My Husband's Secret

Chapter 5: Name

--- A R L I A H ---

“Oh my god? You’re there already?” Lee exclaimed on the other line. I could hear the rustle of the sheets on the other line, confirming my hunch that he just, indeed, woke up. Then I heard him groaning miserably as if something bad happened to him.

[“Ugh… fvck!]

I heaved a deep breath. Worry slightly crept into my being but upon knowing that he just woke up, I am sure that the reason of his sudden distress must be the same as mine earlier.

I stepped out of my villa. Then went straight near the railing. I leaned against it as I roam my eyes around to appreciate the view in front of me.

“Yes. I just arrive about thirty minutes ago,” I answered Lee’s question.

[“Oh my! I’m so sorry Ley!”] he apologizes once again, then I heard another set of his groan like he was in pain. “[D-mn it… hangover!”]

I could suddenly imagine him clutching his head and shutting his eyes close as he tried endure his pounding headache. He probably experienced that when he get up in hurry.

Because that was exactly I experienced when I woke up this morning with my alarm. If it was not for it, I might end up getting late for my plane! I had to drag my ass to the bathroom just to keep moving!

“Don’t worry Lee. At least Niana and Kristine managed to wake up early and send me at the lounge earlier. I manage to catch up five minutes before the plane departed,” I tell him.

[I know I fvcking promised that I should be the one driving you to there. But damn, it was already past three in the morning when Giovanni and I was done in—”]

“Alright, alright. You don’t need to tell me in details that you and your boyfriend had a sexy time,” I cut him off before he could even finished his sentence. I pursed while rolling my eyeballs.

Lee let out a giggle on the other line. [“I could almost hear your eyes rolling, Ley…”]

“Whatever Leonidas. I’m going to end the call now.” I said to him. I heard him gasping in disbelief upon hearing his true name.

[“Hey! I told you to—”]

Before Lee could even finish the sentence, I ended the call. And before I could even type a message for him, I received one from him first.

‘How dare you drop the call, Arliah! After I worked so hard just to provide you an expensive vacation?! You dare to this to me?! How could you!’

That was the content of Lee’s message. I let out a soft chuckle when I saw the series of emoji’s sent next. He spammed my inbox with a cactus emoji as if he was letting me know how irritated he was. I just shook my head in disbelief.

‘I told you stop calling me Leonidas because that’s just so ew! I hope you find your whirlwind romance there and go back broken-hearted! I will be the first one to laugh it off, Arliah!’

I suppress my grin as I read the first sentence. Well, Lee does not really like his real name. And if ever we wanted to annoy him, we ended up using his real name.

‘I hope you find your whirlwind romance there and go back broken-hearted! I will be the first one to laugh it off, Arliah!’

I suddenly remembered what happened last night. The thought of the strobe of lights, warm touch… good grace. I shut my eyes tight as I tried my hardest to push those thoughts in the back of my mind. I held my stomach. I started to feel goosebumps when I could still feel Red’s hands on my skin. As if his touch was imprinted on it!

Thankfully, I received another banter message from Lee which somehow distracted me. I sent him a reply and we were arguing for a few minutes through chat before I finally I put down my phone on the nearby rattan table. I lifted my gaze at the scene in front of me.

The pristine color of the sea, the hues of surroundings, and the sound of the leaves of the palm trees were very therapeutic. It eases my breathing especially when the gust of sea breezes in my direction. I could hear the sound of the waves from my distance. The sea is glimmering under rays of the sun. Anyone who loved the sea would have the urge to swim if it was not for the scorching heat.

Oh. I am suddenly very much excited to take a dip later this afternoon.

It is said that sunsets are especially breath taking in this side of the island. I must thanked Lee that he offered me this suppose cancelled vacation trip of his.

This vacation trip in one of the exclusive island in the Philippines was supposed to be for Lee and his boyfriend. But since they can’t go and they did not want to waste the reservation they had made, Lee offered to me it to me instead.

And I clear my schedule specifically for a vacation of my own. I accepted this expensive trip without second thoughts especially that my best friend told me everything on this trip is already paid. Who would not want a free premium vacation in one of the exclusive island anyway? This is what I needed anyway after a busy months.

I already have an itinerary with me for the entire week. My first and last day are meant for rest so… I will really take a dip later this afternoon. My remaining five days were for my tour and trip in this island. After all, beside the peace and relaxing atmosphere of the island, it also has other activities to offer.

I did not know how long I was savoring the view in front of me when I decided to fix my things and put my one-week clothes inside the closet. I will be staying here for a week so I needed to made-up my temporary room.

