Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8: Unexpectedly Rigella's POV "Seriously, I want to take you right here and right now ... But you're sick. And especially, we need to talk. Let's talk about that fvcking annulment ... and let's talk about us." I was devastated by what he said. I was just dumbfounded at the same time as the parting of my lips. 'Let's talk about us.' daw? When I was older, we were not in his sight. I don't know but I was so annoyed that I just stared at him. What are we going to talk about? I'm already preparing for the annulment and he still doesn't want to agree. Hayst, I can't really get him e. His mess. He just grinned and shrugged. He is annoying. Honestly, only now have I felt such annoyance. And with him really. Ewan, I can't even understand myself anymore. I took a deep breath and raised an eyebrow at him. I indicated to him that I was waiting for what he would say. She closes her eyes tightly and stares with wide eyes staring at me. "That ... Are you afraid of me, Rigella?" He asked so my eyes widened. Is he serious there? Jusko, what's going on with Ivan? Did anyone join him for what? I stared at him and swallowed when I realized he wasn't joking I swallowed again. I sneezed before speaking. "I'm not going to lie to you anymore. Of course, I'm scared of you. I think you hurt me physically and emotionally almost every day so why shouldn't I be scared? I'm a woman, I'm a little weak ..." I laughed at my voice even though I was nervous me and then I stared at him. Under the blanket my hands were shaking. It's scary because it's Ivan. I feel like I'm in the hot seat right away even though he only asks one question! He closed his eyes again hard and I was startled by his violent mess of his hair. After that he stared at me deeply, the type I couldn't breathe properly. "My g@go ..." he whispered but I didn't hear so I frowned at him. "Hm, here it is. Why ... Why did you choose me over your friends? They did nothing but to make you feel happy while me ... while me, I had always inflicted you pain." I averted my eyes at his question. Suddenly all my memories with Roxanne and Seymour flashback to me. Ivan is right, they make me happy. Almost half of my life, they have been with me so what happened between us is still painful. When I found something to answer with him I looked at him again. He swallowed and I saw his forehead sweating while there was air conditioning. "The answer is simple. I can't leave you in that situation. You're so beaten up. I should have left you lying on the floor." I lied in my answer to that. At least maybe other people will do what I did. The real answer there is because I love him. That's all, nothing else. I don"t know if I was rolling my eyes but I saw a glint of disappointment in his face. I saw him catch his breath and lean against the headboard of the bed. "Last question, why did you love me?" He asked so I was stunned. Why did I love him? Isn't it necessary to have a reason to love someone? I bowed, wondering what to say to him. I don't really know the reason why I loved him. All I know is, one day he will be the one my heart beats for. "Who told you that I love you?" It just came out of my mouth that even I was surprised but I didn"t notice it. I looked up at him and almost laughed when I saw his shocked expression. Just now I answered him with a rebuke so maybe he was surprised. I puckered my lips to suppress my laugh. Ivan is funny, as in. He likes to tease. His face immediately became serious and he raised an eyebrow at me. "You said that night that you love me. In front of your friends." He said holding back annoyance and grinned. "OMG!" I screamed and I couldn't stop laughing. Is Ivan gay? He likes to work as hard. But it's a pity that he's so handsome, so I just hope he's not like that. Hahaha. He looked at me but still couldn't stop laughing. I want to tease him, let me see what he will react. To my surprise, he sat on the bed again and then grabbed both my shoulders and laid me down on the bed. I stopped laughing and my cheeks warmed as our faces came together as he was on top of me. "Do you know that I'm being teased badly, Rigella?" He whispered and I almost gasped as I inhaled his fragrant breath. Oh my gosh! I could hardly catch my breath with so much nervousness. I can kiss him with just one snout. He smiled and I closed my eyes tightly because of that. Can it be cheaper? T@ng1na! She's really sexy when she smiles. I opened my eyes and his gaze was serious on me now. He brings his face closer to mine. I thought he was going to kiss me but he passed my lips and whispered in my ear. "I've been holding back for a while, you know? Do you want your stomach to be full again?" My eyes widened at what he said and I immediately pushed him away. He just smiled at me and nodded and laughed as well. Napairap ako. Fuck Ivan! I was deprived! Sh1t, I never thought he had this side. How come, he always seems aborted every time I talk to him, tsk. I just folded my arms as I stared at him and leaned on the headboard. Only now did I realize that