Chapter 194 - 21 (1/2)

Aldrick lay on his bed, eyes closed. His ċhėst rose up and down in silent cry as his lashes were heavy with tears. Another sob racked him, followed by a quiet wail. He curled on his side and cried.  It had been a week since the event with Angel.

Why was this happening to him? He was only giving out love, but the return was always heartbreak.

His cries were both ferocious and noisy. His hands opened and closed, clenching and unclenching. He wanted to kill Angel. A violent solution to his pain and suffering. But at the same time, he couldn't, for he loves her. He truly loves her. And the betrayal and truth only hurt more.

. . .

. . .

Then it was silent. Like his tears already dried, but his pain was unceasing. He had to see her. He had to know the truth from her mouth or else . . . his emotions would tear him apart.

Didn't care about his swollen red eyes and the snot on his nose, he got dressed and ran out from his apartment.

He ran and ran on the road he used to walk often. The familiar sidewalk that, even with closed eyes, he could navigate. And then he was there. In front of her house. Looking up at the window like he usually did in the past.

When his eyes landed on her, he wouldn't have to try, a smile naturally blossomed on his lips. But it was five years ago. This time it was different.

Only grief was on his eyes and sobs in his lips as he choked her name.

”Satele.”

----

”Yes. Yes. I'm already dressed as we speak,” Satele said, sighing through the phone in her hand.

”You better be. I'll be right there in one minute, so I expect you to welcome me in your room.”

”No need. We'll go straight to the hospital, right?”

”What? Not even a cup of coffee?”

Satele's eyes rolled on the ceiling. ”You are the one who is so impatience to go to Evangeline, remember?”

”. . . Whatever! Just hurry, I'm almost at your house.”

Satele shook her head and turned off her phone before Asher could speak another annoying word. She stuck her phone inside her bag and put on her shoes before she got out.

She zoomed outside but halted when it was not Asher who was waiting for her but her past.

”Aldrick . . .”

One look, and she knew that Aldrick was crying, and she knew that something was not right.

”Satele . . . why?” There was so much Aldrick wanted to ask, but he couldn't find the words. He couldn't as much as look at her without tears streaming down his face, and he sobbed into her ċhėst. His hands were clutching her like she was her last air.

Satele's shock turned into understanding. She didn't have to guess. She knew what Aldrick was talking about. She held his shoulders as his tears soaked her dress. His pain was understandable. She felt it too and even more so as he was right in her embrace.

His cries came in waves only broken by short paused to take in breathes before he hurled back in her arms. He then pulled away a little, lashes heavy with tears as he looked into her eyes.

A tear slid down from Satele's cheeks as she cupped Aldrick tear-stained face.

”Let's talk somewhere.”

----

”Have you calmed down?” Satele asked when Aldrick was silent for some time after they settled inside a private room of a café.

”Yes,” Aldrick replied, voice dry and throat sore. He managed a smile though weak. ”I'm sorry. I just . . . needed to see you.”

”It's fine.”

”. . .”

”. . .”