Deanara Samaniego’s POV
“Getting married?” Gray smirked and almost choked with his words. He showed disgust as he looked at me. “Really, Ethan?” He couldn’t stop himself from laughing, a fake one. “Wow, that’s nice. Don’t you think so?” Gray turned to me.
“Marriage, huh?” Mr. Elizalde nodded, but he wasn’t convinced as he looked at Sae, who was a bit confused by the sudden atmosphere between us. “When do you plan on getting married?”
“We don’t have a date yet, but we’ll let you know.” It was Ethan who responded. “I’ll let you know.” He grinned at Gray. Okay, he’s teasing Gray. I hate to say this, but honestly…I am amused by his face right now. And, I’d like to believe that maybe he still loves me.
Maybe he did love me and we just failed to work it out. Or maybe not...he was just blinded by the idea of love and the fact that Vivian hurt him for Ethan. Was I someone he used to get over with Vivian? Guess, I would never know the answer for that. And, it won't matter anymore.
“Should I choose a date for you?” Gray sarcastically asked. “And, help you with the wedding.”
“Oh! That would be great. I want to help, too!” Sae volunteered and raised his hand. “Uncle Gray and I will do it.”
I blinked twice. Wow! Gray is really something. I looked at him and I am not sure what he is up to, but I am pretty sure that I am not going to like it. Damn!
“Sure.” Gray nodded. “That would be amazing, brother. Don’t you think so?”
Ethan nodded and smirked. “Sure, brother. Suit yourself.” He went towards Gray and tapped his back before going to Sae. “Come, Sae. Let’s eat somewhere.”
“How about you eat with us?” His father offered. “I’d like to get to know my grandson and so we could talk about the wedding. Your grandfather would surely love it. You know his condition and he'd been telling both of you to get married." His father looked at me.
There's something behind those looks and I am sure he is questioning my existence right now. I avoided his gaze and tried my best to hide the nervousness. Honestly, I don't know how I am going to get out from these lies.
"Would you like that, Sae?"
Sae happily nodded. "Yes, granny. I am looking forward to it. Daddy told me a lot of things about you."
"Oh. I hope they are good things." Mr. Elizalde chuckled as he held Sae's hand. "I would ask someone to prepare the food for us. While waiting for our reservation, would you like to join me, Sae? I'll introduce you to the staff."
"That would be nice, Granny." Sae smiled as he looked at me, asking for my permission. I nodded.
"Do you want to become an Engineer, too, like your dad?" Mr. Elizalde asked.
"Uh, no. I want to become a pilot."
Gray couldn't hide his smile when he heard that he was feeling proud because his son wanted to be like him, too. Tsk. Yes, they look alike, think alike…he's the mini version of Gray.
"You are going to be like your Uncle Gray, then."
"Yeah. I want that. Can you teach me how to fly the plane soon?"
"Sure, baby." He brushed Sae's hair.
Just then, one of the staff called Ethan for an emergency meeting. His father and Sae also left because they still need to check something. So, I was left with Gray again.
Damn! When will I get used to this? When will I get used to his presence? This is suffocating me. I need to leave right now.
I picked up my things and walked to the door when he held my hand. Shit! My heart was beating so fast and I felt like all my blood went to my face and somehow I wished because I am blushing…because I am not…I am nervous. And, I am terrified of the things that he's going to say now.
I don't want to hear it. I don't want to know about it because I might fall in love with him again. Not that he ever leave my heart. He's always here.
"You are not going to marry." He commanded.
That made me raise my brow. How? I cannot believe he would say that. Of all the things that he could say, why that?
"And, who are you to say that?" I scoffed.
"I am the father of your child." He simply said.
"You are not, Gray." I looked at him. "You can never be a father to him. He is Ethan---"
Gray cut me off by laughing crazily. "I can't believe we are still going to continue with the lie. I mean, how could you?" His eyes were darker right now. He's mad again…or maybe hurt.
