"I don't have any intention to stay here any longer. I don't belong here. Everybody doesn't want me here and I don't want to be here either", she said looking straight into his eyes but turned away abruptly. His eyes are so captivating, full of mystery, there is anger but at the same time there is tenderness and she doesn't want to confuse herself.
She must leave this place. What she said about the place is not true, she loves the place. She loves the smell of the newly cut grasses, the chirping of the birds, the horses, the rivers, the plantation, the sunsets and everything about it. But she just can't stay and be a hindrance to her father's happiness and to suffer the indifference of Joseph. If she will stay, she will be the cause of the constant fights between his father and Celine and she doesn't want to do that. She loves her dad and she wants him to be happy. He seemed to be happy with Celine. She has a lot ahead of her when she goes back to M City. She turned her back at Joseph and walked towards the door.
Joseph sighed. She is such a stubborn girl. His felt a tug at his heart upon seeing her going out of the room, felt like her going out of his life. He doesn't want to get emotionally involved with her because she was too young, not because of what his mother told him about her. From the first day that he saw her, he felt a strange feeling towards her. He felt the urge to protect and care for her. But seeing that Jolo was interested, he distanced himself. Jolo and Christine are of the same age and it will be normal that they will develop a strong bond. He felt jealous every time he sees them together whether on the plantation or on the balcony each night.
Christine was already out of the room so he followed her down the hallway. He felt his heart getting heavy as he saw Christine going down the stairs. Not long after Christine got downstairs, Celine's angry voice can be heard cursing her.
"You are a disgrace to this family. First, you seduced every man here, soliciting sex and now drugs? what else will you do huh?", Celine accused her the moment she set her foot on the living room. She came barging towards her and slapped her hard.
Christine's face turned to the right due to the impact and she almost fell on the floor due to the impact of Celine's right palm hitting her left cheeks. She did not expect it and it hurt.
"Ma!" cried Jolo.
"Celine!" said Joseph while he was still halfway down the stairs and quickened his pace.
"Darling!", said Jackson in surprise.
Jolo quickly went to her and helped her stand up while blocking Celine from attacking her again.
Jackson also came to help and held Celine so she cant attack Christine again. He took her away from Christine and tried to calm her down.
"You can't be too excited, you are pregnant, think about the baby", Jackson said. He was worried about Christine but he is more worried about the helpless life Celine is carrying. From the last checkup they had, they were advised not to stimulate her too much because of her age.
Joseph, Jolo, and Christine were shocked upon hearing the word baby. Joseph's brows creased and looked at Jackson trying to get an explanation.
"Celine is pregnant and the doctor said that she is in critical condition, she can't get too excited or she may lose the baby", Jackson explained.
Joseph just looked at her and Jackson. He did not have any clue that Celine is pregnant because she did not show any sign and she acted normal, she even goes horseback riding with her friends. She did not tell him and by the look at the faces of the maids around them, he was certain that no one knew.
Christine was also surprised and felt happy for her dad, she will be sure that after she leaves, her dad will not fell her absence anymore. He has Celine and their baby, its time that he start his own family without her.
Jolo checked her cheek. Her cheek was red and a little swollen. He touched it, trying to soothe the pain. He silently said sorry to her. Christine nodded, although she was really hurt and she doesn't know why Jolo let her take all the blame and allowed them to judge her. She cleared her throat.
"I must leave now", Christine said in a low but determined voice.
"Its midnight, can't you wait until tomorrow morning?" Jackson said. He needs to talk to his daughter, explain things and make her understand his situation.
"She can't stay here anymore, she has to go now", Celine said harshly.
"Darling", Jackson said with his eyes pleading.
"Owww, it hurts", Celine said and touched her belly which is not yet obvious.
Hearing this and seeing that she was in pain, Jackson felt helpless. He hugged her and rubbed her back.
"It's okay, relax. We will do as you say", Jackson said and looked at Christine. His eyes were so sad but he is asking for her understanding. He doesn't want anything to happen to Celine and the baby.
Christine understood and nodded. She smiled at her dad and turned to Joseph.
"Can you take me to the pier now? This will be the last thing you will hear and do for me," she said. The pier operates 24/7 and ships dock and leaves the pier every hour so she is sure she can hop into one of those ships and go back to M City.
She looked at Jackson one more time who was still holding Celine like a precious stone, not aware that Celine was only faking it. She was all smiles hearing the conversation at her back. No one saw the triumphant devilish smile on her face.