CHAPTER 7

"It's Mr. Johnson Ledesma, your fiancée."

The news took my breath away. I didn't know what to say but all I can feel right now is nothing but anxious.

I nodded and walk faster and Cecilia understood what I meant. I didn't know what Johnson has said to warrant this kind of behavior from Cecilia but I understand her, John is sure intimidating and scary to look at. He's a man of a few words and cold. He's words are brisk and direct; you can feel the authority and power in him. Well, he wouldn't be the feared CEO of Ledesma Corporations if he isn't like that.

"How long did he wait Cecilia?"

"I'm not sure though, he was already in your room when he called for me. For almost twenty minutes, I was looking for you all over the building! I mean, how could you do that?! I know how much you wanted to hang out in the rooftop but I never thought you would really do that stunt all by yourself! He looks calmn and collected Makaria! But him being like that is making me afraid for you more. He's really scary. "

I nooded as I agreed to her sentiment. It was six years ago when we officially met in a dinner my family arranged. He was after all an after sought bachelor who swept away the business world the moment he step in as the head of his family's corporation. He was a few years older than me so I viewed him as an old, traditional man. I kinda feared him to be honest. With years with us apart, there's a huge difference with how he brings himself in the society with my own behavior.

I tighten my grip on Cecilia's hand to draw some strength. I took a multiple deep breaths and prepared some excuses as to why I wasn't in the my room. Rumblings of footsteps and murmurings can be heard as I suppose we draw close in my room.

"Miss Makaria is here. I repeat, miss Makaria is here. You can now go back to your station gentlemen.

He's really here. John is here.

" Mr. Ledesma is waiting inside miss. " I nodded and heard the opening of the door as Cecelia and I step inside. The cold air coming out of the air conditioner is now mixed with the hot sunny feels of the breeze of the air. I left the window open before I leave the room so I imagine he didn't close it. The don't know where he was so I was waiting for him to talk and say something. Cecilia ushered me to the bed and I sit erect with my back facing the door. For a moment, no one spoke and I can still feel Cecilia's presence.

"John?" I called, not withstanding the silence. Cecelia cleared her throat and slowly, released her grip on me as I felt her step back.

"I need to go then, Miss Sandoval, Mr. Ledesma. If you need anything just press that button." I reached out my hand in attempt to stop Cecelia from leaving but I know I can't do that. No matter how much I wanted to be with Cecilia, I can't let her do so. I don't know who's in here, aside from knowing that I am in this four cornered room with John.

"Leave us." I felt the chills as I heard John spoke. It was monotonous, devoid of any emotion as he spoke the words. He has been always like that, as far as I know. Right after his words, multiple footsteps are heard as they left the two of us alone. The click of the door is like a sentence of judge, irrevocable and absolute. It's like saying there's no other way now. I'm alone with him.

I sit still in the bed, unmoving and erect. With my hands in my lap, I look ahead with my head held high feigning confidence.

"What would you like to discuss, John? You wouldn't be here yourself if you don't have an important thing to do here, right?" I said all business like.

I heard him walk around the room. Slow steps like a predator watching his prey. I heard then a scrape on the ground as a chair is drag carefully just right across me. I may not see him but I can see in the back of my mind how he would sit in the chair with oh so gracefulness. He will then cross his legs and eyed me with that eyes void of emotion.

"Well. Indeed, there is something important that had warranted my presence here Makaria."

He paused, sending me to a cliffhanger. I raised my eyebrow, ushering him to continue what he had to say.

"Tomorrow's the day where you'll regain your eyesight, right?"

With a bit confusion, I nodded. Is this the only thing he came here for?

"Yeah. It'll be tomorrow. What about it?"

"You look so confused my dear. Is it not my duty to check on my fiance once in a while?

"Wha... What?" Is this John am I truly talking to? This must be some kind of joke. This is the first time he has spoken me that kind of tone... A bit playful? What's with him? He's all been direct, curt and all to me, specially to the news of us getting married. And... My dear? Did he just address me as "my dear?" seriously?

"What's with the stuttering Makaria? Are you unwell?"

