“Why were you always with Ulysses? Is it true that you are just cousins?”
I frowned at his question. He was silent all along and only now did he speak and this was the first thing he would ask. What's his problem?
I glanced at him for a moment. “I'm just taking care of something important. What do you want? Will he be my boyfriend? It's okay if that's the— ”
“I am asking you a serious question, Solei. Why were you always with him?” He immediately cut me off from what I was going to say. There seemed to be more threat in his voice so I almost laughed. It's so easy to provoke him.
“He’s my cousin, Hector. I just met him recently. Long story short,” I replied lazily and looked out the window again. I was even surprised when the heavy rain suddenly fell.
"I'm willing to listen to it all day, baby," he said in a low voice. I ignored that because my mind started flying again about what I had learned.
In an instant, everything seemed to change in me especially my state in life. With the speed of events, I could not immediately accept that. Even what Ulysses said that papa left me all. Why just me? Why didn't he leave anything to mom? Why does he only care about me? I’m not sure if I could manage all the business he left me. I mean, I know I'm smart. Somehow I graduated and I know a lot about business management because of my previous job but I am still scared. What if I can't cope? What kind of people are my relatives? My grandparents? Where is my real mother? And this man, why is he coming so soon when I need him?
In the depths of my thinking, I didn’t even realize when Hector’s car stopped. I only noticed this when I felt him touch my arm gently so I turned to him. His forehead is furrowed.
“What’s wrong? You can tell me anything, ”he softly said to me. His eyes were full of compassion. The more I don’t understand that.
I looked down at his pitying lips and looked into his eyes again.
“I already have money. I can file our annulment as soon as possible.”
I was momentarily surprised at myself when I mentioned that. I also saw the shock in his eyes but I didn't understand that yet. I averted my gaze from him.
"Yeah, I heard everything from Ulysses." I heard him say. He lost his grip on my arm and the next thing I heard was his tired sigh.
"You seriously can't still remember why you asked me to marry you that night, huh," he said so I was stunned. I wanted to look back at him for what he said but I restrained myself. The downpour intensified and the surroundings began to get dark even though it was still early.
"I didn't ask you," I whispered. I heard him chuckle.
“After I told you everything, the reason why I suddenly came home from Las Vegas, you asked me to marry you and I agreed without hesitation. Do you want to know why?”
My chest throbbed hard. Gradually, my heart tightened again. I don’t know why I’m afraid to face the truth. Because maybe I don't want to take a risk anymore. Because the last time I took a risk for someone, he broke me big time. It ruined everything in me. That even though I tried to ignore it, it was still chasing me to this day. Maybe because I was prevented from releasing the pain it caused.
"I want to go home, Hector—"
“I know you were Ares' girlfriend all along that's why I agreed to marry you. Not because I wanted revenge but because I wanted to save you from him.”
My heart skipped beating for a second because of what I heard. This time, I kept looking at him while not believing what he said.
"W-what?" My voice trembled.
He didn't look at me. He just leaned his head on the driver's seat and remained his eyes closed. I could clearly see his swollen Adam's apple and its slow movement as his jaw tightened.
“Before your first anniversary, he went to Las Vegas with your sister. I saw them and Ares saw me, too, but I pretended I didn't know anything. He was just using you to get all his inheritance and shares, and that includes all my possessions…”
I laughed bitterly. "I thought you didn't want revenge?" I ask because that’s immediately what I get from what he said.
I'm not surprised about Ares and Agatha because I've known that from mama before. I focused more on what he said, on about him. Why? Why does it hurt?
“You don't understand what I'm saying—”
“Then make me understand, Hector. I'm starting to accept everything and take the risk for you, for this fucking situation thinking that maybe it will work. Even though I'm not sure, even though I'm still scared because you might suddenly disappear again!” I cut off from what he had to say.
I heard him swear and tilted his head to look at me. His eyes were bloodshot red. It sparkled because the tears suddenly dripped but he also wiped them away immediately. My heart became heavier when I saw the pain in his eyes.
His hand went up and reached for my bruised cheek. "Is it still hurt?" He asked me.
The pain in his voice stabbed my heart while still looking at him. "I'm scared."
That time, I finally gave up because my heart couldn't take it anymore. In a flash, I fell on his chest and there I let out a groan because my chest could no longer carry it. It's so heavy and disturbing. I can't explain. I can’t explain how much pain. I'm scared. I was scared because I knew I was alone and only Amari was left with me. What if by the time I let him love me, he suddenly disappears again? What if by the time I decide to introduce him to his daughter, he suddenly leaves again without saying goodbye?
“Hush… I’m here, Solei. Stop resisting and just come to me. I'm always here. I will never be lost again.” I heard him say as he gently caressed my back.
“I won't let you file an annulment. I will never let you get away from me again. If only I could tell you everything…” his voice broke. “T-this is forbidden but I’m loving it. Since then. It's always been you."
