To Where You are

Chapter 4

When she came down, her mother and father were in the living room. As well as that of her siblings.

It thrilled them. She did not know how to tell her parents the truth.

Bela’s family did not know what really happened to her in America because she did not want her parents to worry about her. So she should not be surprised if they believe that Jeff and Ethan are one. Aside from the fact that the father and son have the same name, Ethan's description is almost the same as what she told the family that she married.

Bela could not say everything because she knew her father would be angry with her mother, who just had heart disease. She knew her father would not like it when he found out the reason she married Jeff. That was to keep her in America because her father had always wanted her to return to the Philippines. But during those times Bela could not face the family carrying anything but disappointment and shame.

When she married Jeff, she did not think only of herself. And when her husband died, she did not tell the family about it because she knew her mother, who had been released just from the hospital, would be worried. Another was that she did not plan to return home to the Philippines, so she just thought that when she returned home, she would inform the family that her husband had died.

If then it was difficult for Bela to tell the family, especially now that Ethan suddenly appeared to them and pretended to be her husband. Bela did not know how to tell her parents. Nor did she know the man's reason for pretending to be her husband.

"Oh, Bela. My granddaughter is really beautiful," said her mother when she looked at her on the stairs.

"John, fix the light in the warehouse," her father ordered her brother. "Help your brother, Mark." Her brothers immediately followed. Her mother also said goodbye. She wanted to take a rest first with Arabella and her sister Alma.

"How was your conversation with your husband?" her father asked when they were just two left.

Bela was silent. She did not know how to say everything. Inevitably, she would secretly curse Ethan. In doing so, she put her in a troublesome situation.

Her father motioned for her to sit next to it. "From what I've seen before, I think you and your husband have been fighting a lot."

Bela looked at her father in surprise.

"Your husband told us you had a fight, so you did not say goodbye to him when you came back to the Philippines," he explained. "We wondered why he was looking for you here when we knew you were still in America."

Ethan has already made a lie to her parents. She wanted to get angry.

How could she tell her parents what she wanted to tell if Ethan had preceded her in this way? The man put her in a complicated situation.

"Dad, I would like to explain everything to you ..."

"Daughter, it is difficult to get married. It is not like rice that is eaten and when it is hot, you will spit out. When you marry your husband, you must also learn to accept his shortcomings and mistakes." Continued his father. Not paying attention to the resistance hanging on Bela's face.

It was really unbelievable that her husband was Ethan. And that’s what she sees as the hard part. How to change that belief without worsening the situation.

She thinks of her mother's condition that her confession of the truth may affect.

"As much as possible, I do not want that your family will be broken, Bela. Our life is short and before we close our eyes, I want to  see you and your siblings living happily and well."

His father put his arm around him.

"Your mother and I are proud of you because even if you stay abroad we know you have a beautiful life and you have improved there." And he kissed her on the head lovingly.

Bela hugged her father. "Dad, I miss you, my mother, and my siblings. I'm sorry if I got married without you," she said tearfully to her father.

Even though her father is strict, it cannot make their siblings feel loved. Even her mother also did the same.

"Don't even think about it". The important thing is that you are here, with your family. Now I can also be proud of my granddaughter and son-in-law, "her father laughed.

She was stunned. She wants to tell her father that Ethan is not her husband but how can she start with her father. How can she lie to what Ethan said to them and how can she explain to him the lies Ethan said without being angry?

"I can only advise you to give your husband a chance. It's just that he is already here, so don't let be hard on him. I know you still love her." The father smiled at him.

Bela stared at her father at the last thing he said.

From what he said, she guessed he accepted Ethan as his son-in-law. Even her mother and siblings seem to be close to Ethan.

What did that man do to them while he was away?

She shook herself.

She did not want this situation to last long. That Ethan is here and acting as her husband, even though the truth is not. Showing kindness to her even though he is disgusted with her because his father left her a large part of his wealth.

After she talked to her father, she talked to Ethan again. She could not tell her father the truth because fear and shame preceded her.

When she went up to the second floor, she saw Ethan was still on the terrace. He was sitting while looking into the distance.

He did not realize her approach. So Bela stared at him. He is like Jeff but it got a bigger feature to his Filipina mother. It is not white and not very dark. Just like her child's eyes and sharp nose, so do Ethan and Jeff.

Ethan is far from Jeff. What she found out, the father and son had a gap since Ethan's mother died. That's why she only saw and met Jeff's son when he died.

When Jeff was still alive, it was only Jun if he called his son. Although she could not see it Bela knew Jeff loved him and was proud. She just wonders why her husband's son doesn't even have a picture in his house. She did not ask because she did not want to interfere.

But destiny seemed to put some trick on when they met ...

"Did I pass your assessment?" he asked as he looked back and caught her staring at him.

Bela did not say a word. She averted her eyes and leaned closer to the iron chair in front of it and sat down.

"Am I going to wrap up?" he smiled at her.

She took a deep breath before speaking.

 "Do you know what you did? You put me in trouble. I don't know how to tell my parents everything."

"What do you want me to do? You want me to tell them everything?" again the sarcasm was in his voice again.

Bela's eyes narrowed as she looked at him. "And what will you say to them? Your slanders you accuse me of?"

The only answer was a smile.

"My father and the entire family believe that you are the one I married in America ... I did not explain everything to them. The fear that— preceded me my father might get angry." Sadness was in her voice.

"I don't want my father to get angry neither my mother who is sick ..."

She explained in a low voice. "I still can't tell them the truth."

Ethan smiled and could not deny that it made the man even more handsome.

"The real reason you married my father was that you could stay in America without difficulty."

No! cry of her mind. If she could just slap him in the face for the real reason why she married Jeff, but it doesn't matter now.

For her, it was nothing more to know, because it might make her life and her daughter even more chaotic.

Bela just ignored what he said.

"So, what's your plan? He asked when she was not saying a word." Will the charade continue? Me, you and Arabella, one happy family? "There seemed to be sarcasm in his voice.

What can she do but agree?

Bela holds her forehead.. "yes, while you are just here. When you return to America, I will take care of it."

The smile disappeared from Ethan's lips, his eyebrows rising slightly again. "You impress me, Mrs. Miller."

"You started it all. All I am saying solves your fabricated lies with my family!" she replied angrily in a low voice.

Ethan stood up in sitting. "I'm not the only one who fabricates lies, don't forget that, honey."

"Okay, okay, we both lied to my family. Are you happy?" she said, standing up as well. "This charade will not last long. You'll stay here for a while, then go back to the States," Bela explained.

Ethan faced her. "And what is the price for all this?" he questions her.

Bela could not answer.

"Everything has a price, Mrs. Miller. If I lied and pretended to be your husband in your family, I saved you from not telling them I am the son of the man you married and used."

She could not stop the narrowing of her eyes again. She did not think Ethan was like that, it seemed he was like a vulture that was ready to devour her. That was how she thought of Ethan in those moments.

"Okay, I'll give you half of my inheritance from Jeff, but I hope when it's all over, don't bother me anymore."

He stepped closer to her. His palm rose, and he gently stroked her cheek. Bela tilted slightly and seemed to be scorched by the touch of its skin on her face.

"Mrs. Miller, that's not all I want ..."

She swallowed as his face dropped slightly at her. She thought he would kiss her.

"When I look at you like this, I remember the time when we first met, the very first time. You look so innocent, so fragile- but looks could deceive," he whispered.

He stared at her for a while before it seemed difficult to remove his beautiful eyes from her face and turn his back on her.

Bela closes her eyes firmly.

I remember the time when we first met, that very first time ... it still seemed to resonate with her hearing.