SOREN
I don't know why he's treating me well now. Actually, I hate it. I don't know if he's still pretending or if he's feeling guilty. But... the kiss last night felt like a dream, it felt good, but I push the memory in the back of my mind.
"About the wedding," he suddenly said after talking on the phone.
I grimaced. "No, I think we should just forget about it, damn it, bro, I was out of my mind when I suggested—"
"Next week. The wedding is next week," he cut me off seriously. He approached me, sat beside me, and I nearly slapped him when he took one of my hands and gently squeezed it.
"I want to take care of you," he said. There was something in his eyes that I couldn't quite place, but I chose to ignore it. "You want a simple life, right? I’ve left the company. Sold some of my properties. I bought a house in Palawan; we can live there."
My eyebrows shot up in surprise.
What the fuck is wrong with this guy?
"We?" I asked with a sharp tone. Because obviously, I don't believe his bullshit. I don't trust any word that comes out of his mouth. Well, not anymore.
He raised an eyebrow at me too, looking offended by my reaction to his words.
"Yes, Soren. We. You, Alexa, and me. Who else were you expecting to be with you? Elias?"
I sarcastically laughed. "I prefer him over you." No joke, bruh.
"Nice insult," he said flatly.
And yes, this seems to be the real Marshall. He’s not nice. He’s always sarcastic and has been rude to me these past few days.
Hah. The animal’s mask is off.
I yanked my hand away from his grip.
I glared at him. "It wasn’t an insult. There’s a difference between 'truth' and 'insult.'"
"Tss," he replied sarcastically. He propped his arms up on the headrest of the sofa, occupying the entire space. "Whatever you say to me, Amberson, I still don’t care."
"Then leave," I said firmly.
"Leave who?" he asked, playing dumb. "No. I won’t."
"This isn’t your house."
"Nope. But I still won’t leave YOUR house," he emphasized the word YOUR just to piss me off.
Fuck him.
I rolled my eyes and stood up, distancing myself from him. I can't fucking stand his attitude. No wonder Caleb hates him. He’s infuriating to talk to.
"Hey, where are you going?"
I sighed. "I’m going to masturbate. I missed fingering my pussy."
Nah, just kidding. I’m just going to lock myself in my room because I’m pissed off. Later, I’ll just visit Alexa at Caleb’s place. She’s gotten too comfortable there and doesn’t want to come back here.
"Hold on."
He grabbed my arm from behind. Tsk.
Annoyed, I faced him. "What the hell is that?!"
He’s infuriating. Really infuriating!
He took my hand again. I was stunned when he placed another ring on my finger. "Please, don’t throw this ring again. I don’t know why you’re angry, but whatever your reason is, I’m so sorry."
Ah.
I couldn’t help but grimace.
"I’ll make it up to you."
Even if you shouldn’t.
"Okay, but can you let go of me now?" I asked, bored.
He chuckled slightly. "You don’t believe me, do you?"
His hand moved to my back. He embraced me gently, and surprisingly, I didn’t mind it—no, not really—I mean, it’s not like me.
The back of one of his hands slid down my jaw. I closed my eyes and sighed. "You know what? Fuck you."
I pulled away from him. "Anyway, dude. You can do whatever you want. Sleep with other women, blah blah blah. Just please," I felt sentimental, "Just please, stop touching me. I’m tired of pretending that I like it," I lied. "I’m pregnant, okay? I’ve already succeeded in having sex with you while sane. And since we’re done, let’s stop touching each other like we’re a couple."
I met his gaze with a grimace. "Because obviously, we’re not."
I shrugged before finally walking away from him towards my room.
"But I love you," I heard him say.
I paused briefly. Even if I ignore it, I can’t change the fact that this is the first time he’s said those words with sincerity.
"I really do, Soren," he continued, but I didn’t look back at him.
"Crazy, I don’t know about you," I said, annoyed, and quickly went up the stairs. When I reached my room, I immediately settled onto my bed.
Oh, gee. I missed the witness to my misdeeds: my bed!
AFTERNOON ARRIVES. I didn’t tell Marshall where I was going because I’m a rude person. I used his car because if I get into an accident, his car will be the one damaged.
"Waaaaah!" Alexa squealed with delight, lifting my shirt. "Your abs are gone now! Your tummy is getting bigger!"
I laughed softly.
Here I am now in the mansion. Only Caleb, Au, and Fox are here.
"Fuck that sharp shooter," Caleb said. "Anyway, you’re about to be pregnant at the same time as my baby," he added with a grin, as if tickling his ass. Ugh. What a jerk.
"Are you still not going home?" I asked Alexa, who was pressing on my tummy.
She shook her head. "Nope! Tita Saica is teaching me about beauty."
Oh.
Miss Saica came out from the kitchen. I raised an eyebrow when I saw her stomach was also starting to swell. When I looked at Caleb, he was calmly reading a newspaper on the couch.
What the hell is happening here?
"Obviously, bebe Soren, you can’t teach Alexa beauty routines," Miss Saica said, then went to sit on Caleb’s lap. He didn’t complain. Instead, he wrapped his arms around Miss Saica’s small waist while continuing to read the newspaper.
Sweet.
What the hell happened to me?
