HE CHEATED FOR ME

Love is never a mistake, but loving a person who's already into someone is.

I never wanted to be in this complicated and abysmal situation. Which woman would want to be second ? No one. All women deserve to be loved, treasured, and accepted.

I know it's wrong, I know it's not right, but I just love it.

Rhys has been cheating to his girlfriend, Levi, for me and for our secret relationship.

They are three years while we are only two years . How many times has he told me that I am the one he loves and not his girlfriend but until now he has not been able to divorce her.

I'm already sick and tired of our everyday scenario. Levi isn't just the only person we have to avoid when we're together, but also to Rhys' friends, his parents, his workmates and even to those guards, saleslady, and waiters of every place where we spend our time together.

I was also tired of begging him for a little time t'wing he could not get out of Levi's powder.

I know, I deserve more.

"Celest, you were silent for a while, are you okay?" he asked worriedly.

I nodded as an answer.

My heart ached.

"Rhys, I don't want to ." I said.

His expression instantly shifted into a puzzled one.

"Rhys,

I don't want this anymore " I repeated.

"What's 'like this'?"

I faced him with tears in my eyes.

"It's tiring to share time, Rhys. It's tiring to hide. My conscience's bothering me to sleep. Rhys, it's hard to sleep especially when you know you're stepping on someone ." I pointed out.

Instead of getting mad, he smiled confidently.

Confusion swallowed me.

Using his thumb, he wiped the droplet of tears upon my cheeks."I'm here to tell you that I finished everything in Levi's."

My heart pounded so hard in so much gaiety. "Really?"

"Yes, baby!" He confirmed.

I snaked my arms around his neck and pressed his lips to mine.

I'm so happy, damn. Finally, I can officially call him mine, mine alone.

"Thank you, Rhys."

"Anything for you, Celest."

Everything has changed. If we used to meet only once a week, now every day. If then my heart was full of fear when we went out, now it is gone, it is just fun. If I used to not be able to introduce him to my parents, now I can.

The happiness that I'm feeling now is more genuine than before.

This is the feeling that you are not second.

"Happy third year anniversary, baby!" He greeted.

Time flew really fast, indeed.

We have been free and legal for almost a year.

"Thank you, Rhys. Come home later. " I said.

Our relationship went fine and smooth—

or maybe I was the only one who thought it was?

I do trust my boyfriend, well, he gained my trust and respect the day he told me he broke up with Levi just for me.

But, one day, when I was walking with my friends in a mall, I saw him buying an expensive ring in the jewelry store but I haven't received one, nor his mother and his sister the following days.

And in the other day, I saw him talking to his ex-girlfriend, Levi. I know it's fine communicating with your exes, because it's a sign of maturity but why does it feel like there's something between them, again?

I want to hate Levi, but I can't. We are the one who betrayed her in the first place and that's making me feel that I have no right to feel this way— to feel jealous, to feel pain.

No. My boyfriend loves me. He wouldn't do such letting go of someone who became part of his life for three years to gain my trust just to break it in a blink of an eye.

To calm and to convince myself that my boyfriend ain't a cheater— anymore.. I decided to follow him secretly every time he's off work.

I also took all the unnamed numbers on his cellphone and called them one by one.

I'm not able to know that he is fooling me.

My feet carried me to a private hospital. I followed Rhys the whole day and it's already 9PM, what is he doing in a hospital at this hour?

I have never heard of anyone in his family hospitalized.

While following his steps, I keep on dialing the last three numbers I have on my list.

He entered a room.

Fortunately, the room's door was left open.

With shaking hands, trembling feet and teary eyes, I positioned myself near the door and starts sneaking.

"Hello?" The girl on the other line of the phone answered.

I keep myself quiet.

I could hardly see who are these people inside of the hospital room, but I'm sure, Rhys is inside.

"H-hello? I am Rhys' girlfriend, what's your connection with him?" I asked the girl on the phone.

I heard the woman I was talking to take a deep breath.

