To Love and Avenge

Chapter 38

Our little vacation is finally over and we will later head back to reality and everything will be back to normal once again. The only difference is that I am not living at home again because I will be moving to his place.

I still don't know what our little progress is now that we are heading back.

“Are you ready?” he asks.

“Yeah.” I nodded at him and climbed into the car. While on our way, oftentimes he glances in my direction as if he wanted to say something.

I wanted to ask him but I wanted him to do it by himself.

“I– uhh” he started, stammering.

“Yes?” I asked, inching my brows toward him, urging him to go on.

“Never mind, I forgot, “ he said, and turned his attention back to the road again.

At the villa, we settled things down. I thought of going back to our house to pack up my things, but as he showed me my room, he already had everything prepared, including my clothes, so on and so forth.

"Everything you need is already here. What else do you need?" he said, motioning me to look around.

Like what he had already agreed on, we would sleep separately, so he had my room just right from his'.

Everything was well prepared. Except, of course, my belongings.

I told him that I should head back home first because I had some things to take care of, but he suggested going along with me.

So he drives me home.

While I prepare the things that I should bring along, he, on the other hand, chit-chats with dad. They sometimes laugh and then turn their conversation into a serious conversation.

I stayed a little longer. This was my home, now I will leave this place again and will stay at somebody’s house for a few years for now. In fact, I already own one.

How ironic.

After preparing everything, dad called me for a small chat in his library.

“How are you?” he asked while he studied me. I doubt if he already senses our little secret.

“Fine dad, I enjoyed it there,” I answered him honestly.

“That’s good to hear then. Is he treating you well?” he asks.

“Yeah, in fact, I was well taken care of, so don’t worry about me, okay? And on any occasion that I am mistreated, I will sure kick his ass.” Saying this, I smiled at him, reassuring him how well I was. I even joked and winked at him.

He could only laugh at it. Later on, he stopped laughing to look at me, this time with serious eyes.

“So, have you confirmed the pregnancy?” I was confused by his question, he immediately explained.

“I– the one that Dauis told us that he thought you were pregnant.” he continued while he gestured his hands pointing at my flat belly, awkwardly smiling at me.

I then pretended to be reminded of it.

“Awh, that one, that was a false negative, we have it checked again,” I explained. his face dropped at my confirmation.

“Okay, so when can I have a grandchild?” he asked sadly.

“Dad, we are still enjoying each other's company, we are not in a hurry,” I exclaimed.

That I guess shouldn’t happen or else, everything that I planned for will fall apart and will be hindered.

“You should at least have one. You are not getting any younger,” he suggested, encouraging me.

Soon dad, soon, until I can finally fulfill my plans. I responded quietly.

I only shrugged at his request. I cannot say it aloud to him.

Not long after, we bid goodbye to dad and headed back to Dauis’.

I bring along with me all the important things that need to be brought.

Time flew so fast, that I became more acquainted with Dais's presence.

He sometimes took me to his company and some of his bar chains. Despite his busy schedule, he found time to teach me how to cook.

And without me realizing that, I had already started to become submissive.

Later on, I became a perfectly submissive housewife every CEO husband should have. The one who stays at home, does the dinner, and so on.

He even suggested to me going out and socializing with some other businessmen's wives, but I refused to. I am good at staying at home and waiting for him until he’s home.

He also made it a habit to tell me his whereabouts and he has always found time to take me to places where he thought that I would like to go.

As for me, what I thought before was that being married sucks. Well, I underestimated it. It was, in fact, like it was opening a new door for me. A whole new world.

I seldom have bad dreams, the one I often have. Previously, he was one of my nightmares. Now, he has become my sleeping pill.

You see how amazing love changes a person? I smiled at the thought.

And I cannot deny the fact that I started to learn to love him.

I don't know how, why, or when, but I just wake up with the thought that I don't want to live a single day without him in it. I don't want to lose him.

He never told me that he loved me, but I think actions speak louder than words. So, it is enough for me for now.

Weeks passed and then months and now, I finally moved into his room. Even in those times that I haven’t moved yet, I still go to his room to sleep with him. I can't call it a night without him beside me.

Today, like a perfect wife, I have everything set for our dinner, all I have to do is to wait for his arrival. My cellular phone rang.

I took off my apron and headed to the living room.

Looking at the number, I knew in an instant that it was from Mang Kanor.

It was almost a few months since we last talked.

His message:

Ale, it's urgent.

Reading his message, my heart flustered for a moment. Based on his message, there should be positive progress in the case.

