Chapter 27

(Frederik's POV)

"You idiot, brad. I thought you were going to correct your mistakes, and then what is this? I thought you loved her, you are a jerk, dude. A total talk shit, Fred." Swearing and preaching coming from my friends. Damn it, don't they get why I chose my son... that's my son. He is in this difficult time, where his mom was diagnosed with a mental illness... yes Diana went crazy, she could not cope with the embarrassment she received, moreover when she found out that our marriage was not registered. And when the Franks’ rejected her, legally. She almost committed suicide and damn it --Daniel Apolonio was nowhere to be found. I thought he loved Diana? Why doesn't he show up now and protect the person he loves.

"How can you say that, Frederik?, you can't even do it to the person you love. You can't even protect Leysa. And again, you left her! It wasn't Leysa who left but you who turned your back on her," said my conscience. But damn, I can't prioritize the woman I love who is capable of herself more than my son who is unconscious and in a vulnerability stage.

"My son needs me more, Art..." I just said.

And he just shook his head, "Have you got a DNA yet?" I shook at David's question.

"There is no need for that, I have been with the child for almost six years - we have a bond somehow and that will only add to the child's trauma. So whether he is my child or not - just, I'll take responsibility of him. Especially since the Franks will not accept him now that Diana is no longer a member of their family. And I also feel guilty for what I did to Diana. I deceived her, we just made no difference. She used someone to get Frank's riches, and so am I --I used her to get WilCo.," I explained.

"I don't know to you, Fred. Just be happy, brad. Not everything you will just take responsibility out of guilt, do you think that will correct your wrong decisions in life? - No, that will only add up to your what ifs in life. Well It's still up to you, dude. Just don't asked for my help if ever you are wrong again," Franco said with a laugh. He is mad at me –it’s visible in his face.

But I know they are always there for me, no matter how stupid I am.

"Hello Philippines and Hello World. Our guest for tonight is the very controversial woman of all time. Please welcome, Ms. Leysa Frank --oh wait, it's Guevara? Oh sorry... again, please all welcome, Ms. Leysa Guevara ."

I suddenly turned my attention to the television screen here in David's house. I came here with my son, so that he could bond with David’s son. And it was a timing that the two, Art and Franco, also went here.

"She's really beautiful. You really don't want her anymore, Fred?" I turned in Franco's direction. I did not answer him but I don't like how he said that, I'm still hurt at the thought of not being able to let her in my life now. So I looked back at the TV. This is her first time to come out for an interview. She is really beautiful on and off the screen. And I badly wanted her, I want to claim her, over and over again. But damn this responsibility thing, it is eating me whole. That's it, Franco was right, I am taking responsibility out of guilt. That is also the reason why I do not want to have a DNA test with my son because I might find out the truth that will push me to turn my back on the child. What will happen to him if ever that would happen? I can't just leave him in an orphanage, when I can be his father for the meantime. Diana was an orphan, no family of her own and I don't want that same psychological problem for Daniel. I'm not a fool to not know who the boy's father really is. Even if I don't take the DNA test, just in the child's name, I know that he is not mine. But that jerk of a man, Daniel Apolonio. I can't reach him, I can't find him. I hired so many agents to find him but no trace. When maybe I can give him my child, I mean Diana's child. Maybe there, only then will I be able to choose Leysa. I also don't want to just be with her and blame her someday because I have things I didn't got to fix in my life. I just hope that she will wait for me, when the right time comes, she will still be there ready to accept me again.

"How about I court her? She is single and I am, too. We are a match," Franco said again. Damn him.

I looked at him again and frowned, so he just laughed and shook his head.

We calmed down and focused on the show. Now, she will answer all the issues.

"So Ms. or Mrs. Guevara?" -Host

" (Chuckles) Ms., it will always be Miss." -Leysa

"Oh... I thought. Oh well, I am just curious, Ms. Leysa --are you related to Don Leonardo Guevara, the well-known business magnate of all time? And why did you change your surname?" -Host.

"He is my grandfather, mother side. The only one that is always on my side, the only person who can choose me without hesitation and at all cost. And the only person who asked me 4 years ago what really happened why I did that --you know the scandal I had 6 years ago. And I changed my name, because ... how can I use my father's name if he already hated and threw me away? (she bitterly smiled after answering it. I can feel her sadness and madness she felt towards her parents.)" -Leysa.

I also feel resentment in her words because I can't choose her... right now.

Please Leys, stay still. Wait for me.

"So the rumor that the Franks rejected you is true. (She nodded in agreement with what the host just said) But I see that it did you good, because you met your Grandfather. Oh well, let's get to the point. Is it true that revenge was the reason you committed adultery with Mr. Frederik Wilford then?" -the host asked without hesitation, and I did not like the way she spoke, so I looked at Franco.

"After that show... get rid of that host. I hate the way she throws questions at Leysa."

Franco shook his head.

"I can't, brad. It's her job, and she is just doing what she needs to do. So don't mind my employees," Franco replied to me. Psh. I just looked back at the show.