"This is Levi, his ex. Why are you bothering me, I finished everything in 'us . What do you need?" She exclaimed.

Good thing, my phone's volume ain't that full.

But.. What did she just say?

" You finished ?" I asked.

I still try to peek into that room but until now I still can't see anything.

" Yes, why did he tell you that? Ah, maybe that cheater said that he broke up with me ?" She said.

" Please tell your boyfriend that if he forgets I broke up with him because I found out he was a cheater ." She added.

Without ending the call, and this time, I succeeded.

I saw a woman happily laying on the bed, I put down my phone and tried to peek again and my boyfriend, smiling, while carrying a newborn baby on his arms.

" My baby is beautiful, he inherited from daddy? " he said.

It feels like I was being splashed with a cold water on my face. Something's crumbling my heart into pieces.

I slowly put the cellphone back near my ear.

"Hello?" I whispered.

"Have you ever told her, Celest? She might have forgotten she got her pregnant so we broke up."

My hands are trembling. Droplets of tears continuously falling down my cheeks.

"Celest, he cheated on me to be with you, you think he can't do the same thing to you?" he continued.

"You loved a cheater, so never expect that he'll be totally loyal to you, Celest. We're both victim here."

The phone suddenly fell off my hands causing it to make a loud noise.

"C-Celest.." He turned his gaze to me, he looked so shock.

Damn. How can you sleep knowing that you're fooling different girls at once?

I can't hate the girl, I can't hate him, I can't hate anyone but myself.

I trusted a cheater and I expected that he'll be faithful to me? I'm a damn stupid.

They're right.

Once a cheater, always a cheater.

HE CHEATED

I am a woman. It also feels. But yes, I am a martyr.

2 years relationship with the man I've been dreaming for. He's Kent.

I met him in high school, known as a 'playboy' on campus before but despite that, I still admire him. I met her through my friend's boyfriend. I was always on the third wheel when I was with my friend and her boyfriend so one time, they prepared for a double date but I didn't have a boyfriend then so they invited their friend and introduced me to me and that's Kent. That one time has become a habit, until almost every day we are together, sometimes we are left alone.

And it didn't ended just like that, after a couple of months may feelings grew bigger and bigger when I'm with him. Who doesn't, he's that guy who is comfortable with, besides he's handsome, he's also a very gentleman. Complete package they say.

Luckily, I'm not the only one who felt that because he confessed his feelings towards me. And yes, he feel the same way as mine.

He courted me just how I wish to be courted. He always sings to me, comes next, takes care of me, protects me, his family already knows me tho I still haven't answered him and my parents also know him because they were the first ones he put before me. The way he's treating me, I felt like I was a princess.

His courtship lasted for a year, and on his birthday, I gave him my answer as a gift and that's a YES. I saw the overflowing joy in his eyes, he hugged me as if it was the last, he also kissed me on the forehead and thank me for a hundred times.

Within a year, our relationship went so perfect. Most envied and admired as well.

I can say na I'm so lucky for having him in my life. How much he valued me before is still the same. It seems like until now, he is still flirting.

But as they say, everything is changing.

He became busy and the reason is I don't know. He said he doesn't have much time anymore because while studying he's also helping running their family business. I believe him but there's something suspicious because his dad said he was often seen in their company.

But damn that man. He was just a little tender to me, I was okay. His smile, his kiss takes away every negative thought I have in my mind.

Yes, he's sweet but most of the time now, he's getting colder.I tried to understand because I knew he was tired. But even though he is not tired, he is still the same, I just hold on because I hate arguments. I don't want a fight because I can feel that anytime he can just drop me. Anytime I feel, he will separate me, he will leave me.

Today is his birthday and at the same time our 3rd anniversary. He was still at school then, I teased my family and his family to surprise him. We prepared everything in their house, everything was fine, the foods, the balloons, and everything, that's all that was missing.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY KENT! AND HAPPY 3RD ANNIVERSARY!" we all shout. Kent looked shocked, obviously tired from the trip.

