Chapter 38: Chapter 38

Michelle was done packing, she decided to spend the night at her mom’s place. They just had dinner and were in the living room when they heard the door bell ring. A maid went to get the door.

It was Derek. It seems he drove here from his office because he was still on his suit.

Michelle wondered why he decided to come see them at such hour, he could’ve waited until tomorrow. He wasn’t obliged to come see them everyday.

“Hi.” He greeted.

“I went to your place but I was told that you were here... I came to see you, Michelle.”

“I’m sorry. I should’ve told you that I was going to move back to my mom’s place.” She apologized.

“Why?... Is something wronged? If you had a problem there, you could’ve just told me and I’d have rectified it, not move out like that… I noticed you’ve already moved some things.” Derek said pretending not to be aware of her plans to leave.

He didn’t want it to look like he was only here because his mom told him about her plans to leave. He honestly wasn’t here because of his mom.

“Derek..” she began

“I.. um.. I’ve made a decision to move out of Washington.” She said as she stood up from the couch and walked towards him.

Leah just sat on the couch, watching the both of them.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about it earlier… I was planning to…”

“Michelle, you don’t have to go… I need you and Sandra here.” He said.

Michelle felt bad because she knew how much Derek loved Sandra.

“I want to forget about everything, Derek… I’m still overwhelmed by everything that’s happened.” She replied.

“And Sandra?... She has also been through a lot and you know how much she needs a father figure in her life.”

“I know that Derek, but please think about me too.”

How was he going to convince Michelle to stay?

“I had wanted to ask you this, but I don’t know how you’d take it.”

“What is it?” she questioned.

“I want to be Sandra’s father.” Derek answered.

Michelle was surprised but she tried not to show it.

“You’re her uncle and her family… You’ll always be like a father to her.”

“You don’t understand, Michelle… I want to adopt her. I don’t want to be just her uncle, I want to be more than that to her…I want her to grow up knowing me as her father since my brother is gone… I know I can’t take his place as her real father, but please let me do this for Nathan’s sake and also for Sandra.”

Derek’s words made Michelle had second thoughts about leaving. He was right, Sandra needs a father and Derek was already acting as one.

“He’s right, honey… How would you feel when Sandra grows up and questions you about her father? I know you wouldn’t have a problem telling her the truth about all that happened, but it will be really hard for you because it will make you recall your past. You wouldn’t want to go through such amount of pain… And to be honest, I also don’t want you to leave.” Leah said.

She has been listening to Derek and realized he had a point. Nathan is always going to be Sandra’s father by blood, nobody can take that away from him. But who’s more worthy to be Sandra’s father after Nathan, if not Derek.

He has always been there for Sandra, who now sees him as her father.

When she spoke her first word, she called Derek 'Dada' because that is who he already was to her.

Michelle kept contemplating in her head. Why does everyone want her to stay when she is trying to run away from everything?

They weren’t helping by dragging her back.

She struggled before coming to a final conclusion.

“Fine. You’re now Sandra’s father… you can begin the adoption process.”

“Thank you, Michelle.” Derek appreciated with a smile. His eyes lit up hearing Michelle’s reply.

Leah was glad that her daughter made the right decision.

“Can I talk to you outside?” Derek suddenly requested.

“Okay.” Michelle quietly replied, wondering why he wanted to talk to her privately.

Derek opened the door for the both of them to go outside.

Michelle suddenly felt chills as soon as she stepped outside. She wasn’t properly dressed as she was wearing a loose tank top and denim short.

“Are you cold?” Derek asked, noticing her change in demeanor as they stepped outside.

“Yeah.. a little.” She replied.

Derek took off his blazer and placed it on Michelle’s shoulders. She thanked him and wore it properly, making her feel warm again.

“I don’t know how to say this…” Derek started, already feeling nervous.

“Michelle.. I know I messed up and can’t erase all you’ve been through because of me. I regret it every single day… The truth is.. I can never be with anyone else if they aren’t you… and I don’t think I bear seeing you with someone else.” Derek confessed.

His blazer suddenly became too small for Michelle. She wasn’t expecting this sort of discussion. Why did he have to bring this up?

Derek came closer to Michelle, closing the gap between them as their faces were now only inches apart.

“What are you trying to say, Derek?”

“Michelle, I still love you.. I never stopped loving you.. if you just give me one more chance, I promise things will be different… If you want, we could move to some other state, away from my mom… Please, just give me another chance.” Derek pleaded, cupping Michelle’s face in his hands.

Michelle closed her eyes, causing a tear to drop as her eyes were already teary. The last time she heard these same words, something terrible happened after.

“Derek.. this is too sudden.” She quietly said.

“I know, but.. I don’t want you to leave.. I can’t handle that for a second time. I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it this time if you leave.. I will do anything to give us a happy home.”

Michelle knew Derek’s promises were honest, but what was he expecting her to say?

“I don’t know, Derek… I need to think.” She said.

Derek nodded his head in understanding but she could see the sadness and disappointment in his eyes.

Derek knew he had lost Michelle to his brother, Nathan. But still, he needed her even if she doesn’t feel anything for him anymore. He can’t be with another woman, that was why he never bothered going into any relationship after their breakup.

Michelle handed him back his blazer and got back into the house after saying goodbye.

That wasn’t the reply she had planned on giving him. She had no idea why that slipped from her tongue.

“He has a point.” Leah said, making Michelle flinch.

She was leaning against the door with her eyes closed and didn’t notice that her mom was still in the living room.

“Were you eavesdropping?”

“No, but I could tell from his body language.” Leah replied.

“I don’t know, mom.” Michelle said with a heavy sigh.

“Honey, you’re still in love with him… Don’t forget, he’s now going to be Sandra’s father and you wouldn’t want to have a divided home… So, what is it that confuses you?” Leah asked, approaching her daughter.

“Hmmn.. I need to go to bed. Goodnight mom.”

“Goodnight honey. Think about it.” Leah replied, placing a kiss on Michelle’s forehead.

Michelle went inside her room and laid on her bed.

Who was she fooling? She never stopped loving Derek, not for a single day.