LOVE & PROMISES [Editing]

Chapter 42 || Selfish

"Alex, I swear hindi ko ginustong gawin 'yon.", ani ni Elijah kay Alex, wanting her to believe him.

"Kung hindi mo ginusto, bakit mo ginawa?! Bakit mo pinatay si Papa?!", galit na tanong sa kanya ng dalaga habang umaagos ang mga luha sa pisngi nito.

Hinawakan ni Xander ang kamay ng kapatid at nagsalita, "Let him explain please, Alex.", pinakalma niya ito.

Nakayukong umiiyak si Elijah. He never wanted to kill a person that is close to his friend. But the fear of losing someone he cares and loves the most made him do that. In fact, it wasn't him who pushed the knife in Andy's (Alex's father) chest.

"Sagutin mo ako, Elijah.", matigas na sabi ni Alex, gritting her teeth. Nanatiling tahimik ang binata. "Sagutin mo ako!!-"

"Inutusan ako! If I didn't do that, baka ngayon pati kayo wala na sa buhay ko!!", malakas na sagot ni Eli at tumingin kay Alex.

Nakita ng dalaga ang tumatagaktak na luha sa mukha ng binata. Gulat na gulat sa narinig. Hindi siya makapaniwala sa mga nasabi ng kaibigan. "What?"

"Who threatened you?", she asked with a low voice. She knows how sensitive Elijah is when it comes to the people close to him. "Mr. Clemonte.", para bang bigla siyang nawalan ng boses para magsalita nang marinig niya ang sagot ni Eli.

She shook her head, not believing Elijah. No, she doesn't want to believe it. The man who raised her wouldn't go that far, right?

"He wouldn't go that far. Stop lying."

"How I wish it was a lie.", singit ni Xander habang nakayukom ang mga kamao niya. Napalingon sa kanya si Alex, "You knew?.. Alam mo pero hindi mo kaagad sinabi sa akin?!", galit na sigaw ng dalaga.

"I tried to tell you but Dad keeps preventing me from telling you!", sinagot agad sa kanya ng nakatatandang kapatid. "Gusto kong sabihin kahit nung kauwi mo palang sa mansyon pero hindi ko magawa."

Nanahimik si Alex at dahan-dahang umiyak habang nakasubsob ang mukha sa kanyang mga palad. All this time, she didn't believe her guts that Mr. Clemonte had something to do with her father's death just to find out he really is the Mastermind. Naniwala siya na hindi aabot sa ganoon ang kasamaan ng nagpalaki sa kanya.

"Sorry... Napaka-tanga ko.", she quietly sobs. Xander comforted her while Elijah reaches out for her hand. "It's my fault, I'm the one who let him control me.", ani ng binata.

Umiling naman si Alex. "It's his fault, not yours.", mahina niyang sabi. Ilang minuto silang nanahimik habang iniiyak ang dinaramdam.

"I'll make sure to clear your name and get you out of here.", sabi ng dalaga. She hugged Elijah and the boy cries out his guilt. "That man is the one who forced me to stab your father right in his chest. Hindi ako, I can't do that to him.", bulong ng kaibigan.

She tightened the hug as she hears that. A hint of hatred growing in her. Tumango siya at niyakap ng mahigpit si Eli. "I know, I know."

Her glare holds anger and hatred as she spoke her last sentence before pulling out from the hug, "And he'll pay for it."

Biglang may tumawag kay Xander at napunta sa kanya ang atensyon ng dalawa. He nodded as he listens to the request of the caller. "I will let her know. Okay. Bye.", binaba na niya ang tawag. Agad niyang hinarap ang dalawa at nagsalita, "Jake and Aliyah wants to talk to you at the school rooftop.", ani ni Xander sa kanyang kapatid na si Alex.

Tumango si Alex at kinuha ang kanyang gamit. Tumingin siya ulit kay Elijah, "I will get you out of here and prove your innocence.", ani niya bago tuluyang umalis kasama ang nakatatandang kapatid.