“I apologize, Aunty.”
I initially asked Aunt to temporarily take on the role of acting CEO while I’m unable to work. There’s nothing wrong with it since she’s a board member. I’ve already documented this in writing. It’s only for a few weeks, maybe just one week. I need to get myself together first. I feel I won’t be able to focus on work at this time.
“Okay, Millie. I’ll keep you informed about everything happening in the company. What if Gio comes over?”
I know Aunt Elsie didn’t mean to mention Gio. I noticed it in her sudden silence.
“You can handle that if he shows up. If he’s looking for me, tell him I’m not here.” Aunt Elsie nodded at me before leaving for the office. I know she’s busy with our other businesses, but I bothered her to become the acting CEO of our company. I can’t stop Gio from going there because he’s part of the board of directors.
I’m alone at home now. Apart from the household staff and a few employees, I have no one here. Sienna is at work, and I let Aunt Elsie go to the office.
My cellphone is turned off, so I don’t know if Gio is still trying to call me. I also didn’t check if he left our house last night or stayed there.
I lay down on the bed and mustered the courage to open my cellphone. My heart was racing as I waited for it to power up.
I’m still figuring out how to retrieve my things from Gio’s house. I have a few items here, but it’s limited. Most of my belongings are at Gio’s house.
I sat up when a series of missed calls and messages appeared on my screen. Most of them were from Gio, but I was surprised to see messages from Rae and Nin as well. I opened their messages, and they were both asking how I was doing. Gio had called them and told them to check on me.
I quickly texted my two friends: ‘I’m okay.’
I let out a sigh after sending the message. I’m okay in the sense that I can still manage, although I feel like I might fall apart later.
I stared at Gio’s messages for a while before deciding to read them. Almost all of them just called my name. It had been like that since I left his house yesterday.
Gio:
Millie, please talk to me. I know you’re mad. I’m sorry.
I chuckled to myself. If only apologies could make everything right so easily.
Gio:
Talk to me, please. Millie, can you pick up my calls? I need to talk to you. I’m outside your house. Talk to me. Baby, I’ll wait until you agree to talk to me.
I swallowed hard at his words. Maybe that’s why, even after I told Gio to leave last night, he didn’t go home. I understand that Gio has every right to be angry with my mom. She took away two precious years of Gio’s life, but should I just dismiss what happened? Gio killed my mom. Should I celebrate and forget everything?
Gio:
You were on your balcony earlier. I saw you. Did you see me? You didn’t answer my call. I was hoping you’d pick it up.
I guess those were the moments when I saw him outside the house while I was getting some air, but I went inside my room the moment I saw him calling me.
Gio:
I know you’re mad at me, Millie. No words can change what I did to your mom. I hope you can understand. What I did was unforgivable, but I did what I thought was best for you. Take your time, baby. I’m going to wait for you to come back. I’ll wait for you to be ready to talk to me. I’ll wait, and I won’t get tired of waiting for you. I waited so many years just to have you; I won’t get tired of waiting for you to come back to me.
I sighed at what I read and let out a weak sob. I thought I had cried enough last night, but apparently, there were still tears left.
I love Gio too, but after what I found out yesterday, I feel like we have no right to be together. My mom killed the people who were important to Gio, and Gio killed my mom.
The person I thought was destined for me doesn’t seem to be the one. Our paths crossed not because we were meant for each other but because we both have connections to the past. Gio was seeking revenge, while I come from the family of the person who wronged him.
I suddenly had a realization, but I quickly dismissed it. I didn’t want to entertain that thought.
~*~
By three in the afternoon, heavy rain started to pour. It made sense since it had been gloomy all day.
I could still feel my eyes getting heavy. After crying so much last night, I wouldn’t be surprised if my eyes became puffy. I wish I could just become numb. Honestly, I want to escape from what I’m feeling now so I don’t have to think about things.
My cellphone rang. I grabbed it, and I panicked when I saw Gio’s name again. I wanted to ignore it, but I also thought that I couldn’t avoid him forever. I answered it and placed it against my ear. I could immediately hear Gio’s relieved sigh.
“Millie.”
I closed my eyes when I heard him say my name.
“Are you at home? I was in the office earlier. Aunt Elsie said you left, but I know you’re in your house.” This time he took a deep breath. “Can we talk? Can we finally have a conversation?”
You could hear the heavy rain on the other end of the line. Where is Gio now? Isn’t he in his office?
“I am actually outside your house right now, Millie.”
I stood up from my seat. It’s raining, isn’t it? But then I remembered that he has a car. I quickly ran to the balcony in my room. Luckily, I wouldn’t get wet if I went outside.
And there he was, Gio. He was standing outside his car in the pouring rain, holding his phone. He was looking up at my balcony, and I noticed that he straightened up when he saw me.
“Gio, what the hell are you doing?!” I scolded him like a mother towards his mischievous child.
“Go home, Millie. I miss you.” He pleaded. Disregarding what I just said.
I felt like I lost my strength with what he said. I just stood there, staring at him in shock.
Tears welled up in my eyes once more, blurring my vision.
“I miss you so much. Even if it’s just from here, even if you don’t have to face me, just let me talk to you.”
I couldn’t bring myself to speak. I held back any sound because I knew all he would hear was my sobbing.
“I made a mistake. If you’re going to ask me if I felt guilty, I’ll tell you I didn’t feel guilty then, but now… maybe I am.”
I noticed Gio looking up.
“Because I see you hurting.”
I bit my lip hard.
“I don’t know what explanation would be right, Millie. Nothing will change what I did. I was the one who killed your mother for revenge. I just didn’t expect… that I would fall in love with the daughter of the woman who took away the people who were important to me. What should I do, Millie? Tell me, I’ll do it. Just don’t leave me like this.”