CHAPTER 10

Black irises looking at me with tenderness, warmth and love. His thick eyebrows are always one of the most striking feature he has … that long aristocrat nose that will always settle in the crook of my neck and that lips… That soft sweet lips who always leave a trail of sweet kisses …

Niko… Nikholai….

Strong arms lock me in a tight embrace, never wanted to let me go… Everything feels right until I felt the strong embrace getting weaker and weaker each minute; his body sunken in mine as strength left him. I wrapped my arms around his waist to steady us both when I felt a sticky liquid gushing out of him. I raise my eyes only to see my hand bathing in fresh blood. The metallic smell of blood is making me dizzy and nauseated. I scream. Loud, louder until I can’t hear my voice anymore. Nikholai lying in the ground, cold and bathing in his own blood.

“HELPPP! AHHHHHHHHH! “

“Makaria? Makaria?! Wake up! “ drenched in sweat, I snapped back into the reality as I woke up. My heart beating wildly from the morbid dream I have. I clutch the bedsheets tightly to clam myself down. The shaking of my whole body is uncontrollable as the dream felt so real. The body, the smell and the blood.

“Hey. You okay now?” The voice startled me for a bit, but totally calm me down as John’s concern demeanor is visible. He sat down in the bed and handed me a glass of water. I received the glass and sip. The coldness of the water traveling down my throat is helping me relax more and be aware of the reality.

“Thank you… “ I uttered lowly. I’m still quite shaken up from the expected dream. Nikholai… I hope he’s okay. I glance at John who’s observing me; my eyes then went by pass him and landed in the windows. I expected the blinding rays of the sun to meet my eyesight but sunshine is nowhere to be found. The whole surroundings is now bathed with black and darkness as the sun set in the horizon. I must have sleep for hours now.

“What time is it?” I ask as my stomach rumble. I missed lunch and I can feel that I need to stuff my stomach with something now.

Chuckling a bit, John answered. “ It’s passed six in the evening Makaria. I heard you didn’t have your lunch? “

“Ah. Yes. I was in no mood to eat. “

“I guess, you have now the appetite to eat? Come, join us for dinner. “

“ I’ll have to change first. I’ll go down later.”

“Okay then. Just don’t make them wait too long. “ I’m happy that he didn’t pry on what happened but something caught my attention.

“Them? Do you have visitors?” I ask, puzzled.

“ Yes, they wanted to meet you. Mom and dad are downstairs talking to your dad. “ I eyed him, flabbergasted with his announcement. He chuckled at my reaction.

“Don’t worry, they won’t bite. They wanted to see you themselves to check up on you upon hearing that you’re finally discharge from the hospital. “ He said and close the door of my room. I sigh. I’mnot ready to meet them, not yet.

For the last time, I look at myself in the mirror quite satisfied with how I look. I wore a knee length pink dress with ruffles on the ends paired with a simple white flats. I never thought John would even go to the extent of filling up the closet in this room for my disposal. There are also various shoes and sandals for me to wear. I checked the clothes I used in the hospital which is now neatly arrange in the closet; they’re not totally fit for me to wear for this dinner, specifically that John’s parents are here. Mr. and Mrs. Ledesma are one of the socialites, both sides came from old money families who were never been poor. It’s truly nerve-wracking to sit with them in the same table. They are now in their late forty's, quite still young but the husband decided to retire early since his sons, including John, is truly capable of handling their business.

Three knocks on the door made me jump a bit. I went to the door to open but John beat me to it. His head popped in the door.

“Are you done? Let’s go. “ His eyes rake up and down my figure, and nodded appreciatively.

“Uh, I used this dress. I don’t really have with me a decent one to wear. I hope you didn’t mind. “

“Not at all. It looks good on you, by the way. “

“Thanks. “ I mumbled. He offered his arm to me which I received. With our arms linking, we descended downstairs. Voices and laughs can be heard not too far from the stairs. They must be in the waiting room. As we neared the waiting room, the soothing sound of violin played and the laughers are now more pronounced. I stop just before we could step inside the room, making John look at me questioningly.

“I’m just nervous. “ I uttered before he could ask. Beads of sweat formed in my temple and my hands started to sweat, too.

“Seriously? What’s to be nervous about? It’s just my parents Makaria. Just relax. They’ve been wanting to see you since the incident but they were abroad. There’s nothing to be nervous about. “ John patted my hands and ushered me to go forward. Amidst the noise in the four cornered room, one step inside, Mrs. Ledesma immediately noticed our presence. Wine glass at hand, she stood up from her seat and went to us.

“ Oh, dear Makaria! It’s so good to see you hija!” Her voice in high pitch, overpowering the sound of the music being played. She kissed me at both cheeks and smiled.

