I didn't see Zayden's mother in our wedding, so I thought, just like me, her mother passed away.
“Does she know about Zerro and Zai? Should I act like a sweet wife? Why didn't you tell me your mother's here?”
She's staring at us with a smile on her face. We're having a lunch, but she's been doing that for three minutes. How can I eat then?
Will she think that I'm a violent woman? She caught me strangling her son. She knew what I did the moment I entered.
“She doesn't know Zainea and Zerro's relationship, so yeah. Pretend like a good wife,” he whispered back. “Don't make it even more complicated.”
Oh? She doesn't know? Where on earth did she stay that she seems to be not updated to her sons?
“Why don't we just tell her the truth? Maybe she can help Zainea reunite with Zerro.”
“Do that, and I will not be able to help you. Mind you, right now, you're Zainea. Not Calais. If they reunite, I won't and can't help you.”
Right. If I solve Zainea's problem with Zerro and let her go with him, what now will happen to me? I will be forever trapped inside Zainea.
“Tristan, do you see them like this every day?” Zayden's mother asked. “All sweet and clingy?”
“Uh.” Tristan looked at us seeking for permission if he should tell the truth or not.
“You don't have to keep it from me. Have they kissed?”
“Mom. We're still here,” Zayden interrupted.
“I'm the one who should say that. We're still here. Respect to those who are single.”
I laughed awkwardly. “Sorry, m-mom? I'm just discussing things with him. Uhm, about my work,” I lied. “I hope we're not making the ambiance so awkward.”
“Oh, no, no. I'm just kidding. Honestly, I'm happy that there is someone who's brave enough who can kick his ass out when he's messing around. And I love how affectionate you are with each other.” She giggled.
I just smiled. Sadly, it's just one-sided. I guess. I won't deny it anymore. I like him. The more I deny my feelings for him, the more I fall.
“Affection. Tss,” Zayden mumbled.
See?!
“What is that, son? Did you say something?”
“Nah. Just eat, mom.”
“Here. Eat more. Don't mind Zayden. Anyway, we're going somewhere after this,” she said as she added more veggies to my plate.
“Where? I'll go with you.”
“Why? We don't need you there. This day is for just me and your wife. Don't bother yourself.”
Where are we going? She won't abandon me somewhere, right?
“Oh.”
“What's with that ‘oh’? I'm warning you, Zayden, don't follow us. I know you,” her mother threatened.
“Alright. I won't. Satisfied?”
“Good.”
I want to laugh at Zayden. He can't complain nor go against his mother. He's like a puppy to her, but a dragon to others.
“Why are you grinning?”
“Who? Me? Am I?”
“No. The egg,” he sarcastically said.
“Ah. I didn't know the egg knows how to grin.” Ha! You're not the only one who can be sarcastic here.
“Pfft.” Tristan covered his mouth to stop from laughing. Even his mother.
Zayden glared at Tristan.
“I'm sorry, boss.” He drinks water and looks away.
“Tsk. Tsk. Still the grumpy Zayden,” his mom commented while shaking her head.
Suddenly, someone rang the doorbell.
“Are you expecting a visitor?” his mom asked.
“Are you?” Zayden asked me.
“Huh? No? Who would I invite?” I don't even know if Zainea has other friends whom I can invite, aside from Megan.
“Megan? Perhaps? Excuse me, I'll go open the door.”
I opened the door. It's not Megan. It's Zerro.
“Z-Zerro...” He's wearing a suit while holding a box of cookies.
He smiled.
What is he doing here?
“Zerro? My handsome son! You brat, why didn't you fetch me at the airport?” Mrs. Constello excitedly hugs him. “You're now so tall!”
Zerro hugs her back. “Welcome back, mom. I missed you.”
Zayden came and stood beside me. He held my waist. “Try not to let Zainea out.”
“I missed you, too. Come inside. Have you eaten?”
Zerro closed the door.
“Yeah. I brought you your favorite cookies.”
“How sweet of you! Thank you. I'll just put this in the fridge.”
When Mrs. Constello left, Zerro's eyes landed on Zayden's hand on my waist. Zayden held my waist tightly and pull me closer to him.
What are you doing, Zayden? Isn't it enough that you married the love of his life? Now, you're making him more jealous.
Zerro smirked. “You own her, but not her heart.”
“Are you sure with that?”
His smirk slowly vanished. He looked at me.
What... What should I do??
“I-I...” I want to curse myself when I saw the pain in his eyes when he looked at me. How should I act for goodness' sake?!
For a moment, I felt guilty and fear. Guilty because I can't say to him that I'm not his Zainea. Fear because I'm scared that if I say a word, he might be hurt.
“Why are you still standing there? Come here.” Mrs. Constello dragged Zerro.
I nudge Zayden in his stomach.
“Stop putting me in a complicated situation,” I hissed.
“There's only a way for him to stop making things hard for you before you go back to your own body. Officially end their relationship, but don't tell Zainea about it.”
“No... I won't do that. No. Stop.”
“Think twice. If you let him stay beside Zainea, things won't go your way. You can't stop a heart that is in love. You only have a month to finish everything you must do. Remember that once Caileigh goes back to China, you won't get the justice you want.”
He left me there and joined the two who are talking.
My mind is in chaos. I don't know what to do now. Zayden is right. I only have a month. Zainea has so many responsibilities as a wife, as a daughter, and as an actress. I can't do that all at once. She's so busy with everything, and if I keep Zerro around her, she might have a change of mind. I have my own problem. I have no time for Zainea's mess.
I feel like I don't even have the freedom to do things because of her work and reputation. Another day has passed, and I still have no plan on how to stop Caileigh.
“Zainea, darling! What are you doing there? Come!”
I felt exhausted with my thoughts.
“Uhm, can I pass? I'm tired. I want to rest. I'm sorry, I can't go with you.”
“Oh, sure. Sure, go. You don't have to be sorry. I might not as well go out since I have to cope up with my boys. Just have a rest.”
“Thank you, mom. I'll excuse myself then.”
I didn't bother to look at Zayden and Zerro.
I lie on the bed and stare at the ceiling.
Why is your life so complicated, Zainea? Am I supposed to find solutions to your problems or let you solve them?
Can someone tell me what should I do? Should I prioritize myself?
Why did Zerro appear all of a sudden? Is he here to take Zainea away? Since he's here, will Zayden still help me on stopping Caileigh? That's his condition, right?
After having some thoughts, I made a decision that will cause a lot of changes not only to my life but to Zainea's.
Dear Zainea,
          Hi. I'm so grateful that I had to experience how to be loved by so many people; your fans are sending a lot of support and love and your dad, he's so sweet. Through you, I experienced to be warmly welcomed. Now, for the decision I made, I am sending my sincerest apology to you. I know it's so selfish of me to decide that on my own and put aside your emotions, but I really had no choice. I'm running out of time. I'm sorry. By the time you're reading this, I know I am already out of your body. Maybe, I successfully went back to my body or crossing the bridge of life. If it's the former, I'll do my best to find you and fix the mess I made to your life.
          Zai, I hope it's not too late for you to have the ending you deserve.
                                    —Calais R.
I fold the letter I wrote and put it inside the drawer. I hope at the end of the day, she'll got to read this and understand me.