“So, you are jealous of Honey?” I was stunned when he spoke and of all the possible women he will mention, it's Honey who called him last night. It's just really grr annoying!
"Yes, why? So what? Is that bad?” I boldly answered besides there's nothing wrong with being honest. I saw the shock in his eyes because of my answer and I didn't wait for him to answer as I turned and went to the kitchen to eat something sweet. Where is the mango float I want? That's exactly what my stomach is looking for. I don't want rice or any dish, I want sweet mango.
I felt him following behind and watching me looking for something in the fridge. I was about to sit down to get the mango float that was on top of the crisper when Marc preceded me to get it while wrapping his hands around my waist holding the mango float that was in the transparent tupperware. I could hear the intense beating of his heart in the back and the heat of his body sent strange electricity to my body as he locked me in that closeness. I felt an icy waft when I felt his cold breath on my neck and then my legs were even colder because the refrigerator was still open.
"Let me feed you so you won't get jealous hmm?" I turned to the right when he whispered in my ear. Fudge! That tickles. His lips are close to mine and I like it. It's weird but I love what is happening to me. I love how he makes me feel like butterflies are flapping inside my stomach. I froze when he gave me a quick kiss on the lips and then closed the refrigerator. He also invited me out of the house to get some fresh air at the beach. When we arrived at the sand, there was a yellow cloth and a basket ready. A small bonfire warmly greeted us and there was liempo and chicharon that made my eyes sparkle in glee.
Note: Liempo and Chicharon are Filipino foods made from roasted pork and fried pork, respectively.
"Because Manang said, you haven't eaten yet. Maybe your appetite will come back when you eat this." - Him
How sweet and thoughtful of him. I can't stop myself from smiling right now that he's showing all his effort to me. I wanted to lose myself in so much excitement but I tried to tame my excitement. He helped me sit on the cloth and filled my plate with food and while I'm tasting the food, he watched me while brushing my hair behind my ear. We only hear the sound of the crackling fire and the waves while we eat. Catching his secret glances keeps the bonfire burning in my heart. After eating rice and liempo, I poured the mango float made by my Heart. Speaking of 'Heart' he wanted to tell me something based on what his eyes were conveying. I quickly cleaned the side of my mouth with a tissue and sprayed alcohol on my oily hand.
"Do you have something to say?" I asked softly because not far away, Daddy's bodyguards were still with us and watching over us.
"About earlier, Honey reported to me that her father allowed me to take a 1-month extension," he happily told me the news but I didn't say a word because why does she need to personally visit him right? Did she forget that email already exists? I pursed my lips and gazed at the clear night skies where beautiful stars looked down at us.
"And she's having her vacation here at CDO that's why we met up earlier. I'm sorry if I didn't inform you. You don't have anything to get jealous of." I nodded at his explanation and that completely relieved me. I didn't ask for it but he is giving it to me and it means a lot. After eating and getting some air until the bonfire died down, we decided to go back inside to rest because it was getting late. Our conversation ran for hours that we didn't notice the time especially since I can't stop laughing at his stories when he was still on the ship. Even though it was fun listening to his stories, I can see in his eyes how sad to be away from home and his family while he's sailing away. The bodyguards helped us put back the things in the safe house and we let them go first. Before this night ends, I have something very important to say to him.
Marc offered me his hand so I could stand up. I looked at it and smiled with inexplicable joy. It was simple but I'm so happy. I hope it's not over. Wearing his wide smile, I held his hand together. He was about to walk when I stopped him.
"Marc, I need to say something." He knitted his brows and held my hands, rubbing his thumb on the back of my hand and looking at me intently.
"What is it? Are you hurt?” His eyes were filled with worry and he was about to check where my pain was, but I immediately shook my head and held his hand tightly. Our eyes found their rendezvous again then I leaned in to kiss him on the lips. Just like last night he didn't answer it so I stopped and looked deeply into his eyes.
"I want you to be my boyfriend from now on." His eyes widened upon hearing it from me and still processing all my words. Apparently, he's stuck in his place and doesn't know what to do but in one heartbeat I felt his longing lips brushing my lips that I've been waiting for.
"Thank you so much. I will never make you regret this. I love you,” he finally spoke after being tongue-tied. I nodded smiling in the overflowing joy that we felt and we kissed again under the crescent moon shining above and the crashing waves as our witnesses.
***
The next day, Marc gave me a new phone to replace the phone he threw away last night. He apologized for his actions and explained again that he was doing everything for my safety. As instructed by Dad, the only contacts I have on my phone are Dad and Marc and it's quite boring, right? I can't even talk to anyone on social media, so sad. I was depressingly waiting for lunch by the window.
