Heart By Heart (The Architects Series #2)

Chapter 39

L A U R E N 

I can hear voices. I don't want to open my eyes. Alam ko ang amoy na ito—hospital. It's too familiar for me.

"She's going to be okay, Mr. Del Valle. You don't need to worry about your daughter. She's going to be fine."

But then, I suddenly remembered Caius.

I opened my eyes and I felt someone touched my hand. "Heart..." I blinked my eyes.

"Arthur," I called him and that caught my father's attention.

The doctor excused himself and my father went near me.

"How are you feeling princess?" He cupped my face but I turned my head on the other side.

"Caius. Saan mo dinala si Caius, Dad? I want to see him!" But then I groaned when I felt the pain in my head.

I was about to sit in bed when my father stopped me. "'Wag mo na siyang subukang hanapin, Lauren Denisse. I'll make sure he's dead when you will see each other again."

I looked at Arthur. "I want a divorce. Our marriage is not working!" I faced my dad with eagerness. "Dad, please... I want to be with Caius..."

"For pete's sake, Lauren Del Valle—Stephenson!" My dad exhaled and I just gasped when he mentioned my married name. Oh god, it sounds awful. I want it to be Montez. Montez.

"I can't be a wife to him, Dad! I don't love him!" I know this will hurt Arthur but I have to do all possible things to get rid of him. I want to be with Caius.

Ayokong makulong sa kasal na ito. I didn't like it in the first place. It was a secret marriage and I don't want people to know it. Good thing Dad allows me to keep it as a secret. I don't want people to know me as a Stephenson, I want people to know me as Mr. and Mrs. Caius Montez.

Yes, it sounds good.

"Stop this childish act, Lauren Denisse! You are not going to meet Caius Montez again! I'll set more bodyguards to stop that craziness of yours! Hindi ka mahal ng lalaking 'yon, all he wants from us is revenge and power. Walang magandang maidudulot sa 'yo ang Montez na 'yon."

I want to say more things to him but I chose not to. He's still my father. Bakit ba niya hindi irespeto at tanggapin ang pagmamahal ko kay Caius? Caius is a victim in this situation too and I want to know what is his condition right now.

Alam kong malayo sa bituka ang mga baril ni Dad... but, I need to be on his side! We both need each other! Hindi naman pwedeng wala akong gawin dito. Kailangan kong gumawa ng paraan.

"Dad please, let me know where Caius is..."

"Nasa kulungan na ang lalaking 'yon. He has to pay the fine and the pain that he caused you. One more thing, I found out that you have taken revenge against Caius' brother... I let him on jail but his wife and kid, will be in the hands of social workers. Binayaran ko na rin ang mga trabahador mo. I didn't expect that you will do these illegal things."

I knew I disappointed my Dad but I don't care anymore. I have to be with Caius. I want to be with my king. I miss him so much already...

AFTER a few hours, they already approved to discharged me. Dad makes sure that I am with Arthur and with all the guards that he placed on our house.

I couldn't breathe the same air with Arthur. I feel guilty. Mas gusto kong si Caius ang kasama ko. I know his situation isn't safe for him.

"What do you want for dinner?" Arthur faked a smile as he went to the kitchen and started to prepare.

I went near him. "Please tell me where is Caius, Arthur. Please..." I won't stop pleading until he will hear my cry. "Alam kong alam mo kung nasaan siya, Arthur, please tell me where is he... please tell me where is my king..."

Malalim siyang bumuntong-hininga at tinignan ako. He looked at me with pain in his eyes. I know he has been working hard for this marriage but I just can't... my heart it all belongs to Caius, my king.

"I'll help you see him, okay?" I couldn't celebrate in front of him and his eyes were about to shed tears but he's pulling it off. Alam kong mahirap sa kanya pero mas mahirap ito para sa akin.

I hugged him and I just felt him tapped my back. "Thank you, Arthur! Thank you so much!" I pulled away and smiled a little.

"I feel sorry for myself, Lau..."

I cupped his face. "Between us... It's almost nine years done..."

He nods his head and still trying to suppress his tears. "I know, I thought it will work out... I know I have the rights to blame you but I know your heart has been telling me. He's lucky to have you, Lau."

I smiled weakly. "He treats me his queen and so do I. He's the king of my life, Arthur. Whenever I'm with him, it always felt right. I love him so much..."

"Naiintindihan kita." He tried to smile. Kilala ko siya, alam kong hindi bukal sa puso niya ang ngiti na iyan. Somehow, I wanted to set him up for dates. I mean, I want him to open his heart of other women.

"Thank you so much for helping me, Arthur. I owe you a lot." 

He nodded at me. "Maghahanap na lang ako ng paraan para magkita kayo. I'll find a way for you, Lauren." 

"Can you bail him out of jail? I can't imagine him being inside the smoky cell, Arthur... hindi siya nararapat nandoon..." 

Umiling siya at pinilit na ngumiti. "He can't be in jail, Lauren. Walang ebidensya ang Daddy mo na may krimen na ginawa niya sa 'yo, Lauren." Nalito ako sa sinabi ni Arthur. "Alam ko itinapon niya si Caius sa isang lugar sa bandang Visayas. Mahina siya nang huli kong nakita. Pero alam kong gusto niya maging malakas para sa 'yo..." 

"Then, let me know where he is, Arthur. Hanapin natin siya..." I am so desperate. Gusto ko na siyang makasama. Gustong-gusto ko na. 

"I'll help you. Don't worry on that thing, Lauren. I want to see you happy. I know he is the source of your happiness, at alam kong hindi ko pwedeng palitan na 'yon. Kilala kita, mahal na mahal mo nga ang lalaking 'yon." 

Wala na akong masabi. He's hurting too much because of me. Pero, sa umpisa pa lang, ito na ang pinili niya na mangyari sa aming dalawa. He's blaming his self. Pero mas nakokonsensya ako dahil kailangan naming manatili sa kasal na ito, para sa mata ni Daddy... 

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