Bewildered 🌸 (kja)

Inevitable

Warning: This Chapter is strictly for eighteen years and up only.

Liza had a throbbing headache when she woke up the next day, but she hid it as best she could.

"Are you two okay?" Marianne asked her son and Liza. "Kanina ko pa napapansin na hindi kayo nagkikibuan." she said in a worried tone. Sixto was just staring at them with a curious look on his face.

They were having a sumptuous breakfast by the poolside of the mansion.

"Don't worry, mom..." Harry said with fake enthusiasm. "Just a small misunderstanding."

Liza just smiled and nodded to the couple. Ang totoo ay nagtatampo siya kay Harry dahil sa napanaginipan niya. Alam niyang it was all in the past but she couldn't help it.

"Oh, well." Sixto sighs "I hope you will sort that out later."

"Anyway, today is your last day here." Pag-iiba ng usapan ni Marianne. "Do you plan to stay for another week?" She seemed hopeful.

As much as Liza wants to stay, she can't. She wanted to be alone for a moment to think and figure things out, and she cannot do it if she stays there. "I want to. But..." she paused and looked at the couple. "I-I can't... There's something I need to do... I'm sorry," she said. Nalungkot siya nang makitang nalaglag ang balikat ng mag-asawa sa sinabi niya. She gave them a smile. "You may always come to see us, though. We'll come back here once in a while, I promise."

The couple nodded.

"If that is what you want..." Marianne answered with a sad smile.

"Zion is still sleeping, napagod kagabi sa kakalaro," Sixto said and smiled. He adores his grandson so much. "I will miss that rascal for sure," he replied with a throaty laugh.

"Oh, what if you let Zion stay with us today and you two go on a date or spend the night somewhere and come back tomorrow?" Marianne proposed.

Gulat na napaangat ng mukha si Liza. "Oh, I think I can not—"

"That's a good idea, Mom" putol ni Harry sa sasabihin pa sana ni Liza. "I think I need time alone with my beautiful girlfriend," he said and looked at her with yearning.

Liza's brain was a mess. Mas lalong magugulo lang iyon if she will be spending the whole day alone with him. "But Zion will look for me." she reasoned out.

"Don't worry about that. I promised him last night that we would watch a dolphin show today. I was thinking of taking him to one of my Kumpadre's recreational areas for bird hunting after the show." Sixto said and winked at his son na ngayon ay ngumingiti nang napakalapad. Harry mouthed a thank you to his father.

"Yep, we will keep him occupied," Marriane said.

"But—"

"Very well. It's settled then." Harry said it in a businesslike manner. like he was closing a deal with a client. "I think it's best if we leave after breakfast," he said, turning to face her. "Right sweetheart?"

Liza sighed in surrender. Her protest was futile. She wanted to say something foul to Harry, but she stopped herself. Nahihiya siya sa mag-asawang Fortaleza. They are so kind to her. She responded, "Right," with a gloomy face and clenched teeth.

Harry bit his lips together so he wouldn't laugh. Alam niyang nagpipigil sa galit si Liza dahil wala itong may magawa. He winked at her and smiled in a seductive way, which got him a kick in the foot under the table. Naging habit na yata ni Liza na sipain siya sa ilalim ng mesa. Mukhang hindi naman nasaktan si Harry dahil napatawa pa ito nang mahina.

"Feisty. I like that," he murmured at halos mamula sa galit si Liza.

********

After kissing their still sleeping child, ay umalis sila ng isla sakay ng helicopter na pag-aari ni Harry. Liza was so mad, hindi niya kinikibo si Harry. Nagkunwari siyang nagbabasa ng magazine.