Twenty Four

She hugged me and whispered,
"Thank you, Gianna."
Then Brandon leans against the car window and says,
"Thank you, Gianna, for allowing Priya to accompany me." What he said made me giggle.
My reaction was, "We're just friends, so all I have to do is say yes.
" Both of them are giggling. Priya got inside the automobile, which then drove away.
I walked away from the building and stood in front of it. When I heard my phone ring, I slid it into my bag to see who was texting me. My Aunt sent me a text message claiming she was waiting for me at the restaurant, which I noticed. I'll go to the restaurant she mentioned in her text. It was only a short distance, so I walked till I reached the restaurant. As soon as I stepped inside, I recognized my Aunt, who was dressed entirely in white. She gained weight as I examined her entire body, my brows furrowed as my gaze settled on her tummy as if she were pregnant.

"I'm sorry, Aurora," she said as she took my hands in hers.
"It wasn't my intention to lie to you, but I don't have a choice. I was due to someone, and I paid the house in exchange, and those people sealed the house on the bank."
"You know I did those things so you wouldn't have to deal with my problems."
"I'm here in front of you asking for forgiveness because I know I wounded your sentiments," she explained.
"I'm fine right now," I said, smiling.
"I live in a nice house with my new friend."
"There's no need for you to feel sorry for me because I understand your predicament."
This is my response.
"Of course, you're not getting any younger, so you can make your own decisions, but you can't make me worry about you because I love you." I was deeply moved by what she said.
"I want you to know, Aurora, that I'll meet someone who will love me and love me back. Can't you see what I'm talking about?" She remarked, her eyes gleaming,
"I'm expecting, you'll have a sister soon."
“Really? Aunt, how many months have you been pregnant?"
"It's eight months, Gianna."
"I've always wished for this to happen, for me to have a child of my own." But even I'll have this because you're always my eldest," she murmured, her gut clenched. I was delighted for my Aunt. After her ex-husband abandoned her, she deserved true love.
"Aunt, I understand; you don't have to explain anything to me," I said. She gave a kind smile.
"Can you tell me who he is?" I said,
"I'd want to meet him," alluding to her new husband.
"You can come with me to the house if you're not busy right now," she added.
My Aunts grinned as I nodded.
"All right, let's leave," she replied as she rose, and I realized my Aunt had not placed an order.
We walk outside the restaurant together, and we approach the gray automobile with a man standing in front of it.
We were greeted by a man who opened the door for us.
Did my Aunt have a chauffeur? My brows furrowed in surprise at what I discovered.
I'm tempted to ask my Aunt a question, but I hold back.
I was very interested. We'll hop in the car after that.
The man began driving the automobile away.
I keep looking out the window, where I can see my Aunt right now. It appears like she has a comfortable existence. She was wearing a ring, as well as a gold bracelet, earrings, and necklace.
We arrived at the three-story mansion with white and pink paint after an hour of driving. When I first saw the house, I was taken aback. So, all of my questions have been answered. We exit the vehicle after the gentleman opens the door for us.
My Aunt and I take a walk towards the house together.
The house was lovely, implying that the person who lived there was wealthy.
As we entered, a man in his forties greeted us with a broad smile. His attention was riveted on me as he kissed my Aunts on the lips. When I saw this man, I remembered Leon.
"I believe they are the same age.
"You must be, Gianna," said the man.
"Yes, sir," I said when he asked.
"Don't call me sir; just call me Uncle Augusto," he added, explaining that he was my Aunt's husband.
I nodded in agreement with what he said. Then we all went into the house together. I was astounded when I saw the inside of the house; the design is so lovely; I believe they employed the best decorator because the inside of the house was stunning. Everything was exorbitantly priced.
Then I noticed a large number of maids wandering around the home as if they were preoccupied with their various tasks. While my Aunt and Uncle Augusto moved to the kitchen, I sat on the couch. After an hour, Aunt returned to the living room, accompanied by a maid carrying a drink and cake. My Aunt sat on the couch facing me while the maid placed what she had brought on the table and quickly left.
"Gianna, eat first before we talk. I know you have a lot of questions for me," she added, a smile on her face.
"Yes, Aunt, you should tell me anything I want to know because I'm completely clueless right now."
“Yeah. You have a right to know the truth," she stated.
Then I'll begin to devour the cake. My Aunt began to speak after a few minutes.
"Augusto was my ex-boyfriend, and we broke up because he needed to go abroad to finish his business course until I met Diego. Following that, after a year of dating him. I was devastated and hurt when he abandoned me without warning, and then you entered my life. You brightened my life, and then you grew up and made your own choices. Augusto and I reconnected five years ago, and we both decided to give ourselves a second opportunity. We've been in a relationship for a year without you knowing because we're both single. I started lying to you to be with him because I was worried you would get upset if you found out."
I was overjoyed by my Aunt's good fortune.
"Aunt, it doesn't matter what I decide as long as you're content with the choices you make. I'm not going to debate. It's far too much for you to handle until the conclusion. I've always wished for the best for you," I explained.
"Thank you, Gianna," she expressed her gratitude.
Then I hugged her once more.
"It's time for me to go home, Aunt; I'll see you soon when I’ll visit here again," I remarked, and my Aunt's reply was as if she didn't want me to leave.
"You can live here, Gianna, your Aunt was unhappy since she knew you were far away from her."
"I'll think about it, Uncle."
I hugged my Aunt and spoke to her in hushed tones.
"Don't be upset; just call me and I'll come right over, okay?"
I kissed her cheeks after saying that.
"Take care, Gianna."
After that, I said my goodbyes and left. I observed a man standing outside. He abruptly opened the car door as I drove by. My brow furrows.
"Get in, Ma'am, I'll send you home." Instead of arguing,
I'm going to get in the car. Since it was eight o'clock in the evening, he should have given me a ride. I arrived at Winter's place at exactly nine o'clock after an hour of driving. Winter was standing outside the house, which I observed.

