Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2: I LOVE YOU FROM EX-HUSBAND

I looked at the therapist that Alejandro brought out of Nexus' room. The outcome of the session on Nexus’ learning abilities was not good because he did not cooperate. I returned to Nexus, who had been staring at me since earlier. I sat on his bed and handed him the flashcards I had used earlier.

“Do you know what this is?” I showed him a flashcard with the letter 'B' written on it.

He didn't answer me, instead, just stared at me with those blue eyes.

“This is letter B.” I took another flashcard. “And this is A.”

Nexus nodded, understanding what I had said.

“What is this?” I asked again.

“E-Ey,” he said, trying to imitate the sound.

“How about this one?”

“B-B.”

I slightly furrowed my brows. “You know it already, right? Why didn't you answer when you were asked earlier?”

Nexus looked like a child as he shrugged.

I took another flashcard and showed it to him again. “This? Do you know it?”

When Nexus nodded, I firmly bit my lips. He knew yet he kept his mouth shut and put his eyes on me.

“Next time, you need to answer what the therapist is asking. You can't always be like this. How are you going to get better? You want to get better, right?” I sounded like a mother scolding her child.

"I-I want,” he paused and looked at me like a scolded kid, “you, to teach me."

Annoyed, I glared at him.

 The man I am looking at now was far from the mighty Nexus Almeradez I once knew. His face was pale, his lips were colorless, and his hair was long and messy. He was far from my ex-husband who was ruthless in business, powerful, and feared.

In the following moments, I am forced to teach Nexus. The sooner he gets better, the sooner I can return to my old life. When Nexus fell asleep after taking his medicine, I stood up and left the room.

It had been three days since I went to Manila. All I did was stay by his side. It was suffocating for me but I couldn't do anything because this was a job.  A mission that I needed to stand and survive or I would die if I let my anger explode.

"Amara," Alejandro called me when he met me in the elevator.

I gave him a cold glance and followed him to the hospital cafeteria. I knew that we needed to talk about how Nexus’ life would be once he was discharged from the hospital.

If there was anyone in this place who truly cared, it was Alejandro. And I didn't like that I was suddenly angry when Hordan and Leticia left before Nexus's therapy even started.

"It's nice to see you again," the man began. "How are you?"

"Doing fine until Leticia shows up again."

"I'm sorry if you need to endure this."

"It's money. I need it."

Alejandro has always treated me well and I considered him a friend. But when I and Nexus separated, I chose to cut off communication with him as well.

"I know you. You don't need to do that."

I shrugged. "Believe what you want to believe."

He looked at me for a few seconds before speaking again. It seemed like he had something to say, but he chose to stay quiet.

We talked about his brother’s return to Hacienda Constancia once he’s discharged from the hospital. Because he believed that we were still married, I also needed to live in his mansion at the Hacienda.

I used to live there. I was familiar with the Hacienda, but I didn't know if I could stay in a place where we had both happy and painful memories together.

I would stay by Nexus' side ‘til he regained his memory and that's when I would get the full payment for my services.

After I spoke with Alejandro, I went back to Meimei's condo. I received a call from my secretary, Anjeanette, who set an appointment with the architect and engineer for the upcoming Casa’s construction.

My business was expanding.

I left Manila without telling Nexus and Alejandro understood that I didn't want to talk to him and let me leave without showing myself to my ex-husband. 

I was busy for almost a month. I had many meetings because of the expansion. Some investors showed interest in a partnership. 

I looked at my phone when it suddenly rang. I put down the sign pen I was holding when I saw Anjeanette wasn't at her table. 

I pick it up

"This is Casa Amara, the office of the CEO. How may I assist you?"

"H-Hi," a familiar voice spoke on the other line. "T-To Amara Stephanie Almeradez, please."

I stopped breathing for a while when my whole name was mentioned by Nexus in the next line. I put the phone down and took a deep breath. 

I hesitated for a while before bringing it back to my mouth.

"T-This is Amara Stephanie...A-Almeradez," stuttering and struggling to put that surname to my name. 

