Book 2: 15

We stepped into a large function hall in one of the prestigious hotels that Eric owned. People were already inside, dressed in formal attire. Since I had been into many functions and launching like this in the past with Eric, where I mostly stood as an escort with no real understanding of their business whereabouts, I never asked what kind of event we were attending tonight.

Sean and I marched down the red carpet with bright smiles on our faces, numbed to the continuous flashing of the cameras aimed at us. I noticed that most of the people around were the same faces in his business circle; only that tonight, the men had their wives or partners by their sides.

"What's the event tonight?" I finally asked Sean as I felt amazed at seeing lots of female attendees tonight.

Sean pulled a chair for me and motioned for me to sit down before he pulled out another seat next to mine. Once in his seat, Sean pointed the huge, glittering letters on the stage that said. "Thanksgiving Party."

"Someone is celebrating his success tonight?"

"Yes," Sean said, beaming. I nodded without asking further, but Sean held my chin and bent down his head, sealing my lips with a kiss.

"Babe," he muttered as he parted his lips from mine, "thank you."

I chuckled, but my brows pulled closer together. "For what?"

"For holding on, for trying to understand me, but most of all, for giving me your heart, and for giving me a child."

I smiled as I looked deeply into his eyes. It glowed with sincere gratitude and love for me. I felt so blessed in having him--he's packed with all amazing things a woman could dream of. He's rich and brilliant, but he's humble like a common worker. He towered over with his magnetic, handsome features, making him stand out wherever he was, but he cared for me like I was the one who seemed to be the most chased-out treasure. But why do his perfect attributes had to be stained by Calla's presence?

"Don't look at me like that, or I'll forget we are in the middle of a huge crowd," he chuckled, and the more he looked handsome in my eyes.

I could not help but cup his face between my hands and pulled it closer to me. I brushed my lips on his chin, but before the next second chimed, I opened my mouth and claimed his lips in a passionate kiss. I forgot that a large crowd surrounded us, and I didn't even notice that the cameras were flicking endlessly at us.

A round of applause erupted the moment I pulled away, but Sean pulled my head back and pressed his lips on my forehead.

"I love you," he said, and I answered him with a smile, nestling my head into his chest.

"Good evening, everyone! We just witnessed a sweet declaration of love from the couple who wants to share their joy with us tonight. Mr. Sean Grey, and the rest of the organizers of this thanksgiving party tonight, would like to welcome and thank you for coming over despite the short notice. Mr. Grey can't just wait for another day to tell the world of his happiness in learning the news that he is soon going to be a dad!"

I looked up at Sean, who also gazed down at me with those tender eyes. I felt my heart stopped beating for a while, too awed at how Sean valued his child and me. Before my eyes could turn to scarlet orbs, another round of applause broke again from the crowd.

I then understood why the wives were here tonight. It's because the theme was about the joy of parenthood. And women could express the most their genuine joy of having a child.

The program went on until the dinner was served. Sean made sure I ate a lot before he held my hand and pulled me along for the table hopping, thanking our guests for coming over. Sean was beaming with happiness as the guest in each table congratulated us, and all of them expressed their excitement for the big day.

My eyes widened in surprise as we went over to the last table in the corner. Eric stood up right away before we reached them, extending his hand to Sean.

"I wonder what kind of trick did you do to make her conceive. Was I not good enough, Red?"

The color on my face drained. Even if Sean did not seem to mind that I had been sexually indulging with Eric for five years, it still felt embarrassing to hear him mention it in front of Sean. Before I could grope for words to throw back at him, he chuckled and stepped forward, giving me a quick hug.

"Congratulations, sweetheart. There are just things not meant for us, and all we need to do is accept it and move on."

I flinched in awkwardness on the way he addressed me. He was never that sweet-tongued before. Eric may have thought I did not understand his intention to hurt Sean. I threw my gaze unconsciously at Calla, who stood by Eric's side, waiting for her turn. The more the sense of awkwardness brewed in our atmosphere. How deceitful could Eric be when the four of us knew that all those years we had were meaningless to him because his heart belonged only to Calla?

"Congratulations, Dr. Grey! How I wish that this child in my womb would also receive the same amount of recognition and value from his father."

I felt like fleeing from the spot I was standing. I just couldn't endure all the coldness and pretense in the air. Just how liberated Eric and Calla were to speak out their minds in both their presence? Were they human, after all?

I stole a sideways glance at Sean, and I got amazed at how he looked indifferent towards her. He even gave a slight nod and a pursed smile before he excused us.

Once we were back to our table, I grabbed Sean's attention, which seemed nonchalant to the pressing, stale air around us.

"Sean, please tell the emcee that I don't want to dance with anybody, and that I don't also want you to dance with anybody else."

Sean smiled at me with an understanding gaze. He patted my head and said, "Don't worry, sweetheart. You're mine alone tonight and forever."

He then gave me a look that suggested something was disturbing him. Before I could figure it out myself, he opened his mouth to speak.

"I'm begging you, dear. Please don't let Calla affect you."

I laughed, but the bitterness in my voice betrayed me. "Of course. If you won't give me a reason to feel that way."

"I won't leave from your side. And after tonight, I would take you away from Eric and her because I will take you home."

"In the mountains?" HIs home at that remote place by the countryside was what he always called home.

"Australia, the home of the Greys--your home."