26 Chapter 26

The following morning, mom was discharged from hospital. We payed bills and we went home instead of going somewhere. I told mom to get some rest because she badly needs it.

"You need to rest, mom. You can start your work tomorrow." I insisted and she sighed in resignation.

"Okay, sweetheart. You too."

"I will, mom." I said and smiled.

I'm happy and content that mom and I are in good terms. Hence, I can't ask for more but to have a good relationship with her, and also with dad. I'm not hoping they will ask forgiveness from me 'cause this is more than enough. Besides, I have forgiven them. And I believe there's no reason to abhor them.

"I hope you'll stay longer here, Mr. De Marco." Mom said.

We're taking our lunch together. Harffiel and I sit beside each other while mom and dad sit across from us.

"It depends, Mrs. Marcos. If dad won't mind it." Harffiel humbly replied.

"I'm sure he'll understand it." Dad said with assurance.

"I guess so. But as of now, he's running our company in Italy. And he just told me he has a business meeting with Mr. Arthur Vega at this moment."

"That's good to hear, then." Mom commented while nodding. "I'm sure you won't regret in case you'll settle into partnership."

They talked few stuffs and they are more on business. And after having our lunch, I decided to stay inside my room. Memories of what had happened last night lingered inside my head. I still can't believe he has my paintings. He told me he was in every exhibit I had but I don't even know about it. How come?

Did he disguise? Or he stayed apart from me?

"Something's bothering you, isn't it?" Harffiel's voice knocked me off my trance and I turned to him then faked a smile.

"I'm just wondering why Royal has my paintings." I said which made him furrow his brows.

"What do you mean?" He asked and walked towards me.

We're still inside my room. He said he has nothing to do so he decided to stay here with me.

"I saw them in his room..." I started, brows are furrowed in confusion. "They are hung on the walls."

"Where did he get it?" He sat beside me.

"He told me he was there in every exhibit I had. It means, he was there three times but I didn't even know about it."

I really don't understand this thing. I can't figure it out.

He told me he chased after me. He ditched Ria the day they were about to be tied up. He said he followed me to Italy but how come I didn't know about it? If grandma knows about it,

Grandma...

"I don't know about her, Alpha. You must be dreaming."

Does she know Royal was once there in Italy? It couldn't be impossible since he has family in Italy. His dad is Italian, his mother is half-Spanish, half-Filipino. There's reason why would he go to that country.

But then again,

"He was there?" He mouthed, sounded surprised.

"That was what he said. He even ditched his long time girlfriend on the day of their civil marriage."

"What an asshole." He grunted and shook his head in disbelief. "But if I was him, might as well I would do the same thing."

I contracted my brows in both confusion and curiosity.

"What do you mean by that?"

He shrugged. "Well, if I really love someone, I won't compromise my fate for something I won't be happy with."

I pursed my lips. I got drowned deeper with his line.

"Royal seemingly loves you, Alraine. 'Cause if he's not, he should have been tied up with that girl named Ria. He shouldn't chase you."

I looked away and looked down. No, Harffiel. You're overviewing things wrong. He's not in love with me 'cause if he is, he won't hurt me. He won't give me up. He won't broke my heart by choosing Ria.

"Alraine, come to think about it. Why is he chasing you if he's already happy with someone else? Look," he held my chin to catch my eyes. His eyes are in despair, hope and regret. "You said he told you he ditched Ria on the day of his marriage just to chase you. Do you really think a man like him would do that if a girl means nothing to him?"

"But he chose Ria." I protested and pushed his hand holding my chin. I stood up and faced my back at him. The longer our conversation, the more I get befuddled and stupefied.

"Do you really think he chose Ria?" He asked like clarifying things out.

Am I the only who don't understand these things?

I turned around to face him. His eyes are on me, waiting for my response.

"Whatever you say, Morlinffiel. I still don't get it."

"Try to prick up your ears, Alraine. It's the best thing to do in order to extrapolate this phenomenon."

"I don't need his rationales." I butted in.

"That's your problem." He stated and shook his head in disbelief. "You don't know how to listen that's why you're overrating things."

"What for, Harffiel?" I raised my voice, swinging my hands in the air because of anger. "Do you think he can put things back the way they were before?"

He ran his palm on his face, trying to control his anger. He then stood up and walked towards me. He held my shoulders and bored his ocean blue eyes on me.

"Calm down, okay?" He gently said. "You two can talk about it."

I loosened up as I pushed him away.

"And now you sound like you chose him over me." I whined.

"No, A. No." He shook his head as he tried to hold me but I stepped back, not wanting to get near to him. "What I want to say is you should get some closure from him. Let him explain, Alraine. I know how much you've been hurt but please," he begged. "Don't let your anger take over you."

I gulped once as I clenched my jaw tight. My heart is throbbing inside my ribcage. And my breathing ragged.

"Please, A... if you really want to be happy, let go of what's weighing you down."

I looked away and took a deep breath. I turned around as I slapped my forehead.

Damn it! I don't want to get hurt again. I have vowed to myself that no one can hurt me again. I have been protecting my heart eversince and I won't let anyone destroy the walls I have built around my heart. Not even Royal, 'cause in the first place, he's the reason why it's hard for me to trust again, to love again and I must say, lucky Harffiel is 'cause I trust him the most. I hope he won't fail me the way people failed me before.