-
I looked up at the large building in front of me. I was still closing my eyes when I was dazzled by the sunlight as I looked up. When I looked back at the entrance of the building, I started to get nervous again. I barely adjusted my corporate attire and violently sighed. After a few more moments and I finally entered and went straight to the lobby.
This is what Ulysses taught me the place and company where I could see my grandfather. The Alcantara Estate. My mind was not full when I went and I didn't have any plans. I just want to see them, and I want them to see me so that they can help me. Ulysses said that they have wanted to go and confront me for a long time but they have been doubly careful since papa died because our family's opponent is not a joke. I just don’t understand what’s the reason for everything.
“Miss, I'm looking for—”
I couldn't continue what I was about to say when I noticed the woman staring at me so I started to get nervous again. Especially when she suddenly stood up and called someone.
“Yes, she’s here. Please hurry!” I heard her say that to the person she was talking to while still looking at me.
I was swallowed. I think I went to the wrong place. Shit!
“Uhm…” I mumbled and turned my back on her because I felt so nervous but even before I could get out, she quickly grabbed my arm.
"M-miss, I'm sorry, I just made a mistake—"
“Stay here, Ma'am. Please don't leave,” she interrupted me so I was even more scared.
Even before I could refuse, suddenly large men appeared in front of us. There were five of them and they were all big men. They look like bodyguards. Wait, what's going on?!
“Hala, wait! Sorry, what's going on? I did not do anything bad-"
"Come with us, Ma'am," said the man and grabbed my arm so I almost fainted from nervousness.
“Just wait! You may be mistaken. Where will you take me?” I'm losing. All the employees on that floor looked at me so I almost choked.
“Ma’am, calm down. We will not hurt you.”
“But why are you arresting me? I am not doing anything. I just asked the woman something!” I screamed and tried to remove his hold on me but his hand was too big so I could do nothing. Especially when we can get into a big elevator. That’s different from what I’ve seen employees use.
"We're going up, sir." I heard the man say while holding his ear. There I noticed what looked like an earphone placed there. Who are they?
I was speechless when they released me but my astonishment continued as they surrounded me inside while turning their backs on me. They seem to be protecting me in that way. A few more minutes passed when the elevator opened. I saw these men looking at me so I immediately raised my hand to them.
“Don't touch me, please. I can walk.” I was quick because they seemed to be holding me again. I saw the scratch on the head of one of them and finally came out.
When I came out, I was exposed to a large suite. I rolled my eyes and just started when I realized what this room was. There is such a floor in the Aragon Empire and only Ares' parents can be there. To my knowledge, this room is exclusive only to the president and owner of the company. Maybe they already know me so they directed me here? Or is it really here that I will be judged?
To my great amazement in the room, I did not realize when this woman in front of me approached me. Her aura is rugged but it still looks professional. She was wearing it very formally and I could even see her looking at me from head to toe so I immediately felt disgusted.
"Anastacia Solei?" She asked me firmly and seriously. I just nodded and bowed in front of her.
"Good day."
“This way. Follow me,” he ordered and turned her back on me. I just shrugged and followed her. The five men who brought me here no longer followed. My full attention was caught by every expensive piece of furniture we pass there even the large paintings hanging in every corner of the big room. Sometime later, I heard what seemed to be a conversation so I looked in front of me. It was only then that I noticed that the woman I was following had also stopped and I even saw her bowing to the two old people sitting side by side on the sofa. They turned to look at me and suddenly stood up while still staring at me. My heart was pounding.
“Oh, Anastacia…” said the old woman who suddenly hugged me tightly so my whole body stiffened. The old man was still staring at me as if he was crying.
“We finally get to see you, darling. After so many years, hija…” I even heard her say that before she finally separated from me.
The pearls she was wearing rang as she touched my face. There I saw the trail of tears from her eyes.
“You looked so much just like your late mother…”
"Late?"
I only mentioned it because that was the only thing that caught my attention. But they did not answer. Instead, they invited me to sit down while the old woman was still holding my hand. She doesn't seem to want to let me go.
"Uhm… I'm sorry for coming here suddenly—"
“No, hija. We're expecting you today. Uriel has already told us. We're so glad you came,” he interrupted me and smiled softly at me. He was wearing a reading glass and his hair is white. They are my real mother's parents.
“I'm sorry about the security earlier. We were just making sure that you're safe,” the old woman added.
Only then did I realize what had happened earlier. I still thought I had done something wrong.
“It's okay, Madam. Is my mom here too?” I couldn’t help but ask them.
I saw that they were stunned at the same time so I started to get confused again. At the same time, my cell phone kept ringing. Embarrassed, I took it and looked at the text. It was Elena.
ELENA
Ana !!!! Apollo's here!
My eyes widened when I read that. My daughter's face immediately registered in my brain. He might see her. Shit!
"Ana hija, didn't Ulysses tell you?" I heard the old man ask me a question so I quickly looked at him.
"I'm sorry, but what is it?"
"Your mom died five years ago..."