C72 seventy two

I learned that Liane is pregnant. At first, I was angry because she's the same age as Selene and still too young, but there's nothing we can do about it. Her boyfriend seems nice and he talked to us.

I chose this restaurant near Selene's place because I said I'd go to Selene afterward, but I was disappointed because when I got to her place, she was gone. I first checked her things but they were gone... even she had left. I asked Angel and Mawi, but all they did was avoid eye contact.

["B-baby? Where are you? I'm here at your apartment asking Angel where you are. They're not answering me and your clothes aren't in your closet. Please, don't tell me you changed your decision? You promised... that you wouldn't leave me... then why?"] My voice trembled as I asked.

I heard her chuckle. "Just wow," I bit my lower lip. "Don't look for me anymore. Your attitude is terrible! How dare you hurt me over and over again!"

I fell silent again. What was she saying? Have I done something bad?

["Y-you're so cruel... all I've done is love you... but you? All you've done is make me cry... hurt me over and over again,"] she stopped. ["What did I do to you? Why are you punishing me like this?"]

"B-baby? What are you talking about? Did I hurt you again? I told you I stopped helping Akia, only my cousin helped her. I kept my distance from her because I knew it would hurt you. Let's talk about this, don't leave, let's talk, Selene," I said gently.

She sniffled. "You can't bring me back with your lies--"

"I'm not lying."

"Yes, you are!"

What is she talking about?!

"I saw it all, Cyrus. I heard it all," she said, her voice breaking.

"What are you saying? Come back here... No, just tell me where you are and I'll come to you. I'll chase after you," I insisted.

With every word she uttered, I felt like drowning. It hurt so much to hear from her that she's struggling so much with the two of us, like she's almost giving up. Even if I wanted to... even if my feet wanted to chase after her... even if I wanted to stop her, I couldn't because she's hurting... because she's in pain.

The reality that she's slipping away from me feels like my heart being crushed. How can I keep her by my side if staying with me hurts her? It's better for me to be broken... it's better for me to just be.

Every day that passed, all I did was lock myself in my room. I had no appetite because no matter what I do, I hurt... I hurt because she's hurting. What's the point of fighting anymore? If the person I want to fight for left me?

"Eat, Cyrus! Stop thinking about Yoreh. For pete's sake! You deserve better!" Mom shouted.

Mom and Dad and my friends were just watching me, stunned. I hugged my knees and looked up at Mom. I know she wants Selene for me.

"But she's the better one I want to deserve," was the only answer that silenced them.

Years passed, and it's still her, it's still her, it's still really her.

We met at the university she attends. At the first glance, I wanted to hug her tightly, but I didn't because I wanted to show her that I can manage without her... even if I can't.

I thought they were married to Samuel because the child called her mommy. When I heard that, my world collapsed and the hope I built up was gone, thankfully I was wrong.

["Hello, Bro? We're at Prince's birthday party. Yoreh's looking for you,"] Wendrix said.

I don't know if he's telling the truth.

"Don't fool me, Wendrix. You're in trouble if you're joking," I snapped.

["Chill, Bro. I'm not joking."]

"Really?" I sarcastically asked.

["Yeah, idiot! It's true. I'll say there's a lot of shanghai here."]

"Are you fucking kidding me?"

["Crazy, hurry up."]

For some reason, I changed into something to wear. Akia invited me several times to go to Prince's birthday, but when she said Selene was with her, I declined, but now that she wants me to go, I'll go.

I'm annoyed with myself because here I am, being weak again when it comes to her.

My eyes immediately caught the woman shining in her seat. Thankfully, I wore glasses, so she couldn't see my eyes nearly melting from looking at her.

I almost panicked when she suddenly stood up and held onto my arm. I barely showed any emotion when she grasped onto me. Even though my insides were boiling because of her touch...

I took off my glasses and greeted my friends.

