Secret Blessing

Chapter 10: Yes or No?

Do you think I asked too soon?” Winter asked.

Victoria shrugged. “It’s just right for Eira to meet your side of the family.”

Winter shook her head. “It’s not just that.”

“Well, what else?” Victoria asked.

“I was thinking about us living together.”

Victoria shook her head. “That is definitely too soon to ask.”

Winter placed her hands over her face in shame.

“You just found them, saw them,” Victoria reminded. “You shouldn’t rush things.”

Winter sighed. “I wasn’t thinking. I was just happy to be with them.”

“What did Eira think?”

Winter told her what happened after she asked if they want to go with her to the Philippines.

“You’ll take us with you, Daddy?” Eira eagerly clarified.

Winter nodded. “I hope so.”

She turned to look at Demetria who she thinks isn’t very pleased with the idea, staring at her blankly.

“Why…?” Winter asked.

Demetria shook her head. “Let’s talk about this later.”

Eira went to sit beside her mother. “Mommy, I want us to go with her~,” she pushed.

Demetria placed an arm around her daughter. “Can we think about it first?” she asked.

Eira nodded. “Okay~,” she agreed as Demetria kissed her head.

Winter placed a hand on Eira’s back for support when she stood up again to enjoy the view. I guess it’s a no, she thought.

“She’s taken aback, dude,” Victoria said. “I think you lost your patience.”

Winter shrugged. “I lost it ever since I thought I won’t see her again,” she said. “But thanks to your help.”

Victoria waved her hand in dismissal. “I just gave you a private investigator.”

“But it was a great help,” Winter acknowledged.

“You’re welcome, then,” Victoria said.

“How’s Summer?” Winter asked, changing the topic.

“She gets tired easily but overall, she’s fine,” Victoria answered.

“Have you visited a doctor yet?”

“We planned to but we realized, we don’t know how to speak French,” Victoria said.

Winter laughed. “I told you to learn different languages, Vic,” she reminded.

“I know!” Victoria said. “I just didn’t know it will come in handy.”

Winter shook her head in amusement. “Go to the doctor tomorrow,” she suggested.

Victoria furrowed her eyebrows. “I just told you that—”

“I’m coming with you. I know how to speak French,” Winter volunteered. “Why didn’t you just ask me?”

“We didn’t want to disturb your family time,” Victoria said.

Winter rolled her eyes. “That’s thoughtful.”

“We’re serious!” Victoria said. “This is the first time in a long time that we saw you happy.”

“But I guess I’m back to being a ‘loner’ since Demetria doesn’t want them to go home with me.”

“Give her time, dude, you have a lot, anyway,” Victoria said. “You’re a billionaire after all. You can do whatever you want.”

Winter nodded. “Speaking of, I remembered I still have work waiting. I think I’ll just check what’s going on.”

Victoria stood up. “I’ll get back to the bedroom, Summer might wake up,” she said and left Winter at the dining table.

Winter opened her laptop to check her e-mails. There were tons of them most about their new ambassador. Their meeting with her went smoothly and she signed a contract with Fury with all the benefits including having her chosen car from the brand. The photoshoot is taking place on their building one of these days and the shoot for the upcoming commercial. She has to go back to witness these but her employees can handle it. She has been working her ass off the past few years and she thinks she deserved this sudden vacation.

She just told them to keep her updated and just e-mail her about urgent matters and that she won’t be getting back anytime soon.

Her phone buzzed. She took it and got a text from Demetria saying Eira wants to call her. She didn’t reply and just called right away. Not long, the other line answered.

“Hi, daddy!” Eira greeted.

“Hi, baby~,” Winter greeted back. “Isn’t it your bedtime?”

“I want to say good night,” Eira said. “And…”

“And?”

“Mom said you used to sing for her,” Eira said. “Will you sing for me?”

The good old days when I used to sing for her. Winter thought. “Sure, honey, why not?” she agreed. “Get yourself settled under the blanket.”

Eira complied.

Demetria caressed her hair as Winter started to sing.

Isn’t she lovely?

Isn’t she wonderful?

I never thought through love we’d be making one as lovely as she

But isn’t she lovely made from love?

Isn’t she pretty?