Because it's boring here in the safe house, guards positioned outside who looked like statues in the museum, and then there's not much to do but watch TV. I don't feel like watching any shows. I want to go out, laugh, and have fun but I have no choice.
After having breakfast earlier with Marc and the maids, one of the bodyguards that Marc ordered came to buy my new phone. The strange thing is that after Marc registered his number and Daddy's, he left without saying where he was going. He just said that what he is going to do is important and I can't go out because he will only be there for a while and he will be back soon. I only came back from my right state of mind when Manang Melay called me.
"Ma'am, are you going to throw away your phone? It looks new and fine to me," Manang asked confidently holding the phone that was not damaged even though Marc threw it a second time. I reluctantly nodded and was about to enter the room when I stopped because my old phone suddenly rang.
"Ma'am, someone is calling. Aren't you going to answer this?" I really wanted to stop myself from the temptation but when Manang showed the screen and the unknown number called again last night, I got nervous and the strange feeling came back to me trying to pull me to hold the phone. In the end, my curiosity got the better of me and I took the phone that Manang gave me.
I hesitated to press the answer button because I knew I was disobeying Marc's order but I took a deep breath and closed my eyes tightly before pressing the answer button but... I froze for a second when I received a call and someone sent a message. My eyes almost popped out and my heart quivered with fear when I opened the contents of the attachment. My forehead automatically formed lines when I saw myself smiling in the picture wearing the same black dress that I wore at the event with Jacob, but what surprised me was that Jacob was not the one I was dancing with.
Instead, I was holding hands with... Jacob's father.
Everything darkened after seeing the pictures.
I do not know how to react or what to feel.
I don't understand, I don't know what to do because Daddy told me to wait and he will fix everything. I lost my mind even more when I saw the other photos. It was sent anonymously not just one but an album full of photos on my messenger with Mr. Fuentes. I am sure that I am not the girl in the picture and I strongly believe that she is my real Mommy because when I first saw her in the picture, nothing else came to my mind but only that.
My hand was shaking to call the unknown number even though I knew I shouldn't but it became an invalid number and I couldn't contact it abruptly. I wanted to ask him a lot but I couldn't find anything. I tried to call the number several times but I got no answer. Next, I called Daddy but he didn't answer either. I'm crying in the room holding my old phone and I keep calling Dad because I want to know the whole truth. I've made 30 missed calls but still no one answers.
My mind is a mess and I threw my phone on the bed in frustration. Hugging myself next to the bed as my thoughts endlessly filled my head. Afternoon came and I didn't taste any food or drink water and Marc didn't arrive yet.
"Where have you been Marc? I need you right now.” I whispered into the air hoping he would hear me calling his name. I'm trying to connect all the pieces of the missing puzzle, everything that happened 4 years ago, and why all those tragedies occurred to me. What happened to Jacob and me... I remembered everything. What Jacob said resonated with me, 'what happened to us was right.'
Is it because of this?
Because we really can't be together, is this what he meant? By any chance, are we tied to breaking each other's hearts because of our parent's history?
I tried to call Marc but I ran out of energy waiting for him so I decided to get up and leave the room. I will do things my way. I was about to open the door when Manang called me from the kitchen. I didn't look at him and opened the door directly but the bodyguards on guard immediately blocked me.
"I want to go home! Please, take me to the mansion!" I pleaded, crying my frustrations in front of them but they look like statues that don't have any emotions. I can't see compassion in their eyes against me who just wants the truth to be revealed. I feel unseen, unheard even how much I pushed them with all my might. They were like walls that I couldn't climb up. Walls I want to break free of and overcome.
"Don't block me! Let me go home!" I exclaimed but no one listened. I punched their arms but they didn't budge and forcefully took my arm and put me back inside the safe house.
I'm crying in front of them because I need to talk to Daddy. I want to hear the truth from him.
Who is the girl in the picture?
If I'm thinking right.
What happened back then when Mommy was still alive? I need to know or else I will lose my sanity.
"PLEASE I NEED TO TALK TO MY FATHER!" I almost knelt in front of the guards as if all my pleas never reached their ears. Instead of helping me get home, they closed the main door of the safe house and locked me up like a prisoner. I fell to my knees on the floor and the maids hugged me. Eventually, I went back to my room pouring my agony through tears. I lost my voice and let my tears speak for itself.
After a while, the door to my room opened so I quickly wiped my tears and ran to him. I noticed that his back was sweaty when I hugged him, my head was leaning on his chest and he hugged me back. His heart was beating so fast as if he had just fought outside.
