Chapter 9

| CHAPTER NINETEEN | I CAN'T relax while someone is looking in my bag. Whatever I do search, I can"t really find. I searched in the bathroom, in my cabinet, under the bed and even in my bags for nothing. I can't find my pills. I didn"t drink yesterday because I was sulking all day because of what happened to Clyde and me. "Where is it? Where did I put it?" I asked myself. I sat up in bed frustrated and rubbed my face. As I sat I heard the roar of Clyde's car coming out of the gate. I stood up and peeked out the window. It was finally gone so I decided to leave the room. Yesterday I was in the room all day. We haven't noticed since it happened. Clyde, on the other hand, goes home early and leaves early. Only now did I dare to go out again. I plan to buy pills. I'm also a little worried because I didn't drink yesterday. What if I get pregnant? "I'm not sure. I just forgot to take it yesterday so the chances of me getting pregnant are low." But what if I get pregnant? Clyde repeatedly claimed me that night. I just shook my head and prepared something to eat. But while I was eating suddenly there was a loud bang. It's a ringtone. I frowned and went to the living room because that's where the sound comes from. My forehead furrowed even more when I saw Clyde's cellphone on the table. I approached it and looked at the caller. Daniella is the registered name there. Daniella? Daniella Monroe? The one with Clyde at the restaurant?
My head immediately heated up and I picked up the cellphone to end the call. But just a few seconds later there was a message. From: Daniella 'Babe? Where are you? ' That"s Daniella"s message. I wanted to reply but Clyde's cellphone had a password so I just sighed violently. "Babe, huh?" I smirked. At the same time the door bell of the gate rang so I was immediately surprised. I went to the window to peek and there I saw Zach waving outside the gate. I wondered why he was here. Clyde will definitely be angry 'when he finds out Zach is here and lets me in. But they're friends, aren't they? What's worse is if I don't let him in so I went out and continued it. "Good morning!" Bati is Zach. "Good morning too. Did you get a visit?" I asked and we walked into the house. "I just passed by. I'm going to Clyde's company and I can pass by his house so I just decided to visit. Is Clyde here?" Turan nito. "Ah, he left earlier. I think he went to work." I replied that he nodded. I suddenly remembered Clyde's cellphone so I picked it up and handed it to Zach. "Can I make love? Sir Clyde left his cellphone. You're going there, aren't you? Please adjust, please?" Suyo ko. "Why don't you just come with me? Let's visit him." He said that I immediately nodded. "Oh, don't. It might make me angry when I'm there." I reason he laughed. "Why would he be angry? Bring lunch and I'll be with you." Sambit nito. "I-You just please—" "Oh come on, Nathania! Go, get dress and I'll wait here. We'll visit him, and you can't say no." Cut it. "And why can't I refuse?" "It's because I'm handsome." This windy remark made me laugh. In the end I never really refused. I got dressed and prepared myself as well as the lunch I would bring for Clyde. I just hope it doesn"t get angry when he sees me there. I'll just say that Zach forced me. But I'm sure I'll be really angry about that. "Let's go?" Zach was there until we were on our way to Clyde's company. "We're here." Zach announced after a few minutes drive. For some unknown reason I was nervous. My chest is throbbing. "Let's go." Zach nodded and led me inside. The guard even greeted him as well as the employees we passed. And of course, the faces of those we pass by wonder as they look at me. Embarrassing. I'm nervous. "Hello Fei! Morning!" Zach greeted the woman I knew was Clyde's secretary. "S-Sir Zach! G-Goodmorning!" The woman also greeted. "Is Clyde in the office?" Zach asked. I noticed that there was a look of doubt on his face as if he was hesitating whether to answer or not. "A-Ah sir C-Clyde is inside but—" "Okay, thanks!" Zach snapped at the woman and pulled me toward the door of Clyde's office. "S-Sir, you can't come in—" It's too late because Zach has already opened the door and you opened it right away. But what we found stopped us from entering. Clyde .... and Daniella. Daniella was barely covered, she was only wearing a bra top while she was sitting on Clyde who was also not wearing a t-shirt. "F-ck, Clyde!" Zach laughed as the two turned around and immediately parted. "S-Sir Clyde p-I'm sorry I didn't stop them!" Its secretary said in shock while I was still unable to move. I was stuck in the stand and could not speak. It hurts. It was as if my heart had been stabbed. It was as if sharp objects had been stung by extreme pain. "F-ck!" Clyde was cheap and immediately adjusted the pants. He stood up and when he looked up at me his eyes widened. "I'm sorry, bro. All right, just keep doing what you're doing." Zach nodded and held my hand. "Sorry again, bro. We'll come back later — Nathania !!" Zach yelled at me as I dropped the lunch box and ran. My eyes were blurred but I was still able to run and get into the elevator. It's good that no one is there. "Nathania !!" Zach entered the elevator. "Are you okay?" He asked and immediately hugged me. I cried in his arms and even before the elevator closed, I saw Clyde's face but it was too late and it closed completely.

