Chapter 48

Rina

My heart is pounding in my chest, I feel the steady drum in my ears. This can't be happening. How did he get here and why does my breath still catch when I see him? Tori wasn't able to stop him because I can hear his footsteps thud to my door. 

"Rina, please talk to me." His tone is frantic but not in a 'I just ran up the stairs after you' but a 'I'm pleading here' tone. Of course he wouldn't be out of breath from that short run like I am. He is an international pop star while I am almost 7 months pregnant. I can't believe how my life has changed and it's all due to the man standing on the other side of the door. 

"Rina please." I hear Tae's muffled voice.

I don't have to believe him but I can just hear him out. I really don't want to, though. I just want to hide and pretend this was all a nightmare. Why did he even come here? To take my babies? I shake my head. I need to speak with him for my babies. They deserve their father, no matter my relationship with the man. 

I pull myself together and unlock the door. I make my way to the bed and sit. I breathe in a deep cleansing breath. "Come in." 

The handle clicks and I'm immediately transferred to months earlier. Those piercing gold eyes rimmed with red from tears. The solemn position of his lips is nowhere to be seen though. He is smiling. Are these happy tears? 

He coolly walks to where I am and kneels on the floor at my feet. "Rina, I missed you so much." 

I wince. What does he mean he missed me? "Don't act like you missed me, you don't need to pretend for my sake." I keep my tone stern and unaffected. 

"I'm not pretending, I did miss you. I have been trying so hard to come back to you. It took months. If I had known." He trails off and looks at my stomach. "I would've come sooner." 

I fold my arms on my round belly. "I'm sure." 

"Please believe me, I'll answer all of your questions. I'm not hiding anything." I look into his eyes, trying to understand his words. I feel a warm hand gently press on my belly. "This is… my baby." 

It didn't sound like a question but more of a declaration. His baby. I begin to nod, and tears flow down my cheeks. These hormones. I can't help it though my babies have finally gotten acknowledged by their father. Their father doesn't even know he is having two children. 

The thoughts make me bawl, and I feel so silly. I need to protect my children and not cry my eyes out. Tae reaches to pull me in for a hug but I stop him by putting my arm to his chest. I try to gather my wits and speak but the tears choke my voice. I put up two fingers and he looks at me quizzically. 

"Two minutes?" I look down at my swollen stomach. 

"Two babies?" I can barely nod my head when Tae springs up to his feet and pulls me into a large embrace. I fall onto the bed and he rolls me to the side in a protective motion. 

"I thought that would scare you." He shakes his head and looks me right in the eyes. He has his arms cocooned around me on the bed and he tightens them. 

"Not at all. I'm incredibly happy, I'm also very regretful. I can't believe I left you while you were carrying my children. For that I am so sorry. I will make it up to everyone though. I'll be here. We can get through this." 

"I was taken aback when I saw you. You looked tired and frail. I was so ashamed of the father I am. I couldn't even be there to help you." 

I don't even know what came over me. His words, or his arms around me. I succumbed to the moment. I knew I wouldn't forgive him that easily. I knew I still needed a thorough explanation. That didn't stop me though. 

I brought my lips closer and took in a shallow breath. I placed a chaste kiss on his soft lips. I felt his lips soften at my touch. I pull away and begin to open my eyes. He pulls me closer before I can react and takes my lips in his again. He devours me. I can barely keep up, he whispers into my lips over and over again. "I love you." "I love you."