? LOV£ WITHOUT…
AFF£CTION ❄️
[ Say You Love Me, Slowly… ]
??????? 51➪52
??; ????? ?.
WARNING; ‼️ DO NOT COPY OR REPOST ‼️
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Santario kept driving recklessly, not minding the number of cars that stood as a barrier. He just wanted to save Dorian.
The rough drive continued until he got into the compound. He carried the unconscious Menodora on his shoulder and proceeded into the building.
He met Dorian with bruises all-over and she looked really tired. He balled his fist immediately.
He dropped unconscious Menodora on the ground before standing properly.
” Wow, didn’t know a girl like her can make you this fierce ” Ruby laughed and that woke Dorian from her slumber.
” Santario” Her voice came out in a whisper. She stared at his face for a while, then her eyes traced the room and it landed on Menodora.
” No! tell me you didn’t do it? ” She shook her head as tears rained down her cheeks. She wasn’t sure if she was supposed to be angry but she couldn’t help it.
She felt bad that her best friend was unconscious and was in front of the same man that ki||ed her parents.
” Tell me you didn’t do it, Santario” She muttered again, but Santario looked away.
Ruby laughed.
” Now you’ve gone back to the obedient 15-year-old boy I picked up. The little boy who promised he’d do anything if I saved his life that rainy night. The little boy who escaped death, thanks to me. You grew up well Santario and that’s thanks to me too” Ruby smiled.
” Now that you’ve given me what I want, I’m sorry I can’t let you and this girl live. I think finding Bills would be a piece of cake for me this time”
“His son is a grown adult now. He was just 11 the last time I saw him. He’s his dad’s carbon copy, I must admit. The resemblance is second to none”
” So what are you implying?” Santario asked.
” I’ll just go to him in disguise, then get to his father cos I’m sure Bills is still alive” Ruby replied.
He Ç0çƙed his gun and pointed it at Dorian.
Santario immediately went on his knees.
” Please spare me, boss, I was foolish” He said and Ruby smirked.
” Maybe I might have a rethink if you beg louder” He took out another gun and pointed it at Bob who was tied up.
He gulped forcefully and closed his eyes.
” Hey… until when are you gonna control my life?” Santario asked as he stood on his feet.
Ruby frowned. ” What?”
” You heard me, Ruby. I’m sick and tired of you. I knew this would happen so why would I trust you? I know one day you’re gonna ki|| me if I’m of no use to you and yes I was correct”
” If you can ki|| your own best friend who considers you a brother, then who am I? A child you know nothing about. A child you picked up in an isolated area, walking aimlessly with no hope. A child who rose from death and realized he was buried. A child who lost his memory and was willing to do everything you wanted just to survive, but guess what? I don’t wanna be that pathetic kid anymore” He said and Ruby burst into laughter.
” Wow, so you finally remembered your past? You know your parents?” He laughed, but it died down when someone else walked up to them.
He faced the person to see who it was, before laughing again.
” Bills’ son?” Ruby cackled.
” Yeah, and I’m here to whoop your a.ss, old man” Eduardo shot at him, but he ducked.
” f_ck you!” Ruby cursed, before $h00ting at Dorian. Bob pushed the chair she was tied to, but the bullet still got her arm.
Santario’s eyes widened. He pulled out his gun and shot at Ruby. It got his right arm and he winced softly.
” This is fun ” He muttered as the gunshot kept coming. He quickly hid behind a couch while Bob loose Dorian and took her to safety. He came back for Menodora and took her too.
” Take them to the hospital and leave him for us” Santario said and Bob nodded as he rushed out of the building. He carried the two ladies into the car and his phone vibrated.
He checked it and immediately start driving out of the compound. He could only hear the incessant gun sound coming out of the building.
” You both should please be safe” He muttered as he drove out of the compound completely.
……..
” You’re an ingrate, Santario. You’re gonna repay me this way after everything I did for you these past 15 years?” Ruby asked, reloading his gun.
” Stop the emotional bull$h|t, Ruby! I did everything you wanted, haven’t I paid enough? Though it was pretty bad I gained my memory without even remembering I had a family, but this night, I found out I truly had a family, but good thing, I still h@ťě the Ɓîtçh who birth me” He laughed dryly and Eduardo stared at him, wondering what he meant.
