Bewitched By You (After All Side Story)

Chapter 43

Lauren kept on looking at the main door. Kahit na naglalaro ay hindi nawawala ang pasulyap-sulyap niya doon. Natawa ako na ikinatingin niya sa akin.

“Why are laughing, Mommy?” she asked and then looked at the main door again.

“Why do you keep on looking at the door?”

“Nothing.” she shrugged her shoulders and continued playing her doll. However, I could still see her giving quick glances at the door.

“Don’t worry. Your Daddy’s gonna come back.”

Natigilan siya ng ilang segundo bago binitawan ang barbie doll niya. She exhaled and then looked at with protruding lips.

“I’m just worried, Mommy. What if Daddy leave us again-”

“For your information, young lady, your Dad never leave us because he doesn’t know about you in the first place. I hid you from him for a long time. Do you know how happy he is knowing that he has a beautiful daughter?”

Umusbong ang ngiti sa labi niya at tila ba interesado malaman kung gaano naging kasaya si Christian nang malamang anak siya nito.

“How happy Daddy is, Mommy? Did he jump in excitement?”

I laughed. Of course it was far from that. Halata sa mga mata ni Christian noon kung gaano siya kasaya nang madiskubre ang tungkol kay Lauren. Pero siyempre ay hindi siya tumalon.

“Yeah, he did jump. He is really happy after knowing that he has you. You know, Lauren, nothing can be compared to a father’s love. So believe me when I say that he loves you more than you could ever imagine.”

A satisfied smile appeared to her pinkish lips. She looked at the door again when it suddenly opened. Maging ako ay napatingin doon. Iniluwa ng pintuan si Christian at Papa. Nagpaalam sila na mag-uusap sa patio at isang oras ang nakalipas bago sila nakabalik.

“Done?” I asked as soon as our eyes met.

He smirked and walked closer to Lauren. He carried her in his arms and our daughter giggled. She snaked her tiny arms around Christian’s neck and stared at him.

“I can’t believe I have a handsome daddy!” Lauren giggled.

“My princess already know how to wrap me around her tiny fingers, huh?”

“No! I’m just telling the truth, Daddy!”

Tinitigan siya ni Christian sa mga mata, maalwan ang ngiti na tila ba nakatingin siya sa pinaka-importanteng tao sa buhay niya. Nilingon ko si Papa at may maliit na ngiti rin siya sa labi niya habang nakatingin sa mag-ama.

“I love you, Lauren.”

Lauren giggled. “I love you too, Daddy!”

He kissed her on his cheek before he set his gray eyes on me. Bago maupo bitbit si Lauren sa kandungan niya ay hinalikan niya rin ako sa labi na ikinatawa ko.

“I can now marry you.” he whispered on my ear.

Natawa ako. “What?”

“I already asked your father for your hand.”

Umawang ang labi ko saka nilingon si Papa. Nagkibit-balikat siya.

“Naniguro na.”

When I glanced at Christian, there was a sexy smirk rolling across his lips.

“At ako na gusto mong pakasalan, hindi mo inaya? You didn’t even say that you wanna marry me!” I exclaimed while laughing.

“I did not? That’s not what I remember!” He suddenly inched closer to my ear and whispered, “I asked you to marry me, Thalia. And your answer came along with your moans.”

Bahagyang nanglaki ang mga mata ko at napatingin kay Lauren. She was looking at us with furrowed brows, obviously clueless of what his Daddy and I were talking about.

“You guys should get a room.” dinig kong sabi ni Papa.

Christian looked so proud and amazed. At nasisiguro ko na dahil ‘yon sa reaksyon ng mukha ko. Bahagya kong hinampas ang braso niya. Samantalang siya, nangingisi pa.

“Baka marinig ka ng anak mo!” sita ko.

“What is it, Mommy?” Lauren asked, curiosity was laced with her small voice.

My eyes narrowed at Christian. His laugh roared like a thunder. Nang lingunin ko ang gawi ni Papa ay wala na ito doon. Sa sobrang pagkamangha ko sa naging sagot na ‘yon ni Christian ay ni hindi ko man lang nakita na umalis siya.

“That’s nothing, princess. I just told your Momma that I love her.”

“Really? Does that mean I’m going to have a baby brother?”

“Lauren Cassandra!” nanglalaki ang mga matang suway ko. “Where did you learn that?”

Tumaas ang dalawang kilay niya. “Tito Hell told me that! He said that he and Tita Chloe love each other that’s why they have Embry.”

I made a facepalm. Narinig ko ang bahaw na halakhak ni Christian. I raised a brow and looked at him.

“Your Tito Hell is correct. The reason why we have you is because your Mom and I love each other. You’ll surely have a brother or sister in the future. You like that?”

“Omg! Really, Daddy? I’m excited!”

Napailing na lang ako sa klase ng usapan na mayroon silang mag-ama. Gabi na nang magpaalam si Christian na uuwi. Leaning against the side of his car, he’s imprisoning me inside his arms.

“I’m serious about marrying you, Zethalia. Let’s make everything real.” he said staring intensely into my eyes.

“Was our relationship before a joke to you?”

He chuckled. “Silly. What I meant is wanna build a family with you and Lauren. And that would only happen if you agree to marry me.”

Huminga ako nang malalim at pinagkrus ang mga kamay sa ibabaw ng dibdib ko. “You know that I’ll say yes to you, right?” He smiled, his eyes glittered in happiness. “But-”

“Damn. No more buts this time.”

Humalakhak ako. “Listen to me first. This is not about us.”

He sighed, his bubble mint breath filled my nostril.

“I’m listening.”

“This is about your parents, Christian,” I said. “Hindi ko nakakalimutan na ayaw sa akin ng mga magulang mo. Lalo na ang mama mo.”

Malalim niya akong tiningnan, bahaw na natawa na para bang kalokohan lang ang sinabi ko.

“Is that reason stopping you to marry me-”

“Hindi sa naiisip ko na tanggihan ka. Pero magulang mo ‘yon. Their decision matters-”

“It’s not. Ano man ang gawin ko sa buhay, sino man ang gusto kong pakasalan, labas na sila doon. I’ve been telling you this even before, Thalia. I don’t fucking care if they don’t want you for me because I damn want you for myself…” he mentioned every words with authority. “I only want you.”