CHAPTER 67

One of my biggest insecurities after purpose in life is my importance. A lot made me feel worthless, especially during my high school life. No one should follow.

And I am sure the word stupid would never describe me.

Earlier in five years...

At exactly 5 PM, I finished the revision of the last book I would pass on to Royale before I moved to another department. It was a hard decision for me but I had no other choice because I wanted it too. Also, I can still write even if I'm no longer in the editing department.

When I got home, I was greeted by Mama’s serious but sad expression. I just waved at her and got dressed then went out again to prepare food.

"Rae, have you met Levi's parents?"

I was stunned at what I was doing when I heard that. I spontaneously focused my gaze on Mama who seemed preoccupied because her gaze remained outside.

“I have already met them, ma. Why?" I asked her in surprise.

I heard its soft sigh. I still don't look away.

"Is he the son of Saldy and Criselda Acuzar?" She asked again instead of answering my question.

My forehead furrowed even more because of what she said. Does she know them? How? I haven't told her anything about Levi's family yet. And how did she find out its names?

"Yes..." I said and sat there.

“They are still really together. I am happy for them. ”

End

That was the last time I heard from her about the matter of Levi's family. When I tried to ask again about it when it was still alive she no longer answered me. She often seemed to hear nothing.

"Is this true?" I almost whispered to myself as I watched the pictures still framed in the vacant room inside the Casa.

Levi and his whole family went to the hospital immediately after what Auntie Criselda told us. I wanted to go but it didn't allow me because it was dangerous and there was nothing left for Asteria. Fortunately, the other guests went home and we were the only ones left when they received the news.

When Ria fell asleep, I put it in her daddy's room and decided to take a walk inside the Casa. Yerim and Rafa as well as the other invited friends are downstairs.

I was walking on the 2nd floor of the mansion when I saw this vacant room that I felt was pulling me inside. When I couldn’t really control myself, I let it get in there.

And this is what dawned on me; pictures on the frame with different angles.

Some are candids and others are intentionally photographed. They looked so happy together. I want to think that they are strangers to me but no. I know them. It was Levi’s dad — Uncle Saldy, my father, and my mom. All the shots were of the three of them together and the others were just Mama and Uncle Saldy. I hate to think but... they looked like a couple here.

My hands were shaking when I took one of the photos of Mama and papa. That's the only picture in which they are side by side.

Later, I heard footsteps coming toward me so I quickly looked at it. My eyes widened when I saw Maxim. It's not looking at me but at the picture, I'm holding.

"Your parents?" She asked coldly. “Why are you here? No one’s not allowed to enter here,” she added.

I bit my lower lip.

"I was just..."

I couldn't continue what I was going to say because I couldn't find the right word for her. My brain still can't process what I see. What does this mean?

“Your mom's ex is Uncle Saldy, don't you know? Or did no one tell you?” Maxim began. I almost fell to my feet when I heard that.

"H-ha?" I almost whispered. I blinked twice while looking at her who remained staring at the photos on the side table of the bed.

I saw it grin and then sat there. It was holding a frame, it was a picture of Uncle Saldy and Papa.

“They were best friends before. Auntie Criselda told me how Uncle Saldy loved your mom so much that it made him the happiest person in the world before. Just like Levi, he was willing to give up his dreams and wealth for your mom but something has happened that time,” she continued, still not looking at me.

I don’t know how I will feel because of what I heard from her. Too much information can make my mind burst! I couldn’t imagine it and take it because I couldn’t believe it.

“Your mom... she accepted Uncle Saldy’s dad’s offer. Fifty million pesos in exchange for his son and she went with your dad, Apollo Laxamana was uncle’s best friend. When due to pain and anger, uncle agreed to marry auntie through an arranged marriage.”

I spontaneously sat up in bed out of weakness when I heard that. I could feel the extreme trembling of my knees even of my hands. Everything that happened went into my mind one after another and one by one you sank into me.

Uncle Saldy’s offer to me before is also fifty million in exchange for my silence and wanting to stay away from his son. I used to ask myself why he did that and now, I know that. It was like his dad's offer to Mama back then. Did he think that I was like my mom who could exchange his child for money?

