Chapter 30: Chapter 30

When I gave birth to Amari, I never really had any idea of how to be a good mother to her. When I first heard her cry, I was afraid I might not be able to calm her down. When I first touched her tiny hands and feet, I was afraid I might not be able to protect and take care of her. When I first saw her small and beautiful face, I was afraid I might hurt her. When I gave birth to her, my heart was full of fear and worry just because I never really thought of having her in the first place.

But when I first learned how to take care of her and I felt she was happy with the way I took care of her, that strength that everyone took from me was rebuilt.

They didn't stop me from leaving when I read Elena's text. I didn't even understand the last thing Donya Andrada, my grandmother, said to me, because of the haste.

I quickly got to Elena’s condo. In the distance, I could see Hector's figure as he talked to Elena in front of her unit. Somehow I was able to breathe easily because he hadn't gotten inside yet. They are so close to each other!

"Oh, your wife is already there. You still don't want to believe me that she's not here?" I heard Elena say to Hector who immediately focus on me.

"Where have you been?" He immediately opened up to me. I just looked at Elena and signaled that I would take care of it. She just nodded and entered. I turned to Hector who looked troubled.

"I just went somewhere. What are you doing here?"

"Can't you just tell me where the hell you've been or just tell me if you're planning to go somewhere, please," he answered me quickly. His anxiousness is obvious.

"What's going on?" I asked again. I want to pull him away from here because Amari might still hear me.

"Nothing. I'm just worried about you. You're not answering your phone," he seemed to say resignedly and suddenly hugged me. I could even feel his little kiss on my head.

"I just want to rest..." He whispered weakly and for a moment buried his face in my neck.

I bit my lip and patted his back. I felt he was really problematic so I separated him from me. His forehead furrowed even more.

"If you want a rest, you should just go home and sleep--"

"You're my rest, Solei. Please... just for today. Let me be with you," he begged me like a child.

Before I could answer, his cell phone suddenly rang. I waited for him to answer that. Suddenly his expression changed when he looked at it and then pressed it hard.

"What the fuck do you want?" He greeted emphatically. I just stared at his furious expression. He was also avoiding looking at me.

"Look, dad, if you really want Ares to manage all your damn businesses, then you can just tell me and I will be damn happy to accept it!" His voice broke. I could feel the pain in his voice.

I grabbed his arm because of that. I could feel his tension there so I felt even heavier, especially when I heard him swearing again and again.

"I'm fucking tired of proving myself to all of you! When you almost lost everything because of your stupid son, you approached me. Now that everyone's state is good, you're throwing me away again! What the fuck do you want me to do?"

I gasped when I saw the intense pain in Hector's eyes. I stroked his arm gently but he didn't even look at me for a moment. His expression was still hard and hurt. I feel like I am also hurt by what I hear from him.

I had always known the state of the two of them. Ares is the favorite son of Don Damien because he is the eldest son. Hector was Donya Valeria’s only son to another man but as far as I know, Don Damien accepted him wholeheartedly after learning his ability in the business world. I didn’t know that until now this was still the problem with them.

"I'll be there, but don't expect me to say something about it anymore."

That was the last thing he said before finally turning off the call. When he turned to me, his expression changed immediately. His eyes become more tender and I felt even more tired.

"You should go home, Hector. Rest," I commanded him and tried to remove my hold on him but he quickly grabbed my hand. He brought it to his lips and gently kissed it.

"Can you go with me?" He asked so my forehead furrowed. My heartbeat slowed. I want to go with you anywhere. If only I could.

"Where?"

"To my house. I need a break but I don't feel well when I don't see you," he uttered softly. My whole face became hot.

"Call Ayanna then," I said and averted my eyes from him.

"She's gone, Solei. She's gone home to the States--"

"How do you know?" I cut off from what he had to say. I also saw the shock in him so I just turned around.

I withdrew my hand from him and turned my back on him to go inside but he immediately caught me.

"You're jealous?" He was mocking me so I pushed his face.

"Go home, Hector. I'm not going with you anywhere."

"Really? How about I'll kidnap you then?" He was challenging so I was even more bored and at the same time, felt excited. You're embarrassing, Ana.

"Stop it," I said and turned my back on him again but this time, he quickly wrapped his arm around my waist. I was even surprised when my forehead hit his hard chest.

"What--"

"There will be a social party later and I want my wife to be with me. I'll pick you up at exactly 5 PM. I don't accept no's," he told me directly, so I looked up at him.

I could already feel my back against the door of Elena's unit as he continued to caress my waist gently.

"I don't have anything to wear--"

"I already gave your gown to Elena. You just have to prepare yourself," he thrilled off and gently stroked the bruise on my face. "I'm still pissed off about this and I won't let it pass by. A make-up artist will be here to help you prepare. I want my wife to be the most beautiful woman tonight, alright?"

I bit my lower lip because of what he said. I didn’t know what my reaction would be so I just nodded. My heart began to pound again especially when I felt his slight squeeze on my waist.

"F-fine," I stammered and avoided looking at him. "Let me go."

Hector chuckled. When I turned to him again, my eyes widened as he greeted me with a heartfelt kiss. I felt the softening of my knee so I quickly clung to his polo and just closed my eyes. I could even hear his soft growl and her heavy breathing.

"Breath, baby..." he whispered when he let go of my lips for a while. I just took a deep breath and he kissed me again.

If this will be the reason for my death, then I will gladly accept this over and over again.

Our kiss deepened so much that I clung to his neck. It only broke when the door suddenly opened and I almost fell over. Fortunately, Hector quickly picked me up and was also surprised by what happened.

"Damn! Why are you kissing there? There's a room in here, you can come here!" Riley hissed and looked at me devilishly.

My whole face started to heat up again, especially from what Hector said.

"Can we go inside?"

My eyes widened and I quickly punched him in the chest.

"Go ahead, Hector!" I yelled and turned to Riley who was laughing.

"Why are you still here?" I asked her.

"Vacation mode. I guess I will be enjoying this vacation while watching you making out here," she teased me and went inside again. My whole face got even hotter because of what happened.

When I turned to Hector, I only noticed his crumpled polo on the chest. That's what I clung to earlier when he kissed me. Shit! Damn you, Ana!

He was about to speak, so I said goodbye and went inside immediately — chasing my breath. I even touched my lips when I got inside. I feel like I still want to kiss him just because I hung up. I suddenly felt annoyed for Riley!

A few hours came and I still couldn’t prepare. We had just finished lunch and Hector was still texting me but I ignored that. I just went to Amari's room for a moment and saw her there busy reading with her home teacher. I just smiled and lazily headed back to the living room. My eyes hit the big box on the round table.

“Ana, why aren't you dressed yet? I thought you and Apollo had to attend some party,” Elena commented to me and then sat down next to me on the sofa.

Instead of answering her, I took that box and opened it.

“I saw that already. Apollo seems to know your body well, huh,” she commented so I looked at her. She just sneered at me and took the gown out of the box.

"This is perfect for you," she declared. She unfolded it in front of me. The red gown exposed me. Even before I could speak, she suddenly pulled me and took me to her room.

“Get dressed. We'll wait for you here,” she seemed excited to tell me and even handed me the dress.

“Oh, I don’t. I will not go-"

"Apollo told me that when you back off, I'll call him right away so that he can dress you," Riley interjected, suddenly emerging from nowhere. She was still holding her cell phone so I just turned around.

“Just who's your friend here? Tss,” I said and slammed the door shut.