” Ruby mankind, don’t you think you’re being a coward right now? Stop the hide and seek, and let’s end the beef between us” Eduardo finally said and Ruby laughed.
” We should do that after you answer my question ”
” Your dad, he must be alive right? ”
” I’m sure you must’ve been waiting for his death” Eduardo replied.
Ruby laughed again, leaving his hiding spot.
” Now, let’s end this ” He said and quickly went beside the table for shelter. Eduardo and Santario left their hiding spot when they heard no word or noise from any angle of the room.
” Are you scared?” Eduardo scoffed, and immediately two bullets from nowhere penetrated his chest and he coughed out blood. Santario’s eyes widened.
He shot in the direction from where the bullets came non-stop, giving Ruby no time to $h00t. This went on for minutes and he heard Ruby groan.
Santario stopped and stared at Eduardo who was in his own pool of blood.
Ruby took that as a chance to $h00t, but he ran out of bullets already.
” $h|t!” He stood up and ran off. Santario was contemplating whether to go after Ruby and end his life or take Eduardo to the hospital.
” Go after him ” Eduardo groaned.
Santario placed the gun in his pocket and went to Eduardo. He placed his hand over his shoulder and started helping him out of the house.
He took him into the car and drove out of the house.
” You foól! I thought you were intelligent, but now I see you’re not” Eduardo muttered and lost consciousness.
★★★
RUBY’S MANSION
Ruby released painful groans as he removed the bullets from his knee and arm. He applied ointment to the spots and bandaged them.
” That motherf_cker!” He spat as he looked around the house.
” It feels empty” he mumbled.
? I WANT TO BE AT YOUR SERVICE. Ruby received a message and he narrowed his brows as soon as he read it.
It was from an unknown number.
? I KNOW YOU WANT MARIANO DEAD, AND ONLY I CAN HELP YOU ELIMINATE HIM AND BRING YOU MENODORA. The person sent again and Ruby smirked.
★★†
SAN VICENTE DE PAUL HOSPITAL ~ NEXT DAY
Rose and Eduardo were attended to and were placed In a VIP room. Menodora regained consciousness already, and so was Dorian’s arm treated. After staring at Rose from the glass door, Santario turned to leave, but Mariano was behind him.
” I’m sorry about last night. I didn’t mean to $h00t your mom, the bullet already left the gun before I could control it. It was sudden” He apologized and started leaving.
” How did you survive? I saw you die ” Mariano asked.
Santario’s steps faltered and he turned slowly.
” I don’t know what you’re talking about ” He replied.
” What are they saying?” Dorian asked Menodora as they stared at them from a distance.
” I have no idea, but t I heard Ma’am Rose call him Miguel last night and Miguel happens to be Mariano’s elder brother”
” Really? Dorian asked, shocked.
” We’ll find out soon. Let’s go to our ward” Menodora held Dorian’s hand and started taking her back to the ward.
……
After a long silence between Mariano and Santario, Eduardo finally opened his eyes. Santario was the first to notice.
” Your friend ” He muttered.
” Eduardo!” Mariano called and rushed into the ward.
Santario followed reluctantly.
” f_ck you. Why did you let that motherf*ker touch you? I swear, I gonna ki|| him if we meet” Mariano said and Eduardo chuckled.
” Calm down, dawg. I’m strong, you know” He patted Mariano’s shoulder.
” How’s your mom?” He asked. Mariano faced Rose’s bed and Eduardo’s eyes followed.
” I’m such a bad son. Since it was a plan, I was supposed to push her out of the way, but the mention of Miguel made me forget for a moment” Mariano replied.
” Wait, Don’t tell me…”
” Yes “Mariano nodded and Eduardo stared at Santario. He tried seating, but the pain wouldn’t let him
” We should talk when you’re okay, I’ll be with Dorian” Santario left the ward. Mariano inhaled, he just wanted everyone to be fine.
” We’ll leave here immediately after Mom wakes up, it might be dangerous here. You don’t have to worry, I’ll treat you well so Tessa won’t find out” Mariano laughed.
” Right, be ready to pamper me” Eduardo laughed too.
★★★
FRIDA’S MANSION°°
” Gladys…” Frida knocked on her door and it opened, revealing Gladys who was dressed already. She ignored her mom as she left the room.
