I WAS SO EXCITED to go to the Hospital to tell Dad the good news. I hurried inside the ICU with a wide smile on my face.
“Miss. Banaag, it’s good that you’re here. I have good news for you, any moment now the operation can be done on you father.” The doctor said to and hold my hand tightly.
I immediately glanced at Dad. I’m sure he’ll be happy when he finds out that Calixto helped us with his operation.
“Thank you, doc.”
“By the way did you already talk to Mr. Del’torre?”
My wide smile faded as I turned to her in astonishment.
“Mr. Del’torre? But why?”
“Didn’t he tell you? I’m glad that he paid all the expenses for your father’s operation, as well as the payment for all the medicines.”
My eyes widened at what she said.
“Haven’t you talk to him? He just left my office a while ago.” Astonishment rose on her face because of my reaction.
“Ah, excuse me,” I said as I quickly turned my back on the Doctor to go outside the hospital. My heart was also beating so fast that I didn’t know the reason. But my shoulder fell when I sat on a bench with my heads bowed when I can’t find him there.
“No, he can’t do this, ” I said in a trembling voice, I didn’t care who sat next to me because of the emotion in my heart.
“I have one word and I do what I say.”
I quickly turned to the man who spoke next to me who now smiling broadly at me.
“Rexon?” I uttered with full of shock.
I immediately stood up and glared at him.
“Why did you do that?!” I said loudly. My two eyes almost turned red with anger, but here he managed to fold his arms and sit in front of me while looking at me.
“Take back the money you deposited at the hospital because I haven’t accepted your offer yet!”
His lips twitched a bit, as if he was fighting a smile.
“What?! I’m serious!” I spoke in an irritated tone.
“Is that how you treat people who are kind to you?” His smile widened as he put both arms on the backrest.
“For your information, I’m not asking for your help!”
“So your pride is more important to you than your Dad? I guess I helped the wrong person,” he said lowly.
I was shocked when he started to stand up. I awkwardly step aback because of his surprising towering height.
I couldn’t speak right away as if I was wrapped in a lot of self -shame. I also wanted to shake my head because I sent in my emotions and lost my mind as to whom the help he was willing to give me was for.
I swallowed as if not reaching my throat. Adding his warm stare to me. He is wearing a black bullcap and of course the black leather jacket that he always wears.
“I-I’m sorry,” I now utterly said.
I quickly bent down and bit my lips hard. I don’t even want to say that’s what cried on my lips.
Silence lingered between us. He only let out a sigh between us that I couldn’t help but look at.
“Let’s talk about it later. I have a gig tonight.” He glanced at his wristwatch as if impatient.
How can I start talking to him without getting angry? Why is it hard for me to treat him like I treat Calixto or even the men I know?
I closed my eyes for a moment and the air filled my chest before looking at him again.
“I’ll pay half of what you paid for Dad’s operation, maybe I’ll just save the salary just to pay for it in full.” I said that in a low tone.
He shook his head. “I’m not going to accept the money. You know what I want in return and that will be my personal assistance. Just simple as it is! You act like one then everything will go smoothly into place. Let’s just say you don’t owe me any more if you agree to what I want. ” He’s now smiling widely at me.
“No, I said I’ll pay you,” I straight forwardly said.
“Tell me, how do you find a money to pay me ? On your boss slash your boyfriend too?” He even gestured two fingers for the apostrophe sign right in front of me.
I swallowed hard. I couldn’t speak right away because I felt that the words he uttered were tinged with sarcasm.
“Come on, babe! You better think twice. If he really loves you he won’t let you grope in the dark.” He said with twitching lips.
“What do you mean?” I’m confused by the question.
“Easy, if he really loves you, he won’t let you look for more money for the operation of your father. I checked your boyfriend’s back ground and property, and I found out that the money he intends to lend you is just a coins. So, if he really loves you that much, he will give you the money you need in full and not just half. ”
I don’t understand his point. I also do not want to accept what he said. So I shook my head one after another.
“Like love, you should give all your effort and your hundred percent for the one you love,” he clearly said.
I looked up at him. And I met those dark but luminous pair of piercing eyes staring hard at me.
My heart starts pounding when I note his small action. He lowered down his head and whisper…
“I mean, you’re not worth enough to be loved by him.”
I soak his words for just a moment.
I feel the pain of what he said. He has a point but should I believe? Should I agree with what he said?
He arch an brows at me. I also noticed that his lips lifted. That seemed certain of what he said.
“No, that’s not true because it doesn’t matter if he can give me a half, what’s more importantly he give what can give.” I bit my lip again because of the pain of realizing what I said.
“See? Pride is more important to you than your Dad’s life.” He now inserted his two hands in his pants pocket and looked at me darkly.
“That’s not true!” I force myself to rise to his accusations.
“If not, then accept my offer.”
Again I have nothing to answer, because his stares always engulf me with nervousness.
“Cherry?!”
I quickly turned to the owner of the voice. That’s how I stepped back and my heart pounding when I saw Calixto.