Chapter 18

Andrea's POV

I'm currently practicing gun firing. For five years, I have mastered it and it has also served as my stress reliever. The reason why I need to train this? For safety purposes. Who knows, maybe when someone finds out my real identity, he'll just kill me.

Honestly, I have received many death threats but they just know me as Ms. Steinfields. Well maybe because of being number one of my Steinfields Clothing Company worldwide.

Without any mercy, I shot the head of the mannequin. And as expected, i hit the bull's eye.

I grinned and put down my used gun. This is not the only thing I have learned in five years. I also mastered all the tactics and combat skills including long range shooting and sword mastery.

The weather is hard now, too dangerous. And I can proudly say that I can now kill without mercy. Anyone who will get in my way will die.

I immediately took a picture of Lara on the head of the mannequin and saw that half of her body was pierced in the picture. This is how I release my stress. Through this, I am able to do the things I want to do without that shameless woman.

Without emotion I tore up his picture and trampled on it. I would love to do this with her but now is not the right time. Not now, but sooner.

Every time I remember my stupidities then I get angry with myself. Why was I so weak then? Why did I let them hurt me like that? Why ... why did I love that man so much?

I pulled a picture of him from my black slacks and stuffed it with a bad look.

At first glance, you thought he was an angel because of his very clean smile in the photo. I sighed and gritted my teeth. Because of him, my life became miserable then. He is one of those I regret I gave all my trust and love to.

I suddenly remembered the reason why I left him. That was painful but now, it's already numb. My heart is already numb.

Flashback

Ivan and I are now sitting under a tree and ... we're both soaking wet because of the rain. It rained on us and the rain hadn"t stopped yet so we stayed here under the tree first. And seriously, I'm getting cold too but I have no choice but to wait for the rain to stop.

Our fingers are intertwined tightly, like I can't even escape away from him. My head also rested on his shoulder and we both watched the heavy rain pour down.

This is the second time that I asked him to let me go. And here it is again, I didn't succeed. But worth it because I"ve already heard those three words that I"ve been waiting so long for him to say to me.

And, yeah. The long wait is over. Indeed, the longer you wait for something, the more you appreciate it, because anything that worth having is definitely worth waiting for.

Truly, even magical words can give lights to a darkest world. My formerly dark world came to light again because of those three words.

"I love you ..." he whispered at my ear and kissed my forehead after. This is the sweetest gesture of him that I've ever experienced.

I turned to him and smiled. A tear escaped from my left eye. "I ... I love you too, Ivan." I shivered a little from the cold and I knew he felt that.

He enveloped his arms around my body and I felt the heat. Finally, I'm really feeling cold.

"I'm sorry for the mistakes that I've done to you. I'm just confused that time and ... I never thought that you will decide to leave me. It's just that maybe I believed that you loved me too much and didn't You can leave me so I didn't really expect that. Believe me or not, I never expected that I will feel this kind of feeling towards you. I just woke up one day that ... I already realized that I love you ... "he said and I can hear and see that sincerity on him.

I just smiled and caressed his cheek. "It's okay, Ivan. I understand you. Besides, I'm happy now because you love me too ..." I said passionately.

He just did stare at me and my heart is beating so fast because I can see the love on his eyes. Finally! After eight years, I finally get his heart.

"I'm so lucky to have a wife like you. Maybe I'm just really stupid to hurt you. Hopefully, I felt it before so that you wouldn't be hurt again. I regret those stupid actions with all of my heart. I hope, you will forgive me ... "

I bit my lower lip and stared at him. Who would've thought that I suffered eight years just to gain this man's heart?

I close my eyes as he touches his soft lips to mine. His lips aren't moving but I can feel the emotions running through it. It took a few seconds and when he parted his lips from mine I was stunned. He already parted our lips but he rested his forehead on mine.

"No matter how painful it was, I will still forgive you, Ivan. It's enough for me to tell you that you love me. My sufferings are all worth it and thank you for making it worth while ..." I whispered .

