"Dad let me explai—"
Azalea didn't have a chance to continue her sentence when Senior Andrew attack Zackarius. The latter lost his balance which made him lie on the ground, while Andrew sat on his chest, punching his face.
"You still haven't learn your lesson huh!" Andrew snarled, punching Zackarius's face.
"Dad that's enough!" Azalea yelled, holding his wrist, but Andrew shove him away. Azalea lost her balance and fell on the ground.
"Azalea!" Seniora Aira ran towards her daughter, helping her to stand up. "You! Stop them now!" she commanded the guards that came out from their van.
"How many times do I need to tell you to stay away from my daughter huh?! And you even got balls to come here in our mansion!" Andrew punched Zackarius's stomach, making the latter shouts in pain.
"I'm sorry Senior Andrew, but I really love your daughter." Zack sobbed, taking all the punches from him.
"You love my daughter? You mother fvcker just want to take advantage of her, don't you?!"
"No, I'm not like that Senior. Please let me love her," Zackarius pleased with his teary eyes.
"Stop you—" Andrew was about to punch him again but the guards stop him. "What? Don't stop me you bastards! Accompany my daughter inside, now!"
The guards look at each other first before they went to the Señorita. Azalea noticed it and tighten her grip on her mother's arm.
"You go inside Azalea, we'll stop this," Aira assured her daughter, removing Azalea's hand from her.
"But mom—"
"Just go sweetie." She kissed her forehead, signalling the guards to take her daughter inside.
"Mom!" Azalea shouts as the guards drag her inside. "Let go of me!" She tried to get away but the guards didn't let her.
Frustratedly, Aira shift her gaze at her husband and Zack. She walks towards them, holding Andrew's fist.
"That's enough!" she shouts, seeing Zackarius's bloody face. She took her deepest breath, dragging her husband away from the young man. "What the hell are you doing Andrew?!"
Dropping his husband's hand, she went to Zackarius to help him stand. "Can you stand?" she asked.
"Y-yes Seniora, thank you," Zack replied, composing himself.
Zack look at Andrew and when their eyes met, the anger he felt suddenly came back. The Senior was about to attack him again but Aira block his way.
"Aren't you going to stop Andrew? For pete sake stop already! What makes you any different to that guy if you kept doing this!" Aira yelled.
That words struck his mind really hard. He suddenly remember the person he really hates the most. Swallowing, he drops his fist, clenching his jaw. He darted a glare at Zack before he proceeds inside.
Shaking her head, Aira shift her gaze at Zack, who's now wiping his tears. She felt guilty, seeing the young man's condition.
"Here take this." She offered a money.
"Um sorry? But I don't need it Seniora." Zack shook his head.
Smiling, Aira suddenly remember a person upon seeing Zackarius's attitude. "No, take this and treat your wounds. I'm very sorry to what happened."
Zackarius didn't have a choice but to take the money when Aira shove it inside his pocket.
"T-thank you Seniora."
"It's nothing. But Zack do you really love my daughter?" Aira asked.
"Yes Seniora, I really love her." Zackarius nodded vehemently, making Aira to smile.
"I see. You should go back to your house now and treat your wounds," she mutters soothingly.
Zack bob his head, proceeding outside the mansion. He took his handkerchief from his pocket and wipes his blood. Throwing the dirty handkerchief into the trashcan, he was about to sit on his motor, but someone got his attention.
"You were watching?" he asked unbelievably, staring at him.
"I-I didn't mean to, I'm sorry."
"I thought you already went home, Rico." Zack sat on his motorcycle, revving up the engine.
Azalea's POV,
"I told y'all before we went to Thailand to take care my daughter and don't let Zack to get inside here right? But what did you do?!" My father scolded the maids, including Manang and Sir Yolo.
"We're so sorry Senior," they all said in unison.
"Especially you Manang Lourdes. I've trusted you the most, but why did you tolerate my daughter huh!" he snarled, pointing his finger at her.
Frustratedly, I stood up from sofa, walking between them. "It's not manang's fault! I'm the one who let him in and they're just following me!"
"Since when did you learn to talk back to me like that?!" he shouts angrily.
Tears are forming up in my eyes again. Swallowing a lump, I sigh and says. "I can't understand why....why do you hate Zack so much?"
"Because he's not good for you Azalea! He's a bad person who will take advantage of you. There's still plenty of men that can take good care of you!" he answers, emphasizing the word good.
"What do you know about him to make you said those words! Zack isn't a bad person you think he is!" I yelled. I don't care anymore if I look disrespectful. All I want is to let it out my feelings.
"I know a lot of him Azalea! I know how bad he is!"
"Really? He's bad in your eyes? What did he do to you then?!" I ball my fist. Manang tried to calm me down, rubbing my back.
He bits his lower lip, averting his eyes off me. He ruffles his hair, shaking his head angrily.
"See? You can't even say a word. I really don't understand you, dad!" I wipe my tears frantically.
"I know the best for you—"
"No, you don't! You don't know the best for me!" I shouts as the tears drop from my eyes. Sighing heavily, I spin on my heel, proceeding to my room. I went inside and slam the door hardly.
Flopping myself on the bed, I started to cry. I really can't hold back this tears anymore. I grit my teeth, hugging my pillow.
All of my emotions started to mix with each other. Anger, sadness, grouch, sulk. I'm feeling all these emotions right now.
Suddenly, my eyes felt heavy. Then, the surroundings went black.
—
I woke up at the exact time of 1 in the morning. I slept well huh. Perhaps because I was really exhausted earlier.
Wordlessly, I went inside the restroom and did my business. I went back into my room, grabbing my phone to send text messages to Zack.
"Eh?" I saw plenty of missed calls from him since 7 in the evening last night.
