Do you know the feeling of people that has a lot of meaning to you keep a secret from you? You didn't even notice, it was so big that it can risk their lives while you were there, blaming them not knowing they were battling the big obstacle that has to go hurt you and damage you big. However, they were in there— stopping that person who want to hurt you.
There's a pin drop silence in the room in the meantime. No one dared to talk nor move. The atmosphere was filled with awkwardness. I wonder if what's something stopping me from agreeing with dad? I know, Dad won't be asking some things if it wasn't important.
"Ahh." Dad clears his throat. "I don't know how to start this, I wanted to ask why you don't want to go overseas, Lia? I know this triggers you but I wanted to know first." I continue to look at nowhere as I search for the words that can answer his question. What's stopping me? What's my reason?
"I wanted to talk to Mom," I finally answered. It is true, I wanted to talk to mom. she wanted to talk to me and so do I. I wanted to be clear about what is happening between them. I wanted this to end. It's been ages since they were fighting.
"Why?" Hunter's Mom looked shocked while Dad inquire. It's very understandable, it's weird that I wanted to talk to mom after knowing she had a psycho vibe.
"I want to ask her everything. I want to get things clear so I can decide what I had to do and what I can help to stop this." Hunter's mom and dad look at each other before dad clears his throat. Hunter holds my hand under the table to calm me down.
"The truth is," dad paused. "The truth is your mother," he paused again. He sounded hesitant. Hunter's mom handhold dad's hand on the table while giving him a soft smile.
"What dad?" I inquire. I can't wait to know the truth anymore.
"Hunter had mentioned, you both knew who is your real mother." Dad looks at Hunter while Hunter nodded his head. Does he had also no idea what dad will gonna say? "And that your mother works for Hunter as a servant," dad sounds hesitant. Hunter nodded again as I wait here patiently.
There's a long silence before Dad gets a lot of courage to tell what he wanted to say. "Your mom wanted to kill you." As soon as I heard it, a loud gasp from me can be heard as my eyes filled with tears quickly.
Did mom want to kill me? Why? Goosebumps risen in me at the thought of your own mom wanted to kill you.
"I don't know what's her reasons are but I had a feeling she wanted to get all your properties." Our attention diverted from dad to Hunter's mom as she spoke. "Your dad and I knew what's her intention in marrying your father." They both look at each other while I and Hunter also look at both of them.
"What is it then?" I ask.
"She wants the company your grandfather built and was taken over to your dad." My brows furrowed more. Why does she want the company?
"She's with Mr. Clifford, and I heard they were about to get married or already married... Why she wanted to get our company?" I ask. "If she had married Mr. Clifford, there's a high chance she can take the company."
"I'm the new CEO of our company, remember Lia?" Hunter spoke. I look at him and nodded. I look at my front to see my mother-in-law letting a heavy breath.
"Your mother was in a relationship with Hunter's father for god knows how many years but I know they are in a relationship before Hunter takes the company." Hunter's mom heaved a sigh before looking up. "I'm feeling relief now that Hunter has taken over the company because if his dad was still the CEO of the company, he would surely put his affair to take over the company with him— and it can be the reason the business will fall into bankrupt."
"I am in a better state also. His dad sure is the worse," I answered.
"If he is worse, she was worse than him," I whine, they sure were.
"So, let's get into the main topic," dad interrupted, "your mom is just a middle-class girl in my school. Her parents and my parents are a friend that how my arrange marriage started." I nodded in agreement. "Knowing about our growing company, she also knew about our properties was enormous and that's the time she changes. In short, money and the title changed her. She became a gold digger and doesn't want to get her hands dirty or anything." I took a deep breath at how mom got easily blinded by fame and money.
"Why she wanted to get the company? I think the heir of the company should be decided by the current person who's sitting on the CEO position?" I ask, curiously.
"Yes, and it will always go like that. And you were the heir of the position, so I think you got the hint why she wanted to kill you," dad said. My heart was heavy since they both talked. I wanted to look for revenge, I wanted to stop her from getting the company. The grudge I am holding from her expanded. She is totally crazy!
"If ever she successfully kills me, what's the benefit it will give her? Will she get the position?" I inquire. My heart was throbbing. I really didn't expect to hear that. I did not expect I am adopted and my biological mother wants to kill me.
"She won't and she will not get any for threatening us," dad sighed, "That's why I am telling you to go overseas so she won't see you here. If you are in the same country as her, it's easy for her to access where you are."
"But, dad, you know, I love it here." I look down. "I will face her," I said. My teeth gritted.
