CHAPTER 25: THE WEDDING PLAN

She was surprised when he also got out of the car after she got out.

Her eyes stared at the man questioningly as his gaze focused on their house. He took her hand and led her to their front door.

"W-what are you still doing here?" She wondered.

"I'd like to talk to your mother," he answered seriously and rang the doorbell.

"W-why?" she asked incredulously.

"We're going to talk about our wedding in front of her," he said nonchalantly.

She tried to remove her hand from his grip so she could leave before her mother could open the door but the man's grip was tight.

She just stopped trying to retrieve her hand from him when the door opened.

"Clayton!" her mother smiled at him even though her face was wondering.

"Good evening," Clayton greeted her mother with a smile.

"Come in first," she opened the door wide open for them.

"Why Red is not around?" her mother asked. She knew the two were brothers.

She wanted to run out of the house. If only he was there to ask for her hand for marriage because he loves her, she might have jumped for joy but it was not because of his free will. Clayton was just forced to take responsibility because of the child in her womb.

Not in this way she wanted to get Clayton's last name.

She was silent as they sat across her mother.

"Samantha and I are getting married," Clayton said without hesitation.

Her mother was shocked to hear it because she did not introduce Clayton as her boyfriend. All she knew was that the man was her boss and that he is the brother of her ex, Red.

"We will take care of the wedding as soon as possible because Sam is pregnant," Clayton added.

"I-I'm going to have a grandchild?" only then could her mother speak.

Her mother's face was happy even though she seemed to be crying when she looked at him. Clayton was already smiling as if he was happy with what he announced. It was the opposite of his expression earlier when they were the only two facing each other.

Her mother came over to her and cried as she hugged her. She also hugged her mother. She was crying again.

"We don't have to go back to Olongapo anymore," her mother laughed, even though she was crying.

She did not answer. Her mind was still confused. After the mother and daughter cried, her mom and Clayton were talking. She just silently listened to them while feeling confused and worried.

Before Clayton went home he said he would pick her up tomorrow morning for her check-up. She just nodded at him. He was tired of arguing.

Clayton accompanied her the next day to the doctor. They found out that she was about two months pregnant. She was prescribed vitamins for her and their child.

Clayton even wanted them to go to the Mall to buy infants clothes. She just stopped him and said not to buy yet because it was still too early. The man listened even though he seemed excited to go shopping for his future child.

He didn't say anything about Red or Faith. Red called her several times but she did not answer his call not even once.

She was with Clayton almost every day for a week. He already let her choose her wedding dress. Clayton wanted the marriage to happen next month. She wants to be happy but she feels empty because she knows it is not right for Clayton to marry her just for the sake of their child.

How about Faith? This is the woman he wants to marry before, the woman he really loves.

****************

She was alone at home because her mother left for a while and said she had something to buy when an unexpected visitor came. She was shocked when she opened the door and saw the woman outside the door.

"May I come in?"

She quietly opened the door wide. The woman's eyes were already observing their house as her eyes were busy examining their place when she was already inside.

"I don't want to know the details of how Clayton got you pregnant. I'm just here to remind you that he will only marry you because of the child. I'm sure you already know that. I'm sure also that you already know that Clayton really wishes to marry me. I'm the one he loves. I don't want you to regret marrying him knowing that someone else already owns his heart, "her long litany.

She just nodded while listening to the woman.

"If you still continue your marriage with him then let me warn you that most likely we will still have a relationship. I don't care if I'm going to be his mistress because I know in myself that I have more right to him than you. If you want to save yourself from a loveless marriage then just stay away. Don't lower yourself and you'll just look like you're begging for love from Clay. There's a big possibility that your marriage won't work plus Clay can have custody for your child if he wants to, "after saying that the woman stood up and walked out the door.

Her mind was somewhere else. It was as if she was floating when she stood up as well to follow her outside.

Faith was already in the doorway when she faced her again.

"Don't say I didn't warn you," she said last before finally leaving.

Her decision was final. She would not marry Clayton. She knew the man would not consent.

Her mother still has contact with her sister in Tagum City in Davao del Norte. Instead of going home to Olongapo, she changed her mind. Clayton could quickly track them down if they returned to Olongapo because that was what he knew they had planned before.

She has already booked a ticket with her mother. She sold some of their belongings to the house next door even at a low price so that they would not have much to take away with them.

She finally talked to Red when he went to their house. He could barely look at her when they were face to face.