Chapter 41: Chapter 41

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If you were to ask me, after all that we've been through. Still believe in magic? Yes I do, of course I do

"What are you doing here?" I raised my brow as I saw Gwen walking towards me. She flipped her hair and rolled her eyes before putting a paper bag on my table.

"I am not here to see you, bitch!"

I hissed. "Then, why are you here?"

"I am here for my beautiful niece. Where is Gem?" She looked around inside my office, surveying every piece and every detail of my office before commenting.

"I told you to put some colors in your office," she told me. She did tell me that she visits me in my office when she's in our city.

It's been more than a year since I won the case for her. I clearly felt how sincere and grateful she was to me. She cried and even hugged me though I never heard her say a simple thank you, sorry, or whatever you call it. Well, what can I say? It's Gwen. She will never tell those things.

However, over time, she slowly changed. What I mean with change is that she became a different version of herself. Still a bitch, but a grateful bitch. Also, she learns to follow her own dreams.

"Gem is buying donuts with Atty. Levi," I replied as I scanned through my files. I have a lot of pending cases that I need to draft and file.

"Go find them, you are disturbing me!" I told her, though I don't actually mean it. She can stay with me, we can talk, but it is just that we never know how to talk. We were never close and it's a bit awkward. I could see she was trying, I am trying, too. We just don't know how to start.

"Aren't you bored with all those files?" She pointed at those files and pouted. "Ugh! I am getting a headache just by staring."

"Aren't you bored? What are you even doing here? Don't you have things to do?"

"I have," she replied. "I will go shopping with Gem. Can you just call her? Also, what does she like?"

"Why not ask her?"

"Duh!" Gwen frowned. "It's a birthday gift for her. Why would I ask her for a surprise gift? Anyway, whatever! How's Loud?"

"Dad is still taking care of him. You can visit him in the hospital," I said, not looking at her. Now, she is really disturbing me. "He's still in therapy but the doctor told me there's already progress."

"Well, send my regards."

"Just go and visit him. Duh!" I frowned.

"Nah," she shook her head and sadly smiled. "I don't like walking in hospital hallways. I mean, I loved being a doctor or at least I have to love it but yeah it's not what I really want," she explained.

I glanced at her as she looked at the portrait.

"Then, what do you really want?" I asked her. I never asked her that and I believe no one asked her about that.

"I want to be an interior designer," she smiled at me. "I can renovate Loud's trailer for you," she suggested.

"Wait, how did you know about the trailer?"

"Gem told me you bought an old trailer van, right? It's the old trailer of Loud, right?"

I clicked my tongue. "Gem cannot really control her mouth."

Gwen laughed a little. "But at least, she's honest about her feelings just like you. I always envied you for that," she said in a low tone.

"I will renovate the trailer van for free. Consider it as my thank you and goodbye, for a while."

Gwen stated as she walked around my office. "Can we also renovate your office? It's dull."

"Wait, where are you going?" I raised an eyebrow. "Are you gonna die?"

"Well, if I am..." she grinned. "I'll let you stab me after I die."

"Duh! That's an impossible crime," I reacted. "I liked to stab you till death," I joked.

"I will be going back to London to study interior design," she proudly said. "It's not too late, don't you think?"

"No one is too late to chase her dreams," I sincerely smiled. "You have to take care of yourself because I will still be the one to kill you."

"Fine, Atty. Tan!" She stuck her tongue out "Though, seriously, open the paper bag," she commanded.

"Why? Did you put something in-oh!" I reacted and suddenly stopped upon seeing what was inside.

"Those are the things that make you happy, right?" She gave me a smile I recognized from when we were kids when she once told me how great I am in singing.

"Loud told me a hairbrush, and a new set of books are things that make you happy," she explained as I pulled from the paperbag a customized hairbrush shaped like a ukulele.

"But you never told him what truly makes you happy. Didn't you?" She raised her brows. "Why didn't you tell him?"

"What?" I acted confused. "What do you mean by that? Do you even know what makes me happy?"

She nodded. "When someone sings you a song. Loud doesn't know that."

I chuckled a bit as I remembered Loud. "You know what, I don't need to do that because he already did that the first time I met him."

I saw the sadness that crossed her eyes. She must have remembered her deceased ex-boyfriend. But, before she could talk about it, Gem came rushing inside my office.

"Aunt Gwen!" She ran to hug Gwen as my sister laughed and caressed her hair. "You wanna go shopping with me?"

"Can I go with her?" Gem looked at me.