"Lia?" Hunter taps my hand, scolding me. Dad and Hunter's mom's face says it all, they are shocked and confused.
"I want to end this, I am good at talking so it won't be hard to talk to her." I stand up and went to dad before hugging him. "Tomorrow, I will meet her, she wanted to meet me too."
"Your decision will put you in danger, you know that Lia, right?" I nodded and went to Hunter's mom who just spoke.
"I know, mom. I wanted to end this, I am the heir and would be sitting in that position. She wanted the company so maybe I can put this in peace" I hug her and she leans on my head.
My eyes open and fall onto Hunter who was just looking at me. He has no expression while his eyes were saying something. He was disappointed with my decision. I pull away from the hug still looking at him.
He stands up and drags me upstairs. He didn't even said anything to our parents and just drag me. All the way upstairs, I can feel his fuming aura. Who wouldn't get angry when his partner decided alone in just a second? But I already told him I wanted to meet my mom.
"What do you think you're doing?!" He inquires, voice risen. We arrived at my room and he loosen his grip on my wrist by throwing it a little. "You're going to meet her and tomorrow? Do you think you're ready?"
"I am ready. I've been thinking about it many times. Haven't I told you already?"
"But it was a week ago, Lia!"
"At least you have an idea!" My voice rose at the sudden irritation I feel. He is getting into my nerves! I know that he is mad because of what I did.
"You're making decisions so fast without even thinking twice, for god's sake Lia!" He hold his temple and massage it while his other hand was on his waist. He is frustrated.
"I've been thinking about it for a week now," I said, voice lowered.
"Yeah, you've made the decision for a week, but you just knew what your mom's intention was. You should have doubts about your decision right now. You're putting your life at risk!"
"She won't hurt me, besides she's my biological mother. She's saying it for us to get scared to her and give her what she wants." He stares at me with an angry look and fuming. He stares for a moment before closing his eyes, firmly.
"Fine, do what you want," he ended. He walks past me and slams the door shut while I am still in my position, frozen. He's really mad!
Have I gone insane? He wouldn't just walk out in our fight if he's not that mad.
I walk to my bed and sat there. I recall what he just said and what his mom and my dad had said.
I take a shower after taking a nap after the fight. I freshen up my mind in good timing, I got my mind clear in what he means this afternoon. I calm myself and so maybe he is now calm too. "Should I talk to him now or not?" I debated if I would talk to him or not.
I don't want him to ignore me and I don't want to ignore him either. I can't stay getting in to argue with him and I know, he is too. I close my eyes firmly, my ego broke since I am still studying and I would lower my pride.
I will apologize for what I did though I don't know what I do. I wanted to hear his side.
I went downstairs. I expected to see Hunter in the living room, sipping tea while looking at nowhere. However, he isn't there— instead, dad and Hunter's mom were there with a serious face while talking about a serious topic.
It took them no seconds to noticed me standing near the staircase. Hunter's mom stands up. "Hunter w-went to his company," Mom said.
I nodded while my gaze falls on dad. He had this worried face and the same to Hunter's mom. They were still thinking about what my biological mom had said. It isn't easy to forget about it since I am his daughter— he loves me so it's normal for him to worry about my life.
Suddenly, dad groans while holding his head. "Are you okay?" Hunter's mom asks while I run towards them.
"I am okay." He shows us his thumb. However, I can't seem to be in relief. His face was showing the opposite of what he was telling us. He groans and just stares at nowhere, he is not moving.
"Dad, are you really okay?"
"My head hurts but it's okay." Hunter's mom sat beside him with a worried face.
"Did you drink your medicine?" Dad just nodded as an answer. My brows furrowed and look at Hunter's mom.
"What medicine?"
"For stress," he answered. He stare at Hunter's mom and shook his head a little. I stand straight while still being curious but I let it slide.
"Okay, dad, don't fall under stress again. I will gonna take care of my life... I promise, just for you." I went to him and kiss his forehead. There was a tear left his eyes when I pulled away from him but he quickly wipe it. "I want to see Hunter and make everything right now, dad, mom, can I?"
Dad hesitantly while Hunter's mom nodded but she seemed hesitant too. "Please take care of yourself," she reminds. I nodded and give them a warm smile.
"Go with bodyguards and a driver." I look down and let a heavy sighed. Of course, he wouldn't let me drive and go outside alone in this situation. I nodded and went outside, running.
He might be doing his projects right now or having a meeting but it won't stop me from going there, right? He won't be mad at me longer so we can get through this argument. Why am I having negative thoughts? This is our first heated argument after we got to see each other again.
