Love Just Ain't Enough (BOOK TWO)

SIXTEEN: STAY

Alejandro’s POV

“Why are you here?” My eyes widened when I saw the two couples sitting comfortably in my living room. I was in a bar a while ago watching Bea’s every move. She may not notice it, but my full attention was on her. I was holding back not to grab her in the middle of her work because I knew that if I did it, she’d get mad at me.

 I planned to talk to her and ask forgiveness for my asshole behavior back in the office, but my pain-in-the-ass cousin called me that they’re apparently here in Davao.

“Nice to see you, too. Alejandro.” Mariel answered sarcastically. “We went here straight from the airport because I thought you’re locking yourself again from the world. As it turned out, you weren’t here, which, by the way, a huge surprise. We just wanted to pay you a visit, dear cousin. Aalis din kami mayamaya.” Mariel swirled her wineglass as she looked at me under her long eyelashes. “Hi, Matt.” She waved at the person behind me.

I scowled at her. “What do you think of me, a child? You should have just called Matt and ask my whereabouts. Matt, remind me to change the door code.” Asar na sagot ko. My gaze transferred to the other woman sitting on the other side of the couch. “And why are you here, too?”

Karina shrugged her shoulders. “We bumped into each other at the airport. Who would have thought that we had the same flight schedule, so we decided to come here together. After all, iisa lang din naman ang sadya namin. Ikaw. At uunahan na kita, hindi kami close. I still hate her.” She answered in nonchalance as she side-eyed Mariel.

“Back at you.” Mariel retaliated in a bitchy tone.

My cousin hated Karina because she thought she had a thing with me. Little did she know, Karina was my psychiatrist and has been engaged earlier than her. I decided to ignore their bickering.

“It does not answer my question, Karina. What brought you here?”

She pouted a little and I rolled my eyes. I raked my fingers through my hair with frustration. “I’m not having any suicidal thoughts, Doctor Karina.”  My eyes narrowed as I looked at both women interchangeably. Si Finn at Jayden na nakamata lang ay may naglalarong ngisi sa mga labi.

  I sighed and made a few strides towards the two men. Tumayo si Jayden, opening his arms for me. “Hey.” He patted my back. I did the same.

“Doctor Jayden.”

Jayden hissed. He hates it when I’m being formal with him. “You look amazing, man.”

“I know. But I can’t say the same to you. When did you arrive from America?”

He contemplated. “About six hours ago.”

I sighed. “That’s why you look like s**t. Break up with her.”

“Hey!” Karina intervened.

Tumawa si Jayden. “Not gonna happen, dude. We’re inseparable.”

“Look who’s talking though. Sino kaya ang tumakas at bumalik sa Pinas para lang makita ang babaeng minamahal niya?” Karina appeared at Jayden’s side then the latter’s hand automatically slid to her waist.

Karina eyed me challengingly.

Tinirik ko na lamang ang mata paitaas. Wala akong laban sa dalawang doctor na ito. Sunod kong niyakap si Finn. “Ngayon pa lang, naaawa na ako sa’yo. Sa lahat ng naging babae mo, ang pinsan ko pa ang inalok mo ng kasal. You have lost your damn mind.”

Before I could finish my sentence, Mariel uttered a series of curse na ikanatawa naming lahat. “You’re such an asshole, Ale. That’s why you’re my least favorite cousin.”

“The feeling is mutual.” I snickered.

“She’s just worried about you.” Finn spoke, patting me on the back.

I nodded. “I know.” And it warmed my heart knowing that there are people who still care for me. Despite my nasty, shitty, crazy attitude, they never take me for granted.

“Have you had your dinner?” Tanong ko sa kanilang lahat. Although it’s past eleven o’clock in the evening, and I was pretty sure they already did, they might want to have something to bite. I’m not that bad. I still know how to entertain my unwanted guests, no matter how annoying they are.

“Ikaw ba?” Mariel asked.

Tumango ako at ininguso si Matt na nakaupo sa high stool ng minibar ko. “He has my schedules.”

Ngumiti si Mariel. “You’re heaven-sent, Matt.”

Ngumisi lang ito at nagkibit-balikat. “Just doing my job.”

