Chapter 13: Leaving Bacolod City

Raymond was released, and I hugged him as the man pointed the gun at us. There are three of them; a driver, the man in the front seat, and a man with a gun in the back. I noticed that we were heading out of the city. After traveling a few kilometers at full speed, the car stopped. The man told us to calm down, got out of the car, pushed us inside the house, and sat us down at the dining table facing each other. Two more men appeared to guard us.

Governor Montenegro appeared that I immediately realized the whole incident, he was the perpetrator of what happened in the chapel."You know Veronica; I offered you the best chance I could give you... because my son loves you so much. But, you're embarrassing!" A fist pointed at me at the same time. The Governor slowly walked towards Raymond and suddenly grabbed, "man I'm sure you know about Veronica? That we have an agreement? That she wants to marry Daniel and not you!"Raymond was looking at me with an evil face. The governor turned to me with fire in his eyes.

"But you ruined it Veronica by marrying this guy! That, that you want to make me look like a fool to you? Huh, Veronica Villamor ? You can't fool me!"

The governor left the place instructing his men to watch us carefully. Two men took us to a room and locked the door. I can feel the fatigue in Raymond's body but he doesn't move against me."You need to rest. Come I'll put you to bed," Raymond said as he picked me up."What about me Veronica! You lied to me!" Suddenly he screamed at me in despair."My heart does not lie to you, I love you, not Daniel, please believe me?"

"The word of the Governor still remains in my heart Veronica, but I love you."

"Do you want to take a shower with me?" I asked Raymond as I kissed his lips. We took off our clothes, opened the door directly, and enjoyed the refreshing cold water on our bodies, toweled to dry, and found some clothes in the closet to wear. I could smell Daniel's perfume.

It was almost two o'clock in the morning when I examined the wall of the room which hung at a great distance from me, and near the window. Raymond was wide awake and couldn't sleep, just staring at the ceiling."Are you hungry? I'll find it in the fridge." I got up from the bed, and jumped to the floor, but I noticed the doorknob moving. I quickly went to the back door and slowly looked at it. I threw one of my slippers at Raymond who immediately sat down and looked at me. I motioned for him to be quiet. He slowly got off the bed and walked toward me. The door slowly opens but we hide from behind. I smelled a perfume that I used to smell but couldn't remember.

Emily's face fell and I grabbed her towards us, "What are you doing here? Where are the guards?" I immediately asked Emily in a low voice.

"Hurry up Veronica, Raymond hurry up, we're leaving ...right now." I took Raymond's hand, followed Emily into the kitchen and we were out of the dark surroundings. We hurriedly walked holding Emily's back who was using a small flashlight to guide us. I could see the lights in the distance from where we entered, the guard house at the main gate.

"Emily, where are we going?" I whispered to Emily.

"Just follow me, okay friend? Trust me." I nodded to myself, only to myself. We walked for a few more minutes just following Emily. I saw a small light from far away.

"Emily, there's a light over there. Look!"

"Shut up friend, he's with me. Quick!" Emily ordered me, "Raymond, how are you?"

"I'm fine Emily. Thanks, friend," Raymond replied.

"Now, we're close, hurry up Veronica Jones Villamor."

"You crazy bitch Emily! Don't call me Veronica Jones, just Veronica my friend!"

"Just kidding my friend ... my Queen ...," Emily replied with a smile.

We got into the car and sped away from the farm. The morning sunlight reflected the backdrop of the city, as people began to work for a new day. City life contradicted people's thoughts and dreams. It literally melted the most valuable treasures of the creatures, labored every day to complete their cherished dreams.

The force of the wave's impact on the pier's column shook the bottom of the giant iron structure of the Sto. Nino Port. A passenger ship M / V Don Julio floated ashore anchored nearby, dock workers loading passenger luggage and some passengers began to board. We went to the port canteen to stay while waiting for our scheduled onboarding."Emily, thank you, friend, you are an angel to me, always."

"Sit down, my Queen, eat, okay? We still have enough time to say goodbye to you and Raymond."

"How do you two know...."

"My friend, I will tell you. When you called me to buy two tickets, I felt you were afraid ... exactly two tickets ... You left the boarding house without a word for me. You remember, the conversation , I know you don't ... " Emily stopped suddenly.

"Emily why?" I will ask."Ohhhhh, and then, I called Joel to accompany me to the bus terminal to surprise you two, but, we saw what happened. You know, we rented a car... I mean, it was part of our plan to follow you in the farm because I know you are in danger. So, Joel and I strategized how to get inside the farm. We watched the guards and waited for an opportune time to fight them ... one by one."

"Emily, Joel, you're not afraid that the Governor will find out that you're helping us?"

"Not my friend, my life is gone now, you are leaving me."

"Owwww, come on, I won't forget you. You can come to Manila anytime my friend. You see, I will send a letter every week, just for you ... and Joel too."

Silence followed the four of us; silence is maintained as a way of letting our feelings flow within our souls. That's life and we have to deal with it. "You have done so much for me Emily and for Raymond too. I know we will meet one day. I promise you my friend, I will get you here in Bacolod."

Emily hugged me tightly, crying silently, let go of her palm attached to mine, and whispered in my ear, "Goodbye my friend, I'll miss you."

She quietly handed me the daily news bulletin, looking into my eyes and I hid it in the back pocket of my pants."I'll miss you too my friend," I answered back.

My heart ached with this kind of goodbye, leaving my best friend, leaving my old self, I knew our future was bleak. I had to run from Daniel, from the Governor's anger, from the life I used to live. I need changes for the betterment of myself, my loved ones, and my family. Changes I've been wanting for a long time, but I love Raymond more than Daniel. That is why I need a new environment to extend my dreams, to complete what I want now, but with Raymond Montelibano; my love, my husband, my life. From what I learned from other people, Manila is a city of joy for people who come from the province, like us. The ship ran smoothly towards our destination, Manila, Philippines.

XXX