Mending Heart's Affliction [Phoenix Countesses: ETHEREAL MAIDENS SERIES I]

Chapter 6

Truth

As I walked out of his office, I carried the weight of my broken dreams and the agony of my fractured relationship with him. It was a painful sacrifice, but I was determined to prove my worth and build a future for myself and my child, even if it meant forging a new path outside the confines of the Yuchengco name.

Fuck this family reputation. Kung may choice lang ako, hindi ako magmamakaawa sa kanya.

"Is this final? Aalis ka na ba talaga? How? Saan ka pupunta?"

Aurora bombarded me with questions as she hurriedly sat beside me. Kim just looked at me, holding my ultrasound results.

Yes, I'm pregnant at tinakwil ako ng ama ko. Oh, how great it is to start fresh. Fucking fresh.

"Don't you think you should tell him about this? You can just show him this and everything will surely be fine. Sabihin mo sa dad mo na hindi lang basta-basta ang bumuntis sayo," suhestiyon ni Kim.

I lowered my gaze to my hand that was resting on my stomach.

Naisip ko na rin iyon. Na baka kapag sinabi ko sa kanila na ang nag-iisang anak ng Rioflorida ang lalaking nakabuntis sa akin ay matuwa pa sila. Baka magbago pa ang isip niya.

But what if he doesn't? I'll only embarrass myself even more. Besides, I'm not even sure if that man would accept or believe me.

"Hindi ko alam."

"My God, Ce. Where are you even going? Kahit subukan mo lang, hindi mo gagawin?" Aurora asked frustratingly.

"May magbabago ba kung sasabihin ko?" I uttered bitterly.

"He's probably in a relationship with Isabella. Kapag sinabi ko, lalo lang gugulo ang sitwasyon. Baka mas lalo pa akong kamuhian ni dad dahil ang nakabuntis sa akin ay may girlfriend na, boyfriend pa ng paborito niyang anak," I said, lazily shaking my head.

"I've already received enough hurtful words from Dad. I don't want to hear anything more."

"But he told you that Isabella isn't his girlfriend, right?" Kim muttered some curses. "Why do you always jump to conclusions?"

"Because that's how it is. I can't do anything about it," I answered without enthusiasm.

Just then, my phone rang. Napapitlag ako nang makita kong tumatawag ang unknown number na ito na sigurado akong siya.

"Ayan! Siya yan di ba? Maybe you can talk now. Kausapin mo!" Aurora hissed and pressed the answer button. I almost cursed at her for doing that.

I stood up and left the two of them behind.

"Hey, you answered," I could hear hope in his deep voice. A shiver ran through my body.

"What do you want?" I asked him directly. "Do you want another night with me? Why? Hindi ka ba makahanap ng kasing-galing ko?"

I heard him mutter a curse softly, enough for me to hear. It seemed like I was wrong with what I said. He needed something else.

"Is that all you think of me?" He sounded so bitter.

I chuckled. "Then what is it that you want from me?"

"Can we talk in person? Tell me where you are, and I'll come to you. I have something important to tell you," he said seriously on the other line. I furrowed my brow.

"Bakit kailangang personal pa? Bakit hindi na lang dito?"

"I also want to see you."

His voice was so manly, raspy as if he had just woken up when he said that. Something stirred in my dead heart. Curiosity? I'm not sure.

Sinabi niya sa akin kung saan kami magkikita matapos ang tawag na iyon. Dinala ko na rin ang pregnancy test at ultrasound results ko kung sakali, at agad na tumungo sa meeting place namin. Ang dalawa ay naiwan sa condo.

Nang makarating ako sa restaurant kung saan kami kakain sana ni Kim noong isang araw, hindi pa nga ako nakakarating sa parking lot at nakita ko na agad ang kotse ni Isabella. I knew it was hers because I was there when Dad gave it to her as a gift.

The black Jaguar that I had always admired. What was she doing here?

A strange sense of unease crept over me. I suddenly felt weak, but I couldn't bring myself to back down when I saw him emerge from the elevator, followed by Isabella.

"Oh. Wow. Ito ba ang gusto niyang makita ko kaya dito niya gustong makipagkita? Great."

I watched them closely. Then he abruptly pulled Isabella to a corner, and they started kissing as if they were famished for each other.

Napasinghap ako nang makita ko kung paano pumasok ang dila niya sa loob ng bibig ni Isabella.

"You're always so aggressive. Can we continue this in your car?" Isabella said after they briefly separated.

He didn't answer, but I saw how he guided my sister toward his car and they got inside. Before getting in, he glanced in my direction. I froze where I stood. It seemed like he was also surprised.

My heart stopped when I saw him about to approach me. I shook my head and laughed at myself.

"Oh, I shouldn't have even bothered. This is bullshit," I whispered to myself and quickly returned to my car, driving away.

I felt betrayed, even though I shouldn't have allowed myself to feel this way.

Bakit ginusto niya pang makipagkita rito? Bakit dito pa kung ito lang din ang makikita ko? At bakit ka pa pumayag, Celeste?

I was right all along. He's in a relationship with Isabella, and there's no way he would accept what I was supposed to tell him.

"You're the loser here, Celeste. Just accept your defeat," I mumbled, tears streaming down my face.

Saktong makarating ako sa condo nang matanggap ko ang sunod-sunod na text ni Isabella.

Isabella Yuchengco:
So, you're the one who's screwing with him, huh?

Isabella Yuchengco:
You know you can't have him, Celeste, right? Are you still dreaming of lifting yourself up by finding a wealthy man to hold onto?

Isabella Yuchengco:
You know what? You and your mom are just the same. After being kicked out and divorced by Dad, you both scramble to find a rich man who will rescue you. Except, in her case, she died right away. You should be more careful because you might end up the same way.

Isabella Yuchengco:
Besides, we're talking about the heir of Rioflorida here. I don't think he would stoop down to your level, someone who got pregnant from a one-night stand. Poor Celeste. Good luck with your new life without Dad's wealth.