09

Chapter 09

I picked up the newspaper that was just by the door of the mansion and went back inside. I closed the door and headed to the dining table to place it on the table next to Fabian's cup of coffee.

Every morning, while having breakfast, I see Fabian reading the newspaper, so I always fetch it from outside and put it on the table.

I'm not really into news and gossip, so I didn't bother to look at it, but my eyes caught the headline about Victor and Themarie's engagement. I felt a chill after reading about it.

I haven't signed the divorce papers yet, and it's been less than a month since they kicked me out of the mansion.

Suddenly, my knees weakened, and before I could collapse, someone grabbed my arm. I turned around and saw Fabian. He quickly withdrew his hand and took the newspaper from me.

"D-Do you know what's in here?" I asked, trembling. My chest tightened, and I couldn't breathe because of it.

Why am I surprised? I see Themarie in the mansion every day, and I can feel something between her and Victor. Have I been too caught up in denying it?

"Sit down and calm down," I heard Fabian say as he pulled me to a chair.

Tears streamed down my face. It hurts—how could they do this to me? How could Themarie do this to me? I thought we were friends. Why Victor?

Fabian sat down next to me. I remembered that he and Themarie were from the same agency and that she was part of Fabian's new movie. She was just an extra, but she still had a part in the movie, so it's impossible for Fabian not to know about it.

"I don't know about the engagement, but I'm aware that there's something between your husband and Miss Montesor. I saw them once making out in the car, and I didn't tell you because you were still in the healing process, and it would have been a big shock to you."

I felt like my head was about to explode after that. They didn't even wait for me to sign the divorce papers. I just sighed and pinched myself. I couldn't do anything.

"Mommy?"

I cried even more when France hugged me because I suddenly remembered my child. I just wondered what I should do.

"They've taken everything from me," I said while crying and hugging France tightly. I wanted to explode and let out all my anger, but would that bring back anything, even my child?

I sank back into the chair and knelt down. I thought I was okay. I thought the pain was gone and that I was completely numb. But I wasn't. I couldn't accept everything yet.

"Daddy, please help," I heard France whisper as he hugged me. I didn't know what happened next because I suddenly found myself looking up at Fabian, who was reaching out his hand to me. France was between us.

"Marry me, Sonia."

My ears seemed to ring after hearing what Fabian said.

"W-What?"

Fabian knelt down and leveled with me. He looked deeply into my eyes and smiled.

"I said, marry me."

For some reason, my mind seemed to stop functioning after hearing that, and the first words I said after that were questioning if Fabian was going crazy.

"Maybe because I'll agree for you to use me as long as you want and marry me," I said.

I stood up after that. I wiped my cheeks. I told Fabian that he was not thinking straight. The timing was wrong.

"I'm serious, Sonia. I want you to marry me," Fabian said. I got annoyed that he grabbed my arm.

"Did they lead you to this, Sir Fabian? I know you're kind, but I didn't expect you to come to the point of asking me to marry you out of pity," I said.

I don't know, but something felt wrong. Why was I the one getting angry? I massaged my forehead. Fabian's words were giving me a headache.

I just turned away because I didn't want to hear anything more. I was about to leave when Fabian spoke again.

"If you marry me, you can use me and my name as you want. You can easily get the revenge you want and get your child back. I have power, Sonia. I'm rich and handsome. I'm even more handsome than your ex-husband," Fabian said, making a fist.

"Why are you doing this? From agreeing to be France's nanny, letting me stay here, and now this. How far can you go just because you feel sorry for me?" I asked.

I didn't know, but it seemed like something was off. Why was I the one getting angry? I rubbed my forehead. My head hurt from Fabian's words.

I just stopped and stared at Fabian. He said I might not know him, but he knows me.

"What?" I asked. Fabian scratched the back of his head.

"You might not remember, but I owe you a lot," Fabian said. He smiled and said he wanted to repay me now.

