At that very second, it felt like my soul had been ripped out from my body. I collapsed onto the couch, utterly drained.
Still, I forced myself to ask with feigned concern, "How come you get a cold? Is it serious?"
When I spoke, my voice trembled and I felt so lonely. Sadly, Laura did not notice anything.
"No, it’s nothing," Laura replied casually. "I’ll just take some medicine and sleep it off."
Meanwhile, Jock kept fondling her body and Laura could not help but pout and shoot a reproachful glance at him.
With her eyes, she signaled him to stop. Yet, Jock scooped her up in his arms and took her to the guest room.
When they were out of sight, I reached into my pocket, pulled out my phone and discreetly took a few pictures of their affair.
Jock turned his head around to look at me, smirked at me and silently mouthed, "Blind."
For a split second, I nearly lost control. I almost rushed over and beat him up but I managed to hold back.
When they left, my nose turned sour and my eyes burned. Even though I had resolved to leave her, to put her behind me, the pain still cut deep.
Laura had once promised never to lie to me and never to betray me. Yet she did not keep her promise.
I took a deep breath and dialed my master’s number. I told him. "Master, this is Jerome. I'm ready to join you at the base."
"Are you certain?" my master asked. "Once you enter the base, you won’t be able to leave for years. You’ll be cut off from the outside world. Are you really prepared to leave Laura behind?"
"I’m certain," I replied without hesitation.
There was a long pause at the other end before he finally asked, "Does she know your decision?"
In the past, I kept stalling because I could not bear to part with Laura. However, it was she who made this choice for me.
I gave a quick glance at the guest room. Its door was tightly shut but I could still hear the continuous lewd sound of man and woman coupling.
I had wasted so many years wallowing in self-pity even though I had so many talents. Now, I have made a decision to move forward, took this responsibility and helped my master to solve problems.
"My decision doesn’t require her consent," I added.
"Good," he said, his tone filled with approval. "That’s the student I’m proud of! Don't disappoint me."