Chapter 49: Chapter 49

Aviena's POV

“Hey. How are you? It's been so long since the last time I saw you,” she told me. It's Marissa. Her long, curly hair is now short. Even today, her beautiful body still remains. I was a little nervous for fear that she might see Camillia. She's River's best friend, she's not likely to mention that but still, she's Marissa, she doesn't just talk, she teases.

“Hey… How are you? You look more blooming right now,” I told her.

"Just self-love, Beh," she joked so I couldn't help but laugh before shaking my head.

"What are you doing here?" She asked me.

"Oh, just a vacation…" I said.

“You still don't plan to go home? My friend will die on making himself happy,” she said, still laughing. I couldn’t avoid shaking my head because on the outside Marissa was really innocent, different inside though. I don't know if I'll laugh or miss River instead. I just shook at myself because of the thoughts.

“Oh, well. I won't meddle with the two of you. You are grown up,” she said with a smile.

“I’ll get going now. My husband's already waiting for me,” she said so I smiled before he waved. She really looks happier now. I'm happy for her too.

I also went to where Camillia was.

"Camillia, eat first, my daughter." It's not hard to talk to Camillia. She also didn’t like waiting for food.

She inherited wisdom from her father. The two of us have just one in common. Watching cartoons.

"Auntie," she called to Ocean who was tanning to one side. Ocean turned to her because of that.

"Are you my father's sister?" She asked. She still seems hesitant there. I couldn't help but look at her. So did Ocean who had already looked at Camillia.

I also know that Camillia will really ask about her father, she often just keeps her curiosity to herself. All the questions in her mind, she did not voice at all.

“You’re Oceana Georgiane Savellano. We have the same surname, same as Mama's surname too. She's married to Mr. River so I suppose that's Mr. River's surname too, right?” she asked.

“It's not Mr. River, Camillia. It's your Papa. You can call him Papa,” I said, smiling at her. I always tell her that it was her Papa but sometimes she just really doesn't know how to address him. I can’t stop the chest tightness. I deprive the two of them of being together and meeting.

"Is it really okay?" she asked.

"Of course…" I said.

“If that's the case why can't he meet me? It's been so long but I never really saw him in person… ” she said while eating the food I prepared. I turned to Ocean there to ask for help but she just raised an eyebrow at me and managed to smile as if saying that this is my problem. I just frown at her because of that. I couldn’t help but sigh as I stared at Camillia.

"It's Mama's fault, Baby… I'm sorry… But you'll meet Papa next month… We'll visit the Philippines…" I said so her eyes widened before she looked at me.

"What do you mean, Mama?" she asked.

"We'll congratulate your Aunties and we will also visit your Dad," I said. She was just looking at me. She didn't even speak. She just looked at the beach while eating quietly.

I couldn’t help but slightly smile as I watched her. I know she's excited to meet him. She knew very well how to hide her emotions.

She didn't ask about what I said but I feel like she was really thinking about it. I notice the smile on her face. I couldn't stand myself because I didn't give her a chance to know his father.

"Camillia and Brother really have the same personality when they're thinking about things," Ocean said laughing while watching my daughter. I can't help but laugh there because it's really true. Camillia really liked her father a lot.

We're enjoying the sea with Camillia when Marissa passed by. So she's still here. She was slightly surprised as he looked at Camillia who was next to Ocean and me now. He looked back and forth at the three of us. I feel nervous. I want to pull Camillia too. It's scary that other people will actually know it first than River.

“Ocean! Did you get pregnant? We've only been together this past month, how come I didn't know you gave birth— ” She didn't finish what she was going to say as her eyes widened as she looked at me and Camillia.

“Omg?! Is she your daughter, Aviena? ” Marissa almost screamed as she looked at me. She's looking at me as if I'm unbelievable.

“Omg! I'm Auntie Marissa!” Marissa’s introduction to my daughter. Camillia looks confused while looking at her.

"Can I still be her godmother, beh?" she asked us so I just laughed.

“She’s Aunt Marissa, my love. Papa's bestfriend,” I said.

"That's why you're gone for almost 5 years!" It wasn't long before she couldn't stop laughing.

"Did River know about this?" she asked, looking at Ocean and me. Ocean smiled as I just bowed.

“Omg! You hide your daughter to River? That idiot will probably get mad when he realizes that. Get ready,” she said, still laughing. Ocean laughed there too.

