Chapter 2 I Emery

Dahlia played a C.D. on their player while Emery was in the comfort room. They were going to watch their favorite Korean drama when she suddenly looked at the picture frame next to their T.V. She saw three children hugging each other and smiling extra-wide. That was her, Travis, and Emery, she smiled when she remembered how Emery and her met.

Flashback

Dahlia

A fancy party will be held tonight at Monte Cristo’s mansion. Dahlia don't know what that was for but all she knows is that her Mom was busy cooking and cleaning. Dahlia's mom was the trusted butler in the mansion.

Though she was a child, she learned to do some household chores, and she helped her mother little by little. She don’t want her mother to get tired because she was afraid that her Mom will get sick.

The party was indeed marvelous. Her mom dressed her in a floral dress. It was a gift for her from Mrs. Monte Cristo when she celebrated her birthday last month.

"What a beautiful kid," a visitor said.

"How cute. Is this your child?" another visitor asked and her mom nodded.

That’s what she constantly hears from them. Her mom just smiled at the guests and she smiled as well. She got bored and told her Mom that if possible she would let her out to play. Her mom didn't agree at first but later at her insistence, her Mom allowed her as long as she didn't leave the Mansion.

She happily went out and played marbles. Suddenly, she heard a little sob in the distance. She followed it and saw a little girl sitting on a bench, she approached that little girl and asked why she was crying.

“Hello kid, are you okay? Why are you crying?” The kid immediately turned around, looked at her, and cried again.

“Oh my! Hold on, please don’t cry,” she said, comforting her. The girl eventually stopped crying and took a deep breath.

“D-Daddy d-doesn’t want to give me a lollipop,” the girl complained.

“I have a lollipop, here. Do you want?” s pulled her lollipop out of her pocket. This is the only one she has, maybe she just save some money again to buy candy. The kid's eyes were shining upon seeing the lollipop she gave her.

“T-Thank you,” the kid shyly said and smiled.

“Do you want to play marbles?” Dahlia showed her the marbles that she was holding. Suddenly the kid's face lit up and she nodded. They played happily until a loud voice called the little girl's name.

“Emery,” the man called.

They looked at him and suddenly Emery stood up.

‘Let’s go home.” The man immediately turned around and Emery followed him. She felt sad because the kid left her without saying goodbye but to her surprise, the kid returned.

“I’ll be back, kid and we will play again! Bye!” the little girl mumbled.

“Dahlia! Dahlia’s my name!” she happily shouted at the kid.

“Okay, Dahlia!” Emery shouted and followed his father.

And that’s where their friendship started. Every week, Emery would come to the mansion with her Nanny to play with her. Sometimes she also helped her with household chores. At first, Dahlia didn’t want Emery to help her but Emery insisted. It was funny that she took advantage because if the chores were finished, they could finally play.

END OF FLASHBACK

“Dahlia,” Emery mumbled. Dahlia turned her attention and looked at Emery.

“You’re done? I have prepared a movie for us to watch.” She started the show and sat on the sofa next to her. After they watched their favorite K-Drama they finally had a conversation. Emery told her that she had a boyfriend in Korea and the reason why they separated was due to her sudden return to the Philippines.

“What is the reason why you suddenly went back here, Emery?” Dahlia innocently asked Emery.

“I have a big-time offer here, that is to become a model of a branch launched by a famous company. I just don’t know what company it is but my manager will take care of it.”

“I’m so happy for you!” Emery said smiling.

“How about you? How’s your married life? Do you have a child with Travis? Will I be a godmother?” Emery asked her excitedly. She was saddened by thinking about how her married life was going on.

“ We’re happy however lately, Travis and I had a misunderstanding,” she sighed.

“Oh my! For what reason? Tell me about it!” Emery's face was full of concern and she did not like it. She looked at Emery with tearful eyes and began to tell stories. She told her everything from beginning to end. She just cried when she remembered all the bad words he said to her, especially that word “barren” and “boring wife”. Emery can’t do anything but comfort her.

“Don’t worry, Best friend. Everything will be okay, just give him some time to think, maybe you’re being strict with him, that’s why he’s like that.” her eyes widened because of what Emery said.

“N-No! I am not strict with him. I always allowed him to go to parties and drink with his friends... I also did my responsibilities as his wife and cared for him from morning to night. I did anything to make him feel that I love him and that I am enough for him.”

Dahlia was stunned by what she realized…

“Yes, you took good care of him all night. He felt your love but he wanted a child, Dahlia. He needed a child and until now you haven’t given him one.”

She cried again because  Emery's right. Yes, she took good care of him but she never gave him a child.

'What should she do? Is it her fault that they don’t have children?' she thought.

“W-Why do I seem to be the only one hurting? Did he think I had no feelings? Did he think that I wasn’t making an effort to get pregnant? Every day I prayed to God that maybe one day I’ll bear a child and that Travis will be more patient in waiting.” All she could do was cry and hug Emery.

“Don’t worry, Dahlia. Everything will be alright. Don’t cry,” Emery said while she caressed her back to calm her down. After a while, Dahlia became dizzy.

“S-sorry I ruined our bonding time." Dahlia took a handkerchief to wipe away her tears.

“It’s nothing, Just call me when you have a problem, okay?” she nodded at her, and suddenly Emery's phone rang. She looked at the screen and answered the call right away.

“Hello? Yes, I’m going home. Please tell it to Dad,” Emery replied to the caller, dropped the call, and looked at her.

“Dahlia, I have to go home, my dad is already looking for me. You already knew that he was so strict, right? I’m sorry,” Emery apologized.

“That’s okay. Thank you for lending your ears to me, now I feel a little better.”

“No problem, you are my best friend, right? Be strong, okay?” she nodded and smiled at her. Dahlia was left in the empty living room. She wanted her to stay but couldn't, well she got used to leaving behind.

It was going to be night and she started cooking dinner. Her husband will come home late from work, he might get angry when she hasn’t cooked yet. She doesn’t want to make mistakes anymore. Dahlia can’t afford to lose him so she will try her best to improve. It was eight o’clock in the evening but Travis was not yet in their house, she had been waiting for him in the living room. She called him several times but his cell phone was off.

'Where is he now? He usually came home around six pm.' she thought.

“Where are you, Travis?” she asked worriedly.