Chapter 36: Chapter 36

I was so scared and in fact, I am slightly shivering. It's a good thing that my mother and Kimberly did not notice. She went outside already but I can still feel her presence. It is like she's watching my every move even if she is not around. I thought that it was the end for me the same feeling when I saw the raging truck coming my way two years ago.

"Emi, are you all right?" Kimberly asked.

"Yes, of course, Kimmy," I replied. My best friend just look at me giving me her I'm not convinced look. I just heaved out a deep sigh and shake my head. Kimberly really knows me and I can't hide from her so I just made up a story and lied.

"I'm just worried what will happen next? I said.

They already told me everything that happened two years ago and I understand my mother. I did not feel any anger towards her. I just love my mother so much to get angry to her. She raised me, she risked her life to give birth to me. I am so much grateful for everything she did for me throughout the years. Why would I hate her? She just did it for me and my father. About Kimberly, there is no reason to hate her as well. Mrs. Altagracia was so shocked by my reaction, she did not expect that I am such a very understanding and kind daughter.

"There is nothing to worry about baby. Everything will be alright." My mother assured. I want to tell her it will not because of Federico's ex-girlfriend. But again, I can't tell her since it will be a threat to their lives. I love my family so much and I could never forgive myself if something bad happens to them.

"Maybe it is best if I will be the one who will tell Federico about this mom," I said hoping my mother will agree.

"Let's ask Mrs. Altagracia about it. She will come back soon. She just brought Rick to the cafeteria because the little guy is hungry." Mother said.

I smiled bitterly as I remember my son. My little Rick I only have two months to be with him. After that, I will stay away from him in exchange for my family's life. The thought of being away from my son kills me and I know he will feel the same. Apart from that, Federico will surely hate me about the lie that the evil woman wants me to tell him in exchange again for my family's lives. She is so heartless, how could she do this? She is so selfish, she thinks of nothing but herself. Why just can't she accept that Federico does not love her anymore? In the first place, it was her fault that Federico's love for her fade away.

"Mama!" Rick's voice brought me back to reality.

"Hello there, son," I said and hug him. I am trying my best to hold back my tears because I know the ladies here will ask me a lot of questions.

"It took us a while to go back here. Because he is having a hard time to decide which food he would pick." Said Mrs. Altagracia.

"Ma'am, I want to ask you a favor," I said.

"Emily, dear. Call me Auntie okay." She corrected.

" All right, Auntie." I obeyed.

" What is it, dear?" She asked.

"I want to tell Federico about who I am on Rick's birthday. I want to surprise him." I said.

"Of course dear. That is a good idea. My son's happiness will be doubled." She happily said.

It broke my heart when I heard Mrs. Altagracia's words. The confession that I'm about to make with Federico will not double his happiness but will triple his pain. Hurting the man I love kills me but I need to do it for the sake of my family. What if she will also hurt Rick? What if she does something worse.

"Mama, you sick?" My son asked while he put his little hands in my face. I smiled at him. He is really sweet. I took his right hand and kissed it.

"Don't worry baby. Mama is okay." I said.

"Dada don't know? He busy but I make him come here." He said. I find him really cute when he talks.

"No baby. Don't disturb your Dada. Mama is fine I will go out soon." I explained and he just nod.

"Okay." He said.

After a while, Rick fell asleep beside me. While my mother and Mrs. Altagracia are talking Kimberly came to me with puppy eyes so I laughed.

"I know that eyes and I know that look," I said.

"Emi, I'm so sorry." She said and I just nod.

"Kimmy, you are totally forgiven, okay," I said.

"So you will accept my offer to be the maid of honor at my wedding?" She asked.

"Of course, I will. It will be my honor." I happily said.

"Thank you Emi." She said with so much glee.

"Wait, you thought I forgot huh. You have a lot of explaining things to do." I said as I remember what happened. She smiled sheepishly and nod.

Kimberly cleared her throat and sit straight as she looks straight into my eyes then smiled again.

"It is a very long story Emi." She said.

"I have all the time to listen." I said giving her a warning look. She just laughed and nodded.

"Okay, relax. Don't give me that killer eyes of yours." She said while laughing.

"You're killing me with so much anticipation," I said.

She stopped laughing and once again cleared her throat and sit straight.

"Okay, I'll start now. Do you remember the last time we spoke I was on a date, right?" She asked.

"Yes. You hang up the call and you have no idea how much you badly hurt my feelings." I said.

"I know Emi. I was badly hurt too. That was the time when I was so confused and scared because I already found out who your boss is. I don't know what to do, knowing that our friendship is in the verge of getting destroyed." She explained.

"So this guy that I go out with almost raped me." She said.

The thing she just told me shocked me to the core but I tried my best not to make a loud sound since my son is sleeping next to me.

"What?" I said.

"Relax, you're not in the best part yet." She said.

"You are almost raped and there is a best part? You are really crazy." I said and she laugh softly trying not to wake the child sleeping soundly beside me.

"Yes, the best part was when my knight in shining armor came to rescue me from that maniac and he is my groom." She proudly said.

I know who is the guy she is talking about so I rolled my eyes at her before speaking.

"Good for you Derick came to rescue regardless of what you did. My God Kimmy you have a boyfriend and you go dating with other guys." I scold her.

" Yeah about that Emi. I'm sorry I didn't tell you." She said. So again she hid something from me.

"What do you mean? I thought no secrets rule between our friendship but you broke the rule twice." I said with a disappointed tone.

She then gives me her signature puppy eyes and holds my hand as she speaks.

"Derick and I broke up because I caught him cheating. That was the same time that you got laid off from your job as a teacher in Spain. I was so heartbroken at that time, I was about to tell you but you have a bigger problem and I don't want to add up to your burden. You have so much in your plate already." She explained and I smiled.

I thought I am so lucky to have a friend like her. She always thinks of my welfare and she is always there for me whenever I need her.

"You mentioned you caught Derick cheating. But why take him back?" I asked.

"He was not cheating at all my cousin set him up. She made it look like Derick is cheating to ruin our relationship because she is in love with him." She said which reminds me of Lindsay. The are both the same type of women, both desperate and willing to ruin another person's life just to get what they want.

"But everything is okay now Kimmy. I am so happy for you and you deserve it." I said and we hugged.

"Thank you, Emi. The next wedding will be yours with the father of your child." She excitedly said. I sigh.

" I don't think so," I said sadly.

"Why? According to his mother, she saw all the signs of her son that he's in love with you." She said.

"It was only his mother's theory. He never said that to me." I lied. Because the truth is Federico confessed to me the night before our flight in the Philippines.

After the temporary farewell party that my colleagues set for me, he approached me when I was on my way to my room. He told me about his feelings and we ended up in bed. Yes, we made love that night in my room. I did not tell him about my feelings yet but it was so obvious that I feel the same since I respond to his kisses and I let him make love to me.

"I don't think so Emi. You know that mother instinct is really strong and accurate. So what Mrs. Altagracia's speculation of what she saw in her son is absolutely correct. He is into you." Kimberly spoke which brought me back to reality. I just smiled and stay silent I don't want to tell another lie again to my best friend.

It just does sad that we have the same feelings for each other, we both love each other but we can't be together for some reason. Maybe we were just not meant to be and I have to accept it.

Author's note:

I just would like to thank my readers. Thank you so much I highly appreciate it whoever you are thank you. I have been writing for decades but I just started to publish my works. So I consider myself a beginner but then again I hope you will like my stories. You guys are my inspiration to keep going and write more. Hugs and kisses. Keep safe always.

=Sarsi=