11

Chapter 11

"Sir Fa—Fabian," I cried even harder after seeing Fabian who immediately dropped the umbrella he was holding.

Without hesitation, he wrapped me in his large coat and carried me.

Both drenched, we were now walking away from the mansion. I couldn't react anymore. I didn't even know how I got home because I just found myself on top of the bed, sitting.

Fabian handed me something to drink. I slowly took it and held it tightly in my palms.

I was so brave to go there, and my confidence was high that they wouldn't see me cry, but— all my courage seemed to vanish like bubbles after I saw my child.

As a mother, it breaks my heart to see your child crying and calling for you. I felt the tears coming from my eyes and they fell onto the back of my hand.

"I don't understand, Sir Fabian. What did I do wrong to them that they would do this to me?"

"My best friend since high school, who is like a sister to me, my fiancé whom I loved and supported tremendously, to my in-laws whom I tried to please by joining their company even though there were many other opportunities waiting for me just so I could help— everything I did for them. Why are they treating me this way? Where did I go wrong?"

I couldn't stop sobbing. I just felt Fabian holding the back of my head and burying it in his chest.

"When you're on top, you can't see the people below you, Sonia. You're not at fault— you did nothing wrong. It was their choice, not yours."

I don't know why, but when Fabian stroked my hair, I looked up. Our eyes met.

Our faces were now close until Fabian moved his lips towards mine.

I don't know what came over me, but when our lips touched, I instinctively opened mine.

Fabian's kiss was gentle, I felt his tongue in my mouth chasing mine.

I lay back on the bed and just felt him take the mug from my hand and place it on the table.

My attention went there as Fabian's lips parted from mine. I looked at him.

"I can't believe that while I'm kissing you, you're focused on the mug. Am I that bad at kissing?" Fabian asked. My cheeks immediately heated up from that. I was about to cover my face with my palms when Fabian quickly caught them and lifted them.

I'm embarrassed, I can't believe that despite my face like this, Fabian is looking at me as if I'm the most beautiful woman in the world.

"Why?"

I asked, not sure what the word 'why' was for among the many questions in my mind. Why did Fabian look at me that way, why did he kiss me, and why did Fabian do that to me.

"Because I like you— no, I love you, Sonia," Fabian whispered. My brain and thoughts seemed to stop functioning after he kissed me again. This time— the lips just touched and then the second was deep but brief.

"I-stop," I said. I felt like I was going crazy from what Fabian was doing. Fabian just laughed then kissed the side of my lips and hugged me.

"Sorry, I can't help it. It's unfair because you can't see your expression and I'm the one being tortured."

I paused after realizing something. Fabian lifted me, kissed me, held my hand earlier then hugged me. I slightly pushed Fabian away from me which made him stop and look at me.

"You said— you said you're not comfortable with women's touch."

"I'm a woman," I said. Fabian looked at me directly and said he knew.

"How? Are you fooling me? Did you lie to me?" I asked. Fabian flatly said he couldn't lie to me.

"Actually, I didn't notice it. Because since earlier, I've been thinking about you. I was worried about you earlier and now— I don't want to do anything but—"

I covered Fabian's mouth. Even if he didn't say it, I could see it in his eyes and expression. I'm not ready to hear it because I'm not sure if I could resist Fabian once he says it so bluntly and it seemed like a request to me.

Fabian held my wrist and lowered it. He looked me in the eye.

"I won't attempt to touch you without your permission and we're not married yet," Fabian said as if he had read my thoughts.

Fabian lay next to me and wrapped his arms around me.

"Too much happened today. You better rest," Fabian said. I was now holding Fabian's arm wrapped around my waist.

"I want to get my child back," I whispered. Fabian immediately replied that he knew.

"But you know the condition once you ask for my help," said Fabian. I pressed my lips together and looked up.

He was staring right at me. I gazed into his blue eyes.

"Just promise me that you'll return my child to me."

Fabian immediately hugged my head and answered yes.

"Then marry me, Sonia."

I accepted Fabian's offer and within a week, I was shocked to find that Fabian was already preparing for the wedding.

"In the Philippines?" I repeated. Fabian looked back at me and asked why.

"You do know that there's no divorce in the Philippines, right?" I asked. Fabian picked up a magazine and focused on it. We were both standing in the living room with the wedding planner sitting on the sofa. The planner was surprised to see me—I'm sure it was because of Fabian's handsome face that he was marrying me.

"To make sure no divorce happens."

He turned to me and asked if I wasn't standing by my word.

"It should be clear what I told you was in exchange—"

I waved my hand to stop him from talking. It never crossed my mind that I would bring up divorce. I have my word, for God's sake, but—

I held my arm and looked at Fabian.

