Chapter 94 Protecting Her

After my conversation with Luther, I didn't waste any more time. I immediately went to the company of George Dela Vezca—Thaliana's father. I didn't bother to set an appointment; I went straight to his office.

"Mr. Velleje, Mr. Dela Vezca has another meeting--"

"Lynda, let him."

As I entered, George Dela Vezca greeted me with a serious look. He stood up and approached me, his hands in his pockets.

"My daughter got into an accident, Rozzean."

"Sir--"

His fist swung, hitting my face. I lost my balance but didn't fall.

I deserve that punch. I know I deserve it.

"Maybe it will wake you up."

"She made a mistake; she's afraid of commitment, which is why she deceived you. But I know that wrong is wrong, so I let her apologize to you. But what is this, Rozzean? Does she need to put her life at risk just to be forgiven? Thaliana is my only daughter, and I chose you to be her husband because I have great trust in you."

"Do you know that my daughter still defended you after she had an accident? I was afraid that I might involve your company in my anger towards you. She talked to all of us. She loves you so much, but is it that hard to forgive, Rozzean?"

My anger blinded me. Love was overshadowed by anger. I knew I would hurt Thaliana because of that, so I wanted her to leave me for a while. But I didn't expect it to lead to this.

"I... I am sorry, Mr. Dela Vezca."

"My daughter loves you deeply, but even that love has its limits, Rozzean."

I felt fear in his words. I took a step forward, my hands clenched.

"I am sorry that my anger took over me. I also love Thaliana very much. I love her so much, and I am willing to do anything for her now."

He sighed and then shook his head.

"But right now, she's moving on..."

"She wanted to forget you, and maybe you already know that my daughter is engaged to Luther. They are close, and my daughter might fall for him."

That's something I won't allow to happen.

"Mr. Dela Vezca--"

"But I will still give you your last chance, Rozzean. You both made mistakes, and I won't be unfair to you."

His words gave me hope. I need to regain his trust and approval before approaching Thaliana again. That's why I came to talk to him.

"Thank you, Mr. Dela Vezca--"

"But you cannot approach my daughter or talk to her until she breaks off the engagement with Luther. Once she ends the engagement, you can approach her and talk to her."

My eyebrows furrowed at what he said. How can I make things right between us if I can't approach and talk to her? What if Thaliana doesn't break off the engagement? What if she falls for Luther?

"B-But what if she falls for my brother?" I asked.

"Then that's not my problem, Rozzean. It's your problem. Who was stubborn? Be thankful that after what happened to my daughter, I'm still willing to talk to you."

I had no choice but to agree with Thaliana's father. I'm just thankful that I still have a chance for both of us.

"Dad, why didn't you attend—hey, you are Rozzean, right?"

I turned to the one who spoke. I immediately recognized the three men who entered. In the corner of my eye, I saw Mr. Dela Vezca wincing in pain.

"Griz, this is Rozzean, isn't it?" one of them asked.

I spoke because it seemed like they were waiting for me to say something.

"Yes, I am Rozzean Cyron Valleje—"

I didn't finish what I was saying when Grand quickly walked towards me and punched me in the face. I fell to the floor due to its force. Griz followed, knelt beside me, and then helped me up before he, too, threw a punch.

"Wait, it's my turn," Grecion said, and he punched me as well.

"Damn you, Rozzean Valleje. I was grateful that Tangi planned to get married, and then this happened? We know our sister has quirks, but she's kind and loving!" Grecion yelled at me.

I smiled and wiped the blood from the side of my mouth.

"I know... she's kind... I also know that she's incredibly loving," I replied, looking up at Thaliana's brothers.

"We are very protective of her. She's our princess, we cherish her. F*ck you for hurting our sister, Rozzean."

I regret letting anger prevail in my heart, leading to all this.

"I love her. I love your sister very much."

"Say it again," Grecion said, approaching me and punching me again. I didn't dodge or fight back. I accepted their punches.

"Now, idiot, we'll be keeping an eye on you. You better behave."

Grand and Griz extended their hands to help me up. When I faced Thaliana's four brothers, I bowed to them.

"I am sorry for hurting her. There won't be a next time. I'll make sure she won't get hurt anymore. I'll take care of her and love her."

