Mikhail Redfern Arsenault

Chapter 11

Maraiah's POV

"Oh, you're so alive. I wonder why..." my mother commented, noticing my wide smile.

"Of course. I'm in love," I answered.

My parents exchanged glances.

"Just don't smile like that when you're alone, especially in the office. They might mistake you for losing your mind," my father said, accompanied by a grimace.

"Dad!" My mother laughed out loud.

"By the way, Mikhail called me last night. Hmm, this weekend in Batangas." I frowned. I didn't know she had invited me to Batangas. But I just shrugged my shoulders.

"Are you going?" I asked. My parents will come and introduce us. I stared again. I didn't know anything about that. I will call her to ask.

"Okay..."

"Are you ready to meet them? Your future in-laws?" my father said.

"I'm nervous," I laughed and answered. My mother took my palm and gently squeezed it.

"It's normal to be nervous, baby. I'm sure they will like you. You're so special. Mikhail is lucky to have you. You turned into a fine woman. Beautiful, smart, humble, and so full of love. We're so proud of you." My eyes were wet with tears.

"Because you and Dad groomed me to be one. Thank you. I promise you Mom, Dad, everything you taught me I will also teach my future children."

"And that will be our legacy..." my father said.

"So this is really it? Your Princess Charming and Happily Ever After?" I nodded.

"Yes. This is it." I finished my meal and prepared to go in. There is a shipment of fabrics from Thailand today, and I need to take care of it personally.

Mikhail's POV

"How are you feeling? Are you still dizzy?" I asked my brother, who had just gotten off the plane.

We were already at NAIA, waiting for Raven, whom I had called to pick us up. Cole was unable to return home to the Philippines because of a business emergency in Paris. He's a pilot but also has his own businesses.

"Not anymore, but I don't want to get in the car. I want to rest first," he answered before closing his eyes and leaning on my shoulder. I felt pity for my brother. The weather had been bad, so the plane was delayed. He felt dizzy and had vomited.

"There's a hotel near here. Shall we check in? You can just rest there so you can be comfortable," I asked gently, stroking his hair.

"I don't want to." I sighed. We were in the waiting area of the arrival lounge. I looked around at the people who were coming in. Then, I noticed a woman who caught my eye. Her clothing couldn't hide the bump. She was probably three months pregnant.

The blood drained from my face at that sight. But wasn't it supposed to be impossible for her to get pregnant? And who was the father, him or the other man in her life? I didn't notice that my hands were shaking. I tried to calm myself down, but no matter what I did, my mood wasn't peaceful.

I couldn't take my eyes off her. The word "child" kept repeating in my mind. I breathed heavily. I needed to know the answer. Because if it was my child, I wouldn't allow it to go unrecognized.

"Laizer, come..." I beckoned to my brother, but Laizer didn't move, so I picked him up before taking big steps towards Areilla's location.

Fear was in my chest, but it wasn't enough to make me run at that moment. I needed to know the truth. I swallowed to clear my throat.

"A-Areilla...?" I faced her, but why was there no recognition in her eyes? Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if she recognized me. She seemed clueless.

"Areilla"

"Mikhail!" That was the voice that interrupted what I had to say.

I frowned. Areilla's voice was calling me. I turned and saw her approaching. My lips parted before looking at the pregnant Areilla and the other Areilla. Areilla, the newcomer, laughed.

"I am the Areilla you know. She's Ariel, my twin. Didn't I mention to you that I have a sister?" I was shocked.

"You didn't say that the sister you're talking about is your twin. And you're still identical, huh," I said, shaking my head.

Although I felt relief at that fact. I felt that the big stone that was weighing on my heart suddenly disappeared. Because all this time, I was thinking of Lorraine and how much pain this would cause her.

"It scared the hell out of me." I turned to the pregnant woman.

"Hi, I'm Areilla's friend. And this is my little brother, Laizer." She accepted my handshake.

"Nice meeting you." Areilla laughed again.

"Why do you think I'm pregnant? I said that I can't get pregnant, right? But here you are, just seeing someone who looks like me pregnant, you immediately think - Oh, Dylan! You're really good..." she said meaningfully. I nodded before saying goodbye.

"Wait. Ahm, I'll just withdraw money from the ATM. Do you mind if you look after Ariel for a while? She's not feeling well. Please just take a moment and say"

"I can manage. It's embarrassing for Mikhail." Ariel interrupted what Areilla was saying.

"No, it's okay. Laizer still doesn't want to go home. Laizer, do you mind?" I said to my brother, who had already lowered himself. He shook his head.

"No."

"Great! Thank you, little Mikhail. I'm just fast." Areilla said happily before turning away. I helped Ariel to sit down.

"If you didn't say that that child is your brother, I would mistake you for mother and son. He seems like a boy version of you," she said. I smiled.

"That's not new to me. Mom told me she conceived Laizer. That's why Mommy used to squeeze me often. There was this time when Raze was even jealous of me because of Mommy's attention." I smiled as I recounted that memory.

