Chapter 13
Jhen's (Rainnes' Mom) POV
The moment I saw Bianca after a long period of time gave me shivers all over my body. My heart is racing so fast that I couldn’t think properly. She gave me a warm smile, but I know that she feels what I am feeling right now. When we’re at the Gazebo, I ask her for some help in preparing some fruits and drinks inside the house. There was an awkward silence between us, but I can feel her stare.
“It’s been a long year, Jhen.” She says while cutting the apple.
I nodded and took a deep breath before facing her. “Ask your son to break up with Rainne” She gave me a faint smile.
“Let’s not get involved with their relationship. I mean, you saw that too.. They are in love and I want to support my son with his decision.”
“I know.. I saw it. And it breaks my heart seeing my daughter falling deeply in love with your son…. because you know they cannot.”
“Jhen.. our past has nothing to do with their relationship. Let’s not….” I cut her off
“I’m begging you Bianca.. My daughter will not be able to handle any heartbreak.. And I will not allow your son to do that to her.”
“Heartbreak?” She smiles at me. “My son is a good person.. He loves your daughter wholeheartedly.”
I couldn’t take it anymore.. I couldn’t hold my tears anymore.
“They are siblings for god sake, Bianca.. I know.. I know that he is my husbands’ son.” I hold on to the table to get some strength.. “I know.. I know that you two had an affair..” She looks so shocked..there's tears on her eyes that;s about to let go, but she keeps on holding it.
“I’m sorry.. I know that what I did before hurt you so much… I’m sorry Jhen..”
“I don’t need your sorry.. My husband doesn’t know and I don’t have any plan to let him know about his son to you.”
“I understand.. That’s why I did not tell him .. I don’t want to ruin your family, what we had is just a mistake and it’s already in the past.. Besides I know how much he loves you.”
“I know.. But I will not sacrifice my daughters’ life because of your son. Ask him to never come back and just stay with you in London.”
“But Jhen… Axel is..his… “
She was cut when Rainne walked to us. I immediately wiped my tears and composed myself. Bianca tries to smile at Rainne as if nothing happened.
Rainne's POV
“Dad asked me to check on you two.. Need some help?” I asks
“No.. no.. We’re almost done dear.” Aunt Bianca says with a smile, but she doesn’t look okay. And even my Mom.
“Here..Can you bring this out? We’ll follow after making some juice.” My Mom handed me the tray of fruits.
“Are you okay Mom?” I ask and she smiles at me before caressing my hair.
“Yap.. Just enjoy.”
“Okay.. I’ll bring this out now..” I smiled at them before heading outside.
What’s going on? Why do I feel like they are close yet they are not.
The night was getting deep and we’re all just enjoying it. My Dad and Uncle Al really get along, and I was really happy about it. They are playing football together with Gavin and Axel, so it’s just me and Ashton. I can feel her looks and I feel awkward about it.
“What do you like about L?” She asks.. L? She even calls Axel with such a comfortability in her voice.
“Like?” I smiled at her.. “I like him because he is Axel and I love him for the same reason.”
“I still love him..” She told me bluntly.
“I know.. I can see it in your eyes.” I looked at her and smiled.
“I can’t live without him.. He’s my first love..” She’s already crying and it breaks my heart seeing someone cry. “He asked me not to wait, but I still do. I waited for him because I know that he still loves me. Then here you are..” She gave me a fake smile.. “A very beautiful woman and kind.. How can I hate you? How can I hate you for making him fall for you? Because I cannot.”
My tears fall too.. I know the pain that she’s been into, I’ve been there and it hurts. I hold her hand and squeeze it.
“I’m sorry.. I understand, but I cannot let go of him..”
She smiles and laughs a little, but is full of pain. “And even if you do, he will never let go of your hand. I can see it too, he is madly in love with you. I wonder how you were able to make him like that.. He's always been a good person, but I can see that he changed a lot. He becomes so transparent when it comes to you, the things that he never shows me.. I feel jealous that we’ve known each other long, but it looks like he is more of himself when he is with you. I know you're a good person, I can see it and that makes me envious of you because I know that no matter how much I love him, I can never hate you or him.”
“Thank you for understanding.. I know how you feel.”
