Chapter 54: Chapter 54

It was three in the morning but Valjerome and I were still awake. I was lying on his shoulder while his hand wrapped around mine. We both stared at the ceiling¾thinking and observing.

"Aren't you...remorseful?" he said in a low voice.

I frowned at him. "Remorseful? Of what?"

He looked at me softly and then gently brushed my messy hair with one of his hands. "Of what happened to us...today," he replied.

I sneered at him. "You already took me six times, Valjerome. If I'm remorseful about it, then I should have rejected you for the second time."

His lips curled up. "You counted it?" he asked amazingly.

My cheeks warmed in embarrassment. "I-I didn't count. I just remember," I said.

He let out a soft chuckle and hugged me closer. "I love you," he said sincerely.

"I...love you too," I admit shyly.

"I love you," he repeated and kissed the top of my head.

"You have just said it," I complained.

He laughed and gave me a peck. I just pouted and averted my eyes. I'm sure my cheeks are as red as a tomato now.

"I just want to make up for the times I didn't tell you that," he whispered.

We both fell silent. He might not be saying it but I knew he was also reminiscing our past.

"Where is our…?" he asked suddenly.

I looked at him, wondering. He didn't say a word, instead, he leaned over so that he could hug me much better and then his hand slowly went to my stomach.

My heart was piched when I realized what he was referring to.

Valjerome gently caressed my stomach¾caressing as if the little angel who had disappeared from me, from us, was still in my womb.

I swallowed hard and looked at the emptiness. "I-I...buried her...next to my parents."

"Erom doesn't know about his twin?" he cleared.

I nodded and breathe deeply. I squeezed myself next to him and then looked up to his face.

"I was traumatized. I couldn't handle the fact that I lost our child. I didn't inform Erom because I also don't want him to always mention our lost child. Maybe it’s bad for others to hear it but I don't want anyone to remind me about Angel. Don't get me wrong, I love her. I always think of her. I love her so much. It's just..."A lone tear fell on my cheek, "I couldn't handle the pain every time reality dawned on me."

Valjerome's arms tightened around me. "I understand you, Jazzie. You are hurting, you're a mother. I'm sorry, it's my fault," he said hoarsely.

I shook slowly. "I blamed you back then. I even blamed myself. I have many questions that I can hardly answer, I can't accept everything that happened in my life," I said with a small smile.

"But then, as time goes by, I realized that not all questions may be answered on the process. But once you take it slow and understand that your questions, your problems, and your feelings are valid…it becomes easier to accept, "I continued.

"You are the bravest person I've ever known, Jazzie. Even we were only kids back then, I already admired you for being strong," he said.

I just smiled sparingly and kept my eyes closed as I hugged him. He gently stroked my hair, as if it will take all my doubts away.

I bit my lips when I remembered something. I opened my eyes again then looked at him. He immediately met my gaze and waited for me to say anything.

I averted my eyes and cleared my throat. "About...that woman¾the pregnant woman¾who is she? I mean, it looks like you'll know each other," I asked.

He chuckled and gently held my chin to face him up. He sealed me with a kiss and then hugged me tightly again.

"Are you jealous?" he asked again. "Don't worry. I wasn't the father of her child. She's my nurse before. She's Jaime's wife," he continued.

Surprised, I broke off from his hug. I blinked twice as I stared into Valjerome's face.

"Jaime? Is that his wife?!" I couldn’t help but raise my tone slightly.

His forehead creased.

"I mean...she looks young and Jaime...is already in his 40's right?" I was reassuring.

Valjerome lazily nodded and pulled me back for a hug. "Is there something wrong with that?" They are both in legal age. "

I was speechless. Of course, they are both in legal age.

"No. I just didn't expect it," I replied.

"But you’re expecting that I was the father," Valjerome sarcastically replied to me.

I quickly glared at him. "Can you blame me? You were a womanizer in my eyes. If I hadn't seen the video, I wouldn't have known the truth."

"Video?" he repeated.

I sighed and embraced him again. "Manang gave me a phone. It belonged to your maid before. She filmed herself in your room. You know...that thing," I explained.

His face darkened. I could clearly see the tension in his jaw.

"That b*tch," he uttered. "She was about to poison you. Fortunately, I saw her right away on CCTV."

My eyes widened at his revelation.

He sighed and buried his face on my side neck. "Don't worry. I already put her six feet under the ground," he said as if it was nothing for him.

I just shrove. I couldn't judge him. It's the nature of his work. Plus the fact that I knew, he did it for me.

"You also killed that girl, right?" I uttered. "The one in your office before, Hera Briones," I pointed out.

He groaned under my neck. "She insulted you in front of me, baby," he complained.

"Now I am amazed that you didn't kill my supervisor before," I said sarcastically.

He slowly pulled himself away from me. "I planned to. But Jaime informed me that your boy workmate was into her," he said.

"You didn't kill her for the sake of my workmate?" I asked confused.

"No. I didn't take her life so that he will remain his attention on her. When I kill him, he might like you. The hell that I will let it happen," he answered.

I just secretly smiled.

We remained quietly cuddling for a few minutes until I felt her sigh. I glanced at him with my confused look.

"That guy ... what's your relationship with him?" he asked cautiously.

"You mean, Chaos?" I pointed out.

He nodded in response.

I just breathe out deeply and then gently played my finger over Valjerome's chest.

Guilt slowly crept inside my heart

"We're just friends," I answered. "But...I gave him a chance to court me," I continued.

I could feel Valjerome's hand tighten around mine.

"Do you...like him?" I could trace the fear and apprehension in his voice.

"Yes," I answered immediately.

He stiffened.

"Who wouldn't? He's a good man." I smiled when I felt him bothered by my answer.

"I like him but...that's all. I like him not because I like him as more than a friend. I just like his personality," I explained.

He breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that.

"But I admit. I was ready to try loving him then. That's why I let him court me. I have already planned to start again with him," I said.

I felt Valjerome loosened his hold from me. I know it hurts for him to hear what I said but I just wanted to let him know the decisions I made before.

"Chaos is a good man. He took care of me and Erom back then. I gave him a chance despite everything because I knew...it's impossible for me to forgive you that time. I know we won't be back together before because the wounds are too deep. Of course, I don't know yet the truth before so I used to believe what I thought was the truth"

Valjerome took a deep breath and kissed my forehead. "I fully understand your decision. Even I, I would rather choose a new life than a ruined and impossible companionship."

I smiled sparingly at his broad understanding. Now I could see where Erom inherited intelligence.

"I will talk to him later," I said.

Valjerome's body became tensed. I could already feel the intense resistance of his body. I let out a sigh and then got serious.

"He does not deserve to be treated this way. I should stop him on courting me from now on. I also want us to be able to talk properly so as not to ruin the friendship we have," I explained.

Slowly, Valjerome calmed down. He pulled me closer to him and kissed my head again for the nth time.

"I don't trust him," he murmured.

I giggled. "Why? Because you are jealous?" I teased.

He shook his head and sighed deeply. "He's my dad's illegitimate son."