Deanara Samaniego’s POV
“Where have you been?” Lyuna hysterically asked as soon as she opened the door. “We’ve been looking for you!” She irritatedly said while still looking at me.
They are looking at me, standing in our living room, waiting for me to tell them where I have been. Well, how should I tell them that my mother just arrived early in the morning with her limousine, and fetch me like I was Cinderella, only that she’s the evil stepmother now and not the fairy godmother.
Ethan was standing next to Gray who was intently looking at me. He was holding his phone and I could see the relief from his eyes upon seeing me. I could still feel his concern and somehow I felt like he knew something was happening and he was just waiting for me to say something.
Of course, he would know about it because the world knew that Mattel had landed in the Philippines yesterday, where I was gone for the whole day, not answering calls, and like I had vanished into thin air.
“Why are you not answering my call?” He calmly said. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere and I thought--” He cupped his face as he ran towards to hug me. “I thought I lost you.” I felt his voice choke as tears slowly fell from his eyes.
“I’m sorry.” I hugged him back. “Something came up.” I let go of him as I wiped his tears. “Sorry for making you worry, but I am fine.”
I turned around and pretended to make my voice cheerful to show them that I am okay, but deep inside, I am barely breathing.
“Where did you go?” Ethan asked. “Even Mikee wasn’t answering his calls. What happened to the both of you?”
“I thought you were kidnapped!” Lyuna pulled me away from Gray and hugged me. “Don’t do it again, please?” She sighed in relief. “We were looking for you all night. We were supposed to report you to the police. Thank God, you are fine.”
I bowed down and sincerely apologized.
“My mother confiscated my phone.” I told them the truth. “So, I am really sorry for not calling or texting.”
“Your mother?” Gray asked.
“Your mother is here?” Ethan said in shock. “Why did she suddenly confiscate your phone? What did you do?”
“Well, she was asking me to go back with her to Spain, but I refused so we had a fight and that’s it.”
“You are going back to Spain?” Lyuna asked. “I thought you didn't have any plans to go back to Spain?”
“When are you leaving?” Gray wagged his head. “Please tell me you’re not leaving today or at least tell me when you are leaving so I have --”
“I am not leaving yet. Okay?”  I chuckled a bit. I hope they didn’t realize it was a fake one. “My mother and I are still settling things between us, so chill.” I raised both of my hands. “Now that I am fine, can we go back to ourselves. I also want to rest.”
“We will talk tomorrow, okay?” Lyuna glared at me. “I am getting mad now.”
I nodded. “Thank you. And, Ethan...Vivian might be looking at you already.”
“Don’t do it again because it crept me out.” He hissed. “I mean, it's a nice one because my brother asked me for a favor and he talked to me nicely which is nice, but please don’t do it again.” He tapped Gray’s back and for the first time, Gray didn’t say anything or argue with him.
“I’ll go ahead. Lyuna, aren’t you going to the mall?”
“Yeah.” She replied. “We’ll go out. Be back later.” Lyuna hugged me. “Don’t make us worry again.”
“Thanks!”
I bid goodbye and waited for them to drive away before looking back at Gray who hadn’t said anything I expected him to say.
“Have you eaten yet?” He asked. “I’ll cook Paella for you---”
He wasn’t able to finish his sentence when I ran to hug him and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop myself from crying.
“Hey, hey!” He caressed my back. “What happened, babe? Why are you crying?”
I shook my head and hugged him tightly. “J-just let me cry, please?”
He lifted me up and brought me inside my room where he laid with me as I cupped my face in his chest. He didn’t say anything. He just let me cry until I found it hard to breathe and I could no longer smell his perfume or open my eyes. He let me cry until it hurt. The only remedy to stop the pain is to sleep.
I woke up after an hour with the pain in my head and my nose was clogged and my eyes hurt like I have been bitten by insects. Everything was so blurred that I had to scratch my eyes, but it was still blurred. I am getting frustrated with everything.
I laid down in bed, stared blurry at the ceiling, until I found the lights, and Gray appeared to check me. I thought he left me. Instead, he bought me some food.
“Are you feeling okay now?”
He helped me get up as he placed the tray on the side. I smelled porridge and brewed coffee that made me feel the hunger in my stomach. I didn’t know I was hungry until I saw the food he made for me.
“Sorry for crying.”
“It’s okay to cry, as long as you’ll be doing it in my arms, so I can be with you.” He brushed my hair and kissed me on my forehead. “I love you.”
I nodded and felt sorry for I knew I couldn’t return those words for a moment. Not because I don’t love him. I do love him. I really do, but I don’t want it to mean nothing. I don’t want to say I love him and do otherwise.
“What did you cook for me?” I cheerfully asked. “I am hungry.”
“Okay. I’ll feed you.”
“Thank you.” I told him.
“For what?” He raised his brow.
“Nothing. For being there.”
He chuckled. “I will never leave, babe. So please…” He sighed as he put the porridge back to the table.
“Don’t leave me.” His words choke. “Don’t…”
It pains me to see him in pain.
“Don’t…” He bowed down. “I will do everything just don’t…” He gulped the lump in his throat. “Don’t leave me.”
My shoulder fell upon seeing him break into tears. At that moment, I knew it’s him. I might be confused, yet I know that I don’t want to hurt Gray. He doesn’t deserve it. But, I couldn’t promise. I couldn’t even say it because I don’t want to betray him. I wasn’t sure if I would leave. I cannot promise something I know I won’t be able to keep.
“Gray…” I paused and looked him in the eyes. “Do you want to run away with me?”