How Deep is Your Love?

26 - Natalie

After the incident, Brian made sure that were back home as soon as the storm passed by. I just heard from Tita Lorie when we’re back that she called in to inform us about the incoming storm that day and that it was fortunate that the call went through. That’s when Brian came to check on me which eventually led on him saving me from drowning. The storm has already started on the nearby town which explained the sudden rise in the river’s water level.  

Lying on the bed for minutes now, I can’t help but feel a bit sad and frustrated that our supposed honeymoon which was well planned by Tita Lorie was cut short because of me. I guess I just have to deal with it. Surely, there will be another time for the two of us to go on vacation again. What I have to do now it make sure that I tend to his needs and make him feel how much I care for him. Then my mind started to wander off somewhere.

What if we didn’t see Joanna with a guy that day, will Tita Lorie still asked me to marry her son?

Will I be able to still Brian if not for his mother?

What if I strictly returned to LA after my vacation, would I have married a different guy instead?

I immediately shuddered at the thought of it. I can really not imagine myself marrying somebody else.

“Prepare yourself, mom wants to see you.” A baritone voice pulled me off my trail of thoughts and I turned to him while he raised his brows at me, just standing in his place.

“Okay.” I agreed.

“I’ll be using the bathroom first and prepare. I’ll wait for you in my office. Send me a message when you’re done.” He said nonchalantly before walking towards the bathroom.

I shrugged and sighed. Judging from his frosty stance, I’m sure he doesn’t have the slightest plan to even talk to me if not for the need to tell me about Tita Lorie. He’s still technically on vacation and so he mainly stays in his office since yesterday ever since we got back. I then lazily got up from bed and prepared my outfit.

What do I wear?

I somehow wanted to wear something casual but I wonder if he’ll be wearing a suit which he usually does. If so, then maybe a semi-formal attire will do to match him. My eyes then trailed off from my semi-formal dresses then to my jeans and shirts. Finally, it landed on a peach simple cut dress. I decided to just pair it with some flats.

That would definitely make it. Not too formal and not too casual.

Great choice, Natz! I thought and smiled.

I also readied my new designs with me. I have to show them to Tita Lorie and listen to her comments before I finally launch them.

***

“Hi.” I chirped softly when I pop my head in his office after knocking.

“You ready to go?” He asked with his brows still raised.

I just nodded and he sighed before fixing some papers on his desk then finally walking towards the door. He then checked his watch and continued walking passed me until we reach the garage. I just followed him quietly to the car.

As expected, our ride going back to the estate was awkwardly silent. Though I wanted to start a casual conversation, I know and I can feel that he is still not over about what happened back in our supposed honeymoon where I almost drowned and died. Since it’s my fault, I don’t wanna push him into getting more annoyed with me so I kept my silence and would just answer him whenever he talks to me. That way, I can somehow keep the peace until he totally gets over it.

The surroundings had started to become more and more familiar and I automatically smiled when I saw the mansion. Though it was just days since the last time I have been here, it still feels like forever. Turning to Brian, I see that he’s still back to his normal self whenever I’m around, cold and hard like steel. I didn’t even notice that I stared at him that long. I just felt the car stopped and he opens and steps out of the car. I quickly did the same, afraid that he’ll go ahead without me, only to be surprised when I saw him round over my side to open the door but I’m already out. He just scowled at me and scoffed before walking away.

“Wait.” I murmured before running after him and encircling my arm on his arm.

He halted for a while and looked at me but I just smiled and winked at him before nudging him to continue walking, making our way to the main entrance.

“Brian…and Natalie, my dear. So lovely to see you both.” Tita Lorie immediately said and I let go of Brian in order to hug my mother-in-law, who in return hugged me tightly too. “I missed you.”

“It’s only a few days’ mom.” Brian automatically commented and she chuckled.

“Well, you both are my kids. Maybe it’s just a few days, but it feels like forever for me.” She replied.

I look at Brian who just slightly shook his head and shrug.

“Come on, let’s go to the terrace. Laila has prepared a delicious lunch for us. Your father is also on his way back now from the farm.” She announced excitedly and guided us to the living room where we left our things and proceeded to the terrace.

True enough, plenty of our favorite dishes were prepared.

“Sorry, I’m late.” Tito Philip declared as soon as he came and I went to hug him quickly before going back to my sit.

“Welcome, welcome back.” He teased and chuckled as he sat down too.

“Thanks, Tito.” I blurted out which earned me a stare from both of them.

“I told you to start calling me dad, iha.” He then said and I blushed upon remembering.

“Sorry. I’m still getting used to it.” I said right away.

“It’s fine. You’ll get used to it soon.” He answered as we all started eating.

“What did you ask us to come her anyways?” Brian casually asked and I turned to him right away.

So straightforward. I thought.

“Is there supposed to be a reason to ask your son and daughter to come home and eat lunch with you?” Tita Lorie commented before swallowing a spoonful like she’s already so used to Brian’s cold demeanor.

“I know you needed to say something else, mom.” Brian answered and his mother just giggled.

“You have to shake off your husband, iha. He’s always in a rush.” She commented and smiled at both of them.

I shyly and nodded but kept quiet since I didn’t wanna say anything, slightly stunned at Brian’s out rightness for a few moments.

“Mom.” Brian continued and slightly demanded.

“Let’s talk it over after eating our lunch, Brian.” Tito Philip butted in quite seriously.

I think Brian got it right away as he just nodded in understanding and stayed silent for the rest of the lunch.