She looks as if she's waiting for someone, and her eyes are anxious. After the man opens the automobile door for me, I'll exit the vehicle. When I approached Harley, her face lit up with delight.
"My God, Gianna! What have you been up to?" " she asked.
“You scared me, you didn’t even call to let me know where are you going.” She said.
I took a deep breath.
“I’m sorry, Winter, I went to my Aunt's house. I forgot to call you.” I said.
“It’s okay, Gianna, as long as you came home safe. Does Pia call you?” I asked her.
“She just send me a message saying that she go somewhere.”
“She didn’t tell you, who is with her?” I asked her again.
“Nope, I’m not bothered to ask.” Harley response.
“Did you know where she go?” she asked me.
“I don’t know but she’s with her new man I think.” My response.
“Really? Who is the lucky man?” Winter asks in surprise.
“A waiter in the restaurant near our building.”
“News? Really?” Winter asked.
“Yeah but my observations say otherwise.” My answered.
“Why is that?” Winter asked when we arrived inside the house.
“I think, the man was rich since he has good looks and nice skin.” My answered.
“Gianna, there are many people who had a simple life but they had a nice outlook and appearance, just like you,” Winter said, smiling.
I fell silent. My bad since I was underestimating those who had a simple life.
“Aurora, it’s didn’t matter what’s the stand in life when it comes to having a good look,” Harley said. I was embarrassed.
“I know,” I answered, to cover my embarrassment.
“It’s been better than Pia entered dating again so that she can move on,” I said.
“Yeah, much better for her to find a man to divert her attention and love,” Winter said.
I nod in response.
“It’s okay with you that we go to the bar right now? I felt boring here inside the house.” Winter said.
“Sure.” My response.
Since I didn’t feel tired right at this moment.
“Just wait for a while since I’m going to change my dressed.” My answer.
“Sure, take your time. I’ll change my clothes also.” She said.
After an half hour. We finished changing clothes so Winter and I walked together outside the house.
We get in the car and Winter started the car engine. And drive the car towards the city.
“It’s been better that you start to practice driving a car so that you didn’t pay taxi on your way to the office,” Winter said.
“I’m scared to have bruises in driving a car, whatever I think I didn’t have a talent on it.” My answer.
“You should try, I know that it’s hard if your first time driving but later on, it was easy for you since you keep on practicing.” She said.
My brows furrow since I don’t like her suggestion.
“I’ll try,” I said.
“Don’t say, you will try, Gianna, just do it. You don’t just drive a people, you also know how to drive a car.” Winter said in a serious tone.
I winced when I realize what she said,
“Damn you, Winter, why did you include that in our conversation,” I said.
She was laughing at what I said.
“I was just being realistic, it was included in our daily life that we need to drive people for us to be satisfied.” She said, grinning.
“Stop it, Winter!’ I exclaim. I don’t want her to go on a sexual topic.
“You say that like you will experience some erotic things,” I said.
“I was just curious about that thing, Gianna.” She said,
I was shocked by what she said. So this woman has her purity intact at this age?
I said, "How old are you, Harley?"
 
"I'm 30 years old." What I discovered astounded me.
 "You kidding me?"
"No, I'm not. I'm telling the truth, Gianna," she said.
 
"No, but the funny thing is that you've reached that age but haven't yet had that worldly experience." I'll say.
 
My question was met with a frown.
 
"Why? I haven't had a boyfriend since."
 
"What?" I said,

"That's incredible." She is wealthy and attractive. But there was no boyfriend by the age of thirty.
 
"Why is that, Winter? Don't tell me you didn't have a boyfriend during your college years. " I inquired.

"Yes, Gianna, I'm giving you the truth. Maybe I was being a snob."

"There are also people like you who have reached that age but have never really had a relationship, and when it comes to it, it will go right to marriage," I explained. It smirked.
"Perhaps I won't be able to sell my beauty," she says.
"I'd say you're a little too choosy when it comes to men," I said.
"I shouldn't just pick up anyone out there and make them my guy; I'm not under any pressure to have a man in my life."
"Why don't you give the man who was mentioned last time a chance?" I said.

It suddenly stopped driving and looked at me.
"Why should I follow you?" She asks, frowning.
"Why not? Maybe he's the man for you. " I said.
"It's very impossible, you say, Gianna." She said, shaking her head.
I stopped talking and he started the car again. An hour later, we reached our destination.
"How far is it, Winter?" was my question.
When we're in the city, we should go to a faraway bar. I know my daddy will see us. " She replied. 
She was also right because I and Marcus's paths might meet again.
"Why?" I will ask.
"My daddy doesn't want me to go to the bar." She answered me.
As we get out of the car,
"Is that so? You're not a child to forbid what you want to do. " I said.
"He's not going to ban me; he's already pushing me to get married. But that's the only thing I can't go to, the bar. My daddy has loved me so much, ever since my mommy left us. " She says
Marcus was right when he said that he was single. We were already walking into the bar, and we looked for a place to sit. I sat in the vacant seat. The place is nice because their seat is not a chair type but a couch with a glass table in the middle, while Winter was at the bar counter ordering wine.
 
 
Winter returned to where I was sitting a minute later, holding two bottles of wine and two glasses in one hand.

"Here's our order," she said as she sat down in front of me, once the order was placed on the table.
I noticed that all of the customers at this bar were couples. In the corner, I noticed two people kissing. In addition to hugging, I winced at what I saw.

"Are all of the customers here couples? Why do I notice we're the only ones here who don't have a partner?" I asked.

"Give it up. You're just too perceptive. Of course, they have life partners. That's what they're going to include in this place," Winter explained.