Falling For The Man I Married

Chapter 37: It's too late

On our way to the picnic site, I'm with Nancy in her car with Sav and Chris in the back seat. Gabriel is with the boys and they go to the lake right after having breakfast earlier.

The kids and I were dancing our heads to Justine Timberlake's music 'Can't stop the feeling' playing on the car radio when Nancy suddenly changed the station.

It's exactly a heartbreak song.

I looked in the rearview mirror and saw the two kids frown at their cousin's back. I sighed, but then I tried to listen to the song.

**Why can't it be.. why can't it be the two of us? Why can't we be lovers? Only friends. You came along at a wrong place, at a wrong time or was it me.**

I immediately turned it back to its previous station earlier. Nancy glanced at me.

"Why did you change the song?" she asked me with amusement dancing in her eyes.

I gulped and tried to think a better reason.

"Uhm... the kids didn't like the song. And it's unsuitable for their age." I answered without looking at her. "Right kids?" I turned my head to look at the two who are now enjoying the cheerful song.

"Ahh... okay," she said nodding.

I suddenly felt uncomfortable with her, so I just looked out the window.

-'Why can't be? Why can't be the two of us? Huh! It will never happen.'-

I sighed as I leaned my head against the window. I closed my eyes for a while, but then I remember suddenly Sandy.

-'Right! I need to call her!'-

I took my phone inside my pouch and scrolled through my contacts and didn't hesitate to call when I saw her number even though I'm with someone in the car. And this time, she picked up the call on the second ring.

"Madi." her voice sounded so low and defeated.

"Where are you?" I asked frowning.

"Home," she answered shortly.

"Okay. So, can you explain to me what is happening to you and why were you seemed so defeated?"

I heard her sigh.

"Sandy?"

Because I'm too focused on talking to her, I didn't notice we'd already reached the picnic site until Nancy called my attention.

"Sissy, is it okay if we go to the tent already?"

"Yeah, sure." I nodded and smiled.

"What about you?"

"I'm okay, you can go ahead. I'll just talk to my friend." I smiled again.

"Okay," she said before closing the door.

The kids had already gotten out of the car. When they have finally gone, I leaned back in my seat and find the best position to get comfortable.

"Wait--- what was that? Sissy? Tent? Where are you?" Sandy asked me after a while.

"I'm in Belleville."

"B-Belleville? What are you doing there?" I can imagine her forehead knitted in confusion.

"I'm with Gabriel's parents. I mean, we... we were at his parents' house."

"What?" she asked raising her voice. "What is happening Madi? Why were you there and why were you with Mr Wilsons?"

"Wait! Wait, Sandy! I-I didn't call you to interrogate me. This is about you that's why I called. And why we are here, well, I have an explanation for that. But what I want to know is about you? What's happening to you?"

I heard her sigh again.

"And Sandy, what's with your messages last night? Those heartbreak quotes that you sent me. What's the story behind those quotes?"

"Madi..." she suddenly seemed about to cry.

"What? Are you okay, do you have a problem with your boyfriend---"

"I'm in love, Madi!" she said after interrupting me.

"What? Y-Your in love?" I chuckled in my seat. "Sandy, are you kidding me? What's the problem with that, I mean, you and your boyfriend just celebrated your third monthsary---"

"Not with him! I mean, I'm in love Madi, but not with him."

"W-What did you say? What is this, Sandy? He's your boyfriend and he should be the only person you're supposed to be in love with!"

"Yeah, I know and that's the problem, Madi. He's my boyfriend but I don't love him. I'm in love with someone else. I've fallen in love with someone else."

"Oh, my God, Sandy," I said bringing my hand over my chest. "May I know who this someone else that you're talking about?"

She sighed before giving me a shocking answer.

"Troy. I'm in love with Troy, Madi."

My eyes widened in shock. If there is anything you can call--- over than the word shocked, I think that's what I felt after hearing her answer.

"What?" I almost screamed inside the car and didn't notice how Gabriel ran towards me when he saw me clutch my chest. But what he didn't know was that it was just an ordinary talk with his secretary. "You're in love with him? H-How did it happen, I mean, when did this happen?"

"I don't know, Madi. It just happened one day when I woke up and I realized I'm in love with him."

"I-I don't know what to say, Sandy."I sighed. "So, what's your plan?"

"Nothing." she chuckled at the other line, but I know it's fake.

"What do you mean by nothing?"

"Nothing. What am I supposed to do? He's in love with someone else and that someone else is you."

"Sandy..."

Then someone knocked on the car window. I turned to see Gabriel with his one-line eyebrows. I unlocked the door and he immediately opened it with concern in both his eyes.

"Love, what happened?"

I was left speechless with his question. For sure Sandy heard his voice on the other line.

"Love? Madi, seriously?" I heard Sandy's question then Gabriel asked me again.

"Love, are you okay? What happened? Who were you talking to?" he asked inspecting my whole face and both arms. Although I got confused with his action, I couldn't find any words to say, because my ears were both listening to their questions.

"Wow! Love... is in the air! Are you seriously acting your best right now to impress his family?"

"Love?"

"Tsk.Tsk. Madi, I'm warning you... what you're doing right now can be a start to make you fall in love with him."

My thoughts suddenly stopped with what Sandy told me. I looked at Gabriel who was still staring at me with questions in his eyes. -'You're too late for that, Sandy. I've already fallen in love with him.'-

"Love, who's that?"

"Madi, remember, he's not gotten over with his ex-girlfriend yet."

"Love?"

"Argh! Oh my God! Can you just ask me one by one?" I screamed in frustration and then looked at Gabriel's shocked face with Sandy still on the other line.

"Love, I'm fine, I'm just talking to Sandy." I sighed and then turned to Sandy on the phone. "Sandy, can I just call you later?"

"Oh my God! You're really choosing your boyfriend over me---" Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

"Sandy!" I cut her off as she emphasized the word boyfriend.

"We've already talked about this thing many times before. Sandy please?"

"Okay, fine!"

"I'm going to call you later, but please, please answer your phone!"

"Okay, what time are you going to call?" she sounded upset.

"Maybe after lunch?" I bit my lip because I'm not even sure if can really call her by that time or if I have extra time to make a call.

"Madi, make sure to call me after lunch! I'll be waiting for your call."

"I will." I sighed.

"Okay, bye."

She ended the call and then I faced the serious yet frowning Gabriel.

"Was it Ms Aguilar?"

"Yes," I answered as I put the phone back inside my pouch. I was about to unbuckle my seat belt when he took it from my hand and did it for me. So, I just watched him until he offered his hand in front of me.

I grabbed it and slid my foot to the ground.

"Why did she call you? Was it related to her work?" he asked when we're already walking towards the four by four (4×4) tent, with his palm on my lower back.

"No. It's not about work and actually, I was the who called her."

And even if he didn't ask the follow-up question, which I know he would--- I've already given him the possible answer, if ever.

"I've been trying to call her last night, but remember, she didn't pick up any of it."

"Okay." he nodded. And as we getting closer to the tent, he pulled me closer to him and whispered in my ear.

"Just act naturally, okay?" I looked at him and nodded. I saw him sigh heavily and kissed me on the forehead before we started smiling our most practised smile.