A Stoic Heart (Completed)

Chapter 27:

Euro Zalmacio

I am far from being consumed for the entire day, way too drained.

Liana suggested for this place but how can I tell her I just wanted to go home and rest when this is the first time she ever suggested something? So I agreed.

I'm glad I agreed, I never thought I could find tranquil in this darkness.

"Euro, about your mom" there she goes.

"What about her?"

"Well I can't think of her as what you initially described"

"Don't be deceived." I said and pressed the buzzer to ask for more drink.

"Did she really...?" Liana's question was left hanging, but I know what she wanted to ask, what she wanted to confirm.

"Yes she did...a mistress of a man older than my father" I closed my eyes and open them again to see no changes in the darkness clouding my vision.

"She was supposed to be the fortress of our family, but it had only taken her two months of vacation to ruin the family she had" the pang of pain was there again, I never thought I would be opening this up to someone.

"I thought I'm fine, that I've already accepted everything she'd done and even the divorce, I made sure it will be a smooth process just so she can go away and never let us see her again...but when I saw her earlier, when I heard my mother's voice...the memories of my childhood was back" my voice was cracking, this was Liana's fault I knew she know this would happen.

Liana's soft hands find mine and she laid her head on top of my chest.

She was coocooned there, listening at my broken heart beat.

"A woman will not surrender the battle that isn't over yet...that was what my mother often told me. I'm sure she loves you Euro and she has her reasons, have you ever listened to her side?" Liana's soft voice queried.

Did I ever asked about her side? I didn't, I'm afraid to hear the truth from her. I know my father has faults too but I want the blame to rest at her, she caused and started this, no one should be blamed but her, whatever reason she may have.

"Maybe someday I will" I told Liana. I sniffed her jasmine scent hair that I get used to smelling now. Her warmth reminded me that I'm not numb from everything...yet.

"And the portrait of that woman hanging on your old bedroom?" I shuffled away from her making her sit inches away from me. How did she knew? damnit Faura!

Rubbing my hands to my face I shake my head.

She shouldn't have known, I should not have left her with my sister. How can they trespass my room for Pete's sake.

"No one's allowed there! that's off limit! why did Faura let you in? fuck!"

Liana touched my arms. I can feel she's afraid from my outburst, I'm trying not to scare her but heck what they did was beyond the line.

"I...I'm sorry Euro, I didn't mean to ask Faura to let me see it. I just want to see how your room looks like when you were a rebellious teenager. I'm really sorry" Liana's voice was pleading me to calm down.

I am angered but what can I do? it has already happened.

I drank my champagne in one gulp and stayed silent.

"She was an ex fiance"

"You had a fiance?" Liana asked, her voice was filled with shock

"Yes you heard me correctly, I did" I snapped

"She was very beautiful, what happened?" yes Ashley was the most beautiful woman in my eyes, but that was before.

"She ran away." I ended my statement there.

"That's it?" she asked

That's it? That "it" made my life crumble for years.

"What do you want to hear Liana? That she ran away with another man? well yes she did, she ran away with half of my investment, she left me half-way of our wedding plan. Ashley just left, that's it Liana. Let's stop this, you have nothing to do with my life anyway" I breathed heavily.

"Yes I do as much as you meddle with mine Euro"

"What is it that you wanted to hear more Liana?"

"What made her ran Euro?"

At that moment the past seems to flash right before my eyes and I can't help my tongue and my mind be driven by the champagne to tell-tale my fucked up past.

"A month before our wedding Ashley acted so different, she neglects the appointments of the wedding organizer leaving Faura and I do the math. She was constantly asking money, leaving our house early and going back late. She's been drunk and on drugs and I kept it all, because I loved her and I thought she loved me.

But two weeks before the wedding day I followed her downtown, she entered a small apartment. Back then I trusted her so much, thinking it was a friend of hers. I waited for her to exit but it has already been an hour, so I went out of my car to fetch her, I'm worried that the love of my life might be harmed."

"I still remember how the coldness of the night stung my skin and reddened my nose. It was painful but what's worst is seeing her from the window, dancing with a man at an intimate distance. Ashley's head was leaning on the man's chest, I can feel that they've known each other for a long time, much longer than me, that their bond is stronger compared to what we have. Their dance and stares at each other is etched with sadness...it was then I realized that all along Ashley loved someone and felt nothing for me.

That I am but an obligation to marry to honor her father's request being a subsidiary of my father's company"

"She never loved me, so I let her be, I let her run and take my heart with her. Now this man in front of you Liana was heartless...I am sorry but this is all I am now."

Fuck are these tears? my tears? what a motherfucking weak man am I after all.

So I let myself be, I succumbed at my loneliness and pain and felt Liana standing in front of me and hugged me. Her embrace always made me feel the longing for home.

"Euro I can't stand you crying...I'm sorry I have to brought this up please hush now. I'm sorry" her voice was full of weary

"I am a monster Liana, I became this monster after being robbed by everything...blame me all you want, I shouldn't have taken you I am sorry but I can't let you go now. I want you for myself and it's selfish I know, but this is me, this is the worst man that I came to be...please don't leave me yet"

"You are not a monster at all Euro, I can still see the goodness in you."

I pulled Liana to a bone crushing hug.

That morning when I told myself I don't do the hugging thing and woke up embracing her I realized how fucked up our set up could be. I know Liana wouldn't fall for me, so I disregarded the detector test and already transferred the properties stated on the contract to her name. She didn't know anything about this yet, but she will once the contract ends.

Liana put both her warm hands and cup my face. I might not be able to see her angelic face but I could feel her and that's all that matters now.

"And I won't leave you at this state Euro, You were there when I needed you, you protected me...and I want you to know that not all the woman around you is like your mother Leah or your ex-fiance Ashley, give your heart a chance to open up to possibilities again Euro"

"You and I, we both have a fucked up past but does it matter? As long as were here now breathing, struggling to survive another day and be stronger than what we were yesterday...That's all that matters" Liana said.

Then I felt her warm lips on my lips.

***

A/N: Hello reader's please bear with me as we go through chapters like this that contains many discussion. It's good to know our character's turning point.

PS: Updated book cover, hope you liked it ❤️ wuv you guyth. Please give this pitiful author a vote ⭐