Cassidy Hurdiss intentionally broke the heart of the one man who has always loved her. She had to set him free so he could fulfill his lifelong dream to be a successful business tycoon in New York City.
Four years later, Aaron Ceyx Monteverde come...
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"Why?" Hurt was present in my tone when I asked. I did not even bother to hide it.
He met my stare and raised an eyebrow. "Why not? I'm a billionaire now. I can buy whatever I want whenever I want."
He motioned for the couch on the side of the table. "Have a seat. Feel free to lounge like a visitor."
Hindi ko pinansin ang sinabi niya. Sa halip ay humugot ako ng malalim na hininga. "You've changed so much. This. This is not you at all."
"You turned me into this." He hissed in disdain. He stood up from his chair and approached me. "You're looking at your own creation, Cassidy."
"You lost your heart, Aaron." Sagot ko kahit na halos mabingi ako sa lakas ng pagtibok ng puso ko.
"And you lost your dignity. Going to bars, showing skin, dancing with strangers? Are you a whore now?" Pumalatak siya. I could feel the sting of every insult.
"Stop."
"Do not tell me to stop! Dahil totoo lahat ang sinabi ko. Ikaw ang nagbago. I wouldn't be surprised if I find out one day that you're doing drugs!"
I slapped him hard and the impact made my palm burn. "How dare you! You have no idea what I went through!"
Hinawakan niya'yong kamay na pinangsampal ko sa kanya. "Slap me again."
Natahimik ako. Hawak niya pa rin ang kamay ko. "Slap me again and I swear I'll fuck you real hard."
Hinila ko nang marahas ang kamay ko. Ang sakit niya magsalita. Hindi niya naman alam na lahat ng ginawa ko para rin sa kanya. Namuo ang luha sa mga mata ko.
Tiningnan niya ako na tila ba ay nagulat dahil sa pag-iyak ko. Before he could even react, I stood up abruptly and went out of his office. I did not glance back, not even once.
I took my wallet and checked the amount of cash I have left. One thousand. Kinuha nga pala ni Alvido ang cellphone at pera ko.
I hailed a cab at nagpadala ako sa condo ni Theia.
"Bakit ganyan ang itsura mo?" She scanned me from head to foot when her eyes landed on me.
"I need your help Theia, please..."
She pulled me inside and closed the door. She made me sit on her sofa. "Ano ba'ng maitutulong ko?"
I swallowed the lump on my throat. I fidgeted with my fingers because I don't know how to say it.
"I need money." Sa wakas ay nabanggit ko rin ang mga katagang parang nakabara lang sa lalamunan ko.
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Saan mo gagamitin at magkano?"
I had no time to explain so I gave her the three-minute version of the story. She was gaping at me when I finished telling her what had happened. She sat absent-mindedly on her chair while holding her head in shock.
"Oh, my God, Cassi. Alvido's a devil! Paano nila nagawa 'to sa 'yo?"
I wiped my tears and made a straight face. I was trying to look calm and collected even though I felt a melee of emotions on the inside.
"I don't know. Tatakas ako kay Aaron. I don't want him to own me." She looked sad but she nodded.
Pumasok siya sa k'warto at pagkatapos ng ilang minuto ay bumalik siya dala ang isang shoulder bag. "100,000 ang nand'yan. Handle it well." paalala niya.
I hugged her and mouthed my thanks.
"Take care, Cassi."She whispered
I said my thanks then hurriedly left her condo.I don't know where to go. I hailed a cab again and told the cabbie to drive me to the nearest bus terminal. Pagkababa ko sa terminal ay tinignan ko kung saan patungo ang mga bus.
Albay, Naga, Sorsogon.
I made up my mind. I'm doing this for my freedom. Sumakay ako ng bus. Umugong ang bus, senyales na aalis na ito dahil puno na. Dahan-dahan itong umandar paalis ng terminal. Napagdesisyunan ko munang matulog ngunit may malakas na kumalampag sa gilid ng bus.
Galit na sumigaw ang driver. "Hoy! Itigil mo 'yan!"
"Give me a ride!"
I froze as I heard his voice. Pati ba naman dito, Aaron?
Napamura ako nang buksan ng konduktor ang pinto ng bus at pumasok ang hingal na hingal na si Aaron. He scanned the bus and his eyes landed on me. He was looking at me in a serious way.
Kinuha niya ang wallet niya at naglabas ng sampung libo na siya namang inabot niya sa kondoktor. Muling umandar ang bus.Nagbulung-bulungan naman ang mga tao habang nakatingin sa kanya.
Unti-unti siyang lumapit . My heartbeat accelerated. He was walking towards me without breaking eye contact. Inabutan niya ng tatlong libo ang lalaking katabi ko kaya tumayo ito.
He sat beside me. Nag-iwas na ako ng tingin. "Bakit ba hindi mo na lang ako hayaang umalis?"
