The words have been on the tip of his tongue, wanting to fly off so he’d feel free, earn Sia’s forgiveness and drag her back into his life and now, the opportunity has been given to him.
Lucas dropped the glass of juice on the platter and turned to face Sia completely.
Sia kept her face forward, her ears puckered up to hear him. All that he has to say. Maybe now, her heart and mind will be at peace.
Maybe afterward she’d give her heart its desire. Her desire of being in the cocoon of his arms.
No matter how much Sia wants to deny this, ward off the thoughts, she still loves Lucas.
Anger was what blinded her. It fixated itself on every fissure of her body. It was never hatred. Now that her rage has withered, Sia wants to not only hear him talk but want him back in her life.
Clearing his throat, Lucas began sprinkling his words like a waterfall.
“That night after we returned from the park was the night I made the hasty decision. I wasn’t given the chance to think twice or object the decision he made for me.”
Hearing that, Sia remembered their last night together before the storm.
*
Resting her head against his chest, they both looked at the people relaxing in the park. It’s been almost two weeks since Sia’s application for Florida state university but hasn’t gotten a response.
Lucas canoodled her arms, feeling the silkiness of her skin against the palm of his hand. Sia dropped her eyes to the promise ring on her finger, reminiscing on Lucas’s promises of forever. Happiness cloaked her senses. Despite things not rolling well for her, Lucas chose her. He promised her he wants to be there with her forever. Even at that moment, he said those words again.
“Sia, it’s you and I forever. I promise to make you the happiest woman in the whole world.”
The words, like every other word he said to her illuminated her world. She loves every word that leaves his lips ’cause Lucas is never one to break his word. Sia made a mental note to write these words down in their diary, where they scribble their best moments together.
“I love you so much, Lucas.” She worded after hearing his words. Lucas hoisted her face and dropped his lips on hers, nipping, kissing her rational senses away.
He wants her and she wants him. It’s them forever.
When the time edged close to midnight, Lucas offered they should go.
He boarded a cab for her and she hoped in while he took another which headed to his villa.
However, Sia asked him as the cab was about to leave.
‘When are we seeing each other again?’ Sia asked.
‘Tomorrow, baby!’ Lucas responded. His last words before the car sped off.
*
“When I returned to my villa, I spotted my uncle. He was in the living room, downing his wine while watching TV. When I walked in, he regarded me with a long face and asked me to sit down. ‘we have something to discuss’ was what he said.” Lucas spilled.
*
“I made a promise to your parents Lucas before they passed away.” His uncle’s voice reverberated in his ears.
“What’s the promise?” Asked Lucas.
“That I’ll relinquish the Evangelista’s property to you once you become a man.” Said his uncle.
The images swam in Lucas’s mind.
“He began spilling his words. He wanted to demise my father’s properties to me as per his promise to him.”
Sia veered her head toward Lucas and blinked rapidly, dreading what he’d say next.
Lucas continued, “he told me he’ll do it, only on one condition. To accept the marriage contract he signed with Danika’s mother.” The weight of the words crushed Lucas. He could see the surprised look on Sia’s face.
That’s exactly how surprised he was when his uncle said those things to him.
“I was startled by his words because he knows I’m into you. Of course, he had seen you before. When I objected he said he wouldn’t fulfill his promise if I don’t break up with you and accept the marriage proposal he signed with Danika’s mother.”
Sia quirked her brows at the mention of that. “He manipulated you, Lucas.” She said, her heartbeat spiked. She knows how long Lucas has wanted to gain those legacies and to think it came with a condition.
“I was perplexed. I swear Sia, every word that left my lips was a spur-of-the-moment decision. I had to accept breaking up with you in favor of the contract. When he left I began to process my words. I can’t just wake up and tell the woman I love with every fiber of my being it’s over.” He released a laden breath.
“I raked my mind for tangible answers. The best way to say this to you. To tell you it’s over, between you and I. I was hurting knowing I’d hurt you. I cried knowing you’d wail. I starved knowing you’ll lose all appetite when I sputter the words to you. I stayed up all night knowing the weight of my words will rip off sleep from your eyes.”
Hearing that, Sia’s eyes began to dampen. She balled her hands into fist, endeavoring to rein on her emotions.
“I only concluded in telling you it’s over. Actually, I didn’t want to see you and spill such hurtful words. So I came to Mike and the other security guards and instructed them to never let you into the villa again. When you showed up the following morning, looking haggard, cushioned by charcoal I wanted to rush outside and embrace you. Ask you the reason you look so worn out. But I refrained myself from doing so. I watched you from my room. Your struggle, confusion, sorrow, tears. I prayed for you to leave because I didn’t want to mar your world with my words which you said illuminates your world. But you didn’t.”
Lucas regarded Sia with hurtful eyes, pains oozing from his pores. Their emotions heightened. He raised his
thumb and swiped it across Sia’s clammy cheeks.
The scene replayed in their heads like yesterday’s event.
It hurts to experience that.
It hurts to even know the truth because Sia can’t keep on blaming Lucas again.
She can’t keep on raging against him.
“I had to come out and say what I dreaded the most. I had to do it, Sia, but it was never a game. I never wagered with anyone to date you. I, Lucas Evangelista, loved you with everything I have. I was hurting when I said those things to you, Sia.”
Tears gushed out from her eyes, sorrow effused from her insides, eating her up.
The night before graced her with an image she’d never forget. Then the morning graced her with words that’d forever needle her heart.
It was a night of anguish and misery.
It was a morning of depression and sorrow.
These emotions cloaked her from that day forward.
“That night my mother died, the worst death I’ve ever seen. And then I trudged to your place in the morning ’cause I wanted you to hold me. Shield me. I wanted solace only you could provide, only to be greeted with the worst words I’ve never heard. It’s a night and morning that has been ingrained in my soul. I’ll never forget.” She said, choking on her tears.
Lucas dropped his head between his shoulders, letting the tears pelt down on his cheeks.
“I know, Sia. I can’t forget too. I can’t.”
“I lost my ray of hope. I lost faith in life. I lost faith in humanity. I lost hope in love. I lost faith in everything. I only wished for death to take me in its arms. I wanted it to embrace me if it’s the only solace I’d get. But one thing refrained me, from letting death take over. Just one thing.” Sia muttered.