He smiled and claimed my lips again. I saw us smile together before I blinked. I responded on his kisses. This is the best feeling ever. To be with him with the love that mediates between the two of us.

~ • ~

It's been three days since the day Ivan confessed his true feelings towards me and I can say that he really changed. He has become more alert now and he no longer hurts me. And most of all, he always say 'I love you' whenever he see me or talk to me.

Sometimes out of nowhere he says he loves me and I admit, it makes me giggle and feeling loved.

And as for their child Lara, I already accepted the fact that she will have a child with her. Maybe, I still feel a little pain but you are slowly disappearing because Ivan is proving that he loves me.

Today, he also returned to work because he will still take care of the company left by Dad as well as the properties of my parents. They will be buried tomorrow so I am here today in the chapel to be with them even for a moment.

Kuya Ryan was allowed by the police to be buried but he had to be with them. It is really sad that my brother was imprisoned for his illegal activities.

I was in front of Mom"s coffin now and I caressed it. I smiled bitterly, as if I had just been with him. Our shopping at the mall, the way he taught me to cook, the smiles he gave me and everything he did for me. I miss all that.

I silently prayed for Mom and then I walked to the other side where Dad's coffin was. I silently prayed for his soul too and I immediately sat down again.

This day was so tiring because more and more people were sympathetic. Mom and Dad really know a lot because of the business but more than that because they have helped a lot. They have scholars, charities and so on. They are both good-hearted.

"I'm sorry we're late."

I turned to the left and saw Roxanne and Seymour there. I smiled at them and made them sit down. During the few days of Mom and Dad's hill, I was always with them. They volunteered earlier to buy food at the grocery store because the food stock here was exhausted. They will just come back.

Actually, they opposed my decision to accept Ivan again but apparently they also accepted. Roxanne said she understands that I love Ivan but this is Ivan's last chance and when he hurts me, he won't let me go back to my husband. While Seymour? I don"t know his reaction yet because he just gives me a stingy smile and a stingy answer.

"I'm amazed at you, best. How can you not be able to cry despite the loss of your parents?" Roxanne said to me in amazement so I smiled at her.

"It's because of God, Roxanne ..." I answered sparingly.

His forehead furrowed. "Because of God?"

I nodded. "Yup. I believe that despite all this, he is still guiding me. I feel like he's whispering in my ear that I should be strong. I need to be strong because if I'm going to be weak, to whom will the people who depend to me? If I become weak, what will you do? "

She smirked. "You're really unbelievable. You always talk positive."

I smirked at her, too. "A negative mind will never give you a positive life, Roxy ..."

He just shook me and stood up. She approached my parents "coffin and I just watched her. I saw a tear fell from her eye. I can't blame her either, she was treated like a real child of Mom and Dad.

I looked up at Seymour and saw his serious stare at me. But when we looked right he just smiled at me sparingly and looked straight ahead.

~ • ~

I hugged Kuya Ryan for the last moment and I felt him kiss my forehead. He is now handcuffed and will be put in a police car again.

Our parents "funeral was over and there I shed my tears. Fortunately, Ivan was by my side to calm me down.

"Take care, princess. Be careful with her ..." Kuya whispered in my ear before I let go of the hug so I was a little surprised. Whom Shall I Beware of?

Kuya was already in the police car and I just watched it leave until it disappeared from my sight. I wiped my eyes and my face was soaked with tears.

I shut my eyes tight and prayed silently.

Dear God,

If one day I lose my hope and purpose, please give me the confidence that your destiny is better than anything that I dreamed. Amen.

I opened my eyes and walked towards the parking lot. That's where Ivan is waiting for me.

"Rigella ..."

I stiffened in my stance and looked at that familiar voice.

"Sis....Rina?"

End of Flashback

Andrea's POV

Flashback

"Ate Rina." I looked seriously at the face of the woman in front of me now.

