It's been a week since I knew about dad's illness and I became the CEO of our company. Today is December 20, which means we only had two-three weeks to enjoy our day before getting married. For real, I am expecting Hunter would propose to me, the traditional one. He will kneel in his one knees, asking me to be his for the rest of his life but I think it won't happen anymore.
Halloween passed by, but seeing the road, in the middle of the forest was giving me a Halloween vibe again. I don't know why Hunter wants to go here. I look at him and he was focused on driving.
Goosebumps rise in my body as soon as I felt the car stopped moving. I look outside and saw a rock pathway inside the forest. I look at Hunter again but he was in his straight face.
"May I know what are we doing here, Hunter?" He smiles but didn't respond. I let out a heavy sighed and watch him climbed down the car. I also climbed down after and he went beside me.
"Let's go now?" He held my hands and both went towards the spooky forest.
Even though the sun was still in its place, I can't help but get spooked at how the branch make a sound when we stepped on them and the creature cooed. Hunter was with me when we walk but I still feel so scared. I walked with him warily and carefully. No one likes to get harmed in the middle of the forest, would we?
Hunter was here to save me, I know, but I also need to help and save myself. I don't have to get used to it, Hunter would save me every time, not every time he would be by my side.
"Are we hiking?" I ask. When I saw a rocky road, of course, this is a forest, but it was a stair.
"Yep,"
"Yah! On this season? Do you want us to get cold?"
"No, but next week, you would be busy with your work, so I got this day for us to have a date." He squeeze my hand which made me smile.
"You don't have to be this sweet, okay?" I said, chuckling.
"Is this sweet for you? Wah, what a relief, I thought this hiking thingy wasn't sweet for a girl."
"Hiking was also sweet doing for a couple." I chuckled again and tighten my grip on Hunter as we continue stepping.
It's hard. It was very high that my legs almost gave in but I still pushed. Hunter was here behind me, also struggling but didn't want me but didn't complain nor anything. He gave me water and I drink it, he also drinks water.
Soon, the sun was setting when we arrived at the top which amazed me more. The sun was very big in here and the color of the cloud was mesmerizing. It was purple pink. I examined it and watch it. How can this be so beautiful?
I felt like my problems vanished— for a minute. I felt my shoulder became light weighted. A smile crept on my face. "It's beautiful, right?" I look at my side and see Hunter, looking at me. The sun has its reflection in his eyes, his side face was lighting with the color of the setting sun which giving him more handsomeness.
I smiles and nodded. "Sunset is always beautiful," I said, looking back at the sun. I appreciate the sun while it was still here, later on, the sun will be gone and filled with darkness again.
Soon, my eyes filled with tears, memories from the amusement park came across my mind again. Hunter went beside me and pat my back, "Hey, it wasn't my intention to make you cry."
"I didn't say though," He chuckled.
"What's bothering you?"
"I and Dad went to an amusement park and went and ride a Ferris Wheel while the sun is setting, it reminds me of the moment we had in that time." I keeps on telling him what we both had done. "Sunset has been my favorite scenery. Many things happened when the sun is setting to me." I tell him everything from the first time I see him and my feeling. I let a heavy sighed.
I love going back to where my dad and I spend time together for the first time and I would treasure it for the rest of my life. "Yeah, it's already night, why did we get in here? You should have told me we're going hiking so I can take my bag and ready all of our things needed here."
Before I could talk further, he turns me around making me face a cabin, a family can sleep, not a mansion. The lights inside were already turned on and by just looking at the window, the living was seen and everything felt so cozy.
"What is this? Is this yours?" I look at Hunter, still shocked. Hunter smiles cheekily and nodded his head. "What? How come? In here? It's impossible, this is a tourist—"
"This is our secret place, this is not a tourist destination. I found it myself and because I knew it first, I buy it and didn't tell anyone about this place. I want to tell you, only you about this place and our little kids." He look down at my stomach which made me move away from him a little.
"Yeah, are you planning alone? I am your wife, we should plan together." His smile widens and teasingly looks at me.
"Well, I already decide everything only you can do is agree."
"And why is that?"
"I don't want you to think about it, so I already think about it. All I have to do is tell you so you can agree." He smirks.
I'm having a bad feeling in here.
"I want 3 kids," said Hunter. We're now getting ready to sleep. "1 boy that looks like me and 2 girls that looks like you."
I giggle, "Why do you only want 1 boy? Are you gay? Every father wants their children to look like them but you want 2 girls that look like me? Are you sure?" I chuckled while looking at the ceiling. He moves a little closer to me. We're now laying in the bed, my head was in his arms.
"Yeah, I am sure. If not, then we could add one, 2 boys and 2 girls. You want that?" I look up at him and sees that he's wiggling his eyebrows while smiling, giving me a teasing look.
"Yeah," I think of it, "but with you. I don't want to have kids with other guys." Hunter tightens his grip on my waist and pulls me to move close to him. "Yah!"
