Chapter Thirty Two: Journey

Just when the elevator door was just inches from closing, Sean held it with his hand to keep it open. Thera raised a face. She wished she could blink her tears away, but how could she do so? Sean's serious gaze rooted her to the spot.

“Nine years ago, I told myself if I could travel back in time, I’d choose not to meet you. Afraid I might ruin the girl who got nothing but love in her heart. I told myself to keep my distance from you. That I shouldn't have met you. But when you lost your memories, just thinking about you forgetting everything about me scared the hell out of me, Thera. No matter how hard I try to deny it, you are the last person I want to lose.”

Thera swallowed hard. Hearing those felt like someone hit her hard on the chest. Sean's voice sounded so broken and sincere to her ears.

“I know I cannot put back in your eyes all the tears you cried for me. I know that a single sorry can't compensate for all the pain I've caused you since we met. But you see, I already have plenty of regrets. Letting you go now won’t be added to the long list,” he said, his smile was faint. “When you come back, please start over with me. I’ll wait.” along with those words, he finally let go of the elevator door and let it shut right before him.

Tears came into her eyes. The look in his eyes was telling her that he was going to keep the promise this time.

She let her tears roll down her cheeks, feeling her heart filled with love.

December 15, 2019

Quezon City

“Are you really sure about this, Thera?” Yumi asked her once more, handing over the electronic ticket and passport to her.

She simply smiled at her. She knew Yumi too well. That once she decided on something, it's final. No more buts. No whatnot. She hadn't left yet but she could see the sorrow in her eyes.

After submitting her resignation letter, Thera went directly to the condo to pack up her things. She had got the flight into Sydney tomorrow. Yumi booked the earliest flight as per Thera's demand. She wanted to leave as soon as possible. She was worried Sean would appear out of nowhere and plead with her not to go. Defying herself was the last thing she wanted to happen.

Gathering all the clothes in the hanger, Thera threw them all on the bed. She began removing the clothes from them one by one.

“Thera, I forgot to return something.”

“What is it?” she asked, glancing at Yumi. Her forehead creased when she saw the familiar necktie in her hand.

It was the same necktie she saw at the bottom of the bed the day after the anniversary of Sean's parents. She returned it to Yumi as soon as she found out that it belonged to her boyfriend.

“Three years ago, I lied about this. When you called to ask me who the owner was, I panicked. So, I ended up telling you that it was my boyfriend's tie and that his name is Top. But honestly, he wasn't my boyfriend and this wasn’t his either.”

Thera's brows furrowed in confusion. Hence, the name rang a bell. Does it mean they knew each other?

“Top Montero. How did you know him?”

“He was the Doctor who rushed you to the hospital the day your first pregnancy ended in miscarriage. Four years ago, he went to the office to schedule an appointment, but that was also the day you visited Mr. Hernandez at the hospital. You asked me to cancel the appointment. After that, he no longer came back.”

She nodded her head. Guilt flashed into her. Too bad, she wasn’t able to express her gratitude to the guy.

“About this tie…” Yumi continued. “Truth is, this belongs to sir Sean. He was here in the condo when I arrived. Ringgo didn’t send you home that night. Sir Sean did.”

Thera straightened up. Unknowingly, she took the tie from Yumi's hands.

“He was with you the whole night. I'm sorry, Thera. Sorry for telling you this late. He asked me not to mention anything to you.”

Her eyes shifted to the tie. So, the guy she was talking to at the rooftop was Sean?

“Ever since you lost your baby, Sir Sean book a flight here in the Philippines so he could visit the tomb every year.”

“Why are you telling me all of this now?”

“I don't want you to leave,” Yumi answered straightforwardly. “You deserve to be happy, Thera… With Sir Sean. I hate seeing you spend your time alone. I don't want you to end up being lonely again.”

She was about to open her mouth to say something, but the door buzzed out all of a sudden. Taking a deep breath, Yumi turned on her heels and rushed towards the door. The way the button was pressed, it seemed that somebody was so eager to get in.

“Thera…” Yumi called her after clicking on the video intercom.

Thera came forward, gripping the necktie tightly. Her forehead furrowed as soon as she recognized who the person outside the door was. Discerning by her expression, she sure had an urgent word to say. Thera hesitated for a bit, contemplating whether to open the door or ignore her until she would leave.

What is Kisses up to right now? From the look on her face, she looked like she was ready to lock horns over something, and she was not in the right mood for it.

Thera was positive about what made her storm into the condo. She reckoned it has something to do with Mr. Hernandez's last testament. She could not accept the fact that nothing was granted to her. Not a single percentage. Kisses must be really devastated about that. She scoffed at the thought of it.

Hernandez was somehow aware that Kisses had special feelings towards Sean. Rumors are spreading around about the relationship she had with Mr. Hernandez. That it was more than just an employee-employer relationship. Some even believed that they already married secretly. The irony was, it was all fabricated by Kisses.

However, he was left without any choice but to grant her a power of attorney. The old man needed someone who could accompany him to Switzerland, solely for his treatment, of course. At that time, Sean and Thera were nowhere to be found since losing their supposed-to-be first-child devastated them to the core.

Thera heaved out a sharp breath watching Kisses pressing the buzzer simultaneously. Irritation was evident in her face. Thera could tell by now that she was gritting her teeth in anger. Finally, Thera decided to open the door. She told Yumi to wait for her inside the room.

As soon as she opened the door, she faced Kisses with a bored look on the face. Thera could smell alcohol in her as soon as she walked past her, accommodating herself in without bothering to ask her permission.

Thera wrinkled her nose, observing her for a moment.

