CHAPTER 14: RECONCILIATION

‘I have nothing left here. So I guess I’m not coming back anymore.’ I’ve been telling that to myself as I take heavy steps towards the airport’s boarding gate. Before, I did not really intend to leave for good. I admit that I still harbored hope that everything could go back to the way they used to be. I just wanted some time to myself, to move on, to let all of us heal. I just planned for a little while apart.

But now, I don’t know. I might not be able to face Auntie Eva and Rev and look them in the eye again. I don’t want to cause any more strife between the two of them. They are mother and son, and they shouldn’t be fighting because of me. You can accuse me of being a coward again but this is just me knowing that I don’t deserve either of them in my life.

I am not running away this time, I am doing this for the good of everyone.

It’s been a week since I saw Rev in Auntie’s office. After that, I left my apartment in haste and looked for a small space where I can spend my time while waiting for my flight schedule. I don’t know how Auntie Eva found me, but she came to me and offered me a deal. I will transfer her my company, and she will assume responsibility for that company’s debts. I signed the papers without second thought. That time, I already decided to leave them in peace.

I sighed. Why do I even keep on repeating these reasons in my head? Am I still unconvinced?

I yelped when, in the middle of my musings, I felt someone grabbed my hand and spun me around. My shocked eyes found his angry orbs.

“Running away again?” Rev looked like he’s ready to punch someone. But his voice indicated desperation, sadness and fear.

I was speechless.

“Do you think I will let you? Never again, Rein!”

“R-Rev.. How did you know I would be here?”

I changed my phone number so that no one can contact me, I did not tell anyone that I am leaving for good. Not that I have anyone to tell it to.

“I’ve been looking for you the whole week! Where have you been?!” His voice rose.

I looked away.

“The other day, I overheard my mother on the phone, confirming from someone that you are leaving today. I looked for you everywhere but I couldn’t find you so I waited here the whole day.”

“Is that so?” I asked in a lifeless voice. “I-I have to go, it’s time for me to board the plane,” I turned my back on him quickly. I wanted to hug him, but I probably shouldn’t. My determination is wavering at the sight of him.

“I said I’m not letting you!” his voice boomed loudly and the people around started to stare at us. One of the guards started towards us.

“Rev, you don’t have to shout. Don’t make a scene now, just let me go..” I tried to reason to him but he dragged me even before the guard can reach us.

I did not fight him because that would alarm the guards. And I didn’t want to put him in an awkward position. But his grim face still alerted the security.

“Sir..?” a guard tried to stop him before we can exit the building.

“She’s my wife, stay out of this.”

The guard looked at me and waited for me to deny it but I chose not to speak. They let us through.

“Rev..”

“Shut up! Get in!” he motioned to the open door of his car. “Get in!” he roared when I hesitated. I scrambled to get inside. I didn’t know Rev can be scary when he’s this mad.

He rode the car without talking and silently drove it away from the airport. He brought me too his pad.

“Get some rest before unpacking your things. This space is for your clothes.” He pointed at one side of the closet.

“But Rev..”

“You are staying here and you don’t have a say. My head is aching so shut up, Reina! I don’t want to hear any argument or reason from you!” he warned.

I looked on my feet and shifted uncomfortably.

“Is Rev a tyrant now..?” I peeked at him, chewing on my lower lip.

His expression softened. He sighed and walked towards me while massaging his nape.

“Come here,” He pulled me and embraced me tenderly. “I’m not a tyrant, I just didn’t want you to have any opportunity to slip out of my grasp again. We will fix the problem with your company. I promise you that you will have it back.”

“You don’t have to do that, Rev.”

“Jean told me that when she visited me in the hospital after I woke up, she saw that Mama told you to never come near me again. I also saw you when you came to our house after I got release, but Mama also sent you away.”

“You saw but you never came out,” I whispered.

“I was waiting to see what you’ll do. I hoped you would still fight on. But you just gave up and backed out right away. You’re the most coward person I’ve ever known. You beat me in being coward.”

I frowned but I did not get to ask him to elaborate when he spoke again. “I don’t want you to leave just because you don’t have a choice, Rein. Don’t think that you are left alone with nothing again. You still have me, I’m always on your side. I’m your best friend, remember?”

My eyes grew wide. “Are you making up with me? Is that true? You’re not mad at me anymore?”

He laughed. “Don’t you like that? Or am I no longer your best friend?”

“Of course you are still my best friend! There was no one but you and I have no plans of replacing you.”

He smiled gently and I felt my stress and worries melting away. I will think of my problems some other time, but for now, I want to enjoy his presence, his warmth, his embrace. After a long time, I can smile genuinely again. Everything seems to have reverted to how it used to be. All of his animosity is gone. As in totally.

“Your muscles are so tensed, must be too much of stress lately. Come,” he led me to the sofa. “As my welcome gift, I’ll massage you.” He winked. That wink that always melts my heart even during our college days.