"Why that came across your mind?" He loosens his grip on my body when he inquires about that.
"Nothing. The world is now changing. I can take care of myself, but not truly. Women got harassed every day. Rape them and kill them which I don't want to happen to me, but after knowing everything that is happening, I doubt, maybe mom will lose her mind and shoot me and lead me to death."
Hunter shook his head. "When I am standing near you, no one has to dare to touch you. They'll see what they wanted to see." I gulps and let a heavy sighed. "I'll stay by your side, always remember that. I love you." He held my head and kiss my forehead before laying it to his chest. I smile and snuggle more to his chest.
"Morning day!" I happily stretch my arms and look beside me because of someone's groan. There's Hunter, still sleeping but maybe will awake any time soon as I shouted.
I look at the side table and saw my phone, I took it and open. Just in the lock screen, my eyes widen open. Ayden, Noah, and Shane filled my notification with text. Dad also messages me along with Hunter's mom.
We didn't tell them we won't be back...
I open Shane's text and she was worried and telling me to meet her up because she wants to tell something important. And also Noah said he's worried and tell they can't meet me because their flight will be in this morning and Ayden was also worried, and also, trying to throw discipline me again. That's how my brother worried.
These past weeks, something happened. We got reunited again, Gabrielle, Noah, Garry— Ayden— Shane, me and... Hunter, yeah, let's include him because he's our topic back then too. I love how we reunited. I could cry after remembering it now. We can't hang out like before because Noah, Gabrielle, and Garry needed to go back to their country to continue their business, and so Noah continue to lecture his students. Ayden needed to go back to Canada because he just took a week off to see my current situation.
Shane is going to spend the time with Ayden, of course, I and Hunter are left alone. I felt happy but sad at the same time. Back then, we would always talk about going out so we could always spend time together. Time surely flies so fast when you're happy. I feel like we're just a kid yesterday and now, we have a different path to take.
I miss those old times when we will laugh together.
Now, they wanted to hang out so we could see each other before they could go overseas but Ayden already left and Noah and his family will be leaving this morning. For sure, Shane is crying because she already misses Ayden.
Shane cancel the plan and she would just spend her time today in her study room, going to study business. Just like me, Shane is the heir of Rodriguez's company. How? Ayden just force her to do it and I don't know about her arrange marriage thingy, she never likes to open up with me anymore— or she simply doesn't know too?
I let a heavy sighed. I open dad's message lastly after reading Noah and Shane— Ayden's text. My eyes widen again after reading his text. I have met in my father's company yesterday and I neglect it! Sh*t!
"What is—"
I stand up very quickly and went to the bathroom without uttering a word. How can I forget about it? What if the client was disappointed and turn down the project? Then it will be the end of my life. Dad work hard to put the company on top and when it landed in my arms, it will only fall that fast. No, I won't let that happen.
I dressed up, it was only casual clothes. I took my phone again and dialed Mr. Navarro's number. "Hello, Mr. Navarro—" I and Dad share the same assistant. He said Mr. Navarro will be my secretary because he already retires.
"Everything was settled. The appointment was postponed and your schedule the whole day yesterday was postponed." My brows furrowed. What?
"Who postpone it?"
"Me." I stop and look at Hunter who was just get inside the room. He went to me with a pout and back hug me.
"I'll call later, Miss." He ended up the call without waiting for my reply.
"Why did you do that, Hunter?" I fully turn around to him, dropping the phone to the bed.
"Why don't we use our nickname for each other?" I didn't say anything and let him continue what he want to say. "Monkey and Donkey." I laughed. I am pissed with him but then he just can make me smile.
"You want to use that?"
"Yes." He turns me around and he snuggles his face to my neck and sniffs my perfume which made me giggle. We walk towards the window which is more pleasant to my feeling. It's so much refreshing.
"Yeah, we can... Monkey." I chuckled.
Soon, what he was doing in my neck changes and it was giving me butterflies in my stomach. He stops and puts my hair on the other side, giving him more access to that part, and continues what he was doing.
"You're beautiful," He whispers. My head got uncomfortable in the position of my head and so I lean backward to put my head to his shoulder, he was still back hugging me. He continue what he was doing to my neck. His hand went up in down to my waist and the rise of my breast.
He gives me wet kisses on the neck and he soon bites them. I let a heavy sighed as I move in his touch. I heard his breath getting heavy, and the sounds of his mouth and my skin.
"C-Can I have permission?" He inquires. I turn around and look at him in his eyes. There are no words that can describe the adoration in his eyes while looking at mine. His green eyes will always make me melt and would only make me continue to fall for him again and again. He can only do this to me.
"Hunter, faster! We will be late!" I shouted at Hunter who was still inside. Soon, he went outside and lock the door, he went beside me and intertwined our hands and both went down, it wasn't that hard to walk down because Hunter has a secret. But the fact that he gave me a hickey still making me piss of him but he seemed so confident after marking me.
