Gypsy Lover

Alodia was so happy to be with Harman whether she admits it or not. But that is when she did not want to listen to her annoying logical mind.

A few minutes later after they took a shower together, they were surprised that someone rang the doorbell. She looked at her boyfriend and asked, "Did you expect someone to come over or did you order anything?" Her beautiful brows were

knitted.

He could have a surprise for her, which did not occur to her at all.

"No," he admitted as he opened the door.

She was surprised to see Laili come in with two boxes in her hands. It was obvious they were cake and something else for dessert. She looked at Harman who was surprised as she was but just shrugged his wide shoulders.

"I'm sorry to barge in, Harman. But... I was alone. Tati and the rest of the family went downtown and..." she paused when she realized Harman was not alone. But she seemed to gather her composure fast as she gave Alodia a look of hate, without his notice.

"You don't need to explain. You're welcome here, of course, Laili," Harman said slowly, darting his gaze to Alodia who grimaced.

Laili was glad but Alodia tried to ignore her after that. The Gypsy woman placed the boxes on top of the dining table while shoving the desserts aside she made for Harman. That made her blood boil with rage. Even though the other woman might have known that something had happened between her and Harman before she arrived because both she and Harman were just dressed in bathrobes, it seemed that the other woman took no notice of it!

"Did you order this, Harman? It tastes great!" Laili started to taste test some of the food on the table then, particularly the crème caramel.

Harman smiled at Alodia. "It's prepared by Alodia, Laili," he told her, crossing his arms over his chest.

The other woman almost choked, which made Alodia smile at the other woman mockingly. Harman had to get her a glass of water. "What? She prepared all this?" Laili's large eyes went larger in disbelief.

Well, she just prepared about six dishes and about four kinds of desserts just for the two of them for New Year.

"Right." She triumphantly smiled at the woman who was drinking the glass of water.

The woman looked at them both. She seemed restless in her seat at the table. But she seemed to swallow her pride and continued to eat the crème caramel, but obviously with a grudge. She then drank a glass of wine afterward. "I think I need some more, Harman," Laili said and got up to go to the mini-bar to pour more red wine into her glass.

Alodia and Harman looked at each other. No one spoke for a few moments until Harman excused himself to go to his room to change.

"You're just really out of your mind, aren't you?" Alodia told the other woman.

"I should be the one saying that line, Alodia. Remember that you're only Harman's pasttime? Don't tell me you ignored everything I told you. Don't be a fool!" Laili gave her a mocking smile as she looked at Alodia through the rim of the glass while resting her back on the edge of the bar.

The mestiza chuckled at the party-for-two crasher. "And you might have just forgotten what I told you, haven't you? Harman's so besotted with me, Laili. You must have guessed what happened between us before you arrived, right?" She rolled her eyes and took the glass of wine nearby and drank from it slowly. It was as if Harman was not there in the same condo unit.

The other woman smiled maliciously at her. "Don't you get it? It's because Harman and I can't do it before our marriage! That's why he's taking other women before I'm going to be his wife!" the other woman spat.

Alodia's world seemed to come crashing down on her and it was like Laili told her she was an easy-to-get woman like a slut. She got up from her seat angrily that Harman, who just came out of the bedroom, was stunned when she walked out of his unit, wearing only his robe.

"What did you say to her, Laili?" Harman roared.

"Nothing, Harman. Nothing. I think she's just a very sensitive woman," the woman answered with a careless shrug.

Harman cussed and quickly followed Alodia. "Alodia!" he called out before she could even get to the elevator. "Where are you going, iubirea mea?" he asked, befuddled.

"Just stay with your future wife!" she blurted out, crying.

Alodia knew she shouldn't be hurt. She was just playing, if she had to remind herself that. She was just having a game with him, although he had no idea about that. She should enjoy this moment, because this could be the time, she had to end the game she was playing. Probably this was for the best. But her eyes shed fat tears that rolled down her pretty cheeks.

Harman caught her and held her by the shoulders. "What are you talking about? Didn't you ever listen to me? I told you I'm not going to marry her! It's you that I love!"

She looked at him scornfully. "I don't want to believe you. Why is she still hanging with you? She's clinging to you, Harman! Can't you see that?" She did not care if the other residents heard her. Some of them just went out to check who were fighting down the hall.

Harman did not even pay attention to them either. His eyes were only focused on her crying face, still holding her on both shoulders.

"Why don't you trust me, Alodia? What must I do for you to believe me you're the only woman I want and you're the only one I want to be with? That I'd marry you someday, huh?"

Her lips parted when she heard it. Still, she shook her head. It was not because he said the wrong words, but she could not believe him. She still could not bring herself to trust him completely.

"Just... Don't ever promise me something like that, Harman! I can't afford to believe you right now when she's even inside your unit!"

"Alodia, what am I supposed to say to you? And what am I supposed to do with her?"

"Are you really asking me that?"

"Are you telling me to get rid of her and even her friendship?" His voice dropped a notch. He looked so torn because they were talking about his childhood friend. "I'm not asking you to choose between us, Harman," she said, although it was a lie.

"Alodia, I just chose you over her! How many times should I tell you that, iubirea mea?" His voice was cajoling. He looked hurt and tortured for doing this to him.

She swallowed. "I just can't handle you now, Harman. Go to her because she obviously needs your company," she said, sniffling and pushing him away from her. Alodia quickly left him without looking back in spite of his calling her name.

"Don't follow me or I'll really get mad at you!"

"Oh, come on, iubirea mea!" he begged.

"I'm serious, Harman!"

His shoulders slumped, looking at her while the elevator doors closed.