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

Chapter 28

Your karma

Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig nang mapagtanto ko kung ano ang nangyayari. We couldn't leave Ariah's school because we didn't know where to start looking!

"I'll call someone. Stay here, Celeste," Arik said firmly as he dialed a number on his phone. "Damn it! Fuck!"

"Ms. Fuentebella, I'm so sorry. I had no idea... May kasama pa ang lalaking nagsundo sa anak niyo. They introduced themselves as Ariah's relatives, so I let them go. They even showed us a picture of them with you, kaya naniwala ako. I'm really, really sorry," Amelia explained, clearly distressed.

I was stunned. I quickly glanced at Amelia when she mentioned something that caught my attention.

"Relatives?" I asked Amelia, completely puzzled. "But Ariah only has Oliver, Benj, and Sarah as her uncles and aunt. Kilala mo sila di ba?"

She shook her head. "No, Ms. Fuentebella. Hindi sila."

"Do you know their names? Did they say anything?"

"They said their names were Liam and Isabella."

Biglang tumigil sa pag-ikot ang mundo ko nang marinig ko ang mga pangalang binanggit niya. I rushed to Arik and pulled him back into the car's passenger seat.

"What? Wait, Celeste, where are we going?" Arik exclaimed as I made him sit in the car.

"They're monsters," I said, and then I took the driver's seat.

Mabilis akong nagmaneho patungo sa mansion na iyon. Na kung puwede lang ay paliparin ko na ito para lang agad na makarating doon, gagawin ko.

"Celeste, baby, slow down," Arik urged me as he noticed my aggressive driving, overtaking other cars and speeding.

The fire of anger blazed in my heart. I could barely speak as I struggled to catch my breath.

"They took my daughter, Arik! What do you expect me to do? Stay calm? They have no right to take my daughter! No one can have Ariah except us! Damn it! Can you imagine how terrified Ariah must be right now? What if they took her to the Yuchengco mansion? Naroon si Armando! I told you she was terrified of him!" I shouted, blaming myself for everything!

Pakiramdam ko ay mababaliw na ako sa kakaisip ng kung anu-anong senaryo!

"She's scared! I should know! I can feel her fear, Arik! She's only six years old, my God!"

"Who took her?" Arik's voice was low and determined. "Who took her? Why did they take her?"

"I don't know! Kinuha siya nina Isabella at Liam! I'm sure Armando ordered them to do it! He wanted to see Ariah so bad that he'd do this! Damn him!"

I was on the verge of tears from all the anger, but I couldn't let it all out properly. I felt like a volcano, and once I saw Ariah's condition, even if she seemed okay, I wouldn't hesitate to hurt everyone who brought her into this situation.

Hinding-hindi ko sila mapapatawad. Hindi ko akalain na kahit sa bata ay gagawin nila ang pamamaraan nilang ganito!

"We're on our way there, Uncle. Please, tell Aunty to calm down. You can come with Oliver if needed," Arik said while talking on the phone.

"Yes... she was furious. I am too, but if I let my anger take over, who will support her? Sasabog kaming dalawa. Anak namin ang pinag-uusapan dito."

I shook my head and let out another curse. It seemed like my fear of setting foot in the Yuchengco territory suddenly vanished.

I'm certain they brought Ariah there, and I don't know what I'll do once I see her.

Nang marating namin ang Yuchengco mansion ay agad kaming hinarang ng guard kaya halos mabaliw na ako sa sobrang galit. Arik tried to restrain me, but when the guard spoke, he lost his temper as well.