WARNING: This chapter may contain sensitive contents and disturbing scenes that may trigger or harm the reader’s mental health. Reader discretion is advised.
"It was me." His tears muster emotions inside me. I'm trying to control myself as he looked down on the floor. His eyes were full of apologies and repentance.
This is not true. This is not happening.
"I was the one..." His shoulders were moving up and down in remorse, his trembling voice slashing like a whip to my skin. I closed my eyes and covered my mouth that is now weeping in fear and denial.
"NO!" I exclaimed and refused to listen. Before he could confess, I strode to reach the door and stopped when he admitted, "I gave the poisoned milk to Ma'am Sabrina. I'm really sorry."
Then everything stopped. 
 I froze on the spot.
I forgot how to breathe.
I don't know what to do. 
Should I be mad?
Should I hurt him?
Can someone tell me what should I feel? 
 Because I'm about to lose my mind and I don't know what to do or who to believe anymore. All I'm facing is a mess and it all started because of my selfish vengeance scheme.
This is all my fault. If I haven't started it... if I just moved forward as if nothing happened, this wouldn't happen.
"So, Ms. Fuentes was telling the truth?" I held on to my tight chest having difficulty in breathing. I turned back but pain managed to attack and defeat me once again. I slowly walked towards him where he was still kneeling, crying on the sin that he had done. Eventually, he stood facing me with his eyes full of misery. In despair, he grabbed my clenched fist provoking me to throw a slap, a punch to his face but I didn't.
I can’t hurt him.
"HURT ME! I UNDERSTAND IF YOU'RE ANGRY! I'M SORRY... I'M SORRY JESS." He screamed and pulled his hair in frustration then knelt helplessly on the floor. Instead of screaming the pain, releasing my anger, and hurting him until I let it all go, I found myself kneeling on the floor to level him wrapping my arms around his nape and crying together.
***
We are facing each other now at the long table of the library, holding hands and I am ready to listen to his side.
I remained silent while waiting for him to open up and I can clearly see how painful and difficult it is for him. He loves me and I love him, but we have to face the truth. After this, if we are meant for each other then we are but if not... God will do the rest. I willingly waited for him to calm down until his emotions will subside. I rubbed the back of his hand to give him strength then he cleared his throat and raised his head. His bloodshot eyes pierced my soul as he exhaled a large amount of air.
"After you are kidnapped, the next day, I woke up in a hospital and... broken memories played in front of me. According to Tito, I was acting weird and I'm having panic attacks. Tito was torn between updating what is happening to you while I was monitored in the hospital. I ha-ve to see a psychiatrist and… Tito provided me that.” I wiped the tears that were threatening to fall from his eyes. He used to be the happy and the joker Kuya of mine. Seeing him like this made me ask where is that lively Kuya that I'm really fond of? I can't believe that we will arrive at this point where everything is just so complicated.
“It's been a week since I started the therapy to recover my lost memories, but I only keep thinking of you." I mouthed 'it's okay' because that's the least I can do. I didn't force him to do this but it's due time.
"I can't reme-mber how it happened Jess and I can't believe that I committed that. All I know was the moment we met, I'm starting to have weird dreams of a woman that really looked like you." He took another deep breath before continuing, "When we didn't see each other anymore, those dreams also disappeared but... when we met again, everything came back to me." He gently held my hand and closed his eyes tightly. I let him bury his face in my hand and read his tears.
"I'm really sorry... I didn't know," he stuttered. He held my hand tighter. His eyes full of regret and pain prompted me to let go of his hand and go to his side and hug him.
"I understand. At first, I didn't believe what Ms. Fuentes said. She said that you are an orphan so... probably you are close to my Mom, right?" I stood immediately when he winced in pain and held his forehead.
"What is it?! Heart?!" I stood and supported him to stand. He's still holding his forehead in inexplicable pain and my mind is going blank. Possibly, our conversation triggered his brain again in remembering memories of the past. I let his elbow cling around my neck and held his hips so that I could take him to his room. He groaned in pain when I touched his left side.
"Why is that?" I cried as I reached the door to open but Marz's pale face bathed in sweat appeared in front of the door as if he was haunted by a blood-thirsty soul from outside.
"Marc, bring Jess with you. You have to leave now!" Marz opened up to us even though he saw that Marc was not in good condition. What Marc is going through right now is not easy besides, we just got back from CDO and we are leaving again.
"Jess, let's go!" I widened my eyes at both of them because their looks were full of understanding and I had no idea what it was referring to.
Marc grabbed my wrist and almost dragged me out of the house using the house's secret exit door. I forcefully pulled my hand away from Marc's tight grip on me and confronted him.
"Heart, what's happening?!" I almost shouted because I thought I'm safe here and besides I'm so tired of taking flights and hiding as if I'm a heinous criminal running for my life. Why do I always have to adjust? I'm not doing anything wrong!
