21 Chapter 21

"Take care, Alpha." Grandma said as she held my shoulder.

"I will, la." I smiled bitterly. "I'm gonna miss you."

We're now in the private airport of De Luca Corporation. Their private plane is waiting for us. Harffiel, in the other hand, stood beside me.

"I'm gonna miss you too, sweetheart." She said heartily then turned to Harffiel. "Do take care of my grandchild, alright?"

"La," I whined like a baby but she just chuckled at my reaction.

"I will, Mrs. Marcos." Harffiel said with his sexy deep voice.

"Good." Grandma nodded then turned to me. "Enjoy your stay there, alright?"

"I'm not staying, la." I announced. "I will just visit mom. It's been awhile since the last time I saw her."

"I know. But who knows you'll love to stay there, right?"

"No way." I rolled my eyes. "Anyway, we have to go so soon, la. I'm afraid they'll kick us out if we're late." I joked and she laughed softly. I smiled in awe and I hugged her with all of my heart. "I will miss you, la. Please take care of yourself." I said and loosened up from her.

"I will." She assured then nodded, so did I and I turned to Harffiel who's smiling at me.

"What?" I asked. Why the heck is he smiling? It's creepy.

"Nothing." He grinned. "Let's go?"

"Yeah," I smiled bitterly then turned to grandma again. "Bye, la. We'll be back soon."

"Sure, honey." She said and I waved a goodbye before I marched the way to the private plane. Harffiel followed as he held my waist. I'm not suprised, though. It's his attitude.

We increased to the stairs and few staffs welcomed us with their smiles. They ushered us inside and made us comfortable.

"You okay?" He suddenly asked and I turned to him in surprise.

"Yeah." I nodded but he seemed not convinced so he stared at me. "I'm just thinking about something."

"And care to share it?" He scoffed and I chuckled a bit, which made him knot his brows together. "Nothing." I said while laughing.

He's stunning with his navy blue tux, white polo with three unbuttoned buttons which revealed his white broad chest. He looks more breath-taking as his eyes glisten playfully.

"Enjoying the view, aren't you?" He teased and my cheeks heated up in embarrassment. "Oh, Alraine." He moaned my name and my cheeks flared up more because of his husky voice.

I shook my head mentally. No, Raphaela. You shouldn't think that way. You have known Harffiel for a long time and you know as well that he's just playing around.

As the plane flew off, I took the chance to have a rest. The flight will almost take 12 hours, unlike other airlines which would take 16-24 hours, depends on the schedule.

"Wake up, missy." Someone said, followed by a light slap on my face.

I flinched my face as I slowly opened my eyes. A blurry physiques came before my eyes.

"We're here." He said and stepped backward.

I cocked my head at my side and closed my eyes again. How many hours did I sleep? And what did he just say? "We're here"?!

"Sleepyhead." He chuckled and I rolled my body on the bed then sat on it.

"What time is it?" I asked and a yawn followed.

"Hmm," he hummed and I found it sexy. "8:36."

"What? In the morning?"

What's taking him long to complete his answer?

"Evening, lady. Now, go and get up. We'll eat dinner together."

"Fine." I rolled my eyes and closed them again. I stretched my body as I yawned.

"Better?" He teased.

"Yup." I smiled and turned to him who's now wearing a polo shirt. He just removed his tux.

"Good." He nodded. "Get up and fix yourself before I'll carry you in my arms."

I frowned at him. "Why so excited, Mister? Are you in hurry?"

"Kind of. I'm starving already."

I bursted into a laughter.

"Since when you don't feel any hunger?" I mocked.

"Ha! You know me."

"Okay. Okay." I took a deep breath and got off from the bed. "I'm hungry too."

"I'll wait you outside." He declared.

"Sure." I replied and he disappeared out of my sight.

I sighed exasperately. Welcome back, Raphaela. Guess what? After all, this is where you would fall. And there's no turning back. You're here. It means you have accepted the challenge of fate.

I changed my clothes into a pastel pink suede top and skirt. I also wore a pair of chunky heels. And after I have fixed myself, I stepped outside the room and immediately caught Harffiel who's sitting on a chair. Across him is a vacant chair.

"Wow." He blurted out dreamingly as he scanned my whole body. "You don't fail to impress me."

I mocked at him with a rolling eyes.

"Stop it, Harffiel. I'm warning you." I scowled at him while walking towards his direction and he stood up to welcome me.

"Darling," he chortled. "I've never seen any brokenhearted girl who get to dress like an inspired woman."

I grimaced. Honestly? I don't know what would I react. I don't know if he's lying or not because I know his dark sides. He tells truth in any way he wants to.

"Liar." I muttered in a rolling eyes and he chuckled.

"Have a seat first, missy." He teased and pulled out a chair for me. But before I settled myself on it, I stared at him and he gave me a "what" look.

"Thank you, Mister." I mocked and settled down on the chair and he turned around to sit his.

"You know I don't do compliments." He started as soon as he settled down. I can hear amusement in his voice. "And you know I tell nothing but the truth."

He looked at me directly which made me feel uncomfortable. His ocean blue eyes are mesmerizing and I'm starting to get lost with it.

"Anyway," he dismissed the topic. "Which do you prefer? We'll stay in a hotel or we'll pay visit to your mother immediately?"

"Hotel?" I mouthed and I raised my left brow at him.

"Why? Is there something wrong?" He asked innocently.

"Mister, this is my place. I have my own house here."

"Oh!" He chortled awfully. "I'm sorry, missy. I forgot about it. Anyway, I'll stay in hotel."

"No need." I objected immediately and his brows furrowed in confusion. "You can stay in our house for awhile."