My lunch was delivered in my villa. After I was done eating and fixing my clothes, I decided to make a short tour around.

Each villa is about 20 meters away from each other so it really gives the guest the privacy and peace they needed. I also ended up nearing the shore despite the scorching sun. I take a few selfies and pictures of island and then send it to the group chat I have with my friends.

Of course, automatically, I received a series of question from them of my whereabouts.

I did not give a reply and informed everyone that I won’t be opening any of my social media in the next few days since I am very serious about this vacation of mine.

I am here to enjoy and forget about the stress of the city, even for a week. This is all I needed after three months of utter failure in saving my parent’s company and before I decided to enter the world of blind dates and marriage.

After my short tour outside and inside my villa, I spend my remaining hours sleeping and resting. It was past six in the evening when I woke up. I was not expecting I would actually fall in deep slumber. When I got up and looked through the sliding door that has the view of the sea, I saw the sun is now on its first stage of setting and some garden lights are now in full show!

I heaved a deep breath as I get out of the bed. I was literally exhausted from last night’s party and from my trip this morning so maybe the straight four-hour sleep is understandable.

I freshened up a bit before I decided to dine outside. There’s always a room service but since I wanted to see what the island could offer and the sunset, I choose to see the place at night.

There’s a clubhouse nearby. I was told by the waitress working on that clubhouse that there are other restaurants and amenities nearby but I needed to walk for a few more minutes in order to get to my favored destination. And since I was starving, I chose to dine on the same clubhouse. I specially took the vacant table outside, overlooking the sea and the beautiful sunset.

I savored the peaceful sound of the place as I wait for my food. I was grinning as the wind breezes in my direction. I could hear the soft crashes of the waves on the shore. The melody of the music makes the entire place relaxing. And somehow, along my waiting, I was starting to understand why a night in this place is expensive.

This is one of the place where you should consider a go-to to unwind and temporarily getaway from stressful and noisy environment. And thinking about my next days that I won’t be thinking about work and my problems suddenly made me excited.

My dinner was served after half an hour. I gave my thanks to the waitress before I finally enjoyed my food.

I thought that my peaceful days would continue until my very last day on this island. But it seemed that destiny has other things in his mind.

My entire attention was focused on the scenic view in front of me while sipping on my wine that I did not notice someone nearing my table. I was done eating my dinner. I chewed my food so slow until the sun sets. And after about half an hour, I ordered for a bottle of wine.

Then I saw someone from my peripheral nearing my direction. I did not give him any mind though. At first, I thought he was another guest who decided to take the other vacant table for the view in front of us. That the built nearing toward me is a stranger to me.

But then he was far from being a stranger.

When the man pulled the vacant seat in front of me then settled himself, that made me finally give my attention to the stranger who chose to share tables with me. And I was surprised when I find out whom the man was when our gazes met.

I froze on my seat as I looked straight into his dark blue eyes.

“We met again, darling. What a coincidence.” He said with a full grin on his face. I clung my head to one side as I looked directly into his eyes when I noticed what he just called me.

Did he just call me… darling?

Just like the sudden gust of wind passing on our direction, memories of our heated moment on the club last night played into my mind. It was actually a miracle that I manage to escape the temptation last night! God knows that I am so near in giving in to his words if I was not able to regain my control!

And d-mn!

The kiss!

Why did I even kiss him in the first place?

“Yeah, w-w meet again,” I manage to croak. I tried to smile in his direction but it turned to be a grimace. I drop my eyes on the glass I am holding. Without inhibition, I drank the remaining content of the wine. The situation suddenly made me feel thirsty that I needed a drink.

The kiss replayed on my mind like a broken record. Fvck. I am now starting to regret what I did last night! I was so sure that I won’t be meeting him the second time. Because that’s too impossible, right? If ever I indeed, met him once again, the probability is so low!

And yet… he’s here! He is here in very front of me!

“Why are you here? Vacation?” he asked enthusiastically as if we were d-mn close. I lifted my eyes back to him. Red meet my gaze. The smirk on his face never faded.

“Yeah.” I shortly replied then poured myself another drink. I sounded as disinterested as I can. I want him to see that I am not really pleased by his presence.

“As for me, I’m here since my best friend is getting married. Our villa’s are within this area so I was really in luck when I saw you here. To be honest, I was planning to find you after my short vacation here but I think I don’t need to do that since you’re here.” He continued if we were friends and now he was telling me how his day went.

“Well, good for you,” I said then put down the glass on the table after I finished another drink. I stared at my bottle of wine. I haven’t yet finish the half. As much as I wanted to remain here and enjoy the night, I know that it was impossible to do so.

