CHAPTER 15 - ALONE
1630 Words
HANNAH
I pulled my horse Jeprox as I walked through Papa's vast ranch. The first day I came home, Mama wouldn't leave me alone and Papa texted me almost hourly while he was at the municipality. They know what I'm going through because I told the full story of Apollo and I's separation.
They didn't blame me nor despise Apollo's ways. All they did was listen.
After three days of confinement in the room, I gradually came out. Mom bought me a new phone and a new sim and only Freya and Adonis are in my contacts.
I didn't give away or throw away my old phone, I just put it in a box and put it in a drawer. There were photos of Apollo that I took without his knowledge.
"Jeprox, how many girls have you gotten pregnant here at the ranch while I've been gone?" I asked as he walked by my side. "Maybe there are already many, because I see a lot of foals in the pasture."
"That won't answer you, miss." A male voice said.
I looked at the source of the voice. The impact of his presence took my breath away. I stared at him. He looks familiar but I can't remember where I met him.
I angled my head. "Have I met you before?"
"Nope. This is the first time," he said. He put his hands inside his jeans before walking towards me. The sleeves of his black polo shirt almost reached his muscular arms.
I also want to be a button that hugs his broad chest.
"Eyes are up here, my lady."
I didn't realize that he was almost in front of me. I shook my head to get rid of bad thoughts. "So, why are you meddling in our conversation with Jeprox?"
"Jeprox?" was the question.
"Yes, he's my horse," I answered, and caressed the horse's face.
His pinkish lips curved and he laughed. "Where did you get that name? Are you a kid?"
"That's very offensive," I coldly said, and got over it. Even before I got far, he blocked my path, so I stopped. "What do you need? We don't sell ice. Go!"
"I'm a buyer. Don't be rude, my lady."
"What I know is that there is a designated person to deal with the buyers."
"But I want you," he said smoothly. No brakes, friends! He's flirting with me.
"I'm not a horse!" I firmly promised before quickly riding Jeprox. "Step aside, I'll step on you!"
I didn't hear the last thing he said because I ran Jeprox too fast. I haven't even moved on from Apollo yet, eh?
After I took Jeprox to the stable, I returned to the mansion. I noticed that Mama was worried because of the amount of talk she was having with Pacho. I was about to enter the house to change my clothes when Mama suddenly called me. He gestured as if he wanted me to go there, which I followed.
"Everyone, this is my Hannah. My unique daughter." Mama introduced me.
I gave a sweet smile to his three guests. All of them are in their early 40's and I think they have children.
"They are the wives of the newly elected captains, baby." I sat next to Mama because it looked like I was going to take a long time in this conversation. "Bien, Porsha, and Romina."
"Hi," I said politely. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
Almost all they talk about is what their children have completed and what business they have built. I'd rather be with my horse than listen to their topics. There have been several times they referred to me as their sons, as if they were dogs being given to me.
When dusk came, they left and Papa came. I felt like a thorn had been removed from my throat.
"Hannah, do you want to come with us tomorrow?" Dad asked while we were eating dinner.
"We are going to the newly opened resort in Aloguinsan. We're invited to stay for two nights. All accommodations are paid."
My face lit up. "Yes! I want to!"
"Good! We will leave by 7 in the morning. We will ask the maid to wake you up by 5."
"5AM?! Dad, it's still night," I complained.
"Baby, you're so slow to dress. You've been taking a bath for almost an hour." Mama groaned as she cut the vegetables on her plate.
"I'm like a soldier here. Who the hell wakes up at 5? They are psychopaths." I whispered.
“When we’re at your age, we walk miles to go to school or pick up water.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah yeah, you ride dragons, fight lions, and so on just to go to areas.”
The next day, we traveled a few hours for the occasion and we were not late at all. Giaco and Mama and Papa's three bodyguards were with us. They talk to acquaintances and, since I started living in Manila when I was still in high school, I didn't know many people there.
"Can I walk around, Mom?"
She nodded. "Don't just run away from Giaco like you used to."
I sighed and looked up at Giaco. "Would it be alright if you distanced yourself by 3 meters from me?"
He shook his head. "2 meters, miss. There's a lot of people in the area, I hope you understand."
I did nothing and started walking. I knew Giaco was following me but he made a way so that I could not feel his presence. I see some beautiful sights and photograph them.
When I zoomed in, I saw a familiar figure leaning on the body of a coconut. Even with my back turned, I know who owns it.
My heart beat faster. It's Apollo.
I looked at where the scene was taken and he was still there. Staring at the blue sea with his hands in his pants.
"Apollo, why are you here?" I said weakly.
It was as if he heard my call and turned around. A strong wind blew and my hair danced softly. It didn't seem surprising that we met again.
But his expression didn't change. He looked back at the sea and forgot that I was watching him. I took a deep breath and shook my head.
"Do you want to go there, miss?" Giaco asked.
"No." I said, holding my head high. "I don't know that guy."
I turned my back on it and walked somewhere else. When I got far, I took off my shoes and slowly stepped towards the shallow part of the sea. It was as if I felt that the wave carried away all my fatigue and stress.
Because of the clarity of the water, I could see my feet buried in the white sand, so I was happy to walk there.
"I want to swim."
"Do it, my lady."
I flinched when I heard someone talking behind me. I turned and gave it a bad look. "It's you. The one who mistook me for a horse."
"It's a misunderstanding." He took off his shoes and pulled up his pants before getting ready. "May I join you?"
"The sea does not belong to me. You can go anywhere you want but never cross my no-no square."
"No-no square? Are you a kid or something?!" He said, laughing as he slowly approached me.
I stomped my foot and, because of my strength, the water soaked his clothes. I heard his laugh. "I told you that this is my No-no square."
"You got me wet, why are you so mad?" He said irritatedly as he unbuttoned his polo shirt one by one.
I swallowed when he completely undressed and exposed his beautiful body to me. I had to look away to interrupt my thoughts.
"Who invited you here?"
He ran his hand through his hair like he was in a handsome perfume commercial. "Name is Harley."
"That's not my question," I said rudely, and took two steps because he was too close to me.
"My father owns this resort. I am Harley Salviejo."
"Ah okay. Bye."
He held my hand to stop me from leaving. "Nice meeting you, Hannah Ramos."
I was very surprised when he took my hand and brought it to his lips. I immediately took it back like it was burnt. So how did he know my name?
Did Mama put a name tag on the back with 'when lost, please call this number?'
"Could you please leave me alone?" I demanded.
"I can't. You might go too far and drown."
"I have a bodyguard, stupid." I rolled my eyes.
"You're ugly, maybe that's why you're single." He said, shaking his head.
I was annoyed by what he said even though it was true. I put my hands on my waist to stop myself from drowning. "Ah, really. That's how you are when the person you're talking to is not your type."
I approached him and poked his chest. "Why do you find us women the wrong way when we don't like you? We're rude, so we're single. We're clingy, so you suffocate. We don't want to have s*x, so you find someone else."
He didn't say a word and just let me chant. "Why don't you find out where you went wrong? Why are we always the women to blame because you don't get what you want?"
I took a deep breath. I can't help myself anymore. "When we chased you and you didn't like us, did we blame you? No, right?"
"Shut up! Okay? Shut the hell up!" I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes. "I was asking myself the same question! Can’t you just leave me alone?!"
- Writer