"S-Steph. Miss you..." Compared to when I left, he spoke better now. Still stuttering but able to clearly articulate the words.

"Hey," I said, ignoring what he said about missing me.

"W-When are you coming back here? Y-You didn't tell me..."

"I don't know. I'm busy," I tried my very best to sound interested in what he was saying.

I almost put up with hearing his voice for an hour. If he hadn't been suspicious, I would probably have hung up on him. 

Even though he was having a hard time and was a bit stuttering, he was still able to tell me what he did while I was gone. He even bragged to me that he was following what the therapist was teaching him because that's what I wanted.

I rolled my eyes at that thought.  He made me his reason again like a freaking shield.

"I need to go. I have a meeting," I said.

"O-Okay. B-Bye."

"Yeah."

"S-Steph," his voice was soft as he called my name just as I was about to hang up.

I sighed quietly. "Hmm..."

"I-I... love y-you."

My heart beats faster than usual. Without my damn permission!

Furious. I dropped the phone. 

I was greeted with tears by Miss Yeye—the head servant—when I got out of my older sister’s car. 

She and her husband dropped me off at the entrance of the hacienda where a pick-up was waiting for me.

"Amara, my dear. I've missed you so much," the mansion's head servant cried and hugged me tightly.

 I stroked the old woman's back and restrained myself from crying too. It's been two years since I last saw her, the one who took care of me and was my ally when I was still living in the mansion of Hacienda Constancia.

The old woman let go of me but didn't move away, instead, she caressed my cheeks.  

"You've become more beautiful, my dear." She kissed me on both cheeks like a mother who had been away from her child for a long time.

Mr. Ambo, the husband of Miss Yeye, took my belongings from Sebastian's car. My sister and her husband were just staring at me while I helped Mr. Ambo.

"Thank you for the ride, Neshara," I said to my sister who was now standing in front of the car.

"No problem," she held my hands and squeezed it. "Will you be okay here? Are you sure about your decision? You can back out of your deal with Leticia. Sebastian can lend you money."

"I will be fine," my voice was steady

My sister sighed and squeezed my hands again. She hugged and kissed me on the head like she used to when we were still kids.

A few moments later, they also bid farewell to me after being instructed that I should visit them from time to time.

"Come on, Amara.” As always, the old woman was kind and loved to talk. As the car started to enter the Almeradez’s property, she began telling me about what happened at the Hacienda since I left.

The Hacienda looks wider than before. The color of the large gate at the front of the property, where an arch bearing the name of the hacienda is located, is different now. Trees still line both sides of the driveway, but there are now benches there. There are also some moderately sized mango trees on the left side of the driveway. 

Those weren't there when I left.

A few moments later, I saw the mansion standing in the middle of the vast property. Like before, it was still white in color. It stands tall like a castle in the middle of the kingdom.

In front of it were flower beds that connect to the left side of the mansion which has a large garden.

Three servants immediately approached us when the car stopped in front of the front door of the mansion.

"Put your luggage in the Master's bedroom," ordered Miss Yeye

"In the guest room, in front of the master's bedroom."

"But, Stephanie, isn't it –"

"I'll take care of it," I said as she was about to mention Nexus’ concern that we were married.

The old woman nodded and allowed the two servants to bring in my luggage. 

"I've already told the workers—maids and farm workers—about the situation. No one will mention to Nexus that you two are not married anymore.”

"Thank you." She invited me to enter the mansion.

I hesitated to put my feet on the clean floor of the house. I was suddenly engulfed by sadness and memories of yesterday seemed to flood my system.

I took a step inside. Another step followed until I realized that I was staring at the big picture of me and Nexus that was hanging in the living room. I had a happy smile in the picture, while Nexus, even though he had just a slight raise of his lips, still had happiness in his eyes.

My fist clenched; I had the sudden urge to punch that picture.

I faced the housekeeper and pointed to the wedding picture. "I don't think that picture needs to be displayed anymore."

"O-Okay. I'll have it removed," It was the only response of Miss Yeye when she saw the barely hidden irritation on my face. She called a servant.

I didn't look back at the wedding picture as it was removed by the two maids.