after seven long years, only now did I see him laughing like he was really very happy. I mean not literally because he laughs when he's with Ice but, this is the first time that he laughs because of me. Weird. He leaned on the headboard after he laughed and smiled shaking his head in front of me. I just look seriously at the front and I don't look at him. Why did he behave differently when he came to me? He seems to be more concerned with me than before that he doesn"t care if he hurts me. I"ll admit, I"m disgusted. Because I feel that after he changes his behavior, he will also return to the way he used to be. Hopefully, he wouldn't have been kind to me if he had been like that again. I don't want to hope anymore, I'll be hurt and I'll just cry again and I'm so tired. It was as if cold water had been poured on me when I felt his hand on mine. He intertwined our fingers and kissed my hand after. I was overwhelmed with nervousness but I still didn't look at him. Why so? Instead of being annoyed with what he did, I still can't move? My heartbeat pounds faster and I can also feel some butterflies in my stomach. I close my eyes emphatically. If Ivan continues to be like this, there is a chance that I will give up on him. My eyes widened spontaneously and I turned to look at him. My own body is betraying me. It's his d@mn effect on me. Her eyes widen as she stares at me and they speak. What the heck, Ivan? Are you just tripping on me or you're sincere with your acts? I can't understand you! "Promise me that you won't ever leave me. I need you, Rigella. Me and our son needs you. I'm sorry for all of the pain you felt because of me. I regret that fvcking stupid actions with all my heart .I hope, you will forgive me. I promise you, I will make it up to you ... "And I felt his lips brushed in my forehead. I felt my tears flowed again. D@mn, why does he look sincere when he said that? Should I believe him ... or not? ~ • ~ ‘Don"t do your homework now. We have lots of maids to do that. Get some rest first. '
-Ivan I rested deeply. I saw his note on the bedside table again. Seriously, it's been two weeks since I started getting sick but he always leaves a note saying that I shouldn't do housework so that I don't get tired and get sick. It's his OA, I just found out. I combed my hair with my finger and leaned on the headboard of the bed. I feel dizzy again. Will I get sick again? I just cooked breakfast earlier and took Ice to school. Ivan really should be the one to deliver Ice since he was used to that before going to work. Just in case, he had an important meeting with a foreign investor so he left early earlier. He didn't even have breakfast anymore e. I sat down and took my sketch pad and my art materials from the small drawer. I smiled when I saw it again. After three years, I touched it again. Ivan forbade me to sketch before. He said I was just wasting my time sketching instead of doing housework and taking care of Ice. So according to, I never sketched for three years. I leaned back on the headboard and opened my sketch pad. My dream wedding gown was on the first page. I smiled bitterly because I didn"t wear this dream gown of mine to my wedding. It was a rush because our parents wanted us to get married quickly so I just chose a wedding gown then. I caressed it and sighed. There seems to be no hope for me to come true and wear this gown. Unfortunately, tsk. I even looked at my other sketches and I couldn"t help but be amazed. Am I really the one who did all this? Very simple but beautiful. Because I'm the type of what my mood is, that's also the mood of my dino-drawing. I sighed and shaking my hand picked up the pencil and began to sketch. I already have a design that I have in mind ever since and that"s what I want to draw. ~ • ~ I woke up to someone patting my arm. I slowly opened my eyes and saw Ice already dressed as housewife and looking at me seriously. I rolled my eyes and laid on the bedside table the sketch pad that rested on my stomach. I fell asleep drawing, tsk. "Oh, son. Is it your morning today?" I asked her. He greeted me and pointed to the wall clock in the room. My eyes widened when I saw it was four o'clock in the afternoon. Sh1t, did I sleep that long? I haven't even had lunch, tsk. I was slapped on the forehead. "Uhh, sorry son. Mommy fell asleep so I didn't pick you up. By the way, who fetched you?" I will ask. He took a deep breath and sat on the bed. "Dad fetched me when he saw you sleeping here, mom. He said that you are tired that's why you're sleeping." He replied. My forehead frowned. Tired? E I didn't do anything before and I just slept. I was just shaken and mother Ice came out of the room to have a snack in the kitchen. When we got down I stopped when my head ached again. What is this, what is happening to me? Ice held my arm. "Mom, are you okay?" He asked. I just tried to smile and nod. We continued walking and when we got to the kitchen I couldn't believe what I saw ... "Happy birthday, Rigella ..." he said with a smile. Despite being shocked, I smiled at him too. Unexpectedly ...

