Chapter 13: Chapter 13

ESMERALDA was uneasy in her seat. She was not comfortable talking about her house and where it came from.

They were just lucky that Aiden came into their lives. When she stared at Richard, he looked unconvinced with her response. It’s as if he was trying to see through her soul.

It was just her imagination. They don’t know each other. Why would he suspect her when he had no idea who she was?

“Do you live here alone?” he asked.

"No. I have a brother. He's Jeremy. You'll meet him tomorrow." She did not think it was necessary to mention that he was battling leukemia.

“How about your parents?”

“They’re gone,” she said quietly. “They died during the flood three years ago.”

“I’m sorry. I should not have asked,” he said sympathetically.

She smiled to reassure him it was all right. "I don't see anything wrong with your question." She looked down. "The truth was I blamed myself for their deaths. They were swept away by the flood. We came from the farm to rush the harvest for my tuition fee. But the water from the mountain suddenly went down to the river. I had crossed before them when it happened. I saw how the water carried them away. They were asking for help, but I could not do anything. I could not save them."

Her lips quivered, and she sobbed at the memory. At times like this, she was always reminded of her parents' death. It was one of those instances where she felt helpless, but she was trying hard to stay strong for her brother and the people who were relying on her. She did not tell other people that she was sad. But she opened her heart in front of a stranger.

Richard caught her hand. “You don’t’ have to feel guilty. Sometimes, things happen in our lives that are out of our control. Just like accidents.”

“It could have been avoided if only I had saved them.” She was crying for nights. She was blaming herself because she was a worthless child.

“We have no guarantee that you could save them. It is their time to go,” he said casually. “You can’t go on living in guilt forever. If you died with them, what will happen to your brother? You jumped into the water without thinking. Did you do that to ease your guilt?”

“No. But I know it would be another burden if I only watched you get swept by the flood. And even if it did not happen to my parents, I would still save you. Or anyone who needs help. It’s not fair to let someone die when you know you can do something to save him.”

“You are one hell of a woman!” he uttered in pure amusement.

“What made you say that? I’m just an ordinary girl.”

He shook his head. “I haven’t met a woman who would jump into the flooded river and save me.”

She pursed her lips. “I don’t believe you. With that good looks of yours, many women would jump for you even if they did not know how to swim.” Just one smile from him would be enough to send women jumping into the cliff if he wanted.

“You think I’m good-looking?” Richard asked in a teasing tone.

“Y-yes,” she admitted reluctantly. “You don’t look bad. But I’m not saying that I only saved you because you were handsome. Whoever you are or whatever you look like, you have the right to live. I’ll help anyone who needed it.”

His eyes became shrouded. "In the circle that I belong in, money and fame were all that mattered to women." His eyes fixated on her—eyes that had a flicker in them. Like anger. "You, what do you want in return?" he asked in a hypnotizing tone.

She should be mad. He was insulting her kindness and the thing she did to save him. Esmeralda was about to preach when her eyes reverted on Richard’s lips.

She stopped because it was tempting. Lips that promised a thousand sweet kisses. She had not been kissed before. She did not think she could ever be because she only saw Aiden as a brother and vice versa.

While her attraction toward Richard was too much. He made her feel like she was a woman—not as a sister or a friend.

Their eyes met. It was as if he read her mind. She closed her eyes as if waiting for the kiss she had been longing for—the fulfillment of his thousand sweet kisses' promises.

She suddenly opened her eyes when she realized where her mind had wandered off to. She should not wish for a kiss from him. Give me back my peace of mind, she thought. Give me back the peace that you stole when I saved you at the river.

Esmeralda finished her tea at once and stood up. “I’m going back to my room now.”

“Don’t you want to talk some more?”

She faked a yawn. “I’m really sleepy. Aren’t you going back to your room yet?”

“I will stay here.”

Esmeralda nodded. She ignored the sadness in his eyes. It was as if he wished she'd join him longer. But she needed to avoid him. He won't be staying in town for long. He will leave the day after tomorrow.

She wished the typhoon would be over. She hoped he'd leave along with it. She should not lose herself because of her hopeless attraction toward him.

SHE saved my life. The witch saved my life. Of all the people who would save me, why did it have to be her?

Amadeus could not sleep. Aside from the discomfort from the hard bed, his body was sore, and his system did not like the only available instant coffee in Esmeralda’s kitchen. But most of all, he could not sleep after talking to Esmeralda.

Why was destiny playing tricks on him? Ever since he planned to confront the woman who was fooling his brother, he encountered many unfortunate events. He was caught up in a storm, the bridge broke, and he almost died when his car got swept away to the river. And just when he thought he would die, someone came to save him, and it was no other than Esmeralda.

I owe her my life.