Love Under the Hut

CHAPTER 14

I took myself down, heartbroken, and sat on the ground beside him, grasping in tears and started to mourn. I was hurt inside.

It’s like the love that I can never be with. EVER!

Norche was indeed a humble man.

He drew closer to me and held my hands, looking into my teary eyes and wiped them off.

“Would you run away with me if we have a chance?”

“Yes… I would always find a way to be with you, Norche. But… I that would be a betrayal to my husband. It’s true I never met him and even loved him, but he was always there for me. He took good care of me. Gave me everything I need. He never complains when I unnoticed him and he kept all his feelings to himself, Norche. That’s really cruel of me!”

I burst into a loud cry and hugged him.

I need to get out of there.

It has to be the last time I see Norche.

I need to get rid of him once and for all… For good.

Norche glanced at me and pulled his looks away.

He then lifts his head to the sky.

“Hmmm… Go home, love.” he smiled.

“Although it has been only two days with you.

I had a great time. But… this is not over yet, Layla.” I was confused. What is he trying to tell me?

“Do you have dreams?”

“Yes…” I answered softly.

“…and what’s that?”

“I have dreams to build a home for the poor and give a family to the orphans and provide sufficient food for them.”

“… and the count has already done all of that for me, Norche.”

Norche looks at me hard for a few seconds or so, then turns away.

“Well, he does love you.”

He gave me that striking look. His eyes, as if they were talking to me, you can’t come here, can you?

Please tell me something that you want, that your husband has never given to you ever since you’re here. You have been a good girl. You need to be rewarded for that.” He added.

I looked at him, my seeming face and tenderness in my eyes. My lips murmured.

I want you, but that’s impossible.

“Norche, I want to know who you really are…”

Norche smiled.

“Come to the monarch table tomorrow morning.”

Wait, he wants me to come to the ballroom?

That’s insane! I remembered Matilda told me once, that place belongs to Latham.

It’s a traditional place where all his important people meet up. Why Norche would call me there? 

I was afraid and was blowing my mind on it.

Is he Latham’s spy or working for Latham?

I was gripped with his invitation. Scared.

“But, Norche… that place belongs to my husband. What if we get caught? Or if my husband finds out about us?”

“Don’t be afraid. I got you…”

Oh, no, poor Norche. My husband would go deep in flames to burn you alive and drag me to the lowest pit of the ground to never let me out ever.

I wasn’t happy the whole day.

My mind was distracted. What he has on his mind?

I was barely able to sleep. Tucking and rolling.

I feel butterflies in my belly. I was afraid.

What’s going to happen tomorrow? My mind keeps quizzing.

It was morning. The day I waited has arrived.

I had my shower and wear on my prettiest skirt and a red sleeveless blouse.

I walked down the stairs. Matilda was waiting eagerly to meet me.

“How did you sleep, your grace?”

She asked.

“Bad… really bad.”

I was worried and my voice just wouldn’t speak!

“What has seen the light today? Seems like everything is fine.”

I put myself through the wringer.

I am in a state of agitation and losing my core. Matilda seems to be really calm.

She nodded and demands me to follow her to the ballroom. I didn’t say a word.

I walked with her to the ballroom.

Through the walkways, the workers were smiling and gazing at me.

I was really afraid and maybe…did Norche told my husband the truth about us?

Oh… Norche…what have you done?

“Please, your grace…”

Matilda opened the door for me and I walked in. Latham’s stepmother, his friends, the nobles, Oh, Beretta and papa!

They were waiting at the table to be served.

“Papa! When did you come here?”

I missed him. It’s been months since I hadn’t seen him. He looks happier than before.

“I am fine, sweetheart. I am glad to see you again. You look gorgeous.” Said, papa.

He was the best person ever have I got ever since mama left us all.

When I walked in, they stood up and welcomed me as a sign of respect to Latham’s wife.

I felt really bashful and withdrawn with all the eyes are on me.

The maid ushered me to the table, next to Latham, and reach out the chair for me.

I took myself a sit and dragged my chair hitherto the table.

“It has been a couple of hours since I didn’t see you since the party, my dearest. You look really gorgeous. My son told us all about you and how you fell in love with the silly gardener boy…ahahahaha…”

Everyone smashed into great laughter.

Mrs. Beth, Latham’s stepmother.

She was a fun-looking yet caring woman.

They were all looking at me, gazing at me, and praising my looks.

Besides Mrs. Beth, Beretta, and Matilda, the rest of the people have just seen me at the anniversary and seeing me now. 

After the fight between me and Latham at the party, I didn't want to meet anyone. 

Yes, she was right. It’s been four months now since I am married to Latham.

Wait, what?!

Silly gardener boy?!

Did they know about it?

I am so dead!

My hands won’t just keep still. I was shaking and feeling so afraid. I betrayed Latham but they look fine.

Does that mean they are okay about it?

What’s going on?

“We shall all wait for Latham… and the gardener boy…”

Alleged Mrs. Beth. For the first time in my life, I am going to face my husband.

After betraying him. That tingling moment.

My heart was feeling restless. I was sketching on my fingernails again.

I had no choice. I ran. I ran as fast as I could to the hut. I want Norche.

“Layla!!” screamed Mrs. Beth.

The workers and the maidens were chasing after me.

“Your grace!”

“Layla!”

