“James!” I mutter, choking in the sudden lump that stuck in my throat.
My voice comes out hoarse in that sensation, my chest tightening as I force myself to smile. Looking into his lifeless eyes, I can no longer stop my tears from gliding into my face. He’s no longer the carefree James I had known and made love to. Gone is the luster in his eyes and the striking aura that marks his physique. His hair is disheveled, and his prison-issued shirt crumpled.
“Don’t cry. I’m still alive,” James says as he settles on a chair across from me. The metal from his handcuff screeches against the chair’s surface as he straightens up his back.
I suddenly can’t grasp some words to tell him. I don’t know anymore if it’s right to ask how he is doing because I know the answer. It will only hurt him.
“Are you just going to stare at me?” he chuckles; perhaps seeing how I open my mouth several times but fail to think of a word to say.
“James, I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say.” A bitter smile breaks on my face, showing how uncomfortable I am in seeing him like that. My heart just shatters into a million pieces as I take in the kind of environment he is now in. Far from the comfort of his home, far from the reality of freedom,
“I don’t want self-pity,” he says, looking away. "Don't ever start mentioning it." There's pain and bitterness in his voice. I may have considered myself as lonely but the sense of sorrow seeping through his dejected expression is far beyond the truest depth of the word.
I nod, waiting for him to initiate a conversation. “As you see, I can’t seem to see myself surviving a day here. You know what kind of life I have to endure for fifteen or twenty years. But I will, Ella. So, I hope you are true to your commitment. J-Tech should live as you have promised.”
I nod, remembering how I promised to avenge him through Jamella Tech. Although I understand the wickedness of his motive, I have already thought about it several times. If Kim is a real business wizard, then our plans should not be a threat to Kim Yuan Microelectronics. And besides, any business conglomerate should always come prepared for any assault of whatever kind. There are always rigid competitions in the business world – a reason I shouldn’t be guilty of conspiring with James.
“Ella, take care of our baby,” he says, looking down at my abdomen that is half-concealed by the edges of the table.
“J-james,” I start to stutter, “I’m engaged- “
The color on his face suddenly drains. Wincing in pain he looks straight into my eyes.
“Why him, Ella?” he cut me off, his eyes suddenly turning red in anger. “I know I have set you free. But how can you be happy with the man who pushed me into this hell?”
I furrow my brows in confusion. Then, I remember Maezy's words. To top it all, Ara and Zed's expression during their talk in the dining room flashes in my mind. It's all clear to me now; Zed has played a part in his imprisonment.
To my added horror, James nods to the guard who stands nearby, implying that he’s cutting off our conversation.
“James, wait! What do you mean? I don’t understand.”
But James refuses to look at me. The prison guard then takes him away, leaving me dumbfounded.
I no longer know how I went out of the prison gates. All I remember is my strength leaving me, making my knees wobble as I rise from my seat.
I just snap back to the present when a hand holds my arm, helping me drag my heavy feet towards the car. No sooner than I have my butt settled on the passenger’s seat when I burst out into a bitter cry.
Today seems the end of my hope to live a happy life. I realize I am forever bound to a debt I never wish to have. I have no right to be happy with Zed because the man who helped my father in building the foundation of my future gloats him. The man who is the father of my child curses him. But how did Zed come into the picture? What had he done that caused this hatred from James?
“Miss Ella, we’re here,” Mr. Banzon’s voice has me look up to him and around the place, realizing we are already in front of the hotel. I scoff at myself. I never even noticed that we had already pulled out from the jail’s parking space.
“Sorry.” I smile a little, somehow ashamed at losing my self-control.
“It’s alright, Miss Sahara. But we have been sitting here for almost an hour. Just wondering if you have other appointments?” Mr. Banzon then straightens out from bending over the steering wheel. The more I feel guilty. He must have been bored from waiting until I calm down.
“I want to talk to the lawyer," I tell him. I want to know the consequences of choosing Zed aside from his participation in James' case.
“She’s also expecting you would want to see her after the visit.”
Mr. Banzon then maneuvers out of the parking space, then out into the long, busy road. The central roads of the Tokyo Metropolis have always been busy as far as I can remember. People crowding the street sides, public transportations swarming from every direction, skyscrapers outlining the skylines – all these adding to the pulses of the bustling city life.
Seeing Mr. Banzon finally pulling over another parking space, I heave out a deep sigh. I can’t wait to know how Zed is involved in this issue. Yes, he’s Yen’s ex-husband who did everything for her. But what did he do exactly that angered James? All I knew was that Yen was already with Kim when the case was reopened.
Shortly after, we’re already sitting around a table in a small function room. I throw a questioning look at the lawyer right away. Perhaps, she also has something to tell me that asking her may not be necessary anymore.
But still, I voice out the question in my mind. “Atty. Akemi, how is Mr. Zedrick Ramos involved in this?”
She clears her throat before opening her mouth to speak. “This is something confidential, Miss Sahara, but Mr. James Mori has asked me to tell you the truth.”
My heartbeats spike at her first statement that its impact causes pain. I draw in a deep breath, calming myself.
“Mr. Ramos had provided all the evidence that proved Mr. Mori’s participation in the crime.”
I stare at her, gaping at her revelation. But where has Zed gone wrong and crossed the line? What’s wrong in providing the evidence? Yen was his wife and it's only reasonable to support her.
“The case had been closed due to lack of evidence. But because of Mr. Ramos, the case was reopened. And you know the rest of the story.”
“But, Atty. Akemi- “
“Yes. I know what’s in your mind,” she says, and I nod several times. “But no client would be happy about that. And let me ask you this,” she pauses and looks at me for a few seconds, “is it not more painful for Mr. Mori to know that his fiancée is going to marry the one who drove him to jail?”
“Another thing,” she adds, “if you marry Mr. Ramos, he’s going to be the father image of Mr. Mori’s child. My client can’t accept that.”
I draw in a deep breath again. I have nothing to refute against the lawyer’s point of view.
“One thing is sure; Mr. Mori’s family will fight for the custody of the child.”
I shake my head, lost in my thoughts again.
No, I can’t allow this to happen. My baby will stay with me, whatever will happen.
___
The first thing that comes in my mind after I step out of Mactan International Airport is to see Maezy. I pull out my phone from my bag, type her name, then hit the send icon.
A peal of soft laughter then echoes at the end of the line. “Now, you want to see me.”
“Yes. Starbucks, closest to the airport.”