F-orbidden Dalliance: Enemies to Lovers Romance ENGLISH

Chapter 6

― This is not a hiding place, miss.

I sat down on the floor with my butt as an effect of shock. I secretly pulled down the sheet so mom wouldn’t notice what I did. I stood as she got closer. Despite being at home, she is with a signature dress but with a minimal design rather than the flashy outfits she wears outdoors. Her hair in a delicate bun on top of her head. She glanced down on the bed but did not say anything about it. 

“Where did you sleep last night? You just came home?” Her face was plastered with worry, confusion, and the urge to fire my questions. Dad and her know I don’t just sleep around. I only do that when they are not home, say, on a business trip abroad. I just don’t feel like going home without my parents' home. So I stayed in a hotel. And the last time it happened was with Mr. Racini. The very first time I have ever slept with a man. The night I decided to prove who really has control over my decision. I think it could make my parents change and stop meddling with my decision in life. Turns out I don’t have the control at all. I don’t have control over the result of my choices. 

“I…”

“I heard you were with Leonid last night? One of my colleagues’ friends saw you two in a restaurant… Did you sleep with him?” Now it’s the hope shining in her eyes. I can’t find the words. Yes, I slept in Leonid’s condo but it’s not what she thinks it is. It’s not what she’s hoping for. 

“He… He got a little drunk so I have to drive him home.” I stepped away from my bed so she wouldn't think of investigating the reason why I was kneeling down beside it before she came in. 

“What happened, then?”

I close my eyes. She doesn’t allow me to think of a smart alibi. She is suddenly in front of me. I look away. I parted the curtains and opened the glass door to the balcony to let some fresh air in. I feel suffocated. After taking a large intake of fresh air, I face my mom. 

“You won’t even ask why?” She was surprised by my rudeness. I shake my head to dismiss the frustration. I am becoming too emotional and it’s usually not leading me to something good. “Mom, Leonid was stressed with their company’s stuff last night. I have to be there for him as his… as his fiancée. Nothing really happened.”

His huge eyes blinked. “I heard about what happened… But there’s nothing wrong if something happened between you two last night. You’re engaged. You’ll be marrying each other soon.”

“We’re still not married,” I defended but later on a bit at my lower lip. As if Mr. Racini and I are married. I internally rolled my eyes to myself. Why that thought didn’t pester my mind that night? 

Mom heaves a sigh, giving up to the conversation. She turns to the bed. It alarms me. “What are you doing now? I told the maids to tell you to join me for lunch.”

“They told me. I’m just going to take my shower… What about you, mom? Do you have something to tell me except asking about my night in Leonid’s place?” she doesn’t usually go to my room to check me unless I’m making them worry by locking myself inside just like the last time. 

Her forehead creases and shakes her head. Now she looks problematic. “Let’s talk about it over lunch.”

And that’s what happened. Our lunch was an hour earlier because I’m also eager to hear what it is she wants to say. I’ve read about the news online about the Pascuals and the Racinis. I have a feeling my mom's problem is related to it, and I was not wrong. 

“Your dad is not in the company right now. He’s with the Pascuals because of the problem Mr. Racini dropped on them. That man is really in trouble.”

“I read in the news online about the speculations of the press. Is it true he’s also trying to buy their company?” I read it while I’m on the parking lot of Leonid’s condominium. I’m sure he has only read about it, too, so we were not able to talk about it. He has to leave early for work.

Her glare, as a result of her anger at Mr. Racini, is directed at me. “That’s one of the reasons your dad is with them. He has to convince your Tito Thomas to let him go from his company before everything’s out of his control as the chairman. Things like this happen to too many companies involving Mr. Racini’s name so we can’t really blame the media to think that way.” 

My grip on the utensils tightens. If this happens a little earlier, I’ll be worried about Leonid’s company, too. However, the fear crawling in on me is stronger than mom’s worry. It’s because of what happened between me and Mr. Racini. It will result in total chaos once my parents know about it. Of all the men, why it has to be him. 

“But it will be too risky. How can they do that if Mr. Racini is one of the major shareholders?”

