If Only

C H A P T E R 36

FORGOTTEN MEETING

RAVEN

Sitting frozen, Miranda didn't answer. "You're not staying here," Ruen interjected. "Not inside the house and most definitely not inside Mim's room. Go home."

"My wife and our baby are here. My home is here." I stood and turned to face Ruen. "This is where I stay until Miranda decides to come home with me."

"You're not welcomed in here." The woman wouldn't budge.

"If you don't want me inside your house, I'll camp outside. I'd pitch a tent on the lawn near the gazebo."

"No," came the reply.

"I'm doing it anyway. The only way you keep me out is when I'm dead."

"See if I care." She retorted.

"Love, be reasonable." Amelia walked over to her wife and tried to persuade her. "Think of Miranda." She whispered.

My wife sat there while other people decide for us. "Miranda, please give us another chance to start over. I'll be the best you and baby needs–I'll be better." She had her arms crossed and her fingers were gripping her arms. "One last chance..." Still, she refused to answer.

"Mim, do you want her here?" Miranda just looked at her friend, confused. "If you wanted to go with Raven, I will not stop you. You can always do what you want. You're free you, know."

Hearing that, Miranda burst into tears and ran to the stairs with Amelia in pursuit.

"Miranda!" I was about to go after her but was stopped by Ruen, "You stay out of our marital problems."

"If there was a marriage, to begin with," Miranda must have talked to her about breaking the contract. "Not once did she refer to you as her wife. That says a lot."

Yeah, she never did.

"I want you out of the house and the premises." She dismissed me and told Tessa, "Please show her through the exit and instruct the village guards to never let her in."

She followed the women upstairs and then only Tessa and I remained.

"You can call the guards or whomever you want," I told the older woman. "I am not leaving."

"Oh, silly! Of course, you're not." She pushed me to take the chair Miranda occupied before. "Eat. You may not know it but you must be very hungry."

I sat bewildered as Tessa put Miranda's plate aside and gave me a plate filled with rice. "This is a recipe I decided to try for tonight. They love it. It's chicken adobo." She put one on my plate and then sat down to finish her dessert.

"Ruen told you to get me out." I ate because I really am starved. "She'll be mad at you for making me stay."

"I know that woman like the back of my hand. Don't worry." She chuckled. "You'd be surprised at the things I can get away with. Behind all that bark she doesn't bite."

* * *

Tessa shooed me out when Aaron arrived with the tent I requested from him. She even pointed me to where I could set camp. It's right below Miranda's room.

"You sure about this, Rave?" Aaron asked as he helped me finish up.

Miranda peeked through the curtain of her room window.

"Very." I waved at her but Ruen came and caught my arm

"Didn't I already ask you to leave?" The curtains closed as Miranda retreated.