The Next Heiress

Chapter 17 - Connection

"Yolanda?" 

Him.

It is his voice. 

The one is deep and manly. 

Like anytime it could capture me.

Upon hearing Tadeo, my eyes burst open from my short doze. In an instant yet tender manner, I detach my head from his shoulder. 

"Oh..." I wipe my face, eliminating the remains of dried teardrop stains. "You're awake."

I raise my back to sit on the grassy ground. Still laying, Tadeo looks at me. His eyes are half-opened, probably still feeling a little sleepy or groggy from his earlier condition. Gently, my left hand scoops his head, and I place it on my lap. His body cooperates with his change of position.

After doing so, a smile forms on my mouth as I notice his lips showing a faint pinkish color. Putting some herbal leaves on his wound that I've found on this place has really made a huge difference.

"I didn't know that you're here," he says softly.

"Yes," I whisper, getting his right hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'm here."

Tadeo gives me a small smile. Slowly, his right hand crawls to my body until he finds mine. His long fingers intertwine with my slim ones, making sure that each of them is secured firmly on their right places. My fingers involuntarily fold, joining his sweet hold.

His eyes flutter. "Please don't forget me."

In nervousness, I lick my lips.

"I suffered a lot," he informs. Pain is evident to his tone. "It is my first time to experience that."

My head lowers. "I'm sorry."

"It just hurts me a little..." he whispers. "I'm noticing that you're becoming different."

With his words, my eyes suddenly broaden. I could feel a lump growing inside my throat due to his sudden confession, but before it could grow bigger, I gulp down in an attempt to calm myself. Every part of my body feels so tensed on my position. Silently, I pray that he won't notice it.

How could I answer him? I ask myself.

My chest goes up and down. Even from a helpless state, Tadeo observes my uneasy condition.

"Are you okay?" He stares at me.

"Uh—I'm fine," I stutter. "Totally fine."

His forehead creases in doubt. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," my head nods once.

"You don't have to worry," he assures me. I could sense his fingers caressing my hand. "My feelings for you haven't changed."

His last sentence stabs me directly on the heart. It seems like every ounce of my conscience starts to guilt my whole being.

I couldn't take this.

I couldn't look him in the eyes.

How could I ride more on this big lie?

"Thank you for being with me today," Tadeo breaks the silence, adding a bigger smile to alter the heavy atmosphere between us. "I really appreciate it."

Despite of my frustration, my lips show a tiny smile. "You are most welcome."

His hand moves to my arm, giving it a benign pinch. "Please stay with me more."

"I will," I utter. "From now on, I will visit you more."

"Thank you, my love," his low voice mumbles.

Tadeo grabs my hand, and he places it on his soiled cheek. His almond-shaped eyes close, savoring the warmth of my touch. When he opens them, he gazes unto me, locking both of them to mine. Without my knowing, my breathing gradually stifles.

There is something about this man.

His appearance, especially his face, looks like it is sculpted by a powerful deity. His somewhat bushy brows, piercing brown eyes, nose with high bridge, and plump lips are exquisite altogether. They match with his rich black hair with almost bowl cut, and those long bangs that often cover his forehead. He has this hint of innocence yet he could also intimidate me with his words and stares.

Sounds like he is too good to be true, but here I am, gazing at his ravishing look with sun-kissed skin—completely breathless.

I could stare at him forever.

A moment of silence starts to spread, making the crickets to chirp around us. To get away with the awkward atmosphere, I cough on my balled right fist in playful manner. 

"So...come on?" I invite him with a sheepish grin.

His thick brows squish together. "Where are we going?"

"Hmm. Do you want to stay here for a while?" My fingers compress my chin. "I think it's best if you'll lay on a bed. Do you have one inside the Nipa Hut?"

To my surprise, the young man frowns at me. "Yolanda...don't tell that you forgot it. We used to be around there most of the time."

"I—uh, yes! How could I forget?" I chuckle with an awkward tone, feeling a bit worried that he might get the idea that I don't know what's inside of that location. "Come on, we'll go there."

"But how could I go there?" Tadeo pouts at me. He points at his wounded leg by tilting his head.

I bite my lips. "I'll help you."

"Please don't," he replies.

His unexpected rejection causes my face to create a bothered expression. "Why?"

"Please don't bite your lips," the guy heaves out a deep sigh. "Just don't."

I lift a brow. "What do you mean?"

"I couldn't help it," he grunts. "I want to kiss you so bad."

My eyes widen in surprise. "W-what?"

I stop on my position. Slowly, my right hand moves towards my chest. I could feel my heart pumping way too fast. My head lowers, glancing at the position of my hand, then back to Tadeo. There, I see him narrowing his eyes in a teasing way and raising the corner of his lips to show off a smirk, making me to lose my stable breath even more.

"I-I think you're just distracted," my hands run through my hair. "Come on now. I'll help you."

