Isla De Fuego Series 3: Attention (EROTIC-ROMANCE)

Chapter Twenty-One: Why?

NICK sighed as he read Liana's love letter for the day. Hindi pa rin ito tumitigil sa pagbibigay sa kanya ng mga love letter kahit ano pang sabihin niya sa dalaga.

He knows her efforts are gonna be useless. He doesn't want a relationship, nor to get married. All he needed is a peaceful life in the island worrying nothing but his businesses.

He closed his eyes and slammed his back on the backrest of his swivel chair, thinking a way to reject Liana without being a jerk.

Nick started writing on the paper.

Dear Liana,

I'm flattered with your affections. Believe me, I appreciate it. But I'm afraid I cannot reciprocate your feelings. Ayaw kong masaktan ka dahil sa paghihintay na baka masuklian ko ang pagtingin mo.

You see, I'm trying to put myself in your shoes. I was thinking about what if it was me who's crushing over you? I may not be able to handle the heart ache of constantly being ignored. If it were me in your stead, I would've given up on a one-sided love. I hated waiting and waiting because time is valuable to me. You know what I mean, right? You've known me for quite some time now and you're smart, Liana. I'm sure you know.

I think it's better if you stop sending me letters. This will save you from disappointment. Trust me...

Nick paused and clicked his tongue from the roof of his mouth. No, this is too much. Liana will be devastated if she read his response.

In his mind flashed Liana's face. Her thick bangs covered her miserable face as she tried to avoid him and her feelings. He couldn't even imagine to see her looking at him without the sparkle of admiration from her eyes. She admired him and looked up on his and it will break her.

Nick shook his head and crumpled the rejection letter. He sighed and clenched his fists, banging it on his desk unconsciously.

No. He can't bear to watch her looking like that.

.

.

.

Chapter Twenty-One: Why?

ELLE almost swiped everything on her way to Nick's hospital room.

Nanginig ang kanyang mga labi nang makita ang walang malay na si Nick sa hospital bed. He had a minor concussion on his forehead and his face and arms are full of bruises and scratches.

She covered her mouth as the corner of her eyes burned. She sniffled and slammed her fist lightly on the glass window, her chest slowly breaking into shards.

This is her doing. She did this to Nick. Elle didn't even think of Nick's welfare. She only thought about the convenience of being with him and not about his safety when he involved himself in her situation.

Namataan naman si Elle ng mga magulang ni Nick na nasa loob ng hospital room kaya't lumabas ang mga ito para salubungin siya.

Augustus Morgan embraced her first and tried to console her. Rachel Morgan, on the other hand, watched her without a single expression as if it was drained from Rachel's face. Doon niya na-realize na nandoon rin si Attorney Raizen sa loob ng hospital room.

"Raizen told us everything, about your little set-up marriage with Nick and  your issues with Mr. Marco Reiling."

"Honey, please. Elle is in shock—"

"Don't you think we have a right to know this, Elle? Or is that even your name?!"

Rachel sobbed as she covered her eyes with her palm as if it could stop the endless amaunt of tears streaming down her face. Augustus pulled away from Elle to rush to Rachel and comfort her.

"I-I have no excuse," she whispered, her voice hoarse. "But I accepted his offer of help because I'm helpless and pathetic and selfish. I—"

"We deserve to know it, Elle. We could help and you two belittled us! You belittled me and Augustus!" Rachel looked at her and reached for her hand. "I am sorry for my tone earlier, but you need to understand that Nick is our only son and you are his wife. All of these shocked us to the bone and what hurted the most is that you kept it a secret."

"I'm sorry, Mom." Elle shook her head. "For dragging Nick into all this. It was all my fault."

Rachel's eyes closed shut and then she threw her face on her husband's chest, sobbing.

Tumalikod si Elle at nanghihinang umupo sa waiting area ng private room.

Life is indeed cruel. One day, it will shower you with happiness and bliss, then the next day it will take all of it away. What did she do to deserve all this? Was she a torturer in her past life? Why does fate seemed to take away everyone she loves?

She felt like an arrow just pierced through her heart draining away every strength she has that all she felt was pain, grief, and the guilt for dragging an innocent man into her demise.

"Aalis po kami ni Andre. Mamaya."

The Morgans stared at her with surprise and with tears in their eyes.

"Marco will focus on finding me and Nick will be spared. Policemen will guard Nick 24/7 until Marco's behind bars." Elle stood up. "I'm sorry for dragging Nick into my mess and I will correct that mistake."

Augustus immediately held her hand. "No, Elle. You don't need to do that."

"This is for Nick." She tried to smile. "Even if it will hurt me, probably wound my heart for eternity, I will. For his sake."

"Elle, you don't understand—"

"He never loved me anyways. I think that's for good." She forced a smile and threw a glance at her unconscious husband laying on the hospital bed. "I always dread to think about his feelings for me. I hoped and wished that he will feel the same, that someday, he will love me back." Her jaw trembled. "I didn't know that one day, I will thank the heavens for not fulfilling my wish, because it will be a lot harder for me and my conscience if he loved me back."

He never loved her. And Elle thought it was for the best, even though it kills her to even think for a second that he never loved her.

She wiped the tears from her cheeks with her palm and cleared her throat.
"After Marco's been imprisoned, I will send the annulment papers. Nick preferred to be single rather than to be a bullet-proof vest, right?"

Rachel shook her head, regretful of the words she said earlier. "I'm sorry I blamed you, Elle. I was shocked and terrified for his life. I wasn't thinking straight. It's not your fault—"

"It is, Mom." Elle shrugged. "It's my fault that I dragged him into this mess."

She turned her back and walked to the door with a heavy heart. She can't even bear to watch Nick on the hospital bed. Baka hindi niya mapigilan na humagulgol at sisihin ag sarili nang paulit-ulit, kahit na sising-sisi na siya sa mga nangyayari ngayon.

Why did she agree to be with him? Why did she agree to his proposal? He should've been living his life in the island as he always does. Why did she go there and mess it all up?

Why did she fall in love with him? Why did she send those stupid letters? Why did she let him risk his safety for her?

She was selfish. The reason why she let it all happen because for a while, she thought of nothing but herself. She missed her freedom and risked everything to have a taste of it again, and that endangered Nick in the process.

It was all her fault.