Days had passed since that night. I hadn’t contacted Anya again after she told me Mang Selyo was with Japen at the hospital and that Japen was recovering well. I just told her she could contact me anytime if she needed help.
I couldn’t keep calling her repeatedly, or I’d risk revealing their whereabouts. Also, I promised Dad I wouldn’t contact them again in exchange for their safety. So, I was content knowing they were in good hands.
That afternoon, I was on the balcony, sitting in a chair and looking at the horizon. The sun hung low in the sky, casting orange streaks across the clouds. The breeze was soft, carrying the scent of the forest and fresh moss from afar.
It had rained earlier that morning, and I had watched the rain from the glass window. Although the stillness and quietness calmed my nerves, I was not at peace. I wanted to do something, but I couldn’t. I needed to do something, but I couldn’t. I realized the vast difference between what I could and couldn’t do.
Someone knocked on the door. I turned my head to the right but didn’t hesitate to answer it. A moment later, the door opened, and a servant entered. I glanced at her and saw she was carrying a tray with juice and pandesal. She placed it on the bedside table before leaving the room.
I sighed and continued looking at the horizon. Then, I heard footsteps behind me. Someone was walking towards the balcony where I was standing.
I stood up, turned around, and faced the person. It was Simmy. My forehead creased, and I continued frowning as she approached me.
She stepped onto the balcony and stood on the other side, looking at the sunset on the horizon.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, confused but alert.
Whenever she visited that room, she always had bad intentions. I knew I had to be careful around her.
She looked at me and smiled. “Am I not allowed on this balcony?” she asked.
I didn’t respond. It had been days since her last visit, and I couldn’t understand why she was smiling at me. Maybe it was just a front?
I looked away and focused on the beautiful sunset in the distance. “You’re not welcome here. Besides, I know you’re here for a reason.”
A wave of silence passed between us. I just stood there, with no intention of moving or backing away from Simmy. I was tired. Tired of being mean and targeting her.
I even made Anya my confidant just to get revenge on her, but that was a wrong move. I ended up being locked in this room with no one to talk to.
“Do you know who Skylar Angeles is?” Simmy asked.
I took a deep breath. Since Dad confronted me that night, Simmy hadn’t stepped foot in this room. I thought she had waited a few days before coming in. Maybe Dad had forbidden her from entering.
“He’s just a schoolmate.” I looked at her, then back at the horizon. “And he’s your nephew.”
“You’re right.” I could hear gladness in her voice. She cleared her throat. “He said you’re the girlfriend of the sole heir of Clasiso.”
I blinked and took a deep breath. I gulped hard, crossing my arms to hide my shaking hands. “He told you that…?”
“Mm. He did.” She glanced at me with a smug smile. “I haven’t visited you these past few days, so I couldn’t tell you. It’s astonishing that you were the girlfriend of the man who died.”
“Get straight to the point!” I glared at her.
She laughed. “I haven’t told your father about it yet.”
“Then… tell him! I dare you!” I hissed.
I knew I shouldn’t have lost my temper so early, but my emotions clouded my mind when I heard her accusation. Why would Skylar tell Simmy about that? He should have kept it a secret, even from his own aunt!
“Do you want me to?” She faced me and smiled broadly. “Do you want me to tell your father that you were Anthony Clasiso’s girlfriend?”
I took another deep breath and suppressed my anger. I stared at Simmy, then smiled at her. “Go on.” I laughed a bit. “I can even accompany you to Dad if you like.”
Her smile vanished instantly. She glared at me. “Aren’t you afraid of him finding out you were the girlfriend of the man he despises?”
I sneered and looked at the horizon. “Do you think I care?”
Simmy took a deep breath. “You really don’t care? I’m not joking! I’ll tell your father your secret!”
I sighed and looked at Simmy. I stared at her face, suppressing my urge to blink. We had a staring battle that lasted five seconds before Simmy looked away with a sneer.
She stamped her foot in annoyance, then went inside and walked out of the room. I even heard the rattling of the lock outside. I gulped.
Dad already knew I had a relationship with Anthony.
I remembered the day Anthony held Dad’s hand as he choked him. He even said in his last breath… “S-Sir… I love your daughter…”
My vision blurred with impending tears. Anthony said it. Anthony confessed to Dad that he loved me, yet I didn’t value his love. I chose to hide what I saw that night.
But it was hard to choose between him and Dad. It was hard, but I had to choose. In the end, I buried what I saw that night and promised myself to forget it, much to my conscience, which kept replaying the scene in my mind.
I thought I had let go of Anthony. I even placed Japen in my heart, but that afternoon, I realized I was too desperate to forget about Anthony. I realized I never let go of him, and what I felt for Japen was just an illusion my heart had created for me to believe.
It was still Anthony. It was still him… him and him alone.