Lucas won’t be happy once he finds out that I left the city and went home. Not go home literally and stay there but I want to talk to settle things with my Dad. I cannot let a day pass anymore with this conscience killing all the time. I have to do something to solve this problem before everything gets worst. There is no way I will let another one be involved in here.

I got on the earliest train ride then hop in a bus to reach the city. It was a six hours long to get there and I am not even sure if my Dad is home. He is probably at a meeting or anywhere like he always does but Mom might be there. But I know how useless it is to talk to her without Dad so it would be nonsense. But I won’t go back until I make things clear with my parents and fix the problem. Let us just pray that I will come up with a good explanation to Lucas once he finds out about this.

Arriving at our hotel, I am sure most of the employees who still recognizes or know are in shock to finally see me. I wasted no time marching inside and have the stares wonder before I greet my most favourite guy in the hotel. Still, he looks the same as always.

“Bill.” I went to greet him near the lobby.

The surprise in his eyes were evident but replaced it immediately with a wide and happy grin. “My dear, I’m so glad that you finally came home.” He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me on the cheek. His eyes wrinkle as he smiles. “It’s been three years, I hope that you are doing well.”

“Always well, Bill. Getting married is one of the best thing that happens in my life.” I answered, chuckling and probably my smile obviously gives him the hint of my happiness.

Bill gently squeezes my hand and nodded. “Lucas is a good man. I saw his determination when he told me how much he loves you. I never doubted that man so I’m not scared even a bit when you two ran away together. You’re in good hands.”

How sweet.

Why didn’t Bill became my father? He is very understanding and he never looks down on people because he respects all of us equally. I know how happy he is when he finds out that Lucas and I are dating in secret. Actually, he is the only one who knew that I am dating one of the hotel’s staff to the point that, he covered up for us once time to save me from my Dad. Guess, he is the only one who approves our love and I am always grateful for him. It is just too sad that he never gained my Dad’s trust again after what he has done. I’m happy that he didn’t fire Bill because he was a huge help in this hotel. Without him, it might be hard to pick up the things how he build this hotel.

“Fighting your Father must be really hard, huh?” Bill’s eyes soften with worry. “What you and Lucas had must be really strong.”

“Yes, the risks are worth it.” I honesty stated and smiled with pride.

“Ms. Berkeley?” One man in uniform called. That’s my cue, Dad is here and he knows that I’m coming for him.

I sigh and faced the man with my eyes narrowed as I correct him. “It’s Mrs. Saaverdra, lad.” Then I turn to Bill before walking passed the man and head to my Dad’s office.

“Mr. Berkeley is in his office. He is waiting for you.”

There is no need to tell me to wait outside because I am the daughter here. There is no way I will wait and let them tell me what I should do here. The private elevator opens for me and the man pressed my Dad’s floor.

When we reached it, my eyebrows touched seeing a familiar face in the hallway towards the office. Sitting there casually is my older brother, Nate. The one that started all of my misery and all the things why it became darker in this family.

He was sitting on a couch, reading whatever the book is, and he raised his head once he heard the elevator dings. When I popped out, he seems like he had seen a ghost. Well, I am shock too.

Nate is actually five years older than me and he is the real reason why my Dad is always been so pushy and controlling in my life…because the man who will be the real heir of this hotel runs away. Yep, and that is him.

Before I studied Fine Arts in Paris, Nate is already training beside my Dad. They have been working on the hotel and he was already trained to be the real heir of everything. He became pressured and felt so chocked up with the responsibility causing him to chicken out and run. I was too young to understand all of it but it turns out that my brother wasn’t really afraid about the responsibility.

It turns out that he was gay and my Dad hates it.

Dad didn’t approve that his one and only son is gay and who is having an affair with his friend. Nate is dating Dad’s business partner, who is actually twice my brother’s age. Surprising and it is a fact, that my life is ruined like this and became this difficult because of him. He runs away, stealing all the money that was protected for him. The money that he can use to start once he became the new CEO of the hotel. But, life is always been messy as fuck. Now, what could be the reason why he came back? Or he already came back while I was the one who is gone?

