The Runaway Bride

Chapter 24 - In Epiphany and Surprises

Coding days .. Sometimes, I hate Makati for that ..







It was one of my coding days and I never had the time to even think about asking for Liam's help, but I did that's why I asked for a lift on his black Lexus CT Hybrid. I didn't even know how I manage to persuade him and be my driver for awhile but I did. Who thought this guy has a heart to begin with? Not that I'm on the right place to judge but who else could I ask a favor?








I didn't want to worry my Dad just yet, not at the moment when you saw how busy he was signing paperwork from here to there and all the kind of stuffs he was hovering on his Macbook pro.







So I have no one else but to ask an aid for Liam--- of all people!!! Not that I have a choice anyway .. He was there and my Baby needs me and what surprised me more is the fact that he didn't assess nor ask further about my urgent matter








Somehow, he was reluctant to aid for help and I dont know if it was me but I felt he was concern even for a minute. I must've looked so desperate at that time and I wouldn't mind at all.. besides, Desperate time calls for desperate measure.







"Where to?" He asked as he pressed on the gas


"Makati Med" I abruptly uttered not sparing him a glance or two. I didn't even let go of my phone, I didn't want to ..


I want to be there when my phone rings the next time around. My knuckles were getting paler as I tightly hold on to my phone as if my life depends on it







Liam turned left and we drove straight to  A. Arnaiz Ave. He was also driving with enough speed; somehow he knew that I was probably panicking. Was it that obvious?!








With my sweaty icky palms, my mannerism to bit my lower lip when I'm nervous and the fact that I could feel my long edgy well-manicured nails dug against my palm---Was it obvious?







I watch him from my peripheral view and I would often catch him stealing glances at me which, to my surprise, I didn't find creepy at all. I kept my phone next to my ear talking to Alex ... making sure he was there with my baby and never leaving her by her own






My poor little baby






I couldn't even stand to even imagine how my baby suffers in her high-pitched and distressed cries---Long, shrill, faint crying without me by her side. It made my heart cringed







Don't worry,Baby .. Mommy's almost there






When we reached Makati Med's wide cemented parking lot, I immediately rushed to where my Baby was






Room. 406






When I opened the door, the first thing that my eyes laid upon was Alex whose head snapped up the moment I slid inside the door.






"How's Scarloe?" I asked dropping my bag on the tiled floor and held out my Baby's right hand. I kissed it tenderly and held it close to me, not wanting to let it go.






She was asleep, her chest rising and falling as she breathes. Her pink pacifier was still on her mouth and she looks paler but I was somehow relieved that she looks a little okay. No weird tubings on her arms and all sorts. I brushed my palm on her forehead and leaned in to kiss her on top of her head 









"Sleep well, Baby .. Don't worry, Mommy's here now. Mommy wont leave your side" I whispered wanting to cradle her on my arms. 



She looks so fragile and vulnerable and my heart melts at the mere sight of it. I was there but I dont even know what to do to ease the pain or whatever pain my baby was feeling







Was it mother's instincts to feel secured about her baby? Definitely! I wanted to carry her burden, wanting God to let it be me instead of her. Now I understand how my mother feels whenever one of us is away from her.. The need to protect someone dear to you












Just thinking about how rebellious I was when I was younger made me feel sorry for my own mother. I had a tattoo when I was 15, had my belly pierced the following year, tried smoking at the same year and went drunk at the same time--- Imagining those things that my Baby would indulge with when she grows up, I would definitely lock her (if I could) in her room if she does





Now, I understand my Mom .. 







She was right all along. I remember how she said it "Someday, You'll realize these things when you have your own kids, Diane"







From behind, Alex wrapped his arms around me in a warm embrace and kissed the top of my head
"Everything's gonna be fine, Diane .. We just have to wait for the doctor"







Just then he looked over my shoulder and gave me the Who-the-heck-is-that-guy look.







"Alex .. Uhmm---" I stood up right away and felt ashame about forgetting Liam was actually standing there just few steps away from the door.







I pulled up a smile trying to lighten my mood even for a little


"This is Liam Eilhalmburgh, Group Head of Corporate Strategy and Business Development on our company. and Liam, this is Alex Llanza a family friend"







"A very close one" Alex added with a smirk which I didn't expect at all. It was like he was sending a message to back off--- That Liam was actually hitting a bigger rock







I saw how they were weighing each other's gazes, no one uttered a word. They just stood there looking at each other one on one and I dont know if it was me or did I just see a certain invisible spark between them.






