CHAPTER 32: Unraveling The Truth

KATE’s P.O.V.

After I ate breakfast, I prepared myself to go to our company for my Mom and Dad are surely waiting for me in there. My maids are busy chattering to each other while they’re trying their best not to mind me and my drama last night. I hope that they already forgot about it, but that was impossible. Things don’t easily go in that way.

I’m currently choosing a pair of shoes when one of our maids rushed towards me. I was stunned, same as her. Before she could open her mouth to speak, I already raised one of my brows while looking at her in confusion.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Ms. Kate, the man yesterday... He’s...”

My heart starting to thumped so bad, as I heard her stuttering statement. My curiosity was now replaced by worried, and guilt.

“W-what? What about h-him?”

“He’s still outside... In front of our gate. And he’s not moving.”

“What?!” I instantly stood up, and my maid looked down, seeing my worried face. “Did he stay outside overnight?!”

“I think so, Ms. Kate. He’s soaking wet. I think he stayed outside during the heavy rain.”

“What?! Then what are you waiting for?! Call an ambulance this instance!”

She nodded before she made her way towards our home’s landline telephone. I ran in the opposite direction, where the guards are having a little commotion in front of our gates.

“Move away!” I cried.

They did as I said and there, I saw Elijah, laying down on the cold ground with his soaking wet clothes. I instantly removed it, tapping his cheeks to make sure that he’s still alive.

“Elijah! Elijah wake up! Stay with me!”

He didn’t bulge and my eyesight started to get blurry. I tapped his cheeks several times again, hoping that he’ll wake up. But he didn’t.

The heavy rain yesterday will surely brought an illness to any person. And Elijah... He did what he told me yesterday. He stayed. He didn’t leave me. While I’m laying comfortably on my bed, he’s here, outside. Staying without any shade during the cold night with the heavy pouring rain.

“Elijah... Please... Stay with me...”

He’s still isn’t moving, so I was left with no choice but to cry while waiting for the ambulance. I unconsciously move closer towards his face, giving him a gentle kiss on his lips, hoping that it would ease the pain on my chest.

“I’m sorry, Elijah... I’m really sorry... Please wake up...” I whispered into his ears.

“K-Kate...”

My eyes widen as I heard him say my name. I looked into his face, and he’s currently smiling at me, like nothing bad happened or he wasn’t affected at all by staying out here all night long.

“Elijah...”

“I t-told y-you... I’ll s-stay...” he trailed off.

“Stay awake, okay? We already called an ambulance.”

He held my hand before nodding. I felt him squeezed it and I try my best to be calm, for I didn’t want him to panic as well as me.

“They are here!” one of the guards shouted.

I heard the loud sound coming from the siren of the ambulance truck. The paramedics instantly helped me up in getting Elijah on their stretcher. He didn’t let go of my hand until we reached the hospital in hurry.

The paramedics brought him in the emergency room, and I was left there all alone waiting for the doctor’s news. I took my phone out from my bag with my trembling hands. I dialed Mom’s number, and thankfully, she answered me as soon as her cellphone rings.

“Kate? Where are you? Your Dad and I are already waiting for you in here...”

“Mom... Something happened. I’m at the hospital right now.”

“What?” Shock is visible in Mom’s voice. “Are you okay? Do you want us to go there?”

“Nope, Mom. I’m fine. Just stay there. I’ll come later on. I’m just waiting for the doctor’s result.”

“Why? What happened to you?”

“It’s not me, Mom. It’s... A friend, I guess. I just helped him.”

“Alright. Then we will patiently wait for you in here. Don’t rush, Kate.”

“Okay. Thanks, Mom. I just wanted you to know.”

We ended the call at the same exact moment that the doctor rushed out of the emergency room. He looked at me, and I instantly stood up from sitting down on the floor.

“How is he?” I asked.

“He’s fine, Ma’am. Your friend is just suffering from pulmonary disease and high fever. May I know what happened to him?”

I felt guilty, facing the doctor as I couldn’t lie in front of him. I should tell him the truth, for it will help Elijah recover faster than expected.

“He... He stayed outside last night... Under the heavy pouring rain without any shade...”

“What?!” The doctor looked so surprised. “That was insane! Why would you think he’ll do that?”

I feel shameful. Maybe the answer to his question is because Elijah loves me that much, to the point that he’s willing to risk his life just to keep his words to gain my trust again.

“Miss? Are you alright?” the doctor asked.

“Y-yeah.”

“Forgive me for asking you too many questions. Anyways your friend is stable now but he still needs to stay in here.”

