Lose You To Love Me

Chapter 5

Continuation of Antonio Lucio's POV

I ended up in a bar drowning myself to alcohol. I am not a heavy drinker but I need this to clear my mind.

Shantal's confession flashed on my mind again. I just felt tears started to run down. I can't get a hold of myself.

I want to forget everything tonight but I know I can't do that. Alcohol can only help me, temporarily.

Bukas, nanjan na ulit yung sakit.

I hate myself for being too soft when it comes to her.

The marriage we've been dreaming of, the family we are planning to build, the future ahead of us. It is no longer between us, it's now only her and him. I'm out of the picture.

So when Artemis approached me, I entertained her. I needed to divert my attention into something that won't remind me of Shantal.

Alam kong nakakagago yung pumayag ako sa offer niya dahil malungkot lang ako kaya ayoko nang ulitin.

I planned to stay away from her but she's too persistent.

Nakarating ako sa bahay nang alas diez. Nadatnan ko sina mama sa sala. Kasama niya yung dalawang kapatid ko at si Tito.

Lumapit ako kay mama at hinalikan siya sa noo. It became a habit and she really likes it a lot. It convinces her that me, his unico hijo, would always be her first baby boy. I know it's cheezy, but we have a very  close mother-son relationship. She's in her mid fifties but her looks doesn't justify it, she looks younger than her actual age.

"I heard from Mr. Laude that Shantal showed up." Sabi niya.

"You're still pushing through the marriage right? I can't believe my 32 year old son is finally getting married. I'm telling you, she's the most suitable wife for you. She's kind, sweet and gentle. Halatang hindi ka pababayaan
" masaya niyang sabi.

"Mah, walang kasal na magaganap." Sambit ko na nagpatigil sa kanya.

Kahit yung kapatid kong si Freyja na busy sa pagbabasa ay napatingin sa akin, maging ang kakambal nitong si Freyr na nasa harap ng computer.

"What do you mean walang kasal?" My mom asked as she approaches me.

"Basta mah, wala na. Please don't ask more questions." I answered in frustration. I don't know how to explain everything to her.

Ayokong magalit siya kay Shantal pag sinabi kong may iba na siya. My mom loves her so much and I don't want to break her heart.

"Kuya  bakit?" Freyja spoke.

"Let your kuya rest muna. Pagod siya and let us not force him to explain everything. Baka may LQ lang sila." Tito Seb, my mom's brother spoke.

"Lucio, go take some rest." He added.

Nang makapasok na ako sa kwarto ko ay tsaka ako nakahinga ng maluwag. Pakiramdam ko, anytime ay pwede ako isalang ni mama sa hot-seat and that's the thing I wanted to avoid.

Pagkatapos kong magpalit ng pantulog ay nag beep yung laptop ko. I immediately opened it and I just recieved an email from my collegue. I opened the folder.

It was informations about the leader of the underground cartel we've been haunting for years. Ilang taon na pero hindi namin siya mahuli huli dahil wala kaming sapat na ebidensya.

He's filthy rich and smart so he's always one step ahead of us. They also said that the members of that underground organization are from the elite society so probably people with money and power. That makes our job harder.