"Well... take it back first from your brother. They were together in Tagaytay last night, and Luther always visits Tangi at the flower shop in the wee hours of the morning. What will happen to you if Tangi moves on and doesn't break off the engagement? Poor you," Griz said.

"That will never happen," I firmly said.

I won't allow that to happen. I know Thaliana's love for me won't easily fade.

"Wow, confident," Grecion said.

"I know she loves me deeply, and she might have mentioned it to you. But I am not using her love as an excuse for not forgiving her when she came to my house several times. My anger took over me, and I regret it so much. I didn't accept it immediately..."

I paused as I remembered the pain I felt when Thaliana told me the truth.

"I didn't immediately accept what happened at my house... about Tali."

They all nodded. When Grecion approached me again, he placed his hand on my shoulder, gripping it tightly.

I looked at Mr. Dela Vezca, who was observing us with folded arms.

"But this is what we want to know. We really want to know, especially Dad."

"What is it?" I asked.

"Did..." he turned away from me, "damn it, you ask, Griz, I might not handle the answer and punch him again."

My eyebrows furrowed at Grecion's words, and Griz faced me.

"We want to know if you and Thaliana already did it. If something has happened between you and our sister?" he asked.

"Yes," I directly answered them.

"Oh, and damn--" Griz and Grand stopped Grecion from attacking me.

I thought the punches were over, but I was surprised when Mr. Dela Vezca was the last one to hit me.

"How many times?!" he shouted, making me wince.

After talking to Mr. Dela Vezca and Thaliana's three brothers, I secretly visited her at her parents' house. There were times when her father saw me outside, and I just nodded. I told him at first that I wouldn't approach or try to talk to her, and I wouldn't show up. I'll follow what we agreed on. Although I really want to approach Thaliana, I will still abide by our agreement.

I visited the Dela Vezca house several days in a row, hoping that Thaliana would come out and I could her. Just a few glances. Until one morning, a car arrived and stopped in front of their house. A woman with pink hair got out and went inside. After a while, I saw Thaliana with her.

I immediately followed them. I was so happy when I saw her, but that joy disappeared when I saw sadness on her face. I knew I was the one who caused it. Because of my stubbornness in not forgiving her.

I followed her the whole day. I learned that the woman with her was her friend. I am grateful for that friend because somehow, I saw Thaliana smile today. They went to a salon, and when they came out, I saw that her hair was a different color.

It suits her.

But I didn't like it. Her new look would attract other men. Just the thought that other men would look at her made me feel angry.

I just followed the two of them the whole day. They went to a clothing store, ate, and at night, my eyebrows furrowed when they headed to a bar.

"Damn. Why here?"

Due to the numerous parked cars, I had difficulty finding a spot for my car. I ended up at the farthest end, losing sight of Thaliana. After parking, I quickly entered the bar.

The bar was crowded and noisy, filled with many people.

"Where is she?"

I spent several minutes searching for a parking space, and now Thaliana was nowhere in sight. I checked the lower level of the bar, but she wasn't there. When I looked upstairs, I went up, but she wasn't there either.

"Damn it."

The people here were dancing wildly. Many were already drunk, and everywhere I looked, I saw people doing unusual things.

I looked down and scanned the place, searching for Thaliana. When my eyes landed in the middle, and I saw her, I cursed. A man was in front of her, trying to hug her. I saw her pushing him away, but the man was insistent.

"F*ck."

I didn't care if I bumped into people blocking my way as I quickly went to the middle. When I saw the man's face near Thaliana's neck, my vision darkened.

"You f*cker!"

"Who the hell are you—"

I grabbed him by the collar and pushed him. He fell to the floor. I didn't stop and pinned him down, delivering strong punches to his face. I was trembling with anger.

"I will f*cking kill you!" I was furious as I continued punching the man in front of me.

He couldn't fight back because I didn't stop punching him. I heard people around us shouting to stop, but no one came close to try to intervene.

"Fck you! How dare you touch her?!" I angrily exclaimed and punched him again in the face.

The guy lost consciousness, but I didn't stop. The anger in my chest couldn't be removed, especially with the image I witnessed earlier.

"How dare you put your hands on her? How dare you?!"

"I'll kill you!"

I kept punching him several times, not stopping. I was panting.

"R-Rozzean..."

