His Punishment Read online

  “What’s wrong baby?” He asked her.

  “Nothing, I’m just a bit tired from the rides. I think I will go take a nap first so I’d do well in the beach volley later,” she said slowly rising from the hammock.

  “Okay.” James said a little confused.

  He is not used to Rhea being distant and cold. Maybe she’s still mad that I had to go to Tara last night. I was there for three hours I guess. I was back at the villa at around 1:30. No wonder she is still annoyed.

  James decided to make it up to Rhea by following her and then he lied down beside her. She saw that Rhea’s breath is still heavy, an indication that she is not yet asleep.

  He touched her back and then sweetly stroked it. Rhea’s back is turned towards him. He gently pulled her to face him. She faced him as he played with her hair behind her ears. He kissed her on the lips but she didn’t respond.

  “What’s wrong baby?” he asked.

  “Nothing, I’m really tired. Let’s just take a nap.” she said hugging him.

  He can still feel Rhea’s muscles tensed while they hug each other. He can feel that there’s really something going on. But he doesn’t want to ask again, he just let her sleep in his arms.

  After about two hours, James woke up and found the other side of the bed empty, he stood up and looked for Rhea in the bathroom but did not find her there. He then searched for her outside the villa. The patio was empty too. He roamed his eyes across the shore, but of course it is impossible to find her there as she is very conscious with her complexion. Surely she would not want to burn under the heat at this time that the sun is at its peak.

  He decided to go to the lobby instead and asked the reception if they saw her. He asked the guy at the reception when he arrived but he said he did not see her.

  James looked at the pool area, though not convinced that she would be there. When he reached the pool, he didn’t find her which didn’t surprise him at all.

  He tried the entertainment hall, the one with the billiards and the table tennis, but he just saw the group of guys from last night.

  He didn’t know where to look for his girlfriend anymore, so he just decided to go back to the villa and wait for her there.

  After another hour, he heard the door open. He looked up from what he was watching and saw her coming in. She was sneaking inside the room and was surprised to find him awake and watching television.

  “Where have you been?” he questioned.

  “I walked around,” she said going straight to the bathroom.

  After a few minutes, she’s back and she had showered.

  “Baby, is there anything wrong? Are you mad at me?” he asked her puzzled. Rhea is a natural flirt. So he was surprised to see Rhea done with bath and not even offering him to join her.

  “Why would I be mad?” she sounded guilty.

  “I don’t know, you seem different. So I thought maybe you’re mad for last night?”

  “Last night? Oh no. It was okay. You really had to meet with her for your project. So it’s really cool.” She laughed a bit.

  He didn’t talk. He was just looking at her as if finding some answers. Then she talks again.

  “Are you ready for the volley?” she changes her mood to being excited.

  “I’ll be in a few minutes,” he entered the bathroom and took a quick bath. Surely, he can’t ask her to shower with him again.

  ***

  The day had been a drag. It was already ten pm and they all decided to head back to their villas.

  They spent the day with their new friends. They played beach volley and ate dinner together. They were all having fun. But Rhea asked to be excused. James followed her.

  “Baby? Would you tell me what’s happening?” he asked grabbing her by the arm.

  “Nothing! Why do you keep insisting that something is wrong?” she answered irritated.

  “Because you’re acting so weird. Tell me honestly, are you mad?” he asked again.

  “OK! OK! I am mad! I am mad that you went in at 1:30 in the morning after you went with Tara!” she squealed.

  He was shocked. She is not the jealous type. Definitely! She had always been so sure of herself and her confidence level is even higher than the hotel building at the back of the island.

  “What did you do with that bitch for four hours?” she asked as if trying to make it sound like James is a player.

  “What?! What are you saying? I didn’t do anything! You know I hate those types of girls,” he was trying to defend himself though he knew he wanted to kiss Tara last night. But of course he chose not to confess that at the moment.

  “Then what took you so long to come back?” she asked with hands on her waist.

  “We were doing the report!” he said now in an angry tone. How can Rhea think I’d do what she’s thinking?

  “Whatever! Just leave me alone for now James, I want to be alone. You go back to the villa and I’ll just walk around.” Without even waiting for James’ reply, she left him.

  He saw Rhea disappearing. He’s mad that she’s thinking otherwise. He just headed to their villa and called the reception asking if the entertainment hall is still open at this time. He doesn’t know what to do tonight so he thought he’d just play darts alone.

  Luckily the entertainment hall is still open until twelve midnight. It was just a few minutes past ten in the evening and he could still swing in for two hours. So after he had coffee at their villa’s patio, he went to the entertainment hall.

  The lights were out. Perhaps they were conserving energy.

  He went inside and switched the lights on and wished he never did.

  There on the billiards table, he saw Rhea naked with a guy he doesn’t know lying on top of her. Both of them covered in sweat.

  “FUCK!” that was all he said and stood there for like an eternity. He was too stunned to move. He couldn’t believe his own eyes seeing his girlfriend having sex with another man.

  Both Rhea and the guy were hurriedly picking up their clothes.

