The sun was already shining so bright outside which made my son so excited. He slept very early last night so that he would wake up early also. I am now dressing up my black jeans and white fitted long sleeve shirt which I paired with my gladiator sandals. I nervously smiled in front of the full length mirror then swiftly tied my hair in a messy bun when someone knocked on the door.
I raced my foot on the doorway, twisted the steel knob and pulled the door open. Celestine's new figure with her floral dress welcomed me.
"Good morning, come in." I invited her.
She stepped her foot in while scanning our place. "Where's your fiancé?" she asked as soon as I pushed the door close.
"He was out. Business meeting," I replied while picking up the toys which Ethan scattered on the floor earlier.
"I thought I'm going to meet him now," she mumbled disappointedly as she carefully sat herself on the couch.
Yesterday, we decided that she would visit our place and come with us back at our original home to meet our parents. She also was excited about meeting my fiancé but unfortunately, Barack had an early meeting with his business partner here. I told him to go with us but he insisted not to as he wanted me to spend this day for my family. Maybe some other time, I will introduce him to them.
A loud bang of the door from Ethan's room startled us followed by his loud complaint. "Mom! Ate Elaine is forcing me to wear that blue polo but I don't want it! It's choking me!" he whined.
"Your mom told me to let you wear it," Elaine talked back, chasing him while holding the polo shirt.
"But, Mom!"
"Oh, is that your son already?! He's so big now!" Celestine trailed off while stepping his foot towards our direction. He stopped right at the back of my son then held his shoulder. "Hey there little kiddo! I'm your Aunt, Celestine. Your one and only beautiful Au—" her eyes widened when Ethan looked at her. "Oh hey! You have the same face as your—" I immediately cut her off.
"Shut up, Celestine."
Celestine rolled her eyes at me and assisted my son towards the couch. "What's your name?" she asked as soon as she sat comfortably.
"Bless to your Aunt, Ethan." I ordered then he followed which made Celestine draw a smile.
"Good morning beautiful Aunt Celestine and your baby!" she looked at me, amazed by my son. One side of my lips turned upwards into a slight smirk then she turned her attention back at him. "My name is Blake Ethan Hernandez II (the second) but you can call me Ethan, I am turning six years old!" Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped.
"You named him—" she stammered.
Before she could finish her words, I answered her, "Yes, and it was a mistake! That's why we're planning to change it after our wedding." Celestine stood up in incredulity, walked to my direction and stiffly held my arm.
"No, that's impossible, Amber. You can't do that without him knowing," she whispered with an opposition in her tone. I heaved a sigh before lifting a view at her.
"Let's talk about that privately later. Can we?" She shook her head and disappointedly rolled her eyes at me. Usual sassy, Celestine.
Because I ended the discussion, she turned her back and went in Ethan's direction on the couch.
"What's your problem, little Blake?" she asked again.
"I'm Ethan," he deadpanned as he didn't want to be called on that name. "Oh, yes. Ethan," she corrected and took the white shirt Ethan was holding. "This shirt is nice, do you want me to help you take this on?"
"Please?" My son replied.
"Of course. Beautiful Aunt Celestine will help you."
"Thanks!"
I shook my head before I entered on our room to continue fixing myself. "Don't contaminate my son's mind, Celestine," I reminded with a warning tone. She shot me a glare which made me release a loud guffaw.
As the time ticks, my heart slowly loses its beat. I felt so restless as I was thinking a lot of things last night. We are already on our way to our house with Celestine and Ethan while Elaine chose to stay in the hotel. Familiar silent road, tall pine trees, big houses and beautiful landscapes outside the homes. It was so nostalgic that shattered my heart into pieces especially when we arrived at our home's driveway.
My tears suddenly fell when a memory flashed into my mind. It was here, when I pushed Blake away and decided to mary Thunder instead as I was threatened by my parents that they will sue Blake for rape and kidnapping if I won't obey their decision. Everything was very hard for me that time. At a very young age, I learned to sacrifice myself for the sake of someone's good.
"Mom, why are you crying?" A soft voice from my son disturbed my thoughts. I drew him closer to me then wrapped my arms around him, letting my tears flow in mixed emotions.
