Meaningless

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Cornered

Juvia’s nightmare has come to reality. No matter how fast she ran away, no matter how long she kept it, there will still be the time that secrets will be revealed. No secrets had been buried forever. Her heart is oozing with pain. It hurts.

“That kid is ours.” He said as he looked at her straight. The way he said it made her tear up. The pain rises but still Gray acknowledges her son as theirs. But, Gray can’t hide the fact that he’s angry.  He’s mad at her. That’s for sure.

“Gray, let me go.” Juvia said softly, not wanting her son to panic.

“No,” he shook his head at her.

“Please, let’s not create a scene here, Gray. People are staring.” She said nervously as she saw how focused Gray’s eyes on her. She can’t keep up with his stares. It makes her weak.

“I don’t care about those people, Juvia.” He said in his authoritative voice. Juvia tried to hold his hand to put it away from her arms but his grip is tight.

“Gray, let me go, please.” Her voice almost cracked but he didn’t let go. Then, Juvia looked at her son who is now quite confused with what’s happening. The innocent child seemed to know what’s happening because he is in the verge of crying too. Maybe, he felt a little tension around his parents. Xander is gripping Juvia’s dress tightly that she felt it. “Let me go for Xander, please. I need to carry him.”

Gray also looked down at him. His grip loosened. He was stunned. Juvia carried her son. She cradled him to prevent his cry. Xander was in Juvia’s chest and his hands were on her neck. The sight of Juvia carrying Xander overwhelmed him yet it seems like his heart has been holed up. He never thought that this day would happen to him. In his dream before Juvia left him, he was so sure at that time that they will end up together. He imagined her pregnant. He imagined her barefoot in their kitchen. He imagined her carrying a child. And now, it is happening.

Gray should be happy. In fact, Gray is really happy. Fucking happy, as he would described. Juvia only denied it once. Then, he saw her eyes that meant he was the father of the child. Xander. Juvia can’t deny it because it is evidently obvious that he is the father. Xander is a complete replica of him, except the eyes. Gray should feel happy. He is happy but there is something else he felt. He felt betrayed. He is angry, mad at Juvia for hiding for so long.

So this is why she ran away? But why? I can surely provide for her. I can surely be there for her if she could’ve told me.

“Why did you hide him from me?” His voice, almost in a whisper. It hurts to hear how Gray said these words.

“Gray, this isn’t the right time to talk about it. This isn’t the right place.” Juvia said worriedly.

Gray frowned and looked at Juvia like she gave him the most illogical answer in the world. “This isn’t the right time? The right place? Don’t talk shit to me like that!”

“Gray!” She tried to stop Gray from cussing. The child might hear him for Pete’s sake. Gray seemed to stop for a moment. He took a deep breath, trying to tell himself not to curse again in front of his child.

 They stood there for a moment before Juvia realized that she needs to go home. She will be late for work but her boss is here, finding out that they have a child. Juvia is right. This isn’t the right time and place. They were in a public place in a middle of the morning arguing about a son.

“Gray, I need to go home.” She said. Gray protested but Juvia cut him off. “I know we need to talk about this. Not here, please.”

Gray sighed and agreed. They need to talk about it. It’s been crazy for them both and it would be crazier if the talk would happen here in a supermarket. Gray quietly followed Juvia to the counter. Gray simply offered to help her and he even paid for the bills. Juvia disagreed but Gray is persistent.