Tú Eres Mi Sol

XXII

It was almost in time for supper. Richard walks out of Dei's room with one of the maids taking over the watch. He could now hear his stomach grumbling with almost 10 hours of no food.

He was surprised with Dei mentioned Christian.

Christian Albert Louis, the Earl of Rockford is Dei's longtime boyfriend. They have been together for almost 2 years. He's her first serious relationship and he makes her happy or Richard considers him to be her first boyfriend. They've all met him, he's a pretty stand up guy. He's four years older than Dei and met at the university. Dei wouldn't have it at first when he asked her out a few times and he asked some more. 

He then went to visit her at her grandparents' house for the summer, finally Dei agreed to go out and that was how their relationship started. Her grandparents were fond of Christian and they've all taken vacations together.

From what he understood in between sobs and a little wailing, Christian broke up with Dei a few days ago.

"It was a few days ago, he asked if we could go for a short break and ski, he said because I love skiing. We had a wonderful time there. On our way home, I was all giddy and telling him stories. He was quiet all the time. He said he'll take me home. We went to the garden and I was very happy. Being around him makes me happy. 

Then all of a sudden, he asks that we sit down. I was a little surprised, he's usually cheerful one. I thought it must be serious. 

He says, "Dei, let's break up. At first I didn't believe it, I said if it's one of your pranks again, it's not funny. His face stayed serious. And he started crying. I knew then that it was real. I found myself crying, too. 

I asked him, if I did something wrong, if I wasn't enough, if he was unfaithful. He said he was happy with me, that I made him happy and that I may not have an idea on how I changed his life but I did. I said then, what the hell was wrong? Why was he breaking up with me?

He said that he's getting married. Then I realised that he looked like he hasn't slept for days or weeks, his eyes were all puffed and swollen. 

His parents incurred huge debts and this was the only way to save them, for him to marry a duchess. I said if it's about the money then maybe I can talk to my grandparents to help him and his family, that I can help make arrangements, that Mom left me some trust, I can lend it to him as I knew he's not the type to want to receive dole-outs.

He cried and cried and hugged me some more. He said had always known about the arranged marriage. It was put in place the day he was born but he thought they were doing really well and he didn't have to do it. 

He said,"Dei, I have to do it for my family. Dei, I love you. You've made me the happiest person in these last few days. I'm sorry I was selfish and I didn't tell you earlier, I wanted bank some memories. Memories with you to keep me sane. 

He hugged me and said, "Dei, I love you. Please always know that. I will forever love you. You may feel that at this very moment, I may not have chosen you, but my heart will always choose you, that my heart is yours. I am so sorry. It pains me to see you like this." He wipes the tears off my face with his thumb.

"It may take me a lifetime to forgive myself for doing this to you or maybe not at all. I am so sorry. I love you, Dei. I love you."

He kissed me and walked away."

Richard found himself near the dinning table. There he could see her grandparents and her dad who seemed to have just arrived.

"Richard, come join us. You must be famished."