We both climb inside the car and went back to my house, my dad's house. As expected, everyone line up again and bow. I try my best to cover up my neck— I ignore them and went to my room. I wear a turtle neck and match it with some trousers. I open my laptop, Ayden gives me it. I still don't want to throw it away, this is Ayden's gift and he works hard to buy this kind of laptop for me.
Hunter was here, also busy with his laptop. Today is Monday and the first day of my teaching in the school again. But it's still 7:01, so I can do whatever I want and print everything that is needed in the school. I don't want to resign but everything is forcing me to do so. I am now the CEO so it is making it hard for my schedule so I and Hunter made a decision that I'll resign.
My phone rings while I am working on my laptop. I grab it and answer it. It was Shane. "What happened to you? Where are you? The clock ticks 7 now but you're still not here."
"I am still editing." She sighed but said okay. She bid goodbye first and ended the phone call.
"Hunter, I'll be going now?" He nodded, I lean to him and kiss his forehead before he kiss my forehead too.
I climb outside the car and went inside the school and to the faculty. I miss everything in here. The dream I leave behind, my goal that I think I can't do. I sighed and shook my head.
"Lexi!" I miss Shane calling me Lexi and hugging me.
"You miss me?" I joked.
"Of course, who wouldn't miss you? You're my baby!" She faked a cry, I was about to tickle her when she move away from me. "No, the baby is sleeping." I chuckled but stop when her words sink in.
"Wait— are you... Are you pregnant?" Shane purses her lips into a thin line and smiles cheekily. From that action, I already know the answer. "KYYYYAAHHHH!" I shriek and look down at her stomach, is that why she looks a little chubby now? "You both are naughty, huh?!" I teased and she blushed.
"Yeah..." She hides her face with her palm which makes me laugh even more at her cuteness. The bells rang, meaning— we should go to our classes. I took a deep breath and drag Shane to our classroom.
"Good morning!!" I went inside and greeted them but got stop when someone run and hug my both legs— making me lose my balance but someone got me from behind.
I close my eyes tightly as nothing still sinks and processes everything. I open my eyes as I did not feel anything from behind and look down to see Adrian and Brian hugging my legs. I also look behind and see Hunter holding me. I stand straight and smile but am still confused. Why is he here?
"Be careful, beautiful." I look down to hide my blush but I did not escape from Adrian and Brian who look us weird but still tease me.
"Does Brother Hunter hitting on Teacher Lia?" Hunter just smiles.
"Adrian, Brian, you miss me?" I ask, sitting on my knees. They both nod and Brian's eyes are getting teary.
All this month passed, Brian's presence is the one that makes my heart weak. His tears are my weakness. He is cold at first but.. Gosh! I am tearing. I felt like Brian is mine, Brian has a connection with me a long time ago.
His cuteness, his presence... I hug him tightly as he does to me too. Remembering his true parents makes me want to tear up once again. He doesn't deserve anything like this. "Why did Mommy Lia leave us?" Brian sob.
What!?
"Mommy?" I repeated, trying to process it to my mind.
"Yes," he retorted. He pulled away from the hug. "Mommy left us, I don't have Mommy, now that you came back and play with us, I will call you Mommy!" He again pulled me and hug me.
"Mommy won't leave again, hmm? Sorry, Mommy has something to do." He again sobs but after some time, he stops and wipes his tears. I look at Adrian who has teary eyes.
"Adrian won't cry because he is strong!" He tells, more like to himself. I smile and hug him. Their hug can fulfill me. Gosh...
"It's okay to cry, Baby. It doesn't mean you don't have to cry so they can call you strong. Crying was also part of being strong." I kiss his head and held both hands and stand up.
"Why don't you play with your classmate for a minute? I will talk to your Brother, okay?" They both nodded and held their hands back from my grip and run to their classmates. I watch them until they reached the crowd of kids who were playing with their toys.
I smile and turn around. "Why are you here?" I didn't mean to sound mean.
"Just stopping by to see what Mommy's doing." He teased. I pouted and glared at him. "Does nothing painful to you? We can go to the hospital and check your..."
"No—It's okay... You should go to your office, or you will be late for your meeting. If I finish all my work I will visit you. I can't promise but I will eat dinner with you." He smiles and nodded. He leans and kiss my forehead as I warned him not in the lips.
"Bye,"
"Bye, take care beautiful. I love you." I giggles and mouthed I love you too to him.
He went away as I look inside and see the kids playing. I close the door before I strolled towards the teacher's table. "Good morning class, don't you miss me?"
They all attention went to me. "Teacher Lexi!" They called and went towards me, they all climb to me which making me giggle. I lift two girls while the other is hugging my legs. Gosh, they indeed miss me.
"You know what, Teacher Lexi, a handsome substitute teacher was always talking about you, at how pretty you are and even tells us a story at how you acted in your high school days."
"And he even tells us you were his girlfriend.."
"And wife." 
To be continued.