“So, the rumor was true then? You're leaving for real?” Kisses turned to her with sharp eyes. Her attention flew towards the suitcase by the couch. “You're one heck of a superior, aren't ya? Once you decide to do something, no matter how childish and silly, you can still do it! I couldn’t get any more envious!”

Thera didn't answer.

“Fuck life,” Kisses was staggering on her feet before turning her attention back to Thera. “Over the years, you did nothing but to make me feel jealous!” she yelled, her fingers pointed at her. “We're both underprivileged. We both worked our fingers to the bone but why did all the luck in the world go to you? Why was I left empty-handed? When we were in high school, you had been a cut above the rest! People think highly of you like a freaking saint! While me? I am no match to you!” she puckered her lips, taunting.

“Do you even have an idea why I got so many boyfriends? That is to show you that I'm way better than you, even just for one thing!”

Thera was at a loss for words. Instead of anger, sympathy rose in her chest for her ex- bestfriend.

“You know what's even funnier? None of them took me seriously. Do you wanna know why? Why don't you ask me, huh? Ask me why after I gave everything, they still had the nerve to dump me!” she laughed hysterically, her hand was gripping hers.“Because I am not as beautiful and as perfect as you are, Thera. Because I am flawed! Because I am not you!”

Thera's eyes darted her.

“Aside from the growing insecurities and disrespect you have on yourself, do you have anything more to blame on me, Kisses?” there was a pang of bitterness and fortitude attached to Thera's voice. She could not believe she was hearing this now from someone who she used to value the most.

Instead of answering her, Kisses's eyes softened and lets go of her hand. Like a draining candle, she fell onto the couch. Her smile was bitter when she started talking again.

“That night, Sean went to my apartment. He was looking for you everywhere like a fool,” Kisses scoffed. Remembering Sean's face was as clear as the sun's reflection on the glass window. “I enticed him to come with me into your house. I told him that you called me, that you were on your way home. I had to lie so that I could carry out my plan.”

Thera's breathing was heavy, remembering that night. The night when her trust had finally broken.

“I insisted on a drink. I made him drunk on purpose so he could fall asleep. I led him to a room which he believed was yours.”

Using the back of her hand, Thera harshly wiped the tears coming from her eyes. It just fell without her realizing it.

“I made you believe that we have a relationship. That something had happened between us that night. You were so stupid and naive to believe then,” a taunting laugh escaped from her mouth. “I grabbed that opportunity to tear you apart. Even though I knew that I have no space in his heart. I started to care less about what you're going to think of me. Call me selfish, a man-stealer, relationship breaker, ambitious. Who cares? I loved Sean. And that moment, I found an opportunity I don't want to disregard.”

Thera bit her lips. She was deadlocked and her knees were shaking. She wanted to give Kisses the hardest slap she thought she deserved. But a part of her brain was telling her that maybe it was rather her fault for letting Kisses fool her. It was her fault for not trusting Sean.

The day she woke up in bed without Sean at her side, she concluded right away that he had abandoned her again. The pain she felt right now felt much more unbearable, realizing that she was wrong.

“It was unfair. Right from the start, all the luck in the world was guaranteed on you. You got wealth. You got Sean. You got everything you want,” she continued yapping. She watched her curl up on the back of the couch. She was mumbling words she hardly understood.

Thera exhaled sharply. She had no idea about the hatred and jealousy living inside Kisses. It grew heavily in her over time.

But this woman would never understand everything she had gone through in the last ten years. There she was, getting envious of her, not even knowing about how devastated she was when she lost the most important thing in her life.

When she noticed that Kisses no longer moved to her spot, she ordered Yumi to call Ringgo to send her home. Thera sat on the couch next to Kisses. Ironic. Sometimes, those who are hurt are the ones who get guilty for not opening their heart to forgiveness.

She had no clue when she’d ever forget everything. But she would try to forgive them all. Including those who weren't able to ask for forgiveness. Like Kisses, for instance.

Everything is clear to her now. Sean never fooled her. It was like a weight was lifted off her chest.

Sean had his own reasons why he followed the chairman’s order to pursue and marry her. It wasn’t just about the title, the money, or the company. He couldn't say no to the old man's favor after the latter revealed his worsening health condition. He wanted her and Sean to take charge of the company. He was worried about who would take the guardianship of her handicapped daughter.

Sean had always loved no one but her. Even those times when he insisted on her about signing the annulment papers, she was sure he was thinking about her.

For five years, Sean secretly transferred his shares in The Palace to her. He was ready to give up everything hoping that maybe it would somehow turn everything into how it was used to be. But Mr. Hernandez had a stroke. The thing that stopped Sean from letting go of the company.

After losing her child, Thera became cold. It was a protective shell for her to survive the pain, the guilt, and the grief for her child. Partly and subconsciously, she was blaming herself. If only she was careful, probably her child was still alive to this day.

Thera knew what seemed to be the key to forgive those who hurt her— she must learn how to forgive herself first. She didn’t want to blame anyone anymore. She grew tired of investing hatred and cultivating resentment to other people. Forgiving herself and those who wronged her would not change the past. Perhaps, facing the future could be so much better than facing the relics of the bygone days.

SEAN pulled up his car at the side of the road, unfastened his seatbelt, and got out of his car. A heavy sigh escaped from his mouth. His hands slid into his pockets and leaned against the side of the vehicle. Afterward, his eyes darted towards the sky.

Shortly afterward, he heard the whirring sound of an airplane taking off the land. His heart throbbed when he watched it finally left the ground and slowly flew upward.

It was almost time. The love of his life is finally leaving.

But he did not intend to stop her. One day, when her heart was fully healed, she would come back. And as he promised, he will wait for her no matter what.