A
DIAMOND
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HEART

Episode 66

The playlist for this chapter is 'James TW - Hopeless Romantic' do enjoy 🎶🎶🎶

Micaela's POV

When things go wrong, people always say life goes on, isn't it? Well, that's exactly what I did despite the fact it was killing me inside. Being a divorcee and carrying a child in my stomach isn't an easy situation to handle coupled with all this early stage of pregnancy I'm experiencing. My first pregnancy wasn't like this, if it was, I would have known before anyone else had figured it out back then.

But it looks like this particular pregnancy I'm carrying is here to torture the living hell out of me. It doesn't allow me to do anything, all I do is puke in the morning, noon, and night. All day round I'm always nauseous, feeling weak, spitting, stomach aches, and the list goes on. At times it's just as if I should take some sleeping drugs so I won't feel any of the pregnancy symptoms.

It has been a terrible month for me. Maybe because the father and I are not together that's why the baby is tormenting me.

Thank God for the friends that turned into sisters, they've been a huge support for me.

Although Sabrina I've been going off and on these past couple of weeks, Kim and Ji-hye have always been here to keep me company. Kim left an hour ago for her night shift while Ji-hye is busy preparing hot soup for me which her mom usually did whenever she was pregnant. She said it makes her feel better, so I decided to give it a try today after much persuasion. I hope it turns out good as she had acclaimed it to be.

While I was waiting for my hot soup, I munched on some chocolate candies while seeing a romantic movie. Call me pathetic for still watching a romantic movie after my marriage crashed. Well to me it doesn't matter if my marriage crashed or not, I'll keep watching romantic movies just to console myself for the one I couldn't save.

The doorbell suddenly rang making me divert my gaze to the door, that should certainly be my busybody sister, Sabrina. I reached for the door remote sitting on the chair and I pressed the red button.

"Girlfriend!" Sabrina's voice rang in my ears like a loud beep and before I'll say her name she has already crushed me with a big hug. "Oh my God I missed you so much!" she exclaimed excitedly and squeeze me harder to the extent I was choking on my breath.

"I...I.. can't...breath...."

"Oh, I'm sorry!" She giggles and lets go of me. "How have you been girlfriend? Did you miss me?"

"Yes, I did. Where have you been? What has been causing you're breezing in and breezing out lately?"

"I got a job as a private detective outside Seoul" she smiled broadly and I raised a brow and snickered.

"You? Private detective? Who can be that insane to hire a busybody like you as a private detective?"

"Oh no, you're underestimating me, Micaela. You don't know what you have until you lose it" she fakes a frown and I giggled.

"Oh yeah?"

"Oh yes! That's by the way, I have a surprise for you. There's someone who will like to see you, give me a second" she stood up and went to the door and opens it into a jar.

"Let me introduce to you, Claudia!" she courtesy and a smile crept up my face and my eyes rolled skywards.

Who could she be introducing to me now? With so much anticipation I fixed my gaze at the entrance to welcome her guest. The lady walks in and my eyes first went dim and within a seconds they went wide open. The smile I had seconds ago disappeared into thin air.

"Do you remember her?" was the next question I heard from my sister.

The candy in my hand fell off to the floor and I became stiff. My cheeks furrowed by the strong purpose of anger and I rose to my feet.

"Claudia?" I uttered her name in disbelief. I stared blankly as Sabrina led her to me.

"Micaela, I... Micaela, I'm sorry" Claudia dropped to her knees in front of me and began crying. "I wronged you so much Micaela, I'm sorry for what I did to you. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness but please forgive me".

My mouth remained opened as I stared awkwardly at the lady in front of me. Claudia? What is Claudia doing here at my house? How and where did Sabrina find her?

"Micaela, I understand I can't fix what I did in the past but I can fix the present. I was just jealous of you and I also hated you so much then just like every other student did in high school that's why I did that".

My brows wrinkled in confusion. "But why? Why the hate? What did I ever do wrong for you all to have treated me like a half-cast?! Is it because I was an orphan with a wicked aunt who cared less about how I survived? You all bullied me all through my years of high school. If my parents weren't dead, I'll never have lived with my aunt who made me transfer to that unfortunate Madrona Jose Highschool. My 7th to 9th grade there was the worst years of my life!"

