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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Our dinner date was ruined. After Aaron showed up, Drei angrily paid the bills and tugged at my hand. We walked out of the restaurant, leaving Aaron behind.
"We're home," mahinang sambit ni Drei.
Tulad kanina, hindi ko na hinintay na pagbuksan niya ako. I opened the car door and jumped off of my seat. Dederetso na sana siya papasok ng bahay but I blocked his way. I immediately cupped his face.
"'Wag ka nang mainis."
He sighed and removed my hands. "I didn't fight him at the restaurant because I know you wouldn't like it. But I swear I wanted to tear his limbs one by one."
I pulled him for a hug. "Don't think about that guy." Worry was dripping from Drei's features when he faced me. "Hindi ka naman babalik sa kanya 'diba?"
I put my hands on his chest before giving him a reassuring smile. "Never. I have you."
That's when a small smile materialized on his face. "Can't wait to go back to France."
Tumango nalang ako at niyaya siyang pumasok para matulog. But that night, hindi ako nakatulog nang maayos because of a voice message I received just as I was about to go to bed.
It was a recording sent by Aaron. Naguguluhan, kinuha ko muli ang phone ko at ni-play ito. I can't believe he recorded this.
At kagaya ng una kong reaksiyon nang una kong marinig ito, napapikit ako nang mariin nang marinig ko ang boses niya.
"Still scared?" said his gentle voice. Natatandaan ko 'to, kakatapos lang niya akong halikan dahil natatakot ako no'ng sumakay kami ng Ferris wheel.
"Not anymore. Not when you're around," sabi no'ng boses ko.
"I love you," I heard myself say.
"I love you too,"sagot niya.
I smiled sadly as I remembered that day very vividly.
Halos hindi ko na nga maalala 'yong memories namin sa sobrang tagal na, e. But this recording made me remember. And I hate it. Tiningnan ko ang phone ko at pinindot ang delete.
---
Maaga akong nagising. Pagbaba ko ay nagulat pa ako nang makitang gising na si Xiana. She ran to me and I knelt so she could kiss me.
"Goodmorning!" She smiled and I ruffled her hair affectionately.
"Why are you up early?" I queried and knitted my brows.
She pouted. "We're gonna see Daddy today kaya!" She jumped in glee and I had to carry her and made her sit on a high stool so she would stop.
"Almost forgot," sagot ko bago siya nginitian.
She gave me a toothy grin. Pumasok muna ako sa bathroom to do my morning routine. Naghilamos ako and I brushed my teeth. Paglabas ko nadatnan ko na si Drei sa kusina.
He approached me wearing that smile and gave me a smack.
"Morning. What's for breakfast?" tanong ko. He usually cooks breakfast for us, kasi si manang hinayaan nalang naming magbantay sa mga bata. Hindi na namin siya masyadong pinapakilos dahil may katandaan na.
"Smoked chicken, fried rice, ham and bacon," he answered while preparing his ingredients.
"Dadalhin ko ulit ang mga bata kay Aaron. Alam mo naman, sabik na sabik si Xiana sa kanya," paliwanag ko kay Drei. I don't want him to get mad once he finds out about this on the last minute.
He nodded understandingly. "I can't drive you to the building, Cassi. I'm really sick, sorry baby."
Lumapit ako sa kanya at kinapa ang leeg niya. He is sick!
"Bakit naman 'di mo agad sinabi? Magpahinga ka lang." He shook his head. He kept on insisting that he wants to cook for me and the kids but I strongly vetoed his idea.
"Magda-drive thru nalang kami. Tara na sa taas."
Umakyat kami sa itaas at hinatid ko siya sa kuwarto niya. I forced him to lie in bed and after a few coaxing, he finally gave in.
"I'm gonna cook soup for you," I told him.
Bumaba ako at tumingin ng ingredients sa fridge pero ubos na pala. Napamura ako. Kumuha nalang ako ng bread tapos gamot at water saka ko siya inakyat ulit sa itaas.
"Ubos na ingredients natin. I'll do the grocery later para maipagluto kita. For now,'yan muna."
Tumango siya at kinain ang bread bago uminom ng gamot. I gave him a tight smile. "Magpagaling ka. I love you," mahinang sabi ko.
He looked at my face. "I love you too," sagot ni Drei.
---
"Lookie! He's standing outside the building. Do you think he's waiting for us?" Xiana exhilaratedly asked. She was obviously stoked to see Aaron again.
Xander was in the backseat next to his twin, playing with a robot. I parked at inalalayan ko silang bumaba ng kotse. Xiana ran to Aaron and the latter's face lit up when he took Xiana into his arms.
"I missed you, Daddy!" She giggled and Aaron's laugh resonated.
"Daddy missed you too, baby. Where's Xander?" tanong niya. Si Xander na nasa tabi ko ay nagtago sa likod ko. Kinarga ko siya at lumapit kay Aaron.
"Please stop sending recordings." Pagkasabi ko ay dumeresto na ako papasok sa building at sa elevator.
"Hindi ko kaya. Marami na akong nagawang mali no'n at gusto kong itama lahat 'yon. Gusto kong bumawi sa 'yo," he replied.
I rolled my eyes heavenwards. "Kung gusto mong bumawi, mahalin mo ang mga bata."
"Mahal ko ang mga bata, Cassidy. Pero hindi lang anak ang gusto ko, I want a family," madamdamin niyang sagot.
"You destroyed our family years ago, Aaron."
He sighed before setting Xiana down. Ibinaba ko narin si Xander. "Daddy, what are you and Mommy talking about?" Xiana looked at her dad, confused.
"We were talking about how cute the two of you looked like when you were born." Aaron smiled.
Nginitian ko rin si Xiana and nodded.
"Mommy needs to go. She has to buy some groceries to cook soup for Papa," paliwanag ko.
"I hope Papa gets well soon," Xiana said before she scooted closer to Aaron.
"Papa's sick?" Xander spoke.
He caught Aaron's attention. And I nodded slowly.
"Please tell Papa to get well. I get sad when he's sick," malungkot niyang sabi. Marahas na nag-iwas ng tingin si Aaron.
"I will. Be good to your Daddy, both of you. Mommy's going to come back to fetch you later," paalala ko.
I kissed them both and said goodbye before I headed to the elevator. I'm still not comfortable after what he just said. Pumasok na ako sa elevator and the doors were about to close when Aaron ran and pressed the open button.
Hindi siya pumasok. Nakatingin lang siya at ako sakanya.Pagkaraan ng mahabang sandali ay nagsalita rin siya.
"Handa akong masaktan para sa 'yo. Kahit ilang beses. Kahit sadyain mo. Kahit paulit-ulit, Cassidy, basta para sa 'yo."