"Yes, you're right. I am distracted," he agrees, still not removing his intense gaze at me. "Distracted by you."

I scoff, bending my wrist in disapproval. "Tadeo, stop. We're not here to play some games."

"I'm serious. I'm not even lying," he lays his back evenly to the grass. "Heaven knows how much I want you right now."

I turn away at him. My eyes can't bear watching his sudden shift of mood anymore. "Please stop. You can't even walk right now."

My ears sense him laughing from my behind. "That's the reason why I couldn't do it. I'm too weak because of this wound. Damn it."

I turn back at the man. Before he could blabber more nonsense things, I step closer to help him stand so we could start walking to the Nipa Hut. Unfortunately, before I could do it, a rock trips my foot, making my whole body fall on him.

On his body.

"Ugh," Tadeo groans, aching from the impact that I've made. "That hurt."

"Uhm, I-I'm sorry! I really am!" My palms cover my sweaty forehead in embarrassment.

My round face is only a few inches away from his heart-shaped one. He stares at me carefully, as if he examines every part of my being. When our eyes lock over the grassy ground, his grimace about his right leg earlier dissolves quickly. It is replaced by a sparkling hint of longing and lust. My level of breathing intensifies as he draws his face closer to me.

"I crave for you and your touch," Tadeo whispers. His hot, thick breath blows sweetly against my lips.

My body feels frozen on my spot, unable to move under his magical gaze. "Stop."

Upon hearing my third warning, a flick of light suddenly flashes on his face, changing his expression into a soft teasing one.

"You really changed," he replies, a small smirk grows on his face. "You've become more shy...and maybe a little innocent too. That isn't you, Yolanda."

It's because I'm not her, Tadeo, I respond to him by speaking inside my mind. I am Celine Suarez.

Including my grandmother, Carmina.

And my mother, Carolina.

We are not her.

And we will never be, I tell to myself, dropping my shoulders in disappointment.

"But I like it though," he grins. "I think it has something to do with the things you see and experience outside of this painting."

I shake my head in disbelief, standing up from my fallen position. My hands wipe off the dirt, dust, and some leaves of the grass. "Come on. Let's just talk about that later inside the Nipa Hut."

"Okay, I'll stop," Tadeo giggles, motioning me to help him to stand up from his current state. "Let's go."

I can't believe that this man has that kind of side. It's my very first time to experience it. I would be lying if I would say that I don't like it. There is just a part of me that isn't ready.

But, here I am, asking myself; Will I witness that again?

When I step forward and bend my left knee to scoop him from the ground, his brown eyes bore into mine, like they are staring deep into my soul—ready to captivate me anytime. With his fiery gaze, I gulp down, feeling uneasy on my position. Later on, a smug look emerges onto his lovely face. He seems pleased with himself. This man surely enjoys teasing the girl in front of him.

Will I ever survive this guy? I find myself flooding my brain with a lot of weird queries.

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"Are we there yet?" Tadeo asks.

It is his fourth round of asking the same question to me, and I have to admit the fact that it is testing my patience since I'm trying to balance my attention between his curious voice and heavy weight.

"Not yet," I answer with an annoyed puff, tightening my hold to his arm.

We have been walking for a few minutes, but it already feels like a long time. His left arm is resting on my left shoulder and nape, and my right hand supports his back. As we continue to step forward, the corners of my eyes catch the sight of him turning his head to look at me. I ignore it and proceed to saunter.

"You are so beautiful," he says with an alluring tone.

I roll my eyes in response. I'm not having it, Tadeo.

He leans closer. "Don't you believe it?"

"I'm not in the mood to accept compliments. You're heavy. I hope you know that," I retort.

Tadeo chuckles. "Sassy. I like it."

Despite of his weak condition, this lad still has the guts to flirt with me. Imagine, if he's totally fine. That could be a disaster. My brain would be blank for trying to find some proper actions in response to his coquettish moves. Indeed, his hormones are kicking on a different level today.

"Whatever," I roll my eyes once more.

"Oh, playing hard to get?" He sticks his tongue out, swiping his lower lip.

Abruptly, I stop us from walking.

"Listen to me. Do you even want me to help you?" I challenge with a stern voice.

His face changes from being playful to a worried one. "I'm sorry, Yolanda. I was just having a good time at teasing you."

"I could leave you now here," I glare at him.

His head lowers. "Like you did these past few days?"

With his answer, instantly, I feel bad about myself. My head lowers.

"It's fine. I could always wait for you," his lips show a faint smile. "Besides you have a life out there. While me? Well, I'm stuck here."

"Hey! I-I was just kidding," I laugh nervously,  changing the lonely atmosphere into a lighter mood. "You can't be stopped for being so noisy that's why I—"

His right hand touches my cheek, cupping it with affection. "I miss everything, Yolanda. Let's start again like what you've been before I was trapped here."

What does he mean? I ask myself. Suddenly, my mind can't help but to wonder how the past heiresses of this artwork had treated him.