"What if you change your mind?" I asked. Fabian is handsome and to this day I'm still not convinced by his reasons, like his wanting me. We've only known each other for a few days and I don't remember him.

Did I have such a handsome schoolmate? If I did, it's impossible I wouldn't recognize Fabian and remember his blue eyes.

"As if," Fabian replied and turned away. He walked away from me which I just cursed under my breath. Where does Fabian get his confidence that he won't change his mind about marrying me?

"Madam, how about you choose the dress now. Sir instructed that you should choose the theme, wedding dress, and suit for your wedding."

I remember when Victor and I got married by the judge. From the dress to the invited people and reception, it was my in-laws who chose everything. I couldn't believe Fabian was offering me this kind of wedding.

I looked down and told the wedding planner that I would talk to Fabian about it first.

I briefly left and went to find Fabian, who I knew was in the garden. I saw him looking at a magazine while sitting at a table.

Fabian paused after probably sensing my presence. He looked up and frowned, saying not to insist on what he wanted.

"I have no plans to get a divorce and I want to marry you in the Philippines to make sure that—"

"No— that's not why I came here," I cut him off. Fabian raised an eyebrow and put down the magazine he was holding. I saw that it was a magazine for flowers. It seemed like Fabian was choosing the flowers for the wedding.

"Could—could we both choose the dresses and then the theme?" I asked. I paused when Fabian covered his lips with his hands, trying to hold back his laughter.

"What's so funny?" I asked. He straightened up then stood. He picked up the magazine.

"That's why I took the day off, right? Of course, we'll both choose that. But of course, what you want is still more important for our wedding."

Fabian showed me two magazines he was holding.

"I'll take care of the flowers and rings," said Fabian, smiling. I didn't realize I was tearing up. I saw concern on Fabian's face and he suddenly cupped my cheek.

"You always cry. Whether happy or sad—you cry. Don't you run out of tears?"

I couldn't speak because even I didn't understand what I was feeling at that moment.

We returned together to the living room and sat in front of the wedding planner.

"The wedding will be in a church. Only a few guests, maybe just my friends. As much as possible, I want to keep it private so no media," said Fabian. His manager had also arrived and asked him about the guests or whether to make it public.

"Sir Fabian, you said to act as a wife in public, right? The wedding would be a good opportunity to boost your popularity, right?" I asked. Fabian paused and turned to me.

Fabian furrowed his brow and asked what I was talking about.

"The heck, do I look like I'm out of fashion? I don't need anyone to become famous," said Fabian. I saw from the corner of my eye that Fabian's manager was holding back laughter.

"I think you two lack communication. Sonia misunderstood you," said Jomar. Annoyed, Fabian replied.

"Does it look like I'm not aware of that?" Fabian asked back and continued flipping through the magazine.

"You're not comfortable with me, and I don't like the idea of you acting like you don't know me in public because of my career. After our wedding, I plan to announce it because I don't want to ruin our special day."

Fabian said that even he wouldn't enjoy their wedding if it looked like a film set, with all the cameras around.

I managed to laugh at that. I felt Fabian's gaze, so I turned to him.

"Before you start thinking all sorts of things and if you don't understand me, ask me next time. Give me a chance to defend myself. You always look at me negatively," said Fabian, acting as if he was hurt.

I don't know why, but I felt very light that day. Wrong—since I set foot in that mansion and met Fabian and his family, there was never a time I felt down because of them, especially Fabian.

"Which of these three do you think looks best? They all look beautiful to me. You choose which one of these," Fabian said, showing me the picture of the flower decorations to be used at the wedding and placed in the hallway.

"I think I like the one in the middle," I said. Fabian laughed and said that he also thought that was the nicest.

"It matches the wedding dress you picked earlier."

Suddenly, someone hugged me from behind and called me mommy. I turned slightly and saw France.

"Baby, you're home. Sorry, I forgot. I'm not done with the preparations yet," I said. I cursed under my breath for forgetting to pick up France.

France turned around and happily sat on my lap.

"It's okay, mommy. The driver told me, and daddy informed me this morning that you would be busy with your wedding!"

He even raised his hand as if excited about our wedding with Fabian. Suddenly, I remembered France's real mom.

"Is it okay for us to get married, your dad and me?" I asked. I felt Fabian's gaze. I wanted to know what France was thinking and feeling. France was the last person I wanted to hurt as much as possible.

France looked up and said that the first time he saw me in the park, he knew I would be his mommy.

I immediately hugged France. I told him I would be a good mommy to him. It wasn't just a promise because I would fulfill it. In that way, I could repay my debt of gratitude and kindness to Fabian and France.