Chapter 21: Chapter 21

“So, why did you come home at 4 in the morning? Where did you sleep? Don’t tell me— ”

Before Erika could continue, I slapped her arm. She just cursed and laughed. I turned to look at my daughter who suddenly hugged my arm. She just looked at me for a moment and smiled. I hugged and kissed her head.

"Do you want something?" I asked her because I already knew why she was acting like this.

"I want to swim in the creek, mama…" She said in her small voice so I looked at Erika who was also looking at Amari. I winced there. I don't know what to answer. I only allowed her to bathe in the creek once and she really wanted to go back there. I would have agreed if that man hadn't just left.

“Amari baby, the water in the creek is deep now. Lola Soledad will not let you. ” Erika spoke so I looked at her. She just winked at me and turned to my daughter who was sitting next to me in the chair.

She just wakes up and this is what she wants right away. When I got home earlier, I couldn't sleep either. Who else can sleep after… damn it really, Ana! You are fragile ever! You gave in right away with just one word! Annoying!

I lost my attention to my daughter and Erika when my cellphone suddenly rang. When I saw Elena texting, I immediately opened it.

ELENA

Ana !!!!! How's your provincial life? I can't wait to see you. When are you coming back?

I smiled at what I read because I felt like I could hear her loud voice. I immediately typed a reply for her.

To ELENA

not sure, you can come here with Riley and Via

I really miss this woman. It's been a long time since we last met. The last was when she personally brought me here to Cagayan De Oro. From then on, we only talked in video chat, and even Via and Riley were surprised by everything that happened then. Anyone would be shocked by the sheer speed of events. It never even entered my mind that I would have a child and… and that my child would not have a father.

Simultaneously with the ringing of my cell phone was Amari's loud giggle that Erika tickled. I just lost my smile when I read Elena’s reply.

ELENA

We'll go there this weekend! Anyway, have you heard the news? Your sister and Ares are engaged

I could feel my heartbeat slowing down. I have imprinted on myself several times that I should no longer be affected by the past but I have always been disappointed. Especially when I see Hector again after almost six years. The fear and anxiety returned to my heart.

I feel like they are slowly coming back into my life.

To ELENA

ahh no eh I have no news of them

I smiled bitterly as I remembered my family. They haven't greeted me since I left the house. I used to hear the news about them. I tried to go back home, especially when I found out I was pregnant because I thought everything would be fine, but I was wrong. Always.

I sighed tiredly and went out when I saw that Amari was busy watching her favorite TV show. I sat in the long chair that was there and looked out at Hacienda Lazaro. I saw exactly the release of Mother Soledad and the arrival of a black Fortuner. Later, a tall woman came out. Wealth screams at its appearance. She's wearing a mini skirt and knitted tank top turtleneck. Her long, pitch-black hair was dancing because of the strong wind. Who could that be?

"Ana!"

I almost jumped in a panic because of that scream. I just realized that Erika was in front of me staring at me in amazement so I stood up.

“Huh? Are you saying something?”

“I said we need to hurry to the mansion. Sir Anton has a new visitor,” she told me with a frown. I was scratching my head. Perhaps that woman was the one she was referring to.

"Who is it?" I asked her and quickly said goodbye to my daughter who was with Lily and eating. When I came out, Erika and I immediately walked toward the mansion.

"I do not know. All my mother said was that she had known Sir Anton for a long time,” she replied with a shrug so I just nodded.

When we reached the Hacienda, as usual, Erika and I passed in the back. My eyes searched for Nanay Soledad for a while but I couldn't find her so I went straight to the living room. I looked around in combat — just in case I saw her but I almost fell down when I suddenly bumped into something. I even heard its scream.

“Oh my god! Are you stupid?” She hissed. When I looked at who it was, I saw the woman from earlier. I was dumbfounded for a while because of her beauty. Its whiteness and smoothness seem to be glowing and dazzling. Her face was small and her steady eyes were just right for her. She looks like a doll.

"I-I'm sorry, Ma'am—"

“You’re one of the maids here, right? No wonder you're stupid,” she said and looked at me sharply from head to toe. Ah, she's just beautiful, but evil.

I was about to speak when I heard footsteps approaching us. Before I could see who it was, I heard his voice.

"Ayanna, what the hell are you doing here?"

I was shocked when I heard the name he mentioned. I remember the one who texted him this morning. This is Ayanna, his fiancé. I'm taking back what I said earlier. You're still better, Ana. Many used to tell you that you can be a model because of your natural beauty and height.

What are you saying, Anastacia Solei?!

I saw this Ayanna stare at me before turning to Hector who was looking at me. His eyes seemed to question so I immediately avoided looking at him.

“You didn't reply to my messages, of course, I will be here. Anton called me as well. You will go today to the resort and the bidding will start.” I heard her say to Hector.

