Chapter 19 - Last Farewell, First Betrayal

Beyond a beautiful lie, for the first time she saw the ugly truth unveiled. A man she has never seen before. Who was this Gio? Certainly not the man she thought would be her future.

His eyes were laced with dark circles and lacked the usual passionate outbursts of love like the night before. He was not pleading for her anymore but she knew deep inside that he was striking a deal with her. Prisana willingly fell into his hands.

"Yes Gio is right father. We spoke to each other last night. We agreed to live with each other as husband and wife until I can forgive him again. Then, we will sign as lawful husband and wife."

Prisana's father didn't seem convinced. He was satisfied. Not convinced. She should know a hard edged politician like her father read people for a living. He studied them and when the time was ripe, shredded them apart piece by piece until he was the last one left standing on top.

"Pack your bags and leave. You will live with Gio starting now," he said, watching intently as Prisana's stiff expression broke apart to pieces.

Only then did he smile. He knew she lost. Prisana knew it too. Her father had the upper hand. She was still powerless. Still just a pawn that needed to play as the pawn.

"Three months. I'll give you both three month's time when Gio is commemorated to my council. Then, you'll sign it."

"Why?" she asked desperately. "I've already agreed to this whole ordeal and you won't even grant me the option of not signing the certificate?"

"You are my daughter. I would never trust a politicians daughter. Especially not when your fiery eyes remind myself of who I used to be."

Prisana's hands snaked up the sides of her face. Fiery eyes? Did she really have such an expression on her face? When she looked at herself in the mirror, all she would ever see is that same stoic woman staring back at her. Staring into listless brown eyes without a soul. Without a backbone to hold the irises together.

"I'll have the car ready by the hour. Wait for me love," booms Giovanni's sweet voice.

It was the same Giovanni she was used to. His tone was loving and sweet, blue eyes promising tender surrender and change. She wanted to believe them. To melt underneath his gorgeous blue eyes. Fall under his spell all over again but she knew better.

Giovanni took her hand into his lips to kiss her knuckles. Then, she stiffly smiled in return, wanting nothing more than to wash her hands off the filth that explored Erica's lips, her skin.

"I should also get going then. Farewell father. Take care of yourself."

She rose up from her seat and turned to the door. At another choice that has been made for her. Only that she would not follow along with that choice but would find a way to destroy it piece by piece until both her father and Giovanni were left cowering in shreds.

But in truth...She didn't want to go against either of them. Not her father whom she loved dearly no matter how much of a robotic politician he has become. Not Giovanni whom she considered her oldest crush and longest friend no matter what woman he has had sexual relations with.

Right now more than anything before she reached that door, she wanted her dear father to tell her to stop. For Giovanni to unveil all the ugly truths to her and remain friends.

Most of all, she wanted her father to pull her lovingly into his arms again but this time in the most ugliest and the most beautiful of truths. To tell Prisana that he was sorry. Then, plead for her to stay so they can work out their crumbling father daughter relationship.

However, he didn't even spare her a glance as she looked back one last time to reach out for the loving father she once knew and still believed was there.

"Listen to your husband's words and never pull a stunt like that again," was his last farewell and first betrayal.