When I get there, many workers greeted me. Did they know me? I bowed to them and went to the receptionist. "Good morning, I just wanted to ask where's Hunter's office?" I ask. The girl didn't pass me looks up at me.
"Who are you?" She asks while looking at me from head to toe. She doesn't know me?
"I am Hunter's fiancée," I answered, politely.
"Oww, so there's someone claiming Hunter? Welp, Mr. Hunter is busy, he's in the meeting. He doesn't have time to deal with some—" Not wanting to deal with her, I took my phone out. This should be a surprise but never mind. It took him a second to answer the phone.
"Lia?" He called, surprised.
"Hmm, I am Lia," I emphasized my nickname. "Honey, can you go down for a moment? I am here in the lobby and some girl doesn't want me to tell me where your office is. "I glared at the girl standing behind the table. She's shocked but I can see that she doesn't want to believe m— of course, I did not put it on the loudspeaker, he might say anything about our argument this afternoon.
"What are you doing," he paused. "Okay, I will go down there." I heard him stand up from his seat and a door closes and his running footsteps. He is in his office and running? Is he a kid?
Ting!~
I look at the lifting area and there's Hunter coming out of his private elevator. He had his worried face while his phone was still in his hand and ear. He stops for a minute and stares at me. Does the think of me as a dream again? This man...
I put my phone down, still looking at him. He made his way to me while putting his phone down. He stops beside me while wrapping his hand around me. "Are you okay?" He asks. I look at our front to the girl worker. He follows my stare.
"You're fired," he firmly said. The girl was about to say something, to defend herself but Hunter spoke. "You've done the same thing to my mother last week, now you did it again." The girl gulps and looks down. "I made my rules clear. I announced that I have a fiancée and I am getting married."
"But she's not with her bodyguard. Mr. Clifford is a well known—"
"I'm sorry, I told my bodyguards to not interrupted the building because they were so many," I sarcastically said. Workers who happened to walk down the lobby went silent and mind their own business.
"I won't tolerate things like this again. I won't apologize for firing you." He holds my hand and drags me near the lift. The girl at the table is nearly going to cry yet she just stands there, fighting back her tears.
As the lift's door closed, the awkward atmosphere was here again. His hand falls down from my hand, hesitantly. He moves away from me little. I noticed it and let a heavy sighed. "Did I make you uncomfortable? I'm sorry I didn't think properly a while ago," I said.
"You didn't do anything though, it's just me wanting to get involved in all your life's decisions. I'm sorry." He looks down while I look at him.
"You're right, don't be sorry. We will soon tie the knot, our decision should have something to do with our partner. I can easily change my mind and would go my ways and won't tell anyone about my plan, I get used to it already."
"It's hard but you should tell me," he whispers.
"I really wanted to meet my mom, and I am not looking for what I am risking, I just wanted to know the truth."
"In making decisions, you should also look for what you're risking. Life is precious, Lia. Life is what you're risking, not just small things. There are so many ways to know the truth and stop these happenings." I move towards him a little.
"She also wanted to meet me, maybe she has—"
"It was a setup." My brows lifted as I listen to him. "She was planning to kill you so you had to get the idea in it. She wants to meet you so you could be far from your dad's property and there, she would easily kill you. You want that?" I look down. I never thought of it.
"No," I answered.
"I wanted you to tell me first, if it's not me, at least tell Mom or your dad," he said, "so if anything happened, we know who or how to dealt with it." The lift's door opens, revealing the clear hallway. We stepped out of the lift and went to his office, I also noticed, his secretary was absent.
We entered his office and he made his way to his swivel chair while I sat down at the chair across from him. My eyes traveled to his desk and there was a pile of documents. "I-I guess I am disturbing you,"
"You're not." He never touch his computer or his document, he was just looking at me. "You know how much I love you, right?" I nod, slowly. "I am feeling like you never trusted me. Do you trust me or not?" I look up at him.
There are his eyes, his eyes got teary but holds it back. I can tell that he is nearly to burst into tears because of his nose.
"I trust you. Why are you questioning it?" I inquire, calmly.
"I've done wrong to you but I swear you change me and I accept changes when you came to my life."
"No, past is past, this is present, Hunter. I trust you and I love you with all my heart. I used to be alone back then so it's hard for me to tell anyone around me what's my plan. Even if there's Shane beside me, it's still hard for me to tell anyone. I don't know why," I said. I hold my hand on top of his and smiles warmly at him.
"Please, forgive me for not telling you my decision. This is my lesson now." I stand up and hug him. "I'm going later to meet mom, will you go with me?"
To be continued.