Taming Demi's Mom (ONGOING)

Chapter 33

{VICTORIA}

I PAUSED from what I was doing when I heard someone ring the doorbell at the gate. I stood up to open it for whoever it was, but Sabel had already gone out ahead of me. So, I just returned to my seat here on the veranda.

It's still morning. I can't help but wonder who's outside the gate. Liam didn't mention anyone visiting at this hour of the day, and he's not home now as he left early for work.

Shortly after, I saw Dad walking towards me, carrying a large plastic bag filled with small teddy bears. I can see it through because the plastic bag was transparent. Following closely behind him was Sabel.

"I'll leave you two here, I'll be back to the kitchen," she bid to Dad and me before entering the mansion.

I stood up again from my seat. I finally let go of the sketchpad and pencil I was holding and placed them on the table in front of me. I smiled widely at Dad, but he just looked at me seriously in the eyes.

"Where's Demi?" he asked me straightaway.

"In the room, Dad. She's still asleep, but she'll wake up soon," I replied to him.

He simply nodded, gazing at the entirety of the mansion as if lost in thought. After a while, he looked at me again. His face remained serious. I wanted to ask him why he was looking at me that way, but I felt afraid to know the answer.

"Take me to her room. I want to see my grandchild," Dad instructed, and I nodded in response.

I led the way into the mansion. We ascended the stairs to the second floor and proceeded straight to the door of my room. I opened the door and stepped inside, waiting for Dad to enter before closing it again.

He sat beside Demi. Demi quickly opened her eyes as she felt Dad's gentle touch on her forehead.

"Grandpa!" she exclaimed excitedly, immediately sitting up.

Dad showed her the teddy bears he brought, and Demi eagerly took them. I could see the joy on her face. It was Dad's first visit to the mansion since Demi and I started to live here, and it was evident that they missed each other dearly. It had been almost three weeks since their last meeting.

"Wow! These are my teddy bears!" Demi exclaimed joyfully as she carefully took each teddy bear out of the plastic bag. While Dad watched her with a smile on his face.

"ARE you happy here?" Dad asked me seriously as he looked into the distance. We were currently in the garden, sitting and sipping tea that I brewed. It was already afternoon, and the temperature outside the mansion was more bearable.

His question immediately struck a chord in my heart. Despite the pang of pain, I pushed it aside and forced a smile, infusing enthusiasm into my voice.

"Of course, Dad. Why would you ask?" I replied energetically. I just hoped Dad wouldn't notice that I was feigning the vibrancy in my tone.

I was telling the truth. As a wife, my definition of happiness revolves around having a complete family. Or is it not true happiness? Am I just deceiving myself? My emotions are so confusing, and I'm starting to doubt if I'm genuinely happy.

"Do you start to love Liam again?" he asked me. Now, Dad was looking straight into my eyes.

My mouth hung wide open. It felt like I wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come out. I quickly averted my gaze. Facing his serious look was difficult. I felt like he could read my true feelings, as if Dad understood better than I do what I truly feel, leaving me unsure about my own emotions.

"Yes, I'm giving him another chance. I want to give my daughter a complete family and fulfill the vows I made to him at the church," I uttered, a long sigh escaping me. Yet, it felt like a rehearsed dialogue. I just hope it wasn't obvious.

There was a prolonged silence between us. I glanced at Dad, wondering why he hadn't spoken again.

"You changed so easily. What happened to you, Victoria?" Dad's question hit me like a bomb. Why would he ask me that question? I don't understand the reason. I don't know if there's something wrong with my dad, or if I am the one in the wrong.

Tears welled up, but I managed to hold them back, grateful that they didn't spill down my cheeks.

"I hope you wake up to your senses sooner before it would be too late to redeem yourself to someone," Dad remarked meaningfully, leaving me unable to respond.

He stood up. "I'll just check on Demi inside and bid her farewell before I leave," Dad said, his final words before he left me alone in the garden.

As he disappeared from my sight, my tears finally burst forth. I clutched my chest, overwhelmed with pain. The fact that I still didn't understand the reason behind it intensified my suffering.

I couldn't help but question. Why, when everything seems to be okay for me, does this keep happening? Why is intense heartache accompanying the happiness I feel? I don't know what's wrong with me. I can't shake off the thought that maybe there's something wrong with my heart.

Dad's words from earlier replayed in my mind repeatedly. I couldn't grasp why he became distant. I didn't understand his implications. I didn't know what the problem was.

I rested my head on the table in front of me, closing my eyes as warm tears streamed down my cheeks. I'm tired of always feeling this way.

I DON'T know how many hours I've been asleep outside. I woke up to darkness surrounding me. The first thing I saw was Liam's close face. He slowly lifted me from the chair and carried me in a bridal style. He hadn't realized I was awake yet.

I couldn't see his face clearly, but the contour of his face was evident to me. His long jawline spoke volumes.

I instinctively wrapped my hands around his neck, and he looked at me. We were at the entrance to the mansion. He furrowed his brow at me.

"We'll talk when we get upstairs," he asserted authoritatively before continuing to carry me inside.

I remained silent, gazing at his face. He was still in his prosecutor suit, and I couldn't help but admire his handsome looks. The seriousness on his face only enhanced his attractiveness. And I must admit, he looks attractive to me right now.

I hadn't realized he brought me to his room, not ours with Demi. He gently laid me on the soft mattress of his bed. The room carried his scent, undeniably masculine.

I sat up as he turned away to close the bedroom door. I watched him, from removing his shoes and socks to taking off his red coat, hanging it on the hook behind the door. All that remained on his body was his snug-fitting long-sleeve polo and his skinny black trousers.

I don't know why I'm so nervous right now, maybe because I'm in his room. I can't help but think of what could happen between us. My god, Victoria! What were you thinking?

"Why were you sleeping outside?" he asked me.

He looked at me while walking closer. He stood by my side on the bed.

"I just fell asleep there suddenly. I guess it's because I was tired," I explained.

I remembered Dad again. He didn't even wake me up when he left. Did he see the tears on my cheeks? I hope not. I don't want him to feel guilty.

Liam sat beside me on the edge of the bed. "Don't do that again. You might get sick. What did you do today that made you tired?" he ask me concerned.

What should I tell him?

"My brain was probably drained from thinking about wedding gown designs, so I got tired," I replied.

He slowly reached for my hand, looking into my eyes.

"Stop overworking yourself. Save the pressure for your designs when you go back to work," he reminded me.

Right now, I have no plans to work again. I just want to rest and take care of my daughter. I have no motivation to work. I'm frustrated with what I'm doing because all my drawings are failures. Honestly, I don't know what to do with my life anymore.

I slowly nodded to Liam. When our eyes met, he gently laid me on the soft mattress of the bed. He positioned himself over me, and I swallowed nervously. His hand found its way to my face, tracing every part while admiring it. His thumb paused at the side of my lips, and he gazed at them as if savoring a beautiful view.

He leaned his face closer to mine but stopped midway when someone forcefully knocked on the door.

"Dad! Mom!"