I quickly got up from bed as if something was stirring in my stomach."Lucas," I called nervously when I saw him standing at the bathroom door. "You're home already," I added as I quickly washed my face to hide the puffiness of my eyes.I didn't catch him when I woke up. He was no longer by my side in bed. I had slept off my headache from earlier. It seemed I caught it when it started raining on Isla Juancho.The condo's door had already been replaced and was now completely secure, and he had complete trust in leaving me here alone. He couldn't leave earlier because he was worried that something unexpected might happen to me."Have you eaten?" I asked again when he didn't respond.I blinked when he felt my neck. "I bought medicine," he said and turned away."You didn't answer my question," I pressed as he left me in the bedroom."I passed by to get your food from outside so you wouldn't have to cook—" he started to say."I already cooked kare-kare," I interrupted him. I know he's bee
I felt like I was about to throw up my intestines. My mouth was sour, and all I could manage to expel was water. I washed my face to alleviate the dizziness. I was feeling so lightheaded as I sat down at the dining table. I reached for the glass of water that I'd been holding for a while. I wanted to rest, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I took the medicine Lucas gave me for the fever, but it still hadn't kicked in. After a moment, I decided to go to the veranda. I was momentarily halted as I passed by Lucas' room. From outside, I could clearly hear what they were watching. I just shook my head and continued to the veranda. I closed my eyes as the cool breeze met my face. Iris is still here, and it feels like she has no intention of leaving. I also have no right to claim Lucas back from her. As Iris mentioned, our annulment papers have been approved. Basically, I don't have any say in what Lucas chooses to do. Iris is no longer a mistress; she is the legal girlfriend. And
"Are you feeling well now?" Mommy asked when I found them in the dining room. They look like having a deep conversation. I mustered a weak smile. "I'm sorry for bothering you last night," I apologized. "What happened?" Daddy inquired, setting down the newspaper he was holding. I puffed up my cheeks, my eyes pleading as I looked at Mommy. I didn't know how to explain, and I also knew I had no coherent words to offer. Mommy shrugged, her shoulders sagging. I couldn't help but to sigh. I don't have a choice. "Did you have a fight with your husband?" "Lucas and I are getting a divorce. It's been approved," I replied, my response void of emotion. "What?" Daddy's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What are you thinking, Aurora?" he questioned, clearly displeased with what he'd just heard. "When did this happen, and why didn't we know? You didn't tell us, or your mother." I could only swallow hard and bow my head. "Your relationship seemed fine, Aurora. How did it come to this?" Mommy a
"Aurora, is that you?"I turned to the familiar voice and raised an eyebrow when I saw Haze. With an almost accusatory look, he lightly smacked me on the back and his eyes sparkled with excitement upon seeing me."Long time no see! I missed you!" he said cheerfully as he took a seat in front of me.I simply looked at him before taking a sip of my coffee."Aren't you going to take off those shades and cap? What are they for? You look ridiculous," he commented."You're the one who's practically all red from head to toe. Did I say anything about that?" I retorted.He wrinkled his nose and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm planning to dye it black again. It doesn't look right every time I attend a meeting.""It's good that you noticed," I prodded.Haze's frown deepened. "You've been acting really aloof lately. You haven't been replying to my messages, and when I call, you pick up but no one says anything—" "What?" I asked, finally fully paying attention.My cell phone had been gone for a
My attention shifted to my cell phone when it vibrated. I glanced away from Lucas, who was wiping away tears from his eyes."Haze," I answered his call."Are you okay? Where are you? That damn bodyguard of Martin's," he said angrily."Can you come pick me up here—" "Stay away from him, Aurora," Lucas interjected after taking my cell phone and ending Haze's call.Instead of responding, I reached for my cell phone, which he had in his hand, but he pulled it away from me. I gave him a stern look. There was no sign on his face that he would return it to me."Give it back to me," I calmly requested."For what? So you can meet up with him again?" he asked. "No, you're staying here. You're not leaving my condo.""What's the problem if I want to meet him? Even if I want to have sex with him, it's none of your business— I'm hurting, Lucas," I said as he forcefully choked me."What did you say?" he seethed with anger.Fear consumed me as I saw the fury in his eyes."Lucas, let go of me," I str
I grabbed my cell phone from him and turned to leave, but he quickly pulled me back, preventing me from getting out of the door."Let go of me!" I exclaimed in frustration as I struggled, but in an instant, he had me in his arms and was leading me towards his room."No, you stay here, Aurora. Don't be too stubborn!""You're the one being persistent! I already said I'm going home, didn't I? Do you hit your head somewhere to suddenly became stupid and can't understand?" I winced in pain as he forcibly brought me down onto his bed. There was a sharp and disapproving look in my eyes as I gazed at him."Is this what you learn every time you're with that fucking guy—""No, my question is, are you not finished, Lucas? Are you not done hurting me? Damn it," I chuckled. "I don't know what the hell is on your mind, and what you're planning for me, because you're acting the same way again."I couldn't continue speaking as he slowly removed his clothes one by one. I felt my throat go dry, watchin
Evening came, and Lucas was no longer by my side. He wasn't in the condo, and I had no idea where he had gone. Perhaps he was with Iris, as he had been spending his time with here ever since we returned from the island. I picked up my cell phone from the nightstand and checked it. There was no message from Mommy, and I was about to send them my goodbyes when I saw a recent text from Daddy. "Don't tell Aurora about it. She's already having a hard time, Lucas." I was slightly confused by the message, and as I contemplated its meaning, my cell phone suddenly rang. I sighed and answered it after seeing Haze's name on the screen. "Haze," I said as I picked up the call. I tilted my head in surprise as I heard what sounded like Haze crying on the other end of the line. "Hello, Haze? Are you there?" I asked. "Aurora," she called my name. I intentionally didn't respond and waited for him to speak, but he remained silent. "Haze?" I called out to him once again. "Can you come with me?"
"Aurora," a soft voice whispered, gently tapping my cheek. I stirred, feeling extremely weak as I slowly opened my eyes. My cheek throbbed painfully, probably from the dried blood that had already stopped from streaming down my face. The last thing I could recall was being hit on the head, and after that, they'd placed a sack over my head. "Can you run?" Lucas whispered softly. I shook my head. "Who's with you?" I asked, straining to hear any sounds around us. "You can ask that later," he replied, and he quickly undoing the ties on my legs and arms. I left with no choice when he suddenly pulled me off without any words and started running to leave that area. Despite my knees feeling like jelly, I did my best to keep up, knowing that if I didn't, we could both die. Panic surged in me when I heard two people approaching from where Lucas and I were currently hidden. "There are people," I whispered in alarm, even though I knew that he could hear them too. "Damn it," he muttered, pu