Perhaps, I've been very bad in my past life that the universe sentenced me to this kind of suffering. I thought going back in here would make me feel better and at ease but I think it was taking on the opposite route. I can hardly breathe in pain and sorrow. It's killing me.
"Mom, what's wrong?" another gentle worried tone from my son that melts my heart. I sniffed, wiped my tears away and showed him a bitter sweet smile. Celestine, on the other side, tapped my shoulder and plastered an encouraging smile on her face. My sister has always been the worst and the best.
"Do you think it's a better idea?" I asked her. She winked at me and held my face.
"I got you, sister!" she exclaimed. "The only thing I got worried about is if they could still recognise you since you've changed a lot," she continued with a chuckle that made me shake my head. Whatever.
When the car finally stopped in the garage, they started to step outside. Ethan was so excited as he was the one who got out first.
'Same old familiar house Amber, huh? Welcome home!' I said at the back of my head. I heaved a sigh and started to step my foot on the ground.
Because I was worried and anxious, I asked Ethan to go with Celestine instead and I went to the other way. Both of them entered in the front door while I headed in the back door so that I could still have the time to think about my explanations and monologue.
The back door was already opened when I reached there so I immediately stepped my foot in. I jolted when I heard a short scream coming from a woman beside me who was holding a trash bag. I lifted a view and to my surprise, it was our old housekeeper, Charie.
"Hey, Charie!" I greeted her gladly then threw her a big hug. She was stunned for a moment until I pulled myself a little distant from her.
"A-Amber?!" she hollered in surprise. I smiled at her and cupped my face. "I'm glad that you still recognised me."
"Y-you've changed a lot!"
I was about to answer her when I heard my squealing son. She was confused about the noise but at the end didn't mind it and shrugged her shoulders instead. I tapped her arm and bid my goodbye then hurriedly went to where the noise came from.
"Grandma! Grandpa!"
"Hi there, Kiddo." It was mom's voice. I took a few steps, enough for me to witness them. Ethan was already sitting on the lap of mom there in the living room.
"As far as I could remember Celestine, you only have one child," Dad commented, scanning her and my son. Celestine giggled and scratched her forehead. Then mom added, "Is it your son from another man?" which made me release a silent laugh. Poor Celestine.
"Oh, no, Mom, Dad," she waved her hand in the air then placed herself across them. "We've been living together for years. How could I keep my pregnancy to you either way?" she continued lazily.
Mom held Ethan's chin and met his blue eyes. "Then who must be this handsome man?" she inquired curiously.
"Ask him," Celestine replied.
Bombarded with doubts and curiosity, she asked. "Are you my grandson? From whom?" Ethan smiled and proudly responded.
"Yes! Aunt Celestine told me that you are my grandma and grandpa! I am Blake Ethan Hernandez II, turning six years old! My mother is Amber Louise Yzabelle Ferrer and My Dad is Barack Santiolle! I was born in Italy!"
Their jaws dropped while Celestine released a smirk, watching at them who were in great shock.
