Chapter 126 Chapter 126

Chapter 126 Chapter 126
"Alright, alright." He smiled before holding my hand while I got to his car again. When he sat in the driver's seat, for a moment I could see the seriousness in him, as if he were thinking deeply. Silence enveloped us both. He still didn't start the car, so I had a chance to catch my breath and think. I seem to know what's going on in his mind.
"Someone probably stole your ring, so it is not your fault," he said before turning to me. I knew it. This is what he thinks.
I noticed his sigh, as if he were worried. "There are two possibilities, Jothea: a burglar might accidentally see your ring when he went to your home to steal your riches, or someone close to you who saw that you're not wearing it went to your home to steal it."
My chest tightened as he gave me his assumptions. "Is there anyone who knew about your ring?"
I bit my lip. "I mean, I always wear it when you give it to me," I said.
"But is there anyone who saw it closely? Someone might get interested and plan to steal it."
I tried to think. "Apart from your parents, Savannah is the only one who knows it's from you. Besides, it's impossible for Savannah because she's in another country, and why would she take the ring you gave me? She's already so rich." And knowing her, she wouldn't do that. I know we had a lot of misunderstandings before. She's my mortal enemy, but when I get to know her, I can trust my whole being that she will never betray me. She even helped me get a job with Safira when she heard LMC reject me. She was always there for me when Ismael left me.
"Did I hear it right? My parents saw the ring," he inquired.
I nodded. "When?"
"Ahh...when Isa brought me to your residence."
"S-she brought you to where?" There was a trace of surprise on his face, as if he didn't expect me to step into his house again without him knowing or without him.
"To your house. I mean, to your family," I answered. "They were so worried about you and your sudden disappearance. That's when they saw the ring. They also expressed its immense value, which further fueled my ire at myself for having misplaced it. Considering that it came from your great-grandfather, I don't know. That's what I heard."
He remained speechless while staring at me; that's why I grabbed his hand that was resting on his thigh. "That was also when I heard about your clan, about your family that is now in danger, and also about the guy named Danjer, who can be the next president if you will not accept what should be yours. I mean, not to offend Mr. Danjer."
I heard him sigh before preparing himself and the car to take off, but I spoke again. "Don't you want me to know about that, Ismael? Is that why you chose not to tell me?"
He glanced at me again. "My life is more complicated than you understand, Jothea. It's too much to handle."
"So you're just going to run away? Forgetting? Are you ashamed of your family because of the decision they made before? If not, then why? You're not alone here. I am here if things are too much to handle for you. I know, I'm useless, but tell me how I can help; I will help you," I stated. "I know you're not after your family's wealth. Because you have many businesses, I know you can support yourself and your future family. And if your clan expects you to be in charge of everything, why not? What are you afraid of? Why don't you want to do it?"
"I already told you, right? I explained everything. I want to break our family's tradition and how it rules each of our families."
"Then accept their offer. Be the president so you can break the rule."
A moment of silence enveloped us. Ismael was just staring at me, like he couldn't believe what I said. Didn't he expect that from me? It's like he never knew me like this.
The ring of his phone interrupted us. Someone is calling him from abroad. I saw who it was, and I never imagined I would witness their conversation.
Ismael answered the phone.
"Brother Mael." A man's voice was heard across the car we were in. My hair immediately stood on end.
"Yes, Vanne?" It was Danjer Vanne, Ismael's half brother.
"What's happening in the family? Why is it that, all of a sudden, Mom's telling me that I should be president? What's happening with you?"
I swallowed. Ismael and I glanced at each other. It seems like he had a hard time answering his brother's question after question.
"Where are you? Are you still in the place where I think you are?" Ismael asked, making me frown. What place are they referring to?
"Of course, unless you become president, I would have the chance to go back to the Philippines."
"Why don't you want to be the president of our clan?"