Behind Her Innocence (Hughes Series)

Chapter 29: Accept & Change

Aaron's POV

I was so surprised when Tito Garret's secretary called me and asked me to come to his office right away. I didn't expect it knowing that he hated me. Kinakabahan ako because I couldn't think of a reason bakit bigla niya akong pinatawag.

Was he going to let me explain and give me a chance? Did he change his mind and let me see my daughter?

My hopes were up as I went to his office. But I was surprised when I also saw Gwen inside. My heart was torn when I saw her crying. Nagulat nalang din ako nung bigla akong sinuntok ni tito.

He got mad because he knew about the wedding and the divorce. I wanted to scold myself because Gwen was so hurt and her dad was so mad at her. Kung pwede ko lang sana tanggalin ang lahat ng sakit na nararamdaman niya ay gagawin ko.

When Gwen and I were left alone, I grabbed the chance to talk to her, but she was so hurt that she inflicted all the hatred she felt on me. Ni hindi ko siya mapakiusapan na makita ang anak namin. She was certain to hide Rosetta from me which hurt me so much.

The only thing I wanted to have right now was Gwen's forgiveness and my daughter's. Yun lang sana.

Hindi ko siya masisisi because I was really an idiot at kasalanan ko naman talaga kung bakit siya labis na nasasaktan hanggang ngayon. I left her with a vague explanation that was not enough for her to accept and to move on. I was aware of how much she loved me. Sinabi niya iyon sakin ng ilang beses, but I was really stupid not to consider her feelings when I left.

Sana kung alam ko lang na labis-labis pa pala siyang masasaktan sa pag-alis ko ay sana may nagawa akong paraan para mabawasan yun o sana hindi ako umalis. But it was too late, I already left her.

She was still hurt. I was sure of that. She hated me to the core and she hadn't moved on. Akala ko kasi noon, matapang siya at kaya niyang pagalingin ang sarili niya after months from the day I left her. Pero hindi. Hanggang ngayon ay dala-dala parin niya ang nangyari samin noon. Naiintindihan ko naman lalo na at ang bigat pala ng pinagdaanan niya nung iniwan ko siya especially that she had to raise our daughter by herself. She was tough to do that.

I parked my car in front of the house and stormed inside.

"Aaron, andito ka ulit."

Dad greeted me with a confused look. I knew na nagtataka na siya dahil napapadalas na ang dalaw ko sa kanya simula nung magkaayos na kaming dalawa.

"What happened to your face? Bakit namamaga na naman yan?"

"Wala to," I answered. I tried to dismiss the topic. Pumunta ako sa kusina para kumuha ng malamig na tubig. "Manang, paki gawa nga po ako ng juice. Salamat."

Lumapit sakin si dad at tinitigan ng husto ang mukha ko. "Si Garret ba ang may gawa ulit niyan sayo?"

"Dad, I need your help," I said instead of answering his question.

"Another miracle," he said chuckling.

Binaliwala ko ang tawa niya because I came here for a reason. Habang pauwi kasi ako ay nakapag-isip-isip ako. What Tito Garret told me kept on replaying in my head.

Useless

Irresponsible

Immature

Masakit sa damdamin but who was I to get mad and upset? Kasalanan ko naman dahil yun ang image na iniwan ko sa kanila. I showed them how happy go lucky I was.

"Help me learn everything about business, dad. Teach me anything I need to learn. I am willing to find an investor that will replace Tito Garret for pulling out his shares in our company. May paraan pa naman para makabawi tayo. Let me help you, dad. Help me become responsible."