BERNADETTE heaved a sigh before finally entering the condominium, then looked around and noticed that the hotel was exclusive and for wealthy people. Esme was with her. She was surprised to find out that Mr. Raymundo had a condo because according to Roxanne, the couple was staying at the hotel.
"Stay there; I'll just go to the reception," Esme told her, pointing the hotel lobby sofa in one corner, on the other side of the ground floor. Esme went to the reception desk and ask the lady who gracefully greeted her. She was still talking to the receptionist when the elevator opened not far from where they were. There came a tall man wearing dark shades. He was talking to someone and was surrounded by other passengers of the elevator. Soon she saw him walking alone but she could barely see him because he just turned back and face Esme's direction.
Her forehead furrowed sudden attack of nervousness as she watched him walking towards Esme. Her chest throbbed so fast that she felt like her chest would explode any moment. She could feel her knees trembling. Thank God she was seated; otherwise she might faint and fall straight to the floor.
His height…his posture…his body frame…Was that Leandro?
"Sir Daniel!"
Esme ran towards the man she just called Sir Daniel. That man looked in her direction and she clearly saw his face. She couldn't be wrong, it was Leandro!
She automatically stood and walked towards the two, but her feet stuck when she was just a few meters away from them. She wanted to scream. She wanted to cry his name but what good would it do? He left her just like that. And still, he seemed not yet done hurting her. Since when did he become Daniel? Did he really have to change his name to avoid her?
"Berna, come here!" called Esme.
'Sir Daniel' turned to her and smiled hesitantly. Her steps were heavy and slow, as if she was on a movie.
He was wearing a black polo shirt paired with tight maong jeans. On his feet were black leather shoes. The man seemed to be taller than usual because of what he was wearing.
She couldn't avoid being dumbfounded. She felt like she was back at the time that she was still in love with Leandro. He removed his shades and looked down to greet her.
'Those eyes ... they still have not changed despite the last three years ...'
"Hello, good afternoon, Berna," he said without any emotion. He looked at him with a smile which did not leave his face.
"H-hello...pleased to meet you." The voice barely came out of her throat.
She really wanted to scream and hurt him but she couldn't move a nerve. It was also insulting that he acted like he didn't know her.
"I am very sorry for not showing up last time—"
"I-It's all right," she almost mumbled. "We finally met. That's what matters."
She wasn't sure but he appeared to be smiling. Was he glad that she played along with his game? Maybe he was expecting her to be mad, the reason why he decided not to show up before. Funny that he had to ask Esme to introduce them to each other.
"I actually want to talk to you but unfortunately, an emergency meeting just came up. I have to meet some business associates from Davao. Would you mind if you wait for me upstairs?"
"No!" she groaned. "I have to go now, Esme. At least, I was w
"Hindi na!" putol niya sa sinasabi nito. "Kailangan ko rin kasing umuwi agad, Esme. Mr. Raymundo and I have met already. Maybe that's enough for now." She gave him a stern look.
"Yeah, right. You still have to see your son at the hospital," Esme agreed.
Bernadette was surprised when Daniel turned to her. "You already have a child?" he asked, frowning.
She stopped herself from snapping at him. How could he pretend to be so dumb? He knew that she was pregnant before he left for Davao then.
"It is written in my profile that I have a child, Mr. Raymundo," she maintained, suppresing her emotion.
He shook his head and gave them a rueful smile. "I'm sorry I didn't bother to read…I mean, I haven't checked—"
"Not a problem," she interrupted. "Don't bother to explain. We really have to go."
"But are you sure? You're already here so why not join me after an hour? Anyway—"
"No, thank you. We're fine." She quickly turned around and left.
"ARE you serious, Berna?"
"Do I like I'm joking, Rox? How can I make a joke about my son's father? You know what, this is wrong! I don't even know why we have to see other again after three years!"
Roxanne was astonished at what she heard. "I really can't believe this. How can it be possible that Mr. Raymond and your fiancé is one and the same person? Why did he show up just now? Why did he have to change his name? And why did he pretend to not knowing you at all?"
"I also have so many whys, Roxanne. Esme has my profile and she handed it to them. I also included my information about being a mother to Andrew. Did he really have no conscience to let his wife to hire me despite our past?"
"Oh, Berna, please..."
"Why not just someone else? Why does it have to be me, Roxanne? Tell me why!"
She burst into tears and Roxanne patted her back on pity.
"He treated me like trash. Why did he have to show his face now and remind me again of every pain that he caused me when he left?"
"You wouldn't know if you will not talk to him."
"No!" She almost yelled. "I'll never talk to him about that and you wouldn't say anything, Roxanne. I'll play along with his game. If he doesn't want to acknowledge his child, he should also know that he has long been dead for me and my son.
"Are you sure of that?"
"Never been this sure. Promise me that you're not going to say anything to anyone…even to Esme. Do I make myself clear, Roxanne?"
"I promise," she said with sadness in her eyes.
It was funny that other people have sympathy for her and her son, while the man who caused them trouble slept well at night and lived comfortably. That was despite the plight of her son who is currently in the hospital. She truly hated Leandro for ruining their lives.