ANTHALIA IVVANOVICH: The Substitute Bride

Chapter 22

Ezekiel

Ikinuyom ko ang kamao habang pinapakinggan ang sinasabi ng doctor.

I think I heard him say "everything's okay."
"Nothing seems emergency just take precautions don't stress your wife too much she has high emotional level at the moment."

I couldn't help thinking what I did to Thalia. Hindi ko sinasadyang saktan siya kanina and it was adrenaline that worked , I chose Equija.

Damn it!

I banged my head to the wall after I get off the doctor's office. Fucking intoxicating! My chest feels so heavy.

Until the very last time I coudnt do anything right. I always ended up hurting her!

"Damn you! Damn you!"

"Yeah? Harder you moron."

Nakita ko ang pagdating ni Erin kasama ni Baxter. I think it's been a month since l last saw my sister.

"What are you doing here?"

Hindi ko inasahan na malakas na sampal ang sasalubong sa akin 

"That's for doing things compulsively ."

Maang ko siyang pinag masdan.  I saw deep anger in her face. That's new. My sister never had such emotions.

Nakita ko ang muling pag igkas ng palad niya pero Hindi ko iyon iniwasan.

"Erin enough" narinig kong wika ng fiance niyang si Baxter pero Hindi siya natigil

Another slap got me on my other cheek and it's harder this time. I bet I have her palm marked in there.

"That's for hurting Thalia over and over again. Can't you just man up and have the balls to face your responsibilities and mistakes? Tangina mo Ezekiel you're already 32 and a crown Prince to house Cuerido. Your nation needs a mature and highly capable king. If you can't handle your marriage life you can't handle three hundred and two  thousands of people."

She walked passed me and entered the private room where Equija is lying.

Linapitan ako ni Baxter at tinapik sa balikat

"Hormones."

Nanlaki ang mga mata na pinagmasdan ko siya

"You mean..."

"Yes we're 3 months pregnant brother in law."
Nakangiti ako at tinapik din siya sa balikat. The news ease somehow my burdens.

"That's why please man. Solve your problems now , I don't think Erin will pursue our wedding without you getting your life fixed. After all isn't that what you wanted why you came here and searched for her?"

"Closure" I whispered.

Is that what I really want?

Yes.

Says a small part of my heart.

ANTHALIA

"Anak you sure about this? Please stay longer. Dipa ako nakontento na makasama ka make it 2 weeks? Hmm?"

I hate leaving but I have to. I need to go on with my life. This time without any connection to Ezekiel.  Nagawa ko yun noon kakayanin ko parin ngayon.

"Mom I have the company to handle. Kinakabahan na nga mga empleyado ko eh plus Tamarah been texting me non stop. I will be updating you time to time.  Ingat kayo mommy! I love you!"

I hugged her real tight . Nakita ko sa likuran si Khai na nakatingin Lang na tila malalim ang iniisip.

"Khai... look over mom. Please take care of her."
"Wait. Just wait. Someone is coming for you . " napakunot noo ako sa sinabi niya.

Don't tell me... mayat maya'y may sasakyan na paparating.  Thinking it was Ezekiel pinigilan ako ni mommy at siya ang lumabas para harapin kung Sino man ang dumating

"What is it this time Khai?" May pagbabanta na wika ko.

"Someone you love."

As instance narinig ko ang maligayang tili ni mommy at sigaw niya papasok ng bahay.

Namalayan ko na Lang na hila hila niya ang isang lalake papasok.

"Pleois"

The man was wearing a semi formal attire. Malayo sa suot niyang slave uniform back in Greece.

"Pleois!" I ran towards him and hugged him tight

"Princess!" He grew bigger and now have a manly built I can't believe he's here!

"Oh my God! Pleois what are you doing here!?"

Bahagya niya akong inilayo at pinagmasdan.

Napansin kong binigyan niya ng sandaling tingin ang aking kapatid bago malalim akong pinagmasdan.

"House Ivvanovich is falling. There is a revolt against your Uncle. Come back home and be the face of revolution. We need you now Thalia."

What?

"What... how ? Why? I mean everything was fine before we left?"

"It has never been fine after your Uncle took the throne! He's been hoarding stocks in the market. Tax payment increase every now and then. He mistreated slaves it is a hell now in there. Epidemic strikes year ago and many people died when instead of giving help he outcasted the positive patients and let them died."

I am already shaking. I can't believe na hanggang doon na pala kasukdulan ang pagiging masamang tao ni uncle. Naikuyom ko ang kamao hatred starting to grow bigger I just want to snap.

"I wanted to contact you but I was forbid to do so. Your uncle's soldiers spied on me until my last resort is to run away. With the permission of your people , those who are loyal to your throne we made a way to get me out of Sicily and enter the Philippines to find you. Princesa come home. Be the face of the revolution. You too my Prince if our queen permits us."

Bahagyang yumuko si Pleois kay mommy

"No. No Pleois I won't allow that."

Hinila ako ni mommy sa kaniyang likuran
"My daughter went to hell because of Maurico for the shake of saving us. That hell is still haunting her now.  And I won't allow another reason to risk my children's life for the throne. We've been living in peace in the last 3 years here."

"Mommy"

"Mom our people needs us!" Wika ni Khai na alam kong pareho Kami nang iniisip.

"No Khai that's final."

"I'm going mom."
Nakita ko ang panlalaki ng mata ni mommy na alam kong anumang sandali ay magagalit na.

"ANTHALIA!"

"Mom! They are our people. My people . Father taught me to love and care for them. They remain loyal to the throne for us. And we left them behind! It's high time to get back and claim what's really for us . It's time to make uncle pay for everything he did. Including poisoning my father."

Mom gasp for air. She's always been sensitive about my father's death but that's one button to push.

"All the more I won't allow you! He's a murderer! He did that for the throne.  And you want it back you think he will not harm you?"

Mom started pacing. Hawak niya ang noo at naghuhuramentado siya.

I looked at Khai to rescue me.

"Mom I'm going."

"NO!"  Mom and I glared at him.

"I'm going and that's final. You stay here with mom Khai. "

He sigh deeply.

"Thalia naman ! This is ridiculous!"

"Mommy have you forgotten? You raised an Amazon. I don't fear anything." I gave her a reassuring smile.

I face Pleois who looks genuinely happy and relieve.

"Bring me home and let's take back what is ours "

A/N: update update! 😊 enjoy reading!