"I'm perfectly fine John. I think... It is you who isn't fine. You... You seem off, is something the matter?"

"What do you mean off? I'm in the most perfect shape Makaria. I'm here to actually check on you. I know I've been busy that I haven't been able to see you that's why I'm here. After the removal of the bandages and further check ups, you will stay in my house for a while as what your father and I decided. Is that okay with you? "

I don't really have a choice, do I? Masking my disappointment, I nodded.

" Okay. How long will I stay under your roof? I honestly want to spend some time with my father John... " I said, dragging the words slowly. Voicing out my thoughts . I hope he'll be considerate enough.

"You can visit your father Makaria. I won't forbid you but, I'll have to hire more bodyguards for you then."

"Bodyguards? For me? But that is not needed! I don't need bodyguards John." I said. Now that I have some taste of freedom, I don't want to caged again. It's not like I'm still a daughter of a millionaire or something. Our business went bankrupt and now only holding the influence of my mother and the Ledesma's.

" Of course you need to have bodyguards Makaria. You think I can leave you all alone after the incident happened? I know you didn't have to be stress about this but I'm telling you this because I wanted you to be cautious and careful from now on. The incident that had just happened with us is no incident Makaria. It was foul play. " I can feel the icy edge in his tone that everyone is scared of. Foul play? As I processed his words, nothing came to my mind but dread and anxiety. Someone out there wanted to kill us... Or me.

" What?! What do you mean by that? " I said hastily, too terrified upon the words sink in.

"The investigation is still on going. I know I should've have told you this as what your father told me but I don't want to keep you in the dark."

I can't help the shaking of my hands with the thought of someone trying to kill us. I ransacked my mind for possibilities and scenarios but everything is blurry. I can't point out what cause all of these happenings. I heard John took a breath. His big, warm hands engulfing my small ones and tightened his grip. I can't see him but I can feel his sincerity as he held my hand in silence. He had never done something like this before. All I can make out of him is a stone hearted guy who only thinks of the cons and pros of the situation but in a small span of time, he kind of changed. He must be shaken up badly with the incident as much as I do. Giving him back some warmth, I accepted his hand and hold his hand tighter.

"Who... Would do that to us, John? That person must have a deep anger towards us that it cost my... sight."

