Chapter 121 - OVERTHINKING
I lay sprawled on the cold, wide bed with my eyes staring at the ceiling waiting for sleep to come and push me to the magical portals of dreamland. But I'd been in that position for nearly half an hour but I couldn't even feel a tinge of sleepiness.
It was past eight in the evening and I should have been asleep but I found myself restless, twisting and turning on the bed. It must be the near-death experience today which kept me troubled until now.
My mind was tired, my body exhausted. It had been a long day. Yet, I couldn't just fall asleep no matter how hard I tried to. I tried reading a book but I surrendered and put it down since it's not working either.
So I just lie there on the bed, eyes wandering around the ceiling and counting the artificial stars glowing above while hoping soon I would drift into a peaceful slumber.
Silence hung inside the room. I couldn't hear anything aside from the clock's 'tick tock.' When my gaze landed on the space beside me, it was empty. Elisa was on duty. She works as a part time waiter in a restaurant.
I wished Elisa was there so I have someone I could talk to. Unfortunately,
she wouldn't be home until tomorrow morning.
Sighing, I got up and sat on the edge of the bed and looked at the angel on her crib.
Faith Vienne was sound asleep inside her crib. Her exquisite eyelashes draped under her eyes. Her peaceful countenance has a calming effect on me as I watch her.
The smile on my lips unexpectedly faded as a sudden wave of sadness descended on me when the image of a beautiful one year old girl appeared in my thoughts.
"Vien." I murmured weakly then bit my lips to stop my tears.
I missed my daughter so much. If she was alive I'm sure she's as pretty as her younger sister.
"Phoenix?"
The sound of his voice snapped me out of my reverie. He was standing beside the bed. He was wearing a blue t-shirt which was identical to the one I will wear tonight.
"I knocked on the door but you didn't hear me. When I turned the knob and discovered it was unlocked I entered. I hope you don't mind…."
I gave him a gentle smile before I responded, "I don't mind."
The bed moved when he sat beside me. His strong arms draped around my shoulders. "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing," I replied and shook my head.
"You know I don't believe you. We've been together for so long that I would instantly know if you're lying or not."
I sighed deeply. I knew it, I could never lie to him. "I'm thinking about our daughter, Ace. I'm thinking about Vien. I missed her so much." I added and raised my head towards the ceiling to stop my tears.
"I missed her too… It still hurts like hell everytime I think of her." His arms tightened around me and pulled me close as if trying to give me some of his strength.
Life seems almost perfect now that I have Ace and Faith with me. But life would be more perfect if my eldest daughter didn't die that night. If there's someone I should blame for my daughter's death, it would be me. I am responsible for her death?since It am the one who took her out of the house. We could have avoided the accident if I didn't allow my emotion to cloud my reasons.
If only I could turn back the time, I shall sacrifice my life so my daughter could live. A mother's love knows no boundaries, she would sacrifice everything she have for her daughter.
"Ace?"
"Yes?" He looked at me with his eyes filled with tenderness.
"Do you think that Vince and Angela had something to do about the incident this morning?"
His calm expression turned menacingly dark. His eyes slanted at the corner. He looked as if he was trying his best not to show his anger. "Without a doubt, I know that they are trying to kill us… Particularly you, Phoenix."
"I'm scared, Ace…I don't know what they are going to do next.?We lost a child once… I don't want to lose another child in the future."
"Please calm down." His lips pressed on my temples before he took my hand and tightly wrapped it into his own. He looked deep into my eyes and my heartbeat increased. Everytime he looks at me like this I just forget everything and all I could think of is him. "I will never allow them to hurt you again. They would need to kill me?first before I allow them to hurt you." He promised with a determined look on his face.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and savored the warmth of his body.?He would protect me. Those words made my heart swell with pride and tenderness.
I hope I could protect him too from those people who wanted to hurt him. Ace had suffered enough and I don't want him to experience further pain. He wasn't a bad man—just an imperfect person with an abusive family. I don't want him to get hurt while trying to protect me.
"I love you, Ace… Please don't forget that I love you so much."
He cupped my cheeks and smiled at me. "I love you more." He replied and brushed his warm lips into mine.
When the kiss was?over, he let me go, and prepared to leave but I stopped him in time before he could get up from the bed.
"Please stay…. I don't want to be alone tonight." I pleaded.
"I'm not leaving." He replied reassuringly and I let him go.
He picked Faith Vienne from the crib and transferred her on top of the bed. We lie next to each other with our daughter in the middle.
He took my fingers and held it tightly.
My eyelids grew heavier, and I yawned several times. It felt so good having the people I love most sleep next to me. Without me knowing, I drifted to a sweet slumber.
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