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Klare takes a small sip of cold beer. Her eyes diverted into Azrael, who was busy teasing and joking with others while Niklas, his wife, was busy chatting with Rei.
She turned back to her beer, glancing up to see Ate Chanel busy singing and Erin hyping her up. She glances at others who are busy chatting, drinking, and clearly having fun. Ngumiti siya.
It’s so surreal. Klare realizes. All those past weeks worrying about Azrael and witnessing how committed he is on his relationship with Niklas. Napanibago siya at ‘dun niya na realize na may side si Azi na hindi niya kilala.
At nakilala lang niya ito dahil kay Niklas.
She remembered Tito Azrael questioned Azi on how he will provide Niklas everything. Aaminin niya na kinabahan si Klare kay Azi nang inamin niya na wala siyang business or investment na ginawa. She glance to Elijah, when she saw Tito Azi's lingering stare to Elijah when he points out that someone already done everything to secure their future if ever a fall out happens. Elijah tightens his hold on her.
She knows that love couldn’t sustain a person’s life, money is. This is what she learned from the very beginning after witnessing Hendrix managing the family business and when her mother mentor her when managing the building.
Klare is very thankful for her parents. She’s fortunate to be raised by them, providing her everything. Her parents didn't expect her to work hard—nagsabi pa si Papa sa kanya na mas mabuti na hindi nalang siya magtratabaho sa bangko dahil magtayo nalang siya ng building at ipagpatuloy lang kung ano ang ginagawa niya sa Montefalco building.
Even Pierre and Hendrix agree on what Papa has said.
Inilapag niya ang beer sa malapit na lamesa at tumayo sa kanyang inuupuan. Claudette give her a questioning look but she let out a smile and pointed on the corner where the comfort room is located.
“Bathroom break muna ako,” ani Klare at lumakad patungo sa CR.
Huminga siya ng malalim pagkatapos ng pagsara sa pintuan.
It’s a scary thought if Tito Azrael didn’t decide that Azrael will inherit all their family business. They will struggle, fight, or maybe Niklas’ father will intervene, declaring that Azrael is unfit to wed his daughter. It broke her heart if that happens.
But then, it is all what ifs.
After taking her business, she went out and was about to go back but pause when hearing the quaking sounds. She hesitated, and then decided to go at the backyard where Azrael takes care all of his animals.
She opened the screen door and went outside.
Her eyes crinkled when seeing ducks and chickens roaming in their confined spaces. Sobrang cute! Not too far away, she could see the gentle ripple on the lagoon. She takes a deep breathe, observing this beautiful and peaceful place.
This place is really different from what Azrael has been.
Klare knows Azrael. He’s her closest cousin, second to Erin, Claudette, and Elijah, and palagi siya tinutukso. Alam niya na sobrang babaero si Azi at may pagka-party animal, pero nang makita niya na sobrang nasisiyahan siya habang tumitira sa simpleng pamamahay at ngayon kasama si Niklas sa tabi niya. Masaya si Klare para kay Azrael.
He deserves this. He deserves everything.
Klare smiles.
She walks towards on the edge of the lagoon, letting the soft whisper breeze brush her. Her fingers curled, taking her strand of her hair tucked behind her ears.
A resounding step came near her.
Hindi niya binigay pansin at ipagpatuloy ang pagpanood sa lawa.
Warm hug embrace her from the back. Pumikit si Klare at sinandal sa sarili kay Elijah.
“Hi,” tungod ni Klare at binalingan si Elijah.
“You didn’t come back,” Elijah whispers, his nose brushing on her cheek. “I’m worried. Nagmumuni ka?”
“Bawal?” Klare raised a brow, which he replied with a teasing grin. She giggled.
“I’m just thinking,” she said, placing her hand on Elijah’s hand.
“What is it, baby?” Elijah gently asked, giving her soft kisses on her cheeks.
Pumula ang pisngi ni Klare pero ‘yung ngiti niya hindi nawala.
“What if you don’t have a back-up, Elijah?” tanong ni Klare. “Just like Azrael?”
Na estatwa si Elijah pero nagbuntong-hininga siya.
“It’s a good thing I’m not Azrael then,” supladong sagot niya.
“Just imagine,” Klare tukso.
“I can’t, Klare,” bulong ni Elijah at mas hinigpit ang yakap.
“Kahit what if pa ‘yan or imagination, I can’t think na wala akong back-up,” tuloy niya. “I must have a back-up to keep you, Klare. I can’t think any scenario na wala ka sa tabi ko. When you said that you love me, I know that I need to fold everything. I'm ready to risk everything just to keep you."
Pumikit ng mariin si Klare.
“But I need something that will make you stay. To protect our love.”
“You don’t need something to make me stay, baby,” Klare whispers.
“I know,” he whispers. “But I’m afraid that your father will break us up. If I don’t have any backup, he knows that I don’t deserve you and he will do anything to make you come back to him… and I don’t want that. I can’t lose you, Klare.”
Elijah gently cupped her cheeks, his eyes—so deep yet expressive eyes that she loves so dearly. Her heart stutters.
“You’re my everything, Klare.”
Tumulo ang luha ni Klare. She turns around, hugging him tightly. Oh Elijah!
This man in front of her is her everything. He fought about their love, and through him, she fought with him. Sa pinaka-una, hindi niya ipinaglaban dahil bawal sa mata ng Diyos at nakita niya na kung ipagpatuloy nila ang pag-iibigan na ito ay maraming masaktan. His family, her family, the Montefalcos. She didn’t want the Montefalcos to break apart because of her.
Klare painfully accepts that she and Elijah will never be together.
Pero ‘nung nalaman niya na hindi pala siya tunay na Montefalco, mas lalong sumakit ang damdamin niya. All those years of being a proud Montefalco collapses after the revelation that she wasn’t her Daddy’s daughter. A single blood of Montefalco wasn't running on her veins. She felt helpless and lost. Maramdaman niya talaga ang bintang ng ibang tao na anak lang siya sa labas.
Kahit gaanong pagpanatag ng Daddy niya ay hindi talaga mawala ang husga sa ibang tao. She was the stain of the perfect Montefalco, and she hates it.
Napagdesisyonan niya na tanggalin ang apelyido na Montefalco at kinuha ang last name na Ty. It’s her peace of mind, and also giving Montefalco’s peace of mind.
Klare stayed at Davao, together with Ahia and Pierre. She bonds with Papa and gained new friends while schooling there. She started to feel okay, even though she could feel the disdaining looks of Ahma. It’s okay.
She’s okay.
But everything on her facade almost crumbled when she saw him on their trip. She previously thought that he move on from her. That he came back because he has a new girlfriend. Sobrang sakit pagmasdan sila, pero kailangan niya na tibayin ang sarili. She needs to be happy for him on founding a new love.
It collapses like a house of cards when he asked if she loves him. Klare admitted to him that she still loves him. Damn it, she couldn't forget him. When he begs her to fight again for their love, she was afraid but her feelings for him override that fear.
Then, Klare fought. She fought hard.
And their love blossoms.
“Always remember, Klare. I love you so much,” Elijah whispers, his words that never fail her unwavering love of him.
“I love you so much,” ngiti ni Klare habang tumutulo ng luha.
Klare leans in, taking his lips to hers. Everything is worth it with you, Elijah.