Raging Love Ch. 07

Antonio was shocked. "What do you mean? You were unconscious. My brother is a doctor and all that was on my mind was to bring you to him so that he can examine you. I didn't that was gonna be a problem since..."

"You could have taken me to a hospital." Travis shrugged. He didn't know why he was so upset. "And besides..."

"Wow!" Emma laughed. "You really are an ungrateful, bitch, aren't you? First of all, he saved your stupid ass when you didn't deserve it and then he brought you here so that you can be saved. I don't think you really deserved it. He should have left you to those thugs so that they could have dealt with you."

"Aunt, please!" Eduardo said, rising from the couch. "Why are you talking like that?"

"What?" Emma chuckled bitterly. "All of us here are probably thinking it. It's not like we like him or anything. He's been a pain in the ass and we just want to see him go to hell and burn." She got closer to Travis with her arms folded. "On behalf of everyone here, you're not welcome and we're not happy to see you. You should have been in the hands of those thugs right now. We would have been happy. But it looks like we're not that lucky."

Travis glanced at her and felt really angry and pained at the same time. It wasn't like he expected them to like him or something. He wanted them to suffer and it looked like they were already suffering.

He looked at Antonio and the man was still wearing a stern face. But he didn't know the war going on in his heart at that time. He shook his head and sighed but that was when he saw his phone in Antonio's hand.

Travis felt his heart sink in his chest, fear getting the best of him. He knew that if Antonio had looked at his phone and seen the wallpaper there, he had probably seen Sean. Travis started sweating from just the thought of that. His heart was pounding so hard that he felt like he was gonna have a heart attack. He was getting paler by the second.

Suddenly, Travis did the first thing that came to his mind. He furiously gripped the phone from Antonio's hands, looking at it. Shit! The phone was off and Travis felt like he was able to breathe once again. His world would have been a mess.

Raising his head to stare into Antonio's face, Travis got closer. "Thank you so much but you shouldn't have done what you did." He said harshly, slipping the phone in his pocket. "I didn't need your help and neither did I ask for it. You should have just left me there. I was handling it just fine."

He shook his head angrily and turned to face Emma, staring right into her piercing brown eyes. Those eyes had scared him a lot when he was Praveen. But he wasn't scared anymore. He looked into the faces of everyone and then started leaving hurriedly.

"Wait!" Antonio hollered.

Travis stopped in his tracks without turning. But he slightly closed his eyes, getting ready for the insult that Antonio was gonna rain down on him.

Antonio slowly walked towards Travis. "I... your phone is off and I don't think you'll be able to call your driver. My driver can take you home." Travis remained dumbstruck, his eyes widening. No! He was gonna do that. "Or you can use my phone to call home so that someone can pick you up."

Travis was shocked. He didn't expect to hear such a humble voice from a rude guy like Antonio. "I will take cab. I know my way home." He didn't even turn to face him.

Then he continued going. Antonio wanted to call him but he just remained quiet and watched as the boy exited his house, walking like a professional model. Shit! His body was really to die, Antonio couldn't help but think.

"And then he goes away again, insulting us." Emma scoffed. "I don't know why you insist on helping that boy because he doesn't deserve it. You should have just left him to his fate."

She hissed and then stormed out of the living room. Eduardo patted on his brother's shoulder and left with his wife and mother, leaving Antonio all alone. Antonio hadn't expected to help Travis but it felt so right and he didn't have any regrets. Did he suddenly develop a soft spot?

***

"My God, are you okay, Travis?" Vanessa sobbed softly as she held him tighter. "Please, tell me that you're okay? I tried to call you and I was so worried."

Travis had just reached and he was feeling all kinds of emotions resting on his poor head. He had already told his family exactly what had happened and Vanessa was really scared. She had been crying for two minutes.

"I am okay, aunt!" He said, pulling away from the hug. He slowly rubbed her tears, smiling to make her feel better. It was already past 11.pm. "I am really fine."

She cried softly again. "It's a good thing you were not harmed. I owe my thank you to Antonio Gonzalez." She said, holding him tightly. "I don't know what I would have done had anything happened to you. I would have died, I swear. May the almighty bless his soul for this!"