"I know, I know, Micaela. I have no idea why everyone treated you like a half-cast but I can only speak for myself. Apart from the fact I took advantage of your bullying, I was jealous Fernando had eyes on you then instead of me".

My head snaps up and my gaze is fixed on hers. "What did you just say?"

"Don't tell me you didn't know Fernando liked you that was why he never bullied you when every other kid was doing that? Oh, Micaela, you were just too clumsy, weak, dull, and....the only thing you were good at is the academic aspect. You never knew what was going on in that school that's why you were a victim".

"Now that's enough! I didn't bring you here to insult my friend!" Sabrina shuns Claudia.

"I'm sorry" Claudia apologizes with a low bow.

"You are lying, Claudia. You've always been a lying bitch! You are trying to give an excuse for what you did instead of owning up to your wrongdoings!"

"I swear I'm not lying! Why should I lie to you? You must not have noticed because you were being bullied and at the same time you were focused on your studies. But I caught Fernando several times stealing glances at you, Micaela".

My gaze penetrated her and I was finding it hard to believe her. Ferd liked me in high school? How and when? That's not possible, Ferd couldn't have liked someone like me.

"But why? If what you are saying is true why didn't he ever tell me about it during those times? Why didn't he still tell me about it when we met a few months ago?"

"He didn't tell you then because you were a victim of a bully. No guy would like to risk his life to be in a situation like yours. He must have been afraid of what might go wrong if he ever told you he likes you. Besides you both were the number one nerds in high school, that would have cost a lot of trouble than the one Raphael and I caused for you two. But as for the second question on why he didn't mention it to you during your courtship a few months ago, I have no idea why".

"This is quite an interesting story, girlfriend. I think you should start jotting them down so you can add it to that story you are writing".

"Shut up Sabrina, would you?! Do you think this is a joke?"

"Chill babe, it's not like that, I was...."

"I don't need your opinion, okay?! Just hold it right there!"

"Yes ma'am" she replied and held her lips. I almost chuckled at that but not right now that the atmosphere is tense.

"Micaela, please find it in your heart to forgive me. I regret all I did to you in the past. I've not found real peace thereafter, please forgive me, and let's forget about the past. I'm sorry your marriage with Fernando ended so quickly...."

"It's all because of you and your gang that it all ended. Ferd and I would have been together today, but because he thought I was behind that rape incident that's why he left me. Will your apology bring us back together?"

"Yes, my own" someone else answered and our head snaps to the door.

Right there stood my ex-husband and his best friend Antonio. "Ferd?" I mumbled incoherently and my gaze never left him for a second.

Could hallucinating be a part of pregnancy symptoms? Because this is so surreal.

Fernando's POV

I'm here to get my wife back no matter what it takes. Antonio and I flew down here shortly after that asshole and his drug partners were arrested. When we arrived at Seoul airport, Sabrina texted Antonio that she just arrived at Micaela's apartment with Claudia.

It was a relief to know that she was in safe hands and she was able to finish her task successfully. And more interestingly the four of us arriving on the same day and almost the same time makes it look like it was planned.

A couple of minutes ago, when Antonio and I got to Micaela's home, we approached her doorstep and we heard yelling from the inside. We both halted and glance at each other.

"It must be me she's talking about to her friend. I guess she doesn't want to see nor hear from me for eternity" I gave a sad frown and ran my fingers through my hair frustratingly.

"Hey, don't think that! Micaela might be upset with you but that doesn't mean she's not going to forgive you for what you did. You can't conclude from here, it might not even be you she's talking about right now. Perhaps she is angry to see Claudia again after what she did to her years ago".

"I'm not sure about that" I argued.

"There's only one way to find out. Let's eavesdrop on their conversation for a minute before we get inside" he suggested and I nodded and rushed to the window.

"It's all because of you and your gang that it all ended. Ferd and I would have been together today, but because he thought I was behind that rape incident that's why he left me. Will your apology bring us back together?" I heard my woman asks.