  After the two were dressed, James, like a robot, walked to the guy and punched him in the face.

  “Asshole! You can have my ex-girlfriend for all I care!” he wasn’t able to control his anger and turned to look at Rhea then back at the guy again.

  “Baby!” she stopped his arm when she saw that he was going to throw in another punch.

  “And you!” he turned to Rhea, “I should have listened to them that you are a real slut!”

  He was trying so hard to control himself from hurting her. He just pushed her away when she tried to hug him after coming near him. She bounced into the other guy’s arms. The guy held Rhea when he caught her.

  “Don’t you get your slutty hands near me!” he felt like throwing up.

  “I’m sick at how you looked at Tara last night! She sang our song and you were drooling!” she said defensively.

  “I don’t care what you say whore!” he said.

  “If it wasn’t for that bitch stalker, I wouldn’t have gone out and seen him. It was her fault I cheated on you. If she didn’t take your time away from me then none of this could have happened!” she was trying hard to put all the blame to Tara.

  “You are just a cheater!” he hollered back.

  “I don’t care what you think! I am better off with him.” She said pointing out at the guy she was just having sex with a few minutes back. “Last night was the best!”

  “Last night?” he asked now his face very red.

  “Yes, it was wonderful. Far better than what we have. I am so tired of fucking you James! Go try having sex with that frigid woman!” she said.

  James was really hurt with Rhea’s words. But he still can’t hurt a girl even when his palms are twitching. He wanted to hit her so bad.

  Trying to calm himself amidst it all, he exhaled one long breath and left the room still a gentleman.

  ***

  “Tara, we’re selling the condominium at Transpacific,” his father told her while eating
dinner.

  “Really? Who’s buying it?” she asked while forking some of her buttered broccolis and carrots.

  “Remember the professors renting it?” he asked.

  “Yes. The ones from St. Mary’s?”

  “Yes, those Profs. Well, one of them is getting married and he called me earlier to ask if the unit is for sale,” he said.

  “Actually Tara, we bought that for you but you didn’t want to use it that’s why it was rented. All you use is the parking slot.” Her mom butted in.

  “Yup. I like to go home and it’s not that far, just a bit traffic though. But I still prefer driving back home every day,” she explained.

  “We know that dear,” her mom said.

  “Since you’re graduating, we were thinking of just selling it. The rent is not that big really, so I think it would be more profitable to sell it instead.” Her father said once again.

  “Yeah, I agree,” she said.

  “They are paying us tomorrow and the parking of course is sold with it. They will use it so you might have to look for a slot in one of the public parking areas around school,” her mom said.

  “Oh, no worries mom,” she said. “May I be excused? I’m done with dinner.”

  “Okay, go ahead,” her dad said.

  She stood up and kissed her mom and her dad. “Goodnight.”

  “Oh Tara, when does school end?” her mom called to her.

  “April 3rd mom,” she hollered.

  “Can you fly to Boracay for your orientation on the 4th?”

  “Okay mom, do I start working immediately? Can Lyn come with me?” she asked looking back.

  “Of course honey. You can start working after she leaves,” she said.

  “Thanks mom. I think I’ll just have her stay for the weekend.”

  ***

  It was already Thursday and she had to find a new parking slot so she left the house earlier. It has been five days since she last saw James and from what she remembers, James was supposed to be back last Tuesday from his vacation and yesterday he was supposed to be in school but he wasn’t.

  Now that she feels that they are friends, she’s a bit excited to see him. Their projects are almost done. It just needs a little polishing then proofreading and it’s ready to be submitted.

  She decided to check the parking area at the street across the school, just behind their old condo. This is where Lyn parks when she brings her own car to school. There are already a few cars parked. She called the parking attendant to check if the parking is not fully reserved yet and luckily the parking attendant gave her a slot.

  She drove alone today as Lyn’s schedule is different from hers. They won’t be able to meet for lunch today for her class is ending at twelve noon and Lyn’s second class is from 11:30 until 1:00.

  The parking attendant guided her as she parked. Her car is a white Mitsubishi Montero and it is hard to park especially when the slot is as tiny as the parking lots here. Good thing the slot beside hers is still vacant.

  In ten minutes she was out of the parking lot and decided to go straight to the room and reread the report that is due on Friday. She has two classes today and the last is ending at noon and she knew she had enough time to finalize the report in the afternoon after James proofreads it.

  The classroom is slowly being packed by students, nearly the seats are occupied.

  She looked up when the door opened and banged on the wall. She saw James frowning and entering the room.

  “Hi James,” she said when he walked past her seat.

  He didn’t mutter a word nor glanced her way. He just went straight to where he usually sits. She was taken aback at his reaction. She didn’t expect him to ignore her like this as they were okay the night they last talked.

  The professor entered the room and greeted the class. Immediately the students hurried to their seats as this guy is a terror teacher.

  Tara keeps glancing at the frowning James. She can see that his face is still tensed. His jaw is so square and his eyes look furious. She keeps wondering what’s going on.

  “Tara Salvador!” Mr. Reyes called her attention and she looked up at him.