“So, care to tell us, saan kayo galing na dalawa?” Karina spoke after sipping her red wine.

Finn offered me a whiskey, but I declined. I’m not really into alcohol. I mean, I stopped drinking the moment Bea appeared in my life. Like I said many times in the past, she was my miracle.

I discreetly shook my head to Matt, and he already knew what I meant.

“I’m tired. Dito ba kayo matutulog? Unfortunately, I only have one guest room, but Matt is using it.” Mariel owns a condo unit below, so my question was meant for the doctor couple.

Halos sabay sila na umiling.

“We’re actually here for a two-week vacation. We have booked our room at the Dela Vega Suites.” Finn informed me.

“Your wedding is a month away, nagha-honeymoon na kayo.”

“So? Are we not allowed to take vacation before our wedding?” Karina snickered, looking at me with wide eyes. “Besides, every day is honeymoon for us.” Jayden coughed at his fiancée’s statement.

  I gave a light chuckle. “You could have told me. I would have arranged your trip and staycation here.”

“That’s okay, Ale. We’re planning to visit Samal Island too. So baka paroo’t parito lang kami. Pero kung may oras kami, we’d like to spend time with you.”

Tumango ako sa sagot ni Karina. No problem with me.

“Before we go, do you mind if I checked on you?”

My gaze landed on Jayden. My jaw locked. He’s my physician. He’s one of my doctors who looked after me while I was in the process of recovering.

“How’s your knee, Alejandro?” He continued asking.

Everyone was quiet and the deafening silence made me feel uneasy. I gnawed my lips. “Alright, doctor. Why don’t we go to my bedroom so you could examine me properly?”

Karina chuckled. “That sound so wrong, at least for me.”

“Shut up.” Jayden and I spoke at the same time. Mine was in an annoying tone, his was in amusement. They all chuckled.

I lost count how many times I rolled my eyes at them.

Nagpatiuna akong pumasok sa aking kwarto at sumunod na pumasok ang magnobyong doktor.

Bago maisara ni Karina ang pinto, sumilip ang ulo ni Mariel. “Am I not allowed to enter?”

I growled. “Not in a million years, no.”

She pouted. “Sabi ko nga.”

I have nothing to worry about. I’ve been careful with my diet. I’ve been hitting the gym three times a week. So far, wala akong nararamdamang masakit sa aking katawan. The only thing that I failed to check on my doctor’s order list is the get enough sleep. It’s not actually difficult. The problem is, I’m avoiding it. If I knew that my body was needing the sleep, I deprived myself of, I’d take sleeping pills.

“Blood pressure is normal. Body temperature is normal. Pulse rate is good.” Jayden uttered when he finally straightened his stand.

“In other words, I’m fine.”

“You’re fine, Ale. Just don’t overdo yourself. And God, please sleep. Take a lot of sleep.” Karina interjected. Nakahalukipkip ito sa tabi ng nobyo. “Don’t tell me that you’re getting enough sleep because I know it’s not true. One look at your eyes and I can tell how tired you are.”

I threw my hands in the air. I am known for being a control freak in my business. I control and rule my life. I rule my world. Nobody has the right to tell me what to do and not what to do. I don’t follow orders from anyone. They are the ones who follow me. But in this case, I’ll make an exemption. For the meantime.

Hinatid namin ni Mariel ang magkapareha sa parking lot. Nauna nang nagpaalam si Finn at nagtungo sa condo nila ni Mariel para ayusin ang kanilang luggage.

Jayden was loading their baggage in the taxi trunk when my phone vibrated at the back pocket of my jeans. I lazily grabbed it only to be surprised when I learned who was calling me at the moment.

Before I left the bar, one of the waitresses there told me that she left early. I was guilty thinking that it was my fault because I upset her. I was supposed to chase and follow her to her apartment when my cousin called. I instructed Matt to make a U-turn instead.

My hand trembled as I press the answer button.

“Bea?”

Mariel coughed as she gave me a teasing look. I scowled at her.

“Ale….”

Kumalabog ang puso ko sa tono ng kanyang boses. She sounded nervous and scared.

“Please help me. Someone is in my house. They’re breaking my windows now.”

