FAULTLESS EX- HUBBY

THE ENCOUNTER

Handsome face, mesmerizing grey eyes, athlete-like body, and over 6-foot lean- tall appearance. On top of that, he’s a brilliant neurosurgeon, sought by clients, handling the most difficult neuro cases, and highly acclaimed in the medical field.

In short, he is a perfect man—Dr. Andrew Lopez, 30 years old and my ex-husband.

He was like an illusion, the one that exists only in dreams, and yet he had been my husband for two years until we got a divorce four years ago. Then I never heard of him. He was like a chapter in my life that had been locked. No one could open it unless they were willing to pay the price. Locked, sealed, and forgotten.

He’s not allowed to reappear in my life, and yet here I am looking at him while his hand touched my face with tenderness.

I finally woke up from my deep trance. He has no right to touch me!

I fanned his hands off my face and pulled myself up to sit on the couch. I cleared my throat/

“I am sorry about that--my sleep was limited for the past few days. I must be exhausted,” I said, deliberately avoiding his touch and pushing him away from me while I gathered myself and sat properly on the sofa.

“Would you like me to examine you properly? You are thinner than before.” He uttered concernedly while we both sat on the sofa at a comfortable distance.

“No, I am good. I need to finish my thesis requirement, and this interview is the last one,” I said without looking at him.

I grabbed my recorder and set it to record our conversation.

“I took over the position a week ago. I am the person you will interview. The past director had a serious health condition. I was sent here by the main hospital as his replacement.” He told me, gently explaining the reason why he was here and not in the US.

I have no interest in knowing about his whereabouts, but his explanation somehow cleared some questions about why I had to deal with him and not the person I am supposed to meet today.

“Shall we proceed with the interview? I need to attach it to my thesis.”

I said, I just wanted to go out of here as soon as possible and away from him. If it’s not for my thesis, I would have walked out of this space as fast as possible.

“Are you up for it? We can reschedule…” he asked calmly and should have offered something; however…

“I don’t have time anymore; let’s proceed with the interview.” I interrupted him for what seemed like an opportunity to see him again, but this meeting was all I could handle. I have no intention of re-encountering him in the future.

He nodded and stood up.

“Let me ask my secretary for water. Drink it first; it will make you feel better.” He said and walked in the direction of the door.

I looked at him as he walked away from me. His back view was still as gorgeous as before. His stance is so powerful. Heaving a sigh, I looked away from him.

“s**t Trish! What are you thinking? You have no relationship with the man. You had successfully cut the bond from him and saved yourself from the agony of his betrayal. Gather your ass and finish this interview as soon as possible.” I muttered, my teeth tightly pushed together while the muscles of my jaw twitched.

He walked back towards me with bottled water and sat by my side. He twisted the cap to open it and extended his hand to give it to me.

I moved a little while I got the bottle from his hand, avoiding even the slightest touch by holding the tip of the bottled water.

After swallowing a few gulps, I asked, “Shall we proceed?” I am surprised at how stable and calm my voice sounds at the moment despite the emotional frenzy I am experiencing at the moment.

The interview went on miraculously better than I expected. Andrew answered all my questions in detail, and I got lots of information about the hospitals' technology adoption locally and abroad. I must admit he was a better resource person than the previous one. He's young and more aggressive than the old physician. Not to mention that Andrew is a genius, the reason why he advanced faster than ordinary physicians, he’s a brilliant surgeon and highly acclaimed in his field.

“Thank you so much, Andrew,” I told him at the end of our interview. I recorded our conversation. However, I am not sure if I will have the courage to listen to his sexy voice again.

“All the time, Trish, contact me if you need help with your thesis.” He remarked as he gaze at me intensely.

I gathered my things and stood up. “You’ve shared more than enough,” I said coldly.

He stood up too and said, “I think we need to talk, Trish.”

“There’s nothing more to talk about... I wish you well... Goodbye!” I said expressionlessly.

“Believe me, Trish...we have a lot to settle. I will see you soon.” He said firmly.

I have no intention of listening to him. As far as I am concerned, we are done. It should be the last I will have to deal with him.

I shook my head and said, “Goodbye, Andrew!” I turned towards the door without waiting for his response.

Suddenly…

Andrew grabbed my hand and spun me around to face him. I found myself confined in his arms and pressed in his body. I trembled while confined in his embrace. I was not able to react immediately, totally bewildered by his action.

Then his lips gently touched mine. It was gentle, so soft and so gentle...when he was done, he said…” I will see you soon, Trish.” He loosens his grip on my body and let me go.

With my eyes wide open, I turned around and grabbed the handle of the door. My steps were hurried as I tried to get away from his office as fast and far away as possible.

“What happened, Trisha? It would be best if you had slapped him. Instead, you just stood in front of him and did nothing! Shame on you!”

I was gasping for breath when I found Emily in the garden. My face was white or red; I don’t know. It was as if a ghost chased me.

Emily was surprised when she saw me and asked, “What happened to you, Trish?”

I steadied my breathing and said, “Let’s leave this place as soon as possible!”

Although shocked, Emily did not ask for more information and hurried to my side, matching my long and hurried strides. We reached the hospital's lobby in no time and waited for his driver to come and take us away from this place.

When we were inside the car, I remained quiet, but Emily couldn’t contain her thoughts, so she asked…

“What really happened there, honey?” She asked gently but firmly in a voice that commanded me to talk.

“Okay! Do you know who I met earlier?” I asked her my heart pumped loudly inside my chest.

“Who?” Emily asked anxiously.

“Dr. Andrew Lopez... my ex!” I said after releasing a deep breath.

“So what? Trish. He’s just a person. I, too, have a couple of ex-boyfriends before I met Josh!” she shrugged her shoulders and scoffed.

“Well, he’s not just an ex-boyfriend... he’s my ex-husband!” I looked at the window, but my mind was too far away.

“Your WHAT?!?” She exclaimed. Perplexed, confused, and shocked. She almost jumped in her seat.