"Also—" Fabian hesitated, seeming unsure if he should speak or not.

"I've wanted you since high school. This isn't just an opportunity for you—it's also an opportunity for me. Let me take advantage of you," Fabian said, smiling sweetly.

"I want to have a chance, even a small one, with you. To get to know you more and be with you for the rest of my life."

I didn't know how to react after that. I just stood there, staring at Fabian.

"I won't force you or pressure you, Sonia," Fabian said.

Fabian raised his palms and then lowered them. After Fabian said those things, I couldn't sleep that night. I also lost the chance to think about Victor and Themarie.

I cursed in my mind and hugged the pillow tighter. I couldn't understand why this was happening to me.

I looked at France, who was now sleeping next to me. I removed the pillow and gently moved to France's side.

"Mommy, cold," France whispered. I slightly lifted his head and cradled him in my arms. I hugged him and lightly tapped his back.

I looked at France while he slept and lightly touched his cheek.

"I'm annoyed because of your daddy's straightforwardness. He didn't even give me a chance to cry for my ex-husband," I whispered. Because all day, I couldn't think of anything but Fabian and what he said.

"Good thing you're as cute as your daddy," I whispered until I realized that I had fallen asleep too.

I woke up, and the sun was already up. I cursed and quickly got up. France wasn't by my side, so I immediately panicked.

France was sleepwalking, and I was worried he might have fallen down the stairs. I quickly went downstairs, even barefoot, and ran down.

"France!"

I scanned the living room and heard voices in the dining area.

"Mommy!"

I went straight to the dining area and saw the father and son. France was sitting in a high chair, and Fabian was cooking.

Fabian was half-naked, and I was slightly stunned. I screamed and turned away.

"Sir Fabian! Why are you half-naked!"

I heard him laugh, and the sound of a spoon. It seems he put down the spatula he was holding earlier.

"It's because France dragged me from the room to the kitchen. He said he's hungry," Fabian said. Suddenly, I felt embarrassed. I lowered my head and apologized repeatedly.

"I woke up late," I said. I might lose my job, my gosh.

"It's okay. Looks like you didn't sleep last night. Why? Have you been thinking about what I said?" Fabian asked. He even asked if I would agree to marry him.

I looked at him and was speechless after seeing him standing there with both hands on the table, looking at me intently.

"Sir, did you just come down from heaven to add to my sins?" I asked. Fabian laughed and sat next to France.

"That's quite an answer. Anyway, you continue cooking. France has been stopping me from cooking dry food since earlier. He said not to finish all the food," Fabian said.

I looked at France, who was looking at me and smiling sweetly. My gosh. They really are like father and son, even their smiles are the same.

I sighed and touched my forehead. Maybe I should start training my heart and mind to get used to these two and become immune to the charm of the Martinez duo. Sometimes, their cuteness hurts my heart.

I approached the sink and washed some hotdogs. They were already sliced, and there was no plastic left.

"I'm sorry, sir. I can't give you an answer right now."

I felt bold and confident in the part where I was waiting for Fabian Martinez, but until that moment, everything still hadn't sunk in for me. The part where my ex-husband quickly moved on, my best friend hooked up with my ex-husband, and Fabian's out-of-the-blue confession.

"It's okay at least you didn't reject me right away," Fabian said. I stopped and glanced at Fabian. He was currently feeding his child.

"Sir, aren't you repulsed by my face? If ever you still want to marry a woman with this kind of face," I asked out of the blue. Fabian paused and looked at me. So did France.

"Your face just changed, Sonia. Not the person you are. You're still Sonia Salazar," Fabian said, interrupting me. France raised both hands.

"You're still my mommy! Even if you're ugly and—"

Fabian covered France's mouth, saying he shouldn't butt in on adult conversations. I couldn't help but laugh after that.

"Wait— I smell something burning."

I stopped and looked at the gas stove.

"Oh no, the bacon!"