I was about to leave because I had nothing to do with them anymore but my body stiffened when he called me.

"Solei." His voice was deep and serious. It seemed threatening so I swallowed before looking at him.

"W-why, sir?"

His jaw tightened so I quickly averted my eyes. I really can’t stand this guy.

“Stay. We need to talk,” he said in his baritone voice.

“And what do you guys need to talk about?” Ayanna replied that's why I was left in the lurch. I pursed my mouth and remained to stare at the tiles. What they look like is interesting.

“You have no business in here, Ayanna. Go back to Manila and stop bothering me,” Hector said in his deep and serious voice. It's like I want to suddenly look at them just to see this Ayanna's reaction but just don't. I may still be affected. You've been affected for a long time, Ana.

“Tita Valeria told me to come here, Hector. Besides, I'm part of this project. Don't give me stupid orders. If you had just replied to me at least once, I wouldn't have wasted time coming here for you,” Ayanna replied calmly so I almost laughed.

I bit my lip and stepped quietly but I also stopped immediately.

“I told you to stay. Don't make me mad,” he said authoritatively so I quickly turned to him. Our eyes immediately met. I could clearly see the contribution there so my forehead furrowed. What's his deal this time? His fiancé is in front of him and this is how he speaks?

“Am I missing something here? Do you know this maid?” Ayanna said while staring at me intently. My forehead furrowed even more because of what she said.

“I'm not—”

"She's not a maid here, Ayanna," he said emphatically and suddenly pulled the woman to nowhere.

I was blown away by the wind and hurried back to the kitchen thinking I was safe with that man, but just a few minutes later, he suddenly appeared in front of me.

"The next time you leave before I even wake up, I will make sure to tie you in my bed after we do that thing," he said.

My heart pounded when I heard that. My mouth dropped open in shock especially when I saw his angry expression. When I noticed the sudden arrival of Erika who immediately focused her gaze on us, I immediately walked away from him.

"Not here, Hector," I whispered and ignored him. I thought he was leaving but he didn't even move and kept watching me.

“And where? In my bed? That's all right with me— ”

“Shit! You're really out of your mind!" I cut off what he was going to say and pushed him slightly away from me. Before he could react, I quickly left because the other caretakers of the mansion, including Nanay Soledad, started arriving.

And this man actually followed me. What's wrong with him?!

“Solei—”

"Don't call me by that name, please!" I almost yelled at him and disgustedly faced him. "What? What else do you need?” I tried to calm myself down.

My heart was pounding and he, here, was just looking at me as if nothing had happened.

“I need you,” he uttered which made me laugh.

“You’re really a jerk. Your fiancé is here but you talk as if— ”

"You're still my wife," he firmly said. My chest throbbed harder. "We are still married just so you know."

My eyes rolled. I felt like the words had suddenly escaped my brain so I could no longer answer. What he said was true. But why did he consent to the engagement if he still considered me his wife?

I hardened my expression and looked at him boldly. “I will do everything just to annul us! Womanizer!”

He sneezed and grinned. “Try me then. For now, come with me. Stop fighting and just come with me,” he said sarcastically and quickly took my hand and pulled me.

“Wait — what! Where will you take me again?” I screamed but he didn't seem to hear anything. I just realized that we were already in the yard of the mansion. Sir Anton and his other companions as well as Ayanna were already there so I was even more nervous and embarrassed.

“We’re leaving. Why are you together?” Sir Anton asked. I tried to remove Hector's hold on me but it tightened even more.

"She's going with me," he replied simply as if Ayanna was not in front of him.

“Are you serious? We don't need a maid there— ”

“I told you she’s not a maid. Are you deaf or just dumb?”

My eyes widened when I heard him say that to Ayanna. When I looked at the woman, she was also shocked to see Hector while the others were just shaking their heads and getting into their respective cars. I bit my lower lip. Even before Ayanna turned to look at me, I avoided looking at her.

A moment later, Hector pulled me back to his car. I remember what I heard Ayanna say earlier. They will visit the renovated resort today. Why do I have to be with him?!

"Hector, I can't come," I told him and tried to remove his hand again but I failed again.

“I told you to stop fighting. I just need your support.” I heard him say so I was stunned. Support?

“Hector, I’m coming with you. I don’t have a driver— ”

“You drove all the way here. My car is full,” Hector interrupted what Ayanna was going to say so I winced. What's wrong with him?!

"How come this woman you're going to ride and I'm your fiancé isn't?" Ayanna asked in surprise so I looked at her. It was also staring at me.

“Shut it, Ayanna. If you don't want to, don't go.”

“Wait, you look familiar. You are the runaway bride of Ares, right?”

When she said that, Hector and I were both stunned.

“Oh, you’re the famous gold-digger bitch, Anastacia Alcaraz…”

What?