He lied To Me

Meliza's POV

I almost missed my flight, and my heart pounded as I sprinted through the airport, threading through the crowd with my bag bouncing against my side. The announcements over the speakers blended into a blur of noise as I glanced at my watch, panic gripping me tighter with every passing second.

I could almost see the gate in the distance, but the thought of missing my flight kept my adrenaline surging, propelling me to move faster despite the burning sensation in my legs.

My heart raced with every glance over my shoulder, and I was terrified that one of them might spot me. I wrapped my scarf tightly around my face, pulling it up to cover as much as possible while the oversized sunglasses shielded my eyes. It felt like a fragile disguise, but it was all I had.

I calculated my every step as my fear clung to me, making my breaths shallow and my hands tremble as I tried to blend into the crowd, praying I wouldn't be recognized.

Passengers from all walks of life and all ages move with urgency through the terminal, yanking suitcases, juggling carry-ons, or clutching boarding passes. The Lines at check-in counters, security checkpoints, and boarding gates seem lasting, snaking through the terminal in a chaotic but orderly manner. It reminded me that I can be vulnerable at this point.

Yes! I would attend my best friend's wedding even if I knew I would put my life on the line, but how can I tell her my life is a big mess? How could I ruin her childhood dream of having a fairy-like wedding?

Ruby is like a sister to me, and even though I feared what might happen at the wedding, I couldn't say no to her. The thought of seeing my ex-boyfriend, the one who caused me years of heartache, terrified me the most. But Ruby promised he wouldn't be there, and her reassurance was the only reason I said yes. No matter how much I wanted to avoid the past, I couldn't let her down on her special day.

I spent years nursing my broken heart, hiding from the world because of the poor choice I made. I went against my mother's advice, convinced I was following my heart, but it was too late for me to realize how wrong I was. That one reckless decision cost me everything. I am now trapped in the aftermath of my own mistake, paying a high price for my heart's stupidity.

It was funny since we both thought I would get married first, but my first relationship was a disaster, which is why I remained single. My complicated life was hard for me to handle; how much more if I enter another relationship? It would only be a pain in my head.

Ruby and I hadn't seen each other for so long, and I owed her a lot because she was the only one who had been there for me since we were young.

For the first time, I boarded a plane with business class accommodation. I felt thankful for the complimentary ticket Ruby bought for me. I can't make any more excuses not to show up at her wedding.

I enjoyed the wine so much that when we landed, I felt a little tipsy and smiling like an idiot as I waited in the baggage reclaim area to get my luggage.

"Iza!" I heard Ruby's voice as soon as I stepped out of the airport terminal. I spotted her running toward me, her arms wide open and a bright smile lighting up her face.

My excitement bubbled over, and I dropped everything I was holding, running to meet her halfway. But the rush of adrenaline mixed with the lingering dizziness from the wine I'd had earlier. My head spun, and before I could steady myself, my knees buckled, and I fell hard to the ground.

The world tilted as I tried to laugh it off, but I couldn't ignore the sting. I was groaning in pain, and my world was spinning as I tried to get up.

"Oh, no, are you okay, Meliza?" Ruby asked me with concern in her voice, and I shook my head.

"No, I think I broke my leg, and I am going to die," I responded, and she laughed.

"You silly girl, I never expected you to miss me that much and make quite a show here in the airport pick-up area," Ruby replied. I giggled but couldn't move my body. I knew it was because of the wine I drank.

"I missed you so much," she whispered as she tried to help me to get up.

"I am sorry, Ruby, I just wanted to hug you badly," I replied as I attempted to get up but ended up falling back into the ground.

"I don't think I can carry you to the car," she said.

"Leave it to me, Ruby," someone said, and a chill ran down my spine. I didn't need to turn around to know it was him.

I could recognize Ethan's voice anywhere, no matter how much time had passed. My stomach twisted, and my chest tightened like the air had been knocked out of me. All I wanted in that instant was for the ground to open up and swallow me whole, to escape the flood of emotions I wasn't ready to face.

How can I be so clumsy? Why did Ruby tell me he couldn't make it? I came knowing Ethan wouldn't be here in San Fernando.

I shot Ruby a quizzical look, and she mouthed, "I'm sorry," before getting up. I reached for her hand, but the wine had already taken full control of my body, and I was too slow to catch her.

"Still clumsy, huh?" Ethan taunted, kneeling down beside me. When I looked up at his face, I could feel the heat creeping up my neck. My cheeks burned brighter, and I knew my face had turned a deep shade of red.

I wanted to look away, but he only became more handsome, his features growing finer with each passing year. Five years had given him time to develop a kind of god-like perfection. His thick eyebrows and long lashes made his eyes hypnotic, while his straight, slim nose, square jawline, and full lips only added to his allure. And those deep dimples—still one of his greatest assets that would drive every girl crazy.

I found myself wanting to caress his face, to run my fingers through his sleek hair. My breath caught as the truth hit me: How could I still admire the man who was the reason for all my misery?

