" Mom, please don't conclude yet. I'm not ready for relationship", Annabella said,
" Annabella, when are you going to forget about your past experience and move on. You are 28 you ain't getting any younger"
" Being single all these years has helped me a lot, it saved me from being abused and it saved me from being controlled. Each time I tried to forget about the past, it kept coming back to me I'm trying to heal Mom, it really hurts I'm afraid of commitment", Annabella cried,
" I understand the pains you went through, I witnessed everything, but if you keep allowing the past to weigh you down, you might lose your chances of being happy. Not all men are like your ex", her mom said,
" Mom, I'm just afraid…. I'm still fragile when it comes to commitment I'm still trying to heal from my past trauma"
" You want to heal but you ain't making any attempt, you are still a caterpillar who refuses to transform into a butterfly. Annabella you need to open your heart again the moment you give love another chance that's how your healing will begin", her mom advised,
" Annabella, do you remember your 18th birthday? You once said Father you will walk me down the aisle", Tony reminded, as he walked into the room,
" Father, I remember… I was just being naive then. Love caused me pain. I almost lost my life. I thought love was a beautiful thing till I met him. He wrecked me, abused me, and broke me", Annabella cried and buried her face in her hands,
Annabella broke down in tears, her sobs spilling out uncontrollably. Her parents rushed to her side, wrapping her in their arms. They spoke softly, stroked her hair, and held her close until her crying eased, reassuring her that she wasn't alone.
" You aren't alone, your mom and I will always be here for you. We will help you heal and I promise you everything will be fine my sweet daughter", her father consoled her,
" Thank you, Dad, thank you Mom…you both are the best parents ever", Annabella emotionally complimented,
" We love you so much", both parents said.
Miguel arrived home but didn't get out of his car right away. He was sitting in his car, he stayed lost in thought, replaying moments with Annabella and wrestling with the feelings she stirred in him.
" Her eyes, her smile, her lips…oh my goodness she's as gorgeous as a queen, I never imagined I would find a damsel at the pub crawl bar. I only got your name. Next time, I will get your number. I will be patient till you are comfortable with me." Miguel sits quietly, his surroundings fading into the background as his mind drifts to Annabella. Every detail of her lingers…her smile, the sound of her voice, the way she carried herself. He replays moments with her, torn between longing and uncertainty, unable to shake her presence from his thoughts. The world feels distant, but she feels near, as if she's the only thing anchoring him in that moment.
" Miguel!.. Miguel!!.. Miguel!!!"Richard called his son Miguel who was lost in his thoughts, sitting in the car, when his father suddenly knocked on the window, snapping him back to the moment.
" Miguel, get inside we need to talk", his father commanded,
" I thought you were supposed to be with your wife. Why are you here?", Miguel asked, as he came out of the car,
" Mom, can you please explain to me what this man is doing here?", Miguel furiously asked, as he entered the mansion,
"Son, please calm down", Georgina said to her son who was upset,
" Miguel, I understand you are upset with me but I'm here to ask you to come spend 2 weeks with me at my place so we will get to understand each other as father and son", Richard requested,
" Hahahaha…did you just say as father and son?, I don't remember having a father I only have a mother named Miss Georgina Rodriguez", Miguel said,
" When are you going to ever forgive me?"
" Forgive you?... Let me think, hmmm… I don't think I will ever forgive you, Mr Richard Leeds"
" Miguel, he's still your father please calm down", his Mom said,
" Spare me that bullshit, Mom, a father who never watched his son grow up, a father who doesn't know anything about his son, a father who abandoned you and me when we needed him the most for another woman's happiness. I will never consider him my father", Miguel retorted,
" I know I was unfair to both of you but please forgive me. Miguel, it hurts me you don't consider me your father please forgive me", Richard pleaded,
" Miguel, please listen to your father. He has been apologizing for years now, no matter what he's still your father I know he hurt both of us but you should consider the fact he's still your father", his mom heartily said,
" Mom, I will be upstairs. I'm tired and I need to rest, it's almost 2am. By the way Mr Richard you aren't welcome here, your presence ain't needed in this place.. what you did to my mom and me is unforgivable, my mom might have forgiven you but I won't be so stupid to forgive you ...Goodnight Mom", Miguel said, and went upstairs leaving his mom and dad alone in the living room,
"Georgina, just drop the act, I know deep down you are so happy that my son keeps treating me this way", Richard said to Georgina, who cleaned up her crocodile tears.