One More Chance
Chapter 61: Let her go

~~~I can tell her my troubles, she makes them all seem right. I can make up excuses not to hold her at night. We can talk of tomorrow, I'll tell her the things that I want to do. How can I tell her I don't miss her whenever I'm away? How can I tell it's you I think of every single night and day? But when is it easy telling someone we're through? Everything seems right whenever I'm with you~~~

-Lobo-

Luke's POV:

I was busy analyzing the report that just came from the marketing department when my secretary buzzed the intercom. "Sir, your mom had just called."

My eyebrows creased in confusion.

"My mom as in my mother?" I asked as I wasn't sure if it was my mother or my mother-in-law.

"Yes, Sir, your mother, Mrs Lilian Williams.

"Okay, why did she call and what did she tell you?"

"She just asked about your schedules today and if you're here in the office at the moment."

"She asked about my schedules?" I repeat, the lines on my forehead just got deeper. "Did she tell you the reason?"

"No, Sir, but I think she has something to tell you."

"Okay, thanks, Olga."

I sighed and leaned back in my chair as it got me confused even more. My mom had just called my secretary and asked about my schedules instead of calling me and asking me personally.

I was about to call her and ask why, but I really need to finish the report on my computer. I turned my attention back to the screen and after a few minutes, I was back on track again.

At that moment, I have no idea that my mother was already in the lobby when she called my secretary. She was just checking if I was in the office, so when she found out I hadn't left the building, she used the service lift to get to the executive floor immediately. It was exactly 10 minutes after Olga informed me that my mom called her and now she has suddenly barged into my office.

"Mom?" I was shocked to see her, but what shocked me most was her serious expression.

"Sit down, Luke and explain all this to me!" She said walking towards my table and threw the brown envelope in front of me. "What is this?" I asked, confused.

"I don't know, why don't you explain it to me?"

Based on the way she talked to me, I know she's mad. I opened the brown envelope and what I saw caught in my throat.

Pictures.

Pictures of me and Cherry in the restaurant... the same restaurant where Samantha showed up in front of us, telling us that we should go because Dale was in the same place with us.

"I think I don't have to ask you who she is because I still remember her, but what I'm going to ask you is why are you with her?"

"Where did you get this?" I asked, clenching my teeth. "Who gave you these pictures?"

"Is it really important to you who gave me that damn pictures than answering my question, huh, Luke?"

But I didn't answer her question.

"Who took these pictures, mom, is it Samantha?"

But she also didn't answer mine.

"Why are you going out with that woman again? Why are you cheating on your wife?"

"Mom---"

"Answer me, Luke Marcuz!"

I let out a frustrated sigh and looked at her.

"She's not just a woman to me, mom, she's my girlfriend! And I go out with her because I love her!"

"Oh, my God!" Her mouth hung in mid-air. "But you already have a wife, you already have a family! Why are you doing this, son? Does your wife know about this?"

Her last question answered the question I asked her earlier.

She's asking if Samantha knew about Cherry, so it means the pictures were not from Samantha.

"One of my friends saw you in Union Square, which of course I didn't believe her at first, so I hired a private investigator and he gave me all these this morning!" She slammed her hands on the table. "Why are you doing this?" "Mom---"

"What's in that woman that your wife doesn't have? Aren't you happy with her or with your family?"

"I don't love, Samantha." I simply answered and walked over to the huge glass window. "I thought I will learn to love her over the years, but I was wrong."

"So is that why you decided to cheat on her?" She asked as she followed me. "But you have a daughter, don't you think what will happen to her?"

"Mom, you know from the very start that I can support my daughter even without marrying Samantha, but instead, I listened to you and dad that we should get married. I gave up on what Cherry and I have four years ago just to be a father and a husband to her and now that Cherry is back, I realized I didn't love Samantha, I never loved her."

"Oh, holy God, what would your father and in-laws think when they happened to know all this?"

"I'm not afraid to face them and tell them the truth. Mom, it's been four years that I was being trapped in a loveless marriage, I hope you would understand me this time."

"Did your wife know that you and your ex-girlfriend are being together again?"

"Yes, she knew everything."

Ohh..." She gasped in shock. The mixture of shock, disappointment and hurt was shown in her eyes as her hand automatically raised over her chest. "My poor Samantha."

I looked away when I saw the tears formed in her eyes. I know how much she and dad were fond of her, they treat her like their own daughter.

"I couldn't imagine the pain she felt every day knowing all this and I feel pity for her. She must have been hurt when she found out, but she remained quiet." She started walking towards me. "Now I know how much your wife loves you for staying with you through all these years, despite the pain and heartache you're giving to her. She's really a nice person to keep your secrets safe from all of us. A good mother to your daughter and a woman with passion. So I'm confused as to why you didn't learn to love such a compassionate woman like her."

I sighed and then turned to her with a faint smile painted on my lips.

"I'm sorry, mom."

"Is there really no chance for your family to be fixed, Luke?"

"Mom, I can't let go of Cherry, honestly, I never forget her."

"You can't let her go, but you can easily let go of your family, the precious family you've had and still have these past few years? Are you just gonna let them fall, Luke?"

I didn't answer her questions. I just chose to remain silent as I looked at the busy street of San Francisco outside the building.

"So what's your plan for your mistress?"

My head snapped at her.

"She's not my mistress!"

"Then who is she, your second wife? Luke, I never raised you to be this irresponsible and selfish person! You're no longer a child for not thinking of your actions!"

I remained quiet again.

"What are your plans now? Because based on how you defend that woman, it seems to me that you have no plans of letting her go and you will choose to be with her rather than being with your family."

I heard her sigh.

"Over the past few years, I've been so proud and happy to see you with your family, but after knowing how you cheated and hurt your wife, I don't know, I mean, I couldn't explain the disappointment I felt for you." She said shaking her head. "Mom...?" I called her when she started walking towards the door.

She stopped and turned to me, wearing the saddest smile I've ever seen in her.

"I just hope you won't regret what you did, son. You still have time to fix everything, but I guess you're already blinded by your feelings to that woman."

"Why do I feel like it's all my fault? Yes, I admit, cheating is a big mistake, but why when Sam made a mistake, you just forgave her right away?"

"And what mistake did Sam do, that she seduced you and got pregnant to your daughter? Yes, what she did was wrong, but she learned her lesson, so don't compare your mistake with what she did to you four years ago because it's completely different! She never cheated on you nor looked at other men, instead, she stayed by your side even though she knew you never have feelings for her!"

When she was about to open the door, I heard her voice again.

"If you really don't love your wife, maybe it's time to set her free."

That made my eyebrow creased in confusion.

"Let her go. Tell her that you two should already file a divorce."

"What?"

"Because I can't tolerate my own son doing such a thing to hurt his wife who I have already treated like my own daughter. Maybe you aren't really meant for each other, so I think it's time to let her do what she wants. You said you were trapped in a loveless marriage, but you forgot that she too was trapped in a one-sided love affair. So let her go, let her find a man who will love and will truly care for her, the man she deserves and who also deserves her love because you don't deserve such a kind woman like her. Someday, when she finally moved on and you see her happy with someone else, I hope by that time, you won't regret your decision of dumping her."

At that moment, I really wanted to open my mouth and speak, but I don't know why there were no words that forming in my head.

I remained standing near the huge glass window even when she opened the door and already left my office.