“Oh. That’s fine... But, I need to be somewhere else right now. Could you look after him? I’ll take responsibility for his hospital bills. Just please... Take care of him.”

“Sure, Miss. I’ll gave him a special attention. Do you want to see him?”

“N-no...” I trailed off, choking in my own voice.

“Are you alright, Miss?” the doctor asked.

“Y-yes... Just... Please take care of him. I’m gonna come back here soon. But don’t tell him that. Just... I’m entrusting him to you now.”

“Fine, Miss. Don’t worry, we will do anything for him.”

“Thank you... Thank you so much.”

The doctor nodded, before leaving. I took a deep breath, closing my eyes shut. I can do this. I should talk to my parents first about this issue before I listen to Elijah’s explanation. I didn’t want to worsen our situation.

I called my driver, and thankfully he arrived after a few moments. I got inside, not bothering to look back at the hospital.

“So, where should we go, Ms. Kate?” he asked.

“Frias Incorporation. Please, hurry.”

“Sure.”

He started the engine, and our trip towards the company took longer than I expected. When we finally arrived, I felt anxious, nervous at the fact that later on, I’m gonna find out the truth about Elijah’s Dad. I walked through the hallways, observing every people that I passed by. They look fine, and they didn’t even pay any attention to me.

When I reached Dad’s office, I sighed, before I slowly raised my trembling hands to knock.

“Come in,” I heard Mom’s voice.

I opened the door, seeing my Mom and Dad sitting in front of the coffee table, unsurprised to see me in here but they are looking very delighted.

“Hi, Mom, Dad.”

My Mom stood up, walked towards my direction and hug me tight.

“I missed you so much, Kate. God, It felt like your Dad and I have been gone for a very long time.”

“I missed you too, Mom.”

I timidly smiled at her before moving towards my Dad. I gave him a small kiss on his cheeks before sitting on the opposite side of the table.

“So... Your Mom told me about... Elijioh Ramirez...” Dad started.

“Yes, Dad. I want to know more about him.”

“But why, Kate? Is he harassing you?! Tell me the truth... Your Mom told me that he’s already dead but I highly doubt it. A person like him...”

“Armando, calm down...” Mom reached for Dad’s hand, trying to calm him down.

“Dad, he’s gone... I mean... I met his son and... He told me about it.”

“His son? Kate, do you know how much dangerous it is for you to meet someone you didn’t know that much?” Now it is Dad’s turn to calm Mom down.

“Mom, I knew that guy since high school... I knew him pretty much like anybody else. And Mom... I know he’s telling me the truth... I wanted to trust him... I wanted to believe him but I couldn’t not until you tell me the truth.”

I burst out in tears, not knowing the main reason why. Maybe it was out of frustration. Mom sit beside me, looking very worried before she held my hand.

“Are you okay, Kate? What happened when we’re gone?” she asked in confusion.

“Tell us, Kate, why are you even interested to this guy if he’s already dead?” Dad joined in our conversation.

“Mom, Dad... The guy I’m telling you before... The guy I fell in love with... He’s Mr. Elijioh’s son. I just found out about it when we were hanging out by his apartment... And then... Just please, tell me everything about him...” I cried, begging them to tell me the truth.

I saw how Mom secretly wiped her tears away before holding my hand. She took a deep breath, covering her mouth for her to suppress her sobs. I look at her confusedly, thinking why is she crying right now. Is it because she’s in pain for seeing me in this state, or there is something more behind her tears?

From the corners of my eyes, I saw Dad’s glare towards the empty table. Maybe he’s lost in his own thoughts.

“Mom, Dad, what’s wrong? Please tell me now...”

“Armando, I think it’s time for our daughter to find out the truth. She needs to know about it...”

“Fine... You’re the one who should tell her. I’m not getting into this conversation again.”

Mom nodded, and Dad rest his back on the couch while massaging his temple.

“Kate, listen to me...” Mom faced me, still holding my hands.

She took several deep breaths and I did the same. Both of us are scared of what may happen next after she tell me the truth and after I found out about it.

“Elijioh... He’s... He’s my ex-boyfriend.”

“What?” I looked at her unbelievably. I looked at Dad’s direction, and I could see that he’s trying his best not to meddle in our conversation. He’s completely ignoring me.

I find it hard to believe that Mom had some kind of a relationship with Elijah’s Dad. But I tried to remained calm, and show her that I’m ready to listen. Because right now, maybe, just maybe, this truth will lead me in finding the best decision for myself.