Chapter 40 Moving On

It has been a year already since Dina left him and ever since that day, Rico had lived like a living corpse. He was full of regret and was confused about what might be his problem because every time he falls in love, they keep on leaving him without any explanations. He lived like a desperate person, hoping this news might reach Dina and would immediately return to him. He hadn't been shaving his beard and mustache for almost a year, it had gotten long and reached down to his chest. He looks like an hermit stuck in the 1800s wearing his coat and tie. Every time he has a case, the rival would definitely shudder in fear. His name had become famous in the court. Everyone knows him on his field. At first, many people thought he was old due to his hermit looks, some would respect him, however, others would also gossip against him because they thought he had become insane in which he never mind at all. Rico had accepted that he cannot please everybody, nobody is able to please everybody. Rico's parents felt pity for their son but there is nothing they could do for him. They did all they could to ask Dina to come back home but she refused to talk to them. In the end, they could no longer contact her number anymore. Dina had moved on, forgetting the Ballestros. They are so heartbroken because they have treated Dina like their daughter they never had. They love Dina but they couldn't let Rico waste his life away as if he was only waiting for the day he would finally die. They keep on hoping that one day Dina would appear in their life again. One day, Rico's parents were surprised to see a well-dressed Rico. He had shaved his hermit-like beard and mustache, he had also cut his hair cleanly, he looked like the way he used to be. The old Ballestros couple had no idea what happened and what made him change instantly. 'Rico, my son? What happened? It's good to see you---" 'Hahaha! It's Dina, mom, sure has lots of guts! She is so thick-faced!", Rico laughed as he showed a picture to his mom. It was a picture of Dina and Carlos. Dina looks happy while he hugs Carlos, facing his back at the camera… you can clearly Dina's happy smiles. "The nerve of this woman to be happy with Carlos while I… almost went crazy when she left!", Rico said angrily. Rico's mom had still been clutching in the picture, she stared at it and couldn't believe what she is seeing. It seems like their beloved daughter-in-law had already forgotten them. Rico's mom cried. Rico felt sad to see his mom cry over this thick-faced woman. "My son… do whatever you want to do.", Rico's mom said in defeat, giving permission to his son to do whatever he wants. She is became depressed upon seeing the picture. At present-day… "Long time no see.", Rico greeted Alice when they coincidentally met in an expensive restaurant. It has been two years since they saw each other. Alice went away when Rico had pushed her away because Dina thought he is still in love with her… he had blamed Alice and they were on bad terms the last time they met. "I'm sorry again… I blamed you and had said unpleasant words to you.", Rico humbly said. 'It's nothing, Rico.", Alice smiled. Rico smiled too, this eases his guilt of what he had said to her that time. "So? Have you moved on already? I heard you had been constantly changing your girlfriends the way you change clothes. You hadn't been in a serious relationship at all. Don't tell me you are still waiting for Dina?", Alice tried to sound friendly but Rico hadn't seemed to accept their topic well. "Never mention her name in front of me. It makes me remember all the embarrassing things I have done for her. It makes me nauseous.", Rico laughed but Alice felt his bitterness in his words. "Okay. Well, I really want to feel hurt when you made me an alibi earlier. So the reason why you noticed me is to reject your girlfriend earlier.", Alice joked. Rico laughed. "She's not my girlfriend. She's just a fling.", Rico corrected. "Is that so? You have changed a lot. When I left you, you didn't become desperate like this.", Alice teased. "Excuse me? I'm not desperate at all.", Rico still insisted. "Oh really? If you're not desperate then what do you call with what you are doing? You've got tons of girls but you never treated them seriously. You make lots of women cry, you might get your karma. Remember, what goes around, comes around.", Alice commented. "You believe in karma? That's bullsh*t. I had truly loved Dina but why did I still end up getting hurt? I'm not scared of that karma sh*t. I've got nothing to lose.", Rico answered and gave Alice a bitter smile. Alice saw how worthless Rico's own life is to him. Although he may look normal and happy, his smiles are not real… he is not happy at all. She felt sad and pity for him because she is also one of the reasons why he ended up like this… if only she didn't force herself upon the couple, Rico wouldn't be like this. "I am sorry Rico." "For what?" "Because of me… you and Dina…" "Let's forget her. Don't mention her name in front of me ever again, we might be okay today but we might also end up in bad terms because of her.", Rico's tone was threatening. Rico hated Dina so much. How massive he loves Dina before, is also how massive his hatred for her is now. "Ok, let me tell you something good.", Alice changed their topic. "Okay.", Rico in a flat and uninterested tone. He is still not smiling and obviously, still in a bad mood. Alice smiled as she stretches her hand in front of him. Rico saw the ring she is wearing. "I am getting married!", Alice exclaimed happily. Rico held Alice's hand while looking intently at her ring. It was the scene Dina had saw when they entered the restaurant. Even though Rico was facing his back against her, Dina still knew his figure… she is sure it was Rico. "Wow! It's expensive. Congratulations!", Rico cheered happily and stood up to hug Alice. He is genuinely happy for Alice. Dina saw how happy both Alice and Rico together. It's nice to know that my departure had resulted in something good for them. Rico, it's good that you are both happy together., Dina thought. 'Carlos, let's leave this place.", Dina whispered. "Huh? Why---", Carlos was confused but had understood Dina's point clearly when he saw the familiar figures in front of them. He had been preparing himself for encountering this scene for a long time already, the day when they have to face Rico. However, at that moment, all his preparations and courage had vanished away, he couldn't afford to lose Dina right away. Alice was surprised to see two familiar figures intently staring at them, she immediately recognized them. 'Huh? It's---', Alice was shocked as she pointed out the familiar people. 'Okay, let's go!", Carlos answered as he hurriedly wrapped his arms in Dina's waist to forcefully guide her of going out of the restaurant quickly as he noticed Dina couldn't take her eyes off the man who is together with Alice even though they can only see his back. Rico went on to look where Alice is pointing. He was confused as he saw nothing special. 'What is it?", Rico asked. "I think I just saw Dina... and Carlos.", Alice honestly answered. Rico suddenly shuddered and he felt cold. "Don't kid me that way it's not funny. And I am angry.", Rico threatened Alice as his heart was pounding loudly with what he just heard. "I'm not kidding, they even saw us too but they hurriedly left, and…", Alice insisted and Rico realized that she was not lying, he felt anxious and couldn't wait for what Alice is about to say. "AND WHAT?!", Rico shouted angrily. "They had a child with them. They even looked like a family.", Alice answered. Rico couldn't believe what he just heard, he shuddered and he felt weak on his knees. He wanted to see and confirm it in person. He immediately stood up and ran after the people Alice is talking about. He ran out of the restaurant, immediately looked on his left and right but there's nothing… Dina is not there. "Aaaaaah!", Rico yelled at the top of his lungs. He is fuming mad. He doesn't know if Dina is back already or not but his heart is beating so fast just because of what Alice had said even though he hadn't confirmed it yet. He wanted to let all his anger for Dina out and he felt like he is going to explode because of his emotions. He shouted again which made the people looked at him in shock and fear, they were thinking that he is crazy. 'Rico, calm yourself…", Alice tried to approach Rico's anger. "Why are you doing this to me?! With your word saying Dina is here, I already believed you right away! I told you never to mention her name again!", Rico hissed at Alice and immediately left her to prevent himself from making a bigger scene. Alice shuddered in fear. Rico is now different. He will not heal easily for sure… maybe even Dina's return won't be able to heal Rico's wounds now.