"The culprit is still at large Makaria. I'll do anything to make that fucker pay the price of messing with me."

~~~~~~~~~

"I don't think I can make it here tomorrow Makaria. After you discharge here, Ben will take you directly to my house. I still need to take care tons of things in the office since I got discharge in the hospital two months ago."

"It's fine John. Will daddy be here tomorrow?"

"Yes. He'll be here tomorrow. I will let Ben stay here for the night to guard you, outside the door. You don't have to sneak out anymore. I don't know what the nurses were doing but the stunt you pulled a while ago is not funny at all. You should be careful Makaria. "

I bit my lip as I thought John forgot what I had done a while ago.

" Yeah. I'm sorry. "

" If you need anything, you can contact me through Ben. "

"Okay"

John then ruffled my hair. This is so unlike him.

"I'll take my leave then, Makaria."

"Hmm. Take care, John."

The door opened and steps echoed throughout the halls. I heard John ordering his men to prepare the car. And true to his words, he made Ben stay with me tonight.

"You'll be guarding Makaria's room for tonight and accompany her and Mr. Sandoval to my house. I already deploy Van and his team all over the place so if something happens, call them."

"Yes sir. Understood."

"Good. Joe? Is the car ready?"

"Yes sir."

" Okay let's go."

Their voices then fades as they went farther and farther away from my room. I sigh for the nth time. With the news John told me, I can't seem to be relax as I was before. I don't know if it was a good thing he told me about the foul play happened in the supposed "accident" or a bad thing as the threat of someone who wants us dead is lurking somewhere. I run my right hand in the soft fabric of the bed. Something is missing.

"uh, Ben, are you there?" I said a bit loudly. The door creak opened and steps came through.

"Yes ma'am. Do you need anything?"

"Could you please find my cane? I think I lost it somewhere in the rooftop?"

"Okay ma'am. Julius? Where are you? Could you please fill in my place for a while? I need to find miss Makaria's cane and I can't leave her room without someone guarding outside. Thanks man."

"I'll be okay here Ben. No need to call for another person to guard me. It'll take a minute to find that cane anyway." I said as I overheard his conversation with this man Julius.

"I'm sorry ma'am but I can't take my leave without someone to fill in my place. Mr. Ledesma's orders ma'am."

I guess it's understandable. John must have ordered not to leave me alone now that the investigation turned out this way.

"Okay then. I understand... Uh, can I ask you something?"

"What is it ma'am?"

"Are you part of John's team in investigating the accident?"

"Yes ma'am. But I can't disclose the details of the investigation as what Mr. Ledesma has instructed.

My hopes then faltered with his last words. John decided to tell me something about the accident but won't let me know the whole story.

" That's sad to know then. I guess I have the right to know the very details as my life is also at stake here."

"I'm sorry ma'am. The investigation is confidential. The only thing I could tell you is that, the culprit won't let you leave unscathed."

Not pushing the issue at hand, I nodded in silence as a sign of defeat. It would be better to ask John himself to know the true situation. Now that I don't have the cane yet, I decided to take a rest for a while while waiting for my lunch. I lay down the bed and feel the surroundings. The sun is sure up as its rays bits my skin more forcefully. The surroundings must be filled with rays of sun as it bathed the world with its blinding light. The sunlight must be making everything glow and more colorful as it enhances the different colors of flowers, plants... How does the world looks now? I wonder...

" The leaves are green, the trees are brown. The birds in the tree chirping is quite small; it's in color black with some red in its small beak. The flowers in the ground are blooming with different colors and shapes, decorating the garden beautifully..."

The voice of the man I met earlier suddenly rang in my head as I think of the things I'll finally see tomorrow. If he's here with me, would he describe the things for me? Now, thinking about him, he also missed to be able to feel and see the world knowing that he was fast asleep for the last months. I don't know why but I can feel deep in my heart the happiness of knowing that he woke up...

"Good morning ma'am! I'm Julius and I'll fill Ben's post as he find your missing cane for a minute."

I brought my hand in my heart as I was legit startled with the sudden outburst from the door. His loud and cheerful voice boomed all over the room that ruined the serene ambiance.

" You... You startled me. " I can't help but exclaimed.

" I... I'm so sorry ma'am! I never meant to scare you."

"It's okay... I was just startled. That's all."

"Uh, ma'am. I know this is kind of shameless but can I excuse myself for a while? Need to go to the restroom..."

"Oh... Okay. No worries."

I heard the door close and only the sound of the air conditioner was all I could hear. I wonder what time is it? I kinda feel hungry now. I hope Cecilia will be here soon with my lunch. Clutching my stomach, for some reasons, my prayer has been answered immediately. For who knows how many times, the door open and I could smell a faint delicious aroma of food.

"Cecilia? Gosh. Good thing you're here. I'm hungry."

I sit in the bed and wait for her to set up the table. For a while, Cecilia didn't answer which is off. I heard the rattling sound of utensils placed in the table. Confused with Cecilia's silence I called again. To my surprise it was not Cecilia.

" Hello miss Makaria. I am Ely. Someone ask me to deliver this to you. This is for your lunch."

"Oh. Where is Cecilia?"

"She's somewhe in the ground floor running over her rounds."

"It's almost lunch time. She's my nurse who caters all my needs, including my lunch."

"Ah yes. She's quite busy at the moment and I'm here to fill in her place for this time only."

"Okay then..."

I said dragging the words. I find this moment with her uncomfortable. With only the utensils making a sound, everything feels awkward. I didn't strike a conversation and she keep mum while feeding me.

After that excruciating silent lunch, Ely left the room silently with Ben guarding outside. Now that the cane's with me I'm tempted to stroll and hang out in the rooftop but didn't do so. I rather spend the whole day in my room sitting near the window enjoying the warmth of the sunshine as it pierced through my windows.