” Will you keep ignoring me when everything I did in the past was for you? I never wanted you to suffer that’s why I did everything I did then”
“Blaming me now? Did I ever tell you to do those things for me?” She faced her mom.
Frida looked away and picked her nails.
” You didn’t have to tell me, I know you needed to live a good life and… ” She paused.
” ki||ing your sister too was because of me?” Gladys asked, but Frida had no reply to it.
” The truth is, they said it was an accident, but it wasn’t supposed to ki|| them since it wasn’t fatal ”
” So? Are you saying someone else wanted your sister or her husband dead?” Gladys asked.
” I don’t know, but a bullet was found in their heads. They didn’t die because of the accident, instead, they died because of the bullet. I’m sure someone else was after them and I can guess who it might be”
” And who is that? ”
” Ruby mankind, Marlo’s best friend”
” What? Uncle Ruby??” Gladys asked to be sure and Frida nodded. Gladys palmed her mouth in shock, cos she couldn’t believe it. Ruby was like a father to her and Menodora when they were kids then how could he do that to his friend?
” I just hope you’re telling the truth” Gladys muttered.
” You’ve forgiven me?” Frida asked, but she rolled her eyes.
” Didn’t say so ” She scoffed and left for the kitchen.
★★★
The day went in a blur and Rose finally gained consciousness. Everyone was in the ward except Santario who stood outside. He just couldn’t bring himself to look at Rose.
Rose felt bad yet she could do nothing. Mariano studied her expression and made to leave the ward but Eduardo stopped him.
” Don’t force him. I’m sure he’ll come around soon. It took a very long time before you forgive your mom, it must be the same for him. Let him be for now” Eduardo said and Mariano nodded gently before seating.
He faced his mom, then held her hands.
” I’m sorry about last night. I had no idea you were gonna get hurt” He said and Rose cupped his face.
” I’m glad I acted the way a normal mother would act for the first time in my life” She smiled sadly, tears leaving her eyes. Mariano cleaned her tears and hugged her while she stroke his hair.
Eduardo smiled as he watched them. Dorian and Menodora weren’t left out.
Dorian’s expression suddenly changed when she thought of Santario. She wished he was here having a warm hug with his family. The hug lasted for few minutes before they disengaged from it.
Mariano made Rose lied down on the bed and covered her body.
” So can you tell me why you three had to plan all this behind our back?” Menodora asked.
” And you knew so well it was dangerous, yet you left me in that house ” Dorian gritted out as she left the ward.
Eduardo, Mariano, and Menodora exchanged confused glances. She came back moments later with Santario who was wincing loudly. She was holding his ears as she dragged him into the ward.
” What!” He pushed her hands off his ears.
” Why did you risk my life like that when you know I’m carrying your child?” She shouted and Rose’s eyes widened… Mariano and Eduardo weren’t exempted.
” You’re with child?” Rose asked and she blinked obtusely.
” Oh, this mouth of mine” She muttered with a strained smile.
” Oh, Mother… I’m actually pregnant and it’s been five weeks already” She said.
Mariano stared at Menodora, giving her an inquisitive look, but she shrugged. Rose signaled Dorian to come closer, which she did. They hugged warmly afterwards.
Dorian was happy, at least someone hugged her so tenderly for the first time in her life. Her parents died when she was five days old, and she was taken to the orphanage till she became of age. She’s always taught life would be beautiful with the couples who took her, but the inverse was true. The man she called father R@P£D her countless times and whenever she resisted, she got beaten. She was left with the choice of running away and she did. She met Bijoux by chance who inaugurated her into the stripping business. And then, her life continued once more.
She had tears rolling down her cheeks already as she thought of her past. Rose disengaged from the hug and held her face, cleaning her tears in the process.
” I love how you called me just now ” She smiled.
” Mother ” She said again and Rose hugged her one more time.
Santario watched in disbelief. He believed Rose was putting on an act and nothing could make him think otherwise. She was still the same woman who neglected them from the start till the moment he died and he needed it to remain that way.
He suddenly felt someone touch his balled fist and he looked up to see Dorian.
” Your mom… ”
” I’m an orphan ” He cut in sharply.
She shook her head lightly and held his hands as she sniffed. He looked away, trying not to get cowed by her tears cos she’s always had a knack for making him soft just by seeing her cry.
