Chapter 17: Chapter 17

I was stunned when I felt a strange pain and soreness in my leg. When I opened my eyes, I was exposed to a dark room. Only the lamp on this side table serves as light throughout the room. In an instant, I felt lonely again. It was only then that I realized how long I had been left alone. It felt lonely when you tried to put yourself where you really don't belong. And I'm kinda used to it. I know I'm used to it. But why it's still crashing me every time I sat in an empty, pitch-black room? I feel like I want to shout and ask for help. I want to call someone just to be with me, but when I remember what happened these past few days, I realize more and more that I really don't have anyone with me anymore.

I do not understand. I thought something would be even more hurt by the accident that happened to papa. We were walking back home from his work and I just realized that he was in front of me while he was bathing in his own blood. Someone shot him. I didn't even see who shot him because even I was shot in the shoulder. Why didn’t I die like him?

Tired, I leaned my head against the headboard of the bed. It doesn't matter where I am now. I remember what happened. I was with Elena, but this was not her room. But that was the least of my concern. Ares… could he have been so worried about Agatha when she was beaten because that was the status? Could he be the first to know because they might have been together that day or would they have met?

As I was drowning in my own thoughts, the door suddenly opened so I looked there. I was momentarily surprised and alarmed when I saw Hector quietly approach me. As soon as the light of the lampshade hit him as he sat next to me, there I saw his puffy eyes. It watches me. It seemed to memorize every corner of my being.

"How are you feeling?" He asked wearily. It looks tired. He's wearing a t-shirt and shorts. Then I just remembered the last thing that happened before I fainted.

I averted my eyes from him and shut them again. "I'm sorry…"

That was all that came out of my mouth and in a flash, my heart gradually became heavier again. I was covered all over my face when I couldn't stop bawling. I didn't even say anything. I couldn't do anything but just cry and cry. Nothing comes out of my mouth but the annoying sobs. I feel like I have no choice. I do not know what to do.

I cried so loudly in that room that I no longer knew what else the reason was. For so many reasons, I don’t know which one is where I’m crying like this. All I could think about was that I was hurting. How much pain, I do not know.

“T-they left me with no other choices but to… to accept everything. They didn't even ask me if it was okay with me. I-I don't remember making them all wrong but… b-but why is this…" I said in the middle of my sobs while I was still covered in my whole face.

I felt the pain in my heart even more during those times. It was as if I was being crushed over and over again.

“I-I haven't even spoken to them as hurtfully as they have repeatedly done to me. I-I can't even look into their eyes because I can clearly see how much they hate me for reasons I don't know…. f-fuck it and Ares…” I almost whispered to myself.

I tried to swallow the pain but my chest got heavier. I feel something choking me. "E-even Ares... they took him from me…"

“Hey…” I heard him say. I felt him gently take my hands covering my face. I remained bent over while still crying silently.

I waited for him to speak but he kept holding my hand so I could look at him. His eyes become more tender as he looked at me. Only now did I see his face up close. They bear no resemblance to Ares. His eyebrows and eyelashes are thick which perfectly matches his deep eyes. It looks rude. It was a man bun but there were a few runaway hairs on his face, others blocking his eyes.

I bit my lower lip when I realized something. He tightened his grip on my hands as if to say something. In an instant, I felt his presence more. I felt the whole room suddenly light up because of him. The loneliness I had been feeling lately had suddenly disappeared. He was silent but his presence was screaming so loud that it made me feel safe and sound. Who is he? Why is he like this?

-

"Are you sure you still want to go there?" She asked me again so I looked at her.

She had been asking me this before as if I wanted to change my mind. I saw its face wrinkle more so I almost laughed.

“I will submit my resignation. I didn't give it the other day,” I replied and adjusted myself.

For a moment, I looked at the clothes I had taken off earlier. It was Hector's clothes that he lent me that night. I already have some of his clothes but I still can't get them back to him.

It was early in the morning when I woke up at that time and cried to him. He did nothing but hold my hand as I let out all my resentment. I didn't even hear him speak. I also don’t know why I cried over him. Maybe it's because he doesn't know me very well. Strangers can't judge you after all.

“You can just email it, Ana. Why are you still going?” Elena asked me again in disgust.

I heaved a sigh and looked at her again. “I have many questions in my mind. I need an answer.”

That was the last thing I told her before finally leaving. It's Saturday today and I’m sure there aren’t too many employees today because everyone else is on a rest day. I'm also sure he's just in his office now so now I thought of giving my resignation letter. I know I'm not ready for what I might hear but when will I be ready?

When I arrived at the company, I went straight to Ares' office. As expected, there were still a few looking at me and whispering to me something about me. That’s still because of what I did at church. The runaway bride of Ares, huh?

I was stunned for a moment when I was in front of the door of his office. I even stared at the name on its door. Ares Constantine Aragon… My chest throbbed violently. Gradually, I could feel the trembling of my knees and my hands. In fear? I'm not sure.

I knocked first before finally entering. I let out a deep sigh as I closed the door. My eyes immediately focused on the man sitting quietly in his swivel chair while reading something.

