Chapter 31: Chapter 31

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Every step that you take could be your biggest mistake. It could bend or it could break. But that's the risk that you take

"Oh. You are murdering the banana!" I told Zee upon entering their quarters. "I bought food!" I said, dropping the grocery bags to the table.

"I am practicing stitches," she replied, not looking at me. "There's no patient coming in which made me rest a little though I am getting bored."

I nodded and looked around their quarters. I was hoping to see Loud and thank God he isn't here. Not that I miss him, I am just making sure he is not here because I don't know how to face him.

"Where are the other residents?" I curiously asked since she was alone.

"If you are looking for Loud--"

I instantly cut her off. "I am not. Just wondering why you are alone here."

Zee didn't believe me. She teasingly laughed while I rolled my eyes. Well, what can I say? She knew me.

She finished suturing the banana before turning to me.

"Oh, where's Zack?" I asked when I remembered about the case. "I sent my interns to Germany to investigate the company since I still need to watch for Gem. There are the files. Tell him to read this and let me know his insights."

"Right," Zee accepted the folder and hid it inside her closet. "He's in a therapy session as of the moment. I'll tell him that."

"Good."

"Thank you, Gab!" She smiled at me.

"Thank you for saving Gem and Var," I replied.

"I wasn't the one who saved them so don't thank me."

Zee grabbed her stethoscope and white coat before going to the table to check the grocery bags. "Oh, banana milk. I'll have this! Thanks!" She put one pack of banana milk in her coat pocket.

"I need to check my patients," she told me as we walked outside the quarter. "I'll see you later. Okay? Tell Gem, I got her a chocolate ice cream."

She waved and ran towards the other wing of the building while I went to Var's room. Gem was staying at the therapy center since I want to make sure she's not going to develop a post traumatic stress disorder after the accident. I need to be sure she's clearly fine before I agree to discharge her.

"Hey!" I greeted Var who was watching an anime while lying on his back. "How are you?"

He pouted upon seeing me. "I want to go home..."

"You are being childish again." I rolled my eyes. "Still in pain?" I checked him. He had a fractured bone in his back though it wasn't life-threatening. My brother also told me they needed to fix his lungs during the surgery. He's clearly fine to me now except that his back does hurt.

"Yeah. It's so boring here. And I am hungry. Can you feed me? What did you cook for me and where's Gem? I missed her. The nurses told me she visited me while I was sleeping," he fastly said, catching his breath.

"She's still in therapy. She'll come here after. For now, I bought some food because I don't have time to cook."

I opened the paper bag and handed him a packed salad I bought from his favorite restaurant.

"Feed me. I can't use my hands," he grinned. Now, he's making cute baby faces. It doesn't suit him. Var's got a rugged look, bad boy look, so imagine when he made baby faces? He's like an idiot.

"Duh!" I scoffed. "I shouldn't be the one doing this for you."

"I fed you when you were sick," Var frowned. "You should be thankful to me."

"I am always thankful," I sincerely replied. He was there when no else was. Since first year college, he was there looking out for me and I don't know what I did to deserve his existence by my side.

"But I am just saying you have a fiancee!"

"She's not here!" He said before chewing the piece of food I put inside his mouth.

"She's not here because you made her cry!" I hit his arms a little and was actually going to punch him but I'll save it because he's still sick.

"What did you tell her? Why do you keep postponing your wedding? C'mon, you're--"

My lips parted in shock when he dropped.

"I was hoping to marry you."

"Var..." I blinked.

That made me speechless and almost cried when he brushed my hair and added, "I know, Ela. It's still him, right?"

"Var," I said in a low tone. "You shouldn't be stuck with me. It's been years. You wasted a lot of years with me and I appreciate that but-"

"I like wasting my time with you and Gem," he smiled and I saw how sincere he was.

"Vyra is nice," I told him, though I don't mean it that much. I never liked Vyra for him because I don't know. I just felt it. Not because I am jealous or what, you know it's an instinct. Plus, she's a real bitch to me.

"We both know she's not nice," Var frowned. "For the record, I tried liking her, Vyra."

"She's nice, okay? You just have to get to know her. You've been avoiding her since we were in college. You spend most of your time with me instead of actually getting to know her. Now, what? When are you going to get a life?"

