Chapter 11:Zutto Hito no Soba ni (I'll be by his side forever)

As days passed, Tamara found herself growing fonder and fonder of her husband. She became accustomed to his glacial animosity and acerbic humor, often on her. She ignored the fact that Earl makes it a point everyday to point out that she had to reduce to a cheap trick like seduction to put one over him.

Eriol wanted to wring Earl's neck for hurting Tamara that way, and he had to remind himself that it was all a story. Earl and Tamara were just characters created by electromagnetic impulses in Moonlight Blossom's cerebral factory.

On the other hand, he was torn between admiration and pity for Tamara. She endured his scathing apathy with no complaint, and served him as a devoted wife. She chose to stay mum when he mocks her,and when she couldn't bear his insults anymore, she retreats to her room and this is where she releases all her emotions.

Once Nadine asked Tamara why she still chose to stay with him.

"I mean, I know it was my stupid idea that ruined your life but.." She bit her lip. "I can understand if you still want to ask your freedom from him again."

Tamara continued polishing the plates. "He needs me," she said simply.

The housekeeper cocked an eyebrow. "Yeah right, as a scapegoat for his jackass attitude."

"It's not that." She placed the plate on the stack. "I myself cannot explain it. Anyway, I just want to stay by his side forever."

"Tell me the truth, Tamara," said Nadine, looking straight at her eyes. "Why are you doing this?"

Her eyes turned misty. "I have learned to love my husdband.""



Eriol felt his heart melt. Damn, he suddenly felt like he fell in love with the novel's heroine already. Tamara may be a martyr, but in his eyes, she was the epitome of forbearance.

Ah, if only Tamara was real, then he could offer himself to her.

He laughed silently. Tamara would be number 2 in his list, for the undisputed number 1 in his heart was still Daidouji Tomoyo, the girl he cherished deep in his heart since childhood.

His inamorata, then now and forever.

He clicked the scrollbar and was disappointed to see the word tsuzuku after a few paragraphs. he decided to wrap the chapter up.



Tamara heard the gates open. Her mauve eyes lit up. It was Earl, surely. She excitedly opened the front door to welcome him, but upon opening the door, shock registered in her face.

Earl was kissing someone in his car!

Pain sliced through her heart as teardrops formed in her eyes. She quickly shut the front door so as not to let them know she saw them.


Earl pulled away, looking at his secretary furiously. "Kathrine, I told you, I'm a married man already!"

She petulantly crossed her arms over her chest. "To that artless housemaid? My word, Earl Harrison! What has gotten over you, marrying a hired help?"

"I don't think my private affairs is still your business, Ms.Mackenzie," he said through gritted teeth. "And I suggest that if you still want to keep your job, don't you ever dare to insult my wife in front of me again!" He opened the car door and slammed it shut.

Kathrine got out too and walked towards her apartment a few blocks away. She turned towards her boss again. "I will see you tomorrow, hon," she purred.

He glared at her before walking inside the gates of his mansion. He would just get his car later. He wanted to get away from his secretary first.

Inside his house, he was surprised to see Nadine standing in the dining room, waiting for him.

"Where is Tamara?" he asked, puzzled. It was always his wife who waits for his arrival.

"She's not feeling well, Master," the housekeeper replied politely.

His apetite vanished. Worry had overtaken him. Not wasting time, he took the flight of stairs two at a time.

He entered the master's bedroom and there he saw his wife lying on the bed. "Tamara?"

He thought he could hear muffled crying. He grew more alarmed. "Tamara, what's wrong? Are you sick?" he asked urgently, joining her in bed. He touched her forehead in concern.

"I-I'm not sick," Tamara wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled weakly. "Have you eaten dinner already?"

"N-Not yet. I checked on you first-"

She shook her head. "I feel fine."

Earl frowned. "Then why are you crying?" He absent-mindedly dried her tears with his hand.

She looked at her husband, stunned. She couldn't understand his sudden concern for her.

He read her mind. He quickly withdrew his hand and inched away from her. "Tamara, I demand to kow what is wrong," he forced his voice to remain emotionless.

She rubbed her eyes swollen from crying. "I-I saw you with Ms.Mackenzie in the car.."

He cursed silently. "Damn, Tamara..what you saw in the car.."

She shook her head. "I know I'm not suppose to meddle with your private affairs but..but.." She looked at him tearfully. "..you hurt me. I could bear your mockings and scorns on my absolutely pathetic trick to make you marry me..but not this. Don't hurt me this way please.." she whispered, voice hoarse.

Something tugged in his heart. "Kathrine means nothing to me."

"Everything..everyone means nothing to you," she shot back bitterly. "Especially me."

"That is not true, Tamara," he said. "You are my wife in the eyes of society and of God. No one can contest that. That means something to me." He reached for her and kissed her tears one by one.

Magically, Tamara's grief was melted by his passionate fire. Oh how weak she was, easily getting carried away by his mere touch..by his mere kiss.

Earl tipped her chin up gingerly, their faces a few inches away from each other. "Tamara..Tamara..look at me. Do you see any trace of guilt in my face? Tamara, it is only you in my life?""

She nodded. She believed him. She had no other choice but to believe him.



Eriol gasped when he read 'tsuzuku'. Hell, Tomoyo Daidouji was a witch, period.

"Master Eriol?" Nakuru went into his room, distressed. "Master, we had a visitor awhile ago."

Spinel, who was lazily sleeping on the window pane, looked up. "Don't tell me you found another 'orphan' to adopt like Tomoyo."

"No, it's-"

"Ice Blue Eyes, get dressed! You still have to treat me to a dinner, remember?" said Tomoyo, coming into his room.

"How could I forget that?" He stood up and stretched. "i'm going to change right now."

"Great!" beamed Tomoyo.

Nakuru speechlessly turned away.

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