Chapter Sixty-One: Light Heart

Chapter Sixty-One: Light Heart
“You didn’t have to do this, Miss Minerva. This is too much,” Melanie said as I placed one box of pizza and a chocolate cake.

“This is just something to celebrate your enrollment in the university. I also gave eight boxes and two cakes to the quarters of your family. They can eat there. You can join me now and then them later,” I said and smiled.

Her innocent smile was fluttering my heart as she watched the pizza and cake. It made me wonder why I couldn’t be happy like this all my life when I have everything that I could ever need. Or maybe Timothy and the other people were right about me. I am an ungrateful bitch and a spoiled brat.

“Are you okay, Miss Minerva?”

I was snapped out of my intrusive thoughts when Melanie mentioned my name. I lifted my head, seeing her worriedly staring at me.

“I’m sorry?” I muttered.

Her innocent smile emerged on her face again. “I was just asking if you were okay. You suddenly look sad,” she concluded. “You know, if this is about Mr. Rodriguez, I would gladly listen.”

“No, no, it’s not about him, Melanie,” I denied and shook my head, now placing my hand on the left side of my chest. “It’s about me… and my life… that I’m thinking about.”

She furrowed her eyebrows and blinked. “I can understand, Miss Minerva,” she assured her and even put her hand on top of mine, squeezing it afterward. “You can always share your thoughts with me, just like how you shared your feelings for Mr. Rodriguez. Trust me. It helps to lighten the weight inside your heart.”

I chuckled and felt flattered by her concern towards me. “Thank you, Melanie,” I said and sighed. “I just… feel empty, you know? Well, yes, I have money that was left by my parents, a company, and people who care about me. Despite all of those things that I should be grateful for, I don’t feel any joy and passion at all.”

I was expecting even a slight judgment from her, but she was just smiling with her lips and eyes like an innocent angel who came from heaven. Because of that, I sensed safety if I ever opened up to her.

“I am angry at my parents’ sudden death. I have a grudge against people who have planned to assassinate them, but for some reason, it’s hidden inside me. I cannot pinpoint why,” I continued. “I should lash out and execute a blanket search around the country just to find the culprits, but I don’t know how.”

“Uh-huh…” she agreed, nodding now and thinking about something just based on how she’s staring at me. After that, she clicked her fingers. “I am not sure if I am right, Miss Minerva, but I think it’s because who you can blame for Mr. and Mrs. Santiago’s death. You don’t know who to be angry with, so you just keep it inside. Once you know those people, I think it will show on you.”

Her perception made sense, so I smirked. “You’re right,” I answered and got a slice of pizza. “Also, I have great positions that I am having a hard time managing. I am capable, but sometimes, I think I don’t deserve it.”

“That’s why they always say that everything happens for a reason. What is for you will come for you,” she said and giggled, now teasingly looking at me sideways before whispering to me. “Just like Mr. Rodriguez came into your life. He is your destiny.”

No matter how I tried to hide my smile, I knew I couldn’t contain it, especially with the mention of Karlo’s name. I suddenly remembered our first meeting.

“When I first saw him, I was kinda attracted to him instantly. He was handsome and hot, and at the same time, formal and smart. He would be my ideal type, but the thing is, even though I was in an arranged marriage to him, I had a jerk boyfriend at that time,” I shared. “You know, I didn’t like him at first because I thought he was too cold, serious, and boring. He only cared about his work and protecting me, but I never saw him as this funny man. I would hate to date him…”

Melanie dramatically covered her mouth. “Now that explains why you are still a virgin, Miss Minerva!” she exclaimed. “You didn’t love him!”

“Well, I would say that, until we went abroad and he taught me such certain things that I didn’t know I had to learn. Eventually, I was slowly liking him. There was much more in him, you know?”

“I am proud of you admitting that.”

“That’s the thing, Melanie. There was much more in him that I might not know, but I could sense that it’s just the small part of the iceberg. I feel like he has secrets that he hides just by staring into his eyes.”

“Then why don’t you ask about him? Maybe it will help you find answers?”

“I am not sure of what I am thinking, though,” I said and bit the slice of the pizza. I offered her one on her plate. “I feel dying every time I try to open the doors he is closing…”

I looked at the blue pool in front of us. I was staring at the depth as if it was hypnotizing me. From my peripheral vision, I saw Melanie slowly taking a slice of the pizza and started eating it.

“I think you are just overthinking it, Miss Minerva,” I heard Melanie say. “All those thoughts in your head, you might not expect that it is only Mr. Rodriguez who can clear them. He might be the key to finding your passion and joy that you have been seeking. And maybe he can also help you find the criminals who killed your… ummm… parents. Sorry.”

I turned my head to Melanie, who was already watching me.  

“I only mean to say that he is destined to love and protect you. You might be wondering right now why you had to marry him, but soon, you will find out that there must be a reason why all of you chose each other to be together. Not the technical arrangement by your parents, but the pair destiny has chosen to tie,” she explained.

I was amused by how she connected all those words that made sense and sounded so logical. I am so proud that I encouraged her to study in college!

I held her hand. “I hope I get to see you graduate and work in my company,” I muttered. “You are very intelligent. We can be partners!”

She shyly caressed her nape. “Hehe, I really hope so, Miss Minerva, because I look up to you very much. I don’t think I could ever meet a kind person like you in my entire life,” she replied. “I promise that I will not let you down. I will study well and make you proud. You will never regret supporting me in my education. Soon, I will pay back everything that you did for my family and me.”

Melanie was right. It lightened up my heart when we finished talking. She went back to the maids’ quarters to celebrate with her family and the other maids, while I went to my room and studied some paperwork. I looked at my wristwatch and saw that it was already late, but Karlo still hadn't come back from his meeting.

Almost twelve pm and he is still not here. The training I had from the headquarters with Glaidel and the Red Cartel assassins was also adjourned. The company is closed at this time. But where is he? This does not usually happen. He is never late.

I couldn’t sleep thinking that he is still not home. I keep checking his room, secretly creaking the door open, but there is no movement. The light heart I had after the conversation I had with Melanie was not worth it because it got worried and frustrated.

Where the hell is he?!

I looked out the balcony of my room while I was pacing back and forth for an hour when I spotted headlights from the opening gates of the mansion. I peeked over the curtains and discovered the incoming Aston Martin of Karlo.

There you are!

Why the fuck are you late?!

I saw how it park in front of the entrance of the mansion. Melanie’s father went to the car. My eyes widened when I saw Glaidel, who turned out to be in the driver’s seat, as she opened the car door as she went down and talked to Melanie’s father. I clenched my fists as I gritted my teeth.

Were they together at this late-night hour?

I was about to frantically curse them both, but when Glaidel went to the passenger’s seat and opened the car door, all the curses at the back of my throat retreated when I saw Karlo, who was sound asleep. Glaidel tried to wake him up, and he began to shout.

“Help me! Help us! Wake them up, please! I’m scared!” he shouted as he pushed Glaidel’s hands, which were trying to help him up. “Get away from me! I live in here!”

“Karlo! You have to get inside!” Glaidel hissed.

“What happened to him, madame?” Melanie’s father asked as he also tried to help Glaidel carry Karlo.

“He’s drunk. I don’t even know why he had to be this drunk!” Glaidel complained and grunted.