"But-"

"I know you're rich and you can afford anything but please," I took a deep breath. "Let me handle you, okay? If I'm not mistaken, it's your very first time to be here. You're not used to anyone here. Though I can assure you that they are good."

"Fine." He sighed in resignation.

"You can occupy our guest room."

"What else can I do?" He scoffed and I scowled at him. "Kidding." He grinned childishly, revealing his pinkish gums.

After we had our dinner, we drove away. Good thing he has connections here so he just texted his men to fetch and take us home.

Perks of being a businessman, huh?

"Welcome home, Alpha!" Nanny welcomed me with her wide smile and offered her arms. I gladly accepted it and hugged her tight.

"I miss you, Ny." I said as I loosened up from her.

"Everyone misses you, Alpha. It's been what? Almost seven years!" She exclaimed in disbelief and I laughed at her.

I felt Harffiel's presence and Nanny silenced as she glanced at someone then turned to me with her nosy eyes and I smiled as I introduced Harffiel to her.

"This is Harffiel, a good friend of mine." I said to Nanny.

"Harffiel." She nodded frequently. "You look foreign." She commented.

"He's an Italian, Ny." I explained and Nanny nodded again.

"Nice to meet you, lady." Harffiel greeted formally.

"Oh," Nanny chortled. "You're too formal, anak."

"What's "anak"?" He asked curiously and I turned to him who's giving me a puzzled face.

"Anak means child." I explained and Harffiel nodded at me.

"Anyway, are you hungry? I'll prepare foods."

"No need." I waved my hand in the air dismissingly. "We're full, Ny. We're just here to put our things."

"Why? You're off to somewhere?"

"Yup. I'm gonna visit mom." I replied and suddenly I felt a neddle pricked in my heart.

"Oh," she whispered.

"Is she okay?" I asked worriedly and she didn't answer immediately. She looked away then eyed me again.

"I don't know, Alpha. You better see her for yourself."

I nodded in blue. I hope mom's fine. I hope she's doing well.

Later that moment, Harffiel and I decided to go. I badly need to see mom. If she's okay or not. How is she doing? Is she stable now 'cause honestly, I don't know about her condition. Why was she rushed to the hospital? As far as I know, mom is a healthy woman.

"She'll be alright, Alraine." Harffiel suddenly spoke up, cupping my hands and held it tight. I turned to him whose eyes were sad.

"Thanks, Fiel. I don't know what to do without you."

He smiled bitterly and leaned closer to me to kiss my forehead and I smiled 'cause somehow I felt light. It made me realize that no matter how tough life is, there's this someone who would stay.

As soon as the car's parked, we stepped outside and marched the way inside the hospital here in Manila. Nanny told me mom's in room 38 and it's in the third floor.

"You sure you know where is your mom's room?" Asked Harffiel as we were taking the elevator.

"Yup. I trust Nanny Paula."

"O-okay. I just want to make sure. We might get lost here."

I chuckled at his line. I found him cute 'cause all I know is he's bold and blunt the whole time.

"What?" He asked, slightly laughing.

"Nothing." I chuckled and shook my head. "It's just that, I have known you for so long. You're always cool and then it seems like you're afraid of being lost here."

"Of course. It's my very first time to be here. Someone might kill me if I'll lose you out of my sight." And he grinned.

"Nah." I shook my head in disbelief. "You might find the girl you'll love for the rest of your life here." I teased.

"Come on," he grunted. "Let's not talk about love here. You know it's just a word."

"Weh?" I grimaced at him and he playfully pushed my forehead using his fingers and I groaned and jabbed his chest.

"That hurts, A." He groaned and I laughed.

"I know. So stop doing it to me again. I'm warning you. I'm no good in playing."

"I know too." He quickly replied. "You aren't playing fair at all."

"Wow!" I blurted out sarcastically. "Coming from you, huh?"

"What?" He chuckled and the elevator rang and it opened by itself.

"I guess we're here." I said and stepped outside.

I can see nothing but a long corridor made of tiles then few white doors with nameplates on it. I followed them one by one, hoping I'll find the room 38.

"There you go!" I blurted out as soon as I found mom's room. Her name is on the nameplate and I was pretty sure I got the right room.

"You'll go ahead, Alraine. I'll be back later." He said, making me turn to him in furrowed brows.

"What? Don't leave me here." I whined like a child and he sighed as he faced me.

"I'll be back, I promise. I just need to see something."

"Something?" I mouthed in furrowed brows. "That could be up to something."

"Kind of?" He replied but more like a question 'cause he's not sure.

"O-okay. Just remember all the places you've been there. You might get lost here."

"Sure. Now, go ahead. I'm pretty sure your mom is waiting for you."

I smiled bitterly.

"I hope so." I said, hoping and he sighed then pulled me closer to his chest.

"Your parents love you so much, Alraine. Always remember that. You just have to show to them how much you love them."

"Yeah." I smiled in torpor and he suddenly kissed me on my forehead.

"Give me a smile." He teased and I couldn't help but spread my lips. "That's my girl." He wiggled his brows and giggled.

"Okay. Enough." I said and loosened up from him. "Go and chase that something you were referring to."

"Alright." He chuckled then in a moment, he ran away from me. I have no idea what is that 'something' he's up to. I guess it's very important.

I took a deep breath and sighed it out. After six years, I would finally see my mom again. I hope I  can make it.

I knocked three times before I held the knob and twisted it. I sneaked inside then opened the door widely. Just then, I saw a familiar man who looked surprised when our eyes met. My heart abruptly hammered inside my chest. I gulped once as I could feel my feet wanting to collapse.

"Alpha?" He called out, surprised and my breathing hitched.

What is he doing here?