CALLEA blew her clasped hands. The sun was blistering hot on the outside but inside the mansion's living room it was freezing as if winter crept on the whole room. She felt like her blood turned into icicles. Don Jorje and her grandfather, Lolo Tomasino, were inside the library. They were discussing her future with Deive and she had no choice but to clutch the skirt of her dress in frustration.
Her cousins went home for the upcoming death anniversary of their parents who were buried in Nagcarlan. It was still a couple of weeks away but they wanted to prepare for the event. Same with her grandfather who wanted to check up on Deive.
She looked at Deive who was on the other side of the sofa. His eyes were sad when their eyes when they met hers. As if he was awaiting their impending doom. She forced a smile even if her eyes mirrored the sadness in his eyes. Between them seated her cousin, Torque, who had his arms crosses over his chest. Her cousin served as their guard so she and Deive won't as much as touch. They couldn't even talk.
They averted each other's gaze when Torque cleared his throat. "I don't know why Lolo would risk Villa Celesta so you will marry this guy." Then he pointed his thumb in Deive direction.
"He wants me to give a normal life," Callea answered.
"And that's okay with you?" Torque asked in a high angry voice. "And do you think your life would be better with this guy? Both you were forced to follow this deal. You don't deserve this."
"Kuya Torque, you won't get a thing even if I explain everything to you." he would just contradict her explanations about her good relationship with Deive.
She curled her palm. She wished Deive was beside her so he could hold her hand as they await the verdict on their relationship. Because they lose their dreams. And she could feel that same energy from him. They already have a connection that was forged by their pact. Her colorful days with him were almost over.
She didn't want to end things this way. They were together in this fight. They were partners. But why does she feel like the world was playing with them?
"The deal is off, Tomas," declared Don Jorje as he stomped his way out of the library. Her grandfather followed him. "There's no more wedding."
She was already expecting that. One look at her and he already guessed that she was not the perfect bride her grandfather sold him. Callea's heart clenched when Don Jorje gave her a disapproving look. As if she was a fraud and she won't match up with Deive.
"You promised me a real lady, Jorje. Not a cult leader or a black lady or an emo suicidal who lives in a dark world." Don Jorje breathed deeply. This is not what I bargained for. My grandson is a fine young man. He has his faults but it's forgivable. I didn't hide anything from you. That's why we had an agreement."
"It was my fault, Jorje," said her grandfather in a low voice. He was defeated. He didn't expect that she would get along with Deive despite her weirdness. However, Don Jorje didn't approve of her.
"I am sorry, Lolo," Callea apologized and bowed her head. She failed her grandfather. He only begged her to be a normal one but she didn't deliver. He wanted to change her character and pretend to the world. At the end of the day, they must accept that she could never be that girl.
And Deive won't have her any other way either. He appreciated the real her. It was sad that Deive would be taken away from her after he finally accepted her. Why is this happening now when she couldn't stand being alone in the darkness anymore? She was used to Deive's presence in her life.
Would it be better if Deive didn't find out her real identity or he didn't accept the real her to start with? Maybe it won't hurt her that much if he left earlier after finding out her duplicity.
"Deive, your vacation is over. Thank your hosts for taking care of you," Don Jorje ordered in a tone that couldn't be opposed.
"You can't just call off the agreement, Lolo!" Deive argued and stood up. "After everything I went through with Callea, you will just treat the deal as if it's worthless?"
"Is this about your business? I will back you up. I will give you all the financial help you need. Your days here are already an ordeal. I want to teach you a lesson but I also want you to have a good life. You don't have to marry Thomasino's granddaughter."
Deive would finally get his dreams. His grandfather was now handling him on a single platter. She was happy for him even if the failure was on her side. She wanted to bawl her eyes out. Not because she won't get the mansion but she was about to lose him. The reality was like a kick on her solar plexus. She couldn't breathe because she had to control her tears. She didn't know if she could watch him go.
She gasped when Deive stood in front of her and held her hand. "I am staying here with Callea."
She lifted her head. He didn't want to leave? "Deive?"
The determination was etched on his face. "I still want to marry her."
Callea was on a quandary. Why would he still marry her? He would be finally free of her.
Don Jorje knocked his cane on the floor several times before he bellowed. "This is preposterous! Why would marry someone like her? I came here because Keiran was worried about you. He said that Callea is very different from the women you used to date."
"My granddaughter is kind, talented and a very good homemaker even," defended her grandfather.
"And she's weird. Look at her, Tomasino. How would my grandson bring her to social gatherings? How would your granddaughter face my grandson's colleagues? He might turn those business events into a Halloween party," argued Don Jorje.
"When you had chosen Callea for me, I thought you want me to straighten up my act, Lolo," Deive said in a gentle yet strong voice. "She's the woman that I want to protect and spend each moment of my life with. I want to see her happy. It will always come first before my own. I used to always think of my own needs, my own standards, and my own beliefs. Now, I learn how to think about other people. How to be compassionate and considerate. How to respect them for who they are and how not to judge them just because they are not up to the standards of the norm. Only Callea did that for me."
Callea's heart swelled with pride. She never thought that Deive would choose her. That he would bare his heart for everyone. He changed a lot and she guessed there's a change in her heart because of him as well.
Don Jorje's eyes squinted. "What if you will lose all the privileged you will get once you marry her? Take Callea and I will disown you, Deive."