Deanara Samaniego’s POV
“Do you wanna run away with me?”
Gray was taken aback by what I said and it took him another second before answering me. Well, he didn’t exactly answer me, but he offered something.
“Marry me first, babe!” He sincerely told me.
“So, you mean you are not willing to run away with me?” I asked him again.
He looked closely at me, trying to know what’s behind my sudden question. Should I tell him the real reason as to why I want to run away with him? If I did, will he do it? Perhaps, yes, he would, especially that he knew he’d be fighting against Mattel.
“I am willing to run away with you, babe, anywhere.” He held my hand and kissed the back of my palm. “But, first, marry me.”
“Well…” I made my voice cheerful and so he wouldn’t realize I was about to cry. “Give me the best proposal in the world and I will marry you.”
Gray leaned closer and kissed me in my forehead.
“Don’t worry, babe. You’ll marry me soon.”
I nodded and stared at his eyes. Yes, I want to marry Gray. But, how could I do that? I am torn between marrying Mattel for my family or choosing Gray. Honestly, I am having mixed feelings.
Ugh! I hate my mother, for once, she is the reason why I am torn between choosing my family or the man I truly loved.
I have to weigh things because I don’t want to regret my decision. I know for a fact that if I choose Mattel, I would lose Gray forever. And, if I would choose Gray, I would lose my mother...and my family.
My mother is very hard to please and when she says something, it’s the rule. No one can defy it. She might not say it, but I know she will not like me to marry Gray considering the fact that she didn’t give consent to our relationship. Why is she like that? Ugh! I am dying to know what she had learned about Gray, yet I was afraid that if I learned that too, then I would hate Gray.
I know my mother, she won’t say no without a reason. She’s logical. Never in my life she told me to stay away from something because she just wanted me to stay away. Those kids she told to tell me alone, I have learned that it was because they are taking advantage of who I am. When I was young, a lot of kids wanted to play with me. At first, I was so happy because someone wanted to be with me. Growing up, I have realized that it wasn’t me that they wanted, but the influence that comes with being friends with me.
And, so, I started living my life and became a completely different person to find worthy friends who don't care about material things. I’ve found Lyuna and I know, even if she knew about who I really am, she would never care about it.
My mother is doing it again. She’s not meddling with my life again. The last time she did that was when I was in high school when a guy was trying to court me, and ended up that guy wanting me to use it for their business. Now, Gray...what did she learn about Gray?
What is with Gray?
“Hey. I am melting.” Gray chuckled as I stared at him blankly.
“Gray...uh…” I paused.
“Hmm?” He asked while preparing the food and positioning himself to feed me.
“Uhm. Are you hiding something from me?”
“What?” He instantly answered looking so confused. “What do you mean by that?”
“I mean, like something…” I sighed. “I am just wondering if you forgot to say something to me or like you did something in the past and you never told me about it.”
“Hmm…” He tilted his head while thinking. “Like I forgot to brush my teeth last night and I am still going to kiss you now.” He chuckled upon feeling my lips.
I jokingly glared at him. “Seriously? I am not kidding.”
“I am not hiding anything from you, babe.” He told me. “What makes you think I am hiding something from you?”
I shook my head. “I am just asking.”
“Is this the reason why you are crying?” He started to panic. “Hey, is that because of me?” He shook his head. “Really, I didn’t do anything, so if you found something about me. Go on. Tell me so I could do something about it.”
I smiled when I saw that he was really thinking hard. I appreciate how he was making an effort to know what I wanted to know, despite that he had no knowledge about it. Maybe, he really did not do anything at the moment. I believe it was the past things that he had done that my mother was referring to. But whatever it is, if it’s in the past, people deserve second chances.
“No. No!”  I held him. “Nevermind. I am just asking.”
He sighed. “Whatever it is and if it did hurt you, I am sorry.”
“You didn’t do anything.” I assured him.
“Then, why are you crying? Who made you cry?” He asked me. And, that’s the question I have been avoiding.
“Uh, my mother.” I told him because it was really my mother. But, I have to remove some facts at this moment. “She was really asking me to go home with her and stay in Spain for good.”
“Then, why won’t you do it?” He wrinkled his brows. “Don’t you want to be with them?”
“It means I am going to leave you, Gray.” I said it directly.
I thought it would be a big deal for him, but no. What he told me made me love him even more.
“I will go with you. Let’s build a family in Spain.”
“Gray…”
I was speechless and I really don’t know what to say.
“What?”
“I…” I hugged him and almost cried.
“C’mon, I will do everything for you.” He brushed my hair. “If that's making you sad, then we don’t have any problem with that. I will follow you wherever you go.”
My heart was fluttering. I was overwhelmed, only if that's the real reason. It wasn’t that. It was the fact that my mother had arranged my marriage to someone...not someone...but to Mattel.
“Gray. That would be too selfish for me if you have to sacrifice your life here because of me.”  I told him. “That’s unfair.”
“You are my life, Deanara.” He kissed me. “So, wherever you are, that’s my home.”
My eyes teared. Damn! I know, it’s Gray. And, I have to settle my issues with my mother and Mattel. If I have to run away, then I will. I won’t hurt Gray. He doesn’t deserve it.
“I love you.” I sincerely told him.
“I love you.” He told me.
“By the way, about running away?” He paused and titled his head. “Do you mean it?”
“What will happen if I do really mean it?”
He smirked. “We can get married now and run away.”
Somehow, I want it to happen. I do want to marry him right then and then. However, I know it won’t be easy. I can’t just exclude my family. I have to settle in a good way. I want them to accept Gray not to run away with him forever. My mother will never condemn my wrongdoings. She will do everything to make me come back to her.
“I am kidding.” I laughed, thinking it seems like a fake one.
He locked my gaze and seriously looked at me.
“You can joke all you want, whatever topic it might be, just don’t…” He left it hanging for a while. “Don’t ever betray me.”
At the moment, I wished I could make a promise. But, I don’t make promises that I cannot keep.