Chapter 159 - UNWAVERING

Achis grimaced, recalling the last night they have been together. He was too cruel to her, he said he loves her but he could torment her like that. He regretted everything he had done. He regrets it every second. 

"Then..."

"Listen, Bai Tala, I am not interested in participating in your schemes anymore."

"Then, are you giving up?" Tale asked, "Are you giving up? Looking for her? Is this the farthest where you can settle? Datu Achis, I have been watching you for some time. You are not this hopeless, you are talented and a genius, you are a remarkable person! Forfeiting, you do not know that word." 

"What are you trying to say?" 

"Where is the young Datu Achis who only knew success? Did you not kill the recent Datu to bring so much more to your banwa? Then, why are you stalling everything?"

"I do not get what are you trying to imply Bai---"

"Is it because of your bride? You were too miserable that she left you? Will this depression of yours get you somewhere? Why do you even have to think of it that way? Don't make it hard just because of what she did." Achis furrowed his brow trying to understand what she's trying to get through to him. But then, he thought, was this woman blaming Yanarym for what happened to him? Hah, he wanted to growl at her. 

She didn't even know a thing. It was his fault, why was she slandering the woman he loves?

"Don't drag her into this nonsense talk."

"But it's the truth that when she came into your life, she changed you, didn't she? And then she ran away from you? If she doesn't want you, then just make her regret abandoning you."

"That's enough."

"Datu Achis, it's just one woman, you can have as many women as you like. She is the stupid one leaving you behind, she did not know what she lose. Build yourself a harem, and if she---"

"I SAID ENOUGH!" He took his kampilan and pointed it towards her neck. His face darkened and his eyes were burning with fury. His hands were trembling, he was fuming with anger. He breathes heavily as he grits his teeth. "INSULT HER AGAIN AND I WILL NOT HESITATE KILLING YOU!" He yelled at her not even caring about the wound that his blade caused to her neck.

Tala did not bat her eyes, she remained unfazed by his furious state. "Datu Achis, what I am telling you are the facts---" she wanted to defend her stance, but he's not listening.

"It's useless! Making her regret? Making her jealous? Things like that, she's not like you! Don't think that every person you know is like you!" Tala clenched her fist and looked back to his burning gaze.

"How do you know that? I met countless people! I have negotiated with a variety of people! They are all the same! Prosperity, greed, land, power! They all want the same!" 

"It's gibberish, Rym doesn't care about status or wealth."

"How do you know?! How is she different! Is there a person in this world who doesn't want that?!"

"Is your father not enough as a representation? How about his wife? They did not ask for too much."

"That's because they had enough!"

"Then, it proves that they are people who are content. Also, I know that Rym won't come back to me on her own… I have to wait, no matter how long it takes."

"If you know that much, why are you still hanging on to her? Isn't it better to move on and heed what I said? Find someone else." Tala wrinkled her forehead. 

She doesn't understand, why? Why are men so unreasonable? Why do they give everything to the women they fell in love with? The concept of this foolishness, she could never understand! 

"Do you think I can find someone else? Don't kid with me. She's not someone you can compare to someone else. She's one and only." 

"If you love her that much then use the influence, power, and wealth to find her!"

"Will you not shut up?! Do you think it is that easy? I have enough resources but if she doesn't show herself, I could not find her!" The both of them let the silence reign. This argument is going nowhere. Achis pulled back his sword and sighed again, "Leave. This is nonsense." 

Tala bit her lower lips, for some reason, she had realized that she should stop winning him over. However, there was something inside her screaming that it shouldn't be like this. That he should be following her, he should be serving her, he should become one of her people. It feels wrong that he was not. Just like how she wants Maki and Lapil, she wanted him too, but not as a man but as her tool. 

"I have a sister, I think you have heard of her." Once she had calmed down, she started to contemplate how to win him. She's not backing down, she will have him to her side. 

"What, what sister?" Achis was stunned after hearing it. He felt like a cold bucket of water was thrown into his body. 

She only has one sister, that is Yanar, why is she mentioning her? Does she find out Yanar is alive? Did she know where Yanar is?

"She's my sister from our father. She was announced dead a long time ago but she is really alive." Tala continued as she did not notice Achis' reaction. 

Yesterday, she found out that her sister, who she thought had died, was still alive and well. Being pampered by Datu Pita, as usual, and this time, Maki was also there and did not tell her the aggravating news. 

She felt betrayed, Maki had betrayed her. However, it's not like Maki could betray her, he can't. He can't be telling Tala's intentions to Yanarym or Datu Pita.. That would be suicide.