Were they passionate lovers?

Did they act really good in this show?

Had they offered him deep intimacy?

His current expression is already establishing great answers to my questions.

"Please. I don't want to keep on pretending that everything's fine. I know something is up," his brows cast into shapes of two wide letter U's.

I feel even more guilty.

"Let me know about it. I'll do my best to earn you again," Tadeo brushes his thumb to my cheek.

He knows it.

This guy could feel everything.

Knowing his honest observation puts more pressure on me to become a better successor and to act like my great grandmother perfectly.

"Is there somebody? Out there? Tell me," he asks, squeezing my shoulder with his other hand.

Yes. His name is Justin, I reply to him through my mind. I've been loving him for three years, but now, I can't.

Despite of almost spitting out the name of the guy, I find myself giving him a different answer. "No. There's no one."

Swiftly, his eyes light up a spark of hope along with his raising brows. All of them seem to wait for that one affectionate sentence from me that would dissolve all of his worries and doubts.

"You are the only man in my life," I smile at him. "Keep that in mind, Tadeo."

Upon hearing it, the fine man grabs me towards him, filling me in his warm embrace. He dips his face on the crook of my neck, planting soft kisses on it. In return to his sensual gesture, I catch myself closing my eyes and leaning my body even more to feel his clinch. The foreign feeling travels to the various areas of my body. It gives tingling sensations to my stomach that goes all the way down to my groin.

Snug and somewhat...arousing.

Suddenly, the lad stops. He rests his chin on my shoulder. My brows furrow as I feel some drops of liquid seeping through my hospital gown. A few moments later, I hear him sobbing on my shoulder.

"Thank you so much," Tadeo whispers. His tone almost cracks due to crying.

"There might be tons of men fighting for your heart, yet you still choose to be with me," he sniffs, leaning his chin harder to my shoulder. "Your love is too pure. I feel so unworthy."

My heart drops on the ground.

How could I resist a man like this?

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After saying those seven magical words, I am back inside my hospital room's toilet—the place where I have decided to recite them a while ago. It's a good thing that you would go back to the location where you have said it. I smile in relief. I'm calm enough to make an excuse for Jim and maybe to my mother too if she's already inside of my room.

Before twisting the doorknob, a deep sigh escapes from my lips. The earlier memory of Tadeo passes through my mind. Witnessing that pitiful look on his face when he found out that he's still the one in my life is just too much. I haven't seen that on anybody before. It feels so flattering and heartwarming in my part. He really seems afraid to lose me.

He just thinks you're Yolanda Alcantara, my subconscious remarks. Don't get your hopes up too much.

I brush the negative vibes off by opening the door. As I move it on the right side, my eyes widen in surprise. Justin is sitting on the chair beside my bed, talking to my mother. He has this bouquet of pink flowers on his hand and a black strap of something that I couldn't see because the bed blocks the view.

"Oh, you're already done! Well, that was long. We've been waiting for you," Mom says. She shoots an approving signal from her eyes to me, causing me to become even more surprised.

Does she know? I wonder.

"Celine, I didn't know that you have a classmate named Justin Panganiban," she snickers, attempting to make the conversation not too awkward. "You should really share more stories to me, dear."

My eyes shift to the guy with posy. "Justin, what are you doing here?"

"Hello Celine," he beams at me, showing his bunny smile. "I just want to visit you and ask if you're doing well now. I was so worried at you during the party."

That is...unexpected.

"R-really? Thank you," my head nods.

He stands up from the metal chair—the one that Jim has seated on a while ago, walking closer to me. "How's your wound, Celine?"

My head lowers in shyness. "I think it's fine. I could walk now."

"That's good. Here, come on. You should still rest," he invites, indicating me to go to the bed. "Anyway, I also brought some foods. Have your doctor said anything about a proper diet for your condition?"

I am entirely speechless. 

Justin sounds absolutely different from what I've known in the school. All my life, I have never thought that one day, my long-time crush would pay me a visit, give me flowers with free foods, and be concerned with my condition. What is he trying to do?

"I think she's fine with anything," Mom answers his question for me.

"That's great," he grins from ear to ear, putting a big black lunch bag on the white table. "There's a Pork Stew and Adobo here. I cooked them."

"Oh, how thoughtful of you," my mother praises him, squealing at his sweet deed.

Justin chuckles. When he glances at me, he smiles once more, but the look on his face quickly vanishes when his eyes focus to my upper limbs. "Your arms are soiled, Celine."

I peek down at my body. My arms are blemished with dirt and dust. There are also some grass leaves that are stuck on my hospital gown. Immediately, I wipe them off. After doing so, I take a glimpse of Justin's reaction. He is completely weirded out about it. To make the case even worse, Mom glares at me.

There's no way in hell that I would tell them that I just went inside the world of a painting that's as old as the hills to meet Tadeo.

Heck no.