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

Chapter 68

Can't let go

"Ipapakuha ko ang mga gamit namin ng anak ko sa bahay mo mamaya. I'm just letting you know to avoid mistaking the one going there for a thief," I said while keeping my gaze fixed on my laptop. I don't want to see him.

I was surprised to find him in my office that morning. Pau didn't know what was going on, so she let him stay there.

"You don't need to do that, Celeste. Can we discuss this again?" He pleaded.

His voice still sounded hoarse. Parang may sakit. May sakit ba siya?

I glanced at him. His nose was runny, and his eyes were red and puffy. He's clearly sick.

"I can't talk right now, Arik. Wala ka bang trabaho? Don't you run your own company? Because I do, and I have plenty, so stop bothering me," I said firmly and stood up.

I walked over to the shelf to look for the book I needed. Suddenly, frustration was overwhelming me again. Bukod sa hindi ko mahanap ang librong kailangan ko, hindi ko na rin maintindihan ang nararamdaman ko.

And I knew that in searching for that book, I was venting my irritation.

"Celeste, please. Let's talk."

"Ayoko," I said. "I don't want to go back to your house, Arik. Hindi kami babalik doon!" I said firmly and aggressively while letting some other books fall.

I cursed. "Fuck it!"

"Hey, are you alright?" Arik quickly closed the distance between us and grabbed my elbow, causing me to move away from him.

"Don't fucking touch me," I said firmly and returned to my desk.

I heard Arik's deep sigh. I could see him loosening his necktie from the corner of my eye. He also took off his coat and ran his hand through his hair gently. Napalunok ako. Ano bang ginagawa niya?!

I know I can't stay mad at him forever, or at least not for a long time, especially when he's like this, facing me.

Bagong gupit pa. His beard and mustache from yesterday are gone. He looks clean again, but the furrow on his forehead is still there.

He's clearly stressed. My God, he needs to rest! Why did he come here so early?

I'm waiting to see what he'll do next because he suddenly marched out of my office. I thought he was leaving for good, but he quickly returned with a freshly brewed cup of coffee.

"What are you doing?" I muttered when he placed the coffee on my table.

He bent down to do that, and suddenly, he faced me, so I couldn't move back in time. Our foreheads nearly collided!

"You're frustrated, so I made you your coffee. Calm down. It's too early to stress yourself over work... and me," he said tenderly.

He raised his hand and briefly massaged my furrowed forehead.

"Let me know when you want to talk. I'll wait."

I sighed. "Arik, my decision won't change."

He was about to leave my side, but he stopped in his tracks because of what I said. He looked at me with pain in his eyes. The loneliness in his eyes is so evident that it makes me want to take back my words and take the risk of being with him again.

"Returning to my house or ending what we have now? Whatever it is," he said painfully.

He could hardly get the words out. He's struggling.

I swallowed the painful lump in my throat, but it remained there. I averted my gaze from him.

"We can co-parent..." I said. I'm not sure if he heard it. "We can still do that. Sasabihin ko kay Ariah—"