The Black Diamond

Chapter 4

After the ecstatic moment, Aerine was still nervous and delighted of what had happened. He faced hundreds of people and they cheered for him happily. For that short period of time, he felt confident. It was an amazing feeling standing in front of people with smiles on their faces—a kind of sight that he always pictures inside of his head. People adored him not because of from what family he came from but because he is Aerine. He's that Aerine who have the brightest and genuine smile among others. His physical appearance was a bonus plus. All the boys and girls at different ages were astonished and fell in love with him the moment he showed his self and thanked them for having him to this special event that has been part of their lives. Not only he was welcomed warmly but also in making him comfortable like he was always belonged to this place even though it was his first time to be there.

The backstage was still in hype when he returned but Johanne wasn't in sight. Aerine thought that he might went outside for refreshments or still in the crowd watching the performance of local singers and dancers. Everyone he comes across with greeted and congratulated him which he delightedly acknowledged in return by saying thank you. He decided not to stay in the backstage for too long. Aerine wanted to go back down the night market and feed his eyes with the scenery before going back to the manor and show the Don the platinum he received under his name.

Aside from sightseeing and appreciating the beauty of the small country city, he wanted to buy some souvenirs, too, that he saw earlier. There are small and big figurines of horses that were made of glass and wood. Some of the things he saw and caught his attention were the paintings of the sunset, running horse through a greenery plains and a painting of a boy holding a piece of diamond in black and white canvass. If he's going to buy all of them, he will have them hang in his room in the manor or bring the other paintings back to their house in the city.

Paintings are very closed to his heart because it makes him connected with his late grandmother. Thinking about her, Aerine always stays beside his grandmother whenever she paints. He was her little model. She used to say to him that he's the most precious gem his parents could've ever had. Many people say that Aerine look like her when she was young and that's the reason why he was named after a gem—Jade. Don Armando Esguerra dedicated his whole life in loving the one and only woman in his life—Doña Jewel Esguerra. The manor was named after her because she was his one and only true home. The Don expanded the manor, the land and even the sea, he used his power and money to name it after her. When Ruby Rose and Emerson came to their lives, Don Armando doubled his efforts to provide the needs of his children and to secure their future. Just like in the stories and movies, Ruby Rose and Emerson's future have been planned all along. Their father wanted to control his heirs but Ruby Rose and Emerson intercepted and disagreed with him. However, as the youngest and not directly the heir, Aerine was manipulated by Don Armando.

Among the three of them, Kyle, Nathaniel and Aerine, only the last one has the interest of keeping the manor and all of its property. Carrying the Esguerra blood is a wealthy curse to poor Aerine but he loves his grandparents like how he loves his loving parents.

Fifteen minutes has gone and Aerine is feeling a little anxious and tired but Johanne is still missing to aid him. He tried to call him numerous times and yet he wasn't answering at all. The program is almost over and the stage was occupied with bands that are continously playing instrumental musics. Aerine was enjoying the music but with Johanne's absence, he felt uneasy. His hands are getting numb slowly from holding the platinum. His legs are slowly wobbling like he is trying to groove to the music but it isn't.

"There he is!" Through the loud music coming from the stage, Aerine was startled when someone yelled at someone or something causing him to search the place where the voice came from. He failed in searching when an unfamiliar figure appeared right in front of him. He is standing 6 feet tall with a muscular body. His hair is curly but well-groomed. The dim lights are only showing how brown his eyes are and how awesomely curved his jawline. He is smiling at Aerine showing his pearly white teeth with a single dimple on his right cheek and that is cute for him. "Hi."

Without blinking, Aerine responded in wonder. "Hello."

"I... uhm... I was in the stage, too, earlier."

Confusion starts to rise up on Aerine's head. He was?

Aerine heard a chuckle. "Yes, I was and you said it out loud."

He mouthed an 'oh' before excusing his self to the man in front of him. "I'm sorry. It's an embarrassing habit of mine."

"Apology accepted. By the way," he extended his hand to Aerine, "Marco." Marco said as he hopes that the other person would take it and acknowledges.