“I am not.. I don’t understand why and how he is able to easily unlove me. I just know that you two love each other now, but it doesn’t mean that your feelings for him or his feelings for you will never change. If he loves me before he meets you, I can make him fall for me again when he is with me.” She stood up and offered me her hand. “I may look so desperate right now, but I will not surrender to you. I will fight for him, allow me.”
She truly loves Axel and even if it hurts her, she still chooses to fight. I accepted her hand and she shook it.That’s the exact scenario when Aunt Bianca comes to us.
“Ow.. What a nice view seeing you two getting along.”
“Hi Auntie.” I let go of Ashtons’ hand and smiled at her. “We just talked.”
“That’s nice to hear.. Ahmm. Ash can you leave us alone first? I just want to talk to Rainne?”
She smiles at Aunt Bianca. “Of course.. I’m just there. It’s nice talking to you, Rainne.” Then she walks away from us.
“Let’s sit.” She said and handed me a glass of wine.
“Ow. Thank you, Aunt B, but I am not allowed to drink alcohol.” I grabbed it and put it down.
“Is that so? Okay, no worries.” She puts down her glass of wine and grabs my hand. “You have a very soft hand.”
“Thank you and you too..”
“I was shocked when L introduced you to me..” She squeezed my hand. “But then I saw how happy he is and how in love he is with you… I never saw my son being so.. You know.. Being himself around someone else except us his parents.”
“Did he really change?”
She smiled at me and nodded. “She changed for the better version of him. I wonder why no matter how I and his Dad asked him to just continue his studies in London, he always says no. It’s always you that he loves so deeply.”
“I love him too.”
“I know..” She smiles at me.. “My son is a good person.. He is kind to everyone, I wonder where he gets that character of him.”
“You and Uncle Al are the reason why Axel is such a kind person..”
“Really?” She laughs.. “I used to be a brat, you know. I even let go my only true friend just because I felt jealous of her.”
She laughed and I was shocked.. Is she for real? Is it true?
“My son takes after his Dad.. a very gentle guy who always thinks of others before himself and I’m happy that he comes after his Dad.”
“It’s already in the past Auntie.. You may be a brat before, but still you managed to become a good mom to axel and you raised her so well.” I saw the happiness in her eyes, but with mixed of unknown emotion.
“I wish you and Axel to be happy.. Everyone deserves happiness, but you two deserve it more.”
“We will.. After all that we have been through, I will surely make your son happy. He of all people deserves to be happy.”
“You surely love my son..” She laughs.. “Tell me.. How did you two fall in love?” She asks me excitedly.
I put my pointed finger on my temples and pretend to think.. That makes her laugh even more. “I have trust issues to begin with..” I smiled at her.. Then she held my hand. “During our recreational activity on the first day of school, we were locked in the music room from 11 to early in the morning..” I laugh in the memories.. “We were supposed to practice for our talent, but we ended up being locked.”
“How cute.. I can imagine how he fell in love with you.
“I think so too..” And we both laugh. “I have a fiance’ during that time.. Until I decided to end it because it’s not going anywhere.. Axel is always there for me whenever I need him, that I felt bad for him during that time because I don’t know how to love him and return the love that he is giving me..”
“Is that the guy that he is playing football with?”
I nodded.. “I know you think that I just used Axel to get over him, but no. One day when I’m in the hospital, Axel never visited me after staying the first day. I wonder why? I missed him and that time, I realized that it’s the friendship that I missed about him, it is him.”
“You tell him that?”
“Yap.. I even sneaked with my best friend, so that I could go to his place on the night of my discharge...When I saw him, I felt relieved, I felt okay and I feel happy seeing that he is okay.”
“I will surely not tell your Mom that you sneak at that night.”
“Thank you, Aunt B... “
“It’s our little secret..”
“What’s your little secret ha?” Then there’s Axel standing in front of us.
I and Aunt Bianca looked at one another and both laughed.
“That’s why it’s a secret darling..How’s the game?”
Axel sit next to me.. “Good.. never thought that your Dadis good player.. “
“He is.” I laughed.
“Okay.. I will leave you now lovebirds. I’ll check on Al first.” She gave me a warm kiss on my cheek and walked to where Uncle Al is.