"How could you lie to me? How could you hide my child from me? How…" He cupped his mouth as he breathed deeper. "How could you leave me and marry Mattel. Then, now? You are marrying Ethan. I cannot believe you!" He raised his voice as he frustratingly looked at me.
"How? Deanara…" He shook his head. "How could you do this to me?"
"Why not ask yourself, Gray?" I plainly replied. "And, it's done. The damage has been done. There is no way we can go back - -"
"Let's start again." He sounded hopeful. "Can we? Please…let's try again. Let's make it work again - -" I pulled my hand away from him when he tried to hold me.
"Don't touch me." I glared at him. "You already lost your right to do it."
"Come on, Deanara. I know you still love me. Sae is my kid. Can we start again?"
I turned my back on him, but he was too fast to make me face him. I avoided his gaze and tried hard not to cry. I cannot let my tears flow again. This isn't what I need to do. I need to be strong for myself. I cannot fall down.
Before I could say a thing, we both heard a knock from the door.
"Mr. Elizalde, I am sorry to disturb you but you have a call right now." His secretary said while paying respect to me.
Gray didn't let go of his gaze as he said, "Tell them I am busy."
"It's an urgent matter, Mr. Elizalde."
"I don't care," he seriously said while still looking at me.
He is melting me. I turned my back and started walking to the door. There is no point for me to stay in this place with him. But, I automatically stopped when I heard the name.
"It's Ms. Vivian."
Woah! Wow! I don't know how I would react to that. And, just…okay. Who am I to react? Tsk. How dare he talk to me like that when Vivian is still with him? I am never going to believe in him again.
Liar.
I felt like bursting into tears, so I immediately got away from that place. Damn! Her mere name tied to Gray can really ruin my mood. Why do I even need to hear that? Ugh! Now, I am really sure that I will not let him near Sae. No way!
I bumped into someone as my eyes were already blurred. I thought there's no tears anymore, but I was wrong. I hate this feeling. Damn! I definitely hate this feeling.
Thankfully, it was Ethan.
"Hey, what happened?" I heard him say as I fell into his chest. "Did something happen? Why are you crying?"
I hugged him as I breathed even deeper. Ethan was confused, but he still hugged me as he planted a kiss on top of my head.
"I am making Gray jealous right now since he is watching us," he whispered. "Don't punch me."
I laughed a little while still trying to stop my tears from streaming. Ugh! I hate this stuff. Why am I even crying? This is nothing. I should have already moved on from this.
“Should I kiss you to make him angrier?”
I hit him in his arms gently while shaking my head. “Nah, just treat me with something nice today. Can you do that? I am really sad.”
Ethan brushed my hair and smiled at me as he held my hand. “I’ll cook for you.”
“That would be great!” I told him.
Avoiding Gray when we have some kind of connection is not that easy, especially that his father wanted me to stay in their house. Of course, they now know that Ethan and I are getting married. And, for the sake of Sae…they want to get to know their grandson and be close to his great grandfather. I don't know how to say it without sounding rude and like I was hiding something.
I am not sure if Gray is living with them, but it seems that he is indeed living with his family right now knowing what happened to his grandfather. Ethan has been busy running the company. Although Gray was helping him…he is now more focused on his airline that needs attention, too. And, probably more focus on pestering me. Ugh!
"Will it be okay with you?" Ethan asked me while we were packing our things, so we could live in their house. "I can say no."
"And, what would be the reason for that?" I raised my brow. "You will say no because? Don't you think it would be rude if you'll say no. What would they think?"
"I don't care about what they think. I want you and Sae to be comfortable." Ethan explained.
"I want Sae to be comfortable even if I am not comfortable." I said, while packing up my things. "He deserves to know his family...and…" I paused.
A part of me wanted Sae to be close to Gray, so when the time comes that he'll know his real father, then I wouldn't have any problem at all because he is a great person. He might not be a good lover to me, but I am sure that he is a good father to Sae.
"What are you going to do about Gray?"
I shook my head. "I am not sure. Do you have any suggestions? I mean, I really don't know what I am going to do with your brother."
"Are you sure about marrying me?" He changed the topic.