  “Stop staring at Aguilar and listen to me!” he said angrily. She heard the girls’ chuckle.

  “Sorry,” she said then glanced back at James who is looking intently at her with a blank expression on his face then she looks back at their prof.

  She is wondering why he is acting such. She thought it was impossible that it was because of her, she keeps on reminiscing of their good friendly talk at Samal last Friday.

  The class ended soon as it is just an hour class and she went to the restroom to pee.

  When she headed back to her next class, she saw James was outside the classroom alone. His arms on the railing of the veranda, he was looking at the soccer field below their building.

  “James?” Tara called to him when she was already standing beside him.

  He did not hear her. He continued staring at the empty field.

  “James,” she said again.

  He still did not reply. His mind is off somewhere and he has shut himself from the world around him.

  “James!” Tara said once again and touched his arm.

  “What!!” he exclaimed then looked at her with a frown.

  “Sorry, but we need to finish our project. We still have thirty minutes before the next class starts,” she explains startled and holding her lip as if scared of James’ reaction.

  “Are you trying to seduce me Tara?” he asked his frown deepening.

  “What?” she was so confused. Why is he mad at me?

  He looked at her hand playing with her mouth. And Tara abruptly moved her hands down. But James still keeps staring at her lips and Tara gets conscious and bites her lower lip. He moves his face closer to hers.

  “Rhea and I broke up because of you!” he said angrily now intently looking at her eyes.

  Tara felt his angry breath in her face and she shivered.

  “You’ll pay for it!” he threatened as he glanced back to her luscious lips that he dreamt of kissing last weekend.

  “What did I do?” she asked nervously.

  “She had sex with a stranger the night I was with you. Now you’ll wish you never kept me in that fucking villa!” his frightening glare and voice echoes again.

  Tara is becoming more and more nervous and stares at James while still nibbling on her lower lip. It’s a distracting habit she has been doing since she was a child every time she gets tensed.

  “I’ll make that fucking lip bleed if you don’t stop teasing me with it!” he exclaims angrily misinterpreting her edgy feeling.

  “But I’m not teasing you,” she says defensively.

  “Where’s the report?” he asked remembering it but still not taking his eyes away from Tara’s lips and then looking at her nervous eyes.

  She turns away and heads to the classroom door and James followed her with his eyes. She’s wearing her favorite red tutu skirt. Her long and flawless white legs look so silky. He wanted to scoop her up and saddle them on his hips. And her shape is so sexy. He wanted to run his hands on her sides. He shuddered at the intensity of his feelings. He is caught between anger and lust towards the woman.

  Tara came back with an envelope in her chest. She walks straight to James who eyes the packet she is holding. She hands it to him but James is still staring at where the envelope once was.

  He saw the bulk that Tara’s breasts are pushing in her white body-hugging sleeveless shirt with a big red heart print in front. He kept staring as if examining it via X-ray eyes.

  She covered his eyes with the envelope. She was waving it at his face. James got it fast and looked back at Tara with fiery eyes then left her and went inside the room.

  After an hour their second class ended and she was waiting for James to return the printed materials to her so she can finish it at home.

  She heard stomping feet towards her and a loud smash on her desk. She looked up and sa
w James putting the envelope on her table and then he vanishes through the door.

  I didn’t do anything! Why is he blaming me for his slutty girlfriend’s actions!

  Tara is still nervous and wondering what to do. She was already OK with James when she left Samal. She still kept thinking as she crossed the street walking towards her car.

  When she arrived, she saw that the other car parked beside hers is too near her car. It is impossible for her to get in now that her car is sandwiched by two SUVs. She is trying to come up with a plan as to how to get in her car, but it seems impossible. She would definitely leave scratches on both cars if she tried.

  She called the parking attendant and asked if either of the two owners of the vehicles is near. The attendant asked the other attendant and she heard them say something about the black Mitsubishi Montero.

  It was parked on her driver’s side. Making it easier for her if that is the one to be moved as its other side is spacious. The driver can ride from that other side. She looked at the plate and it was personalized. JEA 25.

  JEA. Shit! I hope it’s not for James Ervine Aguilar!

  She saw the hunk she was scared of facing just a few minutes ago walking towards her direction. She moves her shades to her eyes wishing it could make her invisible.

  She looked at James who is still frowning. Did he never stop frowning since this morning? Or just because of me?

  “I can’t believe it!” he told her when they were inches away.

  “What?” she asked.

  “You’re following me even to the parking lot!” he shouted at her.

  “I did not!” she said nibbling her lips again. Her heart was pounding harder against her chest.

  “I’ve had it Tara!” he shouted again before pushing her to side of her car. They are now sandwiched by their cars. His body is pressed hardly on hers and their faces are inches apart. She can smell the mint from his mouthwash.

  “I told you I’d make those lips bleed if you don’t stop!” he said before kissing her angrily on the lips.

  Tara was shocked at first and remained frozen, a few seconds after everything that is happening sank to her, she started to try doing every protest she could. Her things are dropped to the floor as she kept punching his chest and pushing him away from her.