Chapter 6: The Confusion

He looked at me with clouded eyes and nodded slightly. I looked around for Emily, my eyes meeting her questioning gesture meaning to ask me if there was a problem as she approached me at the table. I ordered a cup of American coffee.

I seriously told Raymond what Daniel wanted to happen tomorrow afternoon, with him about the situation between the three of us and I convinced him to join me in our meeting tomorrow. Raymond did not disappoint me. He understood my situation, that even though he was hurt, he preferred to remain silent. I instructed Raymond to tell the truth if he faced Daniel tomorrow. I held her hands tightly, and said, "I know that you have been hurt by all my whims to survive. You know very well that I am doing this because of my dream in life. I am not rich enough to support my education in college. You know that, don't you? It's about getting my standard of living up. We're graduating in a few months and my only hope is to find a good job, with a good salary. Just because I had a relationship Daniel, doesn't mean I don't love you? Raymond, I loved you from the beginning, and still do. My heart is only for you, not for Daniel."

"Veron, I only love you, you are my first love, and I don't want to lose you. Our hearts connect each other until death. I truly love you so much that I will sacrifice my whole life to you only. Please respect my love for you. The only thing is that you have a relationship that you cannot avoid immediately. We can live alone, can't we Veronica?"

“Okay, then, tomorrow, vent your feelings to Daniel and we can fully decide this matter.”

"Yes Veron, I'm always with you."

We walked up to Emily together and said our goodbyes, "Emily, we're leaving. Can we talk this coming week? Sorry, last time we met my friend, I was a bit dry."

"Okay best friend, no problem for me, I'm always here for you ... bye!"

XXX

The next day, about eight o'clock in the morning; the sun's rays still remained on my face. I sweat a thousand gallons more than I did last week, jogging around the Bacolod City Plaza. My weekly program of physical exercise through natural methods gave me a thousand energy as well. Running gave me the balance of creating my endurance in my future life of me. I'm on my way to Raymond Montelibano's place, thinking about the final countdown that could prove to be my downfall to Daniel Montenegro or Raymond Montelibano. The most unforgettable moment of my life! I thought smiling to myself.

Raymond was outside the gate when I picked him up. As I expected, his co-boarders were circling to witness the arrival of the great Queen, Veronica Villamor. I smiled at them as I opened the car door for Raymond. We arrived early at Golden Dragon Restaurant located in front of Bacolod City Hall. It is located in the heart of the city, five minutes' drive from our place. The ambiance is completely Chinese; the artistic golden dragon motif with a red background, the music, the waitress uniform, and the lantern hang beautifully on each partition with silk curtains as a front. The aroma of Chinese food whetted my hearty appetite.

I composed myself and watched Raymond walk away from me. He was nervous, I thought, but he was calm, calmer than I was. We sat in the corner of the restaurant so I could see who was coming into the restaurant. I first ordered two glasses of coca-cola soft drink and we waited. Daniel Montenegro arrived at ten minutes past eleven in the morning. He wore a sleeveless red T-shirt that matched his milky white skin, and a red leather postman bag that blended into our surroundings. He looked at me first, then, moved to Raymond Montelibano, then sat down in front of us, as if he was taking control of the situation and controlling his emotions. His face was serious. I started the conversation to break the silence. I asked him in a weak voice, and I also didn't know what to do. My heart kept beating but my heart was telling me to continue bravely in this situation.

"Daniel what would you like to have, soft drink or mineral water?"

He didn't speak at first, just looking me hard in the eyes. Then in a minute, he said, "Just water for me." I called the server over, ordered mineral water, and asked Daniel, then Raymond for their meal. They both refused to eat. I said, "Okay I'll order for take out."

A minute passed; still, no one spoke, and they were both silent. Only, they were looking at me while I was ordering food. I felt the touching feelings between two men who loved me, but, in different ways. So, without telling them I called the server, "Waitress, please, this is for takeout. Give me an order of Honey chicken with ginger shoots, an order of pickled pork with mustard and there are green noodles, and order of wonton noodles. It's ready, please take it out."

The server nodded, "Okay Miss, is there anything else, Miss?"

"That's all thanks," I said naturally. The waitress serves our drinks and water to Daniel. I watched each of them as I sipped my drink. I made a move in my sitting and started the conversation by looking sideways at Daniel's gentle face, to tell the truth once and for all.

