Chapter 44

“Why are you here?” Ellie asked after crying her eyes out. Her icy hands cupped his face. Last time she checked his calendar, he’s booked solid.

“I heard what happened. I have to be here.” His tender eyes scanned her face. His finger wiped her tears away. The way she looked broke her. Ellie’s not always made up. Her hair always seemed messy. Lip tint and a faint blush were the most makeup she wore. But she always wore her sunny disposition. It never failed to light up the room. But now, the sun did not seem to shine on her. Fear replaced the brilliance in her eyes.

Ryo tugged her closer and brought his lips to her. He wanted to comfort her, and he did not know how to do it with words. His lips touched on hers with such tenderness and longing. “I’m sorry, mahal ko.”

Ellie, who felt so caught in a sea of stress and fear, found comfort in Ryo’s kisses. She feigned strength but deep down she’s scared witless. Many people hated her and called her names. No matter how thick her skin is, the hurtful words still get to her.

Her tears rolled down her face as she felt his tender kisses. He calmed her fears. For the first time in the past 24 hours, her heart calmed. When their mouths separated, Ryo gave her forehead a kiss and held her close to him.

Their hearts thumped against each other. They danced in a rhythm that only belonged to them. Ellie clutched him tighter. As if squeezing him gave her strength.

“Where are you going?” Ryo asked, pushing her body away a little so he could look into her eyes.

“I don’t really know. I wanted to escape. Go somewhere far from here.” Her unsteady eyes shifted from his eyes to his noses and to his lips.

Ryo touched her cheeks. “Looking like that?” His eyes looked her up and down, then shook his head. “I don’t think so, baby.”

Ellie realized she’s only wearing a cardigan she wore over a thin nightdress. She did not wear a bra. It felt like her entire face was on fire. Feeling self-conscious, she brought the two sides of the cardigan over her chest. Her late attempt on modesty made Ryo chuckle.

His chuckles highlighted her blunder. To hide her embarrassment, Ellie rolled her eyes at him and made an about face. Suppressing his chuckles, Ryo followed her inside her flat and closed the door behind him.

Ellie went straight into her bedroom and hid herself under the covers.

“Hey, mahal ko, come out now,” Ryo said, nudging Ellie on her side.

“You really had to laugh at me,” she said, peeking from under the covers. Even if only half of her face was out of the cover, her blush was still obvious.

“I’m sorry, OK?” Ryo said as if coaxing a toddler. He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her into a hug. “Do you have food? I’m hungry,” he said as he kissed her hair.

Her face transformed in an instant. The gloomy Ellie gone, and the caring Ellie returned. She got out of bed and went to the kitchen. The familiar sound of pans filled the kitchen. Ryo watched her back as she worked her magic in the kitchen. He could do it all day. She’s in her element whenever she’s whipping up something in the kitchen. No matter what it is, a simple sandwich or a complex dish, she’s visibly enjoying it.

In less than ten minutes, the two of them ate beef noodle soup. The warm broth filled his empty stomach. Only when the soup touched his tongue did he realize he has had no food since last night. Worry and agitation filled him, making him forget his hunger.

“How have you been?” he said after he finished his serving. Concern filled his eyes. Tears collected at the rim of Ellie’s eyes upon hearing the question.

How has she been? Miserable. Much as she hated to admit it, the misdirected hate and antagonism she received got into her. It ate her energy away like a dementor. Diana’s words made her doubt herself.

Ryo did not need to hear her answer. The change in her expression alone screamed her misery. She pursed mouth to stop herself from crying. Her eyes slowly turned red from the tears that threatened to fall. He pulled her closer to him.

“There’s something I want to tell you,” Ellie said, looking him in the eyes. Her hands cupped his cheeks. Her gaze burned into him, making him feel scared. She took a deep breath before speaking. “People have been calling me a two-timing slut lately. And I want you to hear it from me. They might be correct in saying that.”

“Ellie…” Ryo’s voice was calm. It sounded hurt. He felt hurt, not because of what she said but because he knew the hurtful words she received had gotten into her.

“As you know, Angelo had a history of cheating. He did it so many times, I lost count. And every time he said he’s sorry, I forgave him. But the last one, he got her pregnant. I was so hurt that I have moved away and went to Paris to escape. I ghosted him. And so, I get why he’s so angry that day. We never formally broke up. So I get why people call me that.” Her eyes searched his face for any reaction, but she got nothing. Ryo continued to look at her with the same tender eyes he had since he came. “I’m sorry.”

The tears she’s been keeping at bay broke free. The last thing she wanted to happen was for Ryo to be angry or turn against her. She did not know how he’d react, but she thought it would be best if he heard it straight from her.

“Ellie, baby,” Ryo tugged her body closer to him. He held her in a tight embrace and kissed the top of her head. He could feel her body shaking from her cries and it’s breaking him. “You did nothing wrong. You are not a two-timing slut. Don’t buy their lies baby.”

They held each other until her breathing became more stable and her sobs stopped. “Thank you for being here. I know you’re busy.”

“Never busy for you, Ellie. I can drop everything if you need me.”