“I know right! I already told her that. Maybe Brother won't just tie her up, maybe she'll be chained,” Ocean said, laughing so I nudge her. She just smiled at me so I couldn’t avoid shaking my head. Both of them look so happy.

“I can't believe that I got to know first that he had a child. I'll fucking tease him about this all his life,” she said, laughing. I just shook my head as I looked at him.

I couldn’t help but look at her because of that. Ocean immediately laughed at my nervous face.

“Let’s play there for a while, Cami. It seems like your Mom will need to beg,” she said laughing while looking at me. I can't help but frown at her. I even glared at her but instead of being scared she just shrugged her shoulders while laughing. I can't stop shaking my head as they go ahead.

I turned to Marissa as they left. She still couldn't believe it as he looked at Camillia. She seems like she's really amused.

“She really looks like River. I thought she was Ocean's daughter. That's Rivs' girl version.” She laughed at me. I just pouted because of that. People used to say that my child and I look alike because they haven't seen River yet.

"Can you not tell him about this yet?" I asked when the two of us were left here on the beach.

"I'll introduce her to her once we go back to the Philippines," I said. She turned to me before grinning.

"Fine…" she said, while still looking amused at what is happening now.

"I won't tell him but of course, I'm not someone who can stay quiet on one side…" She laughed. I couldn’t help but be pompous because it seemed like she was planning something that wasn’t so pleasant.

I also have no choice if she says so because I have had a few years to tell River but I still chose to hide it.

Marissa didn't stay long in the Maldives either, she and her husband really had two days on vacation. While Ocean and I are actually fine if we stay longer. Besides, Camillia didn't really want to go home. That's just the way that girl is. Once she stepped into the place where she was having fun, it was hard to take her home. But she'll understand when it is explained that there is a job or something like that.

“Mom! We'll go now!” Camillia smiled while saying goodbye to me. I smiled at her before nodding.

"Be careful, darling, don't go far away," I said so she nodded at me. They are going to try snorkeling. I'm not really good with that one so Ocean is with her. Ocean is also adventurous so she doesn't have a problem with that.

I just smiled before waving at them. When she left, I also prepared my canvas. I started painting Camillia having fun here in the Maldives. I'm planning to submit a cartoon character that was based on my daughter. I just smiled wide as I watched what I was painting.

I was about to get out of my seat when I saw someone looking at me. I almost dropped the paintbrush I was holding when I saw a familiar face. How can I forget this one if he doesn't give me a chance to forget him? It's been half a year since the last time I saw him. It's always once a year if he shows up so I'm comfortable these past few months. He showed up last six months so what is he doing here now?

When he noticed me looking at him he just raised an eyebrow at me. I almost choked on my own saliva before avoiding looking at him. I also feel the strength of my heartbeat for mixed reasons. I was nervous that he already knew something about our daughter. I don’t know how I’m going to explain it to him. And another reason why I'm nervous is that he's here. That's it.

I also quickly put away my belongings and nervously called Ocean's phone. I'm sure those two are in the boat now.

Fuck– there is no signal here. I just closed my eyes while typing a message to send to Ocean.

Me:

Your brother is here. Go to our room immediately.

I know I'm supposed to tell him now but I'm already consumed by fear and panic especially when I see his face.

I almost bit my fingers while I was waiting for them to come back.

"Vena." I almost jumped in panic when someone approached me and called. I know it's not him. His voice is deeper.

“Are you Vena?” a man asked while looking at me.

"The actress from the Philippines years ago," he said. I smiled slightly. My name has faded but there is still no denying that many still know me.

“Can I take a picture with you? I'm a fan,” he told me. I really want a peaceful life right now. Of course with my daughter. I was about to decline when an asshat walked between us.

My lips parted as I looked at River who turned to me before raising an eyebrow. He was about to pass us when he turned to the man I was talking to. In the years we've been meeting, we use to just look at each other so I can't help but wonder what he's up to now.

"Don't you know that the girl you're looking at already has a husband?" And a child too. I couldn't help but smirk at the thought but when I looked back at River I just frowned.

"Oh, you're still married, Vena?" the man asked. He smiled awkwardly before saying goodbye to us.

Soon, I was already facing River who was looking into my eyes now. I slowly backed away so he let out a wide grin before leaning towards me.

“When will you come home, Wife?”