"Are you okay?" he asked me breathlessly. I shook my head and sobbed into his chest and when I pulled away, my eyes widened when I saw the blood staining my palm after hugging his back. I took a step back when I saw that he was covered in blood, there was a stab in his back and there was blood dripping from his eyebrow. I called for help and was about to leave the room when he collapsed on the floor. My trembling hand reached his face waking him up. My tears didn't stop falling until I opened my eyes when someone shook my shoulders nonstop. My blurred vision readjusted until I saw him again who was very worried about me.
"Heart, are you okay?" I was panting as if being chased in my nightmare and beside me is Marc who was wiping my sweat using his handkerchief.
"Heart, I thought something happened to you." I sobbed and he gently patted my back hushing me.
"Heart, I saw the pictures of Mr. Fuentes and a woman that looked like me. I think it's my real Mom." I held his hand and looked deeply into his eyes. I frowned when he averted my eyes. That was enough hint that this is what he's been hiding from me since that trip to Bukidnon.
"YOU KNEW ALL ALONG?!" His eyes were apologizing and my voice sounded disappointed.
"Yes, and I'm sorry. I told you I ca-n't tell you not when your Dad te-lls you first." He bowed down to answer me and I admit that I am hurt because he hid it from me but now the desire to talk to my Daddy prevails because he is the only one who can answer all my questions.
"Marc, I need to talk to Dad. Now!” I commanded but he refused to move, and it looks like he will be the top hindrance from letting me out of this place.
"No Jess!" he told me sternly but I didn't budge and finally got up from lying down.
“I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE! I NEED TO HEAR IT FROM HIM AND I WILL GO HOME WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!" I didn't listen to him and suddenly stood up leaving him inside the room. I just can't sit here and wait. I can't test my patience any longer. I badly need to get out of here and I don't care if it means that I need to escape here in my way. The problem is how can I pass the guards without letting them notice? I was halfway through opening the door when he pulled my wrist back inside and held my shoulders tightly to face him.
"I understand that you need this but if you go out here, things might get complicated for your father. Please listen to me.” He brushed my hair as he persuaded me to follow him, but I made up my mind.
It's now or never.
"What if you get hurt? Us or Tito? Don't you think that Tito's plan to catch those who are blackmailing him could be ruined?" I looked away from him when I felt that he was able to tame me because everything he said was right. I shouldn't be persuaded by my emotions.
"Heart, please help me. Please let me go. Nothing will happen to me if you take me to the mansion with all our bodyguards and the mansion is also secure because there are many guards there. Promise after I talk to Dad, we will also come back here immediately to the safe house." I am begging him now and I can see that he is also struggling with what I am asking. I can't remain quiet here in the safe house if I can't talk to my Daddy before the end of this day.
"Please, I really need to talk to my Dad right now before this day ends." Marc let out a heavy sigh and pursed his lips, can't resist my plea. Apparently, I am controlling the tears not to flow out of my eyes. We locked each other's gazes, waiting for one of us to make a move. Eventually, he put his hands off my shoulders and held my hand leading me back to my bed.
He made me sit on the bed without taking his eyes off me. I bowed down as I felt tears welling up in my eyes. He slowly wiped it with his thumb. At the same time, he knelt in front of me and kissed the back of my hand.
"I love you and I promise to protect you." I nodded as he stared at me in pity because this whole truth makes me weak and afraid at the same time. Light was reflected in his eyes, shining from holding his tears from coming out. His concerned eyes moved my core repeatedly that forced fluid from my eyes to flow out in front of him. He gently caressed my face and let me lean against his shoulders and in silence, I cried because my heart is aching badly.
***
"MARC, what is the meaning of this?!" Dad greeted us with his furious eyes when I showed up from behind. My eyes were swollen from crying and from furious mode, he quickly shifted to a worried face.
"My dear, what's wrong?" Dad hurriedly left his paperwork and rushed to check on me. He cupped my face and looked at me closely. I looked down as he locked me in his tightest embrace then I broke into tears again. Together with the bodyguards, Marc left the office to give us privacy. It took me a while to calm down before I opened up to Dad about what happened earlier. I showed him the pictures I received from the unknown caller that filled his eyes with shock, unable to believe what he saw and transferred his look to me and the pictures.
He can't believe that what they've been hiding from me already leaked. His shoulders raised and dropped in frustration. His forehead was creasing trying to settle himself before explaining to me. He cupped my face and held my hand gently preparing me for the truth that he will unfold. He exhaled forcibly and stood to open his secret safe where the only thing that is locked inside is none other than a black album that gave chills elongating my spine.
I was horrified when Dad put the black album on the center table that at any moment it would open to tell me the whole story of my real parents.
"I'm sorry my dear for hiding the truth from you for a very long time." Dad regretfully opened the album for me and the first thing that caught my attention was the refined penmanship of the owner of the album —that was written by my biological mother.
Sabrina Fogarty, what a beautiful name.