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

Chapter 56

Don't tell

"Why didn't you inform me about your illness? Are you embarrassed about it?" I asked Arik while waiting for others to join the meeting in the conference room.

We were in Florida for an investors meeting, and he had mentioned yesterday that he had a new significant investor he wanted to introduce to me. Pagkatapos nito ay balak naming tumungo sa secret house para makibalita sa kinaroroonan ni Victoria Yuchengco.

"It's not that important," he shrugged, taking his seat at the long table. I was seated near the front but on the side.

"It's as important as those scars on your back and where they came from, Arik. You should've told me," I insisted.

He adjusted his hair and looked at me gently. I noticed his hand playing with his pen.

"I don't want to burden you anymore, Celeste. You have a lot to deal with," he said, making me frown as I stared at him.

He chuckled and took my hand. "What?"

"Burden me anytime, Arik. I want you to burden me all the time, please," I pleaded with him, feeling that familiar tug at my heart.

Matagal kaming nagtitigan hanggang sa marahas siyang bumuntong-hininga, na para bang bumigay na sa nais kong mangyari.

"I will. I'm sorry."

The meeting lasted nearly two hours. After lunch, we headed to Arik's secret house. Habang nasa byahe ay bigla kong naalala si Hannah dahil hindi ko na siya nakikita.

"She's in the US. Dad sent her there for therapy. She can't stay here anymore because her biological parents are still looking for her," Arik explained, and I nodded in understanding.

That's probably for the best. It means I'll only have to deal with Yumi, another person infatuated with Arik. I wonder what his plans are now. Ilang araw na siyang tahimik tungkol kay Yumi at mula noong naging maayos na kami.

"After here, we'll go to the mansion," Arik said as we entered the information room of his secret house.

Some of his staff greeted us and directed us to our seats.

"Mansion? Yours? Bakit?"

Naalala ko na ang planong pakikipagkita namin sa dad niya ay hindi natuloy dahil sa personal emergency. I was okay with it.

"It's my dad's birthday. There's an intimate celebration, and he really wants you and Ariah to be there."

"What? Bakit ngayon mo lang sinabi sakin?" I blurted out in surprise.

"Why? Is there something wrong?"

"I don't have a gift. Let's buy something before we pick up Ariah from school. What does he like?" Arik shrugged and turned to a large computer screen, giving instructions to a man beside him.

"He's not into gifts. Don't bother," Arik said.

"But I want to, Arik. Nakakahiyang pumunta nang walang kahit na anong dala," I insisted, even grabbing his arm, causing him to lose focus on what he was doing.

Sumenyas siya kay Max, ang kanyang assistant na huminto muna saka itinuon sa akin ang kanyang buong atensyon. We left that room and headed to his office. He took off his coat and tie, and I couldn't help but fantasize while he did so.

Gods. This man...

"A simple gift is fine, baby. Huwag na iyong masyadong mahal," he said gently as he approached me.

"Are you sure? What about a watch? What do you think?" I asked.

He furrowed his brow and shook his head. "He's not into watches."