“Your sweating..” I rub his head with a towel.
“Did you get along with Mom?”
“She’s nice.. I love her already.”
“I’m glad to hear that.. My Mom likes you a lot… and I love you a lot.” Then he kissed the tip of my nose.
“Cheeky.. Let’s go back inside.”
We go back inside hand in hand.. Axel parents are ready to go and just waiting for Axel, the same as with Uncle Miguel and Gavin.
“Let’s play again next time..’ My Dad says.. “You are a good player Axel.”
“The pleasure is mine, Uncle. Just give me a call when you want to play and I will make myself available.” We all laughed and Uncle Al put his arm to Axel.
“He gets it from me..”
“I knew about that.. Well then, thank you very much for spending some time with us…”
“Thank you very much too.. It’s nice meeting the people around our son and the person he values.”
“I agree.. “
“See you then..”
My arm is still clinging to Axels’ arm until the front door of our house.
“I’ll call you when I get home..” He cupped my face and kiss me on my forehead.
“Take care.. See you again, Aunt B, Uncle Al and Ashton.” I gave them a kiss on the cheek one by one.. “Be safe.”
“Thank you again!” Aunt Bianca says with a warm smile on her face.
After saying goodbye to one another, they headed home and it’s just my family and the Mowry. My parents andUncle Miguel are having their tea in the study room while me and Gavin are just in the entertainment room watching some movies. I can sense that he is looking at me, but I don’t want to look back. I just focus my eyes on the screen. Then my phone beeps, it is Kaiden.
From Kai :)
Yooooooooooo! Sorry I did not make it, but I hope you enjoy your time with Axel. :) I know how happy you are and I am too for you. Happy graduation day my baby best friend, I love you forever and more than Axel loves you. Hahahaha Cheers (Lychee juice pic) :)
I put my phone on the table after replying to his message. He really knows how to make me smile.
“Are you not going to sleep?” Gavin asked me.
“What?”
“I said are you not going to sleep?” He shows me his wrist watch and it’s already passed 11 in the evening.
“I’ll wait until you and Uncle Miguel go home.”
“Don’t bother..just go to your room and get some sleep.”
“I just want…..” he cuts me off and stands up..
“If you don’t want to sleep fine..” he went outside the living room and I was left alone. I took a deep breath before following him outside and going straight to my room.
While lying on my bed, I remember the conversation that I and Ashton had a while ago. I don’t know, but it gives me a doubt of what I and Axel have right now. I love him and i know that he loves me too, but thinking about his vacation in London with Ashton makes me feel jealous.
I waited for his call and when we’re done talking, I immediately go to sleep.
Wednesday.. Axels’ scheduled flight to London.I want to stop him from going, but I know that I will only look selfish if I do that. We said our goodbyes and made me feel so sad. Seeing him leave with his ex-girlfriend makes it even worse. One month, I need to be apart from him for one month and it’s making me sick. I will be in New York with that whole month as a vacation together with my parents. Since we have our house in NY, Gavin stays with us for a while since he doesn’t have his own apartment yet and during that day that he stayed with us, I felt something unusual about him.
“Why don’t you two go out for a walk since the weather is good.” My Mom insisted.
It’s been weeks now and I badly missed Axel, I wish he was here.
“I just want to stay at home, Mom.” I replied to her.
“God, Eli. You’ve been inside your room since the day we got here. You better enjoy the place honey.”
“Would you mind accompanying me to the library?” Gavin asks and that makes him look at him with wide eyes. “That’s only if you like, you know.”
I smiled at him and Mom before putting down my book on the table. “Okay.. I’ll just change.” I stood up and went to my room to get change.
Gavin’s POV
Main Branch: New York Public Library
The weather is good, Aunt Jhen is right and being with Rainne today is an addition. I really want to be with her and spend some time with her. I know this is too much for me to ask because of what I have done to her, but I can’t help myself.
We’re now sitting on the other side of the library that has less people. She is reading a book written by a writer that I am not familiar with. She looks so immense into the story though.
