Mending Heart's Affliction [Phoenix Countesses: ETHEREAL MAIDENS SERIES I]

Chapter 29

Pitch black

"Are you okay? You should get some rest, Celeste. Don't go to the office for now," Dad insisted the next morning.

Lahat ay balot pa rin ng galit dahil sa nangyari kay Ariah, lalo na sa ginawa ng mga Yuchengco.

Nanatili pa ri Arik sa silid ng kanyang anak at halos ayaw nang umalis doon. Binabantayan niya ito dahil hanggang ngayon ay inaapoy pa rin ng lagnat. Marahil ay dahil sa labis na takot sa nangyari kahapon.

"I'm thinking if we can move in with Arik, Mom, Dad," I interrupted the silence that enveloped the dining table.

Lahat sila ay napahinto, even Oliver and Benj, and looked at me, making me flustered.

"I mean... I should, right? Because I have my own little family now. I don't want to be a burden to you anymore. Arik is okay with visiting Ariah here often, but I'm feeling embarrassed about imposing on you. He said we can move in with him, or we can stay with Ariah at my tower for the meantime." I sounded defensive and guilty.

Nakokonsensya ako dahil baka mamisinterpret nila ang nais kong sabihin. Na baka isipin nila na ngayong maayos na ang buhay ko, iiwan ko na sila.

But I know they're not like that. I just can't stand the idea of being here while more problems keep coming into my life.

"Celeste, are you sure about your decision? You and my grandchild are very welcome here. This house is so big, dear," Mom said in her sweet, gentle voice.

"I know, Mom. I know. It's just that..."

"We understand what you're saying, Celeste. Don't mind your Mom; she's becoming too clingy these days," Dad jokes, making me laugh.

"I love her being like that, Dad."

"But are you sure about Arik?" Benj suddenly asked, so I looked at him.

"Don't get me wrong. He has many issues in his life. I'm just thinking about Ariah. Shouldn't he fix everything first before deciding to live together with you and your child?" He said and took a sip of his water.

"And shouldn't there be a wedding before that?" He added.

I bit my lower lip. I could feel my face heating up when he mentioned the wedding again.

"Does he have plans to marry you, Celeste?" Oliver chimed in, but Daddy quickly interrupted him.

"Both of you, before you speak, it's not like you two have set aside your girlfriends for years before proposing marriage," he lectured the two of them, who seemed hit by the comment, so I smirked.

Is this one of the perks of being the only girl? From the beginning, I have always felt like their younger sister, and I'm loving it. I'm living for it. I love my family so much now. I would trade anything for them. Hell, I'd die for them.

"Dad, we just want to make sure. You know what kind of people the Riofloridas are," Oliver commented.

"Arik is different from any other Rioflorida, Oliver. I know this because I've witnessed it, my dear," Mom interjected, and I nodded in agreement.

But she quickly turned her attention back to me. "But he should marry you before you have a second child, Celeste."

"What? Mom!" I blurted out, feeling even more embarrassed.

"I'm serious, mija. You may move in with him or stay in your tower, but promise us that you'll still bring my grandchild here. You'll visit us here more often, right?" She added, almost bringing me to tears.

"Of course."

Pagkatapos ng umagahang iyon ay dumiretso ako sa silid ni Ariah para tingnan siya. Dahan-dahan kong binuksan ang pintuan at sumilip sa loob. I saw Arik kissed Ariah's forehead and then moved around the room.