Rigella's POV

My jaw dropped as Ivan one by one pulled out of our room our suitcases which obviously contained only clothes and our belongings. Seriously, all I know is that we will only be on vacation for three days at their resort in Batangas. But why are we carrying a suitcase?

Yes, you heard it right. We are going on vacation at his family resort in Batangas, which I have never been to before. We are with our son because they have a summer break.

He just teased me and pulled my arm. He sat on the sofa and helped me sit on his lap then he wrapped his arm around my waist and leaned his chin on my shoulder.

I held his arm that was wrapped around me and then smiled at him.

It's been a week since we got along. After he surprised me, we talked about our things and problems. He also treated me well and became very kind to me. And now, he suddenly took a vacation so that he could take a break from work and so that he could be with Ice and me.

But I'm still waiting for him to do it. To say he loves me and to ... divorce Lara.

Yes, we are happy and pretty well. That's just my problem. I talked to him about my problem but he said I'll just wait. So here I am, waiting. Worth it because if he does that, right?

"Ivan ..." I called to him.

He buried his face between my neck and shoulders. "Hm?"

I took a deep breath. "When ..." When will you say that you love me and when will you also divorce Lara?

"When what?" He pulled his face away from me a bit to look at me.

I looked into his bulging eyes. When I say that, it's as if I'm ruining the moment between the two of us and our vacation.

I tried to smile. "So ... When are we leaving?" I will ask.

He smiled and pinched my nose then kissed it. "My husband is excited? Let's wait for Ice first, because he played with his friend who is just our neighbor."

I just nodded at him and smiled sparingly. Why do I bother with that right away? The important thing is that we are well and we are happy.

When Ice arrived, I immediately bathed her and dressed her in the bedroom because she was so sweaty. I also accelerated my action because knowing Ivan, it might be boring because of being so bored.

After I did everything I had to do Ice and I went down immediately. Ivan left immediately and Manong Jerry, our assistant, carried our belongings. So ... are we going to drive? I thought he would drive. Maybe he was tired and awake because he went to bed early because he had finished some paperwork here at home.

He arrived at the garage first with Manong and he opened the door for us in the back seat. I smiled at him and he helped me to help Ice sit down and he helped me to sit down. I was even surprised because he also got in the backseat and stood next to me.

"Let's go, Manong." he ordered Manong and I was startled when he leaned his head on my shoulder and closed his eyes. He is awake.

Manong started the car and our trip was quiet. Ice, on the other hand, is seriously playing a ... okay, logic game on his daddy's cellphone.

Later he handed me Ivan's phone and he took the travel pillow then leaned on me and went to sleep as well. I accidentally looked at the wallpaper of the cellphone and I was deeply relieved when I saw that his wallpaper was the default. Because her wallpaper used to be a picture of her and Lara.

So ... he's really sincere that he's going to change and Ice and I will get him back? Well, I believe him now because he looks really sincere and he proves that his promise is really true.

That's a good sign. Hopefully, this will continue and hopefully, he will love me too so that we can be happy ...

~ • ~

"Rigella, hey, wake up. We're here. Wake up ..."

I was shocked when I felt someone caress my cheek. I opened my eyes and saw Ivan smiling as he stared at me.

I adjusted my seat and gently removed his arm around me. I fell asleep on his shoulder without realizing it. He frowned at what I did and pinched my nose. Seriously, since we got along well he"s been a favorite to squeeze my nose.

My eyes widened when he suddenly kissed me on the lips. When I came back to my trance and I could no longer breathe with the extreme depth and speed of his kisses I gently pushed him.

He looked at me but I just avoided looking at him. I gasped and looked at the driver's seat. Manong was no longer there and when I looked to my side, Ice was no longer there.

My cheeks get hot. Good thing they weren't here when Ivan kissed me. Embarrassing.

I turned to Ivan who still looked bad at me. I was embarrassed to smile at him. I sneezed before asking.

"Whe ... Where's Ice?" I will ask.

If only the looks were killing me I would be stunned now and lifeless. Ivan's stare is as sharp as blades!

"He's already in the hotel." I was devastated by the extreme coldness of his voice.