"Are you not sure about it?"
"It's your decision, Deanara. And, I would respect whatever decision you will have. All I want is for you to be honest with me. Do you want the wedding?"
I don't know. I couldn't give him the right answer because I am not sure. A part of me would probably say yes because why not...and another part of me would definitely hate it knowing that I still love Gray even after all these years.
"Why not just tell him the truth? Maybe, this time it will work--"
"It will not work, Ethan." I was sure of it. "He's still with Vivian, so I am sure…it will not work."
We weren't able to finish what we were talking about when Sae entered the room, ready with his things. He was so excited about this because he'd been telling me he wanted to know his family. He had a lot of questions for me when he was still a kid…and now is the right time for him to know about it. It takes time, but I hope everything will be alright soon. I have to make this right.
"Mom, Dad…I am ready." He said, smiling at us while holding his bag. "Should we go now?"
"Uh, Mom is still packing his things right now," I showed him my things and some of his things since I told him to just pack the important things he wants to bring.
"Wanna play with me first?" Ethan offered as he went out of the room. "We'll be waiting outside," Ethan told me.
After making sure that we have all the things we need, we drove to their house. It was a long-drive and it felt like I was sitting inside the car forever. If only I could stop the time so as to not reach the place, then I would probably do it.
Sae was already sleeping inside the car when we reached their house. It isn't my first time to be here, but definitely this is the first time I went here with Ethan and not with Gray. That's probably new and the household would really talk about us which I kinda hate…but what can I do? Ugh! I really need to settle this as soon as possible.
Ethan brought Sae inside since he doesn't want to wake the kid. It's already eight in the evening. The whole mansion was so quiet like no one was home or maybe it was the fact that it was so big that we couldn't see each other…definitely great for me since I don't want to cross paths with Gray.
Why is he living here anyway? He told me he doesn't want to stay here. So, what changed his mind. Damn!
Their grandfather was sleeping inside their room when I tried to pay a visit to him. He's lying in bed and I could see his weak body. The doctor even said that they are just waiting for months for his death. It's a sad sight and one of the reasons why I also wanted to stay here. So, Gray would have the chance to know him…and Ethan will also have the chance to feel that their family is still complete. No matter what happened between him and Gray...they are still brothers. I think Gray thought about it, too. He may not say it but he cares a lot for his family.
"Are you hungry?" Ethan asked. "They cooked for us. We can eat. I still have to wait for my father, too."
"Sure, let me take a shower first." I responded.
"I'll wait for you in the dining hall. Do you still know your way, right?" He made sure while I nodded.
It took minutes before I finished showering. I put some of my clothes on the shelves and made sure that Sae was sleeping soundly in his bed. I looked around the guest room and thought of asking Ethan's permission to renovate this guest room since I am sure that Sae will stay here…for a long time.
I thought of waking up Sae to eat, but he is really asleep. I checked my phone for some calls and emails about work. Also, I tied my hair and put on some powder and it was then I realized that I am paying much attention to my looks now. And, for what?
Damn! What am I thinking? So, what if I will be seeing him everyday? Ugh! This isn't right.
I immediately went out of the room and almost stumbled on my feet when I saw Gray standing inches from the door.
Why does he always appear at the right time…and at the perfect time? Seriously, what is he up to?
"You are living here?" He smirked. "Oh. That's great. I get to torture you everyday."
"What does it even mean?" I glared at him.
He's serious and mad.
Before I could say something, he handed me an envelope. I stared at it, scared of what I might see…scared of the truth because this time I know that I can no longer keep up with these lies.
"I am giving you a week, Deanara." He warned me. "A week to make everything in its place."
When I didn't move, he held my hand and placed the envelope on it. I couldn't grasp it…it fell on the floor and I stood there staring at the paper...that proves he is indeed Sae's father.
"And, if you are still stubborn enough, I will surely see you in court, Ms. Samaniego or wait…is it Mrs. Dela Merced…or Mrs. Elizalde?" He smirked. "I let you leave me even without telling me why, and I am not going to let you have my child without knowing me."