LOVER

Chapter 8: Richard

                                  "It's how you deal the problem not in how you think of solutions"

RICHARDS POV

It's been 18 years since I knew Elaine. She was my one and only friend since both of us have phobias but mine is the common one and her is one of the rarest condition in the world. You'll see how hard she is coping to accept love from the other people unlike me where we grew together so she already adjusted in many ways.

I still can remember how I ask Mr. Yates to marry Elaine when the time comes. He smiled but he didn't even say yes to me. He also said that if I continue to be close to her and will never get out of her sight. He may agree to my wish but when I'll be separated from her then it will be a problem.

Elaine's condition is not that serious but she has a heart failure that she shouldn't feel extreme sadness or even happiness and her phobia will just make it worst. On the other hand I have a phobia of heights. Yes it's pretty common but for me it's deadly.

Phobias are pretty scary because it disrupts you for doing things what other people can do and to extend their self in the boundary of capabilities. Since I've separated from Elaine from quite some time I need to cope up those years. Maybe her heart still remembers me, the love that I gave to her then. Also her condition was so confidential it was kept as a secret and only me, her father and her brother knew this situation even my family doesn't knew exactly what is her condo well except for my uncle.

"Richard?" I look at him as he entered the gate. I was sitting on a patio near the garden of my house having a little snack. While I can see him from the distance

"I'm here uncle!" Oh he is Elaine's Doctor the donut monster

"You haven't visited me for ages! Are you living alone in this mansion?" He exclaimed and I just nod at him. What does he expect I'll bring my friends here? I didn't have any though here in the Philippines

"Your mom was worried sick so I decided to live here for a while with your tita!" I look at him seriously. Is he going insane? Is he gonna leave their house? Who will took over? I only knew that they have a child but it's too young and it is 3 years old

"How about your house? You're house is more fancy than mine" He just chuckles while I'm being paranoid here

"Our house is under renovation.. don't worry your mom will be here after a month. Just in time our house will be fixed" Mom is the only person who always at my side while my dad is quite workaholic. He is a good husband but not a good father.

"How about the baby?" I worriedly ask

"Oh we're also bringing him here" I felt quite happy for them to live here in my house. It's kinda boring also to linger around this big mansion. I didn't get any maids also because I wanted to move on my own without depending on other people

"Okay, I'll be back soon. Don't do any malicious things!!" I just wave at him and decided to eat dinner then I'll go for night walks just to burn the fats

Minutes passed and I heard a car beeping at my gate. I hurriedly go to check if who or whatever it is. This must not be my uncle he just left earlier and he is not tha--

"RICHARD!!" I almost fall when I saw him smiling widely at me while his wife is waving cheerfully at me with their son having a poker face. Is their son the opposite of them? Kidding aside

"how did you?" My uncle just smiled then looked at his wife and they are smiling quite creepy

"Your mom is really worried and we are also worried. There are many sightings of kidnapping and looting happening in our neighboring village and also in here. So the moment that your mom told is to keep an eye on you we immediately hurried to do things smoothly" After my Aunt said those I can see in her eyes that they are worried about my safety. Silly of me to get this house when I am only alone. Also I can see that they are just making some excuses.

I guess some things never change and they always treat me as their own child

"And also our house is under renovation because recently our basement collapsed" I was shocked when I heard my Tito said that. They just bought that house!

"There we find out that it's foundation was weak! Darn that house! It's very deceiving you know! The beauty it bears in the outside is the opposite of it in the inside!!" Aunt exclaimed while clenching her fist

"So we remodel the house" WHAT?? remodel? They destroyed the house?

"Wh--" I didn't finish my question when my uncle gushes inside the house

"Enough with the chit chat let's do Dinner!!" This is what I like about my uncle and auntie. They are the happiest person in the world while my mom is quite sure and my dad always wear his stoic face.

Wait?? I look at their son who walks behind us. For a 3 year old baby this kid is very intimidating! My uncle said that their son is quite a genius well it's no doubt that he inherited those to his parents. He also said that their son is very serious in life and it's very opposite to his parents. His parents are happy go lucky and just jiving with the flow of life.

"Keya? Is it awrightt to stey here?" I lowered my body to adjust in his size. Even though he acts tough, he is also quite demure when it comes to his family. No wonder this is their son!

"My pleasure" he smiled at me and I patted his head and carried him inside the house

"Richard why did you go back? Is your life not okay at New York?" Uncle said while we are eating in the dining table

"I wanted to see Elaine" I saw how uncle stopped eating and looks at me seriously

"You know her condition-" He seconded but I interrupted him. I fly all over to New York and I'm not gonna give up that easily

"Is her situation got worst? I just over heard you yesterday speaking with Mr. Yates that she is coping well" I exclaimed

"Yes, she is doing good but we can't rush things" Uncle said seriously and he sigh trying to control himself

"Okay but let me gave you a signal before you do something.. is that okay?" I just nodded and continue  eating

"Hon? Your phone" I looked at my auntie then he put her phone on the table

'ding dong'

'ding dong'

'ding dong'

"I'll get it" I volunteered to see who is outside besides this is my house and they are my guest so I need to serve them... Hehe

"I just notified Mr.Yates that were here.. He texted me that Elaine has something to say to you" I froze when I heard auntie said that so it means she's coming here? I'm not yet ready and don't tell me....

"Hello? Is Mr. Andrews here?"

I can't breathe...

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