"Jess, we don't have much time. I have to keep you safe, we h-ave to g-o." He held on to his forehead again and groaned but still manage to forcefully open the door of the red Mercedes-Benz and slightly pushed me to get inside the car.
"Clara won't stop haunting us until we're both dead." I was left confounded by what he said but he slammed the door close and hopped on the driver's seat with his face stricken in fear. His grip on the steering wheel showed his veins then decisively turned on the engine. He revved up the engine and then floored the gas. We were almost near the gate when we heard a loud bang coming from the house. He stepped on the brake and looked at me nervously. He reached my face and kissed my forehead then never looked back and was about to floor the accelerator again.
"MARC, WE HAVE TO GO BACK! TURN THE CAR AROUND RIGHT NOW!" I commanded but he protested so I unfastened my seat belt and get out of the car.
"Jess, what are you doing?! We have to go now!" He grabbed my wrist to take me back inside, but I already made up my mind and I faced him with fiery eyes full of exhaustion and hate.
"I can't leave my friends there, Marc. THEY’RE AFTER US SO LET’S FACE THEM! We can't run away from them forever knowing that our existence is not a crime." I asserted and I discerned in his eyes how anxious he was for my safety and defying my father's orders.
"Let's do this together." I deeply stared at his eyes convincing him to bravely face our enemies.
"I can't let my friends sacrifice for me nor leave them behind knowing that they're in danger and they will use them to their advantage to drag us down.” He nodded and pulled my arms locking me inside his protection.
“This has to end... Trust me," I said with my eyes closed as I rest against his broad chest for a moment, listening to what the wind and his heartbeat is screaming.
"I promised Ma'am Sabrina that whatever happens, I will keep you safe even if it means I have to put my life on the line. I love you Jessica." I ran my hands against his back and gather the strength that I need before jumping into action.
"I love you too Marc," I whispered and he planted a kiss on my forehead.
***
"Like mother, like daughter. WEAK SLUTTY BITCH!" Clara wickedly laughed and eyed my every move like a sharp knife impaling my skin.
"Stop saying things to yourself Ms. Fuentes because as far as I remember, you are here all the way from CDO because you failed in killing me through that," I smirked while pointing at the glass of juice she was holding, mocking at her failure.
"Where are my friends witch?!" I saw how her eyes grew bigger in surprise. She scoffed and put the orange juice on the dining table and then approached me with her dark vexed aura. She applauded as she walked like a despicable queen.
"I don't know!" She played the art of pretension so well, but I can see clearly how rotten her core is and how she was studying my facial expression.
"What do you want? If you want the inheritance of my father for Jacob, you can have it all for yourself. I DON’T NEED THAT!" She glared at me as if she already granted my death wish in her head.
"Don't be ridiculous Jessica. I know my husband very well that's why… I killed Sabrina because she's the greatest hindrance in my life, to Alejandro's love, and now it's YOU! I thought you died with that orphan boy after hitting him in the car and staged it as an accident. Did your mother sell her soul to Satan that's why I can't kill you easily?!" My forehead creased in disbelief and I inhaled furtively.
Is she insane? That explains why Marc can't remember anything.
"YOU MONSTER! STOP YOUR MADNESS NOW CRAZY WITCH" I exclaimed and in return, she slapped me like a whip left and right but I managed to laugh at her face full of despise.
"I grew up filled with love and attention from my parents, so I don't need more from my real father. I know what 'contented' means unlike you who aged beautifully with a greedy heart and rotting soul. ROT IN BLOODY HELL CLARA!" She was about to land another crunchy palm on my face when I raised my gripped arnis to shield me and pushed her away.
"Not anymore!" I smirked. "Tell me where are my friends?!" I demanded but she just scoffed and point a gun at my forehead. That was so fast, but my reflexes are quicker than expected as I arch my back and automatically swing my arnis hitting her wrist. Her face was painted with disdain when her gun threw off on the floor.
"YOU ILLEGITIMATE CHILD! I will kill you so that you will burn with your mother in hell!" She screamed uncontrollably and when I saw Marc raising her thumb at the back door, I nodded and ran outside the house to distract Clara. I ran as fast as I could until we arrived in the garden. She's holding her gun aiming at me. She attempted to fire at me but failed for the fourth time. She kept screaming my name and in her frustration that she can't shoot me accurately with her bullets, she took off her black cardigan leaving her with a white tube showing her cleavage and flared jeans. I stopped running when we arrived at the pool, and she laughed again hysterically aiming the gun at my heart. I twirled my arnis and point it to her heart as well. Like the speed of flying arrows, a familiar shadow appeared from behind, the hero that will save the day — my half-brother.
"MOM, PLEASE STOP!" I saw how Ms. Fuentes' eyes grew in shock when he heard Jacob's voice behind her. She immediately turned around and he hugged her causing her to be unable to speak and her eyes filled with shock.
