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

Chapter 38

What's the catch

"Mommy, where's Daddy? Is he coming here with us?"

Iyon kaagad ang namutawi sa bibig ng aking anak nang makarating kami ng San Rafael. We hadn't even rested yet, and she had just woken up.

Iniwas ko ang tingin sa kanya saka nagkunwaring abala sa pag-aayos ng mga gamit namin sa cupboard na naroon.

"He's uh... He needs to work, baby. Maybe he'll come another day."

Kinagat ko agad ang dila ko. This is the first time I had lied to her.

"Really? I thought he's not. Should we wait for him here?" She asked again.

I looked at Ariah, sitting on the bed while hugging that unicorn. She was still rubbing her eyes, seeming a bit sleepy.

"We'll wait for him here, sweetheart. Are you still sleepy?"

"Yes, Mommy."

"Then sleep. I'll wake you up when it's time to eat, okay?"

I waited for Ariah to fall asleep again in our room before I went out. Benj and Sarah were in the adjacent room.

I gazed at the vast grounds of Caza de Fuente. It had been a long time since I left this place. I didn't know back then that the Fuentebellas also owned land here. I thought it was just the Yuchengcos and Riofloridas.

But recently, I heard that the Yuchengco property here has been sold to Laurenti. The Riofloridas' property, on the other hand, remained abandoned as it hadn't been visited since they left.

Hindi ko rin alam kung ano ang pumasok sa isip ko at naisip kong pumunta kami rito. It's far from the city, more like a province.

Madilim na kahit maaga kaming umalis sa mansion kanina. The private resort my Dad had built was only at the front portion, just a short walk away.

I knew that Arik could easily come here. Baka nga maya-maya ay narito na iyon. It would be fine for Ariah, but if he continued to pursue me, maybe not right now.

I can't bear to see him just yet because all I can think about is him kissing Yumi over and over again. Hindi ko siya kayang tingnan dahil iyon lang ang maaalala ko.

I was lost in my thoughts when my phone rang. I felt a pang of fear when I saw that it was Isabella calling. She might have new updates for me even though I didn't ask her. I hadn't even replied to her text.

In the end, I didn't answer it. Arik sent me a few more messages, and a little while later, his name registered on the caller ID.

"Celeste!" He hissed.

I could hear his breath deepening on the other end. "Celeste! Your Mom told me you're in San Rafael. I'm on my way there. Puwede ba... ako riyan?"

I sat down on a rock.

"Yes, Arik. Ariah is also looking for you," I replied casually.

The ache in my heart didn't go away. Hearing his voice seemed to make it hurt even more.

"Can we also talk?" he asked. "Please?"

I shook my head even though he couldn't see me.

"Not now, Arik. I'm not ready. I don't want to see you. Please, just give this to me for now. You can stay here or visit Ariah, but don't talk to me."

He let out a frustrated sigh. I could hear him mutter a few curses under his breath before falling silent again.

"Baby, how can we fix this if we don't talk? At least let me explain. Just listen to me, Celeste. Even if you just hear me out. Just... just that," he pleaded, his voice sounding strained.