|Destined With You|

Chapter 21.

Hannah

While the entire family cracked jokes on the dinner table, I avoided eye contact with everyone, occupied by my thoughts. The one thing I had been afraid of since the day Catalina stepped into this house, my house, just occured right in front of me. Instead of questioning them right away, I waited in the store room till everyone was out of sight. Regaining my composure, I finally went out, passed a fake smile to everyone and joined them at the dining table. And now I wish I hadn't, the intensity of his stare as Alexander looked at Catalina makes me feel nothing but worse.

All I have are two choices. Hold on, or let go. What is it worth? If I hold on to him, will he ever look at me with that shine in his eyes when he looks at her? Will he ever share what he's desired to share with her? Would it still be love?

Nothing helped. All the questions brought me back to answers I would rather avoid, answers that brought nothing but doubt to me. As my eyes landed on his face, smiling as he looked at Adelaide, my heart clenched. We might not have shared a lot of what one calls 'moments', but every moment I have looked at him and felt fortunate to have him in my life flicked past me.

If I marry him, I would still make the perfect wife. For the eyes of the world, at least. I imagined us, holding hands at various charity events, smiling at everyone, showing them our perfect life. I have seen him cherish all the tennis and hockey games he plays with my father, they looked so happy together, perfect father and son-in-law. So, what I've always imagined to be so perfect, would that be a lie too, after all? Most importantly, would I ever be happy, knowing he loved another woman, but had to stay for my sake? What would be the point of this relationship, built over lies?

But...I can't just let him go, it's not as easy at it seems. My parents, his parents, everyone has been looking forward to this since months. His parents have always considered me as family. I can't do this to them. What about the media? After the lavish party last night, when the media finds out, would it be easy to handle this mess? The controversy would be on the papers for ages. Who knows, it might bring loss to both the families' businesses?

I was brought back to senses as I heard a cough, Adelaide. Perhaps she'd choked on her food. As soon as the sound left from her, both her parents ran off towards her at the speed of lightening, one carressing her back while the other made her gulp down some water till she felt normal. They both heaved a sigh of relief, kissing her head simultaneously, my heart clenched harder in my chest.

"I-I need to talk."

Oh Hanna, always the selfish one, wasn't she?

***

Catalina

After a pregnant pause, Julian coughed and everyone's heads shot up, except Hannah, that is. She still had her head bowed low making it unable to decipher her expressions.

"What's wrong, Hannah?" I managed to squeak out.

"Adelaide," Her voice lowered. "How about you go to your room, dear? It's big people talk."

Without a word, Ade obediently walked her way upstairs with small, fast steps. Hannah did not utter a word till we heard Adelaide's door bang shut. Just as it was all silent again, Hannah excused herself and walked into the living room, we followed in toe.

The living room was surrounded by an uncomfortable silence. Everyone expected Hannah to speak up but she was either at a loss of words, or thinking long and hard to make the perfect conversation. Whatever her silence meant, one thing was clear, she really was up to something today. Is it that she's tired of all the trying to side Adelaide towards her and pulling up tantrums? Has she planned something...worse now? Or is it that she's filled with so much of pent up thoughts, she's going to explode?

She cleared her throat once, making everyone's heads shoot up. Everyone looked on in anticipation, but she still didn't seem ready. It was getting almost annoying now. Just as I hoped for someone to speak up, Isabella spoke up.

"Well," She walked closer to her, placing a hand on her back. "you can speak whatever you wish to, Hannah. Come on, just say it."

Hannah passed an almost ironic smile towards Isabella, I saw a different emotion pass through her eyes, something I had never really observed around her. Was it determination? Hope? It was as if she suddenly knew what she wanted to talk about, how to talk about it.

I bounced on the balls of my feet, this was getting too much to handle. After the incident in the store room with Alex, I wasn't ready for more big informations, however rude that sounds. I just cannot handle so much in a day, not after knowing what he feels and accepting what I feel. I hope she'll just throw a tantrum about not getting enough attention from Alex or some other random family matters.

Looking over to the left, I noticed Alexander, who seemed much more impatient than all of us. He stood with his fists buried deep inside his pockets, his jaw clenched tightly. If I felt this impatient, I wondered what being in his place would be like. Finally breaking the silence, he spoke up.

"Hannah, can you please speak up?"

"Ironic how you are telling me to speak up, huh?" She snapped. "When were you planning to speak up?"

~

A/N : Okay, okay sorry for the really short and boring update. I just wanted to build up some anticipation for a for a rather lengthy update. Don't forget to vote if you're genuinely enjoying it :3