Chapter 47

Several months had passed, and Ellie’s life slowly returned to normal. Like every news in the country, a bigger news popped up and overtook Angelo’s death. The reporters who hounded her soon chased the bigger story and let her be. Social media bashers did the same.

She and Diana had a talk months after the media frenzy. She’s still grieving, which mother wouldn’t but she chose to have her peace. After their long and heartfelt talk, Diana has forgiven Ellie. She also asked forgiveness for her son’s shortcomings.

At first, it confused Ellie when Diana said the perpetrator’s family came forward and confessed. She said it was one of Angelo’s flings. The girl loved him so much and when he broke things with her; she committed suicide. The girl’s father could not accept her daughter’s fate and plotted revenge. Ellie kept her silence. It still amazed her how much influence Ryo’s family had. This time, they managed to not only bury but also twist the truth. If this is what would appease Diana’s grieving heart and return everything back to normal, then so be it.

Things seemed normal on the surface, but her life had changed since then. It was not as chaotic during the height of the scandal, but peace became a luxury. She could feel the curious and furious stares of strangers she met on the streets. Not to mention the not so loud whispers talking about her. People passing casual judgement about her became her new constant.

Loneliness too became her constant companion. She and Ryo had not spoken a word to each other since that night he divulged his family’s hand in Angelo’s death.

Contrary to what he believed, her agitation was not because she still felt for Angelo. Rather, it was because she could not accept how his family disregarded life. Call it an exaggeration but she thought the possibility of her suffering the same fate as Angelo was not impossible. All it took was one wrong move.

It’s such a shame. Ellie thought Ryo was the right one for her. But then the recent events proved how much they don’t know each other. Sometimes love is not enough. They loved each other but then they stood at opposing poles with how they view life. While she valued it. He seemed to take it for granted. It felt as if it’s something dispensable for him.

To be honest, their situation was simple to rectify. All it took was for one to reach out to the other. All they needed was to communicate and to listen to one another. But both of them chose not to.

Ellie took a deep breath and wiped the flour off her apron before hanging it. She brought the cakes out to her store and put them on the display shelf. When things returned to normal, she also opened her shop. Unlike before, where Maya and Beth assisted her, now she did everything herself. Maya and Beth worked for her friend, and they were doing just fine. She no longer did deliveries or online orders, either. Sales were not as high as before but they’re enough to cover her overhead and her cost of living. Things would have been perfect if only she still had Ryo. You really couldn’t have it all. One always has to give and in her case, it’s her heart.

The shop’s bell rang, signaling a customer. She greeted them with the signature smile and bright personality. “Good morning!” her smile widened when she recognized the newcomer. He’s dressed in the same black tunic and dark pants. His face was still unsmiling but radiated warmth. There were more wrinkles around his mouth and eyes, but other than that, he looked the same.

“Isamu, is that you?” she asked, her brows knitted as she looked at him. The creases on her forehead deepened when she recognized one of the men he’s with. It’s Haru. He’s one of the bodyguards Ryo assigned to keep her safe. Haru gave her a curt nod.

“How are you, Ellie?” he greeted and opened his arms wide for an embrace. She ran to him and gave him a tight hug.

“What brought you here? Is Grandma Aiko with you?”

“Oh, not this time.”

“Sorry, I forgot my manners. Please have a seat and I’ll fix us something to eat.” She gestured at the cozy corner of the shop. Isamu and the two men he’s with went in the direction he pointed and made themselves comfortable.

An assortment of cakes and a pot of steaming tea were in front of them. She served Isamu strawberry shortcake, which he ate in silence.

“How are you, Ellie?” he said, after wiping his mouth with a tissue.

“I’m fine,” she answered. It was her generic answer. She’s fine. Her business is picking up, and her life is slowly becoming normal. She should be fine. But she knew how far from the truth that statement is. On her lonesome, her pain eats her. She misses him every single moment. There was not a night she did not binge on his movie because that’s the only way she could see him. She wanted to hear his voice, but she’s too chicken to pick up the phone and dial his number.

“Are you really, Ellie?” Isamu’s eyes bored into hers. They were two glassy orbs that read every change in her face. She did not need to open her mouth to give an answer. Her lackluster eyes told him she’s nothing but. “I came here to talk to you about my grandson,” he said after clearing his throat. He sipped on his tea but did not remove his gaze from her.

“Your grandson?”

“Ryo.”

Ellie’s eyes were round as plates. Surprised by his revelation. After her surprise, a flicker of pain registered on her face at the realization. She remembered how he and his wife were at her shop almost a year back. They looked so pitiful. Her family took them in and helped them. Did they see them as gullible people they could play with?

“My wife and I were curious about you and went here to see you. We wanted to know you and your family. We have no intentions to deceive you or hurt you. But if we made you feel that way, please accept my apologies.” He bowed his head and did not lift it, not until she said she’d forgiven him.

An awkward silence covered the store. He drank his tea in silence, eyeing her. The men beside him sat with their backs straight and watched them like sentinels. “We came from a long line of defenders. In ancient times, we protected royals. As time went on, our group became an underground society of mercenaries and assassins. Instead of royalties, we executed the orders of those who hired us. No matter how Ryo hated violence and what the Clan represented, this is his heritage. When I leave this life, he will take on the mantle to keep the history alive. And when his time is over, his son will take over, and so on and so forth.”

Ellie bit her tongue as she listened to the mellow voice of the old man before her. He narrated his family’s history with so much pride and passion. The more he spoke, the more mesmerized she became. “And so Ellie, that is who my grandson is. He will always be him, and you will always be you. Your paths were not meant to cross, but it did. That must mean something, don’t you think?”

Ellie continued to sit in silence. She did not know how to answer the wise man before her. He’s right. Their paths were not meant to cross, but they did. Whatever that meeting meant was besides her. Because as soon as their paths have converged, it was also at the same rate they diverged. And now they walk on separate paths, and for each step they take, the space between them only increases.

“Ellie, I am not here to plead for my grandson. He could do that on his own. I like you for my grandson, Ellie. But I want you to know everything about my grandson, who he is and who he is not. And if you decide to have him back in your life, I want you to do it with full awareness of what your choice meant. I want you to feel the gravity of your decision and make it because you know that’s what you wanted. Whatever that choice is, Ellie. Whether or not it is to be with Ryo, weigh it, find the answer in your heart.”