I stayed at the chair and watched him cook. I can't help but to reminisce the moments we were together like this back then.
Even if we had maids before, he was the one who often cooks for us two when we're both free from work. He introduced me foods that I tasted for the first time.
He loves to cook, so I also learned cooking so I could at least repay him. One of my favorite dishes he cooked was the filipino dish called Menudo. Because of its taste, I tried to learn to cook it.
"Do you want to eat something else besides Nilaga (Pork Stew)?"
I blinked as I realized that he was already facing me.
"N-Nothing, I'll go upstairs. Just call me if it's ready." I stood up and was about to take a step when he suddenly grabbed my wrist.
I turned to him with creased forehead. My eyes dropped down to my arm where his fingers were already scorching my skin.
That's when he let go of my arm and slightly fixed his posture.
"I'm sorry about what happened upstairs. I shouldn't have said that..." he said lowly, but I clearly saw his clenching jaw and brows knitted.
I sighed and faced him. I wanted to meet his eyes but I couldn't. I'm afraid to see what I'm really longing, too. I don't want to embarrass myself. I don't want him to see that I'm accepting his ask for forgiveness.
"Ellwood is my bestfriend. I won't let him do something bad to me. I admit, he's too clingy, it is just because he's so damn sweet!" I held my forehead. I didn't want it to come out that way but it sounded like I was favoring Ellwood.
"Great! But that guy is a fucking opportunist!" he firmly said. Like an anger grew in his head that wants to explode.
"You don't know what you're talking about!"
"Neither do you! How well do you know that man? He's your best friend right? But you didn't have much time to know more about his family or you can't even try to ask him about his wealth?!"
I scoffed, "It doesn't make any sense, Hezekiah!" I shook my head at him.
"It's just because you don't know anything, except for the fact that he is your bestfriend!"
I swallowed his words a bit, before looking at him again.
"I trust Ellwood a lot. So why would I even care, huh?"
He shot his eyes and clenched his jaw hard. He looked up like he was calming himself.
When he dropped his eyes to me, I met it bravely with the same intensity.
"That is my point, Emory! That guy doesn't deserve any of your respect. You worship him like he's so damn good at all, but the truth is, he's not!"
My stares lingered on him.
"I don't know what you are talking about!" I said through gritted teeth.
"Then let me ask you a question. Where are your parents now?!"
I stopped. I didn't mention anything about Dad and Mom to him.
"T–They are on a vacation..." I stammered.
I saw his shoulders slumped at my answer. Slowly, an idea started forming inside my head but I couldn't name it.
"It's impossible for them to be on a vacation at this moment." He now spoke lowly and calm.
I swallowed again, my knees trembled at the revelation.
"Look, your parents and your empire are on the middle of bankruptcy. And that is because of Ellwood!"
That's when I felt cold washed through me. My knees wanted to collapse at what I heard.
"No, it can't be happening..." I shook my head defiantly. I smiled but I could feel my tears forming.
"According to Rupert, Ellwood now owned fifty percent of the shares of Rising Stone. Aside from that, the Echeverriis was already holding the shipping company of the Cervantes." he paused and looked at me seriously.
"They also owned the silk company."
I can't process everything he had said to me. I stepped back but I feel like I'll collapse at any moment.
"He tried to steal the company from you without you even noticing. He transferred all of those to the Echeverris so nothing would be left to you."
"No, you're joking! You keep telling me a joke, right?" I tried to paint a smile but I couldn't.
He was still serious, not having plans of taking his words back.
"Tell me you're joking! " My voice started raising. I walked to him and held his arm. I shook his arms forcefully.
"I don't believe you... Ellwood could never do that to me!" My tears fell. He rather took a knife on my skin than hearing those fucking words from him.
He didn't answer and pulled me for an embrace, but I stepped back.
I stepped back and turned around. Even if it was hard for me to walk upstairs, I still forced myself because I didn't want to hear those lies from him.
But before I could even take a few steps, I felt an excessive amount of pain from my abdomen.
"Oh... God!" I gasped.
I bit my lip in pain but I felt the blood gushing out between my thighs. My lips parted when I saw the blood flowing down.
"Hezekiah!" I screamed.
I even saw him running to me before my vision turned to black...
I woke up with a heavy feeling. I roamed my eyes and found myself on the hospital bed. And right there I saw Hezekiah sitting beside me.
He quickly sat properly and held my hand tightly.
I stared at his serious face. His eyes were dim but luminous, while his jaw clenched so tight.
"Hmm..." I cleared my throat, but it was dried up.
He blew a deep breath while staring at me.
"W-What happened?" I whispered weakly.
I closed my eyes for a second and opened it abruptly when I realized the reason why I'm here. My palm immediately went to my stomach.
"W-What happened? Is my baby okay?" I asked in my shaky voice.
He sighed heavily as a reply.
"Tell me, is my baby okay?!" I tried to get up but my body was too weak. I harshly pulled my hand away from him but he didn't let it go, instead he brought it to his lips while his elbows were on the bed, supporting his weight. He then brought my hand to his forehead and dropped his head.
I shook my head and leaned back. My tears started forming, I can slowly feel the pain in different parts of my body. I wanted to explode at that moment.
"How was my baby?" I firmly said while staring at the white ceiling.
Again, I heard his heavy sigh. I looked at him. Pain stabbed my heart when I saw him shake his head. But it was more painful when his lips spoke.
"I-I'm sorry, but you... lost our baby..."
It was like a bomb exploded in my ears. I shook my head intensely and pulled my hand from him.
"No! That's not true! You're lying!" I said in trembling voice.
He didn't answer and stood up to embrace me into a hug.
"I'm sorry, it's all my fault..." he whispered closely.
"No! I don't believe you!" I tried to push him away, but he didn't let go. He kissed my hair repeatedly but I can't feel anything but pain.
I feel like I'm so wrecked, nothing was left in me but the pain.
"Please... tell me you're just joking, Zekiah! Please..." I held his arm to have support.
I didn't hear anything from him but his heavy breaths. His hug was even more tighter.
I never felt this kind of pain. The pain thats throbs in my guts, like a knife being twisted in my spine and paralyzing my whole body. I gave in, I couldn't explode. I was too weak to fight anymore.