Chapter Twenty-two

The tears in my eyes immediately flowed as if it's been a year that they were holding at the corner of my eyes, when I heard his sigh from the other line, though, I wiped it away and cleared my throat. This is it. I miss this man so much, his hugs and the way he dropped a sweet kiss on me. Damn, I missed it all.

“Hmm...”

I firmly closed my eyes and buried the pillow on my chest. Why is he answering my call? Is he thinking about me despite all things that happened? I wish it was that, but then, I should be realistic. I shouldn't have called him in the first place because my family caused heartache to them, especially him. I badly want to scream in pain but I know, people might think that I'm crazy once I'll do it. This man, I can sense that maybe he is mad at me but why? In the first place, it was his Mom who cheated on his Dad. I shook my head to erase that thought. The moment I tapped Dawn's number, I swear that I will talk to him because I miss him. That's all.

“Dawn...”

Another bucket of tears escaped from my eyes. He is mine and I'm only for him. I will never marry someone else but him. I don't want to spend half of my life with Ethann even though he treats me well. I don't want to marry someone else... especially if it's not about love.

“Why are you calling me?” His voice is cold as I could hear in the other line. “Do you need anything? You want to arrest me, Helly?”

“No! Please, it's not that! No way!”

“Hmm, what is it then—”

“Why did you think that I'll arrest you, Dawn? Do you really think that I am really mad at you?”

The deafening silence filled the whole call. The seconds of silence—realizing and analyzing everything.

This is what I'm thinking. Reality really has its own way to hit us. I swallowed hard when I realized that, oh right. The policemen are searching for them now. Anytime now I can tell them that I am talking with the HL Corporations' Heir but heck, I won't do that. I don't care anymore if they will get disappointed in me. As long as this talk will warm my feelings. But why is it that Dawn is slowly losing his trust in me now? 

“Then, sorry for that.” I heard his frustrated sigh. “So what do you need?”

“You. I need you.” I answered with my full confidence.

This time, he was the one who got silent, and maybe, he didn't expect it. He thinks that I'm mad at him but, no. My man is maybe innocent about all of this. I still remember how he told me that he wants to get angry at his Mom for cheating on them for nth time now.

Something is banging on my chest that I felt. My heart is like sinking while my body is getting numb from all the sobbings. “I feel so numb, Dawn. How I wish that this is just a nightmare so that I can wake up if I can't take all of these things anymore. You know, the feeling that the world played you. Dawn, I don't want this. I want to escape this.”

I let out a sob out of frustration. I just want to find a way to become invisible. I don't want problems—I hate it! I hate struggles. They're slowly breaking me into pieces. This was the same as what I felt when mom died as I could remember and everytime I do, my heart breaks which make me breathe hardly. My life was almost perfect but struggle destroyed it.

After all the silence, he heaved a sigh. “I'm sorry if I can't go to you. I badly want to explain things to you but I'm scared that it might affect your mental health. This is the reality, Helly. There's no way that we can escape our struggles even how we badly want to. I love you Helly, I know you're strong.” He paused but without more than a second, he spoke again. “That time you left me in the dining area, I got confused and my heart was pounding so fast. I want to run and follow your whereabouts but I don't want to be a burden to you. Your family needs you and you need yourself.”

“I let it slide. I was left hanging and wanted to get mad at you but I can't. I know what happened, Helly. I'm just here for you. I promise that I will completely own you once this will be done.” He sighed. “Be strong for me Helly, for us and for yourself. I love you...”

“Dawn,” I love you too...

I smiled in relief and wiped my own tears. This is what I've been waiting for. To hear his voice saying those words. I really thought that he was just using me and betraying me but I know he can't do that to me. I wish it was easy to go to him. I wish all these things didn't happen. I suddenly felt the warmth run to my whole system after hearing all of his words.

“I miss your smile. Dyxxie was obviously missing you too. I sensed her loneliness when his mommy left him and his Daddy.”

My eyes widened when I remember Dyxxie. Our white cat. I miss his white and furs. Damn, I really left him. I feel so sorry for Dyxxie. Good thing, there's Dawn with him.

“Oh! Where is he?”

“He's lying on my tummy. Sleeping peacefully.”

I imagined how beautiful their view was. I secretly smiled while figuring it out. Maybe Dawn stayed at my unit? or no, I know my Daddy's men were guarding it well so maybe, he brings Dyxxie with him?

After the call, I immediately felt dizzy. I don't know why. I am sweating but I'm feeling chill. I patted my forehead to check if I am sick again but maybe I really am.

I don't care anymore about what's happening to me. All I am thinking now is how can I convince Daddy that I'm not going to marry that Gladstone boy. He is so annoying for Pete's sake.

For the next few days, I am with my lecturer again. We are now at our library, here at our house, and the class is almost over. While I was busy writing something on my notes, I suddenly heard her yelling in shock.

“Goodness, what are you doing here?!”