Travis was really confused by her words. Truly, Antonio had saved his life twice. First, it was from the riot and now from the thugs. He kissed her hands, holding them tighter. "Nothing will ever happen to me. I have Sean's love, father's love, your love and..." He paused and looked at the guy that was lost deep in thought. "...I also have Santiago's love. Nothing will ever happen to me."

Vanessa smiled through her tears and hugged him even tighter. "Bless you, my son." She kissed his head. "The almighty will never let anything happen to you."

"Amen, aunt!" He slowly bowed and touched her feet. She slowly proceeded to bless him before kissing his forehead.

"I know you're really tired, aunt!" He said, caressing her cheek. "Please, you can go and rest. I am fine!"

"But I wanna..."

"Go and rest. We'll talk tomorrow." He reassured, smiling. "I am okay!"

Vanessa remained quiet, staring at him like she was confused. Then she took a deep sigh. "Okay! I will do that but I wanna be with you."

"I promise, we'll talk tomorrow." He kissed her cheek and she left.

Then he sighed gloomily and started walking towards Santiago who was seated on the staircase.

"You know that this wasn't an ordinary kidnapping, right?" Santiago said, getting up from the stair. He was really mad and his fists were clenched.

Travis sighed. "I know that it was planned. And I also know who you're thinking and you're right about that. But I was ready for this."

Santiago groaned. "I would have murdered those bastards if they had laid a finger on you, I swear."

Travis was shocked. He had never seen Santiago so mad before. It was like he had switched to something else. His fists were clenched... his eyes were red and his breaths were harsh. He looked ready for war.

Travis quickly went to him, putting his hand on his chest. Man, his heart was pounding so hard that Travis felt a bit scared.

"Calm down," Santiago. "I am okay. Nothing happened to me. I can defend myself."

"How will I know that they won't get you next time?"

"Because they'll be no next time." Travis said with a reassuring smile. "What happened today will never repeat itself. It was just a cheap stunt by Andrea and Bruce. And do you know what this means? They're already feeling the heat. But I can promise you that I'll never let it happen again. I'll make them pay for what they did today. I swear."

Santiago had never been so mad. He looked at Travis' beautiful face and couldn't imagine anything happening to him. He was ready to give his life for him. That was how much he loved him. He looked away because he couldn't bear the thoughts of anything happening to that face.

"Look at me, Santiago!" Travis muttered. "It's okay. I am fine!"

But Santiago still looked away.

"Santiago!" Travis cupped his cheeks and brought his face in front. "I am okay."

He leaned up and kissed his temple, near the mouth. Santiago couldn't help the sensations that took control of him. When Travis looked at him, he was smiling brightly. His anger had melted away and his fists were no longer clenched.

"Besides, you'll protect me like always, right?" He asked. "You're the reason I am here today. Any guy that can challenge the almighty to bring me back to life can protect me from anything." Santiago couldn't help but laugh.

"You're crazy."

Travis threw himself on Santiago's chest and he got really happy when he felt those muscular arms wrapping themselves around him. He held the guy tighter and breathed in the man's scent, enjoying the warmth he felt.

"I love you so much, Santiago!"

"I love you too."

Santiago kissed his head and the two just remained like that.

***

Antonio was seated on the bed, staring at his phone like he was expecting something to come out of there. His heart was racing beyond control... his breaths were harsh and he was nervous as hell. He felt like he was in a bowl of ice and he had no idea how to get out of there.

Antonio's finger was only a second away from pressing the call button but he was so scared and never had he ever felt as vulnerable as he did. He tried to press the call button but he quickly withdrew like there were needles there.

The name 'Travis' was displayed at his screen and God knows he wanted to just make the call and ask how Travis was doing but his fear and his mind wouldn't let him. He didn't even know what to do. After so much hard debate between mind and heart, he had finally managed to call his assistant and request for Travis' line. And now that he had it, he didn't have the balls to call.

"I can't do this." He muttered, running his fingers through his hair. "I can't do this."

He put the phone on a small table near him and decided to listen to the radio instead. He wanted to be calm before he went to sleep and he was glad Bruce wasn't in the room yet. As soon as he switched on the radio...