| CHAPTER TWENTY |

Zach's hug tightened on me. "Why are you crying, Nathania?" It asked but I did not answer. I broke free from its embrace and wiped away the tears.

"I-I'm sorry ..." I'm sorry.

"I think, I know the reason why you cried." Turan it and someone pressed.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know that you'll cry after what we saw earlier. I-It thought-"

"It's okay. I'm used to it. I just couldn't stop crying ..." I said.

"You like him ..." I said quietly.

No, I love him.

I broke the promise to myself that she would not be loved.

I lost ....

I fell inlove with him.

I fell inlove with Clyde ....

"Where do you want to go?" He asked when we got to the parking lot.

"W-Everywhere ..." My voice was weak.

"Okay ... let's go." It grabbed me by the waist and opened its car door. But even though I couldn't ride, suddenly someone punched Zach. My eyes widened and Zach immediately attended from lying down.

"F-ck you, Clyde!" Zach shouted and stood up to punch Clyde as well but I stopped him.

"P-Please don't, Zach." I promise. He stopped and wiped the blood on the side of its lip.

"F-ck you too, Zach !!" Clyde shouted and was about to punch again but I stopped him as well.

"Please, that's enough !!" I shouted at her as tears flowed again.

Its dark eyes stared at me.

"That's enough, Clyde ..." I said.

"Let's go, Nathania-"

"Don't touch her !!" Clyde shouted at Zach.

"Yes, I can. I have the right to touch her, Clyde. She's not yours. You don't own her." Against Zach.

"She's mine. I owned her! So don't touch her and stay away from her!" Clyde pulled me away. Zach would have objected but I stopped him.

"It's OK." I mouthed.

I pulled Clyde until he let me into his car.

"Who told you to come here ?!" Question it.

I wiped away my tears and he did not answer.

Useless to explain to the angry person.

"Answer me, Nathania!"

"You don't have to shout at me, Clyde. If you're angry because you were hanged, we didn't mean for Daniella to disturb you-"

"F-ck that! I'm asking why you're here!" It shouted again.

Tears are forming in my eyes again. Ready to go out again.

"I-I'm sorry ..." I just said.

"You should have told me! You should have told me you were going here."

"It's okay. Maybe it's only right that I come here." I took a deep breath.

"Daniella Monroe, isn't she? She's beautiful. She's rich. You're a good thing. Besides, what we came across earlier was only natural for a boyfriend. It's only natural for the two of you, isn't it? You have a relationship. It's only natural That. I understand. " I faked a smile to him.

He didn't speak and just stared at me.

"Maybe, it's okay, isn't it? You don't need me anymore. You don't need me to warm your bed anymore because you already have Daniella. You don't need me anymore." My tears flowed and I got out of its car.

I went back to Zach and immediately got in his car.

"Where?" Question it.

"In a place where I can forget that pain even for a moment." My answer.

He took me to the restaurant and frowned at me, which he immediately noticed.

"You need to eat, Nathania." He said that's why I just didn't protest.
After we ate it took me to the park. We stayed here for a few hours until the afternoon. But it doesn"t help me. Almost everything I see here is magjo-jowa.

"Zach, I told the place that I can forget the pain even for a moment. And this park is not helping me." I guess he laughed softly.

"Okay, then ..." He said and pulled me back into the car.

I just realized that it took me to a bar.

"I think, maybe this place can help?" Zach asked as I nodded.

We went inside the bar. People are dancing, drinking, and having fun here. Maybe ... this place can help me forget the pain ... even just for a while.

