CHAPTER 42

The next day, I went to Eric's studio in Boni. As soon as I entered, his staff greeted me with surprised faces. Eric was there that day, and feeling a bit awkward, I quickly stepped outside to wait near the door. He had no idea I was coming.

Suddenly, he surprised me with a hug from behind. "I missed you, baby!" he said, making me feel a bit embarrassed. We were in the hallway near the condominium building lobby, and people passing by would stop and stare, but he didn't seem to care.

"Can we talk somewhere private?" I asked him softly.

He took me to a café we often visited. We sat facing each other at a round table by the large window. I ordered coffee for both of us. I looked at him closely as I placed the cups on the table. He looked tired and sleep-deprived, with dark circles under his eyes. I had come to reconcile and ask for forgiveness, knowing that my mistakes had taken a toll on him.

"I'm sorry for what happened last time. Please, don't do that again," I said.

Eric held my hands and kissed them, tears streaming down his face. My heart ached for him. He truly loved me, but why couldn't I love him back the same way? Was I still the selfish woman I used to be, the one only Hector understood?

I thought I had accepted my new life and reality, but why did it feel like Eric was never by my side? Ever since crossing paths with Hector again, he had become an option I couldn't shake from my mind.

"I promise I will never do that again. I love you," Eric said. His words hurt because I knew I was hurting him. "I always care about you; please don't hate me."

Our relationship had become a challenge for both of us. Eric couldn't stop crying, so I cupped his cheeks and wiped away his tears, feeling even guiltier. His hands trembled as he lifted mine to his lips, the dampness of his tears on my skin. He held my hands tightly as if he didn't want to let go. For the first time, I felt vulnerable because of him, vowing to do everything I could to fix the mess between us.

***

Eric kissed me on the cheek before getting out of the car. Ever since I found out that Hector's treatment at our hospital would be discontinued, I've let go of my responsibilities to him. Even though I couldn't fulfill my promise to cure his amnesia, it no longer matters to me. What's more important is for him to be far away from me and my life, for both our sakes.

Now, I have no regrets, and the weight I felt has lifted. After reconciling with Eric, our relationship is back on track. We're planning our wedding next year and have buried any misunderstandings from the past few weeks.

Eric always dropped me off at work, and today, he drove for me because my car was at the car wash. I got out of the Ford Ranger and said goodbye, walking toward the second entrance of the hospital since we stopped at the rear side.

"Clara!" I stopped when I heard my name.

I turned around and saw Hector standing a few meters away. I froze. He called my name, and it sounded too familiar. Before I knew it, he ran towards me and hugged me tightly. I left stunned on the walkway, unable to move, and eventually closed my eyes, savoring the warmth of his embrace.

"Hector, son! We need to leave now!" Mommy Gloria appeared out of nowhere.

She approached us, trying to pull Hector away, but he clung to me like a child.

"I don't want to lose you," Hector mumbled, making me feel weaker.

I forced myself to regain composure and let him go, but my heart still cherished his embrace. Then, someone pulled Hector away—it was Eric.

Eric suddenly punched Hector, and I screamed, "Eric, please stop!" His face was red with anger.

He ignored me, kneeling beside Hector lying on the ground. He grabbed Hector by the collar. "Don't you fucking touch my girl!"

Mommy Gloria and I were caught up in the commotion, crying and unable to stop them. Passersby witnessed the incident. I was even more shocked when Hector retaliated, knocking down Eric. They grappled and punched each other on the concrete road.

I screamed again, trembling with fear. "Please stop!" But my pleading wasn't enough.

Mommy Gloria joined me in begging them to stop. We could only watch helplessly.

Four security guards arrived and intervened, pulling them apart. Two men held Eric while the others restrained Hector. I took the opportunity to mediate, approaching Eric, who was still struggling.

Mommy Gloria ran towards Hector. "Let's go, Hector, come on."

Daddy Ben appeared, surprised to see Hector's face. "What happened? Son, why?"

"Dad, please keep Hector away," I begged.

Daddy Ben glanced at me, then at Mommy Gloria and Hector. He turned back to us and shouted, "You! What have you done to my son?" He pointed at Eric.

He was about to charge us, but Mommy Gloria grabbed his arm. "Dad, come on, let's put Hector in the car and leave," she said.

Eric became even more agitated. "Ask your son! He has no right to touch my girl!" The security guards tightened their grip on him.

"Eric, stop it!" I scolded, tears in my eyes. Aware of the crowd that had gathered around us. "Come on, let's go inside now."

Mommy Gloria dragged Hector away. Eric stared at me. His breathing was labored out of anger. Then, finally, he calmed down.

"Get off me!" he said, pushing the guards away. As soon as they let go, I embraced him and led him towards the hospital entrance.

"Clara! I remember everything," Hector yelled.

I stopped and took a deep breath but didn't look back. Eric and I kept walking until we reached the hospital building.

***

"Are you still mad at me?" Eric asked while I cleaned his wound. He sat beside me with slumped shoulders, looking exhausted from the brawl with Hector.

"You shouldn't have punched him," I said, putting a band-aid on his forehead.

"He hugged you out of nowhere, and I was right there. How could I not get angry?" Eric exclaimed, looking away. I didn't argue; it was too tiring. He looked back at me and asked, "He's just your patient, right? Why did he do that? What's going on between you two?"

I sighed deeply. "Eric, it's complicated. He's confused and just wanted to say goodbye."

Eric scratched his head. Frustration was evident. My phone rang, and I saw it was Mommy Gloria calling. I stepped away to answer.

"Who's that?" Eric asked suspiciously.

"His mom," I replied honestly.

Eric sneered, raising his hands. "Great! You even call his mother' Mom. Someone you used to know,"

My eyebrows furrowed. "Eric, enough! I don't want to argue." I turned away and answered the call. "Hello, Mom, how is Hector?"

"Great!" Eric exclaimed, storming out of my clinic. I ignored him.

"Ara, we've decided to cut off our connection with you," Mommy Gloria said, her voice shaky with sobs. "I'm sorry. This will be our last conversation. We don't want things to worsen. We're all struggling."

"I apologize to you and Dad, but where are you?"

"We went to a different hospital. Hector's wound is being treated, so don't worry; his head wasn't affected." I closed my eyes, silently grateful.

Tears welled up again. "Mom, I guess this is goodbye."

"Yes, dear, I'll miss you. Thank you for the memories."

For the second time, it felt like Hector had died and left me. Everything seemed to repeat itself.

"I'll get used to this, Hector," I told myself. I couldn't believe our love had ended like this.