"Stop right there. I can stand and walk on my own; I don't need your help," I snapped, pushing myself up. But my body betrayed me, and I nearly collapsed back to the ground. His reflexes, however, were as sharp as ever, fast and precise, catching me before I could fall.

I was instantly in his strong arms and wanted to fight him, but I knew he was well-belt, and I didn't want to come to that road and imagine what was beneath his white shirt and faded jeans.

I should stop myself from feeling this way before I find myself drowning in him once again. He was the reason why I was on the run and needed to hide from those men who were hunting me. Ethan will always be the forbidden fruit I always wanted to have, and I should stop before falling into his trap again.

"I guess your body betrayed you, or maybe this is just another one of your tricks," Ethan declared, his voice firm.

"But I'm telling you, I'm no longer that young man you toyed with, Iza." His words caught me off guard, the weight of them sinking in.

"Come on, Ethan, put me down. Don't forget I turned you down. What made you think I'd fall for you again? I was naive back then, letting my stupid heart lead the way." I snapped, but he only smirked, his steps unbothered as he continued toward the car, carrying me like I weighed nothing.

As much as I wanted to get down, my body ached, and the wine had me dizzier than I'd expected. Or maybe it was his intoxicating scent, lingering in the air, that I was desperately trying to ignore.

I hated myself for staring at his handsome face. What was wrong with me? I'd despised him for the past five years. I should've looked away, but I couldn't. My gaze lingered like I was eighteen again, too caught up in him to stop. I had to close my eyes before he noticed and saw me gaping like some lovesick fool.

I glared at him as he placed me in the passenger seat, but when he buckled my seatbelt, I had to hold my breath, gripping the seat to stop myself from making a mistake I'd regret.

"How could you lie to me, Ruby?" I demanded, my voice low but sharp after we were alone in my assigned room.

"You told me he wasn't coming at all." I stared at my best friend, who met my gaze with those puppy-dog eyes, looking guilty.

"I wasn't lying; he arrived this morning; what can I do? He was Vince's best friend and his cousin." He responded, and my eyes widened in shock.

"Cousin?" I asked.

"Yeah, they were cousins, as in the first cousin," she replied, and I could read some guilt on her face.

"How come he became his cousin after five years? Ethan was twenty-three that time and couldn't be adopted." I asked in disbelief.

"It was a long story, Iza, and I don't think this is the right time we should discuss the family tree of my husband-to-be." She answered.

"I didn't come all this way for your wedding just to make a fool of myself," I said, frustration creeping into my voice.

"And you didn't tell me I'd be stuck here for more than a week. I have a life back in the capital, Ruby." The disappointment was heavy in my tone, too real to hide.

"I know. I am sorry," Ruby replied.

"Spill the beans, or I'm walking out," I said, my voice firm. She sighed deeply, her fingers stilling for a moment as she pressed the cold compress to my aching ankle.

"What? I have every right to know what's going on here, Ruby. You knew I came back for him. I waited more than twenty-four hours at the train station, but he never came," I said, my voice heavy with emotion as I looked back, feeling the sting of his betrayal from five years ago all over again.

"Ethan has his reasons, but believe me, Iza, I knew he wanted to be there with you," Ruby responded.

"Why did he make me feel like a fool, waiting for him until the last train left? I waited and waited, but he never came," I said, flinching as a sharp pain shot through my leg when she pressed the hot compress against it.

"I think we should bring you to the ER," she stated.

"No need. I will be fine by tomorrow. Don't worry; I will be there on your wedding day, even if you lied to me," I declared, and her face fell.

"I didn't lie to you, Iza. Your ex told Vince he couldn't make it because he'd be attending a conference in Europe. But Ethan showed up this morning, and by then, it was too late to let you know he was coming," she explained.

"Besides, I don't want my best friend to miss the most important day of my life. I want you by my side when I say 'I do,'" Ruby added, and I couldn't help but smile at her.

"I'm sorry. I should stop blaming you. It's all in the past now, and I need to move on with my life. I'm happy for Ethan, he has a good job now. I never expected he'd be traveling the world for conferences. He must be really lucky to land such a position. " I declared. Her face flushed as she nodded.

"Meliza, there's something you need to know," Ruby said, her tone serious. I could tell immediately it was going to be something that would completely blow my mind.

"About what? Are you pregnant?" I excitedly asked, but she shook her head.

"It's about Ethan," she said, and a wave of nervousness washed over me. I hated my ex-boyfriend, but I didn't want to hear if he'd gotten married. I wasn't sure I could handle that kind of news. Deep down, I knew it would still hurt. The wound he left in my heart hadn't fully healed, even after all these years.

"He's now the CEO of the Almendraz Group of Companies," she said. I laughed, assuming it was a joke, but when she didn't join in, I realized my best friend wasn't kidding.

"He was the eldest and only son of Don Isagani Almendraz," Ruby added, and I collapsed into the bed as the effect of her news sank in, and it was worse than he was being married.

Their family owned the country's largest hospital and pharmaceutical company, as well as beauty products and many others.

I didn't even know his real family name because he told me he was Ethan Vasquez, and it hit me like a bomb: he lied to me.