August was suddenly quiet as she felt sorry for Flynn losing the most important person in his life.
Flynn looked at her. "When you said something about respecting whatever reason I have for keeping things to myself, I remembered him, being a confused child as I don't have a parent to call mother or father, he respected my isolation from the world. But I always find him beside me—answering my unspoken questions and doubts just by observing how I look at kids playing with their father or a child holding his mother's hand."
He smiled at her. "Respect—"He continued. "Father said that we can't force people to tell us their worries or desires. We must respect that certain gap between one person to another. Sooner or later, they will seek someone's lending ear, they will have their confession and will try to make things right or at least, ask for forgiveness. Like my mother who only reached out to Father Philips when I was already ten—those years Father respected her isolation as a mother to her child—the guilt, shame and regret she endured until she finally had the courage to come forward and confess to Father Philips after ten years."
"And right now, I want to confess this past I kept secret from you. This is me, August. I didn't have the same childhood as Stella. I was abandoned by my mother and had issues as a child. Even at the time it was brought to me that my parents are from the Royal family. I never talked to them. As a teenager, I questioned everything and rebelled."
He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "After Father Jacobs' death and my mother came back, Father Philips was there. Like always."
"It was only then that I remembered what he taught me—respect. They respected my hatred. He said I had to feel and experience it, they waited for me to realize it—my mother came back to make things right or at least, ask for forgiveness."
She couldn't help herself from shedding a tear after hearing his story. "I'm sorry if I'm crying." She whispered in between sniffs and wiped her tears with her fingers. "I'm happy and sad—no matter how crazy that sounds, I feel a lot of emotions right now. I'm sad hearing what you've been through but I'm happy you allowed me to learn this truth about you. Thank you, Flynn." She looked at Father Philips. "I'm sorry for being emotional, Father."
"I'm used to emotions and tears, child. And there's nothing to be ashamed about. We are not here to judge. We listen." He smiled.
Flynn smiled at her. "You're probably so confused. I was, too—until you reminded me of Father Philips. I want to say sorry that it took me this long."
She smiled at him. "Well—it's better now than later, I guess?"
"Of course."
"It's better now than never. And now, the food is ready!" Father Philips announced as he looked at them from the kitchen counter. "
••••••
It was after eight o'clock when they left Father Philips, promising to visit him often. Flynn had asked his driver Hugo to pick them since there are no cabs in the area.
They were inside the vehicle when Flynn crossed his fingers to hers.
She smiled at him, she has other questions but she knew tonight wouldn't be the right time. She just wanted to give Flynn enough time to recover from this eventful night.
He smiled at her. "You know you can ask me questions anytime. I could see that curious look on your face."
She blushed. "W—Well..."
"What is it?"
She wanted to ask him—why did your mother choose Father Philips? How did you manage to accept everything after all that happened?
But she stopped herself from asking and smiled at him instead, thinking Flynn had so much things he had shared today. They sure have all their time to share more. "I love you." She said as she tilts her head to give his lips a quick kiss.
He gasped in surprise. When he recovered, his hand reached out to her neck and pulled her for a slow passionate kiss.
She felt his hand on her shoulders then to her breasts. She moaned hard before their lips parted. "I love you more, August."
She smiled at him after he gave her a chaste kiss but she knew as she looked into his eyes, the desire is burning for more than just a kiss. "I'll wake you up when we're home."
She nodded and rested her head against his shoulders. She felt him kissing her hair as her eyes closed and she falls asleep.
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