He swallowed and looked to his right and left. Then he grabbed my arm and pulled me to where.

I gritted my teeth. He showed up to me. I can"t understand why he is still harassing me now when he just ignored me when he left.

We stopped behind a musileo. He let go of my arm and worriedly stared at me. I just folded my arms and shrugged.

Why does he seem to want to tell me something but he is hesitant? It's like the times when he advised me on good manners are back. He was the one who encouraged me to just trust in god. But he left me.

He took a deep breath and looked at me intently. "You need to stay away from him, Rigella. You'll just be damned like Mom and Dad!" Whispering but he said emphatically.

I was amazed when she called my parents, "mom and dad". As far as I know, since he left home then, he no longer considered our parents as parents. She chose to go away from us and do what she wants.

"Him? Who are you referring to?" I asked with a frown.

"It's Ivan, Rigella! Tell me, do you really know your husband very well?" He said that surprised me.

I was stunned. Aside from his name, his family and his temperament I know nothing more about Ivan. I don't even know his favorites, hobbies and such. Neither one has.

Gradually my forehead wrinkled again. What was the connection with what Ate Rina was saying? Damn! I do not understand!

"What are you saying ?!" I can't help but to raise my voice because of my eagerness. I want to know what he is saying.

"You didn't know that he's a part of Dark Alpha?" He said he couldn't believe it.

"A ... What's Dark Alpha?" I guess the question.

Gradually fear covered his face. Ate Rina wiped her face and I saw the edge of her tears. Anger is very evident on her eyes.

His face was serious and I seemed to be terrified. Only now have I seen him like this and he is scary now. She's like ... Ivan's female version when she's angry.

I sighed as he grabbed my arm. Someone helped a bead of tears from his eyes. Why is she crying?

"Listen, your husband is part of a Mafia Organization. They are the strongest Mafia, worldwide. And your husband, he is the second highest position in that Mafia. And that group ... killed the parents let's ... "he kept his promise and he also tightened his grip on my arm so I looked there.

His grip on my arm hurt but I couldn't bear it. My eyes widened at what Ate said. What does he know that I don"t know ?!

"You're lying!" I punched him and tried to pull my arm back but he held it tighter.

"I'm not lying, Rigella! You're just blinding it to the truth! You don't know him very well yet. He can kill without sanctioning. He can actually hurt you physically, can't he? And hey, Dark Alpha is also the reason why Ryan was jailed. They are the reason! They killed our parents and even if you can't believe he is an accomplice! "

Is he an accomplice? Although I don't want to believe, there is a part of me that believes in what my sister says. I don't even know him very well yet. But ... I shouldn't judge him either because I don't even know him completely, right?

It was as if I was weakened by what Ate said so I just shuddered and couldn't answer. What if true? I don"t know what I would do when it happened.

"Believe me, Rigella! Your husband is evil. You fell for a wrong person and I regret that I was the reason for you to get married ..."

I immediately turned to him. That caught my attention. It's funny because Ate knows more than me about Ivan and even my husband.

"What do you mean?" Anas ko.

"I was the reason why you met again in a bar. I asked one of my friends to invite you in her party to meet you. That time, even though I left I still wanted to make you happy so I did that. I know how much you love him. But ... I didn't know you would get pregnant ... "

I couldn"t speak as well as he did. I could only hear the sound of the strong wind and even the sound of birds.

That party triggered the one night stand between Ivan and me. I was drunk and he was also drunk and ... broken. That sums it all.

"Why are you telling me all this?" I almost whispered the question.

"Because I don't want you to perish either! Ryan, I thought he was going to die because of the amount of blood he lost but I did everything to keep him alive. I don't want to experience that again. I don't want my brother to escape. Mom and Dad are gone. , will you also be lost to me? " He had an annoyed question.

My tears flowed I didn"t expect to fall. Why so? Why did I still appreciate his loving birthright to us even though he left us then?

