Works of Love (Hiraeth 2: Max And Chanel)

Chapter 27

Di niyo ba naremember si Lucas?? Pinag-selosan to ni Magnus sa honeymoon era nila.

"You're meeting with your boyfriend knowing that your future fiancee is around." Striktang sabi ng Infantes ng makauwi sila sa Hiraeth. 

"Infantes, its just the same thing. Max will be my future fiancee---"

"I know you would say that. Alam ko rin kung gaano katigas ang ulo mo, Chanel Hope. I was really hoping for you." Infantes said with a hint of disappointment on her voice.

She can't help but to feel sad. When Infantes finally appreciate her but now she's disappointing her. But since shes good at disappointing naman, why not be consistent to it na lang.

"Max appreciate and spoils me more than anyone in this family. He loves me and I love him." She said hoping that Infantes will change her mind. But Infantes just smirked and raised her chin up.

"Kaya mo bang ipagpalit ang Benjamin sa Sebastian na 'yon?" Hamon nito.

SHe couldn't speak. She knew that this day would come but she wasn't prepared to be asked on who'll be she choosing. She cant abandoned her family! But Max...she didnt just promise him, she also loves him.

"Pagbibigyan kita, Chanel Hope. You can leave the Hiraeth freely and live with him. No one will know but just me and your family. I'll say to everyone that you're out on my mission for you. Runaway with him." Udyok sa kanya nito.

But that just sound so surreal. Even with Infantes said it with a smile, she knows theres underlying condition.

"Pero sa oras na hindi mo makayanan ang buhay na malayong-malayo sa estado mo ngayon, the Hiraeth is still open for you. Pwede kang bumalik pero pagtapak nang mga paa mo sa palasyong ito, tapos na kayo ng binatang iyon." Infantes said.

Napalunok siya. Doesn't seem like a condition for her. She can live with Max in a simple life, in his cabin with their ducks swimming on the lake, and Max will be home at the end of the day and they'll be loving the whole night. She can throw away her luxury life, if that means she can be with man that can see her stand outs among the crowd, that can appreciate her existence and love her everything.

"I...I will just pack up." Mahinang sabi niya.

Gumuhit ang mapait na ngisi sa labi ng Infantes.

"I was that naive in love, too. Thought everything will be rainbow, sun and stars. But be careful, behind those are storms and future scars. You have to be the strongest soldier because love is a war." Infantes said sadly.

She smiled sadly at Infantes. She understand her pain and trauma but Infantes have to know that her path won't be everyone's path. 

"Thank you, Infantes. I'll surely miss you." She took her final bow before going to her room.

When she reached her room, she saw Hermes sitting on her bed. Seems like she wanted to sleep beside her.

"You can sleep here. I have to go somewhere. Infantes have secret mission for me." Mabilis na sabi niya at nilabas ang maleta. 

"What? Where? Can I go with you?" Sunod-sunod na tanong nito.

"No. I'm going alone." Madiing saad niya para hindi na ito magtanong pa.

Hermes fell silent and just watched her do her thing. Kumuha siya ng mga damit at mga essentials niya. She looked at Chana on her small bed. She'll bring her also.

"You're running away with Max...am I right?" Mahinang tanong nito.

Natigil siya sa pagligpit saka tumingin sa pinsan. She saw and walk closer to her. Niyakap niya ito.