“I don’t know!'' Mom lost her composure. She brought the utensils down the table and aggressively wiped her mouth with the table napkin. “I already told your dad not to meddle with it. That man is dangerous. Your engagement is already at risk. If that man knows your dad is trying to work with your Tito Thomas against him, our company might also be at stake. It will be a nightmare if he takes an interest in our business.”

I stayed silent so as not to provoke her more. Her outburst gives me an outlook on how she will react if she finds out how close I get from that dangerous man. I understand my dad. He wants to keep a distance from Mr. Racini, but he can’t just neglect Tito Thomas’s company. This will affect our company, whether he helps or not. 

I left home after lunch. I told my mom I’ll be meeting Leonid. It was partly true and partly a lie. I just received a text from Leonid saying he can’t make it because of the issue happening in their company. I used the opportunity to visit Mrs. Summers. 

“You don’t have to do it, Mrs. Summers,” I said as politely as I could so as not to offend her. As I got inside her office, she immediately asked me the question about her box. I came at the right time because it’s her lunch break. She said she had finished her appointment in the morning a little earlier, too.

“I’m your family doctor so it’s my duty to look after your health. I was worried because you’re not visiting me. Does Mr. Pascual know about your baby?” 

I choke on myself. She attended to me but I didn’t let her touch me. I gave her a smile to erase her worry. “We… uhm, he’s busy with the company.”

“I heard about it. But I suggest you tell him so he can assist you with your pregnancy. This is your first time so it will be a challenge for you. Having the father of your child beside you will make it a lot easier.”

I grimaced. I don’t think so. I don’t want him near me or near my family. I don’t want him near my family’s and Leonid’s company. I don’t want him near anyone close to me. If only I had realized how serious my parents’ words were, their warnings to keep me away from him; if I had known he could be this dangerous, I wouldn’t let myself get an inch closer to him. I should have avoided him before things keep happening. If I shouldn’t have uttered a single word when he approached me and walked away instead. My mom is right, the man is real trouble. 

I gave Mrs. Summers my strict words not to tell my mom about my condition yet. She agreed with me again but she will not stay silent for the longest time. Her job and her profession are at stake if my womb starts to grow bigger and if my mom finds out she knows about it. 

Walking on the hallway of the hospital, my mind was clouded with many thoughts. Still, an unwelcome one infuriated my mind. I stopped dead on my track as my last encounter with Mr. Racini in the elevator of this hospital flashed back on my mind. It suddenly scared me to see him here again. At the end of the hallway is the elevator but I have doubts about going there now.

But why am I even worrying about it? I should do now what I should have done from the start, that is not to talk to him. And besides, what’s the possibility that we would walk in with each other again here? Although always neat, he doesn’t look like someone who will take an interest in hospital businesses. He only looks like someone who will play with the men in the finance industry and the businesses in relation to it, like the cement and steel business of the Pascuals. Not a hospital. Unless he knows someone here like me. 

I sighed and decided to just go on. But was stopped after taking a glimpse of the familiar face of a man. He is one of the guards of our family. He almost bumped into a young nurse who he politely gestured to step on the side. And I know exactly what that means. My mind told me I have to be out of the hallway whoever he is with. Another guard appeared from the corner.

Before they could see me, I opened the door near me and welcomed myself inside. It was my luck it was unlocked. I closed it just in time. My heart was beating loud because of the adrenaline. I could feel it with my palm against my chest. When I opened my eyes though, it halted. I stood upright because of the two pairs of eyes watching me. One of the pairs is quite familiar. 

An awkward silence stretched inside the room. My eyes traveled down to the arms of the girl wrapped around the waist of Mr. Racini who is rigidly standing on the side of a patient’s bed. The girl slowly put down her arms. She has pale skin and lips. Her long curly hair is spread on her back. The hospital gown is large for her but I can clearly see her sexiness. She is beautiful and that’s understandable given the fact she is with that man beside her. 

“This is not a hiding place, miss.” Mr. Racini said in a raspy voice. I don’t know what’s between him and the patient in this room but I know I shouldn’t be here. But I shouldn’t be out in the hallway, as well. No, not yet.

Through the small transparent window on the door, I noticed the movement outside and behind me. The heavy footsteps can be heard from the silence of the place. I'm often with their group every time we visit here but I never realized their footsteps could be this chilling. I turned my back to the two to face the door. I secretly watched the march of the men. In the middle of them is my mom who’s walking with her head held high. I gasped in shock. I’m sure she’s going to Mrs. Summers.

