He who she loves

Chapter 39

"I heard Liam is getting married this sunday"

I smiled. "Yes"

Kuya Leon looked straight in my eyes. "Are you okay?"

I chuckled. "Of course, I am. I'm happy for him, kuya. I don't have any lingering feelings toward him. I already moved on."

Am I really fine? Sometimes I lay in my bed and that question kept running in my head.

"I know this may sound too cliche, but I want you to be happy, Brielle. Growing up with strict parents I know how hard it was for you, I've been there and looking at you right now, I'm really so proud of you"

Growing up there's pressure in me to be perfect even though nobody is. There's pressure to hurry and start building dreams that were not even mine. 

"However, I want you to understand that you can always count on me and that, no 

matter what, I will be there for you. Even though the journey seems too difficult, I hope you look at me with the belief that everything will always be under control. As your older brother, I ask that you entrust me with holding all of your heavy loads." He added.

I hugged him. "You're the best brother that I could ever ask for, Kuya. Thank you for believing in me. I owe you a lot and I love you so much"

"You grew up such a fine lady, Brielle and I'm really proud of you. Dad is really so proud of you, too. Everyone of us. You're doing a great job. Those who think that you cannot do anything without us, they are freakin wrong."

I chuckled. "This illegitimate child can do more" pagbibiro ko.

Pabiro niya akong kinurot sa tagiliran. "Stop saying that. You're not an illegitimate child okay? You resemble us a lot."

I'm really blessed to have him by my side. He's my knight in shining armor and he will always be.

"Would you like to eat some ramen?" I asked Alexander. I've been craving ramen since yesterday. 

"If you like to eat ramen then let's buy it," he said.

He held my hand. "Let's go"

While we were walking he suddenly opened up about Liam's wedding.

"Don't you regret anything?" He asked, but he's not looking at me. 

"Liam's getting married this coming sunday"

"And?" I asked. Why do they keep asking me this question? 

"If you're having a second thought about our relationship. I'm more than willing to let you go, even if it hurts me, for as long as you're happy then I'm fine about it"

I let go of his hand. "Is it easy for you to let me go?"

He looked at me. I can't even seem to understand what's running in his head right now.

"No"

"Then why are you asking me to let you go?" I really sound very annoyed because I am! 

He tried to hold my hand but I refused.

"You know I hate to see you getting hurt, Brielle."

"And do you think you're not hurting me right now? Are you doubting my love for you, Alexander?"

I just really had enough. Everyone keeps on underestimating me and my feelings.

"I'm really sorry, Brielle"

"If you want to let me go, then let me go. If you were never sure of me, you should've said so in the beginning. And if you do not see me in your future, let me make things easier for you, I'll just be the one to let you go."

"I'm sorry, Alexander. But I can't eat with you right now. I'm going home" 

I walked out, leaving him behind. I know I may look mean but I was really offended.

"Brielle" 

"Ciella"

Unlike before, she doesn't look mean today. I mean she looks so sad.

"What brings you here?" I asked.

"Can we talk?" 

We went to the nearest coffee shop. She's silent for a moment.

"Can you let him go?" She asked, her voice so low. 

I already did, years ago.

I smiled. "You have nothing to worry about, Ciella. I have no intention of ruining your wedding. You can rest assured."

I mean that. 

"I won't attend your wedding if that's what you want. I really mean no harm, Ceilla"

For the first time in a while, she smiled. A genuine one.

"I was so scared when I saw you for the first time. I acted like I don't know you but I know in my heart that you're Liam's first love and that fact scared the hell out of me. I don't even know if I'll be able to open his heart for me but I'll try my best."

She's just a girl longing for the love she deserves. I can't hate her anymore. 

"I know I'm being selfish here and I'm really sorry for being mean to you, too"

I held her hand. 

I smiled to assure her that I'm really okay. "I wish you all the happiness that life can offer. He'll love you, eventually. Just hang in here, Ciella."

"I hope he'll look at me, the same way he looked at you."

Paglabas ko ng boutique. I saw Alexander. Kahit sa malayo, I can tell he's drunk.

He walked toward me. 

"Brielle"

I just looked at him. 

I know in my heart that I love this man standing in front of me, but there are times I can't help but to think about Liam and maybe that's the reason why Alexander was having a second thought about my feelings.

"I'm sorry, Brielle. I didn't mean to hurt you"

"Do you hate me, now?" He asked while looking straight in my eyes. 

I don't have the guts to hurt someone like him and I have no reason to do that.

"I love you, Alexander and I'm really sorry if I failed to show how much you mean to me but please believe me when I say I love you." it took everything from me to get the rest of the words out without breaking my voice.

He grabbed me and hugged me. "Ghad. I love you so much, Brielle. So damn much that I felt scared that you might leave me." He whispered.

"I felt like I was suffocating you, Brielle"

I hugged him back. "No"

He held my cheeks, gently. I stared at him.

"Should we get married, Alexander?"