Still Loving You (Broken Series 1)

Chapter 17

Catherine

Gio and I decided to meet in the coffee shop near his boutique. He told that he’s a fashion designer now and owned a boutique shop.

I call Hendrix before I went out of the house. I told him that I’m going to meet Gio. He knows Gio even he didn’t know him personally but Hendrix knows a lot about Gio because I always telling him about him.

When I arrive at the coffee shop, I immediately saw Gio. He stands up from his seat and waved his hand. I walk towards him. He pulled me into a tight hug when I’m in front of him.

“I miss you!” He whispered.

I hug him back. “I miss you too, Gio.”

We're drinking and talk about his boutique and college life. I love hearing his story somehow, I felt I was there.

I’m enjoying listening to his story until the subject changes and he starts to ask why I didn’t contact him for more than a decade. We cried together as I explain to him why I did what I do. I know it’s not an acceptable excuse but he accepts wholeheartedly. I can’t believe that he’s not even mad at me.

“Where did you go anyway? You call me just one time before. And I can’t trace the call because you only call me that time via online.” He asks.

"I was in London at that time. I also continued my studies there.... someone helps me to start a life there" I start to tell him my story.

He looked at maliciously. "And may I know who’s that someone?" he teasingly asked me. 

I smiled before answering Gio. "His name his Hendrix, he helped me since the night I was sent out by the Montemayor...  Actually, is not just Hendrix who helped me that night, Tristan also helping me. "

Gio's eyes widened. 

"Oh my, Tristan? As in Tristan Miguel Del Valle?!" 

"Yes, he's that Tristan."

"How come he knows and he doesn’t even bother telling it to Nick—”

I cut him off and shook my head. "Actually, I told Tristan not to tell anyone that he knows my whereabouts and I don’t want to talk about what happens before…” I gulped as blink my eyes twice. “How we talk about something else.” I added. I know I’m being unfair, after being MIA in his life then I still didn’t want to fill the blanks in his mind.  

He sighed in defeat. We became silent in a while. All Gio did was staring at me intently

"I can't imagine that it will take more than a decade before I can see you again." he smiled but I can see the sadness in his face. 

His eyes look down and he stares at my hand. I think he notices my rings. I smiled at him and start to tell him the story behind it.  

We talk for almost three hours before we decide to go but before I decided to go back home, he invited me to go to his boutique first.

He insisted that he will take me home and I let him. He wants to know where I’m staying at. He was glad to know that the Hospital that I’m going to work on is closer to his shop.

Actually, he was surprised when he found out that I’m a doctor. Maybe because we used to dream to become a designer. That’s was our dream, to be successful in the world of fashion together.

He decided to go home, almost ten in the evening. One day is not enough to suffice the eleven years that we didn’t see each other.

-----

Nick

It’s been eleven years and I still don’t have news about Cath’s whereabout. All of the investigators that I hired, failed to found or locate her.

I’m so frustrated every time. Why is it so hard to find her?

God! I miss her. I’m going crazy thinking about her.

I'm looking at my computer's wallpaper. It’s a photo of the woman I love. She's looking at the camera. Her hair was blowing by the wind, the sunlight kissing her skin.

The photo was taken by our first month anniversary. We were at the beach at that time. I love this picture of her. She was my model and I’m her photographer. She's always my favorite subject when it comes to photography.

How I wish, I could have turned back time. I'll take back everything I said. A lot of people telling me to give up, forget her and move on but I don’t want to do it. Because she’s the only want I want, she’s the only woman I need. My family and friends are supporting me about my decision and I don’t know what could have happen to me if they were not in my back.

I’m the only one to blame for everything.

Even it’s sad to look at our photos together before, I’m just forcing myself to be contended by looking at it. Because that’s the only choice I have.

I regret everything I did before. I always think of what could have happened if I trusted her. If only I didn’t believe those false pictures of her before. Maybe we have our own family together now.

“How are you Cath?” I ask while looking at her photo. “I’m sure you already reach for dreams.” I gulped. “I love you and I miss you so much, babe. Please come back! I don’t care if you’re mad at me, just come back.”

I remember those first two years that she disappeared. I almost destroy myself. I neglected my studies. All I did when I start in college was trying to find her. I’m getting desperate every day that passes by.

I'm at the lowest point of my life when my mom and dad try to talk to me about it. I know they hurting while seeing me at that time. I remember they told me that I need to fix my life. Because they believe in the proper time Cath will be back and I need to fix my life to be worthy of her. My family and friends supported me, even Tristan who’s mad at me that time was on my back.

I’ll never stop hoping ar believing that one day she will be coming back.

And if that time will come, I promise I’ll do everything for her to forgive me and to love me again. I know it’s going to be hard.

I’ll take her back and no one nor anything will stand in my way.