Sighing, I send a text message, asking him if he's fine now. I know he'll not answer since it's already late. I was about to get back onto my bed, but my phone suddenly ring.
"It's Zack, he's still awake?" I tap the answer button. "Hello?"
"Hello Aza, why are you still awake?" he asked in another line. His voice is so deep.
"I should be the one to ask you that. I just woke up awhile ago," I answer, sitting on the side of the bed.
"I can't sleep."
"Anyways, how's your wounds? I'm sorry for what my father did," I apologize, sighing.
"It's all healed thanks to your mother help. She gave me money to treat these. At first I didn't want to accept the money but she insisted," he explains.
"Thank goodness." My mom really did what she promised me. That's a relief.
"How about you? Are you okay? You were crying when the guards drag you inside."
"I'm fine now. But dad and I had a fight last night and I don't know if the two of us will be okay in the morning," I answer, contemplating about what happened last night.
"Azalea."
"Hmm?"
"I promise, I won't give up. I'll show to your parents how much I love you," he mutters with his full determination.
Smile curved onto my lips upon hearing those words. "I'm sorry for making it hard for you Zack. But I promise too that I'll fight for our love, I won't let anyone to separate us."
"I love you," he whispers.
"I love you too," I reply as we both chuckle.
"We should sleep now Aza. And oh...let's meet tomorrow."
"Sure, goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Zackarius's POV,
Parking my motorcycle in front of my apartment, I grab my key into my pocket and open the door.
I proceed inside the bathroom and wash myself. I just got off from clinic after treating my wounds. Thanks to Seniora Aira for helping me.
Closing my eyes, I started to reminisce what happened earlier while the water from the shower is continueslly pouring on my head.
Senior Andrew's face was so terrifying. He looks so mad and scared at the same time. It makes me wonder, why does he look scared to me? Or did I just see it wrong.
Turning off the shower, I dried myself and went off the bathroom. I proceed inside my room, changing the bandages on my face and wear my clothes.
After that I went off my room and was about to open the tv, but I heard Clarisse's voice outside.
"Zack are you there? Someone is looking for you."
Wondering, I stride to the door and open it. I saw Clarisse and my father. He's holding a bucket of chicken.
"Come on let's eat. Clarisse prepared a table and seats outside," he mutters before they walked away.
I was about to refuse since I already ate awhile ago, but my stomach suddenly grumbled. For real? I'm already starving?
Shaking my head, I close the door and followed them. I took my seat between them. The table is circle so we're all sitting next to each other.
"What happened to your face?" he asked, giving us foods.
"Thank you sir." Clarisse nodded.
"I didn't see it awhile ago since it's already dark, but now that you're close to me, I could literally see it clearly. How did you get that?" he asked worriedly.
"How did you know my apartment?" I asked back.
"I tracked your phone back then and I found this place," he answers. "Now answer my question."
"I just fell off the stairs," I lied, opening the box of chicken and started munching my food.
"Stop lying Zack, I know that bruise isn't from that incident. Someone punched you right?"
"I don't want to talk about it, let's just eat." I swallowed the food. I darted a glance at Clarisse and she looks worried to me.
I sighed. "Let's change the topic dad. How did your life change? You look so big time now."
He laughed. "I applied as a worker in Mewtube company."
Clarisse and I look at each other, both shock upon what we heard.
"Wait that company is—"
"Yes, that company is owned by Figueroa Family," he cut me off.
Mewtube is one of the famous app around the world and the Figueroa Legacy founded it. And the main company of that app is located in Naic Cavite Philippines.
"How did you get there?" I asked surprisingly.
"Some helped me. Come on let's just eat." He chuckled, hiding his blushing face.
—
I'm here now outside Layceum University, waiting for Azalea to come out. I tried to bring Ashley with me, but he needs to go home quickly to finish his pending activities.
"Azalea!" I wave my hand, seeing her with Leonel.
"Zack!" She throws herself to me and hug me.
I laughed, ruffling her hair. "But where's Maica and Krystal?"
"Krystal went home after lunch and Maica followed her. Until now we haven't heard a word from them," she answers, pulling out from the hug. "Does it still hurt?" She caresses my bruise.
"Slight," I answer, shifting my gaze at Leonel.
"I heard what happened Zack, are you okay?" Leonel asked worriedly, making me smile and nod.
"I'm fine now," I reply.
"That's good to hear. Then, I'm going first. Take care of her," he reminds, tapping Azalea's head, making the latter pout.
"Of course I will. Take care." I wave my hand.
"Take care!" Azalea reminded.
When Leonel is already gone from our sight, we head to my motorcycle. "Wait, didn't you bring your car?"
She just shook her head.
"Why you didn't bring it?" I asked again.
"Because—"
"You still haven't learn your lesson no?"
Mechanically, I got stuck in my position upon hearing that voice. Both of us look at his frustrated face. He's crossing his arms while glaring at me.
"Dad," Azalea mumbles, pulling me behind her.
He breathes in and out. "Azalea let's go," he ordered.
"Please let me be with him for a litt—"
"Just get in Azalea. Don't make me mad," he ordered seriously.
Azalea look at me. Tears are forming in her swollen eyes. Biting my lower lip, I tap her head and remove her hand from me.
"You should follow him, Aza."
"B-but how about you?" she asked worriedly.
"Don't worry about me. As long as you'll follow your father, everything will be alright," I assure her, but I really don't know if everything will be alright.
"O-okay, make sure to message me," she reminds, wiping her tears.
"Shhh...I wil I will." I rub her back.
Wordlessly, she went to her dad and hop inside the car. I thought the two of us will be able to spend our time today.
Senior Andrew close the door but before he hop in, he look at me. "I won't hurt you anymore, so stay away from my daughter."
After that he went inside and drop off. Once they're gone from my sight, I let out a heavy sigh and went home.
***