Chapter 23: Chapter 23

"I need to go back to the barn," I said lazily to him and adjusted myself. It was only then that I noticed that my clothes were different and that it was dark outside. Where are we? Where did he take me after what happened? What time is it now?

“You need to rest—”

"I'm fine, Hector." I cut off what he was going to say and stood up. I need to go home because I'm sure Amari is already looking for me. I don't know why I suddenly felt scared and nervous when I heard what he said to the person he was talking to earlier. Who is he referring to? What are they talking about?

“Hey…” His voice is soft when he suddenly grabbed my hand. I looked back at him. His expression softened as he looked at me. There's no longer the fear and anger I saw in him before when he hurt Ayanna through his words and hold.

“We’re going home, I promise you that. Let's just stay here for another five minutes.” His voice was full of pleading and his eyes softened even more. When he came closer to me, I could not move immediately when his lips touched my forehead.

“I’m sorry I let my guard down and hurt you. You almost drowned because of me,” he said in a low voice.

I suddenly remembered what had happened earlier. What he did to Ayanna before I fainted. I still can’t believe he could do that to the woman. The expression I had seen earlier was frightening. He was so mad like a fiery beast. Is he really that angry?

His grip on my arm dropped to my hands and he suddenly slammed into my shoulder. I could feel my chest pounding as I felt his warm breath on my neck. It was slow and heavy. I could smell alcohol and cigarettes on him.

“I’m sorry. I didn't know that would happen. I almost lost you again. Fuck!” He whispered loudly as if having difficulty.

My heart began to pound again because of what I was hearing from him. It feels like he's really having a hard time because of what happened. I wonder why…

“I'm fine, Hector. If I were in Ayanna's position I would feel the same way. As if you're choosing me over her—”

"I'll always choose you over her, Solei." My attention was caught there. He was still in that position and it seemed to be resting on my neck. I didn't know what to do because his naked body was so close to me. The heat of his body was something I could feel.

"Because you're my wife…" He added and we settled down. He bent down to look at me. His face was serious but his eyes were still bulging as he stared at me. "And I want you to come back with me to Manila."

Hector seems so serious about what he said earlier even though I have denied what he says several times. That is no longer possible. I don't want to go back anymore. As I told everyone before, I will never go back there because my life is already here. And I don't want them to see my daughter.

But this man would not let me go until we got to the Hacienda. I notice that Sir Anton is staring at us. I also saw Nanay Soledad in the hallway with Erika.

“What do you want me to do? Just tell me—”

“Stay away from me, that's what I want you to do. I will never go back to Manila again. Stop following me,” I told him emphatically then he passed there and went straight to where Nanay Soledad was as if waiting for me.

But I guess I made the wrong decision because he still complied.

"Good day, Mother Soledad." He greeted and looked at Erika. “I brought her with me to the resort. I'm sorry if we stayed up late,” he added.

I could feel the heat all over my face especially as Erika looked at me meaningfully so I patted her on the arm.

" How's Amari?"

"Don't worry, your daughter is fine," she replied sarcastically to me so I almost scolded her. Fortunately, our voices were not that loud.

“It's okay, son. Looks like you did a lot at the resort. Have you eaten?" I heard Mother Soledad ask. I don’t know if she teases me too or what.

"Did you do a lot of things, huh?" Erika continues to tease me. To my annoyance, I just pushed her and left them there.

I walked quickly out of the mansion so that he could no longer follow me. When I finally got away, I decided to go home first because I feel very tired today. Aside from the fact that I almost died earlier, Hector kept bothering my mind. I can't memorize him, not like Ares

who… what, Ana? Why do you always think of him until now?

When I got home, it was quiet inside. I went straight to our room and there I saw my daughter fast asleep next to Lily. I smiled and arranged the blanket for the two of them. From the beginning, I told Mother Soledad that I would help with the farming and that in the mansion, I would have little time for her. Every night my conscience stung me because of that. I really feel like she misses me because she almost doesn’t want to part with me every time I have nothing to do in a day. As much as I wanted to focus my whole attention on her, I couldn't because of our situation. I wanted her to have a bright future. I wanted to give everything to her, whatever it was. If I don't act, I will earn nothing and I will give nothing to her. I didn't want her to experience what I had experienced before in my own family.