***

“What?!” Brian spatted as soon as he heard what his parents had to say. “You can’t be serious!”

“We are.” Tita Lorie immediately replied. “We thought that it’s truly a good opportunity because your honeymoon this time was cut short. So we have already booked everything and it’s been decided that you will bring Natalie with you when you go to England for your business trip.”

“Mom, I don’t mix business with pleasure. My 3-day business trip to England is supposed to be pure business only. I don’t need a tag along to come with me!” Brian exclaimed in his frustration.

“Brian!” Tita Lorie immediately interjected when she heard his term.

“It’s okay, Tita. I will be very busy with my new designs anyway because I plan to launch them soon. So I also don’t think I can accommodate a trip to Europe this time.” I butted in. Though feeling hurt for Brian’s outright rejection of bringing me with him, I still managed my cool and spoke for myself. I couldn’t bear to see them quarreling over me.

“Iha, it’s fine. Like I said. It’s all settled. It’s just a 5-day trip. Besides, you can also do your work there while Brian attends the convention. Then after you both can spend some quality time together.” Tita Lorie insisted.

“But-“ Both me and Brian tried to say at the same time.

“Brian.” Tito Philip finally spoke. Then he looked at Brian seriously. “You are my son. But Natalie is like a real daughter to me too. And I don’t like how you’re treating her. No father would ever want to see their daughter being treated this way. We raised you to be better than that!”

“Tito. Tita. Please. I don’t want you guys to have arguments because of me-“ I started.

“Fine. She’ll come with me.” Brian interrupted and I was shocked for a moment. Then he looked at me with contempt. “Happy now?”

Without any more words, he left.

“Natalie. I’m so sorry about that.” Tita Lorie said comfortingly.

“It’s okay. But please Tita. Tito. I know you both meant well, however, I think Brian is still adjusting with the marriage and such. He’s so used to doing things alone and on his own. Tagging me along every time is a challenge for him and I don’t want him to feel pressured just because he’s now married to me.” I voiced out, hoping that they’ll understand me. “I know you just want both of us to create memories together, but this kind of thing doesn’t work. I don’t want him to feel chained to me or something. I hope I’m not offending you both or anything.”

“You’re right, iha.” Tito Philip replied with an understanding nod. “We’re sorry if we’ve been crossing boundaries. Don’t worry. We were just both so worried. We’ll both let you have it your own way next time.”

“Right. We’re sorry if we’ve crossed our limits, iha.” Tita Lorie seconded.

“Thank you both for understanding.” I said and smiled sweetly. “I promise to do my best and show Brian how much he means to me. Then maybe one day, we don’t need to coerce him into tagging me along with him, right?”

Then the couple chuckled with my side joke.

“You’re truly an angel.” Tita Lorie said afterwards. “I wish my son can open his eyes soon.”

I just smiled.

***

“Get in the car.” Brian said seriously as he opened the door for me.

“Thank you.” I replied but received no answer.

I let myself in as he turned around and went to sit on the driver’s side. He’s aura is still dark and so I sighed and kept my silence. I can feel that he is still pissed off with what happened earlier. He then drives out of the estate and the awkward silence felt like forever.

“Stop looking at me like that. It’s annoying.” He commented, he took a side glance and glared at me.

I immediately blushed for being caught off guard. I didn’t know that I was staring at him too obviously.

“Sorry.” I said right away and looked away, turning my gaze on the view outside the window instead.

“So how did playing pity went?” He asked demandingly and his words automatically stabbed me right to the core.

“I wasn’t playing pity.” I replied calmly, controlling my emotions. I hate myself for easily getting affected by his words.

“Hah. Then what lies have you told my mom this time for her to even team up with my dad in coercing me to take you with me on my business trip?” He demanded.

“I didn’t ask mom to let me come with you.” I replied.

“Oh, really? Is that another lie? You think I’ll believe you?” He sneered.

“Why do you always think of the worse when it comes to me?” I asked, sounding hurt. I was carried away by my emotions and blurted those words out.

“Because aren’t you not?” He asked back.

That hurt me. Big time. Teary eyed, I swallowed the pain those words brought me and looked away. I gaze at the window. It’s no use fighting him. Because it is now clear to me that in his eyes, I am. Silence ruled over us once more.

“Since we’ll both spend days in England this weekend, I’ve rearranged my schedule. I cancelled my vacation and start working in the company again starting tomorrow.” He then said after a while.

I just nodded while still looking outside, not really knowing what to say. It’s the first time that he actually informed me of his plans. I’m not even sure if he saw me nodding. And it doesn’t really make a difference since he’d stay in his home office most of the time when we’re at home anyway.

“You heard me, right?” He asked.

“Yeah.” I replied and leaned my head on the window.

“Don’t be so happy about going to England. I’ll be very busy. So don’t expect anything from me.” He then said.

I sighed as soon as I heard that. He actually doesn’t need to tell me nor remind me. I was already feeling down of how he is treating me. But I chose this. So whatever he does, it doesn’t mean that I would give up trying to put in some efforts for him if he does so. He can be busy and ignore me all he wants, however, I’ll still try to small things for him in my own way.

“It’s fine. I know very well that you didn’t want to bring me with you anyway.” I said and finally turned to him. I tried to smile at him. “So I’ll just try my best not to bother you when we get there.”

He had this mixed look in his face. Maybe he didn’t expect me to answer him that way.

“Good. At least you know your place.” He said afterwards.

“Right.” I said softly.

If only you know what’s going on my mind, Brian.

***