LOVE AND DESIRE

AS A CHILD, Zaki was aware of his parents’ quarrels. They are together, but he knows that the love is gone. He could not understand the set-up of his parents. Combining them is toxic. When he was young, he was jealous of his classmates who were happy when with the whole family, unlike his parents who always quarrelled when they were together. No one wanted to lose and there was no plan to humble themselves so that there would be no more fighting. His father was often away from home because he did not want to hear his mother’s nags. He always spent his time at the casino and coming home the following day. He was just used to that kind of set-up of his family until he was accustomed to it and just ignored them. He just couldn’t help but wonder why they were still pushing the whole family, which had also been broken for a long time. Zaki promised himself that he would not imitate his parents. He would do anything to have a happy family. He is twenty-seven years old. A novelist. The pen name Mr. Z. knew him. A famous novelist in thrillers. Some of his works have been translated into films. They thrilled millions of readers and viewers with what he wrote. When you read one of his works, you might also dream of the Hero and Heroine who will love you so much. Weird for others because his genre is steamy romance. He wants a happy life and wants a simple lifestyle and happy relationships that he has never seen with his parents. His father didn't care for his mother. He grew up living luxuriously. His family owns the Lopez and Articulo Mining Company, which is known throughout the Philippines. Everything he wants, he gets, but he is not a happy-go-lucky guy. He prefers to just be in his room and stare at his laptop and think of a story he will love. He spent his whole time only on writing. Zaki Article, handsome man. He stood about 6’5, has long curly dark brown hair, brown eyes, an olive complexion, and a muscular build. He had the face that stopped you in your tracks. Despite his age, he has never had a girlfriend. He didn’t want to rush for a woman and want to love when he was sure about his feelings. He doesn’t want to play for love. He couldn’t help but frown when he received a message request from the name Ritchel Monroe. “My heart is and always will be yours.” She said in the text he read. He knew who made that saying. Jane Austen. Zaki couldn’t help but smile when he received many messages from his fans, but this Ritchel Monroe felt differently as he read the text and secretly shuddered. He could not restrain himself and answered her text. He used to ignore message requests, and he didn’t even want to talk about his private life because it was not interesting. “Thank you so much,” he replied. He smiled when he saw her responding to his text. It looked like he was looking forward to his answer. “I love you,” she replied. Ritchel’s answer shook him and he imagined the soft voice whispering in his ear. He opened the woman’s profile picture and smiled again. She was so beautiful while standing on the beach. Looks like a model. Her smile, which seemed seductive, made his heart flattered. The woman amazed him. He has already continued to stalk her social media account. “I hope I can also see who Mr. Z is in real life.” Ritchel texted him again, so he smiled. “This is not the right time, sweetie.” He answered with a smile. He lost sight of what he was writing because of his naughty textmate. “Single?” Ritchel asked him. “Yes,” he responded immediately. “Me too, but I already have a loved one. The men in your story. I love them the way they love women. It’s just like Dad’s love for Mom.” He feels like he already knows the woman because of the exchange of their conversation. Their conversation was so light that it made him smile. He did not answer Ritchel. There seems to be nothing he can do if he continues to talk to her. He was chasing a deadline on Friday and planned to go to Pangasinan. The place of his grandmother and plans to be there first. A new environment for new ideas. As he wrote, Ritchel’s face flashed in his mind. He was just stunned as he imagined her angelic face. The woman seemed to have turned him into a fairy and it would never disappear from his mind. He only saw it in her picture, but why did the woman have such an effect on him? Even his heartbeat suddenly changed. He was suddenly confused. He left his room and found his Nanny Paula. She prepares food at the dining table. He hugged her tightly. “What do you want?” She asked. “I’m hungry,” he said with a smile and rubbed his stomach. Nanny Paula raised him. He was even closer to her than his parents. He knew that Nanny Paula treated him like a child. Like her own. “Do you have a problem?” she asked him. Even with his back turned, he seemed to know very well if he was thinking of something. “Nothing,” he replied. “I just have a hard time writing,” he added. “All right, eat first,” Nanny Paula told him. He left Nanny Paula in the kitchen and went to the living room. The entire house was quiet. It was only quiet when his parents were away. He sighed. He is always like that. Alone with someone. Many women pay attention to him, but not even one of them takes him seriously. It all just ends up in a one-night stand. He took the ponytail that was placed in his hand, and he tied his long hair. He had long and curly hair and let his hair grow.