I don't know how many shots I've taken. All I knew was that I was drunk. Zach was just next to me and not drinking. I told him everything I felt. I told him the ailments Clyde had conferred on me.

"B-Why don't you drink?" I will ask.

"I can't, Nathania. I'll still drive. I'll still take you."

"Who said I'm going home?" I let out a laugh.

"Nathania, it's almost 9 in the evening. You're drunk."

"I don't know! I'm going to drink!" I shouted and poured the wine again.

"Nathania .... let's go home." He insisted and pulled me even further.

"A-I don't want that!" Angil ko.

"You're drunk! You need to go home!"

"I don't want to go-" I wasn't finished when I suddenly vomited on the floor.

"Oh sh-t! Come on, I'll take you home." He finally said and pulled me back into his car.

"Drink this." He said and handed me the water. I drank it. I'm also a little tired while traveling.

"Do you want to go in my condo or ... Clyde's house?" He asked after the silence.

I took a deep breath. My decision is complete.

"G-I want to get away from him. I want all the pain I'm feeling to end." I thought he was looking at me.

"I can help you Nathania. I have a house in Santander, Cebu. You are safe in there." He said that I was surprised.

"W-Why are you helping me, Zach?" I asked.

He smiled sadly. "It's because I can see my mother in you, Nathania. S-She died because of my father. She always hurt mama back then. She beat, kicked, tweaked, and she brought women home. Until mama couldn't stand it. ... s-she committed suicide. That's why I'm helping you Nathania ... I don't want you to be like my mom. " My eyes widened at what I heard from him.

"I-I'm sorry ..." I just said that. He smiled at me and continued driving.

"If you want to stay away from Clyde, I can help you."

"I'm sorry, Zach. I broke up your friendship." I'm sorry he nodded.

"It's fine. He's doing it wrong. He needs to wake up to the truth." It made me gasp.

"I-I want to go to his house ... I-I'll just take my things." I said he just nodded.

In just a few minutes we reached the opposite side of the house. We got out of the car together. I opened the gate and faced him.

"I'll just get my things ..."

"What if Clyde's inside?" Question it.

"B-Bahal-"

"I didn't give you permission to come here, Zach." We both turned to Clyde as he spoke behind me.

"You're not the one I came here for." Zach replied.

Clyde's face darkened and his fists clenched.

"Leave her alone!" Clyde shouted.

"You should stay away from him-"

"Zach, that's right ..." I interrupted and faced Clyde.

"I'll just take my things." I spoke seriously to him and walked towards my room.

I opened the closet and took all my clothes to put in the bag.

"What are you doing Nathania ?!" It shouted that it followed me.

I didn"t answer him and just kept doing what I was doing. But while I was busy with what I was doing, he suddenly pulled me to face him. It touched both my shoulders.

"I did not give you the permission to leave this house!" He shouted.

I tried to get away from him and looked at him angrily.

"I want to leave, Clyde!" I shout too.

"You're not leaving here Nathania until I tell you to!"

"Can I ?! You don't own me! You don't need me anymore! You already have Daniella! You have Daniella ready to warm your body and your bed! You have Daniella ready to dedicate herself to you!" Her eyes narrowed.

"Maybe you forgot that I owned you? I owned you, Nathania! I don't care about other girls!" He said and held my arms tightly. I felt its nails piercing my arm.

"A-Aray ..." I was overcome with pain.

"You are mine. You can't escape from me. You can't run away from me." It seemed that my tears were dripping again.

"T-That's right!" I shouted and struggled but it preceded me. It propped me against the wall and was about to strangle me.

"P-Please! I don't want to! I don't want to! P-I'm so tired Clyde! P-I'm tired of the pain you're making me feel! P-I'm tired of being your scapegoat! A-I don't want to be here! I don't want you anymore- "I cried when he slapped me.

I knelt on the floor as my cheeks fluttered. Tears flowed quickly from my eyes. I cried in pain. I cried with exhaustion and anger.

"I-I don't want to ... I-I want to get out of here! I-let me go, Clyde! I'm so tired of you! I-I don't want to be hurt anymore! I-I don't want to be in pain anymore! It's like- I'm sorry ... I don't want to ... "I reached for her dress while kneeling.