I was so tired that I didn't even bother to change my clothes. I lay down next to Amari and looked at my cell phone for a moment. There were a few texts there from our group chat with Elena, Via, and Riley, but that didn’t get my attention. If not a text from an unknown number. When I opened it, I barely understood anything at first because it was confusing and long. Who is this?

Unknown Number

Hi, Ms. Anastacia Alcaraz. I hope everything is well. I'd like to speak with you in person about something important. Please call me.

- Abraham Narvaza

My forehead furrowed. Who could it be? Why is his text so formal?

I immediately typed a reply to him and send it to him.

To Unknown Number

who is this???

I was staring at Amari for a few more minutes when my cellphone rang again so I immediately read the text. I was even more confused at what he said.

Unknown Number

I told you my name already. Don't make me repeat what I said.

Is he serious? To my annoyance, the screen of my cellphone was almost smashed while typing a reply to him.

To Unknown Number

were you stupid before ??? who are you? where did you get my number?!

I think this idiot is just a troll.

When he didn't reply, I got up and went to the kitchen to make coffee. I looked at the Hacienda for a moment and there I saw the figure of Hector who seemed to be looking here from up there, so I was nervous. He's like a ghost that just pops up everywhere!

After I brewed coffee, I sat for a while in the living room. At the same time as I was putting away Amari's toys, my cell phone rang again, so I immediately took it from our room.

Unknown Number

I'm sorry. I was just kidding. Anyway, do you have time tomorrow? This is very important, Anastacia. I'm sorry I just contacted you now about this matter. I'm just following your father's instructions.

I was shocked when I read the last thing he said. Does he know dad? What the fuck is he saying?

To Unknown Number

are you kidding me??? my dad has been dead for a long time so stop texting me!!

I don’t know how I would feel about what this man was saying, whoever it was. Why does he suddenly include papa in the conversation? Who is this? Why do I feel so intimate with it?

I waited a few more minutes for his reply but instead of texting, I was surprised when he called. I stared at his number for a moment before it was finally answered. My heart kept pounding.

"Hey! If you make a deal— ”

“Your father, Don Anastacio Alcaraz died four years ago. I'm a lawyer and I need to talk to you about his last will and testament. Are you free tomorrow?”

-

“I don't even know if what that man is saying is true. Why should I go home?” I lazily told Erika and pretended to be busy slicing the ingredients of our dishes today.

But the truth is that what he said still bothers me. There were many things I did not understand, but only one stuck in my brain — the last will and testament said. How can papa have such a thing, when we are not rich? He almost wanted his body to be two just so he could earn twice as much at work. What last will and testament is he saying? And he even wanted me to go back to Manila just to talk to him regarding that matter. As if I'd go back there just because he says so. I have no basis for all the things he explained to me last night so why would I follow him?

But I wondered even more about myself because I felt like I really needed to go back to talk to him.

“You have nothing to lose. That man won't waste his precious time just to say baseless things to you. Besides, I searched for his name online. He is a famous and good lawyer.” Erika seemed to be convincing me so I was even more confused by what was happening.

She's right. I also tried to search for his name online. He has handled many cases and he has won all of them. He also came from a wealthy family. His record and clean and great. I just can’t understand why he said he knew papa’s true identity that he had long hidden from everyone even from us… even from me. What does he mean there?

“I don't know either, Rika. I don't know why I'm scared…” I whispered to myself that it was just right for her to hear.

Even before she could answer, we suddenly heard screams coming from the living room. As a great gossip, Erika quickly pulled me there before I could even refuse.

“I’m not lying! Do you think I can do this on my own? Of course not!"

In the distance, we heard Ayanna's voice which seemed very angry. Erika and I hid in the hallway and peeked. I saw Ayanna's furious face and Hector was in front of her. His expression seemed confused and mad. His angry expression was very similar to his expression when we were at the resort when he hurt the woman. What's happening?

“You have always been a liar. Why should I believe you?” Hector's voice, as usual, is deeper. That includes anger. Ayanna laughed sarcastically and even crossed her arms.

“You knew what happened between us that night, Hector, so you expected that something really should happen. Stop denying it and just accept it. ”

My heart sank when I realized what she said. My pulse slowed and in a flash, my knees went numb so I was just held in the hallway there.

"Shut it, Ayanna," Hector said threateningly but the latter wasn't even scared.

“I’m pregnant. You're going to be a father whether you like it or not. ”