Truly, the angel’s best

Boy, I’m so happy

We have been heaven blessed

I can’t believe what God has done through us

He’s given life to one

But isn’t she lovely made from love?

Isn’t she lovely?

Life and love are the same

Londie, it could have not been done

Without you who conceived the one

That’s so very lovely made from love

Eira fell asleep in an instant.

“Good night, baby,” Winter said. When she didn’t get a reply from her daughter, she turned to Demetria. “Tria, I’m hanging up,” she said. “Have a good night.”

Demetria cleared her throat. “Good night, Winter.”

“Okay… Bye,” Winter hangs up.

Demetria placed her phone on the nightstand. As she continued to caress her daughter’s hair, she remembered Winter from earlier. She looked sad when she didn’t get an answer if they will go with her to the Philippines. She can’t blame her for that. She’s alone there, devastated which she caused. Is it too much to ask wanting to be with her daughter… and her ex-wife, who she wants to be with again?

She left for a reason. Is she ready to face it? But she shouldn’t make this about her. This is for Eira. If Eira’s going to be happy there, why wouldn’t she agree? There are just too many consequences that will happen if she decides to go back but she knows, in time, Eira will have to meet Winter and her family and that time has come. Is it just too early for her? Or she’s just enjoying their life here that Winter’s visit felt too sudden?

Winter’s singing brought back so many memories. It almost made her smile but Andrew’s face appeared in her mind. She checked her phone. The guy hasn’t contacted her the past week. How is he?

*

Niall opened the front door of Andrew’s apartment. He went to the couch, caressing his head as he felt a headache coming. Throughout the night, he spent his time in a bar, drinking.

A hand holding an ice bag appeared in front of him. “Sorry about that.”

Niall looked up at his brother. “No, thanks.”

Andrew sighed as he sat beside him. “Since when did you decide to interfere with my business?”

“Since you’re involved with something that is not right, brother,” Niall answered.

“I’m just doing my job.”

“Including lying to the woman you’re pursuing?”

“While doing my job, I fell in love,” Andrew said.

“You know you shouldn’t lie to her,” Niall said.

“I know but I can’t just tell her the truth.”

“Then you shouldn’t have involved yourself in the first place,” Niall said. “Once she knew, it’s the end for you.”

“I know,” Andrew said. “But can you just let me be happy while I still can?”

Niall shrugged. “Just like you, I’m just doing my job,” he said and stood up heading for his room.

Andrew leaned back on the couch as he felt his phone vibrating. He checked to see that Demetria’s calling. He answered the call. “Demie?”

“Hi,” Demetria greeted. “How are you?” she asked. “You haven’t been in contact and you usually visit once a week.”

“Why? You miss me?” Andrew teased.

“I was just wondering if something happened,” Demetria said.

Andrew sighed. “Been busy,” he said.

“Will you come by tomorrow?” Demetria requested. “I have something I think you should know.”

Andrew didn’t hesitate. “Sure. Anytime.”

“Okay. Have a good night, Andrew.”

“Good night, Demie,” Andrew bid good night as Demetria hangs up.

He sighed again. What will Demetria tell him? That he should stop courting her? Then she doesn’t really like him despite their dates and showing his romantic side? Did Niall tell her the truth?

He ran his hand over his face in frustration asking himself, what’s gonna happen?

*

The next morning, Winter woke up late. She didn’t want to get up just yet but Summer knocked at her door.

“Baby brother, finally, you’re awake,” Summer said as she walked inside and sat on the bed just beside her sibling. “You wouldn’t want to skip breakfast. I cooked your favorite.”

Winter didn’t reply.

“It’s definitely bothering you,” Summer stated.

Winter started to cry. “I just want to go home with them and take another chance with Tria.”

Summer wiped her tears. “Just be patient and take my word that Demetria will eventually agree.”

“How would you know?’ Winter asked.

“For your daughter,” Summer said. “She wants to go with you. I don’t think Demetria will be against that.”

“Well, what if Demetria doesn’t want to come?”

“You really want her to?”

Winter sat up. “Yes! It’s all I want for our family to be complete.”

“But you have to respect her decision if she doesn’t.”

Winter nodded. “I know. I respected even her decision to have a divorce.”