"Nice meeting you,  Mr. Eilhalmburgh " Alex held out his hand for Liam to reach


"The pleasure is all mine Mr Llanza"  His smile didn't even reach his eyes and that was weird way to say by all means that he really doesn't like Alex at all







"I guess I better go now, Diane" He said gazing at me straight in the eyes and pulled up a smile on his face


"Thank you for the lift, Liam .. I really don't know what could I do to thank you"






Alex coughed faintly from behind us, as if dragging us back to where we were. He wasn't usually like this.






He smirked, looking at Alex with such cockiness on his head. It's like he's telling it off that he has the upper hand now, which hit me that owing a gratitude to someone like him--- Someone like Liam Eilhalmburgh isn't really a good idea







"You just owe me a dinner." He winked at me but before I could say a come back, he already turned his back at me and started walking away







"Did he just winked at you?" Alex uttered in disbelief, his eyes never leaving the door to where Liam disappeared






"Well.. I dont know--" I shrugged my shoulder not wanting to elaborate whatever it was because clearly, deep inside me .. I dont even know


 "Probably. You did see that" I said














~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~









"Alex, what if my baby's condition is worst than I thought? What if it wasn't a mere gastric problem .. what if..." I whispered  almost sounding hoarse. My heart was pounding vigorously, hammering against my ribcage







"Diane, The best pediatrician already have checked on Scarloe's condition.. it was not only a mere pediatrician.. it was Tita Ingrid's colleague. Your Mom's closest friend and isn't it your Ninang Rhea?"
 






"I know Ninang Rhea! It's just that I was being pessimistic yet again.. Just thinking about the cons.. I don't think I could live with that. My baby is as fragile as a glass and---"







"Diane" Alex assured, " I can't promise that your baby Scarloe wont get hurt. I can't tell the future, Diane, but I can tell you that everything happens for a reason."






I turn my head to his direction and glared straight into him "Alex, that's not reassuring!"






"It wasn't meant to be. Diane, you were put into this trial for a reason; you were put in this situation for a reason.."






If I were to trust my gut I would have bolted at that moment. But in my mind Alex's words could never be wrong, so I sat back and tried to relax.






I thought about Scarloe. I thought about waking up with my baby in my arms every morning for the rest of my life and of feeling warm and safe.







"Hungry? " Alex laughed as my stomach grumbled. If anyone asked, I wouldn't have been able to tell them the last time I ate. With everything going on, all the stress I was feeling, food had been the least of my worries.






"A little," I answered.



"Are you in the mood for pizza?"





"I'll only eat pizza from one place in Makati," I smiled remembering the first place where I dragged him with me, as if it was yesterday and not almost Three years ago.




"Lead the way!" Alex smiled.




"We really don't have-"




"Jesus, what a kill joy you've become!" Alex exclaimed, exasperated.




I sighed, looking at her pouting face before saying, "Make a left here."




"Here you go," Alex breathed as she opened the door quickly, in an attempt to get out of the sudden downpour of rain.





"It's raining cats and dogs out there," I joked.





"Tell me about it," He laughed, "I'm soaking wet—and not in a good way!"





"Alex!!" I laughed.





"Oh shush, and eat your pizza," Alex said while he started the ignition.





"I'm going to call Dad and let him know what's going on. He's probably looking for me at work."




"Tita Ingrid already did, Tito Attonio’s probably on his way”



“Thank you so much, Alex” I hugged him tightly as I could and accidentally smelled his intoxicating allure on his shirt, luring me to succumb my sensitive nose to it for far too long






and When I opened my eyes, I saw how his pupil dilated upon gazing at me, flashback slowly came into my head like a mantra













The titillating image of Alex right before me, made my heart thump in excitement pounding harsh and loud in my head










A sultry zephyr, cooled by the nearby Gulf waters, breezed over my skin, inspiring me to close my eyes and take deep, soothing breaths.  I could hear the gentle rustle of the leafy palms overhead and smell the delicate perfume of wild jasmine and the more exotic fragrance of Alex planted jonquil drifted, mixing with the spicy undertones from the pepper trees, creating a heady combination. 











It was a night for romance, for lovers but we weren’t even lovers to begin with. I fluttered my eyes open and then pushed Alex’s chest away from me