Letting myself remain in here would only create an opportunity for this playboy to disturb me. I already warned myself that I won’t be involve for the likes of him. If I wanted to avoid him, all I needed to do is act as if I was not pleased of his presence. Well, not that I am pleased with his presence anyway.

A playboy who shows their interest in you only means one thing. They wanted to bed you. Despite the fact that this man in front of me was actually honest last night, I should be smart enough that everything he does right now is his ways of luring me.

I grabbed the bottle and then stood on my seat. I could feel Red’s piercing gaze on me, following every bit of my movements.

“If you’ll excuse me—”

“Where are you going?” his chilling voice made me halt on my attempt of leaving, especially when his hand immediately grasping my wrist.

“L-Leaving? I’m done with my d-dinner,” I replied then lifted my gaze back to him. I almost wanted to let the ground swallow me when my voice croak.

Fvck it. Why am I suddenly feeling like this when he’s around?

My eyes dropped on his hand holding mine. I immediately felt his hand sending bolts on my system. seeing how he firmly hold my wrist, it reminded me of the way he held me yesterday.

I inhaled a deep breath. Remember that you needed to get a hold of your control, Arliah! You are not easily shaken by this kind of men, right? In fact, you disgusts them! So why the hell you are starting to like this playboy’s touch?!

In fear for whatever I was feeling, I tried to pull my hands away. But it seemed that that this heartbreaker have no plans of letting me go.

I need to gather my thoughts. I need to calm myself. I need to strengthen my will not to be tempted.

It took me a while before I lifted back my gaze to Red and looked directly into his eyes with courage. I wear a serious expression just so I could show him that I’m not interested on what he was trying to do.

“Let me go, Mr. Montenegro. I have other things to do.” I said in my serious voice. I tried my luck on pulling my hands away from him again but he won’t just let me.

I gritted my teeth as my eyes narrowed in his direction. What the hell does he want?

“I said let me go.” I hissed and glared at him.

“No.” he instantly replied. I saw how his eyes dilating. My eyes widened in shock.

“What do you mean by that?” I exclaimed and tried to pull my hands again.

“I won’t let you go unless you give me your name, darling. With the stunt that you did last night, don’t you think I deserve to know your name? You stole a kiss from me,”

My cheeks flushed upon hearing the last thing that he had said. I swallowed hard as I run my tongue over my lips. My heart is booming against my chest and I tried my best to appear unaffected so I can still appear credible.

“Is this how you get your woman?” I scoffed. “And as for the kiss, don’t act as if that was your first time. You’re a playboy, Red. Those acts should be normal to you.” I spat.

His brows raised and looked at me in awe. It was as if he was really surprised that he was hearing those from me.

“Well, I won’t deny your claims that I am a playboy. But I tell now that you that you were the first one who stole a kiss from me.”

My one brow shot up upon hearing those. “Do you think I would believe you?”

He shrugged his shoulders. “It’s up to you if you believe me or not, darling.”

I shivered in irritation upon hearing the last word he had said.

“Will you stop calling me darling?” I hissed.

“I can do that, that is, if you tell me your name,” he said nonchalantly.

I gritted my teeth.

“Let me go.” I continued pulling my hand from him. But the bastard seemed to like the situation we are in right now.

“I want to know your name, darling. I can actually do that by hiring an investigator but I wanted to personally ask that question to you,”

I looked at him in disbelief.

The heck? He would actually hire an investigator just to… get my name?

I exhaled a deep breath.

“My name is Iya. Now, can you let my hand go,” I tell him and looked into his eyes without blinking. He was silent after that. His forehead slowly creased, as if I had said something that suddenly upsets him.

Well, I don’t really care if he believe me or not.

“Why do I sense that you’re not telling me your name?” He shot his brow up, like he was telling me that he could see through my lies. I rolled my eyes in return.

Tch. Fine. If I continued lying to him, who knows, he might ended up keeping me hostage in here until I gave him the answer he wanted.

“My name is Arliah. You can call Leah, Iya or by my name. Now, please let my hand go because FYI, we’re not friends.” Then I tried to pull my hands away for one last time. I smiled in triumph when I finally did.

When I looked back to Red, his expression is laced with interest and awe as he stared back at me.

I only raised my one brow at him before I decided to turn my back and leave the clubhouse without looking back.

Of course, I did not forget to leave the bottle of wine I ordered. I plan to drink the remaining amount in my villa. I need to think of the ways how would I avoid that manwh0re if he plans to pester me on the next days. Because I am a hundred percent sure that this won’t be the last day of our encounter.