Redeeming My Father's Debt

That would have been me

Lila chose an elegant comfortable sundress that accentuated her beauty. Alex came in and was already dressed in his casual shirt and jeans.

“Shall we?” He stretched his hands.

Lila took his hand and he led her to the car. She couldn't help but steal multiple glances at him, noticing how handsome he looked even in his casual clothes.

Their destination turned out to be a fancy little cafe nestled in a quiet corner of the town. They were the only customers there and lila felt awkward about it.

“Sir, everything is ready” a waitress said..

It now dawned on her that Alex owns the place.

They settled into a cozy corner with the tables filled with lots of pastries and ate with their usual silence.

“Lila,” Alex called out after a moment of silence.

“I know things started off on the wrong foot between us, but I want you to know that I'm here for you. I want to understand you, not just as my wife but as a person.”

Lila looked at him, surprised by his sincerity . She felt her defences begin to crumble but a part of her still held back.

“I'm still grappling with everything. It all happened so fast, far from what I imagined.”

“You are not obligated to feel anything, Lila.just let me earn your trust, and heart before anything else”

They drove away from the cafe to a scenic route filled with lots of trees. Lila gazed out of the window as they passed through vibrant houses. After a few minutes, they arrived at their destination_ a cozy lake side garden surrounded by tall pines.

Lila inhaled the crisp, fresh air as they stepped out.

“This place is beautiful,” she said, her earlier anxiety beginning to fade away.

“I thought you'd like it,” Alex grinned and extended his hand to her. Together, they walked towards the cabin, which had a rustic charm with its wooden beams and large windows that overlooked the tranquil lake.

Inside, the atmosphere was cozy and inviting. Alex lit a fire and soon the room was filled with a warm glow of flames that helped to ease the tension between them. They settled into a soft couch, enjoying the serenity of the surroundings.

“This is where I come whenever I want a moment to myself” Alex said, wrapping her around his arms.

“It's a beautiful place”

Lila suddenly felt the urge to reach out to Eva and she turned to Alex feeling anxious that he might refuse.

“Alex,” she began, hesitantly.

“Would it be okay if we stopped by my parents house for a while? I wish to see my sister”

Lila feared his reaction, worried he might think she was trying to escape their time together but to her surprise he nodded without hesitation.

“Of course,” Alex said with a slight nod.

“Really!? You don't mind?” Lila asked with a surprise expression.

“Not at all,” he replied while patting her hair

“Thank you Alex. I really appreciate it.”

Lila felt a mix of nervousness as they drove towards her family's house. Her sister Eva had always been her confidant and she longs to meet with her.

Her heart raced as she knocked on the door. A moment later, Eva opened the door and her face lit up with joy on seeing lila and they both enveloped themselves in a warm embrace. Alex stepped back, allowing the sisters a moment to reconnect.

The atmosphere was filled with warmth and laughter as they settled into the living room. Lila shared snippets of her life with Alex and how soft he had become over the last few days. They laughed and reminisced on their childhood memories.

After spending a lovely afternoon reconnecting, lila felt revitalized. She glanced at Alex who had been patient throughout the visit.

“Thank you for letting me come here,” she said as they walked back to the car.

“It meant a lot to me”

“Anytime.” Alex said nonchalantly

“Your sister can come with us to our next stop” Alex said, and

Lila's face lit up with joy

“Thank you, Alex” she said excitedly as she turned to Eva who was still standing a distance away.

“Eva come here”lila called, waving her sister over. Alex smiled at their sibling bond

Lila grinned, “I think you should join us to our next stop”

Eva's eyes widened in surprise, and a surge of excitement washed over her.

“Really? You want me to come?”

“Of course,” Lila replied enthusiastically.

In the car, Eva couldn't help but steal glances at Alex as he drove. He had an air of confidence around him while exuding an effortless charm. For the first time, Eva noticed how handsome he was and looking at his handsome features made her heart flutter. She noticed the glow in Lila and the way she beamed when she looked at him and she felt a pang of jealousy creeping into her.

She couldn't shake off the feeling that she would have been the one in this position.

She was used to Lila always sacrificing for her but for once, she wished lila had just let things go as planned.

Eva found it difficult to focus on her sister. She was lost in her thoughts, grappling with the reality of her own unfulfilled dreams.

They arrive at a boutique and Lila was taken aback by the sheer elegance of the place. The exterior was adorned with tasteful decorations and the interior was filled with luxurious fabrics and and array of steaming clothing. She felt uneasy as they stepped inside, unsure how to navigate such an upscale environment.

Alex however, seemed at ease. He approached a sales associate with confidence, explaining that he was looking for am outfit for his wife and sister.

Lila's cheek flushed. It felt surreal to hear him refer to her that way.

Alex began gathering beautiful dresses, blouses and accessories, all while encouraging Eva to pick dresses for herself.

“Here, try them on,” Alex said, handing some dresses he had selected to Lila.

The first dress she tried on was a stunning pink gown that hugged her figure perfectly. She twirled in front of the mirror, feeling the fabric flow around her like a gentle breeze.

Alex eyes lit up seeing lila step out of the fitting room, he swallowed hard at the sight of his wife

“You look incredible,” he said, his voice filled with admiration.

Eva watched from a distance as Lila glowed in a series of exquisite outfits picked by Alex, each one more stunning than the last. She couldn't help but feel more jealous of her sister. She observed the way Alex looked at Lila, his eyes filled with admiration and affection. It was a stark contrast of how she had expected Alex to treat Lila. The thought of it made her heart sink.

“That would have been me” she thought to herself as lila stepped out in yet another outfit. It was clear Lila was starting to embrace her new life, but Eva couldn't shake the “that would have been me” feeling building up inside her.