SECOND CHANCES

I DROPPED A call to Mom. I let her know that we will spend here tonight and tomorrow we will go

home.

I just wore my nightdress after having taken a quick shower. I went straight to the kitchen to make

coffee, but it was delayed when I heard a series of doorbell sounds.

My heart starts pounding. I have no expected guests, especially this late-night time.

“Margaux, open this door.” From .

I heard Peter’s voice outside.

“Margaux, let’s talk, please . . .” His voice was blaring outside the door. I guess he’s drank based on his

loud shout.

Because I did not want to disturb the other unit, I quickly went to the door to open it. And his usual

playful smile had drawn into his face welcomed me.

“Hi,” he uttered softly.

I opened the door wide to let him in.

“What are you doing here? I guess you stayed too late,” I said carefully.

He did not answer, but instead, he sat down on the couch there and closed his eyes firmly. I first

watched him carefully, still wearing the polo shirt he was wearing earlier, and also based on the smell of

him, I am sure he drank a lot.

I sighed heavily. It was as if my heart wanted to crush me while I was lying on it. I know I hurt him too

much. If I could just retract what I said before, I would do it, but I know that it will not change the fact

that I refused the marriage he offered.

“Uh, I’ll just make you some coffee,” I said.

I quickly turned my back on him and made my way to the kitchen. My heart labored from both rush and

nervousness. If I had not taken action, I would have ended up in boiling water.

But I almost jump off to my feet when Peter was encircling his long arms around my waist. I almost

threw the coffee I was mixing in to the cup because of the shock.

“Hmm, I missed you so much,” he said huskily behind my ear. The scorching heat of his body behind

me made my knees tremble.

“Peter, you’re drunk,” I whispered.

I close my eyes as he finally hugs my two arms. I could feel his hot breath attacking my skin. I finally let

go of the teaspoon I was holding and clung tightly to the sink.

“Peter . . .” My eyes heat up as I whispered his name slowly.

“I am ready to wait for you. Just let me love you,” he said huskily and planted a kiss on my shoulder.

I bit my lip and shook it, and gathered air in my chest to have the courage to face him. And so much to

my surprise, he doesn’t move away from me. Unlike before, it feels like it burns when our bodies stick

together like this.

I could do nothing but lean on the sink. My whole body was trembling, seemingly changing in his

actions.

His dark brown eyes were looking hard at me. He bent slightly to observe me closely. “I pray that you

feel the same way as I do. The feeling I get when you look at me, that time-the first time,” he muttered

closely.

I shook my head before it began to shake. “I really don’t have enough to say to you at this very

moment,” he told me in a sharp tone.

I feel the fear in my chest as I looked at his eyes filled with utter rage. It was too late to avoid him

because, in a flash, his lips dropped on me.

He kissed me not so gently but roughly. I can feel his hand in my hair, then move down to my back. I

quickly grabbed both of his arms to push him, but he was too strong.

“Peter, stop . . .” I said in between my sharp breathe.

His right hand drops to my thigh, pulling up my nightgown. My eyes widened at what he did. The side of

his thighs is pressed against mine. I gradually lost strength because of the struggle.

This is not Peter. It is far from the Peter I met.

“No, Peter!” I screamed out.

But he did not listen. His tongue was tasting my breath, and he opened my mouth forcefully. I also felt

his naughty hand rest on the top of my dress. Then he reaches for my breast, and his mouth lets out a

moan in ecstasy.

It was there that I felt the hot tears quickly flow down my cheeks. Gradually I lost my strength. I did not

even get to fight it.

Until I could feel his sudden cessation, he also quickly released me as I chased the breath.

“Fuck!” he said sharply.

He finally receded as he washed both palms of his face.

I hear my own sounds, like a distressed child. I had no strength sitting on the floor. I could no longer

speak due to excessive emotions.

“I-I’m sorry,” he said as he walked to the front door and left me.

***

“DORIS, PLEASE TAKE care of Clarence, and don’t forget to give him his vitamins on time!” I ordered

her while preparing to go to the office today. It has been a month since I returned to work.

Dad will be retiring soon, and I will replace him as president of our hotels. I am also preparing myself

for another challenge that I will manage soon. The time I spend in the office is no longer a joke

because of the work to do every day.

“Good morning, Ma’am!” simultaneous greetings from the employees since they saw me.

I greeted them back, wearing a lovely smile on my face.

“Coffee, Madam?”

“Yes, please, Karen,” I simply said.

I also went straight to my office. But even though I was not sitting on my working chair, I had already

received a text from Lawrence. He invited me for a dinner date tonight.

My heart blushed a little, and I felt the butterflies in my stomach burned my inside. There is nothing

wrong if I agree, right? I finally found myself typing a reply.

The huge smile plastering on my face when Karen brought the coffee to my table make her brows

arched a little.

“Hmm, what is that, Karen?” My brows twitched a bit as I sipped on my coffee.

“Peter is here,” she said with a sweet smile.

Suddenly, the smile on my lips faded from what I heard.

“Okay, go ahead. Let him come in. Thanks for this.” I raised my coffee before she left me with a sparing

smile.

Moments later, I heard a faint knock on the door before it opened.

My heart aches as I stared at him. His face was strong and defined while wearing a white shirt with a

starched jacket and black trousers. His hair was done nicely, eyes that told many stories that I’ve loved

hearing about. My heart was squeezing even more when I looked down at the bouquet of roses he was

carrying.

“Hi, good morning!” he greeted me warmly.

I got up from my seat to meet him. Even before I could get close, he took a step to kiss my cheek and

handed me the bouquet of roses.