21
| CHAPTER TWENTY ONE|
PEACE… is seeing a sunset.
The wind blew my hair as I stared at the beauty of the setting sun and the calm sea.
I smiled and hugged myself. It’s getting colder and the darkness is slowly taking over. I left the veranda and entered the bedroom.
It’s been two weeks …
It’s been two weeks since I left Clyde’s house. I’ve been living here in Zach’s penthouse for two weeks. My life has been peaceful for two weeks. Far from the living hell with Clyde.
after Zach dropped me off at his penthouse here in Santander, he immediately left because he said he had to make sure Clyde couldn’t find me.
I am very grateful to him for his help. I don’t know how to repay him for his kindness.
I prepared my marinated chicken meal that I cooked earlier. Even though Zach left me here first, he made sure I had a supply of food and complete with the things I would need.
I immediately left my food. I’ve noticed in the past few days that I’ve been craving too much of my food, but maybe that doesn’t mean anything, so I just kept going.
It was afternoon when I heard someone knocking outside the door. I frowned and went to the door to answer the knocker.
“Hi!” Zach greeted me with a smile when I opened the door.
My heart skipped a beat and a smile appeared on my lips. “Zach!” I screamed and hugged him.
“I miss you!” Turan when I let go of the hug.
He smiled but it disappeared immediately. “A-Ah… Nathania. I know you don’t want to see Clyde. But … “I frowned.
“Huh?”
He took a deep breath and looked behind him. I followed what he was looking at and saw that there were two cars parked outside. Zach’s is the one but I don’t know whose other car is.
“Whose car is that-” Before I could finish, a woman who was very familiar to me came out. A man also followed him.
My eyes widened and I was stunned.
Why are they here? What are they doing here? How did they know I was here?
I turned to Zach who now has a raw smile.
“They insist, Nathania. I’m sorry-”
“Nathania! Daughter!” It called me energetically and ran towards my direction.
“Hon, be careful!” His wife scolded him. I couldn’t help but look at the Salvadore couple.
the parents of Clyde.
“Oh, hija! I miss you!” It rushed me into a tight hug.
I couldn’t reciprocate the hug because I was really stunned. I can’t believe ma’am Eleanor Salvadore is hugging me now.
How did they track me down here?
“Don’t be surprised, hija!” Ma’am laughed and said as he loosened his hold on her.
That’s when I regained my senses and tried to smile at her.
“H-Hello…” I greeted with a trembling and weak voice.
“Uncle, Aunt, this is my vacation house here in Santander, Cebu. Let’s go inside.” Zach said and stepped forward.
“This place is very nice, son!” Maam Eleanor was proud when we entered the house.
“Thank you, tita. If you want to stay here for tonight, I have plenty of rooms here. Just choose tita.” Zach smiled and pointed to the available rooms.
“Thank you so much, son! We’ll stay for two days.” Maam nodded again while her husband in the back just quietly followed.
Suddenly I was born so I just asked them. “A-Ah … have you eaten yet ? I cooked something … “It’s good that I’ve cooked more marinated chicken before.
“Yeah, sure hija.” Maam replied so I nodded.
“I’ll just heat it up and get the table ready …”
“Let me help you with that, hija.” Maam said and walked to the kitchen first.
I bit my lip so hard and rested deeply before following into the kitchen.
“Is this the heat, hija?” It asked and pointed to the pot.
“I’ll be the one to warm up!” I immediately ran as soon as it would take the pot.
“It’s fine, hija! I’m used to this.” turan and finally took it.
While waiting for the food to be completely hot, I got plates and spoons.
“How are you, hija?” I was stunned when maam Eleanor asked me.
I forced a smile and arranged the plates on the table.
“O-it’s okay…” I answered.
the smile on his lips suddenly disappeared. “I know what happened, hija.” This short saying made my feelings heavy.
“I found out that Clyde has been hurting you before. I found out everything, hija. And I also know that you have completely left my son’s power.” it’s serious.
I averted my gaze and bowed. I did not answer or speak at all.
“Well, thanks to Zach …. we found out you came here.” I heard its sigh.
“I’m sorry hija …” I looked up after hearing that from maam Eleanor.
“I’m sorry about what my son did to you. I… I didn’t know that he’s treating you like a toy, hija. I didn’t know that he’s very cruel to you. You suffered… because of my son.” There were tears in his eyes.
“I-I don’t understand my own daughter, hija. we didn’t raise him like that. We’ve been good parents to him! N-When I found out what he did to you…. everything. Beating, slapping, and hurting. I felt angry with my son! I’m angry for all the mistakes he did to you! He should treat you well! you deserved to be treated well! P-But what my son did … I know you’re mad at him too, hija. A-And I know … you can’t forgive him. “He sobbed all the time. I cried too but I wiped it away immediately.
I averted my eyes from him and did not answer. “The food is ready.” I changed the conversation and put out the fire.
“I ordered a pizza for us, while waiting for the food!” Zach said with a smile as they entered the dining area. He carried a box of large pizza and placed it on the table.
I just sat quietly when they started eating. Maam Eleanor, on the other hand, seems to have recovered from what happened earlier so her happy mood returned.
We started eating while I was still quiet because they were talking about business.
“How about you, hija ? how are you Is it okay here?” I raised my head when Mr. Salvadore asked me.
“O-Opo… I’m fine.” I answered and turned to Ma’am Eleanor who was now smiling at me.
“I know she’s telling the truth, uncle! She’s getting a little fat even after two weeks here.” Zach laughed and I just smiled too.
“Because the food here is delicious.” I once made us all laugh.
I feel a little better and I’m with them. So when we finished dinner the pizza was next.
I was suddenly startled and excited as Zach opened it.
“Let’s eat the pizza now!” Zach announced and got there. The couple took it too.
I smiled following them. I brought my face closer to smell the pizza and take it well. but as I brought my face closer, the smell of pizza drew me back.
I felt like throwing up so I immediately ran to the sink. I just threw up saliva there. I can’t stomach the smell of pizza.
“Nathania, hija! What happened to you?!” maam shouted worriedly and came to me.
“Hija, are you okay?”
“Nathania, are you okay?! The pizza doesn’t stink? It’s even delicious!” Zach said when I felt a little better.
I lathered up and washed myself before facing her again.
“Water, hija. Drink it.” maam reached out to me and I immediately accepted.
“Thank you …” I said in a low voice.
“Sit, hija.” Mr. said. Salvadore so I sat down too.
“Are you fine now?” Maam asked and even rubbed my back.
I nodded. “It’s okay. I’m sorry. I just didn’t like the smell of pizza. “I reasoned that their foreheads were frowning.
“But the pizza smells good! That pizza is so delicious so why didn’t you like it?” Zach asked confused.
“I-I don’t know …” I replied.
“Hija, can I ask you a question?” I turned to maam Eleanor and nodded.
“D-Did you not use a protection or did you not take pills during and after… h-having s-x with my son?” I was stunned by maam’s question. We were all silent.
“P-Po?” I don’t know what to say.
But I remembered something.
there are times when Clyde does not use protection. And sometimes I forget to take pills but, I come.
But … but …
The last time Clyde and I had sex, I forgot to take pills, but I bought pills right away, but it took a while…
H-I can’t…
Incapable…
“Hija, I think you’re pregnant.”
To be continued…Material © of NôvelDrama.Org.