Heart By Heart (The Architects Series #2)

Chapter 33

"How did it go?"

"It was great. I think I'm going to have my full recovery soon enough, Arthur." I turned to him and smiled. "I'm happy."

"Let me take you home. Your parents are waiting for you." I nodded at his suggestion. This will always be our task everyday. My parents advised him to be on my side whatever happens. In short, my personal bodyguard.

I sighed. The guards were at our back and that incident left them trauma. Our family has been more influential each and every day. My parents were just being careful and let nothing in our family have the same devastation again.

Arthur drove home. Excited pa nga ako, eh. It's Sunday—nasa loob ng mansion lahat.

"Tita! Tita!" Larzene greeted me when I got out of the car. Tumakbo siya palapit sa akin at mabilis naman akong lumuhod para yakapin siya.

"You're getting bigger each and every day, cutiepie!" I praised her and shower her with kisses.

Arthur silently bid a goodbye while I walk hand in hand with my niece. She's adorable as ever!

"Lauren," Kuya called me and hugged me tight. "Kamusta ka na? I heard you are recovering fast."

I nodded at him. "I'm fine, Kuya. No need to worry about. Nand'yan naman kayong lahat kaya mabilis na ang recovery ko."

"Ate!" Lily quickly walked towards me. I am loving my half-sister every day. "Kailan ka babalik sa DVG, ate? Wala na kasi akong ka-daldal doon."

I chuckled. "Soon, Lilian."

"Tita!" Larzene was pulling me away. "Let's eat! Let's eat!" Pareho na lang kami natawa ni Lily at nagpahila na rin sa pamangkin ko.

It was a family gathering for all of us. It was simple but I can say it that were all happy. Hindi nga lang maiiwasan ang tensyon sa pagitan nila Zaira at Xander—my brother and his wife. Naaawa na ako para sa mga bata. Napatawad ko na si Zaira sa ginawa niya pero eto namang si Xander ang matigas pa rin.

It was really an awkward situation. Kung ako, nasasakal sa tensyon sa paligid, paniguradong mas nasasakal sila.

●♥●

"Zaira..." I called her first thing in the morning. She was just sitting on the bench and watch Lexus—their youngest to play on the mat laid down in grass.

She turned to me. "Hmm?"

"You looked stressed. Inaalagaan mo pa ba ang sarili mo? Parang mas lalo ka atang pumapayat?" I asked her. Hindi na maayos ang kundisyon niya. Hindi na rin kasi maganda ang marriage life nila ng kapatid kong si Xander kaya siya siguro ganito.

Ibinalik niya ang tingin sa anak at huminga ng napakalalim. "Masyado na kasi akong tutok sa kanilang tatlo. Si Larzene, lumalaki na. Si Lexus, kailangan nand'yan ako para sa kanya. Si Xander naman... hinihingi ko pa rin ang kapatawaran niya."

"Mahal na mahal mo talaga si Xander, 'no? Geez. That asshole, really?"

"May ibang side kasi si Xander na sobrang minahal ko kaya siguro gano'n. He's still my husband. I'm in love with him," marahan niyang sagot. I really salute her for that love. Sa tingin ko nga, sobrang bihira ng ganyan.

Lahat nagpapaka-tanga para sa atensyon ng isang Del Valle.

'Yan ang naririnig namin kadalasan. Matagal na ngang napapatunayan ang kasabihan na 'yan—why would Delandra Jane chase my older brother, Austin desperately? Bakit nga ba nagkakaganyan si Zaira kay Xander?

Crazy love. Tss...

"Ma'am, si Sir Arthur po nandito." One of the maids told me and got up from my seat.