"Yeah. But, like I said, go and tell her to buy you everything," I grinned.

"What a nice way to tell your daughter, sister!" She flipped her hair but smiled. "I'll take care of her and just focus on your boring papers!"

Gem kissed me and happily went out with Gwen. I looked at the hairbrush and slowly combed my hair. I checked the inside of the paperbag and saw a small note with it.

I would still say that Gwen is a bitch, but now, the bitch knows how to say thank you, well, she just wrote it.

At some point, I know I also have to thank her. I wouldn't have grown strong and independent if she wasn't a bitch. She motivated me. I have a lot of things to say to her, including how much I love her, but she doesn't need to know that. And, it's not like I am going to admit it.

"Good morning, Ms. Tan," The nurse greeted me as I walked towards the hallway of the hospital. "Dr. Elarde is already in the therapy room."

"Woah, this early?" I checked on my watch. It's still six in the morning.

"I see, let him know I am already here. Just gonna stay in Gabriel's office."

She nodded. I walked towards Gabriel's office. He's now staying in our city to manage our hospital with my father. He is now Chief of Surgery. He earned it and I am so proud of him.

"Hey, what's up, sister?" he greeted, sleepy. "Why so early?"

"Didn't you sleep?" I lifted my brows. "You are a mess."

"I am a handsome mess," he grinned. "Did you talk to your father?"

I nodded. "Loud's great."

"He should be. I still have to train him really well."

"He can go back to surgery, right?" I confirmed.

Another year had passed and those years weren't like the years where I had to sacrifice a lot of time and effort for Loud to walk and stand up again. Now, he did it in his own well and through the days I could see the progress.

The therapy works and my father, being a neurosurgeon, also helped Loud. He can now fully stand and walk. What he's doing now is making himself better so he can get a clearance to perform surgery again.

"It will take time. He needs to practice stitching again but he'll do it," Gab assured me. "By the way, what is your plan?"

"What do you mean plan?"

"Do you want to become a prosecutor, right? Aren't you going to accept the offer?"

"I've been thinking of that for quite some time. I really do," I replied, honestly.

The reason why I became a lawyer was that I also want to become a fiscal someday. It's the goal, but right now, I don't think I still want it. All I want now is to spend my time with Loud and Gem. For now, I guess, until Loud goes back to surgery.

"I didn't accept it," I confirmed. "There will be a right time to do it. And, I am doing great in Atty. Levi's office. But, hey, I never asked this before, do you have a girlfriend? I mean, what happened to -"

"Go away!" He waved his finger. "Don't mention her name."

I bit my lower lip and widened my eyes, still trying not to mention her girl's name. Well, the love of her life, who apparently I don't have any idea where she is right now. Well, that's another story.

"Do you have food for me?" He stood up from his chair, stretched his back, and pulled her white coat. "At least, coffee?"

"Coffee is on the way!" I said, just then someone knocked.

I opened it and the delivery guy handed me coffee. I smelled the aroma of brewed coffee. Gabriel took one and headed outside to his rounds. I followed him like how the interns lined up to follow him.

"Can I be an intern for a day?" I grinned. "I mean, my mother always wanted me to become a doctor. I just need-"

He handed me one of the patients' charts. "Unless, you can understand what is inside that."

I opened it. I was not even halfway when I gave it back to him. He laughed upon seeing my reaction.

"Ugh! Yeah. I'll pass." I hissed. "Anyway, good luck on your first day as interns," I told them and they all bowed down to me.

Gabriel and the interns took their way and started their rounds while I slowly walked the alley, reminiscing every single moment. I am being dramatic, yet hospital walls always felt nostalgic to me.

I grew up with doctors and nurses around me. I thought that's my path but through the years I've learned we have a choice. The destiny will lay down choices in front of us and it is always up to us what choice we should take.

"Mommy!" Gem came to me, running, wearing a white coat that he got from my father who was following her.

"Dad," I greeted him. He nodded at me.

"Look, grandpa gave me a white coat with my name!" She happily said.

I bent down a little to reach her and stared seriously at her eyes. "I have a question, okay? Answer me with all your heart."

"Do you want to become a doctor?"

Gem, without hesitation, nodded at me. "Yes! A surgeon!"

"Is that what you really want or because you know that we are a family of doctors and you are-" Gem kissed my cheeks and hugged me, stopping me from saying things.

"I love you, mommy!" she whispered. "Thank you and don't worry, it's what I really want."