” Your mom, she’s waiting for you. I know she must’ve offended you but trust me, you won’t wanna know the pain of not having parents” She whispered.
He snatched his hands away and looked at her with tear-filled eyes. His eyes were starting to itch as his tears thr_@tened to fall, but he was not gonna allow it.
” You just don’t know anything. You don’t know what she is and that’s why you’re getting swayed by her faux tears. You don’t know what she and her dear husband did to us, so you have no right to butt in. I already considered myself an orphan on my brother’s fifth birthday and I’m not ready to change that” Santario said seriously.
He turned to leave but Dorian stopped him. He inhaled deeply and turned around just to see Rose in tears while on her knees.
” I know I don’t deserve to be a mother. I don’t deserve your forgiveness, Miguel, I don’t mind if you aren’t ready to forgive me yet, but please, can you just give me the chance to earn your forgiveness?” She pleaded.
He clenched his jaw as his fingers folded in a small fist.
He remained mute as he watched Rose hold his legs. Knowing the situation he put her in, he helped her up and she took that chance to hug him but he didn’t hug her back. He pulled away seconds later and left the went to a corner of the ward.
The atmosphere in the ward became very awkward for Menodora and Dorian that they had to talk.
” Can someone tell us why y’all made us oblivious of your grandiose plan? I mean, I got hit at the back of my neck which is aching me right now, and Dorian got shot too, then mom…” She paused with a pout and Dorian nodded.
Rose smiled as she stared at the girls and her eyes moved to Santario. They locked curtly and he looked away.
” Since they’re all not ready to talk, I’ll explain” Eduardo said and Menodora nodded.
” All the credit goes to your Mafia boyfriend. Girl, Mariano is a born criminal” He said, which made the girls laugh.
” He’s so smart that I want his brain” He added and Mariano shot him a glare.
” Sorry man, but I’ll be sincere here. You’re a motherf_cking born criminal, Rose Should have named you Criminalo ” Eduardo laughed shortly while Santario moved his gaze to Mariano.
Eduardo cleared his throat before sitting upright.
” When we called Miguel… I mean Santario, he told us he was going to risk his life to make sure he ends Ruby mankind. We all agreed to it and decided to meet. Twenty minutes after I got home, I received a call from Mariano ”
” He said he confirmed from Menodora that Santario was living with Dorian alone, so he told me we should change our plans. I had no idea why he wanted a change of plan but still, I obliged. He told Santario about the plan too and promised to take responsibility if anything went wrong. That night, Mariano had a bulletproof vest on ”
” Santario contacted me as planned. He sent me the address to his mansion and I waited there until he brought Dora into the building. We couldn’t tell you girls because I personally, don’t trust you girls. You might ruin everything so we decided to do it alone”
” Mariano was trying to stop his mom from following him, but he had no choice since Dora already agreed and that led to her being admitted here. You see? You almost ruined our plans” Eduardo faced Menodora who took in her lower lip and looked elsewhere.
” And that’s how it happened ” Eduardo concluded before moving his gaze to Santario.
” That house, who owns it? I need to know so we can pay for damages”
” It’s needless, it belongs to late Ethan ” He replied and Rose bit her lips. Her sons believed their father died but no, Ethan was very much alive.
” Is it true you’re Miguel?” Dorian asked but he ignored her.
” How then did you survive when Mariano told me he watched you die and your bodies were taken out of the house?” Menodora asked.
Santario didn’t still say a word and this time, Dorian held his hands.
” You said you’ll protect me right? And do anything that makes me happy, are you going back on your words?” She asked and he stared at her.
” Please tell me your past, tell me if you’re Miguel or not” She leaned closer to him. ” I’ll make Miguel Mõ@ɲ later ” She whispered and he almost chuckled but he stopped himself.
” One night, I met my brother unconscious Infront of our gate. Our parents didn’t care anyway so I decided to stay with him since I was all he had” Santario began.
Rose shut her eyes tightly and tears left it.
” So your real name is Miguel? And that little brother who has no one else but you, is he Mariano? The little brother you cherished too?” Dorian asked.
