My eyes blurred, all my strength was sucked out of me when I heard what he said.
Who should I blame for everything that happened? Dad wants our company to survive, and Mom? She did everything to make me end up with Ellwood because that's the only way to bring back the company.
And me? I didn't do anything to help them. I chose to get married with Hezekiah even if my parents were against it. Maybe it's all my fault, I should be the one to blame.
I quickly stood up and walked out of the function hall.
"Emory, wait!" Ellwood chased me.
He reached me at the hallway and grabbed my wrist.
I faced him with a pained expression, "You knew everything from the start but you didn't tell me?!" My voice already cracked and shattered.
I saw his jas clenched before his shoulders fell.
I scoffed, I tried to stop myself from crying but my heart was too shattered. Ellwood is my best friend, he's the person I know will always be there for me. The person who would never hurt me and will stand beside me after everything. But where is that Ellwood now?
"Why, Ellie? Why did you do this to me?" My tears finally fell.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. I don't want to hide everything because I don't want you to be hurt," he said with lower voice.
I shook my head, of all he'd done to me, I can't forgive him yet. I stepped back and forcefully pulled my wrist from him.
"Emory!" I heard him call me but I walked out of the building and went inside my car.
I went home even if I planned to go to the office. My heart is devastated right now, my hollowness is already killing me. How much pain should I take? How many times should I cry for the same reason? And now I don't know how to start again, because everytime I do so, a new problem just comes.
My forehead creased when I saw a car parked in front of the Villa. My heart thumped loudly as I got off the car and went inside.
My heart seemed to stop beating when I saw Mom and Dad in the living room.
They turned to me. I can feel their burden. Mom was already crying and Dad looked so tired and haggard. I didn't think twice and went to them and hugged them tight.
"We're so sorry, hija. We didn't want this to happen." Mom sobbed. She cried on my shoulder while dad tried to comfort her.
"I know, I know... I already know everything. Stop it now, don't cry." I wiped her tears and hugged her again.
I shouldn't blame them. They both just did what they know was right and can help the company. I know they're just thinking about my future, so they made that decision.
***
We're now in the dining table and talking happily.
Daddy was bragging their experience in New York. They said their vacation was fun and they relaxed there.
"Why don't you go on a vacation again? Where do you want to go?" I asked them with a huge smile on my face.
"Hija, not now. You're mother's pulling me everywhere because she wants to roam around. If not for my rheumatoid arthritis, she wouldn't stop." Dad laughed at what he said.
"Adriano! Be ashamed of your words! You're the one asking me to roam around!" Mommy widened her eyes at him.
I shoik my head as I watched them argue as if they're not together for a lot years.
"Eh, where do you want to have a vacation, Emory?" Mom faced me.
"Wherever you want to." I smiled and waited for their answer.
"Well, we should talk about that next time." Dad looked at me with serious face.
I swallowed the food in my mouth forcefully. I dropped my eyes because of his stares.
"How are you and your husband? Did you already fixed the problem between you?"
I tried to hide the pain. I know they went here for this discussion but I will never be ready of his question.
"We tried to fix everything and still we're working that..." I just shrugged my shoulder and continued eating my food.
Dad sighed and ate, too. Mom remained silent the whole time we talked about Hezekiah. I know she's still blaming herself for what happened.
"Ate, Kuya is here," Trina said.
My shoulders stiffened when I saw Hezekiah entering the dining room.
Even if he looked surprised, he didn't forget to greet Mom and Dad. He walked towards me and gently kissing my hair.
I closed my eyes for a moment before raising my head to him. I don't know what to say at this moment. Until now, I sitll can't believe that he's here in front of my parents.
"Hijo, join us." Dad invited him.
"Okay, sir..." He nodded and sat beside me.
I thought it will be awkward and silent but it ended up being fruitful due to Dad and Hezekiah's conversation.
Dad asked about the Mall we're planning to build in Manila, even the shipping yard Hezekiah's planning near forth Batangas also became their topic. Sometimes, Hezekiah glances at me before answering Dad.
Mom was still on the stage of shock. She didn't join in the conversation. I know there's still a wall between them because of what Mom did before, maybe only time can heal all the bad things she made to ruin our marriage.
When the lunch was done, Dad and Hezekiah stayed at the Ianai to talk, while mom spared time with with me at the pool. I insisted her to swim but she turned it down.
She was just at the pool side while watching me swim. I know that she has a lot to say to me, but I think it's not that important now.
I said that I won't ever forgive her for she had done to Hezekiah and I, but who am I to plant resentment? I am her daughter, even if I turn the world around, she's still my mother, and mother knows best, but they can't force who we can love and who we can't.
I got up and laid down on the lounge beside her.
"I'm glad that you and Hezekiah are going back together..."
I glanced at Mom who was scanning through the magazine.
"Thanks," I said.
She closed the magazine and turned to me. I saw deep regret in her gloomy eyes. If I'm not mistaken, I can her eyes forming tears.
"I heard you lost your child, I'm so sorry, hija..." Her tears fell which she immediately wiped.
"It hurts to think that my child was took from me too early. I didn't really have the chance to hold her hands and carry her in my arms, or to tell her a story, teach her how to walk, how to sing..." I smiled and held my tears that wanted to spit out.
"I didn't have a chance to even hug her, mom..." I whispered weakly.
I can feel her caressing my wet hair. "I know I can't say anything to comfort you. But I'm here sweety, I am always gonna be here for you..."
It was already dark when they decided to go home, I couldn't insist them to just stay here for the night because they said they have an early flight to Manila to visit some business we have left.