Feelings of hope watches all over me and a small smile crept up my face. That means my woman wants me back in her life.

I pushed the door open and stepped inside with Antonio right behind me, and I answered, "Yes, mine".

The three ladies snapped their heads towards us and my heart melted when my gaze settles on her. It's only a month ago that I saw her last but it's as if a year has gone by already.

Her fragrance hits my nose and that made me feel at home. Even from a distance I can still recognize the smell of her fragrance. That's the effect that lady standing over there always has on me.

"Ferd?" She uttered my name looking all awestruck at my presence.

I wanted to be here sooner than now but because of the whole plans my best friend and I had in getting justice, I had to wait until today.

I just want to hug her so close right now and kiss her deeply. I've missed her so much. My life has been empty without her. Several times I was tempted to call and send her messages after I found out the truth, but I was scared she won't pick up my calls.

I wanted to come to see her in person to do that, and here I am today. I really hope she can forgive me.

"Aww, that's so sweet and romantic. You just sounded like Lee Min Ho in 'Suddenly' a Korean drama!" Sabrina chirps and I groaned aloud.

"Now is not the time, Sabrina" I frowned at her and she pouted and eyed me wearily.

"What are you doing here, Fernando?" the question came as a hard rock aimed directly at my chest.

The whole room went silent and my face became gloomy. I didn't count how many seconds or minutes that went by before I said "My love, please give me a chance to explain and apologize for not believing you..."

"Why should I give you a listening ear? You made it clear the last time we met that you don't want to have anything to do with me and oh...It turns out that one of your girlfriends was seen sharing a kiss with you in public which means I don't have any role to play in your life, Fernando! What happened? Did she dump you for someone else?"

"I don't have anyone else in my life except you, Micaela. Those pictures you saw aren't what it is, it was just a misunderstanding" I replied and took a step forward to where she was standing.

"Uh! Misunderstanding? How do you feel so comfortable kissing some other woman and you come here and tell me is a misunderstanding? How?!"

"Because that woman is not my mistress! I don't have a mistress and I'll never have one as long as I'm with you!"

"Then who is she to you if she's not your mistress? Let me guess...your sex mate?!"

My heart was crushed hearing her guess so wrongly of me. I can't believe she just looked me in the eyes and asks that.

"Would you stop already? I told you she is nothing to me-" my voice sounded so feeble and I was scared I'll break down in tears right in front of everyone.

I took some steps forward and stood in front of her. "That lady was someone I used just to clear out my doubts after the first time you kissed me. I didn't know what love or emotions were until you kissed me that day-" I paused and took her hand.

"I thought what I felt was just a rush of adrenaline, until I had to try it someone. When I did, it wasn't the same like I had thought. The butterflies in my stomach, the flutter in my heart...none of it happened when I had kissed her" her gaze dropped when I said that.

I lifted her chin up to look me in the
eyes and she complied. "After that experiment with that random lady, I never crossed paths with her until a couple of weeks ago when we saw each other again. She was bent on having revenge on me by stealing a kiss from me. As if that was enough, she even slapped me and threatened me that you are going to find out and unfortunately you did find out".

She was gazing at me with so much distrust and that is hurting me. "Believe me, mine, I feel nothing for her, she is barely a stranger to me".

The silence from her was enough words for me. There is nothing I'll say that she'll believe. I did the same thing to her couple of weeks ago, now I understand how it feels to not trust someone you love.

"He is telling the truth, Micaela. Fernando can never cheat on you with another woman, he loves you too much to do that" Antonio vouch for me.

"Even though it has been a long time since I set my eyes on Fernando, I do trust him. He is not that kind of guy you are insinuating he is. Look at his eyes, the poor guy still loves you like never before" Claudia said and I narrowed my at her.

Claudia? Supporting me? Since when? And she even mentioned trust?

"Ha! You are at this again. Nice!" Micaela snickered and shook her head.

"Mine, my diamond, I'm sorry I never believed you. I was just so stupid and stubborn to listen to you. This past months has not been easy without you by my side. When I got to know the whole truth of what happened that night, I regretted not giving you a chance to prove your innocence. But all that is in the past now, the enemy behind our rough past is now behind bars and...."

