Chapter 6 : You look like you needed to breath

''Hahaha… what a show you put on there. I saw your live broadcast this morning and I knew you weren’t about to be backed into a corner. I just knew I had to come see you at work,'' Mr. Leo said, followed by a clap.

"I had to," Mr. Mondragon said, leaning back in his chair. "There’s no way I would sit there and let someone else take my fame in this business world."

"It’s Mondragon or nobody," Mr. Leo said as he downed his whiskey.

Mr. Mondragon nodded. Just then, the door opened and a man walked in holding a folder.

"Sir, here’s the list of all the businessmen who’ll be here for the board meeting of the year," the man said as he handed it over.

Mondragon took the file, flipped through it briefly, then gestured for the man to leave.

"I’m going to use this to make the news forget about the gala," he said with a smirk. "Once I bring eighteen of the world’s most powerful businessmen to this country under my name… It’s going to shift everything in my favour. The press will have no choice but to focus on it. They’re going to talk about it all year long."

Mr. Leo chuckled, swirling his glass. "Hahaha... that’s a bold move… even the president can’t pull this off."

….……………………

"We’re here," Rafeal said, glancing at Thersa, who looked distant, lost in thought.

Without waiting, he stepped out of the car and hurried to her side. Her hands rested motionless on her lap, her gaze unfocused.

Rafeal opened the door, leaning down slightly. "Thersa."

Slowly, she looked up at him. Her eyes held a storm of emotions…hesitation, exhaustion, something he couldn’t quite place.

He extended his hand toward her. "Come."

She hesitated as her fingers twitched slightly before she finally placed her hand in his. His grip was firm yet gentle, grounding her as he helped her out of the car.

A cool breeze brushed past them as he led her forward. The place was quiet, open, and peaceful. From where they stood, the view stretched far with rolling hills and  a distant town.

Thersa clutched her bag tighter. “Why did you bring me here?”

Rafeal looked at her.. “Because you looked like you needed to breathe.” he said with a low voice…

Then, without warning, he took a few steps ahead, climbed onto a little mound, and stretched his arms wide.

"Aaaahhh!!" he shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing into the distance.

Theresa stared at him, puzzled but intrigued. He turned back to her, a playful smile on his lips.

"Try it," he said, jumping down and walking back to her. "You’ll feel better."

She hesitated. "I don’t know..."

"Just let it all out," he encouraged, taking her hand and guiding her up.

Thersa stood there, unsure at first, but something about the moment made her trust him. She took a deep breath, stretched her arms open, and slowly closed her eyes. The cool breeze rushed through her hair, and then…….

"Ahhh!" she shouted, her voice breaking free.

She did it again, louder this time. Her chest rose and fell, her veins tensed, and for the first time in a long while, she felt... lighter.

Rafeal watched her, a small smile playing on his lips. "See?" he said softly.

Thersa let out one final breath as she felt released

Thersa smiled as he held her down....Rafeal turned her gaze to something

Here, come," Rafeal said and took her hand again. Thersa glanced at how firmly he held her fingers.

"Look over there," he said as he pointed out to something.

"I can’t see it," Thersa murmured even using her hand as a shield

Without hesitation, he moved behind her, gently guiding her. His hands rested lightly on her arms as he helped her focus.

Look at the far end where the road hits up...look up look up he said

Thersa blinked, yes yes he said then smiled. "It’s... really stunning," she whispered.

For a moment, she realised how comfortable she had become. The warmth of his presence felt natural. A little startled by the thought, she took a small step away.

Rafeal didn’t even notice his attention was still on showing her the view.

She swallowed hard and pulled away...It is, she said

Rafeal turned to her with a heavy smile resting on his face. "I hope you feel a little better," he asked, his voice gentle as he leaned in slightly, looking into her eyes.

Thersa’s breath hitched for a second before she quickly glanced away, her gaze darting somewhere.

"I have to go," she muttered and turned abruptly. Without another word, she walked away from his gaze and headed straight toward the car.

Rafael watched her go as he still held on to the smile.

….……………..

Thersa walked into the house slowly.

"You are here..." a woman said immediately as Thersa entered the house.

"Mom..." Thersa said as she rushed toward the woman. "Mom," she repeated as she tried to greet her again..

The woman stretched out her hand to stop her.

"Where have you been?" she demanded with a sharp voice.

"I... I…" Thersa started, but the woman immediately cut her off.

"Oh, you stammer too," she scoffed. "What else do you do apart from staying at home, dressing in luxury, and living off my son?"

Thersa felt a sting from the words but masked her emotions as she lowered her head slightly.

"Have you gotten something to eat?" she asked softly.

The woman side-eyed her and scoffed. "How do I eat when the madam of the house isn’t here?"

"Mother, my sweet mother..."

Thersa barely had time to react before the woman pushed past her and made her way toward Mr. Mondragon who had also just enetered..

My most hardworking son," the woman praised

Mr. Mondragon chuckled as they embraced, and she gently placed a kiss on both his cheeks.

"Doing all the work for someone else to enjoy," she added as she cast a brief glance at Thersa up and down.

She then turned back to her son, patting his suit as if smoothing out invisible wrinkles..

"Not even a single glass of water was served to me since I arrived," the woman complained as she crossed her arms.

"How is that possible?" Mr. Mondragon frowned, turning to Thersa.

His mother sighed dramatically and shook her head. "I came to an empty house, with only maids and guards everywhere. Your wife was nowhere to be found when I arrived… She must have been at the office too, I suppose." She said with sarcasm.

Mr. Mondragon exhaled sharply and turned to Thersa "Is that true? You weren’t here to welcome my mother?"

Thersa, who had been silently enduring the conversation, clenched her fingers slightly"I didn’t know she was coming today. No one informed me."

His mother scoffed. "Excuses. A real wife would know when to expect her husband's family." She gave her son a knowing look.

Mr. Mondragon’s jaw tightened. "You should have at least ensured my mother was taken care of, Thersa." he said

Thersa felt a sting in her chest, but she refused to let it show. "I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again," she said softly and lowered her gaze.

His mother smirked in satisfaction, brushing imaginary dust off her sleeve. "Good. At least you’re learning something."

The woman placed a hand on her stomach. "I am starving. Imagine travelling all the way here, only to be left hungry in my own son's house!"

Mr. Mondragon’s brows furrowed as he turned to Thersa. "You heard my mom." he said...

"I'll have something prepared right away," she said calmly and  turned toward the kitchen.

But his mother scoffed. "Oh? Now you're in a hurry? No need. I've already lost my appetite." She shot Thersa a look before sinking onto the couch and crossed her legs. "I just hope my son isn’t being neglected like this every day."

Thersa bit her lip and not say anything..

….………………….

Rafael sat in his car seat, his fingers lightly tapping the steering wheel as his gaze drifted to the empty seat beside him. A small smile played on his lips as a memory flashed through his mind.

"Thank you for the flowers, but I can’t keep them," Thersa had said, her hands trembling slightly as she placed them down on the seat before getting out of the car.

"Thank you... Thank you," she had muttered awkwardly, avoiding his gaze before hurrying away.

Rafael chuckled to himself, shaking his head. "Very funny," he murmured, still smiling.