“Nikki, what are you—”

He stopped speaking when he saw me. My heartbeat slowed as I looked at him. His expression was blank but I could clearly see the tired look on his face.

“Ana…” He uttered. I tried to smile but it didn't reach my eyes anymore. I finally approached his table and put down the white envelope.

“I'm just here to give it. Your company has helped me a lot and I am grateful because—”

"Are you leaving?" He cut me off from what I was going to say. His voice is also cold. I was stunned for a moment and looked straight at him. His gaze is like piercing my heart little by little.

“I should, Ares. I don't think I can still…”

I could no longer continue what I was about to say when I felt the warmth in the corners of my eyes. Even before I came here, I repeatedly told myself that I would not cry but I was also a traitor to myself.

"Ana, you can stay here even if… fuck!" I heard him whisper and stood up so I was alarmed. He approached me but I was also slightly backward.

"D-don't come near, please…" I almost whispered to myself.

“Anastacia…” He uttered again. I closed my eyes tightly and as soon as I looked up, I focused my gaze on him. There I saw his soft expression. I don't know but is it pain that I see in his eyes?

"Did you love me?" I boldly asked him.

I still feel a little hopeful but even then he kept refining as he quickly avoided looking at me. I suddenly remembered their agreement with Don Damien so I laughed.

"Ah… you just used me because you can't marry Agatha yet because she's not of the right age," I said bitterly. “Then what I did that day was right. I tried to understand you and was even willing to help you but…”

I sighed when I felt disgusted, and at the same time, in pain and anger. This is the real Ares. savage in power.

"I'm not sure if I know you well—"

"How did you know Apollo?"

I was shocked when I heard that from him. When I looked at him again, his eyes were full of anger. That pain that I saw lately was gone. It’s the same anger I see every time he talks about his brother. And up to this point that was all he cared more about.

I laughed sarcastically. "That's something more important to you—"

“Just answer my question! How did you know him? Have you known him for a long time?” His question was so angry that I was even more surprised.

He is… my husband, Ares.

My heart sank when I saw hatred in his eyes. "You don't care anymore," I told him emphatically and pushed him away from me then walked towards the door. But before I could get out, he spoke again.

“If he thinks he can hurt me through you, he's fucking naïve to think that way. I don't even love you. I do not love you even a little. I never loved you.”

It broke me. Big time. I felt like I was a bomb that exploded at those times but preferred to just explode quietly. I said nothing and quietly left. I knew I had something more to say but that didn’t come out of my mouth. I suddenly felt tired.

Instead of going home to Elena’s condo, I headed straight to Night Drive, the bar that Elena would often take me to with Via and Riley. Not on my own, I sat in the highchair at the counter and ordered wine. I didn’t even notice the people around me and was just an idiot staring at the shot glass in front of me.

"Not easygoing tonight, huh?"

I quickly turned to the man who spoke and was stunned when I saw him again. He's wearing a white polo with sleeves folded up to the elbows. Two buttons are open. It seems to have just come from work.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him and averted my eyes and then gulped down the tequila I had ordered. I winced as the chisel drew down my throat. "Damn it."

“I saw you walking outside Ares' office. What did you do there?”

For the second time, I stared at him. Was he there?

“I didn't know you were a real stalker. You were there wherever I go,” I told him with a frown.

I heard his grin. Before I turned to him, I drank that tequila again. "I have business there that's why."

“Ows? That's also what you said when you suddenly showed up at the hospital. Seriously, what are you up to?” I couldn't help but ask him.

He did not answer immediately. Instead, he gulped down the wine he had ordered and lit a cigarette again, so I was stunned. But somehow, I find him hot while hitting that cigarette. His jaw tightened even more which further perfected the shape of his jaw.

"Was that bad?" He asked suddenly and turned to face me. His serious eyes focused on me. I seemed to melt at the way he was staring at me. “Was that bad? Wanting to see you every day just so I could make sure you're safe?”

My mouth dropped open when I heard that. I searched for his expression that he was just joking but I could see nothing else in his eyes. That's serious. Next, I felt my heartbeat slow but it was so strong that I could almost hear it.

I quickly averted my eyes from him and shook my head. I ordered another shot but a bottle was already given to me by the bartender so I almost laughed. I stopped complaining and just drank it without looking at him again. As time went on, I could already hear the loud music in that bar. Just enough to cover my heartbeat. I was also slowly eating that wine and I just realized that it was spinning around me.

"Do you still want to file an annulment?"

I was stunned at the thought when I heard that. I didn't look at him myself. It's not looking at me anymore. "Huh?"

Hector, again, drank his alcohol and looked at me with his tender eyes. “What if I don’t? What if I'll claim you now that Ares isn't with you anymore? After all, you're originally mine.” He uttered and smiled at me devilishly.

I could not speak until he suddenly stood up and approached me. I was still slightly backward when he leaned closer to me and our lips almost met. I could smell his scent, even the smell of a mixture of cigarettes and mint in his mouth.

“Let’s go somewhere else. You looked tired, Solei… ”

Hector seems to know how to tame me and make me follow his orders suddenly. Especially every time he mentions that name of mine. Why?