'...and to everyone that is out there, this is your best friend and your favorite host, RJ I.K...' The man said in a really excited tone. '...and it is your favorite show, 'matters concerning life.' If you wanna talk to me... Oh...' He laughed. 'We've got a caller already. Hello!'

There was a silence at first. 'Hi!' It was man's voice on the call.

'Hello, bro.' the host said happily. 'RJ Ik is here for you.'

Antonio had never been a fan of radio but for the first time ever, he got interested.

'I have a best friend.' The man who had called said but in a sad tone. 'I mean... I had. He was my love, my husband, my friend...' He paused but everyone could feel the emotions. '...and he's left me forever. Before leaving me, he gave me such a shock... that he shattered my life into many parts.' He sobbed. 'Every part has a question... but there's no answer. I can't understand what's right or wrong. I can't understand what was love or deceit.'

Antonio felt a shiver when he heard what the caller had just said and he couldn't help but stare nonstop at the radio. It was like the man had a similar situation like him.

'Sometimes, without knowing...' RJ I.K said softly. '...or understanding, our decisions hurt those people whom we love the most. Mistakes are made by humans only, not God. Then why do we treat humans like God? But expect them not to make a mistake? You will be able to move on once you change your thinking.'

Antonio felt the words begin to melt his heart. He was surrendering hit by a myriad of emotions and his eyes became glassy. He could feel something inside him melting and he had no idea what. He moved his hands and brought the radio closer.

'Every story has two faces.' The RJ continued. 'I know it's very easy to say, move on... but doing it in reality is the most difficult. But times heals all wounds. Sometimes we get a little too stagnant in life which causes unwanted wounds to remain with us, keep on thinking what happened and why did it happen? And why only me? But actually, it is our defense mechanism because we're living due to our pain.

If this pain vanishes... what will be left? But this is not right. You will do nothing besides harming yourself. Bro, life doesn't end if you're undergoing a pain. There's saying, 'What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger.'

Meanwhile, at Travis' house, Travis was on the bed, slowly rubbing on his sleeping angel's face. He was so lost into the radio and it had made its way to his heart. He was listening carefully to the words of the RJ. And he was filled with a myriad of emotions. He felt like the RJ was speaking to him.

'The agony which is not able to destroy you... it becomes your strength later. Today or tomorrow... day after or some later day. Some day or the other, your pain and hatred, you will have to forget and move ahead in life. Else your future and your past memories, everything will be reduced to ashes due to the hatred.

So basically, I am telling you to also think from your friend's point of view. If he was your best friend, then why did he leave you? Slowly stop thinking about your friend and start thinking about yourself. Then you'll realize that happiness will sneak into your life once again.

Like the first ray of the sun... like the first drop of the rains, you will surely find such love some or the other day. Someone whose every little thing will affect you. His smile will make your day. If he sheds tears, you will get all the happiness of the world for him.'

Travis was already in tears but everything about the advice was really emotional for him. His face was already wet.

Antonio on the other hand had tears filled in his face. There were a lot of sad memories in his mind and he just wanted to bury them and move on. Maybe it was time to let the hatred and the pain go away.

'I hope someone comes into your life and loves you so intensely,' Even the RJ's voice sounded so emotional. People could tell that he was touched. 'Your anger, your pain and your hatred, let it flow away. Because when your heart is empty, happiness will enter your life.' He chuckled.

'And I have a special song for our special caller and everyone feeling like him. I hope this song will mend all the broken strings of your heart.'

Then 'It might be you,' by Eric Santos started playing on the radio.

Antonio could feel his emotions flowing as he listened to the emotional song on the radio. He took a sigh, walked to the window and stared at the bright moon in the sky. He smiled just as tears went down his cheeks. He clenched his fist and put it on his chest, nodding his head. Even through those tears, he thanked his lucky stars that he had switched on the radio at that time.

Travis on the other hand slept close to his son, spooning him closer. He kissed him softly while tears flooded his face. He was wishing that what had happened hadn't really happened. Would he have been happy with Antonio? He didn't know because he was so fucking confused.

