I was not sure where was my Mom going, all I knew was that she left us soon as Neil came closer to me to say something. Me being so paranoid waited for him to explain. If this was all about Felicia again, then what's the problem?
"It's hard to say this but you really need to know this thing," I heard him again. His voice weak as if he could collapse in any moment. "Sydney, I need your understanding this time. But, if you're not agreeing with your mom's decision, then that is still okay for me."
"Tell me what is it," I said, popping the 't'.
"Felicia is now residing in the hospital."
Silence fell. And soon as I did not answer, he spoke up again, "I know you two are not in good terms that's why I rejected your Mom's demand of me taking care of that woman. And if you are asking why your Mom encouraged me is that Felicia requested it."
My lips were in a grim line as I nodded my head.
For our dinner, Marixa nominated herself to cook the foods, and I just let her for me to think some things on my own. Right now, even though I had lots of regrets, I still was waiting for Neil fulfill his promise about him coming in here so that we both could talk.Although until now, I did not receive any updates from him. I contacted Mom but she was out of coverage. Only Daniel exerted effort in asking about my status. Only him."Hey, baby girl. The foods are ready, we should really prepare yourself because I am planing to do something," Marixa's head showed up like a little kid's on my door. "Well, I am just planning to help about you seducing your husband. You're good at performing in stage but you really suck at charming your husband.""Shut up!" I said, and we both laughed. Both of us had fun in teasing each other, specially now that I had known her background status. Currently, she's liking someone whom also her best friend. She never mentioned a name but
I did not have any idea how I got fallen asleep that night, maybe something miracle happened for me to close my eyes. I was feeling threatened but because I was in Neil's room, I felt somehow secured.If I would say the truth, I was panicking, and so was Marixa. Unfortunately, I did not manage to message to Neil because of one thing : he was busy. Maybe I would just tell him once I found a perfect timing to."Hey, wake up, sleepy head. I have something to tell you," I heard Matixa, and I panicked at bit. What did she want to say? Was something bad happened again? Did someone trespass in here? "But do not worry, this is not all about what happened yesterday," she assured me as I sat on my bed. "Your husband in here. He is in the living room and--"I never gave her the chance to continue talking because I immediately fixed myself up and went to the bathroom. I was right at the thought that I looked like a monster. My eyes were bloodshot which was the proof that I
On the following days, Daniel and Neil did not show up because of busy days, specially Neil, news of him linking with different girls had been exploded, and so there was no doubt that he started to become very private for the paparazzi not to notice him. And if you would ask my how was my life going, I could say that I was bored to the core. I was with Marixa though I needed to do some activities to cure my boredom.Days had passed, and even Neil's shadow did not reveal itself. He's really busy, huh?On the following days, three policies looked for me and announced something. They told me that Neil asked for a favor and that's making me see the psycho guard who wanted to harass me. Marixa and I, therefore, went to the police custody, and we met a man whose physical appearance screamed for dirtiness. It was not my intention to judge him because of that but because of what he did urged me to."You are safe. You can ask him
"Thank you very much," I heard her, she's crying still, and I could not hug her because doing that also meant hurting my own self. That's it. I had said a promise I should face. Soon as my tears began to fall, someone joined in the scene, and it was mom. In her hands, she was carrying lots of healthy foods like fresh fruits. At first, her eyes were full of worries, obviously because of Felicia, but as she noticed me, her eyes widened in surprise."You are here. I was expecting Neil to be in here and not you," she uttered using her firn voice. "And what's happening with you two? I have been worrying for days yet here you adding some problems in my head again.""I am just happy, Auntie. I am because Sydney understands my situation." For some reason, that message of Felicia gave me cues to look around. "She told me that she would encourage Neil to take care of me. That's a good news, right, Auntie?"I was not seeing Mom's f
At the end, Neil just shook his own head, disagreeing at my decision. He seemed so untamable, as if no matter if I told him all the reasons existing in this world, he would not still like to let me go."I have a plan. Just go with the flow," he said and sipped on his coffee for the last time. He also invited me to take my breakfast and I just followed him. For minutes, I did not have any strength to speak."How's your day yesterday?" I heard him asking me.I stared at my own plate, finding for an answer in it. "My day was okay--""Another lie again," he cut me off. "As what as I said, I will take care of Felicia. If possible I wll visit her everyday. But that doesn't mean I will not come back you, alright?"I was still unconvinced. I could already imagined my Mom's scolds because I failed in encouraging Neil."She's sick. Why can't you just accept their favor?""How many times do I have to tell you that I do not care about her conditi