Few days had passed when everything's went well. I diverted my attention to Harffiel's business. I helped him to find a good location for his job. He told me he wants to build a resort or hotel here in Manila. I have no problem with that, anway. As long as he's happy with his life, I'll be happy too.

And about Royal, I tried to never bring the topic up again. I asked Harffiel to never mention anything about Royal. Good thing he agreed.

"So you're going back to Italy again?" I asked but it sounded like a statement.

He's packing his things up 'cause it's his flight back to Italy. His dad called him last night that he has to be there as early as he can. That man is going to marry someone by means of paper.

"I have no choice." He said exasperately.

"You have." I objected. "You always have the choices, Mr. De Marco. But since you're not yet in love, you'll let them compromise your happiness."

Compromise...

I remembered what he told me last night about that compromise.

"I was born to obey, Alraine." He said and zipped his luggage then turned to me. "You know children have no right to defy their parents who are businessmen."

"What if you're in love with someone but you have to marry someone else? What will you do?" I asked curiously.

I suddenly wonder how this man fall into a girl and be head over heels with her. It would be so exciting, I guess?

"I'll do what Royal did." He said firmly and my breathing hitched unexpectedly.

"We already talked about it, Mr. De Marco." I stated with a hint of warning.

"I know." He curtly said. "But you asked me something which is quite related to him."

"Stop." I demanded and he chuckled.

"Why, Alraine?" He teased.

"I said stop!" I squawked.

"You're so cute when you're mad." He friskily said and winked at me.

"You're a dink!" I whimpered and he hugged me while laughing. I tried to loosen up from him but he's too firm that I can't move him a bit.

"Shsh." He rubbed my back soothingly. A tear escaped from my eyes. "Trust me, Alraine. Everything will be ceased if you're willing to give an ear."

I hugged him back. I'm gonna miss this asshole.

I pulled my body away from him and he let me.

"Goodluck." I growled, referring to his marriage. "I guess that girl you're about to marry is so unlucky."

"Wow," he blurted out, chortling. "Coming from you?"

"Why? Do you really think she's lucky to have you?"

"Yup." He bragged. "Just look at me, Ms. Marcos." He held his chin with overflowing confidence. "No one can own this greek god-like face."

I bursted into a laughter. He's so funny whenever he brags about his looks. Like, come on! I know he has that picturesque physiques that delineate beauty and masterpiece. And so? Everyone has. It just depends on the eyes of the beholders.

"You wish." I said and rolled my eyes teasingly. "You cannot live alone, mister. There's this someone who would fill your life."

"Oh, come on." He groaned and rolled his eyes tiredly. "I would believe that if you and Royal will end up together."

My heart froze. The joy in my heart vanished hearing his name.

"You see? You cannot even prove to me that a man needs his woman to show to him what life is."

I remained silent for awhile and then I faked a smile and looked away from him. Hearing his name made my stomach cringe.

"You better go now." I demanded and scowled at him.

"Yeah. Seems like you don't need me here."

"Harffiel!" I hollered. I want to jab that gorgeous face he has.

"What?" He laughed.

"I tell you, Mr. De Marco." I warned.

"I'm just messing around." He explained with a hint of amusement.

"You better be." I groaned. Just then, someone knocked on my door, making us turn towards where the sound came from.

"I guess I really have to go." He declared and I sighed in despair.

"I'm gonna miss you." I said and hugged him. "Please take care of yourself, okay?" I looked up just to meet his eyes.

"I will." He smiled and pulled me closer to his chest, planting a kiss on my forehead.

"Find a girl who would love you no matter what happens."

He stared at me, I stared back.

"I'll try. But once I'm married, I'll always hold on to the law."

"You mean, you don't have really choice but to stand as her husband?"

"Sexy husband." He corrected and I rolled my eyes. "Kidding." He grinned. "And yes, I'll be her husband even if it's just on papers."

"Okay." I nodded. "Prove to me you're not going to tear your reputation."

"What reputation?" He contracted his brows in confusion.

"Reputation... like... you're the man who doesn't believe in love."

"I'll always have that title." He assured. "But as of now, I'll go ahead, missy."

"Your private plane can wait." I insisted.

"But dad can't." He butted in. "And you know my dad."

"Yeah, yeah." I sighed in resignation.

After our few short conversation, we drove off to airport. I was stupefied when Royal's with us. My breathing twitched at his sight. Wearing a black polo with three unbuttoned buttons, dark blue denim jeans and a pair of brown leathered shoes, he looks so fascinating. It was breath-takingly to see him once again.

"Mr. Mocetti." Harffiel called out in his baritone voice.

"Mr. De Marco." Royal mentioned, as well with his deep voice.

"I want to ask you a favor." He declared.

"And what is it?" He asked, taking a glance from me.

"Take care of my friend."

Royal remained silent and stolid. He looks like pondering about something.

"You don't have to ask me." He coldly said.

"I know." Harffiel butted in. "But I just want to make sure."

"I will take care of her." Royal declared, delineating assurance.

"Thanks, man." He tapped Royal's shoulder then turned to me. "I will miss you, A. Don't forget to visit me there, okay?"

"Yeah, sure." I smiled and leaned closer to hug him. He unmoved until he recovered, cherishing me in his arms.