The Runaway Bride

Chapter 17 -- Right decision, even if it seemed just so wrong

 It was in the year of 2003 in the middle of May, I just turned 18, Alex being 14 that time, when his mother died over a gun shot that killed her for saving him on a hostage drama.




Day and night I made sure I was beside Alex. He didn't have anyone beside him, Her Sister, Alyssa, just got into med school in States and seems impossible for her to come home




His Dad on the other hand , General Alexander Llanza III , 35 years in the military organization, where he rose to become, at the age of 48, the youngest AFP chief of staff, is always no where near in sight.. And Alex wasn't close to any of his relatives and I thought, well, maybe he needed me to be there for him





The world has not seen such collective sorrow drawn out to 12 hours of mournful marching. Under sun and rain, along 30 kilometers of asphalt streets beginning at Sto. Domingo church in Quezon City where concelebrated funeral mass was said at 9 a.m.





through espana in Sampaloc district through Quezon Blvd, past Plaza Miranda and over Quiapo bridge, through Liwasang Bonifacio, along City hall to the Luneta, winding down through Roxas Blvd. 






There were hundreds and hudreds of people who came to his mother's funeral at St. Peter's chapel and over hundreds from his father's political allies, business partners and even media was there.




Something that surely irritated Alex more was that half of the visitors wasn't even close to his mother--- They were just there not to show symphaty but to get close to his father and his connections 







"Are you going to go in and sit with her tonight?" I pressed, hating myself for it, but still did my best and sat beside Alex






 I could see the muscle working in his jaw as he ground out, "No." 





He didn't even glance my way nor spare me with his gaze, instead, he was there staring blankly at his mother's corpse maybe thinking hard or maybe praying to God





Mrs Amelia Buenaventura-Llanza, Alex's mother, was put into the finest and most expensive coffin his Father bought from Malaysia. The casket has 14-karat gold iridescent layer outside, safety lock systems, vents and silk lining inside which, from what I heard, practically cost $217,400





I know it sounded too much for the price since ililibing lang naman six feet under, pero I think it was Mr. Llanza's way of showing how much he would miss his wife.. or rather, how much he loves her

It was the right decision, even if it seemed just so wrong.

Completely unable to stop myself this time, I reached up, cupping my hand against Alex's cheek and pressing a kiss just below his jawline. He was so beautiful, even whilse being ripped to shreds from the inside out.

 

As I pulled back, I saw that he'd tightly closed his eyes as I'd kissed him, but he opened them again as I moved away and they shone wet in the moonlight.

I didn't say anything about it, just leant in against his shoulder and he put his arm around me.

"Diane?" I felt my name rumble in his chest, but stayed tucked underneath his arm as I muttered,

"Yeah?"

"Would you stay with me tonight?"

Okay, at that I had to twist myself round to see how he looked when he'd asked me that. His pale face almost glowed in the dark, dignified and calm, and I felt a strange tingle break through the constant sick feeling.