Clifford"s words struck Ingrid"s mind. She could not believe that this man would be the instrument to open up her fixed mindset. It never occurred to her this reality because she sulk her thoughts with the pain those men have caused her."You think I"m good enough and worth loving." She whispered. Clifford then pulled away from the embrace and cupped her face.
"Of course, Ingrid, you are more than enough and you are worth loving. Maybe no one made you understand that or maybe pain has blinded you to realize that." Then he kissed her forehead. "... I won"t promise anything to you, but I"ll show it. Promises are oftentimes made to be broken, but actions prove everything."
Ingrid could no longer hold back the details. She wanted to be free and the only thing that needs to be done is to open and share it to him. Clifford made her feel that she"s not judged nor condemned when he"s around her, she feels protected, needed and loved? He made her feel that what she feels or thinks really matters and she could not believe that he is capable to listen to her woes and somewhat empathize with her.
"But Cliff, it doesn"t end there..."
"What do you mean?" Clifford didn"t feel good about it.
"Paul followed me here months after he got married to that woman.."
"What the–! He still has the guts to do that after what he did. Is he a psycho? What did he do to you? Please tell me... don"t hold anything back!" Clifford is more furious now.
"He wanted me back because he said he loved me and also he discovered that the child the woman was carrying wasn"t his. And he only discovered the truth months after their wedding because the father of the child suddenly showed up. His family"s business almost went bankrupt but they did recovered years after. His mom suffered nervous breakdown and was sent to a mental inst.i.tution while his father had a heart attack and was in vegetate state. The woman had a miscarriage and they divorced."
"That serves him right!?"
"So, I reported him to the police because he was so persistent and I was having anxieties again. He was sent back to his home and it"s a good thing at that time though, because I learned how to face him bravely months after that heartbreak. And now this..." she trailed off. "... I thought I was over with that experience."
"I"ll see to it that man will pay for everything he did to you. You"re reaction was just natural."
Clifford gritted his teeth and fell silent and was so desperate to think what to do with her situation. As he weighed things, he could never let Ingrid be harmed and hurt emotionally again. He could not afford to see her suffer again. After much thought, he decided to do the right thing.
Holding both her hands, Clifford said,
"Ingrid, this may sound absurd at this time and this place may not be the perfect and romantic place to tell you this, but I need to protect you and Clark. I could not afford to see you hurt and suffer just because of that worthless sc.u.mbag and worst yet be in danger. So, I am begging you, please give me the right to protect you with no restraint..."
"Huh? I don"t get it" Ingrid could not follow what he means.
"MARRY ME. NOW."
....
"Paul! What"s that drama earlier? Are you playing martyr now? Ha! It doesn"t suit you..." she said insulting Paul.
Vanessa could not believe what just happened and how Clifford took side with Ingrid.
"h.e.l.l, no! How could I make her mine again if I acted harshly earlier? Mind first before heart. You"re too emotional that"s why..." He said as he pointed his head then his left chest. Paul laughed and then frowned when the part Ingrid slapped stings. He examined his face and he notice that there was a small cut on it.
"Well, you deserve that slap, you"re such a jerk earlier." Vanessa is still p.i.s.sed off.
"But you acted like an ill-bred lady by the way. And do you know how men loathe that behavior you showed previously? You"re so pathetic." Paul retorted and mocked her at the same time.
"How dare you insult me!" Vanessa screamed and almost thrown the expensive jar at him.
"Don"t you dare do that, I swear I"ll choke you to death!" Paul threatened which makes Vanessa froze.
She placed it back and straightened her back, "what shall we do next? I really can"t wait to lay my hands on that woman. My hands are itching to scratch her ugly face!"
"You can"t do that to her or else your man shall suffer, too. We just have to divide and then conquer." Paul smiled shrewdly.