“Please leave me alone!!!”

I ran faster, to look for him everywhere around the field, in the forest. Where is he?

“Layla, my dear. Wait…!” Poor papa.

Was chasing me too.

As I was running, without notice I hit on something hard. On someone’s chest.

It was...

“Norche!!” I hugged him and hold so tight.

“Let’s run away before they kill us. Come…!”

I begged while pulling his hands.

“Your grace…” Mr. Patrick gazed at us both.

Norche raised his hand and stopped Mr. Patrick.

“It’s okay, Patrick. I got this…” He said.

Norche pulled me and kissed me amorously in front of everybody.

In front of Mrs. Beth, Mr. Patrick, Beretta, the maidens, and the workers.

Then softly he pulled away. Glanced at me.

Touch my cheek.

“You’re f*****g stupid, Layla…” he said.

I was clueless. What’s happening?

That was Latham’s word. He used to say that to me.

At a complete loss, I was staring at him with tears in my eyes.

“Son, you really need to teach her some manners. It is not right to run in the middle of the family discussion.” Yelled, Mrs. Beth.

“Sorry, mother. I will. Besides, it is not her fault.” He smiled at me.

I lift my face up to him. I was raddled.

What’s going on?

Why’d he called Mrs. Beth, mother?

Why Mr. Patrick would call him ‘your grace’?

“Don’t touch me!” I cried.

“Latham, you gotta lot of explanations to do.” Nodded Mrs. Beth.

I looked at him. I was angry but my heart was filled with so much love. I was madly in love but angry!

He lied to me!

“I am the count, Layla. My name is Latham Norche.” He added.

“Latham Norche?!” I screamed.

My heart was thundering and my eyes have carped in tears.

It was Norche… He is the count… My husband… “Norche! Latham Norche…”

He smiled.

I am his wife. HIS!

“Why did you lied to me?”

He drew in a breath and said,

“I tried to tell you, baby girl. I tried. You never let. I am sorry, love. Forgive me…” 

“My husband… are you?”

“Yes. I am.”

And everyone laughed.

I cried out in joy. It was him.

He stands by the entrance door, he feasted on my eyes as I earned for his love and touch.

“Of course I forgive you but I cheated on you, betrayed you. Are you gonna punish me?”

The moment breaks into silence. It was a funny thing, he smiled and laughed.

“Yes.”

“What you gonna do?”

“I will f**k you, every single day, every time I get the chance, even when you say it hurts or beg me to stop. I will keep doing it for you. A lifelong punishment”

I laughed. I agreed!

My eyes couldn’t stand the tears any longer.

I ran towards him. My hands were packed in ice, froze… I couldn’t move them any faster.

My heart was pounding.

I walked closer to him.

Nodded to him and I was in love.

“Love…”

Latham smiled and hugged me so tight.

He grabbed my neck in his arms and drifted my face to his and kissed me, slowly.

He was gasping so hard on my body and I could feel his heartbeat.

“How can you love her back, Latham? She literally betrayed you and went after another man. What if the gardener wasn’t you and if he was someone else? She would have run away with him, Latham!” Dissatisfied, Beretta yielded at Norche. Norche felt nothing about it all. His eyes were all on me.  

“Norche, she’s right. I betrayed you, although you’re the same person. I failed to be a good wife to you. I don’t deserve you.” I cried.

Norche lift my face to his and said,

“Sweetheart, please listen… I don’t deserve one like you. You were everything I wanted in my life.” 

He glanced at me once, and his eyes were filled with shining tears.

“Beretta, I used my power, my money, and my fame to marry her. I thought she would fall for all those and knowing Layla was really young, I knew she would never marry me, but in the end, all her heart wanted was love. I was not able to give her as a rich man, but I did as a gardener. She was in love with me…” 

he gasped while looking at Beretta. He knew she was never happy with me from the beginning. 

Beretta could be dangerous. She has a mind of harming anybody who tries to get in her way. 

Besides, she is also a part of the business share partner and contributes a lot to the count’s family.

“Wait, what? Are you out of your mind, Latham?! I am not going to agree with your decisions. She needs to get off from this family or I will drop all my share with you and get down to business with someone better!” she wailed at Norche.

“Please leave, Beretta. You have been really intimidating to everyone. You shoved my son’s rights and his withholds so that you could gain all his fame and name! Leave this place this instant!”

Mrs. Beth was really annoyed and upset with Beretta. She has been pushing my husband to stake up a split between us so she could be with him and enjoy all of his shares. Beretta could not hang on to her shame and left the ballroom immediately.

The servants and the maidens were rushing to catch her so that she could leave without interrupting and causing any trouble to the others in the house.

Norche nodded his head to his mom and a loud touch of sarcasm laughter burst out among them all. 

He quickly turned his face towards me and gave a dashing smile.

Norche was so in love with me. I felt a sense of brazenness and contrite about the way I have treated him all these while as a wife.

My eyes shattered into tears and I ran towards him to hug him.

 “You’re a dime. Where can I find someone like you? NEVER” He pulled me closer to him and kissed me like it’s the last one from him.

He carried me to the table, placed me on the chair. I couldn’t feel more love than this.

Happy or sad, I am not sure which one.

But it is definitely irreplaceable.

The pain, guiltiness in me, and my heavy heart have just left me. I am free! Thank you universe for this love.