Her voice was quieter than a whisper. And I swore to God, my heart dropped when I finally understood what she’s telling me. Bad, negative thoughts invaded my mind as my vision turned darker. Fear consumed me as I felt my body going numb. I took a sharp intake of breath when I felt my chest tighten.

Bea’s cries snapped me, parted the reeling emotions and chaotic thoughts in my head. My determination to get to her the fastest possible overtook my system. I need to be there no matter what it takes.

My protective instinct for her kicked in as I instructed the people around me about what they should do.

Mariel took her phone and dialed 911. I told her Bea’s address. I was glad Matt followed us and supposed to leave to meet someone, but I halted his plan. Agad na sumakay ako sa sasakyan at pinaharurot agad ni Matt ito. Jayden and Karina following us riding the taxi they rented.

My heart ripped into pieces every time Bea sobbed. “Don’t cry, Bea. Don’t cry.” Pag-aalalo ko sa kanya.

“Don’t hang up, baby.” I spoke when she became quiet.

I kept telling her to talk to me. I begged her to stay with me on the line. She said she forgave me for being an asshole back in the office. I clenched my fist. Napapikit ako sa inis sa sarili ko. I don’t deserve her forgiveness, but I need it.

“I want to tell you something what I’ve been wanting to tell you all this time, Ale.”

“Okay baby, I’m listening. Don’t hang up on me.”

She took a deep breath. “Ale, I love you. I never stop loving you.” She uttered between sobs.

My lips trembled as I fought back the tears. My heart beats so fast, like it has finally come back to life.

“f**k, baby. Say those words in my face and not on the freaking phone!” I felt so helpless now. I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. “And I f*****g love you too. Always have. Always will.” My heart belongs to you and only you, Bea Samaniego. You owned me.

I got panic when the line went off. “Bea? Bea!”

“What happened?”

“She’s not responding anymore.” My voice cracked. “She said she loves me, Matt. She said she never stops loving me.” I gripped my phone so tight I didn’t care if it would break. My vision got blurry as the tears filled my eyes and began streaming down my face.

“Of course, she does, Alejandro. It’s all over her face.” Matt looked at me knowingly.

I huffed sadly. At the depths of my heart, I knew she’s still loves me, but her hate was stronger than her love. “I don’t want to f**k this up again, Matt. I can’t afford to lose her again. I will not hesitate to pull a trigger to my heart if she’ll be gone for real. I will follow her to every end of the earth or even to heavens. And if God kicks me to the pits of hell, I will crawl back and ask forgiveness repeatedly until He gets tired of my face and allow me to join where Bea will be.”

Matt shook his head. He’s probably thinking I was kidding but he knew me too well to know I meant every word I said.

“Ale, nandito na tayo.” Malakas na inalog ni Matt ang balikat ko. Napatuwid ako ng upo at saka pa lang napatingin sa paligid. Thank God.

Hindi pa tuluyang nahimpil ang sasakyan ay binuksan ko na ang pintuan at umibis doon. Hindi ko ininda ang sunod-sunod na mura galing kay Matt.

Alam kong nag-iisa na lang ngayon si Bea sa apartment. Kahapon, tumawag sa akin ang kanyang lola at inihabilin na kung maaari ay dalawin ko palagi ang kanyang apo. Kung alam lang ni lola ang ginawa ko sa kanyang apo noon, hinding-hindi ito hihingi ang ganung pabor sa akin.

I cursed when I noticed the police had not arrived yet. The neighborhood was even quiet. The street was empty. Wala man lang bang nakarinig ng basagan sa apartment? f**k these neighbors!

Tinakbo ko ang main door ng apartment. The jalousies of the window beside the door were damaged and broken. Hindi ko na kailangan pang pihitin ang doorknob dahil nakaawang na ang pinto. Alerto kong iginala ang aking mata sa loob. I turned the switch on na nasa gilid lang and hid myself behind the wall. The furniture and appliances were not removed from their spots. The culprit might just be hiding somewhere.

“I’ll go first.” Ani ni Matt. He was trained in the armies and the man had a killer instinct. He knows how to take down a person with just one blow. But if we were in the other circumstances, I would have let him handle this on his own.

