CHAPTER 66
1188 Words
Being this close to him feels awkward. We may have had quite intimate moments before--some were even forced or caught me off-guard--but I still feel all the rush of blood boiling in my face whenever he attempts to close a distance from me just like this.
Our intimate distance was separated as I was alerted by a sudden voice calling out my name in a yell. I flinch seeing a person running his way towards us as I notice that it is actually my dad and he happens to be the one who is calling for my name.
And as soon he reaches me, he immediately took me by his long arms that had extended quickly around me to clasp me within him. "Good gracious, I thought I lost you, sweetheart." his very embrace reminds me of home. I'm beginning to miss my dad. And though I know this is him, I am still in my past. I wanted to go back to my present time and be reunited with them once more. Yet, I am still stuck here in my memories.
"We're going home." my dad said as he slowly assists to walk me. But as we're about to leave, Florante hampered the way as he forced me to pull me away from my dad.
"She's not going anywhere," Florante's quick to intimidate my dad and set the tension vibe in the atmosphere with his sudden move.
I am still feeling my weak state and this drowsiness hasn't worn off just yet, and now I have to start worrying about how could I muster enough strength while being in between two enraged men.
My dad went closer to hold into Florante's hand. I can witness how his biceps tighten while clasping on to Florante's. It was pretty intense that any more provocation might end up resulting in violence. And then my dad said, "I don't know who you are young man but as far as I am concern, this young woman is my daughter and so I've come to take her home."
"Dad--" I called out on my dad to talk to him. Could you give me and Florante a moment to talk?
Looking at me with so much disbelief in his eyes, my dad suddenly replied, "You know this guy?"
And I nod back.
"Just when did you become acquainted with him? I don't even know this guy. Why are you hiding things like this from me, sweetheart?"
I really don't like to talk about such issue in front of Florante. Things like this should be reserved only between me and dad alone because it's humiliating to involve other people within family issues. Even if it concerns Florante.
"Dad, please. It wouldn't be long."
"I can't trust this man,"
"Dad, I promise you this man wouldn't harm me."
"Your mama Celia is waiting for us, Emalia. Let's go."
"Please Dad, Just let me talk to him and I promise to come back as soon as I can." It's hard to promptly bring the word 'promise' into this conversation. I don't want to break it but once I come with Florante, there's no guarante that I will be able to come back anytime soon.
I hated making my parents worry. But It will make them a lot anxious when I still haven't figure out everything from the past, because that will only mean I have to stay longer beside Florante in the present time to know the rest of the truth I seek before I could have the urge to find my way outside the dome. Besides, I want to believe that knowing the truth behind my capture will eventually lead me to find my freedom.
For the past weeks, which I believe would be like more than just few months, of staying with Florante in the present time, seeking for freedom had been an ardent quest of many trial and errors from my end. Eventually, through my long period of stay I can't help but sometimes feel like questioning my decisions. And it's like, do I really wanted to leave Florante after knowing the answers I've been seeking up to this moment? Will I really have the courage to do once I found my way to escape?
I may have been triggered now seeing my parents back and I do badly feel like going home yet, a portion remains undecided inside of me. I wish to believe it's still weird but, perhaps Florante had already left something within me that has been pushing me to stay and be with him despite his attitude and how I have had hated him to bones.
Right now, no matter how my dad wishes to drag me away from him. I still insisted to stay. He turned mad which had been the first time since my dad never showed me ever since. All these years, I had been a very obedient daughter to my parents, like never did I tried disgracing them or pushing them to be furious about me to the extend of reprimanding me and punishing me for it. For the record, I wasn't reprimanded not even once in my entire life.
"Just a moment Dad so that this will be over immediately."
And it appears that that I have persuaded my dad when he replied, "I'll give you a minute and whether you like or not. You are coming with me young lady."
I finally turn my back on him as he give me the go signal. Despite being weak, I quickly move to Florante and offered him a bargain. "Look, if you want me to come with you I have some things to guarantee first."
And he looks at me with a sarcasm in his face. I wonder if I actually made the right approach but Florante's reaction is quite hard to read right now. And seeing it just made feel a bit nervous from where I stand.
Florante clutches his arms against his chest while beaming me with a shallow grin. "You are bargaining now, Woman?" he answered. As expected, he wouldn't just say yes so easily, that is so Florante indeed.
"Well, if you won't do that then there is no need for us to talk." I told him. This time, I have to keep a firm stand before his presence. He must not see even a tinge of frailty from my end, not even the slightest sign of weakness.
I was guessing he is waiting for me to answer him with the way he remains silent so abruptly. Back in the present time, he's also acting quite the same way, though that happens too seldom. He's too ill-tempered that predicting when he'll get mad next is more foreseeable than counting the times he can be patient to wait for something or someone.
And just as I presumed, Florante's patience isn't something I should wait long to become due. He pinned those oceanic-blue eyes intimately at me with the intent to cut my throat had he proven that I've been lying. I can't be less confident, I have the truth on my side anyways.
- Writer
