The SONG of My HEART☑️

CHAPTER EIGHT

ARABELLA’S POV

Five years after…

    I knew I had just fallen asleep. I was so tired with the whole day work. I had so much to do and finish. As much as I wanted to continue snuggling my pillow but I couldn’t. The tapping on the door grew louder and urgent. No time for me to dress so I just wore my robe and opened the door.

    “What is it, Elly?” I asked to the stable errand of the Hacienda Henarez.

    “Señiorita, you are summoned to come in the villa by Señior Miguel. It’s about Don Roberto,” Elly answered. She was still not used to be addressed as ‘señiorita’ but she didn’t tell him. This must be urgent.

    It was past eleven in the evening, and Elly might not be here if it wasn’t urgent. I went with Elly who ushered me towards the horse he used to come here. I didn’t have a choice but to go with him so we could arrive as soon as possible in the villa.

    It had been five years and my life had changed a lot. I was still the same old Arabella, just more mature and wiser. I was through college and now working in the hacienda. As what had been agreed before, the part of the land promised by Don Roberto became rightfully mine when I reached the age of 20.

    I had already forgiven the Henarez. I realized everything happened for a reason. I couldn’t continue blaming the old man since he was a victim as well. I couldn’t take back my parents’ life and I just prayed they were happy now.

    I learned to forgive myself as well. I knew I had been hard with the old Don at first. But Roberto Miguel was right; his grandpa was a good man. I was just blinded by hatred and bitterness before. The real criminal, Simeon, died. He had been killed with an unknown identity. I found it no use of knowing how. I had finally let it go. I didn’t ask any more questions.

    A sudden fear I never felt before years invaded my chest. I arrived in the villa and went straight to the first landing of the grand staircase. As I was climbing, the fear I was feeling worsen. Something was wrong. I was on the hallway making my way to the master’s bedroom then I opened the door.

    Valentina and Miguel were in the room and Don Roberto was lying on the bed. He was not been feeling well for quite some time.

    Señior Miguel looked so sad while Señiora Valentina was silently crying.

    “Ara… Arabella,” Don Roberto called my name. He must have heard the door opened. He was so weak I feared he would not stay longer. He had been telling me previously that his time was about to end.

    “Don Roberto, please don’t talk anymore,” I told him. I held his right hand and gently squeezed it as if telling me I was just here. I hated him before and now I had learned to care for him. He had only shown kindness to me.

    “Ara… I’ll not stay longer. Have you totally forgiven me?” The old Don asked me softly. His voice was really weak. My tears started to fall. I was not been crying lately, but I was starting to be a crying lady again.

    “Yes, Don Roberto. I have forgiven you a long time already. And I wanted to say sorry and thank you for understanding me as well.” I was still crying while telling him how I felt.

    “Sshhh… Don’t cry, hija. What I want you to promise me now…is you’ll take care Hacienda Henarez like your own. You help Robby when he comes back. Can you promise me that?” The old man asked me again.

    I didn’t know but I couldn’t say no to him. I simply nodded as a response. I saw him weakly smiled and peacefully closed his eyes. Then suddenly, I just felt the old Don stopped breathing. I cried even more.