Chapter 10

"Don't want to."

"Why?"

"I just want to cuddle you the whole night." Zeus pouted his lips and embraced me so tight.

We bathe in the hacienda stream. It was hidden and far from the houses. This was my favorite place when I wanted silence. It was breathtaking, the thing I love the most. It was as if it was taking me to paradise.

There were lush trees. There were grass and flowers on the side of a strange kind. And the lake. It was so beautiful. Clean water that was too cold.

I loved the peace and quiet. And this place was perfect for me.

Zeus and I thought of wandering around while everyone was busy preparing lunch. Zeus and I had a secret relationship, so we were also careful. Even though I knew he loved me, we still did not know what people would say to us. Especially for me.

What a judgmental society we have. All was all a big deal. Everything has malice. Everything was not possible.

And in the situation with Zeus and me, there were many things and situations that I knew when others found out the audience would celebrate.

Rich to poor.

Adult to teenager.

Pre-marital sex.

What a stereotypical society we have.

My thoughts were interrupted when he kissed me on the cheek. I smiled to myself as he did that to me. He was really very sweet. He will always be remembered for me. As time went on, I saw more of who he really was.

Zeus and I were both lying on the grass. We were both looking at the sky. It was just so peaceful. Just like this place.

"Just kiss me over and over again," I told him once, slapping his arm. It was sometimes annoying and sometimes it was clingy.

"But seriously, go to the party..."

Zeus looked at me frowning. I used to convince him to attend Aria's party. Probably because he will be stubborn again with Don Fausto.

"I do not want to."

I laughed out loud. He only spoke to me once in Tagalog and only when he was angry. I knew now, he was angry at me.

"You're cute." I said and pinched his cheek because his Tagalog was slang. I was happy because he rarely spoke in Tagalog.

I would have walked away from him when he grabbed my hand. One swift move and he was on top of me. Grinning. He looked me in the face down to my chest. He swallowed several times because of what he saw. Desire and longing were written on his eyes. He moved his head down to claim my lips. But before it landed on me, we heard a call.

Zeus' phone was ringing, nonstop. He left after me and answered.

"Yes?" His forehead furrowed. He seemed irritated because of the call. "Okay, we're coming," he said before dropping the call.

I got up and shook myself. I was still wet from the bathing earlier, but I still look presentable.

"We're going home now, Love. It's an emergency. Papa did not notice me earlier."

I nodded and approached him. Zeus and I walked hand in hand towards the mansion.

I wonder what emergency Don Fausto was saying.

My question was only answered when we arrived at the mansion. It was because Aria's family was there.

"Oh, you child! What happened to you?" Mother Belen exclaimed when I met her in the kitchen. She was busy preparing something to eat later.

"I took a bath in the stream, Mom. What's wrong?" I asked. I am not into gossip, but it was still intriguing that Aria's family was here.

"I think it's a party. There's an important conversation."

I nodded and left to go home and took a bath. I was just a few steps away when Aria saw me. She was very well dressed now. She was so beautiful in her baby pink floral dress. I suddenly diminished myself. Insecurities took over me.

"Ew, what happened to you Sofia?" Her artistic statement. She also did not approach me very well. Social distancing was crazy.

"Just took a bath," I said nonchalantly. I shrugged my insecurities off. Why would I be insecure with her? I did not think that she knew how to wash a plate. The thought of it made me smile. I should be proud of myself because I knew something that others did not know.

Aria's face still couldn't be seen as she stared at me. Her face was wrinkled, and she even looked disgusted.

I smiled. I think of a prank on her. I approached her without her noticing and suddenly I hugged her. She cried out in shock because of that.

'Exaggerated' I thought.

I didn't hug her tightly. I let her go then and when I saw her look at me, I wanted to laugh out loud.

"Oh, Sorry!"

She rolled her eyes on me. She walked out with another tramp. I followed her with my gaze and when I saw she was far away I burst out laughing. I laughed for a few minutes as I decided to go home. I'm really cold too.