"Stand up, Nathania." It stopped but I shook.

"I-I feel sorry for you. I-I'm begging you, Clyde. Please let me go ... I-I'm tired-"

"You know that if you'll leave I'll hurt your friend, Spencer. I can even hurt and destroy Zach for helping you." The cold voice of this statement made me even angrier.

"H-Don't touch them, you beast! Demon! No mercy! A-What do you really need from me ?! Why are you punishing me like this ?! Why don't you let me go-"

"It's because you're mine and I own you, Nathania. I owned your body, your soul and your heart."

"You owned my body and soul but not my heart!" Lies, Nathania. Liar.

Yes, I love him. I have learned to love him but I am not a martyr. Yes I love him. I loved him even though he was the person who was the reason why my life was hell.

"I owned everything about you, Nathania." It forced me to my feet and leaned against the wall again.

"Now, let me show you who owned you-"

"Oh f-ck Nathania !!" Zach came in and punched Clyde. He next punched Clyde when he hit the floor.

"F-ck you Clyde!" He was still punching it. Clyde's face was already bleeding which worried me.

I immediately approached Zach and pulled him away from Clyde.

"Zach, that's enough !!" I shouted and pulled him away. It moved away from Clyde and backed away.

"I'll swear, Clyde. I'll take Nathania away from you. I'll make sure you don't see her again. She doesn't deserve you. You don't deserve her either." It said last to Clyde and pulled my hand away.

"Let's go, Nathania. You need to leave."