"Mom, Jessica is my sister. Please don't hurt her. Let's go home and let's start a new life in Canada." Jacob tried persuading her as he rubbed her back. Her hands were shaking, her shoulders rising up and down. Just as we thought that Clara will listen, she suddenly jolted and pull herself away from her son.
"NO! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE JACOB? I HAVE BEEN DOING ALL OF THIS FOR YOUR FUTURE!" Unexpectedly, she pushed Jacob and becomes hysterically volatile. I don't understand where her madness and hatred coming from that she's so eager to kill me and she won't be satisfied unless I'm dead. In rage, she aimed the gun again at my chest, but Jacob rushed in between us covering me.
"Mom, I'm begging you please don't do this. We need to go home please Mom listen to me." Jacob calmly looked at his Mom's eyes with his palm raised. He approached Ms. Fuentes slowly. While she was in tears and her hand holding the gun was shaking, I was afraid of what might happen to Jacob because the gun was pointed at his heart. We don't know what is going through Clara's mind.
"I'm sorry Mom but I have to do this!" Jacob whispered when they faced each other and seized the gun.
“Jess, go away! Marc is waiting outside," Jacob yelled at me as he restrain his mother. I was afraid to leave him especially since his own mother didn't seem to recognize him. I was forced to run away and Jacob was left controlling her mother. I turned back and caught the gun pointed at my shoulder then Jacob raised it. Not far away the bodyguards saw me. They ran to me and covered me but we all fell down when we heard a loud gunshot. I couldn't think anymore and ran back to where Jacob was.
I can't leave him.
Clara struggled to grip the gun when Jacob raised it above their heads. In the end, Mrs. Fuentes grabbed the gun and ran toward me aiming at me. She was about to pull the trigger when we heard the sirens of the police. Mrs. Fuentes never let go of the gun and looked at Jacob and me. She was restless when the police came and surrounded the whole house. There were six snipers pointed at different parts of her body and behind me was my Uncle Fernand who was the colonel of the CDO station.
"Clara M. Fuentes, we have an arrest warrant for the crime of kidnapping and attempted murder of Jessica M. Fortalejo. We expect your silence as it can be used against you. You have the right to get a lawyer and if not, the government will provide you." One of the police who was with Tito stated this in front of Mrs. Fuentes and showed her the arrest warrant. The gun she was holding was taken from her enraging her more. She unexpectedly flinched when the policemen cuffed his hand and then grabbed the gun that was in the uniform of another police officer.
I thought that everything would end here but before I could bat my lashes, I didn't flinch when she pointed the gun at me again. Time slowed down and in a blink of an eye, my eyes caught the wrath of Clara's eyes, and a loud bang pierced the vicinity. When I opened my eyes, I saw Marc in front of me covering me ready to catch raining bullets for me.
I saw how he shed tears and held my numb arm that was full of blood. All I could hear was him calling my name, just his voice thundering through my entire being. I fell to my knees in front of everyone and big tears fell from my eyes. The last thing I saw was Marc's face full of concern, asking for forgiveness, and cradling my head in his lap until I slowly closed my eyes and the end of the day welcomed the pitch-black night.
FLASHBACK
4 years ago
"Jacob, can you tell me your parents' lovestory?" I asked him curiously as we glued the designs on the illustration board that we will present tomorrow to the whole class. Ivy and Marz are also in our group so we just finished it here at home.
"They really don't talk about it much. I doubt if they really love each other tho since they were arranged by my grandparents," Jacob answered simply and my friends nodded.
"Many fixed marriages became successful in the end," said Marz while Manang Criselda served merrienda. She is the longest-serving mayordoma in the house and she is very close to Mommy. It's sad because she will retire after the new year.
"It's like the Princess Hours, isn't it?" Ivy added, her eyes smiling with excitement.
"Jacob, didn't you say you had something to say to Jessica? What was it?" I frowned at what Ivy said. We were all curious and looked at Jacob at the same time who suddenly turned his ears red.
"Are you okay?" I asked worriedly and touched his neck, which also quickly turned red. My heart almost jumped with nervousness and excitement when he held my hand and placed a green card in my palm. My friends next to me looked at me meaningfully and moved forward to see what was written on the card. I couldn't stop smiling, especially when Jacob's cheeks turned red.
He gestured to open the card and yes, I did. My friends were intrigued but their phone rang and they answered the call outside giving us a moment. They gladly gave me a fighting tap on the back and exited the library. I opened the card full of thrill and a beautiful poem curved a smile on my lips as I read through the lines.
Your smiles are sweet
Your eyes are beautiful
You dance with grace, and I fell in love with you
That night we met, I asked "Can I have this dance?"
There I knew I have a chance
And now I want to ask you
"Can I be the man to touch your heart?"
I bit my lower lip when I finished reading the last line and I raised my head to answer, "Yes, you can."
END OF FLASHBACK