I dialed his number right away.

“Hello?”I greeted him.

“Ale, I have some important news to tell you. If you could please come and meet me at route 102, I will wait for you at the convenience store nearby,” he said with urgency, and hung up.

Without wasting any time. I ran to my motorbike and drove away to the said location. Anytime soon, Dauis will arrive home. I knew he would be wondering about my whereabouts, so I sent him a message informing him that I was going out with Shiela. I just hope that he won’t find out.

I cannot miss this opportunity.

Arriving at the location, I can oversee Mang Kanor from a distance, sitting up calmly with a book in hand.

I hurriedly ran to his side.

Upon seeing me sit in front, he immediately took off his hat and placed the book aside and ordered some food for us.

“What’s new?” I asked nervously.

“They have finally arrived, and as per my informant, they have already established themselves here, so that means to say that they already have a few of their colleagues here.”

“You mean—” I said, hanging my words midway. Does that mean that it’s possible that one of the groups that we have encountered before was theirs? I thought silently.

“Yes, do you remember the last captive you brought from the bunk? He was one of his men. Their men’s families’ lives are already in the hands of their upper heads, so they are more likely to suffer and end up dying than to talk.”

“Holy Sh*t, how come we missed it?” I cursed out of anger. How can I be so reckless and become incompetent?

“Easy, we still have time to plan it over. We can do this, okay?”

“Hm…” I nodded at him, his words were quite promising, but I cannot help to be angry at myself. I cannot just sit still now, now that they are moving. I cannot let my guard down.

I was supposed to be all hands on this, but I let my new emotion overpower me. I am wasting so much time.

“Does the informant you just said have penetrated the group?”

“He was supposed to, but they came to find out.”

“And?” I waited for his response, hoping that nothing happened to him.

“Unfortunately, they tortured him and ended his life.” upon hearing him say, I closed my eyes to hold back my tears. Their life shouldn’t have been wasted. It should have been my battle. It should have been me.

I cannot imagine how I submitted one’s life to such a painful death. I know because I have executed such an act.

“Ale, you must brace yourself—”

I cut his words off by waving my hand to him, telling him to stop.

“It should have to be my battle, and my battle alone in this mess,” I cried out.

“I’m with you Ale, please, do not let your emotions come over you.” He said.

I looked at him with a pleading look.

By just looking at my expression, he can clearly read my unspoken words.

“Oh no Ale, you know that I am with you no matter what.” Do not think about it the other way,” he said gently to me, reaching my hand.

He always knew how I did things differently. That is because I always do it in my own way, the one I thought was right and justifiable.

I never spoke a word, so he continued.

“Ale, do you hear me? You have to be careful, okay?” I will still overlook the matter and I will let you know.”

“Mang Kanor—-” I paused as I looked into his eyes. I know it would be hard for him, or I might end up hurting him, but it would be for the best. I smiled at him bitterly.

“Ale, please, don't say it,” he said. I could sense that he was distraught.

My tears fell at the sight.

“Oh Ale…”

“I think it is best that you withdraw today, you will withdraw from this.” I finally said, looking away from him. I cannot bear to see his hurt state.

He has been my mentor, other than Roldan. We’ve been through thick and thin on this mission, but I guess this will be for the best. He has done more than enough.

“What do you mean? If you say that we will stop, then okay, but if you are ejecting me from this mission, then that’s no.” He said firmly despite the panic in his eyes.

My heart sank, and I couldn’t bear more.

I stood up immediately and ran to my bike. I know this is difficult for him, it is for me too, but I can’t just accept that I will soon lose him just because of my selfishness.

Before I could start the engine, my phone vibrated.

Ale, whether you like it or not, I will do whatever I think is right. I cannot allow it to put you in danger. Even if I lose my life one day.

Seeing how determined he was, I replied to him with a thank you and that he should wait for my actions. But deep inside, I am still hesitant, afraid that I might lose him in the process.

I stood for a while, mustering my courage when my phone buzzed again.

This time, it was Dauis who was calling me.

I cough softly, removing the lump in my throat before I speak.

“Hello?”

“Hey, I just got home. Where are you?”

“I’m with Sheila, I’m already on my way.” I lied.

“Sheila—,” he repeated and paused for a while and later on continued,

“Okay, just be careful,” he said in a very calm tone.

He hangs up the phone without even saying goodbye," nor did I love you. I must be misinterpreting his actions.

I heaved a sigh before I started the engine and drove away.