UNEXPECTED LOVE

UNEXPECTED LOVE - CHAPTER 3

Lian stopped. He suddenly remembered his childhood, so he focused back on driving.

Crishane glanced at him. For the first time, she saw that Lian also had a sad past, but she didn't say anything. Silence filled the car again until they arrived home.

Aling Dena welcomed Crishane, and they went to their room. Lian went straight to his room.

"You're late. You weren't in the office earlier. Can you tell me where you were?" Bishel asked.

"I picked up Crishane. It was getting dark and she wasn't home yet," Lian admitted.

Bishel laughed. "What's funny?" Lian asked.

"What got into you?" Bishel asked, still laughing.

"What are you talking about?"

"All these years we've been together, when did you ever care about people who don't belong to our business?" Bishel said.

"Stupid question," Lian said and changed into his sleepwear.

"Don't tell me, you're concerned about Crishane now?" Bishel said.

"How did you know about Crishane's situation?"

"I asked Aling Dena. She told me what happened to Crishane's mother," Bishel said.

Lian didn't answer and just lay down.

"I don't know why you're acting like this now. Before, you didn't care about other people's lives, especially if they were not useful to you," Bishel said.

"Actually, I have a reason why I did that," Lian said.

"What reason?"

"It's part of my plan. I'm not sure, but maybe Crishane can help us with our problem."

"Wait, I don't understand. What are you planning?" Bishel asked.

"I tried to ask Crishane if she would agree to give us a child in exchange for the money she needs."

"What! Are you crazy, Lian?"

"What is your reason for not agreeing to have a child?" Lian asked.

"Lian, your child, not mine," Bishel said coldly.

"Bishel, this is the only way for us to have a child who will inherit the company."

"No, Lian. There are many ways, but your mind is so narrow. Why do you have to use other people to solve your problem?"

"This is the only way I know to have a child of my own blood. Not adopted," Lian insisted.

"You're so stupid and crazy."

"I don't care. It's better if you just support me so everything will be easier."

"How can I support you when I don't want you to have a child with another woman?" Bishel said.

"Are you jealous?" Lian asked softly, looking at Bishel.

"N-No! How? Who is she for me to be jealous of?" Bishel denied quickly.

"If you're not jealous, then please support me and stop complaining," Lian answered.

Bishel became quiet.

"If Crishane agrees, she will sign a legal agreement. After giving birth, she will give us the baby and she can leave. Everything will be done properly and with consent," Lian explained.

"Do you think she will agree?"

"Yes."

"How are you so sure?"

"Because in exchange, it will solve all her problems," Lian said.

"Like what?"

"Treatment for her father, an operation for her mother, education for her siblings, plus a house and a small business for their daily expenses."

"Are you serious? You will give all of that?"

"Yes. Why not? So tell me, Bishel, what reason does she have to refuse?"

"You're so certified stupid," Bishel answered and lay down on the bed.

Lian didn't answer anymore and they both tried to sleep.

---

"How is your mother?" Aling Dena asked the next morning.

"She needs an operation as soon as possible. As time passes, her illness gets worse," Crishane answered sadly.

Aling Dena gently touched her back.

"What is your plan now?"

"I don't know," Crishane said, crying. "I feel like I'm going crazy, Ate Dena. Why do I have to experience all of this?"

Aling Dena rubbed her back to calm her.

"I don't know how I can help you. I also have no money. I send everything to my family," Aling Dena said while hugging her.

---

After a few days, Lian had to prepare for his trip to America.

One day, while he was in his office, his phone rang.

"Hello."

"Lian, your trip to America is near," his father said.

"Yes, I know, Dad."

"I hope you have found a solution about the heir."

"Not yet."

"If so, just follow what Bishel said. Go to an orphanage and adopt a baby. Then there will be no problem."

"Wait, Dad, I will call you again when I fix it."

"Okay, just make sure you fix it," Don Mart said and ended the call.

Later, Lian went home to look for Crishane but couldn't find her.

"Sir, what do you need? You seem in a hurry?" one of the maids asked.

"Where is Crishane?"

"Ah, Sir, I don't know where they went. Aling Dena and she left in a hurry."

"Do you have their number?"

"Crishane doesn't have a phone, Sir, but Aling Dena does."

"Give me that number."

He quickly took the number, went out of the kitchen, and called Aling Dena.

"Sir Lian, why did you call?" Aling Dena answered.

"Where are you?"

"We are at the hospital, Sir. I just accompanied Crishane."

"Why? What happened?"

"Crishane's youngest sibling had an asthma attack, so we brought her to the hospital."

"The youngest has asthma?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Okay," Lian said and ended the call.

Lian suddenly felt pity when he heard about Crishane's sibling. It reminded him of a child he once helped who also had asthma.

---

"Sir Lian called," Aling Dena told Crishane later.

"What did he say?"

"He asked where we went, so I told him about your youngest sibling."

Crishane was quiet while they walked out of the hospital.

"Maybe I really need to think about Sir Lian's offer," Crishane whispered.

"That's crazy, what you're thinking," Aling Dena said.

"But I don't know any other fast way," Crishane said, crying while wiping her tears.

"We will find someone to borrow from."

"From whom? Where? We are already drowning in debt. Maybe one day they will report us to the barangay because of our debts."

"We will find a way," Aling Dena said while they waited for a ride on the side of the road.

Crishane didn't speak anymore. Tears just kept falling.

After a while, they got a ride and went home.

---

When Lian arrived home, he saw Crishane in the yard cutting flowers. She was trimming them because they had grown thick. Lian didn't approach her and went straight to his room.

"Rish, come here, let's have a snack first," Aling Dena called.

Crishane approached.

"Has Sir Lian arrived?" she asked, because she didn't notice him.

"Yes, he just arrived. Why?"

"I just want to talk to him."

"Why?" Aling Dena asked with worry. "Crishane, don't make a wrong decision."

"What do you mean?"

"Because you might be thinking of agreeing to his offer."

"Whatever happens," Crishane said, walking out of the kitchen.

"Hey, Crishane, don't do that," Aling Dena tried to stop her, but she couldn't.

Crishane went upstairs. Aling Dena followed her, but she suddenly met Bishel who had just arrived.

"Where are you going?" Bishel asked.

"Ah, Ma'am," Aling Dena couldn't continue and just looked at Lian's room. Bishel noticed.

"What is it?"

"Nothing, Ma'am. I thought you were in your room. I was going to call you for dinner."

"Ah, okay, thanks. But I already had dinner outside."

"Okay, Ma'am," Aling Dena said and went back to the kitchen.

Bishel went upstairs and entered the room. Aling Dena slowly followed with water, to check if Crishane really went there.

"Aling Dena, do you need anything?" Bishel asked.

"No, Ma'am, I just brought you water."

"Okay, just put it there."

Aling Dena put the water down and was about to leave.

"Wait, when Lian arrives, tell him to go straight to the room. We have something important to talk about," Bishel said, not knowing Lian was already home.

"Okay, Ma'am," Aling Dena answered and left without saying Lian was already home.

Aling Dena went back to the kitchen, still worried, looking for Crishane.

Meanwhile, Crishane had seen Lian slip out of the room and go to the back. She followed him quietly until they reached the top floor of the house. It was quiet there, and the air was fresh. It was getting dark, and the stars were slowly appearing in the sky.

Lian didn't notice that Crishane followed him. He sat on a long chair where he often stayed when he wanted to be alone, and lay down while looking at the sky.

And Crishane was watching him from a distance.

To be continued...