"I'm sorry, but I'm more handsome than you, sister. And I'm smarter, too. I did well in school while you" Laizer groaned, as if the bad feeling had disappeared. His pale face turned red again.

"Oops, hold on there, little brother. Yes, don't worry, I agree that you are more handsome and smarter than me. Don't say it again." I laughed at my brother. Ariel was just watching us with amusement in her eyes.

"It's only been a month?" I asked, referring to her getting pregnant.

"Four in the next month." I nodded. Up close, I noticed the difference between us. Her face is softer and doesn't wear heavy makeup. It's simple.

"Ma'am, can I touch? Is he/she kicking already?" Laizer said again.

"Sure. But he/she hasn't kicked yet. When it's been about five months..." Laizer laughs as he slowly brings his palm closer to Ariel's belly button. He seems afraid of not being noticed.

"Laizer, you're offending her. Her stomach doesn't hurt. Don't be afraid." I said. He scratched the back of his neck.

"Sorry, Ma'am. I might hurt him."

"You can't hurt him just because you're touching my stomach. Come on, go ahead." Ariel smiled seductively.

Laizer wasn't afraid anymore, and he grabbed the bulge of the stomach and gently caressed it. We laughed as Laizer's smile widened. He even turned to her and winked.

Maraiah's POV

I was pushed to the spot because of the scene I was seeing, and now I was pale. My eyes widened as I looked at a part of the arrival's lounge with a kid who looks like her and a woman who couldn't hide the bulge in her fitted blouse. Maybe the boy was her brother. I bit my lip as I felt my eyes heat up.

"A-and that g-girl, maybe just an acquaintance and...and" I caught my breath when I met the girl. That was the one I saw kissing Mikhail at the bar.

"N-no! I-it can't..."

I shook my head while covering my mouth. I felt like little needles were piercing my heart. Mikhail had a child with that girl I saw at the bar, and now she was pregnant. I couldn't hold back my tears. I continued to stroke my cheeks.

I tried to bite my lip hard to stop myself from speaking while my chest was tight with so much pain. Right then, I wanted to die. I wanted to wish that there would be an earthquake so that the ground I was standing on would open up and swallow me whole.

How did that happen? Didn't she say that she was single and that girl was just her ex? If she is telling the truth, then what does what I see mean? Has she been cheating on me from the beginning? I was a fool who asked for it.

I bitterly dried the tears on my cheeks, but they were immediately wet by the incessant dripping of them. It was very painful, not only my heart, but even my whole being. I felt like I was falling into pieces at that moment. How could she do that to me? What did she do to play with my heart?

In my blurry eyes, I saw her turning in my direction. Her eyes widened. Her mouth also dropped in shock at seeing me. Why? Because she had bought it? I violently wiped away the tears before giving her a sharp glance. If I only had a deadly look, she would surely have fallen. I quickly turned and ran away.

"M-Maraiah, wait! No honey, wait!" I heard her voice. I even sped up running until I got out of the establishment.

"Maraiah stop, damn it!" My ears perked up at what I heard. Damn you! I stopped and waited for her to come closer. My palms were clenched in anger as I screamed in my chest. When I made sure that I was behind her, I turned around.

"Honey, it's wrong" she put her palm on my cheek with all her might, causing me to stop. My head was still turned to the right, maybe all my anger was deliberately gathered in my palm, so I slapped her so hard.

My face immediately turned red, and after a few moments, my palm was covered in pain. Little by little, she returned her gaze to me. The expression on her face was blank, and her lips were tight.

"How dare you! How dare you! What right do you have to fool and hurt me!" I sneered before approaching her and punching her in the chest.

She doesn't move, nor does she block my attacks. Maybe because she is guilty of cheating on me. That's why I hate her even more. I continued punching her, and I didn't care if we got attention. But no matter what I did, my tight chest didn't ease. I was still hurt. My heart was still screaming in pain.

I loved her. I loved her very much and didn't know what to do when she's gone. I trained in her tenderness and the love I thought was true. How else would I start now? Where do I start? And how will I build a broken heart?

Until I was tired. I stopped attacking her.

"I-I love you so much Mikhail. So much that every moment I think of you. I- I don't you have any idea how much you destroyed me today? A...a-the dreams we built, the the love you say is just a lie..." I said bitterly, tears continuing to fall.

"I want to curse you now. I wanted to hate you!" I shouted.

"But I just can't. I still love you, shit! I love you so much you fool! P-how do I start my life now? Where do I go now when your arms are where I wanted to be? You're cruel ...I-I hope you didn't teach me to love you. I-I hope you didn't. Let me go!.. don't torture me, please. L- let me go..." Without strength, I tried to get away.

But she didn't budge, and she hugged me tighter. Until my defenses finally gave in. Now I could only close my eyes and feel the warmth of her embrace. For the last time, I will give myself.