I tapped the top of my head and genuinely smiled at my daughter. "Great, now, my mother would truly be happy because she has someone to torture, so is Dad!" I turned to my father who just laughed at us.

"I am proud of you, Gabriella."

"Dad..." My eyes glistened at his words. "Thank you."

"I'll go then. I'll see you later, sweetie!" He kissed Gem's forehead and headed back to his office.

"Mommy! Aunt Gwen told me she sent some packages for me. Omg! I am excited to go home! And, she sent some pictures!" Gwen started telling me things while we strolled down the alley.

She greeted every nurse, doctor, and patient on our way. She jogged, hopped, curled around, and chuckled every single moment. I remember the kid in my heart who used to do that. She's like me. The only difference is that I know she wouldn't like me. I will do everything for her so she wouldn't experience what I had been through.

I promised myself that when I have a child, I will give my full support to her. And, I am so grateful because I know his father would do the same.

"Daddy Var!" Gem went to hug Var. "Omg! Did you buy me donut?" She looked at Var's paper bag. "Yes!" Gem started taking out the box. She opened it, took one donut, and chewed.

"What's up!" He greeted me. "I miss you!"

I rolled my eyes. "You just visited yesterday!"

He grinned, leaned closer to me, and whispered. "I will miss you."

"What?" I raised an eyebrow.

"It's time for me to go to another country. Now, I am sure you already have a life. It's time for me to get one, too."

My heart felt warm and I suddenly hugged him. "Thank you, Var, for everything. You know that."

He chuckled as she caressed my hair. "I love you, Gabriella. Can I take Gem out? I need to say goodbye," he muttered.

I nodded and we both froze when I heard his voice.

"Are you really trying to make me jealous?" Loud said, though I could no longer feel the hurt.

"It works, Dad!" Gem stuck her tongue out and started eating donuts again. With her mouth full, she said, "You are standing now. It's my idea, by the way, right, Daddy Var?" She bumped fist into Var and they both laughed.

"Well, whatever!" Loud hissed.

I stared at him. He was wearing a white shirt, jogger pants, and his favorite flip on shoes. Gosh! I almost forgot how handsome he is, especially when he tied his bangs up like a pineapple. He wore his Harry Potter glass and looked like the guy next door that would definitely make your heart melt.

"What are you even doing here everyday?" Loud scowled, though I know he's joking. They somehow get along. Thanks to Gem because she made a way for both of her daddies to like each other.

"I am visiting, Gabriella. Can't I--aww!" Var reacted when Loud landed a fist on his face.

My jaw dropped. Gem's mouth parted and her eyes widened. Bystanders turned their attention to us and I almost yelled when Loud positioned himself for another punch but then, he didn't.

Instead, he offered his right hand to Var, whose lips were bleeding.

"I thought you were not going to punch me," Var massaged his jawline while looking at Loud's hand. "That fucking hurt, dude, but at least I get to kiss Gab, right?" He winked at me and I remembered what I told Loud. Yeah, how could I forget. I told him to punch Var for me for that stolen kiss.

I am glad he did it.

Loud chuckled a bit, still offering his hand." Be my best man, dude!"

"What do you mean by that?" Var asked what's inside my mind.

Loud took his hand back and turned to me. "This is the perfect way to do this because I get to torture him."

"Ugh. Seriously?" Var protested and acted like he's annoyed, yet his eyes sincerely smiled at me when Loud opened the box of rings I had told him to put in my finger.

"Be my everglow for the rest of my life, Atty. Gabriella Wong Tan."

He offered the ring or should I say he didn't let me answer. Well, it wasn't a question to be answered and it's not like I am going to say now. He gently took my hand and put the ring on my ring finger.

"Omg!" Gem clapped her hands and went beside Var. "I am so happy for you but I am going to hug Daddy Var because you both are cheesy!"

We all laughed.

"Now, dude!" Loud turned to Var. "Be the best man and I don't take no for an answer."

Var shook his head and smirked. "Why do you want me to become your best man?"

"To torture you," he said as he held my hand. "Kidding! It's Gem's idea."

"Are you torturing me?" Var looked at Gem and acted pissed.

"That's the closest you can get to being Mom's groom. I am doing you a favor!" Gem stuck her tongue out and ran.

"What? UGH! Come here! I am going to torture you, too!" Var ran to follow Gem.

I giggled as I lost both of them from my sight.

"Gabby," he sweetly said. He pulled me closer and his eyes sparkled as I met his gaze. "Am I still your everglow?"

I tip-toed and reached for his lips. Before sealing it with mine, I told him, "At all times."