"Enemy? What enemy?" she cuts in.

"Raphael. Raphael and I planned all that happened that night" Claudia answered.

"He admitted to all he did but he didn't show any form of remorse when Antonio and I confronted him. He almost killed both of us if we weren't smart enough and also with the help of the FBI" I added.

"Son of a bitch! He hasn't changed one bit!" Claudia cussed.

"Like you've changed, huh?" I said rhetorically in a scornful manner which sent her mute.

"Yes she has, she is not the same bad girl she use to be in high school" Sabrina answered on her behalf, and Micaela and I squint at her.

"What's that?" Micaela asks.

"I'm telling you the truth girlfriend, Claudia is a changed being now. If she wasn't a changed girl do you think she would fly down here with me just to apologize to you?"

"Wait a minute, what do you even mean? How did you know where to find Claudia? And what gave you the impression that she is changed when you barely even know her?" Micaela asks.

"We made her a spy" I replied.

"Wait, what? Spy?" she asked mystified.

"Yes. We wanted Claudia here and Raphael to face the consequences of their actions. As an attorney I came up with two options they could choose from, either to plead guilty and face a few years of jail terms or apologize to you and Fernando and we will forget about the past" Antonio answered and walked up to us.

"Fernando bought into the idea after explaining better how it wasn't your fault he was raped. We didn't want Claudia and Raphael to deny they were involved in that incident. So, Sabrina and I began making private investigations on their personal life and we discovered they had a weakness we can hold them down with" Antonio explained.

"This is unbelievable!" My wife exclaimed...don't correct me okay? She is my wife and will ever be! She flopped to the couch and held her head. I became worried and squat in front of her.

"I wasn't lying when I told you I got a job as a private detective," Sabrina said proudly to her friend and a small smile played on my lips.

The room became filled with awkward silence and I didn't know where to start anymore.

"Fernando, Micaela, I'm sorry for what happened in the past. Please forgive me, and let's call a truce. Please, find it in your heart to forgive me so that I can have my peace and happiness again" Claudia pleaded and went to her knees.

I glance at my wife and we met gaze. She no longer look upset, but she was sad. I could tell she was at the brim of tears. I took her hands and cover them with my palms. I tilt her chin up and she stared into my eyes with tears.

"Mine, my heartbeat, I know she wronged us...but please let's forgive her and let go of the past, okay?"

"I already forgive her, Ferd" she muffles and relief rushes down my veins.

"Thank you. But why are you crying?" I asked wiping off her tears with my thumb.

"I forgave her. But can I forgive you after all you did to me?" she asks almost in a whisper and I gape at her.

I fell into silence and I couldn't find my voice for a moment. Tears began to blur my vision.

"Mine, please don't do this to me. I've come to love you so much that living this life without you is going to have a bad effect on me. I have found my soulmate in you. I have found my home with you. I have found a love that never leaves and I have no regrets knowing nor loving you. Please mine, forgive me" I pleaded in tears and kissed her knuckles.

"I should forgive you? But how?" she asks and I glance up at her.

"What do you mean how, girlfriend? Forgive this young man already and live a happily ever ending!" Sabrina butts in.

"Just shut up, okay?" My wife scorns her friend. "Do you think is that easy to face rejection from the person you loved the most in the world?"

"I was wrong, I was so stupid not to have believed you. Please forgive me, I want you back in my life, I want to be with you and my unborn child. I want to be there for you two...I want to protect you, care for you, and love you forever. I want to get you your favorite roses and place them on your tray of coffee every morning" my hand reached for hon er cheeks and caressed it.

"I want to be your errand boy when you are craving anything-" I noticed a slight smile peck her face before it disappeared.

"Please, my love, don't deny me this privilege that the universe has miraculously given me. You and my child are the reasons for my happiness. I can't trade it for anything in the world" I sobbed and bowed my head on her thighs.

I don't think I've ever cried for anything let alone a woman just like I'm doing right now. The fear of losing her is beyond my control. I don't think I'll still be sane if she is no longer there for me.

Her silence oppressed me and I wish she could just say something.