Caught in the Rainy Season(COMPLETED)

Chapter 21

It's almost been a week since we returned to Manila. I've started training at my parents' company while waiting for graduation.

I was surprised to see Ate Klei there and immediately told Kuya Kirjath. I hadn't known that she worked there since I just joined the company. A few days later, though, she was gone; her desk was empty, and all her things had disappeared. I wondered what had happened.

Right now, I'm busy encoding data on my laptop to send to Mr. De Mavicos for his signature. Since we're in the office, I call him Mr. It took me several hours to finish the work. I finally found his secretary and handed the papers to her since he was still in a meeting.

After that, I went straight to the restroom to touch up my makeup. It was already five in the afternoon, meaning my work hours were over. Yay! Finally, what a tiring day it had been!

I was carrying my things as I walked out of the company when I saw Dameon outside, leaning against his car. Our eyes met, and he rushed over, grabbing my hands and taking my belongings. I was startled by his sudden action.

"Why are you here?" I asked sharply.

"Of course, I came here for you. Can we talk now?" I sensed a plea in his voice.

"Please, not now. I'm tired. All I want to do is eat, so let me go!" I struggled to pull my hands away. His grip wasn't painful, but he didn't want to let go.

"Okay then, we can go to a restaurant if you want. Let's eat and talk there, my Miss?"

In the end, I agreed. Maybe we really needed to talk to clear everything up, to hear each other's sides, and to understand what had happened. I realized from being away that I had made a mistake by not listening before making my decision. But how could I listen when my emotions had taken over and caused me so much pain?

He had lied-he hid things from me that shattered my heart. Most importantly, we needed to discuss our relationship.

Why hadn't we thought to have this conversation while we were on the island? Watching the calm sea could have helped us have a peaceful talk and reflect deeply.

Now, even though I was trying to avoid him and my attitude toward him had changed, Dameon hadn't changed. He was still the same person I knew.

He opened the car door for me and fastened my seatbelt. He would have kissed my forehead like he usually did, but I turned my head away.

"I'm sorry, my Miss," I heard him say, prompting me to glance at him as he started driving.

I didn't respond, making the car ride awkwardly silent. I still didn't know where we were going to eat and hadn't bothered to ask.

I distracted myself by looking out the window until Dameon finally stopped the car. I recognized a familiar restaurant.

We entered and walked up the stairs to a rooftop restaurant. Suddenly, I remembered that this was where I had said yes to him years ago.

"Sorry, I hope it's okay with you. I already ordered food for you," he said as he pulled out a chair for me.

"Don't worry, I ordered your favorite-steak," he added as the waiter brought out a spread of food.

"It's okay," I replied as we began to eat.

But I paused when I remembered something he had said earlier.

"What do you want to tell me, Dameon?" I wiped my mouth.

He stopped eating, took a deep breath, and composed himself.

"I'm sorry for lying and hiding our past from you. I know it hurt you, but it hurt me too. Like I told you, I did all that so you would remember me." He reached for my hand, but I pulled it away.

"I know your cousin already told you about the incident you were involved in and the illness you got from it. We all went to Prague after hearing that the craft you were in had crashed. We searched for you around that area, not knowing someone had already taken you to the hospital-someone who worked with your dad. We were all relieved to find out you were safe, but the doctor later examined you and revealed that you could suffer from retrograde amnesia. Your parents didn't know what to do until you finally woke up from your coma. It was a prayer answered that you didn't have amnesia because you met them. But when I visited you, you said you didn't know me. You told me I was just a stranger in your room. That was painful. No matter how much I explained that I was your boyfriend, you pushed me away. I kept my distance for years until this idea popped into my mind-to re-do our story, to court you all over again. I waited for years, but Taniesha, I didn't know that finding out this truth would break your heart."

I couldn't bear to see this man crying in front of me.

"I'm so sorry for everything. I did this for us. That's how much I love you, Miss. I hope you understand," he pleaded, tears streaming down his face as he knelt before me.

"Please, my Miss, forgive me and allow me to stay by your side until you remember everything about us," he said, hugging my knees.

"No. Please, Dameon, stand up. Don't do this. Don't belittle yourself just to beg me. You're worth more than this." I struggled to lift him, but he felt too heavy.

"I'm willing to do this just to be forgiven. Please, love," he begged, refusing to let go.

"Stop this. Stop being my umbrella, trying to shield me from my own rain. You're hurting yourself, too. Let's end this." I struggled to articulate the last words.

"What are you saying? We can't end this, please," he said, gripping my hand as if he never wanted to let go.

But Dameon knew that people were watching us, so he stood up and cupped my face in his hands.

"So I guess you're really determined. Goodbye, Ms. Grumpy Person, my Taniesha. I hope someday the rain will do something so I can catch you once again."

I hoped so, too-that like the rain, the pain you're feeling now because of me will fade away.

I turned and ran from him, ignoring the heavy rain. I thought he would chase me and save me from the rain once again.