Deceret Series #1: His Lips On My Neck

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

I couldn't move from where I was standing. The two of them seemed so engrossed with their heated conversation that they failed to notice me. My chest is filled with confusion, anger, and pain as the shock vibrated throughout my entire body.

"Mahal kita, Antonio! Diba sabi mo, mahal mo din ako? You said you loved me. I believed you!"

This is my first time seeing my mother cry. Pulang-pula ang kaniyang mukha. She clutched her chest as if it physically hurts as she continued to sob helplessly in front of Antonio Treveron.

"I did love you, Leonora... pero noon yun. Maraming taon na ang nakalipas. I am happily married now. Please stop this nonsense."

"But I'm telling you the truth..." she continued.

Napasinghap nang marahas si Antonio Treveron. Sa paglandas ng tingin niya'y nahuli niya din akong nakatingin sa kaniya. His eyes widened.

"Stormie..."

Hindi pa rin ako gumalaw. My mother turned sharply at me. The disgusted look I was expecting to see in her eyes failed to show. She just looks so hurt and heartbroken right now that she had no energy to hate me.

My lips trembled. Bago pa man makapagsalita ulit si Antonio ay mabilis na akong tumakbo paalis sa hardin. My head pounded in pain. Sumisikip na din ang dibdib ko. I continued to run until I reached the glasshouse. Without thinking about it, I pushed the door open.

Silver jolted awake. Umawang ang bibig niya at kumunot ang noo pero nang makita niyang maiiyak na ako ay lumamot din kaagad ang ekspresiyon nito sa mukha.

"Ate Stormie..."

"Dito muna ako..." hikbi ko sa mahinang boses. "I need to stay here for a while."

She stared at me. I know she's confused but she just nodded her head. Bumagsak ako sa sahig at ihinilig ang ulo sa babasaging pader. Saka pa tumulo ang mga luha ko. Silver just remained silent by the corner as I cried my heart out.

"Stormie..."

Napatuwid ako nang tayo nang marinig ko ang baritonong boses ni Antonio Treveron. Dahan-dahan akong lumingon sa drawing room kung saan nakapalibot ang buong pamilya. They are all looking at me right now.

Tumikhim ako, nagdadalawang isip kung anong dapat gawin. After my little stunt last night, Philodemus looked all over for me and found me in the glass house with Silver. I explained to him what happened. Pati siya ay nagulat din sa nalaman. He kissed my temples and promised me that everything's going to be okay.

"Let's talk..." anito.

Dahan-dahan akong tumango. Blade, Thyron, Rigor and their father silently left the room. Ang natira nalang ay si Tita Sidra, Antonio Treveron, at Philodemus.

Kumalat ang hapdi sa dibdib ko nang makitang namamaga ang mga mata ni Tita Sidra. She must've cried a lot last night. Binalot ako ng matinding guilt. She's been nothing but a tender and loving wife. She doesn't deserved to get hurt by my mother.

Umupo ako sa pang-isahang upuan. Philodemus rose from his seat and stood behind me. He placed his hands on my shoulders, as if telling me that he's going to be by my side and will support me no matter what happens.

Antonio Treveron clasped both his hands and stared at me seriously.

"You've heard about our conversation last night, yes?"

"Yes, Tito..." mahina kong sagot.

"Well..." he sighed. "I guess you were shocked. Maging ako ay nagulat din sa sinabi ni Leonora. Unless..." he tilted his head. "You know about this already?"