I went back to the mansion of the presentable and fragrant. I also finished bathing and I knew I look human now.

I was busy getting the dishes out of the cabinet when a hand wrapped around my waist. I almost let go of the plates in shock.

"Zeus—"

I put down the plates and held her hand. But my smile faded when I realized that it wasn't Zeus that was holding my hand.

I was suddenly nervous. My heart was beating so fast. Who was this daredevil?

I moved quickly as I turned to the owner of the hand that hugged me. That was how masculine my eyes were when I saw Don Fausto's face.

I blinked a few times from the shock. My mind could hardly process everything that happened. I am in shock, and I couldn't even utter a word.

Don Fausto was here, and he cornered me between the kitchen counter. He bent closer to me. I averted my face from him. His lips landed on the side of my ear. He smiled and whispered near my ear.

"You are mine, Sofia. So, stay away from my son," he said and left me alone dumbfounded inside the kitchen.

His words. I swear, it sent shivers to my spine. Scary and terrifying. Disgusting.

I was still dumbfounded when Mom reached me in the kitchen. She himself took the dishes I had just been holding earlier.

"What happened to you?"

I did not answer him. I'm still not moving. My heart was still beating so fast. Everything that happened could not be processed by my brain. Everything I could hardly believe.

"Hey! What happened, Manang Belen?"

Zeus spoke. He peeked at the kitchen door. He looked at me with so much care. He stepped closer so I shook my head. Telling him that I'm alright. But I know I'm not well. But I had to act okay.

I calmed myself down afterwards. I took the dishes again from Mom and I approached Zeus myself.

"I'm fine," I told him. Assuring him that I'm okay. I know he cares as much for me. Especially since I was pale earlier.

I helped Nanny Belen throughout lunchtime. While serving them I could not help but glance at Don. When I looked at him, he was looking at me too. So, I turned my gaze to something else.

Aria on the other hand was blabbering about something scandalous. The old man, young girl relationship seems to be trending nowadays. As she said those things, she just glanced at me. As if she knew something I did not know.

It was exactly three o'clock in the afternoon when the Guerreros returned home. I was busy putting away the dishes we washed with someone hugging my back.

Deja vu!

I immediately skipped over and walked away quickly. Zeus was shocked by my reaction. Uncertainty was all over his face. He seemed appalled.

"Are you okay, baby? What's wrong?"

"I'm fine. Just, not now Zeus... please!" I told him. I pushed him away. He doesn't want to. But I insisted and he knew there was nothing he could do.

When he disappeared from my sight then I just let my tears flow. I sobbed silently. I was worried that Mom would attend. She asked me why, but I did not answer her. How can I say this? I do not know.

I intend to keep my mouth shut. I didn't want to complicate things. I didn't want to cause misunderstanding because when I did and told them more, everything would not be normal.

Everything would change.

Days passed and Aria's birthday I did not attend. As what she requested, she escorted Zeus that day.

After Aria's birthday, she heard the news that they were getting along. I didn't mind the issue because I knew the truth. I asked Zeus about it, and he said it wasn't true.

Until a kiss issue came. Aria and Zeus kissed after the party. I asked him again and he said no. And I believe in him. Although we often argue, he made sure that at the end of the day, we make things up.

"I love you, baby. That's what matters the most."

That word sounds like a broken plaque from him. When he knows I'm not in the mood he always reminds me how much he loves me.

But everything's changed.

It all started when our graduation came. As expected, I was in the honor roll. Mother Belen was very proud of me. Even Zeus was there to witness my graduation and hang different colors of garland.

But after the ceremony, Zeus celebrated with the Guerreros. It pained me, knowing that I was not with him on the day I could say achievement for me. But I didn't have a choice.

Until it was repeated over and over again.

I was always waiting for him to come to my house. I have always felt so bad in the past. And when I checked my schedule of the month, I was delayed. Two months delayed to be exact. I was certain to tell him. But one morning I was just shocked by the news.

Zeus left.

Zeus left without knowing that I am carrying his child.