Bare (Royal Society #2) COMPLETED

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Six

Unexpected Encounter

Maybe I should have answered her question. Maybe I should have thoroughly thought about it instead of disregarding it. Maybe I should have asked Elise on how she will face Zachary.

I should have done all that... but why didn't I?

Is it because I believed that there will be no chance at all for us to meet? Not even a little, that's what I'm assumed. 

But I should have known, that all my assumptions turn out to be wrong - every single time. 

I remained staring at Izaac who just stopped running as soon as he saw me, even from a far. Humihingal siya habang naestatwang nakatayo sa harapan ko. And like him, I felt like I was struck by lightning.

Slowly, he walked towards me. He looked like a model walking in the field. The harsh wind blew to our side and I saw how his hair got messed up but he didn't care about it.

When he is nearing me, I avoided his gaze, that intense gaze. Please don't fall again, Arlaise Dawn Miranda. You barely got up from heartbreak, I don't want to go through that phase again. Never. Again.

"Arlaise," he called with his raged breathing and... and... and... he suddenly hugged me tight.

When he let go of me, he caressed my face... and I liked the feeling. 

That snapped me out of my trance.

I quickly removed his hold from mine and pushed him away. Yes, Arlaise. Push him!

"I-I'm sorry, I got excited for a moment because I finally can see you up close," he stuttered, trying to come up with better reason. I know him well... I used to know him well.

As he continuously make up reasons, I surveyed his look. He is wearing a coat and long sleeves like the usual but the only difference is that he looked... rugged with his look for some reason. Maybe it's the opened three buttons that shows his chest a bit. 

This look... suits him well especially he matured... physically, yes. His body before was not this great although he has muscles in the right places, the Izaac in front of me, looked better than before.

But I can't still look at his face. His expression earlier was etched in my mind, the pain, longing, and devastation. It's all there and I can't bring myself to it again. 

After mindlessly explaining his side, I asked him. "Why now, Izaac?"

"Didn't you hear me? I asked why now?" I asked again when I didn't hear any response from him.

He sighed. "If you want to receive a proper response from me, then look me in the eyes, Arlaise. I want your eyes on me, not on my chest."

I frowned. The audacity! I angrily looked at him but he was looking at me softly... just like how he used to stare at me.

"There, there. Keep your eyes on me and I'll answer you."

Is he kidding me? How could I construct a question when he was staring at me like that? He's looking at me like he is penetrating my soul, searching for hidden treasure. 

"Izaac..."

He smiled. "One more time," he said, confusing me. "Call me one more time, Arlaise."

"I-Izaac."

"Thank you," he said, taking a step away from me.

He took a deep breath before opening his mouth again, but no words came out. I knew by then that he can't tell me the answer I'm looking for.

Kaya naman tumalikod na ako sa kaniya. I don't see any sense of talking to him anymore. I would have stayed if only he would give a reason to. And as I turned my back on him, I heard him.

"I'm scared." He started which made me look at him. "For the past years, I'm contented seeing you from a distance, hearing news about you and your achievements, and watching our child grow up. I was fine with all of that, no, it's more than enough for me. But seeing you this close... seeing you in front of me, talking to me, makes me want to be selfish again."

I faced him. "Seeing me from a distance? Hearing news about me? Watching our child? For the past four years? You settled yourself like a stalker?"

I'm bewildered with what I've just heard. He is worse than a stalker! At least a stalker would finally show up in front of you after reaching his limit in watching you. But him... he was like that for the past four years. 

It makes me wonder how he was able to settle himself with that. How he was able to stop himself from introducing himself to Siah. How he was able to live like that... is a wonder to me.

Izaac being patient. Izaac keeping his light in darkness. Izaac not pushing his wants.

He really matured because the Izaac I know before would really push his wants and won't think about anyone else as long as he gets what he wants. That's how he is, stubborn and selfish. But he has a soft heart, that's something I wished remain the same.

He nodded at me... and smiled. Like it was okay for him. But it wasn't for me.

"You're really something, Izaac Archirale. You lasted that long without any plans of showing up kung hindi lang tayo aksidenteng nagkita dito. Yun ba ang plano mo?" Again, he nodded.

I slapped him. "Then continue living like that! I will pretend that I didn't see you here, that I didn't hear anything from you. I will continue my life as well, forgetting I met a coward man like you."

And as I turned my back on him, he grabbed my wrist. "Then what do you want me to do, Arlaise? Show up in front of you like nothing happened? Like I didn't break your heart and impregnated you? Like I didn't leave you behind and our child?" He asked. "Do you really prefer that, Arlaise?"

He is mad that I can't help but to scoff at him. "Yes, Izaac. I would rather you showing up with that thick-face of yours than hearing how you lived pitifully the past years. Because you are a Prince, Izaac..."

"Do you understand? You should not live -"

"Who cares about that damn title? It only ruins life!" He shouted and his eyes are brimming with tears.

"Izaac, no matter what the people say, you are the Prince of East Clan. They... they can't change that."

He looked at me with disappointment. "You... You knew? Do you... do you know how much I tried to keep that information away from you?"

"Why would you deprive of that, Izaac? I know we broke up but it doesn't mean I won't care a-"

Then he snapped. "Because I don't want you to pity me! Everyone else can look me at like that but not you. Everyone else can... but please don't, Arlaise."

"Izaac..."

"I can stand their stares but if you look at me like them, then what am I suppose to do? Tell me! What am I suppose to do?"

I looked at him and my heart broke for the man I loved the most. I know what he feels like, I know the feeling of being confused and wondering why was everything so messed up?

Living in life full of lie is destructing especially when it concerns the family that became your home, the family that was suppose to give you support in every way. Everything was crumbling down right in front of your eyes and you won't have any energy left to save it from being broken because how could you... when you're also broken?

"Arlaise... save me, please, you were my home then and you're still now."

***

Welcome back, Izaac!