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

Chapter 47

Last kiss

Tahimik lang ako sa buong byahe namin ni Rusty habang iniisip pa rin ang text na iyon ni Isabella. Gustuhin ko mang iwaglit iyon sa isipan ko pero hindi ko magawa.

I sighed and simply glanced at Rusty when I remembered something.

"Close ba kayo ni Yumi?"

He glanced at me briefly and shrugged.

"She's our family lawyer. Why?"

"Wala naman. Para kasing kilalang-kilala niyo na ang isa't isa," ani ko at bumaling na muli sa labas.

Somehow, I'm starting to like the budding friendship between us. He's a good coworker and friend. One might need to chase him, given his strong appeal and handsome looks.

"Saan nga tayo?" he asked, nudging me as I seemed lost in thought.

"Mother Theresa Hospital."

"Sino ang bibisitahin mo? Do you have a check-up today?" he continued. I shook my head and fell silent again.

Initially, I didn't want to visit him because I was sure I'd end up arguing with Isabella again. I wasn't even sure if he knew where his mom was now. I didn't want to see either of them while the case was ongoing. I was also uncertain about my own feelings.

I felt like I needed to go. For my own sake. To make sure I wouldn't regret it later.

Mula noong huli kaming magkita, nawala na lahat ng natitirang amore ko para sa kanya, especially after what he did to my daughter.

Hanggang ngayon ay pansin ko pa ring takot pa rin sa kanya si Ariah dahil sa nangyari. She even avoids hearing her grandfather's name, which is painful for me.

But she's just a child. Those are her own feelings. I didn't even mention it to her. She felt it on her own.

"You can go home now. Kaya ko na 'to," I said as I got out of his car.

Hindi siya sumagot. Sa halip ay sinundan niya ako nang makababa ako at sumabay sa akin papasok sa hospital.

"Rusty."

"I'll go with you, Celeste. I can head home once I've dropped you off. Marami ka ring pinamili. You won't be able to manage it all on your own," he insisted.

I glanced at him. He maintained his serious expression and even put on his wayfarers as we entered the hospital.

"I could just call for a ride to pick me up."

"You'll still end up calling for a ride, so why not let me drop you off? Besides, you've got things to see here," he said softly. "What floor?"

I bit my lower lip. "Fifteen."

"15th floor," he mumbled, and we waited for the elevator to stop on the 15th floor.

Hindi ako mapakali. Hindi ako sigurado kung alam na ba niya o hindi pa kung sino ang bibisitahin ko rito. If he didn't know yet, I didn't want him to find out. But what can I do? I'll just have to face it.

"Is this it?" His voice was faint.

I nodded. I knocked on the door, and after a moment, Isabella came out with red eyes and a still-pink nose.

I subtly glanced at Rusty, but I couldn't see his eyes because he was wearing glasses. I could only observe the tension in his jaw.

"I-I thought you wouldn't come," Isabella said in a low voice, her gaze avoiding the man beside me.

"Saglit lang ako."

"That's fine. He's only going to be here for a moment, too. I've signed the waiver already. They've also removed the other machines hooked up to him," she answered coldly and guided us inside.