"If you agree to marry me," he grinned.

"Are you really serious about that?"

"I am, Gabriella. I am serious about that. I even told my father I am going to break my engagement if you will agree to marry me."

"What?" I almost dropped the tupperware I was holding. "Are you serious?"

"Why do you think he wants to talk to me before the engagement?" Var clicked his tongue. "He knows I am never going to marry Vyra."

"Var, that's just..."

I couldn't find the words.

"Marry me."

I smiled a little. For a second, I really thought of saying yes. I mean, why would I say no? I like Var. I could say I love him. Although, it's not close as to how I loved Loud in the past. Still, I know it's enough to build a family with him.

Honestly, I thought about it in the past. I really did. Gem likes him and she would definitely be happy about it.

However, deep down, I know I wouldn't be entirely happy to spend my life with him. I am ready but I am terrified that sooner, when we build a family, I would wake up and realize he's not really the one I wanted to be with. And, that would give us so much pain. It's just so unfair for him.

And, I also wanted Gem to be with his real father because that is how it's supposed to be. I've been keeping her away from Loud and it's just making it harder for her to accept the truth. I don't even know if she would like to know the truth.

I stared at Var and laughed. It was all I could do since I really don't know what to reply.

"Vyra is nice if you get to know her." I changed the conversation. "Try, okay? Will you?"

"She's a bitch," Var commented.

"Well, I agree, but you have to at least try."

"I tried, Ela. I really did," Var sighed. "I liked her. But she lied to me. She's lying to me and I don't trust her," Var emphasized the word trust.

"You know the reason why I am postponing the wedding the best way I can?"

"Aside from the fact that you love me," I teased.

Var nodded and chuckled a bit.

"She's having an affair. I mean, it was the same guy she loved before she had gotten engaged with me. But, that guy was freaking married already. She is having an affair with him, digging for his money, and what if we got married? How sure am I that she isn't going to do the same to me?"

"What?" I said, surprised. "She told me she loves you and she even asked about you because she wanted you to see her and finally--"

"She had a degree in theater, so don't believe everything she says. She wants to marry me so she could have an affair with that guy and probably use my money, too."

"She is indeed a bitch." I can't believe her. She fooled me. Not really, I could feel she's a bitch since I grew up with a bitch.

"Yeah, so please do me a favor. Don't ever tell me to marry her. That is never going to happen," he firmly said.

"Okay, sorry. You should have told me that," I scoffed. "Judge Maquess?" I asked, confirming the say of his father towards the situation since he was the one who arranged the wedding.

"The only reason we can't cancel it was because we signed a contract about the wedding. But now that my father knows about it," he grinned. "I should have told him before."

"Duh. Why didn't you tell him? Why prolong it?"

"Well, I was giving Vyra the benefit of doubt and I was hoping she would stop, change herself. She didn't," Var explained. I gave him bottled water as he continued, "My father will file a complaint and also he agreed for me to marry you."

I choked. "Woah. That's..."

Judge Maquess? I mean, Judge Luchin Maquess agreed? That's something new.

"I am really surprised." I blinked and felt like it added some of my burden now that he has the approval of his father.

"Why do you have to marry Vyra in the first place?" I asked, curious. Var never talked about his engagement with Vyra that is why I never had an idea. All I know is that he kept on postponing the wedding. I don't even know how he did that.

"Politics," he simply replied. "And, business. They're trying to save their business by merging with us. My father wanted to buy their company and since they don't want to sell it. They entered a contract with us. Hence, the engagement."

"That sucks!" I replied.

Var jutted his bottom lip and sighed. "Enough with her, though. I made her cry because she deserves it plus I told her that I knew everything and I am done with her!"

"You are such an ass!" I laughingly commented.

"I know. Will you still marry me?" He winked.

Before I could say anything, Gem came running towards us with her chocolate ice cream.

"Marry? Who's gonna get married?" She raised her tone. "Wait, are you asking my mother to get married?" She widened her eyes as she gave us exchanging looks.