"Our parents died because of an accident. Car accident ..." I insisted even though I already believed in him. I hope what he says is not true, that he is just lying.

Then he laughed. "Car accident? Really ?! And you believe it?"

I just swallowed and didn"t answer. I knew from the start that something's suspicious on it. That same day, my parents had an accident, Kuya Ryan was stabbed and ... I was shot. I knew those three could possibly have a connection but I just ignored it because I thought it was all just a coincidence.

"Damn, Rigella! Open your eyes! Wake up to the truth. That group, they want to take us one by one because we are a threat to their businesses. And there you have it, Mom and Dad are gone. Do you still want the time to come? You are doomed and then you will believe ?! " He tightened his grip on my arm so I winced.

I folded my arms and shook my head. I will not fully believe in him until I can see for myself.

"You're just lying." I said coldly and pushed him hard so he could let go of my arm.

Without emotion I walked away. I felt that Ate Rina did not follow me and she just followed me with her gaze.

"It's up to you if you still don't want to believe me. You've really slept with that animal. But you'll always remember that I'm always watching over you. Be careful, Andrea ..."

I stopped walking for a moment. My second name is what he always calls me but when he is serious he calls me Rigella. She's the reason why I hate people when they're calling me Andrea.

I bent down and wiped my wet cheeks and eyes and then continued walking.

I don"t know what I can do once I know the truth and the lie.

When I got to the parking lot I saw Ivan leaning against the snout of his car while holding his cellphone with it glued to his ear. Looks like someone called him.

I hid in the back of his car and peeked at him a bit.

"I'll go back to the org, of course ... Tell uno that I'm just taking care of a lot so I can't go ... Aberya? Where? .. Then do something about it! Is it also such a simple transaction of guns and ammos will you still consult with me? .. Yes, one day I will only go ... Alright, I'll hang up. "

Org? Transaction? Guns and ammos? Confirmed. Why don"t I know all this? I am his wife but he never once informed me.
His forehead furrowed and he turned in my direction so I immediately hid.

I was nervous when I saw him approaching in my direction. I closed my eyes emphatically.

I heard a ringing so I woke up. I saw him stop and someone pressed his cellphone. He pressed it to his ear and I saw he was serious.

"Lara."

It was as if something was pinching my heart. Lara called?

"I can't come with you today ... What the hell! You're pregnant and yet you're doing work? Why are you on taping? .. Are you out of your mind ?! Damn it! .. In a I'm leaving in a day ... Fine, I love you. Tsss. I will- "

That's enough, it hurts.

Out of nowhere I suddenly came out of hiding in the car. He turned his back on me so he couldn't see me.

"Ivan ..." I called to him.

He seemed to stiffen in his stance but he immediately confronted me.

"You ... You were there before?" I could hear the nervousness in his voice.

I tried to smile. You are a liar, Ivan. "Nope. I'll just arrive too. Let's go?"

He nodded and turned away from me first. "Rigella's here. We'll talk again later. Bye." He tapped something on his cellphone again and pocketed it in his pants pocket.

He turned to me again and smiled. He came over to me and put his arm around me. He also kissed my forehead.

"I love you ..." he said. Really, Ivan? Did you tell the two women I love you at these times? Which of those two is true?

I smiled sweetly at him. "I love you too. Tara na?" aya ko.

"Sure. You need to rest again and then Ice is already waiting at home."

He helped me into the car.

I'm really, really upset and hurt.

~ • ~

I pulled my two suitcases out from under my bed. Only now did I have the right time to leave.

I took in then the annulment papers. This time, I'm pretty sure of what I'm going to do.

I stood up and stared at the envelope. This is the right time.

"You killed my parents and my baby, Ivan. Maybe now you're happy. And, I'm leaving you to make you happier. That's all I've wanted in my whole life ..." I whispered to myself while staring still in the envelope.

End of Flashback

To be continued...