I nodded and averted my gaze. I was about to open the car door when he grabbed my arm and with his free hand he locked the door. What the.

"I'm not gonna let you leave this damn car unfucked, Rigella ..." he whispered causing my body hair to rise.

I took a deep breath when he attacked my lips with a very deep kiss!

~ • ~

"What took you so long, Mom? Dad?" Ice asked frowning when we caught him playing iPad here in the living room of the hotel room.

I felt my cheek heat up. I sneezed and turned to Ivan who was smiling and seemed to be teasing me.

"Your Mom slept too long, son. And it's hard to wake her up so ... I waited until she wakes up instead." Ivan answered so I could breathe easily.

Damn it! With his great love, we stayed longer. And shit, in the car really!

Ice just shrugged and Ivan sat down next to her and looked at the iPad. I took a deep breath and sat across from them.

"Mom, I'm hungry." Ice nodded and put down her iPad first.

I would have spoken more when Ivan and I were ahead. "I'll order some foods." He said and stood up then used a landline telephone and ordered food.

I leaned back on the sofa. Shit, my whole body hurts so much. I'm also a bit dizzy so I'm feeling very weak.

When the meals arrived I was unable to sit properly. I'm hungry but I can't get up. Ugh! It's his fault!

I saw Ivan sitting next to me while holding a plate with just so much food. Tsk, he still has plans to make me jealous.

He grinned and nodded and laughed softly as he watched me. Shit, he's still laughing at me, he's the one at fault so I'm exhausted now.

"I'll feed you. I know you're tired." He said smiling and just served me food.

I stared at him and sat up. I boiled the food in a spoon and slowly chewed it.

This annoys Ivan. Will he also watch my chewing? I become conscious, I can't eat it properly e.

He shot me a few more times and I noticed he wasn't eating so I snatched the spoon from him and I shot him.

"Eat too ..." I said shyly to him and he smiled then ate the food I was eating with him.

And here it is, coming to the point where we're dating. I laughed because I was sucking on him so much and he was frowning and chewing and he looked at me so badly. This is so happy.

And I hope, this moment won't last ...

~ • ~

"Where is it, son?" I asked Ice with a laugh as we walked.

He holds my hand and helps me walk. A black handkerchief covered my eyes. We also included a hotel staff.

"It's a secret, Mom." He replied. Even though I couldn"t see his face I knew he was happy.

I just laughed and shook. What is this gimmick of my son? Ivan might even scold us because he told us not to go out until he was gone. My husband is in a conference meeting and it will take place right here at the hotel.

Soon we stopped walking so I was surprised. Where are we? The size of this hotel. Good thing we have a hotel staff with us.

My blind fold was removed and I closed my eyes a few times to clear my vision again. Ice hugged my waist and smiled.

"Enjoy, Mom! I love you! I'll leave you here for a while. Just follow that arrow." He pointed to the arrow in front of me.

My forehead furrowed. "Ice, what's this-?"

"Just follow that arrow and you will find it out, Mom." He said that's why the wind blew me away.

I handed Ice over to the hotel staff and they gladly complied. I walked over and followed the arrow and I stopped at the blocking placard in front of me. Something is written there.

'Thank you for not giving up on me. You're the best wife for me. Follow the arrow if you want to see me. "

I smiled. Even though no one says who it came from I already know who it is.

I followed what I saw another arrow and I saw a placard again.

‘I"m probably the most stupid creature in the world. I hurt someone like you who gave me nothing but love and loyalty. Hopefully, let me prove to you that I can change, that I can take you back. '

Suddenly a bead of tears dripped from my eye. I can't believe this is happening.

I walked again and followed another arrow. My tears kept falling from what I read on the placard.

‘You just don"t know but, the first few times we were together, I became interested in you. I saw how you took care of Ice, how you served me, how you showed your love for me even when you were going to be hurt. It was hard for me to drive you away because once I felt sorry for you. But my anger at you tries to cover that pity. Because ... I blame you for why I didn't marry Lara. But now, I want to apologize. I'm sorry, I mean it to the bottom of my heart. I know even if I say a few thousand sorry, that"s still less than all the pain I"ve caused you. But please, give me a chance. "

I bit my lower lip to suppress my sobs. Damn, is this true? Am I not dreaming?

To be continued...