"t-thank you" he briefly replied.

The coldness of his voice, and his uninterested aura triggers the whole room but that did not become a barrier to icelebrate this special day.

While we were eating, he did not talk to me, nor did he look at me helplessly. I want to ask him what's the problem but I'm too scared to know that his answer is; Our relationship.

Suddenly, he said goodbye to go up to the room because he was tired.

His mom gave me his phone, Maybe he forgot because he was tired so I was supposed to bring him to his room.

I was about to go to his room but my confused mind bothered me. I opened his phone, and that's when I felt the pain. His lock screen is no longer us. He used to really not want to change it because he said he lost his tiredness when it exposed to him the moment he opened his phone. But now, what happened, baby?

I took courage, I tried unlocking his phone, and the pain I felt when it was opened was reduced, his password is still the same. Our anniversary.

I explored his phone. I did not look at his Facebook and other social media accounts because I also hold it. But something caught my attention and triggers my curiosity, with three unread messages. I sighed before hitting it.

I closed my eyes. Takot akong makita, takot akong masaktan.I was afraid to see, I was afraid of being hurt.

I was afraid to know that my suspicion was true.

I slowly opened my eyes and just that.

I felt a sudden stabbed on my chest. My world literally stopped for a moment.

I fainted when I saw a text of a woman.

"Old habits, hon? We're at Starbucks tomorrow at 10am? See you, iloveyou!" It reads.

I deleted the text right after.

I laughed a little, my knees weakened so I sat down and let go of my cellphone. I covered my mouth with my two hands so that I could not hear my crying. The simple laugh becomes sobbing.

I cursed the swearer while tweaking myself.

Mother F**k*r.

Today, it's 10:23 am. I went to the nearest Starbucks to Kent's school, pretending that girl was there.

My eyes are still swollen but I managed to look good today. I want to meet that fcking hoe. I want to hurt him, drag him and whatnot.

I entered that coffee shop and I noticed that there were very few people there and I immediately noticed a beautiful woman, tall hair, white with a gentle face sitting at the end, she was just looking at the watch as if waiting for something. I immediately walked towards her direction.

"hi" I greeted.

She even turned to her side, making sure if I was talking to her.

I need you, fool.

"h-hi ?" she replied, "what can I help you ?"

I felt a guilt. Her voice is too innocent just like her face. She look like 2 years younger than me.

Why does he not seem to know me?

"You're waiting for Kent?" I asked.

"Oh yes" she replied shyly.

"he can't go, his busy . I'm his..... f-friend, Monica. And you are?"

She stood up and reached for my hand, "Hello, I'm Aya, his girlfriend" she introduced herself.

Thickness of your face haha.

"Sit down"

I sat in the empty seat in front of her supposedly for her boyfriend— my man.

I just stared at her innocent face. She's even more beautiful when you stare, her smile is too cute.

I feel like she knows nothing.

She's not aware that she's stepping onto someone's relationship.

Just like me, I think she's a victim too. She just loves it too.

"So, how long have you been with my friend? How's your relationship with him?" I opened up.

She automatically plaster a smile as if she's going to tell a good news.

"We've been together for one year yesterday, sister!" She said.

"One year? I mean you were on his birthday last year? "I asked.

"Yes, that's the happiest day for the both of us ate"

Wow haha.

"OK-tell me about you haha, because that friend of mine is very secretive."

"Sure!", She paused "I met him right here in this coffee shop, in this exact table last year. He was with his friends then we had a mutual friend so we met. To make the story short, we are always together after non, then we are in the same school, he is my assistant in everything, in projects and so on. He's too sweet and caring HAHA. Even if he has a class he will go to My room just to bring me a sandwich and juice HAHA. I didn't notice that he was already flirting with me, and who wouldn't accept him as a boyfriend, right? So on his birthday, he said YES I'm with her— w-why are you teary, sister? "

"H-ha? N-no. N-you're just thrilling .." I stuttered.

