A day ago... (This happened before the events in Chapter 15)
ELIZ'S POV
No matter what problem comes into your life, you have to face it, no matter how big or severe it is. You can't escape a problem by running away from it.
"Explanation, now," I said seriously to Cairo, who was now in front of me.
I couldn't show any weakness, especially since I knew this conversation would dredge up my past.
I was the one who suggested we meet tonight. I had just been discharged from the hospital this afternoon and thought I was ready to talk to Cairo. I hope.
"Mine... I—"
"Don't call me by my second name. I'm not used to it, and I'm not yours," I said emotionlessly, looking at him.
He was the only one who called me by my second name because he said I would eventually be his when he was courting me, but now, I don't think so.
I couldn't give in to any of Cairo's explanations because I didn't want him involved in my life.
It's not that I don't care about him, but the people sending me death threats might target him too. I don't want him to get hurt.
"E-Eliz, that day..."
"...it was against my will to leave you, but I had no choice because it was my Dad's wish. He said that if we didn't break up, he would personally find a way to ruin us," he began.
I wanted to speak, but I didn't. The conversation might stray off course and have a different outcome.
"If I didn't marry Rhea, my family would lose everything, so I chose to sacrifice you because I couldn't bear to see my family suffer," he added.
I felt somewhat guilty about what he said. He had no choice. His family weighed more than I did. Who am I, anyway?
"But... but why did you come back?" I asked absentmindedly, even though it hurt to ask that question.
He smiled bitterly. "Do you really not want to see me?" he asked, clearly saddened by my question.
"One day, Carrie asked if she could be the one to get married to save our company, and Dad agreed. Carrie did that so I could come back to you—"
"What?" I said in disbelief.
Carrie?
"Yes, she married Rhea's brother, saving our company," Cairo said.
So Carrie sacrificed herself? But why didn't she tell me?
"I came back to formally apologize to you because I left without explaining the reason. I'm sorry, Eliz, for hurting you."
I wanted to cry because of what I heard. Cairo wasn't at fault because he had no choice if he was forced to marry. But what Carrie did, why her? Why did she sacrifice her own happiness?
She sacrificed herself for me and Cairo, but I know it's all in vain. Things can't go back to how they were.
"I don't expect us to be together again because I know someone more deserving of you, and that's not me," he said, making me wonder.
"So, you're saying you weren't worthy of me from the start?" I replied sarcastically.
"By leaving your life, you met a man who I believe loves you very much. Someone who won't hurt you, someone who won't leave you," Cairo said.
Cairo...
"I know he's 'more' than I am, and he will take care of you wholeheartedly," Cairo added.
I was confused by what Cairo was saying. What was he trying to get at?
"I know you're confused, but maybe it's better if I don't dream of entering your heart again," he said sadly.
"Maybe it's better if we just remain friends rather than trying to bring back the past," I said, looking at him.
Yes, I probably don't feel anything for him anymore. Maybe...
CAIRO'S POV
"Leave her alone, and don't call her Mine... because she's mine."
I remember him saying that to me. So, I was right that he has feelings for Eliz.
I don't want to mess up Eliz's life anymore because I know she's happy here in the Philippines. I accept that we can't bring back what we had.
"I need to go, Cairo," Eliz said, smiling at me.
It was past eleven at night, and our conversation had lasted over three hours.
"Do you have a car? Let me take you home," I said.
"I have my car. I'm fine. See you," she said and left.
As I watched her leave, my mind wandered briefly. That guy is lucky to have someone like Eliz love him, while I wasted my chance.
Eliz is the kind of girl who seems hard to love because she's childish and sometimes crazy, but once you get to know her, you can't help but fall for her.
She's kind and cares about everything, putting others before herself. She's not expressive and prefers to keep her problems to herself.
She's also the type who has a gangster-like demeanor, just like her Grandpa. Yes.
She's Eliz Mine Cortejo... my friend.