It's not our schedule to visit Mrs. Summers, yet. I can't think of a reason why she's here right now. I don't want to think it has something to do with me, but there is a possibility. 

“That’s Mrs. Villarama. Your mom.”

I jumped because of the familiar voice right behind me, deadly closed that startled me. I felt his warm breath on the top of my head. His broad shoulders and inches away from my back. I spun around to face Mr. Racini. Our close proximity nearly caused me to faint. His face is vacant. His eyes were directed to the window. The footsteps outside faded.

“You know her?” the girl on the bed asked, her voice low and tired. I turned to her when Mr. Racini darted his eyes on me. Her hooded eyes moved from me to Mr. Racini and back at me. “Let her out, Hugh,” she added when Mr. Racini’s eyes bore deeper into my presence. He made it too obvious that the girl looks worried. I'm afraid she might faint on her bed just watching us. 

I swallowed hard when the man did not even bulge. He has to take a step backward for me to turn for the door. But I wouldn’t dare touch him if he decided to stay here until midnight. I’m sure he can hear the struggle of the girl. I'm aware of his insensitivity but he should at least be worried about the girl. They look so close to each other before I intrude on them.

Besides, he must give back my personal space. I understand the reaction of the girl because honestly, it's appalling to have all her attention all on me. His body standing still and his eyes were not showing anything that could give me an idea of what's going on through his mind.

“What’s your name?” the girl asked again. Her eyes narrowed in curiosity and evilness. Evilness because she feels threatened with something. It was jealousy etched on her delicate troubled face. “What’s your name?... I said what’s your name!?”

I felt the trouble. First, she is a patient, and whatever the reason she is here she shouldn’t be screaming Second, she really looks mad. Her glare is burning me as if the eyes of the man with us is not horrifying enough. 

What's with them and that threatening look they are giving me? I jerked on my feet when Mr. Racini finally moved. He closed his eyes and sighed. He turned around to face the girl. I used the chance to get out of the room without uttering any words.

I don’t know what’s between them and I don’t want to be part of it. 

I ran for the elevator without looking back. I planned to go back to Mrs. Summer’s office and pretend to my mom I just got here, too. I would say I just visited Mrs. Summers or that I heard from the maids she visited so I followed ― anything, just to make sure the doctor won’t tell her anything. But all the excuses I have in mind were lame. I never visited Mrs. Summers before with or without my mom, unless it’s our monthly check-up. She would be too suspicious. Especially now that I have a feeling of her sudden visit here, too. It’s because of me. She knows that if something’s wrong with my body, I would go to our doctors first if I’m not ready to tell them or to at least confirm it. 

Although I know it’s how her mind works, I can’t do anything to escape it. Our family is known by everyone. I can’t just go and have a consultation with whoever doctor I meet.

I was already in the basement of the hospital. I was holding the key to my car and was about to get inside. I’m lucky I’m not in a hurry to do it, or else, my mom’s men will know I’m here. Her car was parked near mine. Three of the men are guarding them. Usually, there’s only one guard per car. But there are two guards standing beside my Range Rover. Now my mom knows I’m here! That’s the reason for her urgent steps to Mrs. Summers. 

I took a careful step back and made sure not to create noises or anything that could make the men aware of my presence. I was so busy that I didn’t notice someone approaching me from behind. A coat laid on over my shoulders nearly made me scream. I looked horrified at Mr. Racini’s face. His beautiful face can’t be horrific to everyone unless he keeps showing up in front of someone like me who doesn’t really want to see him. I was speechless. I tried to take his coat off me. 

“Keep it.” His voice is as hard as his eyes on me. He handed me his dark shade. I couldn’t help but furrow my eyebrows in confusion. I didn’t accept it so he tried putting it on me. It was only right that I step back to avoid it, but I stopped after getting cornered between the wall and his advancing body. He suddenly felt too big for me. He tried to put the shades over my eyes again and at that moment, I let him to. I lost the guts to ask a question, afraid the men might hear us. I decided it’s better to wait for what he is planning to even make me wear his coat and shades.