Chapter 13: Love Hurts

I just kept walking also while hearing all sorts of gossip from women in the crowd.

"They're really awesome that seem have chemistry to each other, uh." As the woman closest to me commented.

"True. The woman is beautiful too and the guy is handsome. Then, they both have beautiful voices." The companion of the first woman said. These two are probably friends.

It stunned me when I saw Athena and the man she had been earlier were happily playing and singing a familiar opm song.

Obviously the song is just for her. I feel too much frustrated about that scene.

I stared on my girlfriend. She was still smiling which made me to feel much pain inside.

I’d almost wanted to kick that guy and punch him but still my reputation was important. Lots of people watching and taking pictures and videos with their cellphones and cameras. Maybe if we were just in private, I wouldn’t hesitate to ruin them and distract what they’re doing.

I tried to glance at her again but she didn't notice me nearly standing here.

I just stared at my girlfriend for last minute until I couldn't take it anymore. I already turned my back on them and walked in a hurry, wiping tears into my eyes.

Why you easily give up right away, Greige? What if she still loving you? You just end up with her this way.

As my mind responded, it calm myself down just a bit and closed my eyes. Afterwards, decided to start a car to leave that place.

**Althaea Cassidy's POV**

I saw Greige leaving. It surprised me that he had watched us earlier. I felt annoyed inside me. I already hurt him. I am so bad. I shouldn't let him go.

Presently, I didn't notice that Zen had recently finished singing the song and calling my name. I attempted to smile at him and to those people who kept watching and applauding us. Therefore, I have lost temporarily my tension of feeling bad. I took a deep breath then started singing.

I will dedicate this song to him even when he is gone. The message of this song fits perfectly for Greige. I sighed before started to sing a new song.

Why you didn't listen to me and hear my explanations despite of ignoring me so that you will understand my side, we will gonna be ok and we will not suffer like this.

Eventhough it's hurt me, I still loving you. Eventhough it forbidden us, I am still here to love you. When the time will come, we'll be aparted.

I repeated the chorus and swayed by the song so well that the people make an applause while keep trying to smile at them. After my singing, Zen took me home and there I also found Mom and Dad in the living room touching with their cellphones.

I cleared my throat before I speak. "Mom, Dad." As I approached but it stopped when my Mom frowned her face.

I looked at them with astonishment because I didn't know why my mother thought me this way.

Dad fiddled his cellphone and he has something to show me.

"Who is this man with you, Thaea?" Dad as he asked a question. "Is he your boyfriend?" I nodded then trying to speak.

"Yes, he is my boyfriend when I was in Manila and his name is Troezen Rioja."

"What's running in your mind, Althaea?" Mom shouted angrily at me.

"What will you do when Greige's parents see this? What will they say to us?" She yelled. "You're flirt?" Mom really emphasized that word.

Little by little my tears flowed and Dad tried to stop her but she can't. "Honey."

"Am I right? She has already a boyfriend then she's dating with another man." Mom added and it just closed my eyes.

"What do you think they will say uhhh, Thaea? Aren't you thinking?" Instead listening to them, I ran away hurriedly to the bedroom. Lay down on my bed as continously pouring all of my feelings.

Three hours later, I realized that it was already evening that's why my stomach growled. After a while, there's knocking and let someone to enter.

"Here's your dinner, Ma'am Thaea. Yaya Helena told me to deliver this to you." She said. I smiled a little because I was flattering that Yaya prepared me this meal. I'm felt relieved because of it.

I thanked to her before she left my room. I have eaten all the food that Yaya sent to me. Afterwards, I took this to the kitchen and washed the utensils I used.

When I came back to my room, I washed my face and brushed my teeth first. I tried to look at Thena's cellphone to see if there was any text or call but nothing. Nothing really.

I also picked my cellphone from it's holder. Bestie and Zen's text messages suddenly popped. I replied to Gin first. I have already missed that woman because we're rarely now talking to each other. Sir Gerald have many tasks assigned to her.

After I texted my bestfriend, I read Zen's text message.

Wait, is he returning back to Manila tomorrow so fast? We are not still strolling around here.

Before 9:00AM, I finally arrived to the place where Zen texted me last night. I saw him walking towards me and he hugged me tightly.

I don't understand myself why I fell inlove to that crazy guy. Zen is an understanding and supportive boyfriend. Even though, he is clingy sometimes and naughty I will still love him.

"Are you really now leaving, hubby?" I asked after we let go of each other's arms then we sat in the corner.

"I will depart exactly on 10:00AM." He answered immediately while he staring at me.

"Why did you plan to leave this morning? We haven't yet to wander around here." I said then he smiled.

"If it is not my duty to work here, I would really stay for longer just for you." He replied.

I'm really sad that he will go back now to Manila. There's no one I can lean on since I am still not alright. If he is here everything will be ok.

"If you want too, you can come with me to Manila." It stunned me as I heard it.

"My parent needs me Zen." I said while holding his hands.

"But I saw that you're have really suffered. Look at yourself now. You're seemed to be very thin and had many wrinkles on your face." He laughed which cause me to frown.

"Is it true hubby that I'm ugly?" I pouted.

"Just kidding wifey." He replied as squeezing my nose and I complained for its pain. I tapped him on his shoulder but he quickly avoided.

It was already 10:AM when I looked to my watch. The bus is already here and waiting for the passengers to come. I tried to help him carry his things but hesitated.

"You don't have to do this. I can manage." He said in a grouchy face but I just smiled on him.

"At least you didn't have a hard time carrying it, did you?" I said before he got on the bus and he gave me a kiss to my forehead. We smiled and stared to each other until we both said goodbye.

I dropped my shoulder as the bus he was riding have left the station. As I walked way back to the car, there's someone suddenly spoke behind me with a familiar voice.

"Greige." I was shocked when I saw him.

"Are you been together?" Startling instead asking him why he was here.

"Kindly answer my question to you, Athena." He exclaimed in a serious tone like he treated me before.

"No." I responsed directly. I can't tell him the truth.

"Really?" He doubt.

"You are very sweet to each other just the way we were back then." Explaining bitterly his statement. I am trying to get close to him but he ran away.

"Greige, let me clear this to you!" I tried also to state the reason and closed my eyes for a second.

"You don't need to, Athena. I saw everything between the two of you." He uttered with his cold expression.

"This is just misunderstanding, Greige." I defend myself.

He just smirked from my explanation before he walked away from me towards his car. I chased after Greige because it suddenly realized that I liked him now already.

I slammed his car window to force him to talk with me but he just ignored and quickly drove the car away. I burst into tears and sobbed once again. I hurried to enter the car so that no one could see me like this. I started the engine and decided to go back to the mansion.