MARRY THE BILLIONAIRE MAN

Chapter 13: The Truth Revealed

Aiden’s POV

Umaga na naman, at ang liwanag ng araw ay pumasok sa kwarto ko. Habang nag-aalmusal, hindi maalis sa isip ko ang mga sinabi ni Isabella. I could sense that she was still struggling with her doubts, and I wanted to help her navigate through it. Pero sa totoo lang, may mga bagay din akong kailangan ipahayag.

Nasa school ako, pero parang wala akong focus sa mga lessons. The thoughts about Isabella kept swirling in my mind. I wanted to know more about her, about what was really going on beneath the surface. As the bell rang for lunch, I decided na makipagkita sa kanya.

Pagdating ko sa bahay nila, excited akong makita siya. I knocked on the door, and after a few moments, she opened it. “Hey, Aiden! Ang bilis mo!” sabi niya, with a bright smile that instantly lifted my mood.

“Of course! Sabi ko sa’yo, anytime,” sagot ko. “Anong balita? How’s everything?”

“Okay lang,” she replied, pero alam kong may kulang sa sagot niya. “You know, just the usual.”

Dinala ko siya sa garden nila, kung saan mas relaxing. Umupo kami sa bench at nag-umpisa ng casual na usapan. Pero sa kabila ng ngiti niya, ramdam kong may namumuong tensyon.

“Isabella,” sabi ko, humaharap sa kanya ng seryoso. “Gusto ko sanang malaman kung anong talagang nangyayari sa’yo. Kasi, I can see that you’re still holding something back.”

Napatingin siya sa akin, her expression shifting from surprise to a mix of uncertainty. “Aiden, I appreciate your concern, pero…”

“Isabella, I’m your friend. I want to help you. I can’t do that kung hindi mo sasabihin ang totoo,” sabi ko, hoping to encourage her to open up.

Nakita kong nag-isip siya. “It’s just… sometimes, I feel so overwhelmed. Like I’m constantly trying to meet everyone’s expectations, and what if I fail?” she said, her voice shaking slightly.

“Alam mo, normal lang ‘yan,” sagot ko. “But you don’t have to face it alone. You have me, and I’m here for you, no matter what.”

Nang bumalik ang tingin niya sa akin, I could see the fear in her eyes. “Aiden, may mga bagay akong hindi pa naipapakita sa’yo. Things I haven’t told anyone.”

Sa mga salitang iyon, parang bumigat ang atmospera. “Anong mga bagay?” tanong ko, my heart racing in anticipation.

“I have a lot of fears and insecurities. But there’s more,” she said, taking a deep breath. “May mga personal issues ako na pinagdadaanan. Lately, I’ve been feeling lost, not just with my family, but with who I am as a person.”

“Isabella, it’s okay to feel lost,” I assured her. “But I need you to trust me. You can tell me anything.”

Nakita kong napaisip siya, as if weighing her options. “Okay, Aiden. But promise me, you won’t judge me.”

“I promise,” sagot ko, my voice steady. “I’m here to listen.”

Nang magsimula siyang magsalita, bumuhos ang lahat ng kanyang takot at ang mga insecurities niya. “Kasi, I sometimes feel na hindi ko na kayang abutin ang expectations ng pamilya ko. They want me to succeed, but what if I can’t? And sometimes, I feel like I’m losing myself in the process.”

Nakita kong nag-aalala ang mga mata niya. “I’m afraid na baka hindi nila ako tanggapin kung malaman nilang hindi ko kayang maging ideal daughter na inaasahan nila.”

Naramdaman ko ang sakit sa mga sinabi niya. “Isabella, you are enough just as you are. Hindi mo kailangang maging perpekto para mahalin at tanggapin ng pamilya mo,” I said, trying to reassure her. “And even if you feel lost, you can find your way back. I believe in you.”

Nakita kong naluluha siya, and my heart ached for her. “Thank you, Aiden. It means a lot to have someone who understands,” she whispered.

In that moment, I realized how important this connection was. I wanted her to know na hindi siya nag-iisa. “Just remember, Isabella, we all have our struggles. It’s okay to be vulnerable and open up. That’s how we grow.”

“Thanks for being here for me,” she said, her voice filled with gratitude. “I didn’t expect to feel so… relieved.”

We sat in silence for a while, absorbing everything that had just been said. It felt good to finally let the truth out in the open, and I could see the weight lifting off her shoulders.

“Anytime you need to talk, I’m just a message away,” sabi ko, hoping na mapanatili ang tiwala at komunikasyon namin.

As we continued our conversation, I felt a growing bond between us. This moment was just the beginning of a deeper understanding, and I was determined to be there for her as she navigated her fears and uncertainties.