I just kept on looking at her and as I looked at her, it reminded me of how I really care for her. The girl that I adored the most, the girl that I love. It’s nice to be with her and to see her this close, as if there’s no wall between us. How I wish I was Axel, how I wish I can be as tough as him when it comes to his feelings, maybe maybe Rainne never hates me.
“What?” She asked. I was startled for a moment, I was too focused on her and not to realize that she’s already looking at me.
“What?” I asked back.
She puts her eyes into a thin line and pouts. “You are weird these days..problem?”
I pretend to flip my book.. “Just nervous about the new world.”
She smiles at me.. A smile that is so genuine. “You will nail it, Dad recommended you because you are good and I know that you will not disappoint her.”
“I already did once.” I answer back..
“Once? When?” She asked. She puts her chin on her palm and waits for my answer.
That day when I choose to hurt you, the words that I want to tell her, but I stop myself. “It’s a secret.” And she gave me a frown, then her phone vibrated, I saw it and it’s Axel.
She immediately grabbed her phone and read the message. I saw the smile on her face, the smile that she showed me before. I envy him, I really do.
“How are you and Axel?” I asked
She looks at me and smiles before putting down her phone. “We’re good. What about you and your girlfriend? What’s her name again?”
“Girlfriend?” I asked, when did I have a girlfriend?
“Your girlfriend.. Don’t tell me she’s just a fling, I mean you’ve been together since freshman.”
Now I know who she is pertaining to, Lorrie.
“We’re also good.”
“That’s nice to hear.. She really loves you. I can see it through her.”
“Really? Why?”
“Hmmmm. Because she never leaves your side.”
“I guess so. Well, I am hungry. Let’s grab some food before we go home.” I stood up and brought the book that I want to borrow.
As I was borrowing the book, she waited for me outside the library and when I went out, I saw three men cornering her. I walk closer to where she is and put my arm on her shoulder.
“Did you wait long, babe?” I asked while smiling at her. I felt that she flinch for a movement, but I tightened my grip on her shoulder. “Do you have any business with my girlfriend?” I asked the boys who’s in front of us.
“Sorry, we thought she’s a celebrity.” The one guy said.
“I know right, my girlfriend is really beautiful, but just a reminder. Don’t harass a woman whether she’s a celebrity or not.”
The three boys nodded and apologized to Rainne before heading out.
“You can now remove your hand.” She says that makes me feel shy for a moment. “Thank you” She says again
“Why are you always so easy to target….” I sigh.. “Let’s go.” I started to walk to the parking lot where my car is parked.
We go to the nearest coffee shop and grab some food. While we are eating, I can feel that she is uncomfortable.
“Why?” I put down my Cucumber juice and look at her. “I did that for them to stop pestering you. Nothing else, don’t think too much.”
“I did not say anything.” She depended
“Yah, but it shows all over your face.” I crossed my arm.
“I was just startled, I am sorry.”
“I will do the same to another girl who was harassed. Don;t flatter yourself too much.”
“I am not. My god! Welcome back, Gavin.” She rolled her eyes at me and sip on her lychee juice.
It makes me laugh and she laughs too.
“I don’t like your boyfriend, but I respect relationships.”
She nodded at me while still sipping her juice. I just love this girl so much.
Then there her phone rings and she answers it.
“Hey you!...... Ow! I forgot to tell you….Okay…. I love you, bye!”
“You forgot to tell him that you are with me? I bet he wants to ride a jet right now and land here.”
She smiles and laughs at my joke. “He’ll understand and besides there’s nothing to be jealous about.”
I nodded at her.. “I bet.. Anyway let’s go!”
I know that Axel is feeling jealous right now, I'm a guy too and what he feels towards me is what I felt towards him too.
Jealousy.
Since the day I came here with the Hendersons’ my family and best friends never skip a day of reminding me to grab the chance of making Rainne fall for me again. They have their different reasons for wanting me back to Rainne, but all of them are correct. That I still love her. My best friend Brix always makes time to remind me of how he doesn’t trust Axel and that I am the right guy for Rainne, but also told him that Rainne is already happy without me and I just want to stay like that. Loving her will just put her life again into danger and I don't want to risk her life just because I want her back. I am completely happy right now, but I am happy that she is even if it’s not with me.
~~
