Chapter 23 Twenty-Two

• Rafael tapped the space beside him and she knew what he wanted. She moved and was about to sit down beside him when Rafael pushed her lightly on the bed which surprised her. Then he lay down beside her. His arms on her hips and his face was on her neck. She felt its hot breath on her neck causing her body hairs to rise and her heartbeat to speed up again.
• "My mom...She died five years ago." The word shock is an understatement of Michelle's reaction. She tried to move to look at him but Rafael's arms tightened on her waist. He also further buried his face on her neck. "She committed suicide after she found out that my dad is cheating on her and that he has a child on another woman." She sighed at its revelation. "My mom loved and adored my father so much. Ever since they got married, she poured all her attention on me and Dad." He could feel the resentment in Rafael's voice and she couldn't help but be hurt for him too. "She has been so loyal to dad. She did everything. She took care of me and Dad so he wouldn't have to look for anyone else but then, Mom still wasn't enough for him. He had an affair with our maid and he got the maid pregnant. When Mom found out, she got so depressed. She could not accept that dad cheated on her and left to go with his lover. Until she ended her life and left me." Rafael's voice cracked upon saying those last words then she felt it. His tears. She wasn't expecting him to open up to her but he did. And now, he is showing his weakness to her and that means so much to her. "When my mom died, it was only then that I found out that our company was slowly sinking. Dad neglected it because he was so obsessed with his mistress and his new family. That's why I did everything to save the company."
• From lying down, Michelle leaned over so that she and Rafael could face each other then she hugged him so tight.