“But recently... I heard from Auntie Criselda that Uncle Saldy knows everything that happened before. He also found out that your mom returned the money after your uncle married Auntie. Too late to fight for it. Levi doesn’t know anything about this,” she added so I was just dumbfounded.

I don’t know when I asked Maxim about what happened to them before but I just realized myself listening to all her stories about them. The war between them that if Papa didn't just die wouldn't end. The news that reached Uncle Saldy was different about what Mama did with Papa. I immediately thought that he might have meant it. He may have deliberately killed it out of anger and resentment. Maybe that's what happened. What should I do if that was really what happened?

Puzzle pieces clicked: the reason why Uncle Saldy doesn’t like me for his son is that I am my father’s daughter who had been his rival in everything before. From his achievements and... love, from the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with before. Now I know. Why is it only now coming out?

After that revelation, Levi came suddenly with a squint and puffy eyes. This included his other cousins. When he saw me, he immediately rushed to me and hugged me. I can also hear his sobs.

“What happened? Is everything okay? ” I asked him while still hugging him.

It even pressed its face against my neck and I could feel it slowly reading because of its tears.

After a while, he left me and glanced at Ria who was still sound asleep for a moment before turning to me again. He no longer has proper hair, he no longer has his coat and tie, and he is only wearing a polo. The two buttons are open and the sleeves are folded to the elbow. In an instant, it looked wasted.

“He’s in critical condition. He had to undergo head surgery immediately because the bullet was still buried there,” he explained weakly to me.

I was stunned when I heard that. I don't know much about that but I know it's dangerous. It’s 50/50. There is no guarantee that it will live or die while on the operating table. I hate to think of it that way but it’s a fact!

I found his hands and brought them to my chest.

“I... I’m sorry. What happened?” I almost whispered to him.

I could feel the pain in my chest when I saw the twinkle in his eyes because of the tears. It averted its eyes from me and sniffed. Seeing him like this makes me want to take all his pain from him and just put it on me. I can't bear to see him like that.

“T-there was a commotion at the place of the event where the awarding was held. There were those who attacked them, it was our family’s enemy,” he stated. His voice trailed off as he said that.

I felt his grip tighten on my hand so I kissed it.

"Levi..."

“I didn’t get to talk to him beforehand. I have yet to apologize to him for our fight in the past and then like this. What if... w-what if he can't handle the operation? I-is that so?” He paused and scrunch his nose. He cursed repeatedly.

“H-he won't give me a chance to apologize to him? H-he needs to wake up! He has to cope!” He burst out so I almost cried too.

I felt the tightness in my chest and the pain as I watched him. Hearing those words from him is making me think that even though he is very angry with his father he still loves it dearly. What if he found out the true story of the family he was living with?

"I-I can't, Rae..." he whispered in his broken voice.

I finally turned it towards me and hugged it tightly. I could feel all my emotions pouring out when I saw his shoulder rise and fall as he sank into my chest.

“Sshh... he can handle it. Stop thinking like that. Your dad is a retired army, he is brave. He can handle it and he will wake up," I consoled him and I almost cringed as I said that.

I don’t know how will I tell him about what I found out earlier. Maybe not at this time. Maybe not at all because that's not the case with him... and me. That was the last thing I kept on thinking until Levi fell asleep beside his daughter.

Drowsiness did not visit me that night. It keeps messing with my mind and I feel like I still want to know something about their past. Why did Mama choose papa? Why didn't they fight each other before? Why did Mama accept the money and eventually return it as well? Why did Uncle Saldy only now find out everything? Did anyone else stop them before? Who? Why is it only now coming out? Did Uncle Saldy intentionally hit Papa and let him die?

I wouldn’t have focused on that anymore until I received a call from Levi’s mom. It was Auntie Criselda on the phone, crying silently. I thought everything would be fine

“Maybe Amalia meant for my son to approach you. For everyone to remember the past again. For my husband to remember how much he still loves your mother,” she told me on the other line, full of resentment.

Next I heard its wailing. Full of pain and anger while screaming. That I understand where it is coming from but my heart and mind still cannot accept it.