“Not only that. The money he lent me was more than enough. Auntie Florida said my promotion will be reviewed. I just can’t believe this is all happening. I didn’t know what’s got into Amadeus.”
“I’m happy for you,” she said and smiled curtly. Amadeus fulfilled his conditions. She felt Aiden’s happiness. That he had crossed a bridge, that finally he would be reconciled with his brother. “Have you talked to him yet?”
“Well, not yet. My brother left to have a break somewhere.”
“Sister, try surfing again! Brother Richard will help you,” Jeremy called and hugged her suddenly.
“Surfing? Are you at the beach?” Aiden asked.
"Yes. W-we were invited by a friend. We are with our neighbors," she said and gazed anxiously at Amadeus, who was behind her brother.
He held Jeremy’s waist and pulled him away from her. “Leave your sister alone for a while. She was still talking to someone on the phone.”
She heard Aiden gasped on the other line. “Richard?” he uttered. “You’re with Amadeus there? I heard his voice.”
She shut her eyes tight. “Aiden, I can explain…”
“Does he have something to do with the reason why you just left? Did you make a deal with him? Does that mean our wedding’s off?”
“We are not in a relationship,” she said at once.
“But you made a deal to stay away from me? You’re not coming back to marry me,” he said with anger in his voice.
Esmeralda sighed. “I need to do it because Amadeus won’t stop until he broke us apart anyway. He just did not want me to marry you. You will just keep destroying each other. What matters most is that you already got what you want. And I’m hoping that you’ll reconcile with your brother.”
"Aside from canceling the wedding, what else did he ask you in return? Does he want you to have an affair with him? Is that the price?” he said in a tense tone. Esmeralda could not answer. She could not lie to Aiden. He had been kind to her. “I’ll give the money back…”
“Aiden, that is not necessary. Use the money. That cut-flower farm is your dream. That’s the main reason why you’re marrying me, remember? You can now make your mom and your dreams come true. Who knows? It would fix your relationship with your brother.”
“But what about you? What about you and Jeremy?” he asked, concerned.
“Amadeus will take care of my brother. I’m sure he’ll fulfill his promise because he granted my conditions for you.”
“I am still worried about you. I want to go there. I’m going to talk to my brother…”
“Aiden, there’s no need. Don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself,” she said. “You might just end up fighting. I don’t… I don’t want Jeremy and the people here to see it. Please. Everything is all right.”
“Are you hoping that Amadeus will love you?” he asked softly. “You know that he never took a woman seriously. He never loved anyone. He did not want to change. He only loved himself. You’ll only get hurt.”
She laughed hoarsely. “Aiden, I don’t have an illusion that your brother will love me. I’m not that stupid for him anymore now that I have seen his true colors. I’ll just have to do everything I can for my brother.”
Amadeus may have taken her body but not her heart. This time, she knew what she was getting herself into. It was just a part of an agreement. She only needed him to save her brother’s life. She would not wish something for herself.
“I’ll respect your decision, but I’m not happy that you are being pressured by my brother. Tell me if I could help you with something. I’m always here as your friend.”
“Thank you, Aiden,” she said and hung up.
Esmeralda plopped down on the reclined chair and watched the birds flying under the blue sky. For the first time, she felt freedom. Maybe because she had nothing to hide from Aiden anymore. She knew his life will be all right without needing to marry the woman he did not love. He could finally make his dreams come true.
A hand appeared in front of her. “Sister, let’s go surfing now,” Jeremy said, smiling.
She held him. “Pull me up.”
Jeremy grimaced when he pulled her. “I can’t pull you.”
She was surprised when another hand opened up for her. “Here. Take my hand,” Amadeus said.
She let him pull her up, and they went back to the beach, holding each other's hand. While Amadeus held her, she still felt good inside. She was supposed to hate him. But she felt freedom, instead. She was happy. Her heart jumped when he smiled at her.
She looked away. She was not happy because she was with Amadeus. She was not a fool. If he meant something else, he should stop it. She would never love someone like Amadeus.