| CHAPTER TWENTY ONE | PEACE ... is seeing a sunset. The wind blew my hair as I stared at the beauty of the setting sun and the calm sea. I smiled and hugged myself. It was getting colder and darkness was gradually dominating. I left the veranda and entered the bedroom. It's been two weeks ... It's been two weeks since I left Clyde's house. I"ve been living here in Zach"s penthouse for two weeks. My life has been peaceful for two weeks. Far from the living hell with Clyde. After Zach took me to his penthouse here in Santander, he left immediately because he had to make sure that Clyde couldn't find me. I am very grateful to him for his help. I don"t know how he can be repaid for his kindness. I prepared my marinated chicken meal that I cooked earlier. Even though Zach left me here first, he made sure I had a supply of food and complete with the things I would need. I immediately left my food. I've noticed in the past few days that I've been craving too much of my food but maybe you just don't mean anything so I just kept going. Afternoon when I heard a knock outside the door. I frowned and headed for the door to open the knocker. "Hi!" Zach smiled at me when I opened the door. My heart pounded and a smile marked my lips. "Zach!" I shouted and hugged him. "I miss you!" I nodded as I let go of the hug. He smiled but it also disappeared immediately. "A-Ah ... Nathania. I know you don't want to see Clyde. But ..." I frowned. "Huh?" He took a deep breath and looked behind him. I followed what he was looking at and saw that there were two cars parked outside. Zach's is the one but I don't know whose other car is. "Whose car is that-" Although I didn't finish, a woman very familiar to me came out. A man also followed him. My eyes widened and stunned. Why are they here? What are they doing here? How did they know I was here? I turned to Zach whose smile was now raw on me. "They insist, Nathania. I'm sorry-" "Nathania! Hija!" It called me enthusiastically and ran in my direction. "Hon, be careful!" His wife scolded him. I couldn"t help but look at the Salvadore couple. Clyde's parents. "Oh, hija! I miss you!" It rushed me into a tight hug. I couldn"t reciprocate the hug because I was really stunned. I can't believe ma'am Eleanor Salvadore is hugging me now. How did they track me down here? "Don't be surprised, hija!" Maam laughed when she let go of my embrace. That's when my sanity returned and I tried to smile at them. "H-Hello ..." My voice was trembling and weak. "Tito, Tita, this is my vacation house here in Santander, Cebu. Let's go inside." Zach nodded and stepped forward. "This place is very nice, son!" Maam Eleanor was proud when we entered the house. "Thank you, tita. If you want to stay here for tonight, I have plenty of rooms here. Just choose tita." Zach smiled and pointed to the available rooms. "Thank you so much, son! We'll stay for two days." Maam nodded again while her husband in the back just quietly followed. Suddenly I was born so I just asked them. "A-Ah ... have you eaten yet? I cooked something ..." It's a good thing I cooked more marinated chicken earlier. "Yeah, sure hija." Maam replied so I nodded. "I'll just heat it up and get the table ready ..." "Let me help you with that, hija." Maam said and walked to the kitchen first. I bit my lip so hard and rested deeply before following into the kitchen. "Is this the heat, hija?" It asked and pointed to the pot. "I'll be the one to warm up!" I immediately ran as soon as it would take the pot. "It's fine, hija! I'm used to this." Turan it and finally took it. While waiting for the food to be completely hot I grabbed plates and spoons. "How are you, hija?" I was shocked when maam Eleanor asked me. I smiled wryly and arranged the plates on the table. "O-okay ..." I replied. The smile posted on its lips suddenly disappeared. "I know what happened, hija." This short statement weighed heavily on my feelings. "I found out that Clyde was hurting you before. I found out everything, hija. And I also know that you have finally left my son's power." This is serious. I averted my gaze and bowed. I did not answer or speak at all. "Well, thanks to Zach .... we found out you came here." I heard its sigh. "I'm sorry hija ..." I looked up after hearing that from maam Eleanor. "I'm sorry about what my son did to you. I ... I didn't know that he's treating you like a toy, hija. I didn't know that he's very cruel to you. You suffered ... because of my son. " There helped tears in its eyes. "I-I can't understand my own son, hija. We didn't raise him like that. We've been good parents to him! I-When I found out what he did to you .... everything. The beating, slapping, and I feel angry with my son! I am angry with all the mistakes he did to you! He should treat you well! You deserved to be treated well! P-But what my son did .... I know you are also angry to him, hija. A-And I know ... you can't forgive him. " It kept sobbing. I also cried but I immediately wiped it away. I averted my eyes from him and did not answer. "The food is ready." I change the subject and put out the fire.
"I ordered a pizza for us, while waiting for the food!" Zach smiled as they entered the dining area. He took a box of large pizza and laid it on the table. I just sat quietly when they started eating. Maam Eleanor, on the other hand, seems to have recovered from what happened earlier so her happy mood returned. We started eating while I was still quiet because they were talking about business. "How about you, hija? How are you? Is it okay here?" I raised my head when Mr. asked me. Salvadore. "Y-Yes ... I'm fine." I answered and turned to maam Eleanor who was now smiling at me. "I know she's telling the truth, uncle! She's getting a little fat even though she's been here for two weeks." Zach laughed that I just smiled too. "Because the food here is delicious." I once made us all laugh. I feel a little better and I'm with them. So when we finished dinner the pizza was next. I was suddenly startled and excited as Zach opened it. "Let's eat the pizza now!" Zach announced and got there. The couple took it too. I smiled following them. I brought my face closer to smell the pizza and take it well. But as I brought my face closer, I was immediately drawn back by the smell of pizza. It was as if I wanted to vomit so I immediately ran towards the ashes. There I just vomited saliva. I can't stand the smell of pizza. "Nathania, hija! What happened to you ?!" Maam shouted worriedly and approached me. "Hija, are you okay?" "Nathania, are you okay ?! The pizza doesn't stink, does it? It's delicious!" Zach said as I felt a little better. I rinsed and washed before facing them again. "Water, hija. Drink it." Maam reached out to me and I immediately accepted. "Thank you ..." I said in a low voice. "Sit, hija." Mr. said. Salvadore so I sat down too. "Are you fine now?" Maam asked and even rubbed my back. I nodded. "It's okay. I'm sorry. I just didn't like the smell of pizza." I reason that their foreheads are furrowed. "But the pizza smells good! That pizza is so delicious so why didn't you like it?" Zach asked confused. "I-I don't know ..." I replied. "Hija, can I ask you a question?" I turned to maam Eleanor and nodded. "D-Did you not use a protection or did you not take pills during and after ... h-having s-x with my son?" I was stunned by maam's question. We all fell silent. "P-Po?" I don"t know what to say. But I remembered something. There are times when Clyde doesn"t use protection. And sometimes I forget to take pills but, I come. But ... but ... When Clyde and I had our last s-x, I forgot to take the pills but I bought the pills right away but it took a while ... H-Not so ... Incapable... "Hija, I think you're pregnant."
To be continued...