I blushed when I remembered something.

*FLASHBACK*

“My muscle’s tired. Please give me a massage,” I requested. As usual, we are inside his room.

He did not budge, he’s busy with playing Tekken. I stomped my feet and left him in the sofa. I lied on the bed while pouting. I curled up and closed my eyes tightly as if it will make me fall asleep in an instant.

I felt him climbed on the bed. My heart started to beat fast. But why am I nervous?

“Don’t get upset anymore. C’mon, lie on your stomach.”

I grinned up at him and quickly followed his instruction. Of course I will grab the offer before he changes his mind.

He poured oil in his palms and inserted his hands inside my pajama. I flinched when his hand made contact with my skin.

“Ooooh! Warm,” I gasped and sighed in comfort. I love how his palm felt on my skin.

“You’re bra is in the way!”

I quickly unhooked my bra but I did not remove it. He resumed his massage.

“Oohh.. aaaahh!” I almost screamed contentedly. “Ooohh.. Harder please. Aaahh, that feels great! Lower, lower! Oooohhhh goodness!”

I was surprised when he suddenly hit the back of my head.

“Why?!” I turned to him and glared.

“You’re too noisy, you’ll wake even the neighbors!”

“But your room is soundproof,” I mused.

“Ah, just shut up! My ears hurt because of your noise!”

“Fine, fine. Just continue with the massage.”

I pressed my lips firmly against the pillow to prevent my moans of satisfaction from escaping my lips. I flinch every now and then whenever he is kneading my knotted muscles.

I started sweating. Apparently, he’s also sweating. I looked back to check on him.

“Are you still okay-?”

I held my breath because his lips almost crashed to mine. He stared at my lips.

He leaned on me, his left arm embracing my back while the right arm is supporting his weight.

‘OMG! OMG! OMG! What should I do?’

I started hyperventilating.

I automatically closed my eyes when I felt his lips at the side of my neck, trailing up to my the base of my ear, straight to my cheek. He kept the kisses soft and feathery, as if he is trying to control himself.

Then I didn’t know if it was his lips that found mine or vice versa. I just felt his burning kiss.

It was my first kiss. It was a wish come true. I’ve never had a boyfriend, and I always thought how nice it would be if Rev would give me my first kiss.

Before the kiss could go deeper, he stopped kissing me.

“What are we doing?” he looked away and scratched his head.

“Ah..” I stammered. “I don’t know about you. I was not doing anything.”

“Yeah?” he arched his eyebrow and showed my my arms that are now encircling his neck. I don’t remember how it got there, and I just realized now that I am already lying on my back.

“Oh! My bad!”

We laughed it off, trying to dispel the awkwardness. It became our unspoken understanding to forget what just transpired.

But how could I ever forget that? That was my first kiss! And it was with him. To be honest, kissing him felt natural. I didn’t even stop to question the morality of us kissing when we are supposed to be best friends, and he has a girlfriend on top of that.

*PRESENT TIME*

“Ouch!” I touched my forehead that he hit. “That hurts!” I hit his arm.

“Why are you grinning all by yourself?”

“You’re so nosy?” I made face at him.

“So, how about it? Are you availing of my free massage services?” he crossed his arms and leaned on the shelf. I can’t help but smile.

“Should I take my clothes off?” I grinned teasingly.

“Would you?” his lips twitched in an amused smile. “I wouldn’t mind.”

I stuck my tongue out. This idiot, don’t make my heart flutter!

“Hmm.. You can admit it now, you have hidden desire for me, right?” I teased more and grinned at him.

“Hidden desire, huh! You want me to hit your head on the wall?”

I laughed at him. “You’re so violent!”

I looked at him for a while. Rev really is not your typical rich kid. Auntie Eva raised him to be someone capable of choosing his own life for him. She encouraged him to go out, and meet a lot of people. She said that there are more commoners than rich ones, so if you want a bigger world, live like an ordinary person.

Rev grew up playing with the kids in his neighborhood, whether they are poor or rich. He did not discriminate. He chose to study in an average school instead of exclusive one. That’s how I met him.

I looked up when I felt his hand on my head.

“Woman who loves daydreaming, the free massage is forfeited. I need to leave, so stay here. Feel at home, okay?”

I smirked at him. “As if I need you to tell me that. Hey wait-!” I chased him when he went out of the door. He looked back. “I want grilled chicken feet and intestine when you get back.”

“What? You expect me to go out of my car and buy that? In this clothes?” he gestured at his clothes. He looked really formal in his long sleeve shirt, coat and tie.

I pouted.

“I miss the street food. I didn’t get to eat that when I was away. And Bryan wouldn’t let me eat that when we came back. Pleeeeasssseeee…!”

“Tss. I said no. Bye.”

He closed the door behind. Ugh, he did not give me a good bye kiss.