A Frozen Man's Sun

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Three months had passed. Eral's baby bump was no longer something she could hide. Manager Ris and even Reina had already confronted her about her growing stomach. It was only a matter of time before my parents found out.

Her parents were in Canada, so she and I decided it was best to tell mine first. I didn't know how they'd react—anger, disappointment, maybe worse. But it didn't matter. They needed to know.

"Ice, is Flemeral going to take long?" my mother asked, adjusting the napkins at the dining table. We were waiting for her to arrive. I had told them she would be joining us for dinner, so as usual, they had the table loaded with food.

"She's almost here, Ma," I answered. My father stayed quiet, buried in his tabloid, his face unreadable as always.

After five minutes, the sound of heels echoed through the hallway. She entered the dining hall escorted by one of the maids. Both of my parents looked up-and froze.

"Holy gracious," my mother exclaimed. "Looks like you've been enjoying Filipino food too much! That belly is huge!"

Eral flushed instantly and shot me a nervous glance. I met her eyes and subtly gestured for her to sit beside me. She obeyed, walking forward in a loose floral dress that did little to conceal her bump. To me, though, she still looked beautiful. Sexy even.

My father cleared his throat. "Let's eat."

I leaned toward Eral and whispered, "I'll wait for the right moment to say it." She nodded, though her hand trembled slightly as she reached for food.

I noticed her plate was filled only with sweets—spaghetti, graham, chocolate marshmallows. I frowned. "You should eat rice first."

"I'm craving sweets," she muttered, shrugging.

I let it go.

"So, Flemeral," my mother started as she spooned food onto her plate, "you've been absent for almost a month. We missed you."

"Busy?" my father asked bluntly, looking at her over his glasses.

Eral nodded with a smile.

"You're getting fat," my father remarked. "Probably all those sweets you're eating. Just my guess."

She stiffened. I immediately reached under the table and squeezed her hand, grounding her. She turned to me, nervous, then back to them.

"Actually, Papa, Mama..." I began. My throat tightened. This was it. The moment.

"Yes, Ice?" my mother said eagerly, her smile too wide.

Before I could speak, Eral blurted, "I'm pregnant, Tito, Tita."

The room went silent. My father exhaled heavily. My mother coughed into her napkin. Both stared at us in disbelief.

"Are you serious, hija?" my father asked.

Eral nodded, then glanced at me. I met their eyes firmly. "I'm the father."

"I knew it!" my mother shot up from her chair, clapping her hands together. "I knew it! Oh my God!" she shouted hysterically. "Cassandro, we're going to have a grandchild! Our long awaited apo! I have to call Cloud and tell him his younger brother beat him to it!"

I blinked, unsure if I should laugh or curse. This was not the reaction I expected.

"Jicelle, calm down," my father said, though the corners of his mouth twitched in a faint smile.

Eral and I exchanged a bewildered look. They weren't angry. They were... happy?

"When did you do it?" my father suddenly asked.

"And where?" my mother added without hesitation.

Eral's face turned scarlet. Mine probably did too.

"Can we at least finish dinner before interrogating us?" I muttered. Eral squirmed uncomfortably in her seat, clearly wishing the ground would swallow her whole.

"Fine," my mother said cheerfully, sitting back down. Dinner resumed, though the tension in the air was different now-lighter, stranger.

When the plates were cleared, my mother leaned forward with a mischievous smile. "So, Flemeral, when did my son pop your cherries?"

"Mom!" I snapped.

"Actually... three years ago?" Eral admitted shyly.

I choked on my juice, coughing violently.

"It's good to know my son was your first," my mother said proudly. "But if your first time was three years ago, then you must have done it more than once. Otherwise, how would you only be pregnant now?"

"Mom—" I tried, but my father cut me off.

"So, where was the first time?" he asked calmly.

"This is too much," I muttered, burying my face in my hand.

"I want to know what my son has been up to," my father replied, lips curving faintly. He waited for Eral's answer as she fidgeted under the weight of their stares.

"Cassandro, our son is right," my mother finally said. "Let them keep their secrets." She winked at Eral. "So, when's the wedding?"

Eral and I both froze.

"The look on your faces says you haven't even talked about it," my mother said, shaking her head.

"It's okay if we don't get married," Eral said softly, forcing a smile.

"No, hija. It's not okay," my father said firmly. "Think of the baby. I will not accept a grandchild born a bastard. Our grandchild deserves both a mother and a father. Don't you agree, Ice?" His sharp eyes cut into me.

I nodded once. "Yes, Papa." Then I turned to Eral. "It's late. Staying up isn't good for you. Do you want me to take you home? Or... do you want to sleep here?"

"Of course she'll sleep here," my mother interrupted. "She shouldn't be alone in that house. She needs care, especially now. Flemeral, I admire your strength for handling this on your own, but you're family now."

"Actually, Tita... Ice has been taking care of me," Eral said softly.

My parents looked at me in surprise. "Is he father material?" my mother asked.

Eral smiled and nodded.

"How about husband material?"

She nodded again.

"You can stay here, hija," my mother said warmly. "Or, if you prefer, you two can live on your own. It's your choice. But Ice, since you'll have a family soon, you need to think about the future. Modeling won't feed your child. You'll start helping with the business. I'll guide you."

I nodded. "I want to live with Eral. Alone. Just us."

Eral gave me a small smile. "I can take care of myself, Ice."

"I know you can," I said, resting a hand on her belly. "But you're not alone anymore. You're carrying our son."

She pouted. "Daughter. It's a girl."

"I have a feeling it's a boy," I teased. "And his name will be Frost."

"No! It's a girl. Her name will be Flemeral."

"That's your name," I smirked. "We're not naming her after you. Besides, it's a boy."

She folded her arms, glaring at me as if we were the only two people in the room. "Fine. We'll see next week."

She pouted again, and despite myself, I smiled.