But my baby Bea was inside the room. Paano kung nasa loob ang taong may gawa nito? The caveman inside me took over and did not hesitate to run towards Bea’s bedroom. Another curse fell on Matt’s lips. I knew he’s protecting me, but I was not the one who’s in danger here. It’s Bea.

Pinihit ko ang serudura ng pintuan ni Bea. Tinawag ko ang kanyang pangalan pero hindi ito sumasagot. Anxiety ruled over me yet again. What if something bad happened to her inside? Paano kung napuruhan na ito ng kung sino mang demonyong gumawa nito?

Matt took over and did something on the doorknob. He used an atm card to slide at the tiny space between the door and door frame and luckily it worked.

I quickly got in and relief washed over me when I found her sitting at the corner of her room. She curled herself like a ball and from here I could hear her hiccups. I could see her trembling figure.

Nanghihinang napaupo ako sa kanyang harapan at agad na pinangko ko ito at maingat na binaba sa aking kandungan. I hugged her so tight as another tear escaped from my eyes.

I breathed into her hair, my chest rose and fell from deep breaths. “I’ve got you, baby. I am here now.”

Bea molded her body against mine and buried her face on the base of my neck. “Thank you.” Then her arms hung limply at both sides and that’s when I knew that she fainted.

“Put her on the bed, Ale.” Halos sabay na sambit ni Jayden at Karina.

Sound of police patrol car was what we heard next. Tinapik ni Matt ang balikat ko. “Ako na ang haharap.” Ani nito.

Tumango ako na hindi nililingon ito. Marahan kong inangat si Bea at binaba sa kanyang kama. Sinuri ng magnobyo si Bea habang hawak-hawak ko ang kamay ng babaeng pinakamamahal ko.

“She has a fever, Alejandro. At mahina rin ang kanyang pulso.” Ani ni Jayden.

“We have to change her clothes. She’s soaking wet from her sweats. Lumabas muna kayong dalawa.” Si Karina.

Hindi ako sumagot. Ayokong mapalayo sa kanya. I didn’t even want to blink my eyes because I was scared, she might disappear.

“Alejandro! Trust me on this, will you? Call an ambulance. Kahit wala akong nakikitang masama sa kanyang kalagayan maliban sa inaapoy ito ng lagnat, mas mainam pa ring dalhin siya sa ospital.”

I sighed. Jayden pulled me to exit at kahit mabigat sa kalooban ko ang mawalay ng ilang metro sa kanya, nagpatianod ako.

Bea’s POV

“When will she wakes up?”

The voice I recognized so well filled my ears. He sounded so worried. His warm hand, holding mine. Where am I?

“Soon, Ale. Her body is recuperating. She needs a lot of rest. Kaya kung ako sa’yo, umuwi ka muna at matulog. You never left her side, baka ikaw naman niyan ang magkasakit.”

A woman’s voice was what I heard next. I can’t seem to remember who the owner of the voice is.

“I’m fine, Karina.” Matigas ang tonong sagot ni Alejandro.

“What are you thinking, Alejandro?” Another man’s voice that I am not familiar of spoke.

Alejandro sighed. “Memories from five years ago. The last time I saw her, was she’s also lying helplessly in a hospital bed. That image of her so broken and weak carved in my heart like a scar. And it happens again.”

Huh? He was really there? I was not dreaming that time?

“And just like before, you stayed by her side for hours and when you knew she’s about to gain back her consciousness, you left before she could open her eyes. And after that, we needed to fly you to Manila because your body gave up from exhaustion.” The other man answered. There was sadness in his voice too.

My breathing labored. Am I hearing this correctly?

“But Ale, ang nangyari ngayon ay walang kinalaman sa’yo. She’s just sick. Lahat tayo ay nagkakasakit. Mayamaya lang ay gigising na siya kapag nakabawi na ng husto ang kanyang katawan. Bumaba na ang kanyang lagnat.” Ani ng babae.

“Someone wants to scare her or worse kill her, Karina. At tiyak kong ako ang dahilan kung bakit nangyayari ang lahat ng ito sa kanya.”

“What will you do then? Are you going to leave her again?”

Before Alejandro could answer, I grip his hand so tight. I panicked. My chest tightened of the idea of him leaving me again. I gasped for air. I heard disruption and the sound of scrambling to their feet.