Aerine is hesitating in taking Marco's hand but with the thing he's been holding for ages, "I would like to shakes hand but I can't." Aerine said in apologetic way. Marco was a little hurt on that statement but then he lowered his gaze and felt relieved.

"Oh yeah. That's alright. I should've noticed it." Marco said, chuckling in the awkwardness. Before the silence could eat them both, Aerine then introduces his self.

"I'm Aerine."

"Yes. I've known it a while ago. It's a beautiful name. Kinda reminds me of that lake somewhere in Northern Ireland."

Aerine is fond of these kinds of trivia because they sound fun to him. His attention was caught and dwelling onto it will be a great time for his interest. In his own opinion and guts. Although he heard it from his father, he was impressed knowing that some people know about the lake. His father once told him about how he got his first name when Aerine asked about it.

Lough Erne is actually the name of two connected lakes in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The second biggest lake system in the Northern Ireland and Ulster, and the fourth biggest in Ireland. It appears that in some mythologies, Lough Erne was named after an ancient population group called Érainn, or after a goddess from which the Érainn took their name. Just like when Aerine was born, he was the most beautiful baby to his father's eyes and his pride. The debate was either how to spell the name in a unique way. At first it was Erin then later on decided to be a little complicated which was Aerine.

"Tell me about it." Aerine pushes, eyes pooling in wonder and excitement.

Marco felt happy inside, something that he haven't felt for a while. He let his mouth do the talking in the most pleasant way he can. He wanted to impress the boy in front of him, the boy who captured his heart from the moment he saw him on that secluded seashore under the sun riding the majestic white stallion. And just like how Aerine's father told him, Marco also mentioned about the naming. "The name definitely suits you."

With that being said, Aerine started to blush under the dim lights. His heart started to race and he wonders why. "Thank you. I don't get it a lot." He stated.

"Wow! Really? I thought bunch of guys are swarming around you and trying to get your attention. You know, that kind of stuff."

"I don't really pay attention to that kind of stuff, honestly. But thank you."

Before the two of them dwell into deeper conversations, Marco decided to look for a seat or anything that will help Aerine make comfortable and rest his hands and feet. Examining the little guy, he must've been feeling sore standing while holding the heavy thing in both of his hands. The moment was on his hands and the night is young for Marco when he happened to see a bench across the backstage. It was empty and clean based on how it is peacefully sitting alone under the lights. He offered Aerine the seat which he gladly accepted. They were sitting in utter silence.

Evening breeze in this kind of area is colder than in the city. Marco wanted to start a conversation but he doesn't know what to say instead he steals glances back and forth to the guy sitting peacefully next to him. Even in the semi darkness, Aerine shines brightly than anyone else and Marco is being drawn to him closer and closer. In fact, he is still confused of his preferences. His entire life was consumed by liking the opposite gender but then Aerine happened. Marco assumed that Aerine prefers the same gender and he was right all along but Aerine clearly stated that he doesn't pay attention to this kind of stuff so his hopes are sinking slowly.

In such a small span of time with Marco, Aerine starts liking his company as a friend. Although he just found himself in a better way—more confident than before, Aerine still feels awkward and shy in starting a conversation. The silence between them is deafening. The lively music coming from the stage is the only sound breaking it for them. People started to scattered around the stage and some started dancing to the music. The street started to get filled with the residents and tourists and both Aerine and Marco watch them in silence.

Marco decided to break the silence between them but still unsure of what he's going to say or ask. "So, do you live somewhere here?" And that's what he came up with. It's better for Marco to break it with a question.

Before Aerine could answer his question, Johanne appeared from the crowd with a worried expression plastered on his face. Judging by how he looks, he wasn't worried about what's happening around him but something else. Aerine quickly stands up and tries to call Johanne for three times before the other person caught his attention. Marco, on the other hand, sits still in confusion. He just started to make a conversation but disrupted in a flash by someone who is unfamiliar to him but to Aerine.

Johanne rushes to Aerine's direction. "Young master, I'm sorry I didn't escort you after the recognition." He said betweens his frantic pants.

"That's fine, Johanne. You're fine. Is there something wrong?"

