CHAPTER 31
"I'm warning you all. What happened here stays here." Adolfo warned everyone in the party who had witnessed the scene. Even the music had stopped. It was impossible not to hear his booming voice. His wife was right beside him, clutching his arm to calm him down from the scandal their daughter got involved in. He pointed at everyone and eyed each person. "I don't care whatever family you came from. If any of this gets out, if I hear a single word about this out here, you will regret it. No one humiliates my daughter."
He looked around for something, and his eyes stopped at a lamppost nearby. "Bring to me the CCTV footage at once." He demanded. The securities immediately started on it. He eyed his brother, who was beside his daughter. "Agustin, let's talk." He whirled around and wound an arm around his wife's waist to guide her back inside.
Aurora didn't know what was happening inside the villa anymore because Max was leading her outside to his car. She wanted to get home. He told her to change her outfit first so that she wouldn't stay in her soaked dress, but she rejected it. She just wanted to get home fast. She doesn't want to face anyone, especially her parents. She doesn't know how to explain it to them for now. She felt like she still wasn't in her right mind.
When they were in front of Max's car, she stopped and roamed her eyes around. Their own service wasn't pulled out by the driver yet. "Let's use our car." She said in a hoarse voice. She felt so tired all of a sudden. Even her tongue was getting heavy. The rage she felt earlier had melted, and she was now feeling vulnerable.
"Are you worried about my car getting wet?" He was right about what was on her mind. He still had his arm around her shoulders, and his other hand was gripping her elbow. She wanted to slide closer to feel his warmth more.
She looked up at him, and their gazes met. She nodded.
"Don't be. Come on. Let's hurry you home. Baka magkasakit ka pa kapag nababad ka ng mas matagal sa basa mong damit. (You might get sick if you stay longer in your soaked outfit.)" He opened the passenger door of his car and assisted her in getting inside. He closed the door lightly, and he quickly went to the other side to hop in.
She pulled the seatbelt at her side and tried to lock it, but she didn't know why she was struggling, and she lacked the strength to pull it. She was also trembling.
Max turned to her. He pulled the seatbelt and locked it in place. He noticed her slightly shivering. He switched the heater so she'd feel less cold. Even he felt a little cold in his body because he got soaked too from helping her out of the pool and keeping her out from attacking her enemies. He didn't mind though. There was that something inside that urged him to protect her instinctively.
"Do you feel better now?" She was hugging herself with his blazer.
She only nodded, rested her head on her seat, and looked outside the window. He started the car then. He was driving fast but still within the speed limit.
While they were still on the road, his phone rang. He pulled out the Bluetooth earpiece from the small compartment at the side. It was his godfather.
"Son, where are you? How's Aurora?" Adolfo directly asked.
"We're on our way to your mansion po, Tito. (Uncle.)" He glanced at Aurora. She was still looking outside. "She has calmed down now."
He heard a sigh from the other line. "That's good. Thank you so much, iho. For taking care of my daughter. Can you stay for a while? We still have some things to settle here, then we're going home."
"Sure, Tito. No problem po. Ako muna bahala sa kanya. (Leave her to me.)" He said.
"Okay, then. See you in a bit." Then he ended the call.
When they arrived at the Fontalva mansion, servants were waiting at the entrance and immediately approached her the moment she stepped out of his car. They wrapped a robe around Aurora's body. He was about to help her because her knees were trembling and she was still on her heels, but maids surrounded her.
"Let him help me." Aurora uttered, and they all retreated. She didn't trust them either, for they might not be able to hold her weight if she stumbled on her way up the staircase.
Max approached her side. "I hope you don't mind." He said, and instantly crouched. He placed his arm behind her knees and wrapped the other around her waist. He hoisted her up, carrying her like a princess. "Para hindi ka na mahirapan sa paglalakad. (So, you don't have to walk in struggle.)" He added.
She immediately put her arm around his neck to hold on. He started to follow the maid to her room upstairs. She was a bit shy from what he was doing. "Stay for a bit." She said it in almost a whisper. "Please."
"Sure." He replied. They were now hiking the stairs.
"Hope you could bear my weight." She mindlessly uttered. She was a bit worried, for they were now on the stairs, and she knew she was a bit heavy.
"Trust my muscles. You're light for me." He wasn't panting, though he was carrying her up on the grand staircase. She smiled. She felt proud that he was strong. They finally reached the top and turned to a corridor. They stopped outside of her room, and he gently put her down. She also pulled her arm from his neck.
The two maids who guided them stayed at the side quietly.
"Thank you." She mumbled, a little shy. She wondered why she felt so when it wasn't in her personality.
"Go. Get change." Max tilted his head to her room for her to get inside already for she might caught a cold.
Aurora nodded, but before she entered, she eyed the maids and they came to her side.
The housekeepers already knew their boss's usual attitude. When they looked at them, they needed something. "Signorina, tumawag po si Signor at kami na po bahala kay Signorino Max kung gusto niyo na pong magpahinga. Dadalhin po naming siya sa katabing kwarto mo po para makapagbihis at may nakahanda na pong pamalit damit para sa kanya. (Signorina, Signor called us. And we'll take care of Signorino Max if you already want to take rest for the night. We'll bring him to the room beside yours for him to change and we had new clothes for him there.)"
She was glad that she didn't have to elaborate things anymore. "Thank you. And please, bring some hot chocolate and brownies to the lounge area." She nodded to Max and entered her room.
Aurora freshened herself up pretty-quick. She was done changing into a pair of sleepwear. A pajama and a long-sleeved silk. She rubbed her hair to a dry towel. She wanted to blow dry it but it was still soaking wet because she took a shower again.
When she got out of her room, a maid was waiting for her. "Signorina, Signorino Max is in the lounge area. The brownies and hot chocolate you asked as well."
"Salamat. (Thank you.)" She mumbled and the maid followed her.
She caught him sipping his hot choco already. She smiled upon seeing it. He was sitting at the sofa. She turned to the girl behind her. "Please leave us alone." She nodded and gestured for the other maids that were standing at the corners. They all left their positions. If she wanted something, there was a tiny bell in the middle of the small table.
He glanced at her direction when he finally noticed her approaching. She sat on the sofa but there was still space between them. She unfolded the blanket that was propped at the armrest and wrapped it around her.
"You still feel cold?" He was worried. He put down his own drink and helped her placed the blanket more securely around her.
"A little." She answered. "Thanks." He settled down again. And he brought her own cup to her hands.
Max scooted closet to her. The wide space between them was gone. But he wasn't totally invading her personal space. She sipped her chocolate and almost moaned from its warm and bitter-sweet taste. She liked drinking dark chocolate, especially when she felt cold. Her feet were on the sofa, while Max had his elbows on his knees.