Both souls were confused that night and they had no idea when that confusion was gonna end. But one thing was for sure, that radio moment had changed something inside of them. Question is, 'what changed in them?'

***

Bruce threw the file he was holding on the floor angrily and then started stamping on it like he was killing something really dangerous. He was really, really mad and his head felt like it was about to explode. He had never been as mad as he was that day.

"This is all bullshit!" He yelled as he took the file up again and started ripping it into shreds. "This is all useless."

"I am sorry, sir..." The man in front of Bruce said. "...but I have already provided all the information I could find in such a short time. All of it is contained in there."

"What fucking information?" Bruce snapped, pointing angrily at the man. "All that is in there is bullshit. I asked for valuable information, something that's gonna help me put that motherfucking bastard in his place once and for all. And all that you could provide me with was the companies he owns and the billions of money he has. What am I supposed to do that? Kill him with it?"

The man was greatly surprised by his client's words.

Bruce had hired someone to find out all the information he could about Travis, a weapon that he could use to finally clip his wings and bring his fucking ass to the ground. But it was a dead end. There was nothing and he was so damn mad. It was a dead end once again.

"Fuck!" He groaned, kicking on his car tire tyre. "What can I fucking do?"

"Look, sir..." The man said, shaking his head. "You asked for information and I provided you with information. Can I get my money now?"

"For what?" Andrea who had been quiet finally spoke. They were meeting the man outside an abandoned building. "For being stupid and incompetent? You're supposed to be paying us instead of us paying you. You're not getting a penny."

The man laughed, shaking his head. "You asked for information and I gave you all that I had found out. What did you want me to do, lie? Maybe it would have made you happy if I had created fake information but I don't work like that. I was hired and I did my job. I need my money."

"Didn't you hear that, fucker?" Bruce roared. "Get the fuck out of here."

The man laughed. "It's fine. But maybe Mr. Marasigan will pay for a huge amount when I tell him that you've been investigating him. After all, he seems richer and he'll pay me more."

"You wouldn't dare!" Andrea barked. "You've got no idea how dangerous..."

"And you don't know me either!" The man warned, looking at the both of them. "So I would be careful, if I were you."

Andrea felt like murdering someone. She groaned, picked up a huge bundle of money and threw it at the man's face. The man took the money and laughed manically. Then he entered his car and drove off.

"Why is it so hard to defeat that bitch!" Bruce glowered, hitting the car severally. "I hate him so much!"

"We need to find other ways and quick!" Andrea said, rubbing on her temple. "He's always a step ahead of us and it's so fucking stressful. We need to do something real quick. Real fucking quick."

"I don't know. I am out of ideas right now." Bruce said as he combed his hair with his fingers. "I thought if we had at least found out something dirty about him but..." He paused and groaned. "I don't know."

"Calm down!" Andrea rubbed on his shoulders. "Let's put our brains together. We'll surely defeat him. One fail won't stop us."

Bruce looked at his friend and sighed. "What do we do now?"

Andrea smiled. "We're gonna think of something big."

The two friends smiled at each other and evil grins appeared on their faces.

***

"Wow, Emma... I must say that you're really doing a great job at managing your family." A beautiful blonde woman, Emma's friend said. "Who'd have known that you'd become the mother of that house?"

Emma chuckled, smiling at her friend. "Well, who better to manage that house than me? My sister in law almost destroyed all of us."

"You're right about that." A brunette spoke this time. "I am glad that you've all passed that phase. And look at you, you're shining."

Emma laughed together with her two friends. They were in a really gorgeous designer shop for their monthly shopping like they always did. Emma always took her friends out for shopping every month and after that, they went to a five star restaurant and had lunch together before departing. She'd been doing that for the last five years and it had been a success.

"And by the way, I just wanted to ask how the preparations for the fast are coming." One of the ladies asked. "You know we always observe that fast and break it at your house."

Emma chuckled happily. "Of course, you know that I am always prepared for that."

The annual marital fast was on its way and according to the traditions, all the married people had to fast for their husband, for their wellbeing and good health. The fast started at 6.and could only end at 9.pm. After the fast had ended, they always celebrated by eating good food together with their husbands, if they were still alive.