Before Johanne answers, Marco interrupted the two of them as curiosity rises on the guy who approached Aerine and what is going on. "Hey, everything alright?"

"Who is this, Young master? The Don clearly instructed you not to be with strangers!" Johanne said while looking intently at Marco whose been staring at him annoyance. To say that Marco was offended with the word he used to address him, he tries to be calm as much as he can so he cannot scared Aerine off.

"Johanne, he is not a stranger. He is Marco. One of the representatives and he was just helping me." Aerine explained to Johanne before turning his attention to Marco with apologetic expression on his face. "I apologize for his rude behavior. He's just being Johanne. Please don't get offended of what he'd said."

Marco steps in closer to Aerine, not knowing why he did so before assuring him. "It's alright. I understand he's just doing his job. It was a pleasure meeting you and an honor to helped you, Young master Aerine." His hand works on its own as it took Aerine's hand and pecks on it causing the paled skin boy blushes under the street lights.

As time consumes the moment, Johanne interrupts the two of them. "Young master, we must leave now. The Don wants you to the manor immediately." Aerine quickly withdraws his hand from Marco's grip and excuses themselves as he bids goodbye to the gentleman who helped him at this eventful evening of his life. Their shadows started to fade from the crowd as Marco watches them especially keeping his eyes to the paled skinned boy. He's starting to like him—not as friends but more than that and he was hoping that he could do more to prove his self to him and be the worthy one.

Happiness is what on Leo's mind as he watches over his cousin and Aerine enjoying their time on that bench. He'd never seen Marco that happy before but this time and that is what his mind telling him to feel. Inside of him is a war of emotions trying to crawl out off of his skin and let it all out however, this war doesn't have a winner, only the one who concedes defeat. Funny to think that his once private and study focused life turned upside down when his eyes drifted onto Aerine's dark orbs of pairs.

Dark eyes. He secretly named him that not just to describe his eyes but because of how his eyes pulls him without him, Leo, doing anything except for staring at them. He'd only met him twice and those two opportunities had go down the drain. Could he be regretting it now after seeing Aerine sitting and having a conversation with his cousin? Or maybe he is just trying to play tricks on his mind? He is a guy and Aerine is a guy. To top it all, this is all not the right thing. And if so, why is Marco happy about it and why is he envious of him?

Whether he wants to admit it or not, Leo is jealous but trying to cover it with other emotions he could come up to look positive about his cousin's little moment of bliss. Thinking about it, surely he will hear a ton of stories from Marco once he shows up in front of him so he decided to leave his spot and went straight to the night market down the street to wind up and wash off his thoughts. Just as what he thought how this night will go, everything went into a quick turn when Aerine shows up on that stage. Marco's dream became a reality while Leo's reality became an unreasonable fantasy.

Wandering around the busy night market helps Leo's mind to slowly forgets what was happening to him. Asking himself how and why is the most hard thing he had ever done since the last exams he took before the term ended. To sum up of how his life has been, it was all about studying and family. He barely had a time for his self—his quiet life until this moment. Taking a stroll at an eventful night among the crowd and meeting Aerine. At this point of his existence, he felt alive. Hope was the last resort he was admiring to have but despair came with it—Marco meeting Aerine.

•

Arriving at the manor, Aerine haven't got any definite answers from Johanne what happened to the old Don. The drive home was all in silence that it was so loud inside his head. Thoughts that are worrying. Aerine ran his way up to where is the Don waiting for him. Along his way, portraits of the late Doña Jewel smiled at him and that made him miss her more at times like this when he doesn't know what is happening to his grandfather. His mother once tried to talk to him about limiting his visit to his grandfather but Aerine's love to his grandmother weighed more.

When he entered the library, Don Armando was nowhere in sight. His usual spot was at the desk near the window where his grandmother used to sit and read. He scans the entire room until he found him staring lovingly at the biggest portrait of the late Doña Jewel in the secret room of the library. Aerine watches him behind his back and was stung by a pain of missing someone who mean the most to oneself. When that realization showered his mind, Aerine knows why he was called back home—Don Armando misses his beloved wife and Aerine can fulfill that loneliness by being on his side.

