Only If

chapter 20 (favor)

ARIS's POV

One time I invited Ellie for dinner, I was so happy when she accepted my invitation.

"I know you have something important to tell, why we are here," Ellie's opening remarks after we are seated.

"Partly yes, partly no,"

"Means?"

"I want to have dinner with you... You and me alone.."

"Then?"

"And I have something to tell you.."

"What's that?"

"About Ella's paternity and true identity,"

"What?"

"I hope my revelation will not add up your anger,"

"Spill it,"

"I made a paternity test -DNA, to give answers to my questions...it's boggling my mind... It's been a long time since I felt Ella as my daughter. And the DNA result proves  she is my daughter,"

"Ahhh you found out that she is the daughter, the daughter you disowned while she's being conceived because you don't want your seed to grow in a filthy womb??? I am correct Ariston, right? You can still remember your thundering words announcing your dismay if in case, hope... You look like a roaring tiger ready to attack the opponent to death. Do you remember the time you mercilessly kicked my tummy? You disowned her before she saw the world...and you almost killed her before she was born! then what now?"

"I am sorry, very very sorry...I am ashamed of my hostilities,"

"I am envious of Arra because she was taken care of and loved wholly by her father, while Ella is rejected... But it's not Arra's wish to be in that situation that's why it never came across my mind to hate her. ..Unlike the hate you have for my life. I  conceive, and that happened to be Ella... Don't worry, I never told her that and will never  tell her,"

"All is my fault... I regret my wrongdoings, Ellie... If Arra was not with me, it's been a long time since I killed myself,"

"If Ella was not in my womb, the day I heard you impregnate Crystal, and you're happy with her news...while you have a stern warning for me that in case I get pregnant I have to abort...I wanted to end my misery at that moment... but Ella was there, her life depended on me...Who am I to curtail a life because I want to end mine?"

"But destiny played on me... I meet Arra, and unknowingly I learn to love her like I love Ella... I cannot break her heart, even her mother powdered mine,"

"Ellie, only if I can bring back time---"

"I told you that... Only if you will listen to me... but you opted not to..."

"I admit my faults... and I am pleading for your pardon... your indulgence... give me the chance to make amend to my faults... I beg,"

"For now Aris, I had been living with you and the two kids... I take care of them, I love them unconditionally... but give me my time to heal... Pray for me to soften my heart and be able to forget my misery,"

"Try not to distance yourself, give me a chance to be close to you,"

"I will try,"

"Thanks... and thank you that you registered Ella using my family name, I feel so honored... I was so happy when I read her NSO birth certificate stating  - ELLA TONI ATURDIDO-DEL FIERRO... and putting me as her father... Thank you,"

"Only if by choice, I will not... but I am afraid to deny my daughter her right and her true identity,"

"Thank you... Next enrollment, Arra and Ella will be in kindergarten... I want Ella to use my family name for school permanent records, I hope you'll agree,"

"No opposition,"

"Thanks..."

"No matter, that's Ella's right,"

"It's been almost a year that Ella and you, together with Arra and I, lived under one roof, but in different rooms. Can I ask a favor?"

"What's that again?"

"Can you try to give me the chance to prove myself... let's share a room, go back to our room,"

"Our room? Did I hear you right?"

"If it's difficult for you, I will have another room to be converted to our room... let's share a room and try to live a normal life. Please,"

"Okay,"

"I am so happy Ellie, and I know the two will be happy too,"

"How will we inform Ella of the truth?"

"Nothing to worry about, I'll take care of it," I answered Ellie with a bit of a lie. Ella and Arra already know the truth.

Days passed after our dinner. 

Ellie is civil to me, but a loving Mom to Arra and Ella, that is what matters most to me. 

In public, she tried to be a doting wife and mother... I never contend with that setup,  as long as we are together. I have high hopes that sooner or later she will forgive me. 

For all the years, Ellie has still known to be my wife, no one has taken her place... After she left I had never been in a serious relationship with any woman. I never bring home one.

There are times when I ask her to be with me on some occasions, there are times she agrees to come with me.

At one party we attended, many had wondered why Ellie accepted Arra wholeheartedly as being the fruit of my infidelity, but Ellie just shrugged her shoulder with her eyebrows up.

"I am sorry sweetheart, I am putting you in uncomfortable situations," I said apologetically

"I don't care... I don't mind what others will say... for as long as within myself I am happy having Arra in my life, enough reason for me to be at peace,"

"Thank you... she is happy too, in fact, she loves you more than she loves her Mom,"

"I will love her, but I will not steal her from her Mom or take the place of her Mom in her heart," Ellie

"I won't deny that I am in deep rage with Crystal, but Arra is innocent of her mother's act,"

Hearing Ellie's words I am so ashamed, The woman I maltreated is selflessly loving my daughter, the fruit of my clear cheating which I used to accuse her of,"

"Are you affected by their comments?" Ellie

"For you," I replied

"Don't worry about me, their comments will never matter to me... I have my own life, they are not in my shoes,"

"Ella and Arra's 6th birthday is coming...  I am planning to hold a party, are you amenable to it,"

"Whatever your plans for their birthday, I am okay... I know they will be happy about it,"

"What if Mommy will come? Is it okay with you?"

"I don't know... but I assure you I will not make  a scene unless she pushes me to the edge,"

"Okay... what if she will talk to you?"

"That will depend on the situation... If she barks at me, I am extending my apology... I don't know what may be my reaction. I could be running away with a wagtail or I'll bark and bite with my sharp teeth,"

I just keep silent.

"If she hugs me... I still don't know. I can hug her back or I can push her away... I can't say what will happen until I am in the situation,"

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