Avaricious Hearts

Chapter 52: The One who Begged

CLEO'S POV

After the dinner with Maine, my husband became extra sweet.

And it's weird that I found it awkward.

Is he doing this because he's guilty of something?

And it crossed my mind that he chose to love me because he realized that Maine can never love him. He chose to settle for someone who loves him than to be left alone. 

I don't want this feeling, but I am doubting him now.

Do he really loves me in the real sense of the word? Or he's just obliging himself to love me because I love him?

There are so many questions running in my mind. And I am hurting more and more.

I know I shouldn't dwell on the past. But the shadows are chasing me. The scars were gone, but the feeling of still lingers within me. I still feel the insecurity I felt ever since.

Does he loves me because he loves me, or he chose to oblige himself to love me because it will be a better option form him?

I took another sip from my lemonade. 

Not even a second, my mind became blank. Napakadaming umiikot sa ulo ko ngayon. All I want to feel is numbness. Gusto ko na mamanhid na lamang dahil sawang-sawa na akong makaramdam ng sakit.

Pinipilit ko sa sarili ko na ako ang mahal niya. Mahal na mahal ako ni Matthew Neil. Higit pa sa naging pagmamahal niya kay Maine noon. Nararamdaman ko iyon sa mga ginagawa niya para sa akin. 

Pero palaging may munting tinig sa isip ko na sinasabi na pagpapanggap lamang ang lahat.

Noon pa man, palagi na niyang ginagawa sa akin ang mga bagay na gustong-gusto niyang gawin kay Charmaine. At mabubura ba talaga ang labis na pagmamahal niya kay Maine?

Paano kung ang lahat ng ito ay para talaga kay Charmaine at hindi sa akin? Paano kung ibinaling niya na lamang ang pagmamahal niya sa akin.

Masaya ba na mahal niya ako dahil hindi niya pwedeng mahalin ang asawa ng iba?

"Cleo" tawag sa akin ng pinaka-baritonong boses na narinig ko.

Mula sa pagtingin sa kawalan, iniangat ko ang tingin ko sa kanya at pilit na ngumiti.

Hinila niya ang upuan sa tapat ko at umupo doon.

"Kanina ka pa ba?" tanong niya at kumaway sa waiter.

"Hindi naman. Kararating ko lang din" sagot ko sa tanong niya.

I look at him intently. He just stared back. 

While looking at his hazel eyes, I feel like drowning with his intimidating aura. He looks at me as if he's reading my soul. 

He's handsome. He's every inch of a man. Physically, he's better than Matthew, but if I am to choose I'll still choose Matthew. It will always be him for me. 

Ganoong din ba para sa kanya? Then and now, he'll always choose Maine over anything else?

"What do you want for lunch?" he asked.

Even his voice is manly. And with every word he speak, his lips are drawing attention. His appearance demands attention. He's a head turner. He can get the full attention of anyone by just walking on the room. Even now, girls are looking at him with adoration. Men are looking at him with envy.