"Gem, it's not that--"

"Oh my gosh!" She jumped, her eyes glowed as if she won a lottery. "You are getting married!! And you will officially be my Daddy!" She went to hug me and then gently embraced Var.

"Yey! I am so happy -- oops, my ice cream!" She stopped and licked her ice cream before turning to us again.

"Gem, no--"

"Mommy, say yes, yes, okay?" She lifted her hand and pleaded, giving me puppy eyes. She's nice and still acting like a child. Well, she will forever be my baby.

"There is no reason for you to say no. I consent to the marriage! I will be your maid of honor or flower girl, right, because Aunt Zee will take the place of maid of honor!"

"Gem, your mother--" Var tried to say something but she wouldn't listen. She cut us off. She has that stubborn attitude where she doesn't listen. And, I want to get mad at her right now, at the same time, I don't want to break her heart.

It's the first time I saw how happy she was. She'd been telling me to marry Var.

"Yey! I am so happy!" She clapped her hands. "But, Daddy!" She pointed at Var before throwing the ice cream at the trash bin. "You have to propose properly. We'll do it when we are both discharged. Don't worry, mother. I will make sure Daddy Var will give you the best proposal ever!!!!" She hugged me tight.

I looked at Var. He mouthed sorry and tried to talk Gem out of it but she just won't stop talking about it. She was so excited. The adrenaline rush was coming inside her.

"Gem, we are not--"

"Mommy!" She raised both of her hands in the air. "You told me you love Daddy."

That made me shut my mouth. Gem really can't control herself at times. Var gave me a confusing look and I swear I saw how his face lightened up. Ugh! I hate it.

"You are just concerned about my real daddy and his fiancée," She turned to Var who is now spacing out. He was probably thinking about what Gem said. For the record, he knows I loved him. It's just not enough. Sometimes, we love a person, but it isn't enough to be with him.

"Good news is Grandad told me the engagement is off and about my real dad," Gem rolled her eyes and shrugged "I don't care about him and I don't want to know him. Okay? Let's just forget about him."

I face my palm. Ugh! I never see this coming.

"Gem, you need to know your fath--"

"Grandad!" She leaped and fell into Judge Maquess' arms. I heard Judge Maquess laugh as he brushed Gem's hair.

"How are you? I see you are getting better now."

"Yes, Grandad! And, oh...they are finally getting married!"

"What?" Judge Maquess looked at us. "That's great."

"Dad, Gab didn't say yes," Var said.

"Oh, don't worry about his fiancee," Judge Maquess moved his head in disgust. "I'll settle it and go get married. You have my consent. You're like a daughter to me," he smiled.

For a second, I saw the regret that crossed his eyes. He still loved my mother. I mean, it's not how it used to be before but I could sense that my mother never left his heart. She will always be that lady that would remind Judge Maquess how to fight for the things you love.

It's quite sad and disappointing, yet I learned that there is love that just doesn't come back even if two people deserve it. We do things we had to do and that's how destiny played us.

"Grandad! We have to tell Aunt Zee." She pulled Judge Maquess hand. "I am so excited!"

"Gem!" I warned her. "You need to rest."

"I'll be fine, Mom," she grinned. Now, she's being stubborn. "Grandad is with me. I'll go back to my room after telling Aunt Zee and Uncle Gabriel. C'mon, Grandad!" She pulled Judge Maquess and waved to us.

I laughed, really hard, that I had my palm covering my mouth. Clearly, I don't know why I am laughing or I should be laughing.

"Are you laughing or are you crying?" Var asked.

"She really likes you," I turned to Var and wagged my head because I will never be able to erase the fact that she likes Var. I am terrified because it's my fault that soon, when she knew about Loud, she wouldn't like him because she already gave all her energy to Var.

"I am so sorry, Gab. I didn't mean to."

I nodded. I know. He didn't mean to. It just pains me to break my daughter's heart because she was expecting too much. This is the reality she always hoped for and I couldn't just kill it.

"Gab, you have to tell Loud," Var urged. "Because if you would not tell him, if you keep it from Gem...I am afraid that there's no longer room for Loud in your daughter's space and I am so sorry," Var bowed down and a drop of tears fell from his eyes. "I am so sorry for taking up too much space. Though, I also want you to consider my proposal."