To Love and Avenge

chapter 25

DAUIS

I wanted to take her at that instant, she initiated it. But I had to control myself. She always made my blood boil. I have always wanted to make her cry ever since we were children, to see how helpless she can be. I felt pity, of course. I don't like the way she looks like a damsel in distress to everyone. I wanted her to know that her life doesn't stop just because her mom passed away, but everyone around her feels otherwise. She had shut herself away from everyone, and this makes me provoke her, which makes me end up being beaten by Daven. Daven, on the other hand, has always been quiet, watching Ale from afar, guarding her against me, as if I would eat her sister alive. If not for the idea that they were siblings, I would think about it another way.

But now, she has become a very provocative woman, yet very irresistible. She had become sharp-tongued. And she always has this way of always crashing every man’s ego.

I was absentmindedly walking down the stairs when I heard a constant call.

“Dauis, what happened? I’ve been calling you, yet you seem to be zoning out.” called out the old Alaister. Everyone’s eyes are all on me.

I smiled slyly and headed in the old man’s direction.

“What happened there?”

“Oh, that, uhh… we discussed some matter but we ended up disagreeing with each other.” I paused, waiting for their reaction, but no one spoke a word, so I continued.

“Will yeah, you all knew her, I guess that explains.” I shrugged, tilting my head to the side as if saying that, that was a normal thing to her, which they all agreed, of course.

“Is she okay?” he asked worriedly.

“Yes and no.”

“That’s good. At least we know that she’s still normal,” he said, then stood up.

“Follow me to my study room, Dauis. We have to talk.” he directed me.

I could only nod and follow his lead. I’ve always known this man, he doesn't want things to be out of his plan…

And he is the exact mirror of his daughter. I don't even know if this father and daughter even know how to be happy. They seemed to be the world like it had turned its back on them.

Into the library. He stopped right in the middle and gestured for me to sit down, which I obediently did so.

“I assume that you already know my daughter well, yes?” He started and I only nodded.

“So you are very well aware of what she has been through. You might find her tough and rocky-like head, but she is very fragile. Please bear with her, understand her, and help us protect her. She hasn’t found herself yet.”

“I will, uncle, you can always count me on that.”

“Do you love her?” it was an easy question, at the same time a hard one. Do I really love her? I don't know… but I like her.

“Do you?” he asked again.

Without a word, I only nodded in response.

“I saw you two, how you two acted towards each other before, so it’s hard for me to say that you two are really in love. I mean, how was it possible, knowing Ale,” he said frankly, but in a calm way. I know this kind of behavior, it's rather more dangerous than the one who always barks.

“But I hope that one day, you will teach her to open her heart up. Ale is wonderful, she’s like a diamond that needed to be polished to show how beautiful she is. She's indeed beautiful despite her flaws.” he sat next to me and patted my back.

“At least we already know you, so we won't worry that much, just always make sure `to keep her ground.” he continued.

Of course, how can I hide from this man? I can fool everyone, but not the old Alaister. He has the eyes of an eagle and his eyes are always at bay.

“You already know,” I said.

“How would know?”

“You always do, I know.” he just looked at me without any confirmation. After telling him what I needed to tell him, he later dismissed me.

As I walked out from there, I saw her two brothers sitting nervously staring at me, clearly waiting for my reappearance.

I wanted to laugh at their faces. Sure, I can exempt Allen, knowing him. Daven, on the other hand, is the opposite.

“How was it going?” they asked in unison. Before they realize how anxious they both are, they simply shrug.

“It was fine. My words with Ale are fine. The old Alaister is fine too, so all in all, let us say, it was great.” I said and walked towards them.

“It sure does, I guess,” Said Daven.

“I hope our Ale here won't give you a hard time, eh? We thought he shotgunned you,” Allen jokes and laughs at it, by himself.

“Will you ever take this seriously?” Daven scolded Allen.

“I can’t help it.” He said, holding back his laughter.

“Nah, why would she do that?”

“You tell us Dauis.”

“She may act crazy all the time with me, but I like her.”

“Is this for real?”

“See it for yourself, you saw us together, I mean, sure you’d understand,” I said nonchalantly.

“Don't get us wrong, dude, Ale is our only sister and she's been through so much hardship.” Said Daven in a very sad voice. Which is normal for protective brothers.

“That’s exactly what your dad told me. But again, don't worry, I got this.”

We stood in silence for like forever, eyeing each other. I know there is something they wanted to tell me but something is stopping them from doing so.

Until Sheila appeared from outside. With knitted brows, she stood by the door with her hands on her waist as she observed us all in silence.

“So what now?” she broke in.

“What?” I asked.

“Are we going to play mute her?”

“What do you want to know?”

“Everything, I guess.”

“She’s your best friend. Go and ask her.”

She rolled her eyes in response and shifted her position. She walked to Allen’s side but she never took a seat. She just stood there with her arms folded on her chest while still eyeing me. I know she’s waiting for me to say something.

“D’you want to ask me if I am serious about this, don't you?” I asked her.

“You tell me.”

“Wow, you’re acting like a mother to her now!” I exclaimed.

“Can you blame me?”

“I guess I can’t,” I said, shrugging,

“So?”

“So what?”

“Don’t make me do it, Dauis Suarez, you will surely regret it.” I chuckled at her. This woman is crazy about threatening. I think she threatens Allen as he is so submissive to her. Sheila is the kind and most understanding woman I have ever met, well, aside from mom and Aunt Sionny. She is very softspoken and so graceful that you might think she is a cultured princess from the past. This makes me wonder how two people are so opposite yet so close to each other. Her personality, though, doesn't fit her current career. I doubt if Ale has this side of her. Ale’s personality cannot be compared to even a single strand of Sheila’s.

With her other brow lifted while waiting for my response, I started to shake in laughter.

“Okay, do you think I am playing around?” I asked as I averted my gaze toward Daven and Allen. I should not make any mistakes or else I cannot leave alive from here.

They are all crazily protecting Ale as if she’s too precious and vulnerable when, in fact, she’s no different from a madman. What are these people?

They all shrugged at my question.

“I'm not, okay. I’m serious about it and to think that marriage isn’t something you can’t play around with. It’s a lifetime commitment and no turning back. I’m dead serious when I say I am going to marry her. Cause I am not letting her marry anybody except me.”

“ How intimate are you with her?” She asks.

“Really Sheila?” I exclaimed. She is that doubtful to me.

“Okay, I was just curious. Was it bad?”

“I can’t believe this. If you doubt me, then ask. She won't hide anything from you, let alone lie.”

I stood up and walked through the door.

"I still have a lot of things to do... see you some other time." I bid goodbye.

Without turning back, I got into my car and started the engine. While on my way home, I made a call to my assistant, directing her. Things she needed to prepare for business matters.