Carisia
"Do not ever bother us again, do you understand?"
I stared him down, hard and firm, so the message would sink in.
He almost took my life, as well as my husband's, and who knows what could've happened if he successfully carried out his scheme against us?
I wouldn't want to imagine our daughter left alone to wonder what happened to her parents, just because of her Mom's ex-lover.
He looked ashamed, his eyes refusing to meet mine. "Bakit pa kayo pumunta dito? To make sure that I'm locked up?" he spoke sarcastically, but I know that he's just masking up a deeper emotion.
Enrico and I looked at each other as I'm trying to compose words in my head.
It's hard. I mean...he's not a stranger to me. And the fact that I have to do this because he put our lives at jeopardy is something that I wouldn't want to wish on anyone, but still, something had to be done.
Not because he was an old lover, doesn't mean he owns a part of me. That's not how love works.
"We came here because my wife wanted to talk to you, so be completely sure of the words that are about to come out of your mouth," Enrico's deep voice silently roared over the table, that I even had to hold his hand and slightly tug it so he would calm, even just for a bit.
He's standing behind me, refusing to sit down, and I know he's doing that to assert his dominance.
I'm all choked up with words to say so I took a deep breath to regulate myself. "I don't know why you did that, and I wouldn't want to know the reason why because no reason would be enough for you to threaten mine and my family's safety. But now, I'm giving you a chance to explain yourself."
He tilted his head up, meeting my eyes for the first time.
His eyes were weary and tired, and he was purposely making it hard for me to read his emotions.
"Because I foolishly held on to your words."
Somehow, even though I've completely moved on, there was still a hint of guilt and shame consuming me silently.
I made a promise, and I shouldn't have. That was my mistake.
It was foolish of me, too, but I didn't know any better. I didn't know that within the span of our marriage, that things would change its course.
"You can live your life with them, now," he muttered, and I can't help but feel sorry for him.
He's a good person, kaya ko nga siya nagustuhan noon. But...it's just different now.
"Thank you, and I'm sorry."
That was all I can say. Hindi ako marunong mag-comfort, I admit, so I'll just thank him for everything, and just...hope for the best, I guess.
Enrico's arm brushed past my back, causing me to slightly turn my head to look at him.
"Thank you for taking care of her while she was with you, but I'm going to have to take over from here," Enrico spoke calmly, in contrast to his dark and strong demeanor earlier.
"Yeah, take care of her," Samuel replied as he switched gazes between Cari and I.
I hope things turned out differently. That no one was led on, and no one broke their promises.
That I didn't have to break my promises to fulfill the new ones I made.
I wish my story with Enrico began earlier so no one got hurt in the process.