There was a deafening silence that covered the corners of the house. Mom and Dad were still both speechless while watching Ethan on their front. I don't know what exactly they are feeling right now as I can't see any trace of emotion on their faces other than their widened eyes and parted lips."Ma'am the—"The seemingly frozen time suddenly took back on its track when Charie spoke and stopped awkwardly when she realised the situation. I shot Charie a face and she replied a sorry smile. When I looked back, all eyes are already directed to me."Hey?!" I greeted in a hoarse tone, fidgeting my hands in nervousness. My parents who still hadn't recovered under shock were surprised by my presence."Mom, are we lost? Seems like they don't recognise us," Ethan innocently said with a pout.I extended my arm to invite my son who immediately hopped from my mom'
After our heart to heart talks, we ate our lunch together as a family with our little Ethan. Mom and Dad were having fun talking and playing with my bubbly son that they wanted him to stay at home for the rest of the night. Unfortunately, I can't agree with them since I'm not used of having Ethan nowhere to be seen before I close my eyes at night. While my parents attention are all directed to Ethan, Celestine and I had a story telling of what happened between her and Thunder which was so hilarious. To be fair on her side, I told her about how we met Barack, how I worked and eventually become his fiancée.It was a light feeling that finally the burden inside my heart was now set free. I was so delighted that my mission has been unlocked already. But, as much as I wanted to stay for long, I can't. Barack called me earlier and invited for a family dinner date which I can't say no. Besides, I am also so excited to tell him the good news.&
"Oh, c'mon Barack, I'm sorry. Please forgive me now." I leaned my head on his shoulder and lifted a view at him with a pout.It's already almost an hour but still we haven't settled this little argument of keeping him wait and rejected him on our date. After the incident on the park, we headed straight back in the hotel and talked to my son about what he had done that might lead him to danger. However, he defensed that the man who helped him was good and gave him a toy as a remembrance.Barack meet my eyes sternly. "Why haven't you called me at least?" he asked again and again. The only thing I hated about him was that he can't understand and consider my explanations most of the time and got mad when his offer or meetings were declined without prior notice."I waited there with my business partner. You don't know how much time we wasted to him," he continued, nagging.I stood
The familiar manly scent that travels to my nostrils which drugged my entire system. The way he talks. His baritone voice. His endearment to me. His stand. His acts. His everything. Surely, the living ghost of my past. Our world stopped on the corner of this hall. Loud drums and music adopts our silence. It was only him and me along with our racing heartbeats. Until his glittering fascinating blue eyes which used to be my favorite spot, locked to mine."I'm not, Amber. I'm not. I'm alive and breathing here across you. I survived for you. I fought life and death for you. I gambled everything… All for you." His voice cracked and in an instant my tears streamed down to my face.The hate and fear that lurked in me for a long time suddenly vanished away, exchanged by longing and sorrow. I missed him so much. Time and distance separated us but my traitor heart still recognised him. Still wants him and still adoring him.
After escaping on that bloody bar, I immediately head straight to our hotel room and hastily locked the door. Elaine was confused about my look and moves especially when she noticed that Barack was not with me going back there. I explained everything to her which made her gawk. I am starting to get paranoid again.
"So what are you doing here?" My eyebrows scrunch in confusion when Celestine croaked out."Uh— because… It's still my house and my room?" I replied. Thunder on her side chuckled while she rolled her eyes for the nth time."Whatever. I am starting to think and feel that you want to sort things out with Blake.""Wait, what?!" I screeched."Isn't it?" she asked with a playful grin."Hell, no!" I immediately replied, defensively.She fixed her seat then crossed her arms over her swollen abdomen. "Oh, so why are you here?" she repeated the question once again.I groaned in irritation. "Because it's my house!" I said before I shot them a cold stare and continued with exasperation. "Wait, do you want me to leave now? Did I disturb the both of you here in MY room?"
Bucket of extremely cold water splashed on my face causing me to be rooted on my seat while meeting his pair of blue eyes. My heartbeat raced along with my heavy breathing. I'm hyperventilating! I am feeling of fainting very soon."Yzabelle, meet Engineer Hernandez," Barack suddenly croaked out, disturbing my thoughts."Huh? Ah, oh, yes. Hello," I replied, stammering. Then, I looked away to avoid their gazes."Good afternoon, beautiful lady. I'm Blake and you are?"I lifted a view with my scrunched eyebrow. The jerk was grinning at me, extending an arm. We remained on that picture for a while until I realised that Barack and Ezekiel were also standing, looking at me, confused. I stood up and pulled some courage before I accepted his soft warm hand. "Yzabelle, Mr. Santiolle's fiancée. Nice meeting you, Mr," I replied."Your hand is cold and sha
I cupped my red face while watching its reflection on the wide mirror. It was so embarrassing to let them see my horrible face as red as a tomato! I immediately fixed it up with my powder then added a little shade on my lipstick.My curly brown hair was a bit messy so I tied it in a ponytail and pulled it up. But, I switched it back to its original style as it doesn't fit on my three quarter sleeve black V-neck dress which was below knee level.I heaved a deep breath and practiced a smile when I finished my thing then my phone suddenly rang."Hello?""Mom, Aunt Celestine wants to talk to you!" Ethan's loud voice squealed on the other line."Yes, sure. Give the phone to her, baby," I replied.A smile suddenly made its way to my lips when I heard a short faint-voice on their end."Please?"