Chapter 72 - Ava's Past

"Aren't you going to do anything? I have a lot to do, Sam. Let's just talk later," I replied evasively to her but she didn't seem to hear that.

Instead, she even grabbed my arm, so I quickly looked at her. It looks dark. I winced as her eyebrows rose. That's where Aaron held me last night. I couldn't even make an excuse for that because his fingers were scratched there that had become bruised.

"Has Adan Javier seen it yet?" she asked, so I just shook my head.

"We haven't talked again," I replied to her. Next, I heard her sarcastic laugh.

"I can't believe you're still letting your brother do that to you. That's too much, Amelia, just so you know," she began and sat down next to me.

I turned my gaze to my notebook and tiredly sighed.

"Because I didn't do what he ordered when—"

"Girl, you better be joking. Those lame reasons of you won't change the fact that he has been abusing you since then. The audacity! You're already giving them money, and yet they're still hurting you. What the fuck is wrong with your family?" She angrily told me that her patience seemed to have run out.

That afternoon, Sam and I agreed to have a snack in the coffee shop while waiting for Javier. A few minutes had passed when Javier finally arrived. When I turned around, I saw him just entering the coffee shop where we were and looking straight at me. I felt nervous at the way he was staring because it seemed serious. Didn't even smile. What was his problem this time?

When Javier approached me, he glanced at Sam for a moment before turning to me. His face was still serious so my chest throbbed even more.

"What's wrong? I thought—"

“Can we talk outside?" he said coldly to me so my forehead furrowed.

"Why..."

He smiled at me. "Let's talk."

That was the last thing he said before he finally pulled me outside the coffee shop. I could feel the tightness of his grip on my wrist. I could already feel fear as I looked behind him. I can't even speak.

When we got outside, he let me go. I was stuck there as he stared blankly at nowhere. He even slightly squeezed his senses.

"Uhm..." That was all that came out of my mouth before he looked at me directly again.

"Why didn’t you tell me? Why do I need to know it from other people? I thought we don't hide secrets in this relationship, Amelia?" His voice is firm and mad.

My whole system rumbled. I felt like I would faint at any time because of so much nervousness and fear. I could already feel the trembling of my knees and hands. My chest also gradually tightened due to the extreme nervousness.

He knows...

"J-Javier... I'm so sorry..." Fuck it.

"Just answer me. Why didn't you tell me? Your father told me you need some money, so I gave him all my tuition fees for the next semester. Why? "What’s wrong with you?” he asked me angrily.

I was shocked when I heard that. My shoulder fell. I didn't know if it was because of the comfort I felt because that was not what he found out or what. I didn’t know if I’d ever appreciate it again.

"W-what?" I asked him in surprise. My lips trembled. He suddenly stood up and quickly crossed the path between the two of us.

"I met your father earlier. He’s the one I went to. He was borrowing some money from me and said you're the one who needs it. For what? Is there something I don't know? Are you sick? Because after knowing the amount of money he was asking, I'll think you're sick..." he told me, full of concern.

My mouth dropped open when I heard that. I feel like I suddenly melted with embarrassment. What is it I hear? Why? What's up?

"H-how much..." I almost whispered to him because I really couldn't stand it.

"Money isn't a big deal to me, Love, and you know that. I can give it to you—"

"How much was asked of you?" I cut him off from what he had to say.

He scratched his neck and looked straight at me. "One hundred thousand. I gave it to him."

My jaw just dropped and my eyes widened, even more, when I heard that. I felt even more like my soul had escaped from my body. I felt anger in my heart at those times because of the shame I felt. I cannot explain it anymore.

Papa and my brother have done this several times. But this is the first time they asked Javier so much. For what? Why?

Later, I felt Javier gently touch me so I looked at him. His expression was soft and his eyes were talking.

"Are you sick? What's that for? Why didn't you tell me?" He asked me so I quickly shook my head.

"N-no... No, I'm not, Javier. I didn't ask for that. Did you really give it?"

When I saw his nod, it was as if cold water had been poured on me. I didn't wait for him to answer. I immediately ran out of that office and grabbed my bag. I even heard Javier chasing me but I didn't pay any attention to it.

It was only a few minutes later when I got home. I slammed the door and Papa immediately exposed himself to me with a wide smile. I looked down at the money on the table, he seemed to be counting.

I don't mess around anymore. I quickly approached him and saved the money to return it to Javier but he quickly took it from me.

"What are you doing? Why are you here? It's still early—"

"Javier told me. Why, Pa? What's going on? For what? I already gave you money, didn't I?" I calmly asked him but he just ignored me. He quickly returned that money to the small bag.