But when I heard Thaliana's voice, I abruptly stopped my hand in the air. Our conversation with her father immediately came to mind. I closed my eyes tightly. When the time comes that I face her and our eyes meet, I know I won't be able to control myself.

I could break the agreement with Mr. Dela Vezca, and I didn't want that to happen.

"Thaliana."

When I heard my brother's name, I stood up and left the place. I quickly went to my car.

"Damn it. I wanted to hug her. I really wanted to be close to her. I miss her so much. I miss her a lot."

I stayed in my car. I didn't know how long I was leaning on the steering wheel, lost in thought. Luther was there again, maybe he followed her. This is also one of my fears. What if Thaliana doesn't turn away from the engagement?

Until now, nothing has happened.

But I'm not losing hope. I just need to wait... I will wait while watching her from a distance.

I took my cellphone and called Luther. I wanted to know Thaliana's condition, and he's the only person I could ask.

"How's Thaliana?"

"She's okay. We're in the private room of the bar. Where are you? Why did you suddenly disappear? The man passed out. You beat the hell out of him. He might file a lawsuit."

"I don't care if he files a lawsuit. It's better if he dies."

"Are you a killer now, brother?"

"He fckng touched my woman. Thaliana was crying while trying to escape that man. But what did he do?"

I told Luther that I would take care of the man. I didn't leave the outside of the bar. I was waiting for them to come out. After an hour, I saw them leaving. I also saw Maki.

Damn it. they're cousins. I felt guilty for beating him up. I was even more jealous. Maybe, when he came to my house the day we drank, he already knew about Tali.

I just watched them until Thaliana and her friend got into the car. Maki would be the one to take them home. When I saw Luther approach the window and talk to Thaliana, I tightly gripped the steering wheel.

My irritation towards Luther increased even more, especially since he's always close to Thaliana.

Once their car left, Luther walked towards me. I clenched my fists.

I faced him when he reached me.

"Why are you here? Are you following Thaliana?"

"That's none of your business, Luther."

He smiled and then leaned on my car. I just looked at him. My irritation was growing because of his closeness to the woman I love. He knew that I still love Thaliana so much, yet here he is, testing my patience.

"You really only realize a person's worth when they're gone and someone else owns them," he said.

I approached him and knelt in front of him. He just smiled at me as if what I did didn't matter.

"She's not yours, Luther. She's with you, but she's not yours. Thaliana is mine, and I will get her back. She loves me, not you."

Those were the last words I said to my brother before I left.

When I arrived home, I took my cellphone and called Maki.

"Bud, do you need something?"

I took a deep breath.

"I... just want to ask if Thaliana went home safe..."

He was the one who brought her home, so he's the one I called. Also, I wanted to get Thaliana's number. I wanted to hear her voice. Even for a moment. I knew this was against our agreement, but even just her voice would mean a lot to me.

"She's fine, bud. I already dropped her off at home. Don't worry. How about you? Fck you."

I smiled at Maki's words. I didn't expect him to still treat me like this after what I did.

"I am sorry because I beat you, Maki. I-I thought that you took Tali away from me."

"I understand that. I, too, knowing the truth about Tali and realizing someone deceived you, thought what you did was justified. Besides, I was really behind why Thaliana left your house. Her family was looking for her, bud. They thought she was kidnapped because my brilliant cousin told them she was going on vacation to Palawan. Little did they know she was at your place, pretending to be a maid."

I was so lost that night. Exhausted, extremely worried, and terrified because Tali was missing. I thought something terrible happened to her, but she was the one who left.

"I am still sorry for what I did, Maki. I shouldn't have done that to you because you're my friend. I let my anger get the best of me, thinking you were the reason she left me."

"It's okay, bud, it's okay. I understand. I was more worried about you back then because I knew what my cousin did. What Thaliana did was very wrong, bud. But are you okay now? Why is Luther her fiancé? Are they getting married?"

"It's still complicated, but I'm working on it. Can I ask you a favor? Can I get her number?"

Maki agreed and ended the call. In a matter of seconds, I had Thaliana's number. I stared at it, contemplating whether to call her or not. Mr. Dela Vezca would be furious if he found out.

I took several deep breaths while looking at the number, undecided on whether to make the call. Just then, my phone rang, and Thaliana's father's name appeared on the screen.

Damn. Did he sense that I was about to call his daughter?