Loving Him

PROLOGUE   Anne's POV   It is a cold Monday night here in Denver. The same is through of what I am feeling… I cannot believe the pain feels like the pain I felt when I left him. I still miss him; time is not helping.   I never loved a man that much, I was so happy with him… that is why it hurts like this.   It is seven in the evening already, but here I am walking home alone without even feeling fear, but sadness. Good thing the bank I am working in is not far from our house.   My brows furrowed when I saw several familiar cars on front of our gate.   I walked faster and saw unfamiliar man standing on the doorway. Fear flowed in my system that made me ran to our house.   “Who are you?” I nagged at the man and attempted to get in but he held my both arms and stopped me on tracks.   Nakita kong nakaupo sila mama at papa pati na rin ang katulong namin sa living area. They're not saying anything but fear is visible in their eyes. There are guys behind them that made my heart pound faster and harder in fear.    "You're finally here baby."   I'm about to go to my parents but I was stunned by that voice.   That voice... I always know that voice.   It's him. I know it's him.   "Remember me?"   I slowly looked at him and my tears started to build up.   If not about this situation I would have ran to him and hugged him tight. God knows how much I love that guy.   "Nick…" I almost whispered. "Bakit ka nandito?"   He smirked. "Didn't you miss me?" He walked to and about to kiss me but tilted my head to the other direction.   "Ano ba'ng nangyayari Nick? Bakit ka nandito?" I bravely asked.   Hindi pa ba sapat yung explanations ko? Last time I checked, I explained enough.   He is really close and he is with his famous smirk. And that adds more shivers to me.   "Mr Mendoza please, not my daughter. It was my entire fault."   We both looked at papa. What is happening? There is sadness in his eyes.   "What's happening Nick?" I whispered.   But instead of answering me, he walked to the sofa in front of my parents and sat.   "Okay." He calmly said. “I won’t put you in jail yet… or maybe I won’t. But, you must give me everything you have.”   “What the hell Nick? What are you saying?” I angrily said.   I chuckled like a mad man. “I am giving you months to prove me that it was not your fault. But I ain’t playing dumb; I want you money, properties, investments, everything… including Anne.”   “Si Anne nalang ang matitira sa amin, and you will get her too?” Mama said that broke my heart.   “You know what will happen to her and to your properties if you will not clear your name to me…” He glanced at me and smirked. “She will marry me.”   Hindi ko alam kung nabingi na ba ‘ko o ano? What the hell is he saying?   Oo alam ko. Alam ko sa sarili ko na mahal ko pa rin siya. Pero hindi ako tanga para isipin na pakakasalan niya 'ko dahil sa pagmamahal pagkatapos ng nangyari sa amin.   "'Wag naman ang anak namin. Magbabayad kami. Just a few more days." Mama gently said.   "Mrs Cruz, have you forgotten that your debt is not just money? At kung mababayaran niyo ‘ko, bakit hindi niyo mabayaran ang ibang inutangan niyo?" He asked like he was mocking. "You will also work for me." Pormal niyang sabi.   My eyebrows creased. Ano'ng sinasabi niya? Ano'ng ibig niyang sabihin?   “What will you do if I won’t work for you? This is too much.” Papa blurted in irritation.   “Then your daughter will suffer.”   Silence occurred. I have never seen my father terrified this way; he is always composed and firmed. This is killing me.   "The morning after tomorrow will be the wedding." Nick again said with finality.   My mouth gaped. He is really serious. I hate this. So papakasalan lang niya ‘ko to keep a hold on my parents for them to do everything he wishes!   "Mabilis naman yata Mr Mendoza." Mama softly said.   "I am a business madam, assurance and ‘yes’ are what I always aim for." Nakangisi niyang sabi.   Natahimik kaming lahat doon. No one dared to speak that is why he continued.   "So, I guess it is a done deal. We have to go." Pormal niyang sabi at saka tuluyan na silang umalis.   Para akong nanghina sa mga narinig ko kahit hindi ko pa alam ang buong kwento.   "Ma. Ano ba kasing nangyari?" I bravely asked when I got back to my senses.   "Anak, ang nakapatay sa mommy nila Nick ay kami ng mama mo." Papa said that was like a wrecking ball smashing my system.   The thought that my parents killed someone never crossed my mind or even in my wildest dreams.   "Paano po iyon nangyari?"   Papa sighed. "I just knew was that it all happened fast; some men held us up. Ang naalala ko nalang, nasa gilid na kami ng tulay noon at may kotseng papalubog na. Kotse pala 'yon ni Mrs Mendoza. Inayos ko ang lahat dahil akala ko wala kaming kasalanan. Pero nalaman lahat ni Nick ‘yon. Nagalit siya sa 'min syempre. Kinuha ng MGC ang shares nila at unti unting bumabagsak ang negosyo natin. Nangutang ako anak, pero hindi na pala kaya ng business natin ang bumawi. Kaya humingi na 'ko ng tulong sa MGC dahil madami na din ang nagbabanta sa buhay namin. I'm so sorry anak."   "So ako po ang pambayad?" I almost whispered.   "Hindi naman siguro gano’n an-" Si mama ang sumagot pero hindi ko na pinatapos.   "'Yon din ba ang mga dahilan mommy kaya pinilit niyo 'kong iwan siya?" I coldly asked.   Noong nalaman nila daddy na si Nick ang boyfriend ko, pinag pili nila 'ko kung si Nick ba o sila. Of course I chose them.   Iniwan ko si Nick kasama ang mga kasinungalingan ko.   "Anak pasensya ka-"   “I don’t need this mansion!” I said with all the tears that I have been holding to burst out. All the emotions I have been keeping are all out! “I do not need your money or houses in almost every country! Sana sinabihan niyo naman ako! I am twenty five! All grown up and mature!”   My mother stood and about to touch me but I moved away.   "Tama na po mama. Ayos lang sa 'kin. Okay lang po. Sige mama at papa. Magpapahinga na po ako."   I ran upstairs, ignoring their call.   Ano ‘to? Ano'ng nangyayari sa mundo ko? God! I'm in a big mess! Paano na kapag kasal na kami? Ano'ng mangyayari? I told him I have cheated and all. And who knows what he could do to me?       …