When Everything Fails (De Chavez #2)

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

MY MOUTH fell lax as I processed her words. Slowly, they sank into my skin, like painful pangs of monsters mercilessly devouring the vestige of hope that I could save my relationship with Kei.

His mother wanted us to break apart and I was so damn well aware of where this stemmed from. The drought started to suffuse in my throat no matter how much I tried to swallow hard, the dryness made the words stuck in my throat. I was at a loss for words while looking at the woman I was very much intimidated by.

The tic in my face indicated the fear, anger, and resentment that were deeply rooted in my chest. All those emotions weren't directed to the woman next to me but rather to the only person who caused this fiasco in my life. However, Rachelle de Chavez was the one who unleashed those monsters from being tethered, per se.

She looked at me as if she was assessing my expression. I knew that my face was emitting sourness from the command she just lifted.

"His father was upset about the rumors. . ." She added, as if she fathomed the reluctance in my expression, "He's the inheritor of our business, Aisha. We cannot risk his name with these pathetic issues. I know my son and I know that he will not stoop to that level."

I nodded, biting the inside of my cheek, "This was all a charade, ma'am. . ." I tried to grab a hold onto the small amount of bravado left in my wake, "I am selfish for wanting Kei so badly I never thought about his welfare."

Her cold stare did not falter despite the words I uttered. I understood her expression. Over the course of some time I knew Rachelle de Chavez, I knew that nothing could wipe that cold expression unless you were her husband or her child.

"It's aggravating to see some people judging my son." She uttered coolly, "His father is so upset and he wants him to go home. . . to go back to La Union."

With that, my heart clenched painfully. His father wanted him to go back to his hometown. Because of what I did. Because of the people who blindly adoring me. Wala akong masabi. Walang salita na lumabas mula sa aking bibig. I didn't know what to do or say. Was I ready to let Kei go? Would I let him suffer under the arms of all the people who misjudged him just because they thought I was an instrument to attend to their every whim? Would I let him go because this what should I be doing?

"He doesn't like going home to La Union. He said his life is here in Manila. He likes it here and all these years we thought the reason was the good school you both attended but I know now the sole reason why he likes to stay here." A sigh slipped out of her lips, "He likes you enough to settle for the less you can give. My son deserves better than what you can offer to him right now."

I swallowed hard. Tears prickled at the back of my eyes as I listened to her every word that equated like daggers simply ripping my heart into tiny shards. I was aware that I didn't deserve Kei. All I can give to him was a relationship under the covers; under pretense. We loved in the dark; we hid our feelings from the people around us. All because of the NDA I signed almost two years ago.

"I love him, ma'am." I really did. I fucking did love him.

The words did not make anything to her. She just stared at me emotionless. I bit the bottom of my lips in hopes to stifle a sob to escape from my lips. But a lone tear trickled down my cheek and that gave me off. I looked down at my fidgeting fingers. If she were not the woman who carried Kei for nine months, I would have stood up and shoved her out of my apartment. Her words were too painful and too blunt.

"I know you do," she nodded absentmindedly, ". . . and he loves you too. But I cannot settle for the less you can give to my son, Aisha. We can't let this ruin his image especially that he's the one who will run our business someday." She sat erect and cleared her throat, "I intend to make this conversation short and I expect you to cooperate. Break up with him."