"Because you didn't give enough. I have to pay Martina. Don't be so selfish, Amelia!" He yelled at me.

I laughed. I feel the pain of something in my heart.

"I'm still selfish? Do you hear what you're saying, Pa?" My voice trembled.

He looked at me even more and hid the bag completely. I can still hear him swearing.

"Why? It's true! You're not giving enough money. Do you know how much it costs here at home? I can't afford what you're giving. I have to pay Martina because otherwise, we'll lose this house!" he shouted at me.

I became even weaker when I heard that. My hands were shaking badly. I saw how he averted his eyes from me and even scratched his head. Later, he lit a cigarette and looked at me again.

"I mortgaged this house because your older brother needed the money. You didn't give much, so I approached Javier. You're still that lucky because he’s not that poor," he told me with a laugh so I almost lost because of what I heard.

This house... it's only been five years with us. Oh, God. No…

I violently sat down because of my trembling knees. I closed my eyes tightly and tried to calm myself but I really couldn't. I felt like I was going to explode especially when I saw the sudden arrival of Aaron who immediately approached Papa.

"Did you ask? Give me 50 thousand..."

I sighed violently and stood up again. I quickly approached Papa and snatched from him the bag with only money which surprised the two of them.

"Amelia! What the hell! That's mine. Javier gave it to me!" Papa shouted angrily but I ignored him and walked straight to the door.

"And you used my name! Aren't you embarrassed, Pa? Even Javier is sympathizing with the problem that you are the only one doing..."

Before I could continue what I was about to say, I felt my world suddenly shake and I fell to the floor. I held my cheek and I felt blood coming out of my nose due to the force of Aaron’s blow on me. I could not hold back my tears especially when I heard them swearing.

"You fool! You are ungrateful! It does not mean that you are the one who brings money into this household and that you will no longer respect the people here. We are still your family! What's wrong with asking Javier for money, aren't you getting married? You, selfish bitch!" He shouted angrily at me.

I didn't know what to say during those hours. I feel like I was deafened by the force of his blow. I was unable to stand up and never looked at them again. I also dropped that bag and just turned my back on them.

"That's right! Get out of here! Ungrateful selfish bitch. Fucking stupid bitch!" I even heard my older brother yell, so I felt even heavier.

I grabbed my chest and gently tapped it. I swallowed and swallowed just to suppress my anger and emotion. I firmly wiped away my tears as well as the blood in my nose that was still coming out then walked away from that place.

At the same time as I was walking while slowly melting, the rain suddenly fell, so I was even more depressed. What happened that day suddenly came to my mind. I looked up at the sky and met the raindrops.

"M-mama... I miss you so much..." I whispered to myself and just sat on the ground there then I let go of all my resentment towards my family.

I don’t know why it wasn't still enough. I don't know why they are like this to me. We were all fine when Mom was still alive. It's been two years since she died. It has also been two years since they wished I had just died and not Mama. Until now am I the one they blame for her death?

***

[PRESENT TIME.]

"Why don't you try to give him a chance? At least try to hear his side, Ms. Aragon. I'm sure he has every reason to do that."

I was overwhelmed with emptiness when I heard that from Pola. I just watched her helping me pack my things in my office.

"It's been a long time. I can't, Pola. You know me very well." I told her.

I saw one of her eyebrows rise and looked straight at me.

"What's wrong with that? I know once he kisses you, you're going to beg to be enslaved by him again."

My eyes rolled because of what she said.

I looked back and forth between her and what she was doing. I don't even understand what she was trying to imply. As if she's siding with that jerk.

"Watch your words, Pola. As if you don't know the whole truth before I even regain my memory," I told her then I sat down on my swivel chair.

I grabbed my head and gently stroked it. Pola told me the reason why Javier and I are still together today despite everything that happened. He was trying to help me get back everything and put me back in my place where I really belong. The things that I lost that he was the reason why. It was funny to think that now he was helping me get back everything I lost because of what he had done to me before.

"Do you love him?" She suddenly asked.

I was stunned and didn't even know what to say to her. I stayed still and chuckled.

"Fuck love. What does that even mean?" I uttered.

"Then what are you planning this time? Are you sure you don't want to hear his other reason for being here with you still?"

I smiled bitterly. I honestly didn't know. There was a part of me that wanted to, but for what else? It still wouldn't change the fact that he repeatedly cheated and played with me despite everything I sacrificed for him before. I still couldn't believe that I fooled myself and made myself believe he was really the nicest guy in the world. Damn it.

I looked away from her. I heaved a sigh and remembered what happened. "I don't know."