"Hahaha yes. And do you know? He is very nice to be with, his gentleman, he's every girl's ideal man!"

I know of course, his my man, It's mine

"Then sister, even though he is busy and I am busy, I always find time to talk to him, I know he is so tired, and sometimes it is also sad, so I am the one making the effort for him, I will go to his office they, bring him foods, and while he works I sing to him and sometimes I am telling him how much worth it he is even if I look stupid it is okay to just lose the tiredness of my love "she continued.

That's why Kent loves it. The common sense. He filled my gap with Kent.

"Kent is too lucky to have you" none of my own says.

"Oh HAHAHA not really. Only once because women also need to make an effort because men also get tired of that", she smiled, "I don't want us to be separated, so if you don't want to be fooled or divorced by the person you love, 'not just pure demand, we should also supply effort to them to make them feel valued "

That hit me so hard. He is younger than me but why does he think that way?

I can't blame Kent for cheating on me, because Aya is right. Maybe I didn't appreciate her just like Aya's treating her.

It hurts but,

She deserve my man more than I do.

I could not stop myself from crying. Why does it hurts like hell?

I want to slap this girl in front of me, I want to tell her that the man in your story is mine, the man you love is mine.

But I can't.

Because she's not just the girl who took my place in my man's heart, she's the girl who covered what I lack in my man's life.

"Sister? Why?" She asked.

"Y-you k-now? I wish I was you. I envy you a lot. M-my man is cheating on me.."

"What the hell? Don't cry over that guy sister , he doesn't deserve you—

"No. Its me who doesn't deserve him. So you, while still early, take your man seriously, take care of him, love him, okay?"

She nodded.

"He's here! Kent!" She shouted.

I turned around, and there I saw my man holding a bouquet of flowers and a cake with a text on it saying "Happy Anniversary, honey"

Aya immediately ran over him gave himfy the tightest hug and they kissed right in front of my face.

The moment Kent saw me, his eyes widened and his jaw dropped.

"M-Monica?" He uttered.

"No, its okay!" I said and wiped my tears.

"Because your time, Hon so we talked to your friend first, I was telling her about us and there, with so much excitement she burst into tears haha" Aya said.

****, why so innocent?

"Hon? Why do you look so shocked? Come on, let's sit down, your friend is waiting oh"

Now, the three of us are sitting, facing each other. I want to cry in front of them, curse them both but not e, I can't.

"Let's eat your cake!" I said.

"Wait, I'll ask for plate" Aya said and got up and went to the counter.

We were both left.

He instantly grabbed my hands and he started crying while saying sorry.

Oh, my man, it's okay.

"Shh. It's Okay " I said and smiled.

"Love, sorry, sorry, sorry" he said crying. He's now kissing my hands.

"Its okay, its really okay", I pulled my hand and touched both of his cheeks , "D-do you love her?"

"I'm so sorry" he continued crying.

"Do you?" I repeated.

"Y-yes." he whispered .

Fuuck.

"G-good. Take care of that, your luck there, the common sense, the beauty" my tears started flowing.

"How about you?"

I cried even more at that question but I managed to talk, "I'm happy to see you happy even if I can crush you"

"Monica.." He cried.

"I love you so much", I said, "but kent .. If he hurts you, come back to me, I will accept you"

I saw Aya coming back so I quickly adjusted.

"Okay then, I'd rather break me, than break you ..." I whispered

"Why are you two crying hahaha?" Aya asked.

"'Your boyfriend makes me cry because of your very thrilling story" I replied.

"Hon naman, she were crying earlier and you made me cry even more!" She laughed.

"I'll be ahead of you! Enjoy your day! Keep each other okay? Stay inlove!"

I got up and started walking away from them.

I forced myself not to look back because I might cry even more and worse I might even take it back, it's mine.

But I will set him free, not because he cheated on me, but because I love him so much.