"Daniel, I'm going to tell you the truth about our relationship...even before we both...before we met...Raymond and I shared the same roof and while we were going to school. He helped me with my tuition and all. You both love and help me for what I am today. Despite the fact, that each of you, I want to finish my education. I thank you both for that. The problem now is that I'm worried about the three of us ..., " my words were absorbed in the air with nothing to add ... my mind collapsed ... my voice suddenly stopped without a sound. I was suddenly overcome with fear at the revelation that this was the best time to act on the situation.

While I was thinking of a solution for this mess, Daniel Montenegro suddenly stood up and said, "I think you know Veronica, I've loved you since the day I saw you. I promised myself that you are the only one who can own of my heart, no one else, forever. I want to be with you, always, every second of my life. I love you more than my life. Tell me, what I'm going to do, tell me, Veronica! I'll do it for you !”

Daniel started getting angry and yelling obscenities while some of the customers in the restaurant were looking at us."Daniel, you know me, and ... I love you! But I also loved Raymond!" Did I say it to calm his anger or was he tensed because of what I said? I noticed that Raymond was looking at me carefully, I could feel his feelings. I looked at him. I signaled to him, only Raymond knew what he would do. He was nervous and scared. I have to support him to talk, to break the conversation, to erase the tension, because I don't have the courage to melt my feelings, in front of two men who love me. Finally, I heard Raymond speak

"Daniel, I understand your feelings and situation with Veron. You are not the only one who truly loved Veronica, but I also loved her since..." Raymond also started to get angry but I saw his tears fall. Daniel's anger is now shown as everyone looks at him as he shouts at me, "Veronica! You're a liar! You cheated on me!"

Daniel kept yelling at me and threw a glass of water in my face. Blood gushed out and dripped from my forehead as Raymond panicked while calling the restaurant worker for help. The restaurant worker very quickly called the ambulance that was parked outside the Restaurant at that time. They took me to the ambulance and took me to a nearby hospital. Several stitches, two inches long, from my forehead, were carefully stitched, treated, and covered. I stayed in the hospital for three days. Raymond took good care of me and watched over me well. The day before I was discharged from the Doctor's Hospital; Daniel Montenegro appeared in my room with Raymond Montelibano. I expected him, I knew, but my “ego” as a woman was boiling inside me, especially when Raymond was around. I'm angry at the situation but I did it.

Raymond left the room, leaving Daniel and me, as I expected from Raymond's character, to give space to talk things out. He understood everything. I was very angry with Daniel, and I didn't even say a word when he came. I was silent looking out the window. My eyes are burning. I know my decision." Veron, love, how are you? I apologize for what happened. It was not my intention, believe me ... I was overwhelmed by what ..," while Daniel held my hand tightly.

"Don't worry, it's over, and I also apologize to you, for what I did, and thank you very much for helping me," I said in a low voice.

"I miss you; darling ... I cannot sleep thinking of you..." Daniel pleaded.

I ordered Daniel Montenegro to leave and drove away. I saw tears falling from him, shaking his head, a demon-possessed his eyes in anger."No, Veronica !!! We're not done yet! I love you! Veronica ... Veron...!" Daniel continued to roar like a mad lion in distress; hysterical and lost in self.

He slapped my face hard twice, but I didn't move on my bed, just looking at him, also angry, with no tears falling. I looked at him like fire, my heart was on fire, and screamed at him, "Go away ... go away ... and leave me ... I don't care about you anymore ... I'm done to you ... go!!”

Raymond heard my whole decision so he called the hospital guard to intervene in the situation. The guards held Daniel by both arms and dragged him out, but he still screamed, he screamed angrily at me, "I'm with you wherever you go! I will avenge my love for you Veron! I love you! Veronica ... !!!"

Raymond saw everything that happened, even though he was also hurt, but felt Daniel's feelings. But Raymond also knows ... he knows Veronica better than any other woman in this world. He has a heart of gold!

XXX

On graduation day, I met Raymond Montelibano's parents who attended the graduation. I am happy that my parents also came, for this unforgettable day. I knew my father was embarrassed, but I assured him that everything would be fine and that they could count on me for my siblings' education. I will help as much as I can. The thing parents want their children to do after graduation - is a Filipino tradition.

Raymond returned to his place in the south of Tuyom, Cauayan Negros Occidental, Philippines to help run the family business. He wanted to stay a little longer to help his parents with their businesses. I stopped him but he was determined to continue with his plans. He assured me of his love, trust, and devotion. He left me alone and alone in Bacolod City.

XXX