Only If

chapter 33 ( birthday dinner treat)

ARIS's POV

It was a great lunch...

In the evening, there is a birthday dinner treat for me prepared by Ivan and Britney and the 3kings...

Our visitors are the people in the community... Around fifteen households of less than a hundred people.

It is a simple dinner of 3 roasted pigs, native chicken BBQ, and beefsteak. They have a birthday cake for me. Ivan has whiskies served to the locals. Everyone enjoyed a drinking spree.

After dinner, before the guests - the locals, Ivan and Britney hand them baskets of groceries.

I am very happy seeing sparkles in the eyes of the locals... Ivan let them bring the excess food to their respective homes.

Arra and Ella enjoyed eating with the kids too... They hand them gift packs.

I appreciate the kindness of Ivan and Britney in preparing the birthday dinner and the tokens for the guests.

The 3kings sponsored the cakes and the sweets.

"Thank you very much, buddy, what a birthday surprise. I don't have the idea,"

"If you know it, then it would no longer be a surprise," Ivan

"Give credit to Ella and Arra, they contacted me and asked me if I could help them give you a birthday party. They told me they have some savings in their piggy coin banks,"

"Wow.....it's their idea?"

"Yes... That's why I fetch them. They were so happy helping,"

"Hahahaha... You made me happy guys! That you sweethearts!"

"Welcome and happy birthday again, Daddy!" Ella

"Hmmmm... I know you're happy l, Daddy... Congratulations!"

"Hahahaha," I can't hold my laugh
We are now in our room, Ella and Arra insisted on sleeping in a separate room together.

Ivan, Miko, Bruce, Charles, and I have our petty talks over a glass of whisky.

"So it's settled now, buddy?" Ivan

"Yes, thank you very much!" I replied

"Those little girls are too witty,"

"Arra and Ella are always telling me to leave everything to them. I should not lose hope," I said

"Their mental capacity is extraordinary, they view things on a mature level," Ivan

"Arra is not easy to be with. She always pushes away any woman getting near me. When I go to any gatherings, she always goes with me... She will behave in one corner, but if she sees any woman, she will mess with them," I said

"Hahahaha, great skill. Arra is talented," Miko

"She doesn't play with other kids, she won't share... And that was my worry. She is not easy to tame, she always has tantrums... But when she meets Ellie and Ella, she likes them. She meets them first before me,"

"Same with Ella... She tiger-look any woman who will approach me. One time, a casual friend in the grocery store greeted me and held my arms. She ran fast towards me and the woman, and she removed the woman's hands from my arms,"

"Jealous kids," I said

"Very true... But when I ask Ella what if one day I will marry, will it be okay with her? She answered me to see the woman first, by then she will decide," Ivan

"Haha...silly girl,"

"I asked her what if I will have another daughter or son, will she love them?" Ivan said

"She claps her hands saying how excited she is to have siblings from me. That made me relieved," Ivan added.

"I cannot say how much I regret, but I am thankful to you, you took care of my wife and daughter. So stupid of me...such a b*astard," I said

"When I asked Ellie if she had a husband and she told me that her husband's name is Dr. Ariston del Fierro, from there and then, I declared 'hands off'... You have known me since our medical student years, I am naughty, womanizer, and all the worst adjectives. But I promised myself not to hit my friend's woman... much that Ellie is your legal wife. I always convinced her to go back home, but she cried hard every time I mentioned the issue. So, I let her decide for herself in fear she might leave if I force her," Ivan

"Thanks,"

"I am sorry I didn't inform you, but I respected Ellie's decision... I cannot add her trauma... Every time I mentioned your name, she kept silent and trembling," Ivan

"Ohhhh Goodness!"

"I am a doctor, even though I am not a psychiatrist or psychologist, I was able to treat her. It takes not so fast, but little by little, I was able to help her become a woman with self-confidence, self-worth, and self-love," Ivan

I cannot say a thing.

"She wanted to work, but Mommy and I convinced her to take care of Ella personally and never worry about their needs. At first, she is ashamed but Mommy treats her as her daughter... Later, they both enjoyed staying at home. They get busy taking care of Ella, gardening, cooking, and shopping," Ivan

"That I am supposed to be doing that for her," I said

"Mommy found a buddy - parlor and spa, shopping buddy, and most of all travel buddy. We tour Europe, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, U.S. all sponsored by Mommy... When Mommy buys a thing, she buys in two - one for her and one for Ellie,"

"No matter, it made Mommy a happy mom and grandMom too. Sometimes I tease Mommy that she loves Ellie and Ella more than me... She will hug me and tickle me until I run away laughing," Ivan

"When Ella was four years old, Mommy granted Ellie's request to work. Mommy replaced Ella in her position as the hospital Director... Ella became my boss, a strict boss. Strict but kind. Dignified in words and deeds. Mommy wanted her to dress glamourous like her. She's happy to see Ellie in aristocratic get up during board meetings and conferences,"

"Forgive me, buddy,"

"Ohhh no no... Ellie has forgiven you, that is enough. Do not punish too much yourself... It's is not too late, you both still have a lot of time together," Ivan

"I hope I can win back her love,"

"She didn't stop loving you, believe me," Ivan
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