“You’re stupid about that part,” Summer reminded.

“As if I don’t know that!” Winter said, annoyed. “It won’t happen again if we get back together.”

“How are you so sure she’s single?” Summer asked.

Winter furrowed her eyebrows. “I haven’t thought about her having a lover.”

“What if she does have a lover?”

Winter widened her eyes. “I’m doomed, then.”

Summer laughed as she stood up. “Come on, your breakfast’s getting cold.”

Winter stood from the bed, too. “Thanks, Sum.”

“You’re welcome.”

*

Andrew went to Demetria’s house in the morning and anxiously knocked on the front door.

Demetria opened the door and greeted him with a brief hug. “Hey, good morning.”

Andrew nervously smiled. “Good morning, Demie.”

Demetria led him to the living room. “Have a seat. I’m just preparing our breakfast, have you eaten?”

Andrew shook his head. He didn’t even bother to eat.

Demetria nodded. “I’ll prepare some for you.”

“Thank you,” Andrew said.

He heard a door opening and saw Eira rubbing her eyes as she just woke up. He smiled. “Hi, little one,” he greeted.

Eira looked at him and smiled as she walked towards him. “Uncle Andy!” She hugged him.

Andrew hugged her back. “How are you?”

“Fine!” Eira answered happily.

“You seem happy?”

“I am!”

“Can I know why?” Andrew asked.

Eira looked at her mother who was in the kitchen. “Mommy will tell you why. She asked me not to say anything.”

Andrew nodded in understanding. “Oh, okay, little one.”

Eira beamed and went to the kitchen to greet her mother, giving her a hug, too.

I wish they were mine… Andrew thought as he watched the two.

As Demetria’s finished preparing breakfast, they started to eat after praying.

“Thank you for the breakfast, Demie,” Andrew said.

Demetria waved her hand in dismissal. “It’s nothing.” She took her daughter’s table napkin and wiped her lips to get rid of the excess food. “You like it?”

Eira nodded as she chews her food.

Demetria smiled as she turned to Andrew who was just playing with his food. “It’ll get cold.”

Andrew turned to her. “Sorry?”

Demetria furrowed her eyebrows. “Are you okay?”

Andrew nodded. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

“You came earlier,” Demetria noticed.

“Sorry, did I disturb you?” Andrew asked.

Demetria shook her head. “Not at all. It’s just that I’ll be bathing Eira after breakfast. Do you mind waiting?”

Andrew nodded again. “Yeah. Of course.”

Demetria smiled. “Thank you.”

After breakfast, Andrew was left in the living room as he waited for Demetria. He’s getting anxious by the minute. What is she going to say?

He heard a door open and saw Demetria come out. He stood up as she walked closer.

“Are you really okay?” Demetria asked as she motioned him to sit along with herself. “I feel like there’s something bothering you.”

Andrew sighed. “Ever since last night, I can’t stop thinking about what you said.”

“Why is that?” Demetria asked.

Andrew looked at her in the eye. “Are you going to stop me from courting you?”

Demetria slightly tilted her head. “Do you want to stop courting me?”

Andrew shook his head. “No.”

“There’s your answer,” Demetria said. “Besides, if I stop you, will you do it?”

Andrew didn’t know what to say at first but managed to answer. “If you want me to. I mean, if that makes you happy.”

Demetria nodded as her eyes lingered at him. “So, as I said, there is something I think you should know.”

“What is it?” Andrew asked.

“Eira’s dad is here,” Demetria straightforwardly said.

“Oh.”

“She wants us to go with her to the Philippines.”

“What did you say?” Andrew eagerly asked.

“I’ve thought about it. Eira wants to and I don’t want to be a hindrance when she wants to meet her other family.”

“Are you going with her?”

Demetria just played with her fingers as Andrew waited for an answer.

*

Later that night, Winter received a call. She just came out of the shower as she picked up her phone, didn’t bother to read the caller.

“Hello?”

“Hi,” it was Demetria’s voice.

“Tria, is there a problem?” Winter asked.

“No. I just called to say that I’ll let you take Eira,” Demetria said.

Winter grinned. “Thank you. What about you? Will you come with us?”

There was silence but after a minute, Demetria answered. “Yes.”