Chapter 28: Chapter 28

Aviena's POV

I was already preparing for my shoot when I saw a text from River. He probably doesn't want to wake me up again.

Husband:

You didn't wake me up.

Husband:

Good morning, Wife.

Husband:

Call me when you are already awake.

That’s what I did. He already said right away that I didn't wake him up when he answer my call.

“You seem like you are having a nice dream. I didn't wake you up,” I said because he was already ranting early in the morning. I just laughed because River always seems serious but he really has a clingy side on him.

We just randomly talk about how we plan to spend our time this day.

"After these meetings, I'll come in your shoot," he said to me so I immediately turned to him. I feel excited but it also disappeared immediately.

"Nevermind that. I know that you're tired of your work too. You don't have to go here at all. ” I know he will also use a chopper but still it's too tiring.

“It’s fine. I told you, you're the rest, Wife,” he said so I just stopped showing him my smile.

We ended our call that morning. I also went out for the shoot. Tessy and Big Sister Rose are also waiting for me.

“Good morning, Vena. You seem like you had a good night,” some staff greeted me.

"Good morning too," I greeted them before smiling. I also continued to walk. We are heading to some hills now where the shoot will be held. We are going to stay there all day so we already had some of our things ready. I also wear my sneakers because I also don't want to suffer from foot pain.

Big Sister and Tessy were just with me as they helped me with my things.

“Marieta's been asking for money. There are school fees she needs to pay again,” Big Sister told me as we walked so I couldn't help but look at her before frowning especially when she said the amount Marieta was asking for.

“You know that you can easily ask for money from me, Big Sister. You don't have to mention Marieta's name,” I said seriously so my sister look at me with anger. She glares at me because of it.

"Are you saying I'm lying?" she asked. Marieta won't really ask for money like that. My sister was very frugal and if she could, she wouldn't really ask. I know that she's even doing some part-time just to pay some bills at her school so it's impossible for her to ask me for 50k and actually pass it on to Big Sister Rose. She'll tell me directly if she ever needs something.

I didn't argue with Big Sister anymore. I still don't have anything to use that money for, so it's okay if I give her some. Maybe she really needs to purchase or use something.

Big Sister is not also stingy with our niece and nephews so I know it will also be in good hands.

After I talk to her, I also went to the set because the shoot started.

River was also updating me which really helps my mood. I also couldn’t help but smile as I tried to reply to him with his messages.

Me:

Seems like you're not even paying attention to your work. You might want to focus on that first, Mister.

Husband:

I am. I just have a little time today.

We talked when we had time but in the afternoon, we got busy here with the shoot. We had a problem with one of the actors. There was also no message from River. That person may be in a hurry to finish work because he said he would come here.

I just put my phone away after I updated him that I was now going to our hotel. I just stopped when I looked at Tom who was looking at me. I smiled at him before approaching. We haven't talked for a while because he's already too busy memorizing the script and I also feel like he's avoiding me.

"You really like him, don't you?" he asked. I don't know why I can hear the sadness in his voice. I know what he is referring to. River is my husband in everyone's eyes. I just smiled before nodding. I like River. I won't deny it anymore.

"Can we talk, Vena?" he asked so I turned to him. I just nodded because he seemed serious about what he was going to say.

"Let's have dinner if it's okay with you?" he asked. I looked at my phone. Waiting for a text from River. River seems like he won't anytime soon. He had no time for that. I would like to eat with him once he comes here later.

But when I looked at Tom, he seems like he was desperate so I just smiled and nodded.

“Sure,” I said. I just said goodbye to Big Sister when I saw them. They just agree with me.

We just headed to a nearby resto in our hotel.

We just order food together. I'm used to eating with Tom after the shoot because he really likes to buy me food and things.

I tried talking with him while we were eating but he seemed to be thinking deeply.

We just kept quiet until the end. We were out of the resto when I looked back at him.

“What do you want to talk about?” I asked when we finished eating. He also looks like he can't say what he wants to say so I just let us finish eating first.

He stopped and seemed to realize that we were already outside. He even stared at me because of that.

"I don't think I can move on unless I'll tell you this, Vena," he said so I looked at him confusedly.

"Tell me what, Tom?" I asked, wondering what he wanted to say.

"I like you…" he said so I stopped. My mouth parted because of what he said.