It is true that nothing can compare to the true love of a man to a woman he gave everything especially his name. Through hardships, transgressions, loneliness and happiness, the two of them conquer these all and lived their lives loving each other day by day and years by years until her death. Even death couldn't part them apart instead, Don Armando continues to live and love the only woman he met in his entire life.

"Abuelo?" Aerine called causing the old man to look over his shoulder. "I miss her, too." He said as he makes his way next to the old man. Don Armando smiles weakly upon returning his sight to the portrait. "Abuelo, estás bien?" Aerine asks in his not fluent Spanish.

"Tu abuela siempre me pregunta si estoy bien. When she was alive, she always watches me behind my back and asks that question just like what you did, nieto, mi amor."

Aerine, instead of focusing to his grandfather who is reminiscing the past, stares directly to the woman in front of them. "Your mama and tio are the best gifts she ever gave to me and I was always and still thankful of her for bearing my children, our children. But when you came along from your mama and papa with that same eyes as hers, you became the greatest gift of all, nieto.

Kyle and Nathaniel will carry my name but you carry hers. Every time I look at you, I always feel that she is with us. I see her in you, my Jade. I have told you this many times but I still want to tell you while I still can. I am getting old and tired and this old man wants to rest. I want to be with my mi amoré."

Once hearing these words coming from his grandfather, Aerine felt happy but sad at the same time. He may be look like his grandmother but he couldn't be her to ease the loneliness and longing of the old man. What he can only do is be there for him as the grandson who brings temporary joy to his limited time with him. "Abuelo, please tell me what is going on. I am getting worried." He pleads, looking away from the portrait to his grandfather beside him.

Don Armando is a strict man with his principles ruling over him and with the power and wealth he have, he is on top of the chain. A very well respected man who started as no one and nothing but his hardworks and dream of living comfortably without doing any work. That leads him to where he stands now. Unlike him, Doña Jewel grew up with golden spoon on her mouth and knowing him was a sin. Love prevails and conquers all, they said, and so she left all the wealth she have to be with him.

"Nieto, my beloved Jade, there is nothing to worry about me." Don Armando assured, chuckling a little. "I made decisions I shouldn't have. Ruby and Claude. I am more worried about them. Their only son was entrusted to me and what I have done was unforgivable. I wanted to keep you for myself, nieto. I always wanted to but I dreamed of my wife and she was mad at me for wanting it.

Yes, I am so selfish, nieto. I love you so much and I love her, too. She is not here but you are. Your life belongs to you alone and yet I drove it to a different path. My reasons and decisions will always be right and so are you, nieto."

"Abuelo—"

"The Navarros are not good for you."

Shock was all Aerine felt when he heard those words from his grandfather. He doesn't know what he is up to but mentioning the Navarro name made him confused. "Abuelo, what are you talking about?"

It's the Don's turn to face him with nothing but stern face and eyes that are filled with hatred. "Those Navarros are nothing compare to what I have. I can give you all the richest in the world, nieto. Your escort told me you were talking to one of them earlier on that town. That will be the last time, Aerine Jade!"

Hearing those words, Aerine doesn't have any idea what had gotten to his grandfather and what does the Navarros do to him that he sounded so angry and upset with them? "He was just helping me, Abuelo, and he was kind."

"Not all the sheep are sheep. Some are wolves hiding. Your father even employed one of them," he is clearly talking about Franco Navarro, "and befriended with Kyle. I forbid you to see anyone from that family, Aerine Jade." With that, he didn't let Aerine speak for himself. The Don straightened his face before leaving Aerine in that secret room with nothing but confusion. Aerine can defy him if he wanted to if he couldn't get the answers to the questions clouding his mind however, Don Armando is more powerful than him.

The night grew older as midnight rushes in. Aerine is tempting to call his mother to talk about what happened earlier and asks her why the Don is enraged towards the Navarros. Will she answer me or keep me at bay? Was the conclusion he comes up with. "Leo..." he whispered as he watches the night sky filled with clouds. Going to bed was his last actions before that day ended. His mind was full of questions. His body was exhausted from the events and his heart was aching for no particular reason but the thought of not seeing the man he fell in love with from the first time they've met.