Rhythm of Heartbreak (COMPLETED)

Chapter 38

Rick and Jess were sitting close to each other. His arms were around her pulling her closer while she was leaning her body against Rick, both watching the sunrise on the little balcony of the beach house. Rick took her hand, intertwined it with his, and kissed it.

Jess saw the light illuminated in the sky; it seemed that it was igniting the most perfect flame. It is like calling to rise, be something great, and start a new day to be better.

She turned her head around meeting his gaze. "Did you hate me for being Adam's daughter?" She asked.

Let the sadness and anger out or it will poison you. Rick thought, reminding himself to be honest. 

He breathed. "For a second I did, but I realize you were a victim too, probably both of you and your mom. Even Iris. I was spiteful of him for a very long time and those emotions didn't burst until recently. I was a fool." He concluded.

Jess was silent thinking that if Adam didn't die, he would probably leave Iris completely. Her mom was certain that he wanted to build a real family and make it up with them, of course, it didn't happen which rooted Kris's anger and dismay towards her father. She hoped for him to keep his word.

She cleared her throat. Rick probably doesn't need to know that anymore. She shouldn't be adding insult to injury.

"Can I ask you something?" She softly said instead.

Rick tilted her chin and stared at her telling her to go on.

"How was Adam figuratively as a father to you?"

He breathed again and dropped his hands from her chin. Rick remembered those times like it was just yesterday. His body stiffened. It was the right good memories of his past, tragic and painful.

"He was like a real father to me. He was good, he treated me as someone important and even spent time in almost all of my soccer games. He taught me how to swim and play drums. He was fun to be with. I guess that's the reason why I hated him so much because I too wanted us to be a real family." He honestly shared.

Jess nodded, understanding his words. Adam was a good man after all. He committed a lot of mistakes but was a good man, nonetheless.

That was selfish to say, right? Knowing that your mom exists and probably loved Adam too. And of course, you, not having your father around growing up." He empathizes.

"I don't know him and so I may be regretful that he wasn't present in my life, but my mom wasn't present too and I see her every day. So, the thoughts of not having a father in a way was sad but I was more invested in seeking validation from my mother." She clarified.

"I'm sorry about that Jess" he softened his eyes.

"I'm sorry about yours too..." she replied.

He lowered his head and kissed her cheek; he then wrapped her around his arms and cradled her tightly.

"Did I scare you back in the villa?" He asked.

In that moment Jess saw a flash of regret in his hazel eyes.

"A little bit, the way you gaze at me and the way you resisted back then was just unbearable. My emotions turn cold, anxious, and afraid but it was more on an understanding of your pain too." She answered.

"I'm so sorry. I was never good at expressing myself. I didn't mean to scare you that day." He apologetically replied.

Jess remembered the articles posted against her, spreading like wildfire on the news outlets and social media. "Did you believe the scandal that I approached you just to get revenge?" she uttered. More than anything else, Jess was worried about how Rick would take all the gossip and their unsolicited theory against her. She wants to know it directly from him.