down to my chest. I blushed, so does he. We both looked away and sipped the wine. I could feel the heat running through my system. I have this urge to kiss him, but I should behave myself because we're in public. We tried to avoid each other's eyes, but we failed. We locked eyes across the table. Everything around us faded away. It's like we have our own world, lost in the depths of each other's eyes. I can feel his desire, and I know he could feel mine, too. But it is not lustful. It's actually calm, gentle, and controlled.

In the middle of gazing at him, I suddenly felt a pain in my chest, followed by a headache. There are some scenarios that kept flashing in my mind.

A man with a genuine smile.

He's staring at me like I'm the most wonderful woman in the world.

But he's not Adam.

And it doesn't make sense.

Why do I keep seeing Hope?

"Ciem?"

Bumalik ako sa reyalidad nang mapagtanto kong kanina pa pala may sinasabi si Adam sa harapan ko.

"Ayos ka lang ba? Namumutla ka." Bakas sa mga mata niya ang pag-aalala. Marahan akong tumango at pilit na ngumiti.

"I'm fine. What were you saying again?"

And then he started talking about the trial yesterday.

"You won?" tanong ko, hindi na ako makahintay pa sa kinukuwento niya kaya hindi ko na napigilan ang bibig ko na itanong sa kanya kung naipanalo niya ba 'yong kaso o hindi.