I could not blink anymore. I wanted to make sure if I was just in a terrible nightmare or what but when my heart thumped so hard inside my chest, I instantly got the idea that everything was real, and that included of Neil in my front wearing the kind of expression that reflected as how disappointed he was on me.I knew that kind of expression was all about that land. And this time, too bad, but I prepared nothing to defend my side because I myself could not even understand myself why an obnoxious idea formed in my head these past few days."Hey, you are awake. What do you want?" I asked to break the tension. Good thing he smiled a little bit."I already fed myself before I came in here. Thanks for asking," he uttered with formalism. His hands on his pockets, he locked my eyes using his. "So, why did you sell that land?""I have the right to because... That's not even yours!" Goodness! Please, anyone, gave me strength because it seemed like there's still
I never planned to stay in this place for too long because Neil might come in here and it's possible for him to notify me that's why it was better for me to be sure. I took a one-minute rest and that meant of sitting all alone in a sofa thinking for my next plan. Damn. I should have made for a plan B. Coming in here without any backup plan was one of the dumb moves I had ever done for this day. Having a plan B, C, D was crucial for someone like me who had lots of doubts and second thoughts."Are you planning to go back in here again, Ma'am?" the maid asked me as she saw me standing up with finality."Not anymore."Too bad but I could not find any reason to come back in here. Unless I would plan something to steal from here-- kidding."Sir Neil is not always in here. It's impossible for him to be in here for hours. Aside from he is busy, I guess he really does not want this place anymore."That's what I received from her again, and it marked in my s
There were many times that I tried to surrender, but I knew that I was almost in there... I thought everything was finally settled since Felicia and I were becoming friends, but that what was just I knew, because the truth was, the exchange of becoming closer to her was starting in losing my connection to my own husband.I again, tried not to mind what's happening, but it's so painful to the core... Everytime I heard Felicia on the other line calling my husband's name, not to mention that Neil would answer her with so much adoration in his voice... I felt like there was no reason to be happy anymore.And Marixa's words were like a curse, for she once said that I one day I would really regret selling that land, and it really was now happening. Words were powerless to describe how I wanted to go back in the time and changed what I did days ago.I had been crying for days. I ate sorrows as my breakfasts, regrets as my lunches
Mom and I were finally okay. She asked for my forgiveness even though I never loathed her. For all the bad things she had done to me, I still loved her. Nothing could change that fact."What is the name of this place once again, Mom?" Kyra asked curiously as she roamed her eyes around the place.A smile touched my lips. "Azucalda."We were safe to live not worrying about anything. Ambrosia's family were now settled in jail. Daniel, also, already found his life, the woman who would change the fake romantic love he felt towards me. "This is where we belong, Kyra. Be comfortable in this place, because starting from now, we will leave here, we will start new memories," I hugged her."When Dad will come back?" she asked me out of the blue. "I mean, we have been already waiting for years! Last night, Dad and I talked, but since this morning, he never texted me anymore. I am worrying, Mom! What if he alread
"If I could just turn back the time."I was used to say that statement to myself. Days and years without Sydney, I realized life was hard without her. Though I had no choice, I could not get her back because I had no right. I hurt her. I should face the consequences of my actions."Sydney has a daughter, Auntie. And she is now currently studying. She is an academic achiever," Marcus informed me. Marcus was one of my enemy before even though we were blood related, but as time gone by, we became close and decided to help each other."I have a granddaughter, then..." I whispered using my weak voice. That meant that Sydney was pregnant during the moments she was not in this country. That meant she lived without my guide. That meant she raised my grandaughter alone. "I have remembered what you told me before. You told me she has a business in this country, right?"He nodded. "She owns a grocery."&
We still lived in the same house, and I witnessed how they both loved each other. But I never liked that."Auntie Trinidad, I successfully closed the deal," Neil announced to me. To my delight, I smiled. "Thanks to Sydney, though. He pushed me to work hard."I heard a lot of news from work, especially from company employees. Because Sydney and Neil worked often at the same time... they also went home together so that caused surprise to others."I know they are both married," Marcus threatened me. This businessman had never really changed. Still ruthless. There was no sanctification. Even so, I still treated him well because we were just relatives. I know he was not gay to spread the word."Just do not let them know." I got up. I would have planned to build a boutique. Because since I was a child, that was really what I wanted to have. Now that Neil was taking care of the company, maybe