“Bea?”

My breathing stopped for a second. I wanted to hear him call my name again with that soothing voice of his.

“Bea, are you now awake? Please open your eyes for me, baby.”

I blinked slowly, and things began to come into view. I don’t need to search for his face because it was practically a few inches away from mine.

“There are my beautiful eyes.” He murmured with tenderness. Relief was obvious on his face.

“Hi.” I struggled to speak. My throat dry. Mainit ang aking mga mata kaya napapikit ulit ako.

“Please don’t close your eyes again, baby.” He begged and I could sense a panic in his voice.

Mabilis ko ring iminulat ang aking mata. “You look tired, Ale.”

He smiled. “I am not anymore.”

“Bakit nasa ospital ako?” I remembered I passed out in his arms. And then I remembered what happened that night. “My apartment!” Napalakas ang boses ko kaya nakaramdam agad ako ng pananakit ng ulo.

“Don’t worry about your apartment, Bea. I’ve got it covered.”

I was about to answer when the door swung open and few people came into the room. Doctors. Tumayo si Alejandro para magbigay daan. I hesitated to let go of his hand.

 He smiled at me and leaned down. His breath tickling my ear. “I’m not leaving you. I will just let them check on your vitals.”

Tumango ako sa kanyang sagot. My heart raced when I felt his lips on my forehead. He stood between the two people at the corner. His eyes remained on me but mine landed on the woman beside him. I knew her. She’s the doctor Alejandro mentioned to me before.

“Your heart rate is all over the place.” The doctor checking on me, spoke. His eyes smiling at me.

“And that’s a bad thing? What’s the reason?” Alejandro’s imposing voice filled the room. Salubong ang kilay nito.

The man beside him nudged him by the elbows, chuckling.  “Because of you. Stop being sweet or the girl will melt any time soon.”

All of them looked at me and I could feel my cheeks burning.

“She’s going to be fine. Bukas, pwede na siyang umuwi.” Salita ng doctor.

Nagpasalamat ako sa mga doktor. Kinausap nila sandali si Alejandro saka tuluyang umalis ang mga ito.

Alejandro came near me and sat at the edge of the bed. “I haven’t introduced to you my friends. This is Jayden and the woman beside him is Karina. I believe you already knew her.”

Tumango ako at tipid na ngumiti sa kanila. Nagsalita ulit si Alejandro. “They’re going to get married one month from now.”

Oh. Uhm. Okay.

“You are invited, Bea.” Ani ni Jayden.

I smiled at him. “Thank you.”

“Aalis muna kami para bigyan kayo ng privacy. We will buy food for Alejandro dahil hindi pa ito kumakain buhat ng dalhin ka namin dito sa ospital, Bea. Kakain ka na siguro ngayon, Ale?” Taas-kilay na tanong ni Karina.

Alejandro titled his head to look at me. “Only if Bea agrees to eat with me.”

Ngumisi ako. “I’m hungry and very thirsty.”

Nang makaalis ang dalawa, binigyan ako ni Alejandro ng isang basong tubig. Una ay paunti-unti lang ang inom ko pero nang maubos ko ang laman, nanghingi ako ng isa pa. Ale grinned at me at tuwang tuwang pinagmasdan lamang ako nito.

“There’s something I need to tell you, Bea.” Salita nito makalipas ang ilang sandali. Tumango ako.

“I’ve asked Mariel to pack some of your clothes and other things and told her to bring them over in my penthouse. There’s no way I will let you go back to that apartment and live there alone. What I am trying to say is, I am taking you home with me.” There was finality in his voice.

I nodded. “Okay.”

“Look, if you’re going to insist living there, I swear—did you say, okay?”

Tumango ulit ako. I bit my lower lip to stop it from grinning.

He looked utterly shocked and I almost laughed at his expression. “Really? You’re not going to argue with me on this?” He lifted my hand and kissed my palm.

“I will stay with you.”

“Alright, good.” He heaved a sigh.

“And Ale…”

“Hmmm?”

“Take me back  to the Fortress Island.”

He gasped. He came near me and gathered me in his arms. I felt him tremble. “Any time, baby. Any time.”