"Yeah... it's true. To make the story short. One night, I saw this adopted sister of mine with my fiancé having sex in the forest and I heard them talking shits on how to get my riches from me, you know that , every pound, thrust of my fiancé to Diana --it was breaking my heart, I love him. I really do, but they betrayed me. That's why it made me ditched him on our wedding day, without saying what really happened that night to anyone. And then after a year I get back to get my revenge, and yes --by seducing Frederik Wilford. Because I know Diana loves him dearly and she will be hurt when she finds out that her husband chose me over her. Betrayal to betrayal that's what I want. But then, circumstances happened. I got the bounce back effect of what I just did, which is the scandal I have 6 years ago. And the pain was doubled when I realized that no one will ever choose me, and the end." –Leysa stated like it was just nothing to her.

I felt as if something had pierced my chest. So she also used me for her revenge, we all just used each other. But I didn't use her for something. But I felt pain and bitterness when she let go of the last lines. That's why I want to say sorry to her, multiple times. But she hated me now.

" Damn, dude... Leysa is a real talk. She has a lot of courage to tell and bring out everything. But you know, you two are not a hopeless case, actually. You love her and it's visible in her that she really loves you, too. She do… if not, she will not just leave 6 years ago. She was really hurt --it means she loves you that much. But here you are, doing shits because you are so guilty on what you did to Diana." I looked at Art when he said those words. He is right. What! I'm confused now. I just tweaked my hair, out of frustration.

Is it wrong for me to turn my back on her again? I love her. Damn it!

"And that video scandal of Diana and Daniel, that was the night they betrayed you. So you released that video?" Leysa laughed at what the host asked.

"Who knows who? But it's not me. If I wanted to release that, I would have done it before." It’s a calm answer from her.

"But do you have any plans to find out who released it? Because it caused chaos to your sister's life... and mind." -Host.

"No. And who cares? It would be her fault if she could not cope with the result of her misery. And she is not my sister. I am an only child - take that." Leysa answered calmly but firmly.

"That's right, if that happens to me too. I might even sue them. It hurts, dude… and you even turned your back on her then and now. You always betraying her, unknowingly." I thought about what Art just said. I always betrayed her. Shit. I am the real cause of her pain - I am just a pain in her life.

"So all the issues are now clear. But I have one last question, Ms. Leysa Guevara ... is you and Mr. Frederik Wilford, a thing? For real? Do you love or did you love him since then?" -Host.

I looked at the TV again, when I heard the last question of the host.

"Not choosing me against all odds, means he has no rights to be in my life. That's all." - Leysa

And there she said it and it broke my heart. I could feel my heart tearing at what she said. It was short but very painful. I clenched my fist. I hate myself for hurting her this much.

I was just patted on the shoulder by my friends, when that statement ended Leysa's interview.

I bowed down; it's my fault after all. I never chose her, not even once. So this is just right for me. I don't deserve to be with Leysa, because I'm sure she will be in pain and she will only be hurt by me. And I felt it, my tears are falling like shits. Damn it! It's the second time, I cried because of a woman and the worst thing is with the same woman I love the most.

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(Leysa's POV)

I just finished my live interview. And they all loved my honesty and bravery to face the issues I chose to leave behind before. Oh well, we are all coming to this point that they all call --growing up... and it is good, right? Hmm.

I was about to get into my car when someone called me that made me stop for a second.

"Leysa, honey." Calm but with longing voice behind me. I don't want to turn around but I need to. I need to face them now, to have a better and happy life tomorrow.

I slowly turned around, and that seemed to be a signal for my mother to hug me tightly. Yes, she is the one who called my attention. I miss her, I miss this kind of hug, a Mom's hug. I miss these hugs then until now. So I couldn't stop crying and hugging her. Dad also approached, and he touched my face, murmuring words, I longed to hear.

"I'm sorry for all the wrong things we've done to you. And I hope it's not too late to correct our wrong decisions. Come back to us, my princess." My dad said. I just smiled at him as a response.

I came home that night with some happiness and peace in my heart, because I got to talk with my parents, and fixed everything we needed to fix, which would have been fixed since then if I had not been swallowed up by anger and revenge. But then, everything is slowly falling in its right places, little by little I am now moving forward.

Even Grandpa and my Mom already talked. They fixed all their misunderstandings before and I saw how happy my grandfather was. That is what he really hopes for to hug his beloved daughter again.

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I am here now in front of Mom and Dad's house. They got it renovated because of their bad luck. So they changed it, especially that I am now back to their life, we all needed a fresh start. Oh well, we have a family dinner tonight.

And yes, I brought my twins with me. Mom and Dad, they still don't know about them yet, only now will they know that they already have a grandchild. I saw two other cars that were parked in the garage, who will be with us tonight.

I looked at my twins, they are looking pretty good in their cute dress and suit.

Freda smiled when I stared at her.

"Mama, I know I am pretty. See? Because you are my Mom," she said giggling at me.

I looked at Leyson who was looking outside of my car. He was sad, it's visible to me because I'm their mom. I knew their every move, their emotions but before I could speak. He already said something that really broke my heart.

"Mama. I think we should go back to England, we are not fitted here." He said softly while bowing. That's why I reached for him.

"Come here, my boy." And he approached me, and hugged me tight like how I hugged him.

"I saw him, yesterday... at school. I thought, we are the one he was waiting for. But I saw how he hugged and carried the boy, Mom. And I feel envied. I shouldn't feel this way but I can't. I am jealous of how he cared for the other child." And there he said it, and it broke my heart into pieces. This is my fault. I didn't let my children meet their father. This is my fault. Gosh.

I think I need to talk to him, for my children --our children.