A Sudden Heiress

Kabanata 24

Siguro nga totoo ang mga sabi na kahit anong gulo ng buhay mo, kahit napakaraming pangit na nangyayari, at hindi sumasang-ayon sa iyo ang lahat, may ibibigay na isang napakagandang dahilan para magpatuloy. You just need to seek for it.

"Do I need to say anything?" nahihiyang tanong ko kay Rafaelle pagkatapos niyang sabihin ang tatlong salitang iyon. Hindi ko alam ang ire-react ko. Parang nabingi nga lang yata ako.

"I am not asking a question. You don't need to say anything. Just stay here, I'll be good. I am here that you are here in my arms. This so enough," he said then caressed my cheek.

Hindi ko alam kung anong ginawa ko para bigyan ko ng isang literal na prince charming para maligtas ako sa pagka-damsel in distress. Mabait siguro ako noong past life ko at hindi nagkaroon ng magandang ending kaya bumabawi sa akin si Lord ngayon. Normal bang makaramdam ng kasiyahan kahit na nasa kalagitnaan pa rin ng problema? Maybe, Rafaelle is sun in my dark life. He came at the very right time. Hindi ko siguro makakayang labanan si Benedict kung wala siya na laging nagpapalakas ng loob. Baka tanggapin ko na lang ang kapalaran ko na maikasal sa hayop na 'yon.

"Ang tahimik mo ngayon," puna ni Rafaelle.

Tipid akong ngumiti. "Lately, sobrang ingay ng paligid. Iyong kahit na gabi na at tahimik na ang buong mansyon, ang isip ko ay punong-puno pa rin ng ingay. Hindi na ulit ako matahimik pagkatapos kong mapasok sa mundong ginagalawan ko. I am just a normal and liberated girl back then. I used to love noises, parties, and get-togethers but now, I got tired of them because of what is happening right now. I just want to have peace even just for a minute. I want my mind and everything around me be gentle and comforting." Tumingin ako sa kanya. "Just like you, being in your arms is enough for me. I want to stay like this forever if possible. I want to got out there anymore. Rafaelle..." I paused for a moment, analyzing the feeling that is in my heart for a very long time. "I'm scared. I'm so scared that there's no way out."

Humigpit ang pagkayayakap niya sa akin at paulit-ulit na hinalikan ang noo ko. "There's a way, there's always a way. Hindi ako papayag na wala. Hindi ako papayag na sa kanya ka mapupunta. I want your happiness, darling. I will only give you up if you are happy with someone else and you choose that person  to be with you."

"I don't want to be with Benedict. Nagsisisi na ako kung bakit ko pa hiniling na makita ko pa siya ulit. Sana pala ay nakuntento na lang ako. Hindi sana ako nahihirapan ngayon." I sighed. It is really be careful what you are wishing for.

"It is not your fault that people around you are naturally bor evil. It is not your fault if wish for something you want to get but ended up being disappointed once you get it. Life is completely like that. Magkaiba man tayo ng kinalakihang paligi, we both know how life works. And those knowledge teach us to be more open to what can happen in the future. This is maybe the saddest phase of your life but, I promise that it will just a phase and we will get over it." He kissed my forehead once again.

Tumango ako bilang senyales na nagtitiwala ako sa mga pangako niya. Bukod kay mama at Sammy, si Rafaelle lang hinayaan kong maging malapit sa akin nang ganito. Other men can touch me physically, but no one touched me like Rafaelle did. He did not just touched my body, but also my heart and soul. With him, I can be vulnerable, I can be who I am because I know he will accept me. I don't have to be afraid.

"A week before the Pick Season ends, honey. Just choose a date within that week and let everything to me. I will arrange our wedding as soon as possible but it will be the grandest," Benedict smirked.

Walang gana akong nakatitig sa salamin. Pinagmamasadan ko lang ang sarili ko at pinag-aaralan ang mga emosyon na pwedeng ipakita ng mga mata ko. Sa ngayon, kailangan ko munang sakyan ang mga gusto ni Benedict. Iyon ang gusto ni Rachim at Rafaelle habang gumagawa sila ng imbestigasiyon. Hindi pwedeng malaman ni Benedict na alam na ni Rafaelle ang lahat at gumagawa naman si Rachim ng paraan para lumabas ang baho niya.