Nate stood up and approaches where I stand frozen. In this situation, I took my time to check him up and see how much he differs from before. Well, he looked more mature and…he grew some facial hairs. His body became bulkier and bigger, probably from the gym. He didn’t change anything else and he is still handsome though. He is not like the other gays who dressed femininely thought so it is hard to tell that he is gay just based on how he looks.

“Hey, lil’ sis.” He seems to be hesitating to hug me or not but I remained standing and unmoved.

I am angry at him.

Angry that he left without saying anything and leaving me with all of these suffering. He is the one who should be marrying the person that my parents want, he should be the one who is taking care and upholding the responsibility. Because of him, all of them were transferred to me and I didn’t know how to stood up to my Dad without help. He should be the one who must help me change my Dad’s view and somehow speak to him and tell him that we have dreams too.

Now, I have to suffer them.

Without anything else in mind, I slapped him. Yep, I did it. This floor is private and families were only allowed here so no one saw it, aside from my Dad’s men.

Nate knew that was coming so he smiled sadly and gave me a soft look, matching my glare. “I deserved that. I’m sorry, Talia. I know it’s my fault and you have been suffering because of my stupidness. I am really sorry.”

My chest is filled with heavy breaths as I look at him. I know he badly wants to apologize but I just want to express my anger for leaving us like that.

“You promised me that I will never suffer from Dad, Nate. You promised me that you will protect me from his wrath. You just gave me in.” I grunted, trying to remain my composure. “But look at mw now, I also run away because you promised that you will never let Dad also interfere with my life. All of those, Nate…I trusted you. I trusted you that you will stand for me.”

Nate couldn’t look at me in the eyes. “Yes, Talia. I know I hurt you and broke your trust but that’s why I came back. I want to straighten things up and fulfil my promise to you. But, I was too late. Dad has gotten more horrible and I am all to blame for running away. I was selfish and I am sorry.”

I rolled my eyes and fight my tears back. “Well, you’re right. It’s too late now.” I shake my head. “Since when did you came back?”

“A couple of weeks ago?” He murmured, scratching the back of his head. “I felt so guilty and it took me over 4 years to prepare myself to go home. You don’t have to worry now, Talia. I will take my responsibility and still continue my promise to you. You and your husband will finally be at peace.”

My chest tighten as I hear that softness but determined voice. He always does to me everytime I am afraid. He will always assure and promise me that he will do his job as my older brother. I remember that he promised me that I will never feel my Dad’s harshness but…he failed. I suffered enough. But then, he will always be my older brother and that moved my body on its own to hug him. I need to his secure arms around me.

“I missed you…even though I hate you.” I buried my face in his chest as it vibrates because he chuckled.

“I missed you too, squirt.” He smiles to me and pinched my nose. “I will make it up to you. From now, I will always be on your side and protect you from Dad, okay?”

I nodded and started to approach Dad’s office. It’s showtime. I am still shock because of my brother’s sudden appearance but I can deal with it. Right now, everything must be settled.

The door opens and I saw my Dad sitting on his desk, God knows what those papers he is signing but I don’t care. He smiled seeing me and stood up to reach for me but I stopped him right there.

“Natalia, I’m glad you came home.” Dad placed his hands inside his pocket. “Finally made up your mind to leave that rat?” He leans his lower back on his office desk while crossing his arms. He is in his businessman aura right now so he is very cool and serious.

Nate came behind me and listen to the conversation. “Cut the bullshit, Dad. You, attacking Lucas and our friend has pushed me to my limit. Thus has to stop.”

Dad laughed and shook his head. “No, I won’t. You see, Talia…that man will never do anything good to you.”

I rolled my eyes and scoffed. “He always been good to me, Dad! Why can’t you see it! I am at my happiest when I’m with him and why just leave us be? I am sick of this.”

“I won’t repeat myself, Talia. Your husband is worse than any garbage in this world and you are still blind to see it how smelly he is.” Dad grunted and reached something in his drawer and dropped it on the coffee desk near me. It is a white folder with pictures in it. “Explain to me how I should accept that guy to be your husband?”

I picked up the folder and checked what the pictures are.