“Hello Mrs. Ledesma. It’s nice to see you too, madame. “ I replied and returned her smile with a shy one. The men behind, stood from their seats and decided to join us three with our little reunion.

“Makaria, you look good. I hope you’re doing well hija. “ said Mr. Ledesma. They had swarmed us up, totally overwhelming.

“Thank you Mr. Ledesma. You don’t look so bad yourself. “ The man nodded and went to his son. John is now the center of attraction as the three bombarded him with questions after questions. I stand beside him, with arms link, awkwardly.

“ Why don’t we sit first and talk? “ John gestured for the couch which we all agreed.

“The dinner will be served later, so let’s sit here and talk.” Mrs. Ledesma said as she ring the bell and a maid came in.

I sat in the single sitter couch which is near the retro vinyl player. The slow, classical music is calming my nerves.

“Get us an additional glasses of wine for us. “ Mrs. Ledesma ordered. The maid nodded and went away immediately.

Mrs. Ledesma turned then to us, or rather to me and smiled. She stood up and sit near me. She looks immaculate in her white full length dress paired with at least an inch of I think a Christian Louboutin pair of heeled sandals; her brunette hair is in French twist updo.

“How are you hija? We’re so sorry that we didn’t visit you for the last months. We where in Switzerland that time having our one year planned vacation. “ She said apologetically. I shook my head and wave my hand.

“Oh no. It’s totally fine Mrs. Ledesma, I understand. Dad was with me anyway so I’m fine. “ Wine glass in hand, she run her manicured hands over the tip of the wine glass. She chuckled.

“Come on, hija. Drop the formalities. Call me tita, or better yet call me mommy from now on. You and John will get married anyway. It was all due to that accident that your marriage was halt. “ She said with a humorous tone. My whole mood went awry as she heard the word I wanted so much to avoid. But not really sensing my awkwardness to the topic, she pushed it forward like adding salt to the injury.

“Now that you’re finally discharge from the hospital. I guess, we can proceed the wedding? Like it would’ve been a few years ago if it weren’t for the request of your late mom. “ She said matter-of-factly. The rest of the men were quite occupied with their own conversation while I am trapped with Mrs. Ledesma's inquisitive eyes and probing mouth.

I tried to laugh off the uneasiness settling down inside me. I cleared my throat to get John’s attention which he noticed immediately.

“Oh. Don’t you feel hungry everyone? I hope dinner will be serve soon. Makaria's a bit hungry. You skip lunch , right? “ I throw a smile at John’s way and nodded. I caress my tummy to put an emphasis that what John had said was true.

“Yes. I was totally hungry. You know how bland hospital food can get. I missed those home-made dishes. “ I sigh exaggeratedly. I hope I got off the hook of Mrs. Ledesma’s questions for the mean time. I know that marriage and wedding would always be the hot topic for us, now that I’m finally back.

“Oh. I’m sure chef Bonnicillo is now preparing for the dinner. Lemme check the kitchen for you hija.”

Mrs. Ledesma then came back in the waiting room announcing that dinner’s ready. The four of us seated in our respective seats with Mr. Ledesma at the center with Mrs. Ledesma in his right. My father and I seated at the left side of the table. The maids then starting to serve the food as everyone else continued the discussion they have a while ago. I eyed the steak in front and I salivated at the sight of it. I can smell the rich aroma of the spices used in every dish serve in the table. I run the knife into the meat of the steak and the rosy red in the middle is satisfying to see. I eat up the piece of meat and I sigh inwardly with its savory taste. Back in the hospital, I can’t eat something as delicious as this; thus eating this right now is making me giddy.

As I eat up silently, oblivious to my surroundings, I didn’t heed to whatever conversation they have; not until they snatched away my attention. Mrs. Ledesma called me several times and three pairs of eyes directed at me expectantly.

“Makaria? Are you okay with the date?” Mrs. Ledesma dabbed a napkin in her lips and drink a wine. My mind racing and my whole system went panicking but I keep a straight face, still to save some face. I open my mouth and ask' “ I’m sorry? What were you asking about Madame?” I look at my dad to ask for some help.

“Ah. Hahahaha. Makaria’s just too engrossed with the food that she didn’t catch what we were talking about. “ Everyone erupted into a small laugh which I acted along to.

“ I am sorry. The food’s were just too delicious, I can’t help but be awed by it. The chef’s did a great job. “ I uttered truthfully.

Mr. Ledesma chuckled with the statement and talk about the background of the chef who pull off our dinner’s dishes. But after a while, the woman of the house, Mrs. Ledesma brush off his husband’s blabbering.

