Carrying the bottle of wine and long glass, I walked my way to his cabin. I know the risk of taking this chance, but I have to do this to clear things out. What’s about to happen may exceed my expectations, but I don’t want to worry about it now.
Clad with the tiny speck of courage left in me, I raised my hand to knock on his door.
The door opened and I saw shock registered on his face when he saw me but composed himself right after.
“Uh, I–I ah…” I quickly raised the bottle of wine and the long glass.
Instead of saying anything, he just got the bottle and glass from me. He pulled the door close which made me step back…
“Didn’t you enjoy your wine?” His voice flowed calmly.
My breathing hitched as he stepped closer, not wanting to be inches apart.
“Yeah, we need to talk.” I finally said.
We’re now facing each other in front of the small table of his cottage. He poured himself a glass of wine and took it all in one gulp.
He licked his lower lip and stared hard at me, “I know, you didn’t expect me to be here… but I just wanted to be near you.”
“You should’ve tried harder,” I spat. I want to point out what he’s supposed to answer but why is something stopping me from doing so?
“I just wanted to say sorry for all the things that I’ve done to hurt you. Maybe it’s just me who couldn’t move on. I can’t…” He shook his head a few times.
“I made a mistake, I’ve hurt you repeatedly. I don’t want us to end up like this, but I love you too much to do that to you… to set you free.”
Silence enveloped the both od us before I spoke.
“Did you ever mean it?” My gaze raised at him.
“Did you really want this to end?” I asked bravely. I looked straight into his eyes. I don’t want to just assume everything, I need an answer right now.
His jaw ticked, “No…”
I dropped my head to stop the tears that wants to fall. I’ve studied this for a lot of times, I’m already an expert in this. But why is my heart betraying me again?
“I’m able to let go of that love, not because I don’t love you anymore, it’s because this is the best end for the both of us.” My voice cracked.
I closed my eyes hard when I felt his hand covered mine on the table.
“I love you so much it hurts. There’s never a night that my decision of letting you go made me sleep peacefully. Because everyday, I choose you, Emory. It’s always been you… after all.”
My tears fell. If only I could reply back on the words he uttered, I would have done it already, but then I couldn’t find a word to say. I guess this is the closure I wanted to hear. The closure that will set us free…
I pulled my hand and smile, “Thanks for the wine.”
I stood up which he stopped eagerly. His eyes looked more serious and darker this time.
“Please give us a chance?”
*****
“Phone call from Mr. Echeverrii.” My secretary peeked on the door of my office.
My forehead creased, I didn’t expect he’d call me after what happened to us.
What would be his reason for contacting me? I sighed before speaking, “I’ll answer it, thank you.”
After my secretary closed the door, I picked up the chordless phone to answer the call. I took a deep breath before speaking. Pinuno ko muna ng hangin.
“Hello, this is Emory, speaking.” A normal voice came out from my lips. I want to be civil while talking to him.
I leaned against my swivel chair and waited for him to speak.
“Can I buy you lunch today?” he greeted. His cool voice made my heart melt a little, how I wish we could still be friends after everything that happened.
“Sounds great, nice try, Mr. Echeverri.” A bitter smile appeared on my lips.
“Hmm, I’ll pick you up, then.” After that, he dropped the call.
My lips were parted as I place the telephone back. After just a few minutes, my secretary knocked again to inform about Ellwood’s presence outside.
I glanced at the wall clock. I just noticed that it’s almost twelve in the afternoon.
“Oh, okay. I’ll go out after a sec.” I quickly pulled my shoulder bag and walked oit of my office.
I saw him leaning on the table of the front desk while playing with his car keys on his hands. He was talking to some staff who were smiling widely that it looked creepy.
I mannerly walked towards him. He Immediately noticed my presence. He stood straight and glanced at the two employees before winking at them.
My squinted eyes darted to my staff. They instantly sat down in embarrassment.
“Hey, It’s nice to see you again!” His two big arms spread widely to greet me.
I shook my head and let myself be caged into his arms. Oh, damn! I missed his manly scent, his big and warm embrace and everything about him. God, I’ve missed my best friend.
“Not here, babe. The staff might think differently about us,” he whispered huskily. His hand slowly lingered down my wrist through my fingers and intertwined it tightly.
I immediately pulled away and secretly glanced at some staff who were whispering at each other while looking at us. Before I could even take action, he already pulled me and clasped our hands together.
While were inside his car, silence ensued between us. I remained silent the whole time although I could feel him stealing glances from time to time.
I sat straight when his car went inside a famous restaurant. Like before, he opened the door to let me out, gently holding my hands to guide me inside.
I let him order the food for us. Again, there was silence, it was like the both of us were trying to sense who should open a topic.
“So, what’s up? Where were you for the couple of weeks?” Ellwood rested his back at the chair and looked straight to my eyes.
“Hmm, at the Galla Island.” I answered and shoved the ravioli pasta into my mouth.
“Galla? I’ve never been there…” He shrugged his shoulder as an addition to his remark.
“You should try there sometime…”
He didn’t reply, just watching me silently eat my food while playing with the fork with his hand.
“What have I missed? Anything about you?”
My head raised. His eyes were filled with a little bit of amusement. He seemed very confident talking to me like nothing happened between us.
“I’m pregnant.”
His back lifted from leaning and cursed. His jaw clenched so hard while shaking his head repeatedly.
“That bastard… He marked everything he touched.” He smirked and drank his glass of wine straight.
I don’t know if I did the right decision of telling me about my pregnancy but he’s the only person I could trust even after everything.
“I want you to keep this secret for me. I don’t want my child to get involved with all the mess that’s happening in my life.” I said sternly.
“He deserves to know the truth. He is the father.” His voice sounded more concern now.