"Starting today, you are the only one I will love. Expect me to love you every day."I closed my eyes when Zimon, my husband, gently gave his tender kisses to me. To this day, I still could not believe it. We were married. We were officially legal.Our family welcomed us as well. Nothing could stop us from being together. We would also be able to form our dreams together, and one of them was having a child, or if possible ‘children’. We even wanted a girl to be our first child. But what the Lord gave us, we would wholeheartedly accept it."Zimon, here is your lunchbox. Please, do not stay up too late at work. I know you want to give us a very good future but we are already rich. I am not proud of our living condition, but I just hope you learn how to rest, okay?"That was really what I kelt reminding him of. Health was important so I wanted him to take care of himself. We would have a chi
How many times had I tried to love my child as much as many mothers like me love. But even so, I still could not bear to look at her without remembering what his Dad did to me and how he hurt me until I was exhausted.I could say that me giving her birth was the most important event in my life, but like I said, I could not... I could not afford to love her, because whenever I smiled at her, I felt like I just forgave her Dad right away. And for me, that shoul not have happened. No one could stop me...I did not know if my own child hated me. If she wanted to hate me until she voluntarily gave up, go on! I did not care. Even if it was bad in the eyes of others, I would do what I thought was good for me, for the comfort of my chest."Is the average yourself from studying? How dare you smile at me while you were showing this shit to me? How many times have I told you that this grade is not enough for me? You are stupid, really. I am still wondering why you ev
When we were at the venue, we looked around. Until the woman who invited us to be in here acknowledged us with a big smile. I immediately recognized her because of the sweetness of her smile. She talked to us and the other guests. I could say the event was really social and prepared for elites because you could just see from the guests' gowns that they were really expensive. Not to mention that Neil Sandoval was admired by many."Hi, there is still an empty table near the long table. Other guests also want to meet you. Because you know how much everyone admires you, Neil Sandoval," the woman praised him again.Neil was really grabbing attention now, not only because he was handsome in what he was wearing, but also because he looked like the girl he was holding so tightly. Just a look at them and you would know that they were blood related - the way they walked was similar.Anyway, he was no longer wearing jogging pants. Before we finally went here we also reserv
"Thank you, Sydney," said the one in front of me. Because of the bonfire, his eyes seemed to be on fire as well. You could even mirror yourself through those orbs. "I will be back. I will be back safe. I am not going to hurt myself."I knew. Because of Kyra, you would have even more reason to be safe forever. We both knew we could not afford to see Kyra struggling, so that was enough reason for both of us to make sure we were safe."Are you cold already? Do you want us to go inside?" he asked me."You? Do you want to?""Yeah, so that Kyra can lie down properly."I laughed and immediately stood up. We entered the house, and I helped him put Kyra to bed. Even though I was just helping, I could already feel the weight of my daughter."I'm leaving--"I stopped him."Just sleep here. It's okay with me."He was shocked. He looked at me with indescribable amazement in his eyes. "All right. But I will just sleep on the sofa so y
"You are really sweet, Dad! Mama must have sweetly answered you so you prepared all of these!" Kyra shouted happily at Neil. Neil, on the other hand, still looked serious, who also seemed to just chose to smile even though the truth was, just like me, he also felt a lot of embarrassment right now.Soon, the cold wind blew, and we all sat down to begin what had to begin."Kyra, darling, don't be surprised by what we are going to say but ..." Neil took a deep breath, and in the depth of it, I almost drowned. "I'm doing this for you, for your future and for your mommy's. I can't just be here forever and happy without worrying about of our business."Kyra fell silent. Her smile faded. She turned to me, and I averted my eyes. I had tears in my eyes now, and I did not want them to see me being emotional.Maybe it was just because I was so tired. Tomorrow, I would definitely okay again."Are you leaving?" My daughter's voice was full of fear. I also rarel
I almost kissed him. I meant, I almost kissed him! Marcus' appearance was really right so that Neil wouldn't think that only Azucalda would soften my heart and push me to kiss him. Goodness, I still had to control myself. It was not because I was happy with what he said that I would tolerate it. You were indeed a great fool, self."Oh, why did you two stop? Go on with what you were supposed to do and I will just quietly watch it." And as expected, Marcus never left us again. He would really use what he saw to make me die of nervousness. "It's a pity that Kyra did not see you almost kissing. I hope I was able to take a picture too!"Neil picked up some sand and threw it towards my cousin's face. I also wanted to keep laughing at him because his cheeks were red like a ripe tomato."Jerk! Get out of here! You have a business problem so prioritize that over messing with us here!" I told him. Really, right? His business was also in danger so that was what he should f