SIDED LOVE

12.2 Welcome Back.

It's morning already when I realized I was late to pick up Sancho at the airport. He certainly said that he'll be here to visit me once more and check if I was alright. I guess being notified as a dead person can be a little bit hard and especially putting the blame on a person who wasn't responsible for my disappearance is too harsh.

I have to apologize to Sancho once he comes back.

I walked around the small apartment Sancho rented for me and thought of something to cook once he reaches here. I'm quite glad that he still communicates with someone like me who gives him nothing but pain. I was supposed to be the one who will stay by his side through thick and thin and yet I am a coward hiding from my home place.

I'm really an idiot for asking Sancho to put a front on my fake death and make it seem like I was drifted by the wave. That night, both of us didn't stay long. We left Dani and Leah at that vacation place and went straight to the airport. Sancho proposed to me that night but I refused, saying that I am too hung up with family problems that I can't just agree with the burden they are forcing us to do.

To be honest, Sancho and I were best of friends. I was really close to him and I loved him dearly. Our parents were all depending on me on the future of our family name since they can't bear a male child. Dani and I were expected to marry someone who is from a rich family.

Coincidentally, Sancho's mother is rich and He is also earning quite a lot after he graduated. Being a novelist and a class-A in the bachelors of the east, My parents grew to like him. They practically forced me to seduce him and try to make him marry me.

Sancho knew all of this all along and when the last day of everything arrived, I told him I don't want to marry him for this reason. That is why I chose to die in paper than to marry him according to my parents' wishes. I want to be with him with my own will which he understood.

I heard from him that Dani blamed him for my death and my parents tried to sue him. Though they didn't win in court because I respectfully declined their resort with my own name without them knowing.

I also "passed" on my will of testament on him so that once I truly die, all the money I have will be given to him. That's how I love him.

I was snapped out of my reverie when my phone started ringing. I looked at the caller and saw Sancho. He's finally arrived.

"Yes, Hello?"

"I'm here." I hear his voice. It was so nice hearing him again. We couldn't communicate that much since people around him grew suspicious of his actions.

"Great, i'll be there in 5 minutes."

---

"How was your days here? Were you okay living by yourself?" Sancho asked while dropping off his bags and luggages. I helped him unpack his stuff and bring his bags to his room. He specifically bought an apartment with two bedrooms just in case he wants to come here.

"A very nice neighbor of mine helped me every day to bring the groceries in. He was a year younger than I am but he is really hardworking. I bet his girlfriend was happy for him for being that persistent in achieving his goals." I looked at him and smiled. "He kind of reminded me of you, actually."

He went closer to me and took off his coat. He draped the large coat around the both of us. "What are you doing, Sancho? I am not cold."

He leaned closer and lie his head on my shoulder. My head is the only one sticking out of the coat. "I missed you."

"What are you saying, Sancho?"

He covered all of us inside that coat and kissed me under it. His lips were soft and I can already feel the electricity coming down my veins as he pull me closer. It was a bliss for him to be here, by my side. I hope he never leaves.

After the kiss, he pulls away to take off the thick coat away from me. He looked up at the ceiling and squinted. I don't know what he's trying to do but I know he is noticing something I don't understand.

"Come with me outside, we need to talk."

---

"What is it you want to talk about, Sancho?" I asked while handing him a hot cup of brewed coffee.

"There are surveillance cameras all around your living room. I bet there are some in your room and mine. I noticed it once I felt the squeaking noises when I got inside the living room first. It was faint but my hearing is quite sharp." He explained while sipping on the cup. "I need to see this neighbor of yours."

"Sure but I don't think he's at home at the moment."

"Amanda, I need to ensure your safety. We don't know who this guy is and who he might probably be working for. Your safety from the public is my priority."

I gripped on my cup and awkwardly lie my head down. I couldn't contain these mixed feelings. Should I be happy that he worries for me or should I be sad that he only thinks of that than meeting me?

"I'm really sorry for burdening you, Sancho. If you think I am annoying, you can stop this act now. You can just tell my parents and Dani that i'm alive and I'll do the rest."

My head was lifted by Sancho's big hands and then I felt his forehead on mine. His eyes are piercing through my soul as if saying that he is not leaving me.

"We're in this together, Mandi. I can't leave you in this state and give up. I love you so much that I became an asshole myself."

"Me too."

End