I turned my head to her and I glanced at the door which had just opened. It was the lawyer handling our family's case against the Hadleys.

“None. You really don't want to have some coffee with me?” The lawyer was in an emotionless state.

“Uh, J-just waits for a while. We're almost done—”

“I'm done with the quiz! You can go now, Miss.” That was not a lie. I am actually done so I immediately gave her the paper and convinced her to go with him.

“H-huh—”

“You told me lately r that after the quiz, the meeting is over. Right?” I winked at my lecturer and just nodded in despair. This is for her own good, though. I could see it everytime she blushes when he turns his head to her.

“O-okay... Let's go.” She glanced at Mr. Lawyer and I could see how she glared at him but he just smirked. Almost invisible. Then, she glanced at me. “Bye Miss Helly! Take a rest!”

I waved my hands to them until their steps echoes on the staircase and voices raised, obviously arguing in there.

I am secretly smiling while looking at them not until I sniffed. I put my hands on my nose when felt something dropping until I confirmed it was blood coming from my nose. My eyes widened in shock while looking at my finger which has a drop of blood and my chest automatically beat so fast thinking about what is happening.

“Oh, gosh!”

My mind couldn't think well except on running towards the comfort room. I don't know how to cure my bleeding nose so I just washed it with water. While doing it, my heart starts aching for beating so fast. I could see some droplets of red liquid on the sink. Thankfully, they slowly stops after a moment.

“Ugh, why do you have to bleed?!” I said while staring up. I saw on the television that you should look up once your nose is bleeding.

My heart is racing and the volts of electricity filled my whole system. Heck, I'm scared of blood. I just closed my eyes while grabbing a tissue and wiped wiping my nose. I don't know what to do with this, actually. Hopefully, this will help.

I stayed like that for a few moments until I felt that the bleeding finally, completely stopped. I sighed in relief and gasped for air. I breathe deeply for a few moments as I threw the tissue filled with blood there. That was gross.

I washed my face again to erase the prints of blood that can be seen on some parts of my face e. This rarely happens to me. Maybe I'm just sick and I really need to rest.

I stepped into the peaceful staircase, heading to my room. I don't know where Daddy is right now. There's no hint of him even his silhouette, there's none.

I laid myself on the bed and my heartbeat was so fast. Strange things have happened to me these past few days. I didn't even skip any meal and I always took my meds but still, I'm still feeling chills.

After I took a nap, I heard a knock on my door. I yawned and groaned. Finally, I'm feeling well. The chills are gone now but I'm still not in the mood to do things.

“Come in... ” I groaned again.

I felt the door open and the image of a man went in. My eyes simply widened when I realized that it was Ethann. I thought it was Daddy knocking on the door. I sat properly on my bed and cleared my throat when I felt somewhat awkward.

“Ethann,”

“Helly...” I swallowed hard when he muttered my name. “I'm sorry about the last day”

I avoided his gaze. There he goes, saying sorry but actually doesn't regret for doing it. I gritted my teeth secretly.

“I know I shouldn't pressure and force you to be with me but that was Dad who really likes you for me.”

“I understand.” I nodded. As if I have a choice.

“I know this is hard for you but you have to face this all Helly—”

I closed my eyes firmly and raised my left hand. “Stop Ethann. I know what to do. Enough, I'm tired right now.”

“Oh, sorry. Actually, I'm just here to invite you for dinner. I want you to go with me.”

I sighed. Damn, I'm not in the mood to go out right now. I am hella tired. Goodness, what a pain in the ass.

“Do I really need to be there?”

“We'll talk about us Helly—wait.” My brows furrowed when he walked and sat in front of me. He then grabbed my right arm.

“Huh?” I curiously asked.

“What's that? What happened to that?”

I shrugged. It is just a red spot on my right arm. “Uh, just a scar, maybe I was bitten by a mosquito.”

“No, that's so many Helly, that was hella red spots! What happened?”

I rolled my eyes. He is indeed so annoying! Exaggerating!

“I d-don't know! Stop overreacting—”

“I'm not overreacting Helly, shit your sick!” He patted my forehead and did the same thing on my neck. Obviously checking for my condition.

“Uh, my nose is actually bleeding lately,” I admit. Now, I'm feeling nervous as hell. Why is it I think this is a serious matter?

“You—what?” his eyes squinted. Can't believe what I said.

“It was bleeding so I think I'm sick so I took a nap.”

“Damn, we should go to the hospital.” He stood up and picked up his phone from his pocket.

I also want that because there's a part of me that wants to check my condition but I immediately shook my head in disagreement. I couldn't. “But Ethann, it's not safe to go out!” I said and grabbed my arms from his. “No need, this is not that serious.”

“For Pete's sake Helly, you need to be checked by a doctor! Stay still, I'll call your Dad. I'm bringing you to the hospital.”

I just sighed. No choice for Helleon again.