“Now, now. Enough talking about some trivial things dear. Dearest Makaria, I propose earlier when shall your wedding will be resume. Since everything is almost ready, why don’t we push your wedding next month? It could be in the twenty fifth or thirty first. “

The rattling sound of utensils clash against one echoed throughout the table; their expectant eyes mirroring some positive response. My hands felt cold upon the mention of that letter word m. I never really thought about my marriage to the man across from me for the last months, considering my condition. In all honesty, I forgot all together about the wedding and John that night where I met Nikholai. The night of meeting him after a few years of not seeing each other… and the night where the unfortunate events settled in between the two of us.

“I… “

I can’t seem to find the right words to express what I truly feel regarding the situation. This wedding of ours, John and I, were just a mere exchange of old promises. My mother, Juliet Maria Guirerra was a long time best friend of Celestia Andrianna Ruiz, John’s mother. My mother always told me that I can marry the person whom I love but with her consent and standards. Even though Mrs. Ledesma and my mother had a strong ties, John and I we’re not acquainted not until I reach twelve years old. He was studying abroad thus explaining his absence during the gatherings. We were then introduce and get acquainted when he went home for vacation; our parents thought that we would click together but to their surprise, we didn’t. Apart from being a total strangers, we have this five year gap that makes a huge gap with our hobbies and interests.

“Mom. I think it’s too early to push the wedding. She just got home and discharge from the hospital. Why don’t we let Makaria rest first then, we’ll plan the proceedings of the wedding. How’s that?” A big lump has been lifted off my shoulders with what John had insisted. I thank him mentally as he literally save my life from that impending doom.

“ I’m sorry Mrs. Ledesma. I would like to agree with John. Since coming home from being visually impaired for months, I decided that I wanted to enjoy myself first… you know travel. I’ve also been thinking about going back to work” I let the words out of my mouth smoothly as possible. I don’t want to offend Mrs. Ledesma as she look so excited. The smile she’s wearing then become more of a sad one; gradually residing into tight-lipped smile as she nodded.

“I understand hija. That was a bit insensitive of me. Please, excuse my behavior. I was just thrill to finally tie the knots and have you legally and officially as my daughter in law. You know how much I wanted a daughter. “

“ Not at all Mrs. Ledesma. I just wanted some space to breath and relax since the upside-down circumstances just recently happened with my life. I do hope you’ll wait until John and I will official announcement. “

“Let the kids make their own choices hon. They definitely know what they were doing. Besides, there’s something John wanted to impose after the investigation conducted. John?” Upon the announcement of John’s father, I got a feeling that I might know where this conversation is leading.

“Yes. I would like to hire personal bodyguards for Makaria and to you Mr. Sandoval. “ The merry atmosphere in the dining area dropped a bit. Confusion got mostly from the rest and I keep my face straight. I knew it. John’s a tad bit serious with the bodyguards. My father, slowly put the utensils down as the news caught his attention wholly.

“I understand that there are truly those people lurking in the shadows to drag you down hijo and I can see you’re definitely be able to defend my daughter; seeing those bodyguards swarming us while going here. I thank you for that but is hiring new, more bodyguards needed? “

“Yes sir. I know that the media release a statement a few months ago after their investigation saying that it was just all mechanical issue; no foul play at all. Well, it is I who paid the media to release that statement. Gasps and total bewilderedness reign in the table; including me who is totally clueless of the things that happened few months after the accident.

“What? Why would you do that son?!” Came Mrs. Ledesma’s scandalous voice echoed in the table. To console his wife, Mr. Ledesma, who is compose, hold his wife’s hand tried to calm her down.

“Lets listen to your son first hon. He’ll never do such action without any valid reason. Now, tell us the reason behind son. “

“The investigation conducted both by the police and the private investigator I hired lead into a conclusion that the accident were in fact not an accidental at all. Findings showed that the brake was cut off leading us to the accident. I paid the media and the people involved in the investigation to keep mum until we can capture the culprit. Whoever he is, he’s still at loose that’s why I wanted to hire a personal bodyguards for Makaria and her father. “

Everyone were flabbergasted with the bomb John had released. There’s someone out there who wants our demise. I hold into my dad as I worry engulf my system. My dad is old and I don’t want to loose him too.

“Oh my god! We should find that culprit soon or else! It’s maybe a good thing that tye wedding be postponed. Jesus! Who would plan something as dark as that hijo!” Exclaimed Mrs. Ledesma.

“ That’s good to hear that you already have plans for this dilemma son. Maybe, you two should lie low from public. It’ll be better for you to have a vacation in a secluded island. “

The table then erupted into various statements and opinions. While I, sitting in the chair still high from how fast my life rolling. From the conversation of marriage into vacation in a secluded island?! Just how fast my life changes!