” I heard Mom and Dad arguing as I stood Infront of their room. I pushed the door open to see Dad beating Mom. Being the type of mother she was, she fought back. No matter how much I h@ťěd them back then, I just couldn’t watch my family fight so I decided to interfere, I was trying to separate both parents and I thought it worked but it didn’t. She smashed the flower vase on his head and he started bleeding profusely. She went to him and started strangling him. When I made to interfere, she pushed me away and that was when Mariano entered. I can remember the horror in his eyes as he watched me bleed. Who was gonna stay by his side if I died? He was the last person I saw before everything around me turned dark ”
” When I woke up, I saw myself in a shallow forest, buried in leaves. I think the rain was what woke me up cos I opened my eyes and noticed it was rainy. I struggled out of the place into an open road where I met Ruby. I was totally clueless about who I was, and where I came from. I couldn’t recall anything about me so I pledged my loyalty to Ruby and started working for him. Soon, my parents’ house flashed in my memory, even though I didn’t know it was theirs. I renovated the place and I went there whenever I felt stuffed. When I met Dorian, I aimed to use her but I ended up being used, trapped and then I discovered I couldn’t go a day without her, so I decided to start a life with her even though I knew how dangerous it was. She got pregnant and I was so happy about it. I made up my mind to protect her since then”
” Memories kept popping up in my head occasionally, but funny enough, I still couldn’t remember I had a brother, talk more of family. Soon, I recalled Ethan forcing us to watch him have sèx with our maids, and that was how I got every bit of my memory, which eventually led me here” He concluded.
Rose’s eyes were red due to too much tears .
” I love you Miguel” Dorian hugged him and the tears he was holding came rushing down his cheeks.
Menodora held Mariano’s hand and patted his back.
★★★
Gladys got into the mansion in tears and Frida rushed to her.
” Mom, Jesse… Jesse is Uncle Ruby” She burst into tears again and Frida froze.
” What! ”
Slowly, Gladys went down till she fainted.
” Gladys!” Frida knelt beside her.
” Gladys!” She called again as fear gripped her, but she got no reply. She struggled and carried her out of the house into the car before driving her to the nearest hospital.
Gladys was rushed in for treatment while Frida paced restlessly in tears.
” Her Jesse is Ruby? Does that mean she’s been sleeping with an old man all this while?” She wondered in disbelief and the door to the OR opened. A stretcher was pushed out and Frida stared at it with a frown before rushing to the doctor.
” Where’s my daughter?” She asked.
” I’m sorry ma’am ”
She took few steps backwards.
” What do you mean?”
” There’s poison in her system and it’s been eating her up for weeks now. The poison does not affect whoever consumes it until the person faces shock. I’m sorry we couldn’t save her” The doctor said and Frida fainted.
★★★
NEXT DAY ~ MARIANO’S MANSION
They all drove home in Eduardo’s car and Santario kept looking at the place. He couldn’t believe his kid brother made it that much, and he was happy to see his brother grew up well.
” I’ll ask Monica to prepare a room for you both ” Mariano said.
Santario just stared at him as he said those words.
” Your boyfriend’s house is Paradise” Dorian whispered and Menodora chuckled.
” Come with me, Let’s make something for the boys” Menodora said as she took Dorian to the kitchen.
Rose just watched her sons.
” Will you both keep acting like strangers?” Eduardo asked, passing between them as he took the stairs to Mariano’s room.
” You promised to pamper me, so you and your girlfriend should use the other room” He pointed at the guest room before entering Mariano’s room fully. He fell on the bed with a wide smile on.
” It’s a good thing his family is back ” He muttered.
Mariano left Santario in the sitting and went to meet Eduardo in the room. Immediately he got in, his phone vibrated.
” You’re here? You should stay with your brother” Eduardo said, but when he got no reply, he looked at Mariano whose expression had changed after he stared at his phone.
” What’s wrong, Mariano” He asked.
? I ki||ED THE PARENTS OF YOUR BELOVED AND YOU KNOW WHAT’S MORE ENTICING? IT’S THE FACT THAT YOU KNEW ABOUT MY PLANS AND KEPT QUIET WHEN YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO EXPOSE ME… ETHAN.
Mariano’s grip tightened on his phone.
? WE ki||ED THE RICHARDSON TOGETHER, SON. HOW WILL YOUR DORA FEEL IF SHE FINDS OUT? Another message popped up and the phone left his hands.
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TBC…