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

Chapter 52

Little family

"Ma'am Celeste, dumating si Sir Rusty kanina lang kaya pinapasok ko na siya sa opisina nyo. May problema ho ba?" Pau asked me as I bumped into her in the hallway.

"Hindi ko rin kasi alam na nandon pala si Sir Arik. Pasensya na, ma'am."

"What does Rusty need? Why is he here?"

"Binibisita ka lang daw niya. May dala ngang bulaklak at kape."

Saglit na natigilan ako nang marinig ko iyon. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung tutuloy na ba ako sa aking opisina o hintayin na lamang silang dalawa na umalis.

Bakit kasi magkasabay pa silang pumunta rito? At bakit may bulaklak na dala ang Rusty na iyon?

In the end, I chose to head straight to the conference room temporarily because I was sure this situation wouldn't turn out well.

"Don't tell them where I am. Let them leave," I instructed Pau before she left.

I stared at the text message I had received earlier before leaving the restaurant. I had a hunch it was from Yumi, as she's the only one mad at me right now because of Arik.

But what could she do? Is she going to kill me? Just for Arik? Tuluyan na ba siyang nabaliw at kakayanin niyant manakit dahil lang sa isang lalaki? She's worse than Hannah if that's the case.

I was engrossed in staring at the long table in that room when I received a call from Arik. As I answered, I immediately heard his frustrated sigh.

"Where are you? Are you still in the restaurant?" His voice had turned serious. He seemed irritated.

"Why? Are you still at my office?" I countered with a question.

"You said you're heading back here, so I waited. I'm still here. Where are you?" He asked again, and I could hear Rusty's voice in the background.

"Si Celeste ba yan?" Rusty asked him.

Arik cleared his throat and swore.

"Mind your own fucking business," he sharply replied to Rusty, leaving me dumbfounded.

"Subukan niyong mag-away dalawa sa opisina ko, hinding-hindi na kayo makakatungtong sa kahit saang tower ko." I warned him, about to end the call, but then the surroundings suddenly went silent. Only Arik's voice remained.

"Where are you? Are you avoiding me?" He asked gently, so I was sure he wasn't in the office anymore.

I bit my lower lip. I didn't know what to say when he's like this.

"I-I'm not. Why would I avoid you?"

"Because of what happened last night, Celeste. Are you tired? Are you still sore? Does anything hurt?" He fired a series of questions, his voice still low and gentle.

Agad na nag init ang buong mukha ko dahil sa mga tanong niya. I wasn't sure if he genuinely wanted to know the answers because he's concerned about me, or if he's just teasing me.

"I-I'm not. Please, leave. Hindi kaagad ako makakabalik diyan dahil—"

Hindi ko na natuloy ang sasabihin ko nang biglang bumukas ang pinto, and Arik's head appeared. My mouth fell open in surprise.

"I knew you'd be here," he said before ending the call.

I couldn't move from my seat as he entered fully, closing the door behind him. My heart continued to race relentlessly.

"H-how did you know I was here?" I asked him, avoiding his gaze as he approached.

"You're avoiding me, Celeste," he stated.

I shook my head and remained seated in the swivel chair in front, while he stood beside me, undoubtedly staring at me. I even noticed him placing his phone on the table.

"I-I'm not. Gusto ko lang magpahinga. Ayokong kumausap ng kahit na sino."

"Why? Are you tired? Saan ba ang masakit, Celeste?" He pleaded, dropping to his knees in front of me.

I gasped as he spun my swivel chair to face him. Now I was looking at him, and I could clearly see his intense, adoring eyes fixed on me. He looked like an eager puppy waiting for treats.

"Tell me where it hurts. Was I too much? Did I hurt you? I'm sorry..."

"N-no... It's not that."

"Then what is it? Why are you here? Ayaw mo ba akong makita ngayon? I'll leave if you say you don't want to see me anymore."

His voice was raspy and pleading. Exhaustion and confusion were evident in his eyes.

I bit my lower lip and looked away from him. I didn't want him to leave again. I wanted him to stay by my side. I wanted him back with me. I wanted him to stay right here

Kung sasabihin ko bang ayaw ko na siyang makita, babalik siya kay Yumi at hindi na magpapakita pa? But he has a choice whether to stay or not. Why does the decision have to come from me? Bakit ako na naman?

Nang hindi ako sumagot, mabilis siyang tumayo kaya mariin akong napapikit. Kasabay non ay ang pagbagsak ng balikat ko.

He's now leaving. He wouldn't come back. Ayaw na niyang manatili rito sa akin.

Those thoughts were hard to control. I could feel the corners of my eyes warming up, and I was sure that when I opened them, he would be gone, and I would start crying again.

Several minutes passed, and the whole room was engulfed in silence. I could feel the tears about to fall as I slowly opened my eyes and they indeed began to flow when I saw Arik's shoes in front of me. I quickly looked up at him, unable to control my emotions.

"A-Arik..." I mumbled and reached out to him, wanting to be held.

"Ang hirap mong iwan," he said, picking me up and embracing me tightly. "I don't know why, but it's so hard for me to leave you, Celeste."

"D-don't... Please, don't leave. Just stay here. Don't go. Dito ka lang, Arik. Don't leave me," I repeatedly whispered, burying my face in his chest. "I-I'm sorry... D-don't leave..."

"Hindi na... hindi na ako aalis. I'm right here." He whispered back, gently stroking my hair.

After a while, he gently pulled away to look at me. I gazed at him, and he cupped my face with both hands, wiping away my tears.

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm so sorry. I'll stay here with you..."

I nodded. We were in that position when the door opened.

"Mommy!" Ariah cheered and was about to run towards me, but she paused when she saw Arik and quickly looked back at me.

Her eyes became teary. Her face crumpled. Her nose reddened.

"D-Daddy?" she mumbled, struggling to hold back her tears.

"She's Ariah... Our daughter," I whispered to Arik, thinking he might not recognize or remember her yet.

But I was taken aback when he said something before kneeling down and embracing Ariah in his arms.

"She's the sweet girl in my dreams, Celeste."

"D-Daddy!" Ariah burst into tears as she clung to her father. "Y-you're here! You came back! I missed you!"

My heart was being squeezed again as my daughter sobbed, just like when they first found out they were father and daughter. It was exactly the same.

"Hush now. Daddy's here. I'm sorry for leaving..." Arik cooed to his daughter while comforting her. "Daddy won't leave again."

I covered my mouth to stifle a sob.

The scene only lasted for a few moments before I decided to head back to my office. I knew Ariah was tired from school.

We were walking down the hallway when we encountered Yumi, who immediately locked her gaze onto Arik, who was holding my daughter's hand.

I suddenly felt a surge of fear for my child as Yumi grinned.

"Wow. What a great sight this is. A little family, huh?" Yumi muttered and then looked at me. "I'm here to reclaim what's mine."