“Was it because I had too much to drink?” Teresa wondered. She stepped outside, feeling better as the cool breeze caressed her face. Yet, she still felt warm. She wore a black cardigan beneath her white coat, and even with the coat unbuttoned, the heat persisted.
She was about to drive home when she remembered she’d been drinking. Just as she reached for her phone to call Miriam, headlights flashed, and Jonathan’s car pulled up. He stepped out.
Teresa exited her car, and Jonathan handed her a bag. “Sorry for missing your call. I was tied up. Here’s your scarf.”
She nodded, taking the scarf. As she turned to leave, she staggered and nearly fell. Jonathan grabbed her arm, steadying her. Noticing her flushed cheeks, he asked, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. It’s probably because of the alcohol,” Teresa replied.
“You had alcohol?” He frowned, then seemed to remember something. “I saw the photo. I don’t have that kind of wine at home; Simona probably brought it over. My mom sent her to meet me, but I only had a brief chat with her at a nearby café before sending her on her way.”
“You don’t need to explain that to me. I’m leaving,” Teresa said.
“Let me give you a ride,” Jonathan offered.
Teresa accepted, sparing herself the trouble of calling Miriam. She felt so dizzy and uncomfortable; all she wanted was to go home, bathe, and sleep.
“How are you feeling?” Jonathan stole glances at Teresa as he drove, concerned. Seeing the flush creep from her cheeks to her neck, he felt her forehead. “Are you feeling feverish?”
Teresa shook her head, too weak to push him away. The cool touch of his palm was strangely comforting.
Jonathan’s phone rang—Irene. She’d been calling nonstop, which explained why Teresa couldn’t reach him. “Hello?” he answered.
The moment Irene heard Jonathan’s voice, she chided, “Simona came all the way to see you, bringing gifts! I left so you two could have some quality time together. How could you not appreciate her efforts and even threaten to call the police? She’s devastated!”
“She’s been stalking me! She even followed my car today! How could I not call the police?” he retorted.
Irene defended Simona. “I was the one who told her you’d be back on January 3rd! She probably just happened to be heading the same way. You’re overthinking.”
“Stop making excuses for her. I’m not just uninterested; I’m outright disgusted by her,” Jonathan snapped.
“You…” Irene began, pausing to calm herself. “If you’re not into her, I’ll talk to her. You can’t just treat her like that when she’s come all the way here.”
“Do whatever you want. I’m driving.” Impatient, Jonathan hung up and tossed his phone into the backseat.
Teresa raised a hand to cradle her throbbing head, each breath causing her chest to rise and fall. “Could you get me a bottle of water? I’m thirsty.”
Jonathan glanced at her before pulling into a nearby convenience store. He returned moments later with water. Teresa could barely open her eyes. Her vision blurred, but she could make out his figure as he unscrewed the cap and handed her the bottle.
“I think you’re having a fever. Let me take you to the hospital,” Jonathan said, expressing his concern.
“No need.” The bottle slipped from her weak grasp, spilling water onto her skirt.
Jonathan frowned, grabbed a tissue, and wiped her skirt. As he dabbed at the water on her leg, she instinctively drew her knees together. “Can I have some more water? My throat feels so dry.”
Warm breath brushed against her. Jonathan opened another bottle and held it steady for her, their bodies naturally drawing closer as he helped her drink. His skin… for a moment, it felt as if the slightest movement would close the distance between their lips.
Overwhelmed, Teresa wrapped her arms around Jonathan’s neck and kissed him. Jonathan dropped the second bottle, spilling water all over the car mat.
Teresa reluctantly pulled away, her hazy eyes lingering on him. “Something’s wrong with me. This isn’t just being drunk; it feels different. I don’t know what’s happening… it’s like I’m burning up. It must have been the wine. I noticed the bottle was already open, with a glass beside it.”
It dawned on Jonathan, and his expression turned grim. “Simona was there before I got back. She was the one who brought that wine. I think she wanted to drug me.”
Teresa weakly teased, “Just how charming do you think you are? Why would she try to drug a divorced older man like you?”
“You don’t believe me, do you?” Jonathan arched a brow.
Teresa gazed at his face and the redness at the corner of his lips, a reminder of their intimate moment. “Fine, I believe you. I feel terrible right now.” She kept tugging at her sweater collar; she felt like she was on fire.
Jonathan started the engine and turned the steering wheel. Instead of turning right toward Rosary Estates, he veered left. “You have three options now: hospital, your lover, or me.”
She instantly knew what he meant, but wondered who he considered her new lover.
“The one at the movie theater,” Jonathan explained.
“You mean Truman? We’re not together! I hardly see him!” she exclaimed.
Jonathan narrowed his eyes. “Really? You’ve been so distant, avoiding me completely. When I asked if you were seeing someone else, you ignored me.”
That’s because I’m hiding our son from you, Teresa thought, licking her dry lips. All she could think of was keeping him from discovering Michael was her son. That was why she’d avoided him for nearly a month.
“I’m not going to the hospital! It’s too embarrassing,” Teresa said.
“Do you want me to help you then?” he asked.
Teresa shut her eyes, leaning back. It was better to lose face in front of Jonathan than in a hospital full of strangers. Her voice hoarse, she muttered, “Yeah. I’ll pay you after this.”
The car came to a sudden, jarring halt, jolting Teresa. If not for her seatbelt, she would have been thrown forward. She looked ahead and realized they were in the deserted Southmoon Lake Development Zone.
She could feel Jonathan’s anger simmering. Without a word, he unbuckled her seatbelt and leaned in, kissing her deeply. This kiss was far more intense than the first.
“Sit on my lap,” he commanded.