I was more than shock to see it. As if life was sucked out of me but I didn’t want to show it. No, I can’t show it how much this pictures stabbed me in the guts.

Pictures of Lucas and Silvia…smiling, kissing and hugging.

Not in a friendly way, but passionately. My knees weaken as I sit on the couch while flipping through the photos. All of these are obviously true and I can’t tell how much it pains me. He is the only reason why I am still holding on to but with this, he just made a proof that he cannot be trusted by my Dad. It creates even more chaos because of this.

“This is why I am pushing your husband to the limit. Just a little punishment and he is already serving someone else.” Dad spat, his face creating an unpleasant look. “Now, what else can you about that trash? Still going to cover up for him?”

“Wait, you married this man?” Nate come up behind me and took the pictures from me. “Who is this man, anyway?”

I harshly take back the pictures from his hand. “Step out of this, Nate.” I snap and faced my Dad again. “Where did you get this pictures?”

“I am aware that you already know that I have you two being followed and guarded. Turns out that your husband is always leaving your side so I had him followed to his work. It turns out that he is a slave of that Wellsburg.” Dad went to pick up his mug and drinks his coffee before speaking to me again. “I warned you about him, Talia. A man like him can be easily tempted when there is an opportunity opened for him.”

I am still all confused and my chest is heavy with hurt. Pictures doesn’t lie and it’s been very obvious here that they are kissing and more than just a kiss. There is something deeper in it and it is terrifying me more. How can he do this to me?! I trusted him with all of my heart and being betrayed like this hurts more than I ever knew.

Why is he really with Silvia, in the first place?

“He loves me.” I muttered, now my tears are pouring down like falls. “I know he loves me.”

Nate came down to sit next to me and carefully place a hand on my back, soothing me and trying to comfort me.

“I told you many times, Natalia. Love isn’t going to save you in this cruel world.” Dad’s eyes finally soften as the walls he is trying to build up, breaks down as he looks down to me. “All I wanted is to protect you two but you choose to pick the side where you two are going to be hurt.”

“It’s too late for that now.” I muttered and let out a deep sigh, as I use the back of my hand to wipe tears. “I must talk to him, talk him out of this.” I’m pregnant with his child. Does he deserves to know about it?

“It kept you three years to realize you made your biggest mistake. You could have chosen Philip.”

“Dad, please…just for now. Don’t talk about other guys and let me be miserable? Yes, you proved your point and you are finally happy now that you are right once again?” I snapped as I stand up from the couch. “But that man is the only one who gave me the life that I dreamed for and I never regretted even a second that I’m with him.”

Dad was unable to reply back once he saw me breaking here. He removes his eyes from me and turn to face the huge window instead. “You must be tired from your journey all the way here. I had your room cleaned so you should rest.”

Nate quickly approaches me and I want to talk to Dad more but he clutched his chest once again and leaned on his desk for support.

“Oh shit Dad, you alright?” Nate quickly marches to him and helped him sit on the nearby chair. I wasn’t sure if I should help him or not but I just stood there watching them.

“I’m fine.” Dad muttered, someone in a maid uniform came rushing in and handed them some medicine. “Leave me alone.” He spat with power in his voice.

Nate quickly obliges and drag me out of the office as we closed the doors shut.

“Wait, what happened there?” I asked, my forehead furrowed in confusion. “Is Dad sick or something?”

Nate looked at me and sigh before speaking again. “You don’t have to listen to every word Dad will say. I’m here now and I’m going to take the responsibility that should be mine. You don’t have to hide anymore, Talia. You will no longer be pressured to do what he wants.”

“But Nate, Dad can be right this time? What if Lucas is really cheating on me with Silvia?” I muttered and rubbing my face with both of my palms. This is so irritating.

Coming here made my life more complicated.

“Just think of this through. You no longer have to hide, that’s all you must know.” Nate told me before we start heading upstairs to the penthouse. I just can’t leave Lucas like this, I must wait for him to come back and talk to him. Try and get the truth out of him.

Jesus, too many things to swallow at this early in the morning. Bet the days ahead will be more difficult to understand.

To be continued…