"Don’t you miss your dad?" I asked Alexa again, who was pressing on my belly.
"I miss him. But I want to grow up as a beautiful woman like you, Mama."
Aw. That’s touching.
I hugged her gently. "Do you have something to wear yet?"
"Yes, sis," Miss Saica said. "We picked out dresses yesterday. She’ll have something to wear for your wedding with Daddy Marshall."
Hmm, okay.
It turns out she’s not teaching Alexa to kill people. Hehe.
"You’ll be separated anyway," Caleb added bitterly.
"We’re about to split up too," Fox suddenly said. "She’s pregnant, by the way."
Huh? Dianne too?!
And yes, the bleeding I experienced back then was normal. I am pregnant-- damn it!
*****
"Let me in!"
The banging on the door was relentless. But I stayed lying on my bed while playing PUBG.
"Soren, damn it!"
I was startled when the doorknob of my room’s door suddenly shattered. I quickly got up as Marshall stormed in with an angry look on his face.
Holy shit. Did he just break my doorknob with his bare hands?!
"Why didn’t you open the door, huh?" he asked irritably as he kicked the door shut with his foot. Sadly, it remained slightly ajar.
"I’m too lazy," I answered grumpily.
Annoyed, he sat on the edge of my bed. But when he saw my exposed belly, he moved closer and bent down to kiss its curve.
"I lost the game because of you, damn it."
He ignored me. He rested his head on my belly and seemed ridiculously happy.
It’s still small. And my cravings are still strong because I’m pregnant.
"Get the fuck out, Marshall. I’m annoyed by your cologne," I said again, frustrated. But he didn’t listen. He positioned himself behind me and embraced me from there.
I gave a fake smile. Does he think this will win me over? Like I said, I’m not going to forgive him!
"The wedding is the day after tomorrow, bro," he whispered into my ear. "What did the doctor say yesterday—"
"No sex," I answered directly. "Go to the bathroom."
"Oh," he responded, then fell silent for a moment. "So... no sex?"
I pushed him away in annoyance. "Are you asking for sex from me as if you don’t have any guilt towards me?!"
How shameless. He’s incredibly shameless!
"Huh?" He moved away from me slightly. "I know you’re pregnant, but what the hell are you talking about?"
I didn’t answer him.
I didn’t want to tell him about how he used me. I didn’t want to look pitiful.
"Look, I don’t have another woman. That’s the last thing I’d do, Soren."
I laughed sarcastically.
It’s okay, Soren. Don’t expect anything. You don’t know what goes on in that guy’s head. He’ll leave you, he’ll leave you both.
And even though things seem fine between us now, I will never forget what he said. I won’t forgive him. Ever.
Yes, he’s given up everything. I’ve proven that because Caleb told me that Raquel now runs Marshall’s company, but that won’t change my mind. Never.
He manipulated me, didn’t he? What if this is just another one of his "dramas"?
I stayed focused on my phone. But then I cursed when he put something on my face.
"What the hell, Mar—what’s this?"
The thing he placed on my face fell onto the bed. It was a white box with pearls around it. I mean, it’s not a jewelry box. It’s too big for that.
"Open it."
So I did. I removed the box lid and immediately lifted what was inside.
A dress. I don’t know if it’s a gown or just a dress. It’s white.
"You didn’t like the suggestions, so I bought this myself."
I looked at Marshall and stared at his face in surprise.
I returned my gaze to the dress.
"Are you sure this will fit me?"
"I know your size," he said meaningfully, which made me roll my eyes.
Dress? Gown? No. It looks like it has a long skirt, but it’s not a skirt. I don’t know what to call it, but it’s like pants. It’s hard to explain, but... I like it.
"Not too feminine. It suits you," he said as he kissed my cheek.
"This is what I’ll wear for the wedding?"
"Yeah. Don’t you like it?"
I neatly returned the dress to the box. Even the box seems like something I could pawn. I don’t even want to ask how much it cost!
"Don’t worry, it’s cheap."
I gave him a glare. "Cheap like your face."
"Just a couple of thousands. It’s cheap."
Based on his expression, a few thousands must be cheap for him.
I looked away from him. I sighed and closed my eyes tightly. I slowly opened them again when I felt calm.
"Marshall, let’s just forget about it if you’re going to leave us hanging--"
Okay, I’m being annoying now.
"Damn it!" He shouted. "Stop overthinking it, Soren. I know I’m an idiot, but please, trust me this time. I’ve given up everything, so I have nothing else to think about but you."
I still didn’t believe him. Hard as I am, I don’t believe him.
"Tsk," he moved slightly away from me. "You’re being a pain again."
He lay down and pulled one of my thighs towards him.
"Come here and sit on my face."
I looked at him, bewildered. "Huh?"
He lay comfortably on my bed, looking relaxed, and, ugh, he’s so shameless.
He smiled at me slightly. "Sit on my face, love," he repeated.
He even licked his lower lip, so I got what he wanted for lunch.
I immediately put my phone down.
I’m angry at him, yes.
But fuck it, am I really going to refuse this blessing?
Yeah. That’s it. I’m screwed.
I think... I can’t call myself a lesbian anymore.
I am bisexual... I guess.
I mean...
I don’t know.
*******