I pretended to be happy and she couldn't see because if I turned to look at her, I'd lose... I'd be weak again... I don't want to show her that I'm still weak and unable to keep her away from me.

She kept bothering and talking to me, and all I did was answer her bluntly. She even asked why I didn't call her Selene. If only you knew how much I wanted to say your name! If only you knew how much I wanted to kiss you.

"Can you fix your dress? Your cleavage is showing," I said irritably.

I've been seeing a few guests looking at her as if something wanted to push them to talk to her... a woman I'd only want for myself.

"That's style, Bro," Izi explained.

Damn style!

"Yeah, it's style," she said simply.

"Really?" I sarcastically asked.

She didn't answer anymore; instead, she diverted her attention to her cellphone. Does she have a boyfriend? Is that why her eyes are sparkling like that? What about me?

She laughed, and I got even more irritated. She shouldn't be happy! She shouldn't be making anyone else happy except me... only me.

"Stop laughing," I ordered.

She immediately obeyed me. I wanted to grab her phone so her attention would only be on me... but all I could do was stare at her.

"Bro, see you later," Ben reported, showing me his phone screen.

I clenched my fist under the table.

"Khalil's the name, Bro," Sai said.

"Your boyfriend?" Hugo asked.

She didn't answer. Time ran out, she asked if I wanted juice, but I didn't look at her and answered because I was scared... scared that my voice would break and soften with her gentle eyes.

I just watched Selene happily talking to Prince. How I wished one day we'd have a child she'd talk to while wearing a wide smile.

A woman approached me, passing by to make her jealous, and I wasn't wrong because her tone clearly showed disappointment.

"Can you please, don't pretend that you still own me?" No... please pretend, baby... please.

"Bro," my friends intervened.

I wanted to hurt myself because of the words I let out.

I

chuckled. "Because whatever you do, I will not go back to you," I said, running my fingers through my hair.

I wanted to return to you... just not now, I want you to chase me more.

"You're not in a soap opera or what! You think I'll go back to you after you left me for years? I won't go back to you! Stop your nonsense!"

She's crying! I clenched my fist.

"Cyrus, stop it! Don't speak like that! Yoreh's embarrassed," Akia scolded me.

"Find another man who you won't leave," I said firmly. "Because I won't go back to you cause you?" I stared at her. "You're not worth the wait,"

Say you're not... say I'm the only one you want... say I'm the only one till the end.

"Hey, be careful on what you wish for." I looked at the man who spoke.

"Khalil," Selene whispered.

I could hardly breathe; that's the name of the guy she was texting earlier.

He grabbed Selene's arm and slowly stood up. I wanted to stop him from standing up. I wanted to kneel in front of her so she wouldn't leave.

Khalil smirked. "Because maybe the next time we meet," he stopped and kissed her forehead. "At our wedding with Selene," he announced and smiled at Selene.

How dare him! What right does he have to kiss Selene in front of me! What right does he have to call my world the way I called her! And what marriage is he talking about?! They walked away!

I couldn't bring myself to walk towards them to stop them.

I went to the address Samuel gave me after talking to him in chat. Sometimes I also ask him if Selene's okay.

They accompanied me to visit Selene at Khalil's unit, which I found out belongs to another woman.

I brought Selene back to my unit, I cooked adobo for her, and we talked about some things. We got back together, I taught her how to cook.

It feels good to wake up next to her.

To wake up next to the person I've always dreamed of and prayed for, to the angels and to God.

I proposed to her, I chose the Enchanted Kingdom because I found out that's what Selene wanted. After all, her older sister said. I also talked to her friends to witness me kneeling and offering my whole life to their friend. I also talked to her family about it before going to Khalil's unit.

Finally, the woman I love has agreed... the woman I will choose to stay in my life... the woman I will choose even if she leaves me... the woman I will love more than anything... the woman I will devote my time to... the woman I want and will only want.

That girl is she. Yoreh Selene Antares soon to be Lavilla.