"What do you mean?"

“I like you, Vena. So much. It started when we're still rookies,” he said. I could see the tears in his eyes. Tom's actually been a friend for a long time. He was so soft that we became very close. But now that he's confessing to me, I don’t know how I’m going to react. I was just magnetized where I'm standing and didn't know what to say.

"I don't think this was just a mere attraction, Vena… I do like you… so bad," he said so I couldn't help but stare at him. I don’t know if it’s a joke or what.

“I’m sorry, Tom. I like someone else,” I told him. He smiled sadly at me because of what I said.

“I know that, Vena… I always wish you happiness. Thank you for those years we spent together,” he said. My lips parted when he kissed me on the side of my lips. I was not able to move there immediately and was stunned for a moment but when I realized what happened, I immediately pushed him and the crisp slap fell immediately on his cheeks.

"What the fuck, Tom?" I asked him angrily.

"I'm sorry…" he said weakly as if shocked by what he did. I couldn’t help but be irritated. I know that River and I decided that it's just all for show but still I think of him as my husband. I feel guilty thinking that I cheated on someone else.

“That won’t justify what you did. Move aside. ” I know that he's hurting right now but what he did is wrong. He knows that I have a husband.

"I'm sorry, Vena…" he said trying to hold my hand but I was just irritated when I remove it and marched away.

Until I got to the hotel, I just felt annoyed.

“What happened, Vena? Why does your face look so irritated?” Tessy asked me when she saw me frowning as I entered my room.

I did not speak and just continued to enter. I can't help but feel guilty and I was really annoyed at the same time. I couldn’t help but drop my body on the sofa before I buried my face in it.

I was upset and at the same time, I feel bad for Tom. He's a great friend. He never took advantage of our friendship. This was the first time he did it but still, it's wrong. Even if we say I don’t have a boyfriend. Even if I'm single it's still wrong to do a move without proper consent.

I just tried to calm myself down by watching.

After watching for a while, I took a shower just to cool my head even more. After I got out of the bathroom, I immediately went to look at my phone but there was still no reply from River.

I also saw Tom’s apology and some missed calls from him. I ignored that and decided to just text River.

Me:

Do you still have a lot of meetings?

A few minutes before he replied.

Husband:

Yes.

I just pouted when I saw his reply.

Me:

Don't go here then. Rest after your work. I'll call you when you get home.

But I didn't receive any message after that. I couldn’t help but sigh. I also fell asleep waiting for his message. I just woke up with no 'good morning' or anything to him. I'm sure that one is really tired from his job. Maybe fall asleep as soon as he came home.

Me:

Good morning, Mister! It's vitamin sea today! May shoot us next to the beach hehehe

Me:

I fell asleep last night. I didn't have a chance to wait for you anymore. I'll call you when you're already awake.

I was leaving my hotel room when he called. I can't help but to smile.

“Good morning, Mister! How's your sleep? Do you have too many meetings? You didn't call me last night,” I said while walking.

"Yes." I can’t help but be pompous at his short replies. I was about to speak but someone called my name.

"Vena." I immediately saw Tom who also seemed to be really waiting for me to come out.

"I'll call you later, River."

“Don’t bother. I have a lot of things to do,” River said. My lips parted because of that.

"Oh… okay… I'll text you…" I said before turning off the call and facing Tom.

"What is it, Tom?" I can't hide the irritation in my voice when Tom got even closer to me.

"I'm really sorry for what I have done to you, Vena… I shouldn't have done that… I'm sorry…" he said to me. I could also hear the remorse on his face, so my expression gradually softened.

“Just don’t talk to me for a while, Tom. I hate what you have done but I can't deny that we're still friends. Just distance yourself. I don't want to ruin our friendship,” I told him even though I felt like our friendship was already breaking. He nodded but I could still see the sadness in his eyes.

"I'm sorry…" he said again so I just nodded before he passed by.

I just went straight out until I reached Big Sister's place.

"I saw you last night, Vena," Big Sister Rose said. She smiled at me. I stopped there.

“That’s good. You haven't really fallen for River yet,” she told me. I was just staring at her because of that.

"Kissing someone when you already have a husband, huh?" She even laughed that you thought she was crazy. She didn't even get mad at me because of that. She instead just tapped my shoulders. I can't help but look at her with confusion on my face.