Falling For The Man I Married

Madi's POV:

I saw Gabriel coming from the minibar, the moment Aunt Morgan asked me the question I didn't expect to hear.

"Madi, how many boyfriends did you have before you met Gabriel?"

I was taken aback by her sudden and blunt question. 

"Morgan! That's a personal question, you shouldn't ask her that. That's rude!" Even her husband was shocked by what she asked. Well actually, all of us were shocked.

"It's okay, Uncle James, it's not a big deal," I said smiling. 

"Hi, love." Gabriel sat down next to me and held my hand. "What's that.. what's not a big deal?"

I looked at him and Aunt Morgan repeated her question. 

"I was asking Madi, if how many boyfriends did she have before you came into her life?"

It's getting more awkward now that I can feel Gabriel's eyes on my face and his grip on my hand has tightened. It feels like someone is asking me if I am still a virgin in front of him. 

"Actually, Aunt Morgan, I've never been in a relationship before---"

"As in never?" Nancy cut me off. 

"Yeah, I mean never." I shrugged but tried my best not to look at Gabriel's face. 

"So, does that mean Gabriel is your first boyfriend?" Aunt Morgan's eyeballs almost popped out of their sockets. 

I bit my lips as I nodded awkwardly. 

"You are so damn lucky, Gabriel!" Nancy exclaimed in a louder voice. 

"Nancy, your language!" her father glared at her and before she could react, we heard Greg's laugh. He also came from the mini-bar. 

"Yes, Nancy's right. Gabriel is indeed lucky to have Madi in his life," he smirked at Gabriel and I can't help raising an eyebrow. I glanced at Gabriel only to see him with the same smirk as Greg.

But I gasped when he suddenly lifted me and placed me on his lap. He wrapped his hands around my waist and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. 

"Yeah, I'm so lucky to win your heart and I will never let you go no matter what. I won't let those men who want to take you away from me. You're just mine and will always be mine." he said looking into my eyes. He kissed me before glancing at Greg and smirked. 

I gulped as my eyes widened in surprise. Why do I feel something is happening between the two of them? Based on their exchange of smiles and odd glances at each other, Gabriel doesn't seem pleased with Greg's sudden appearance while the latter seems to be enjoying Gabriel's annoyance. 

"I believe Greg." We all turned to Mr Wilsons who's looking seriously at his son. "You're indeed lucky, son, to have Madi in your life. I hope you'll always appreciate her efforts, give her the time and love she deserves. Take care of her, son."

That's the second time I have heard Mr Wilsons gave his advice on 'how Gabriel should love me and take care of me'. Does he know the truth? Or we're just both being paranoid because of lying to them? 

"Of course, Dad," he said seriously that you can't even hear a hint of a lie in his voice. 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I don't know how many times I let out a heavy sigh since I came out on the terrace of Gabriel's room. I suddenly want to be alone and think of everything. 

I remember the day, I saw Gabriel in the mall, stealing glances at his ex-girlfriend. I laughed at him and called him 'stupid and

who needs to join the parade of fools on the street and the one who needs to build her monument for being

stupid, right? I mean, how could I explain this feeling? I'm happy when he's happy, I feel sad when he's sad and I can also feel the

him when I know he's still in

cold breeze embraced me

also felt something warm on my shoulders. I looked at him and noticed he put

smiling at him. He didn't say anything. He just sighed and watched the pool water glisten with the

"Thank you, Madi."

don't know why he's

"For what?"

me, a smile that didn't even reach his eyes. And

do we have to do this? Why do you have to act as if you've already moved on from your

suddenly. "Madi, I've already told you the reason, to get her back

"Just to punish her?"

asked that question. Haist... I wonder why I still asked

her." and he

have

I suffered when she left.

that's my turn to laugh.

at me like I have grown two heads. "Because if you do, you will let her go and be happy for the life she has chosen. You will not punish her

a boyfriend!" his voice rose

was a low

me! She left me heartbroken, torn apart! I became like this because of her! And you won't understand

know but I just found myself laughing... laughing again

Gabriel! Do you think I don't understand your pain? I do, Gabriel!" I said pointing to my chest and having the same tone of voice he gave me. "I do understand every little inch of it! And I don't need to suffer the pain that you had and suffered just for me to understand you, because if I don't, I won't stay here

as I can feel my temper rising from what he said. If I don't understand him, I won't sacrifice myself and my happiness just to be tied to him. If only I could force my heart not to fall in love with him, I would. If only I could ease and vanish his pain and suffering due to his past... I will definitely do it

are you telling me

I chose to ignore

out all the pain and show you the 'second chances in life' like what you said while proposing to me. I want you to see those better opportunities in life, Gab. If she's really

Madi," he said shaking his head and I laughed again.

-'Fucking shit!'-

all this and you know

I walked over to him and took both of his hands. "Because hating her and holding on to what she did, you can't heal, Gab. Because this pain inside you...." I lifted my finger to point at his left chest. "...

going to show her that I've moved

for her. Do this for yourself and

him sigh and looked at me while my hands were still

backing out now,

that question. I was just giving him advice but I didn't say I'm backing

Madi, are you backing out now?" There's a certain emotion in his

"Gab---"

me. "No, please stay with me. I can't do this without you," he said

going on with

and hold both of my shoulders

and then let out a heavy sigh before opening them again. "Madi, please stay with me. If you don't want me to kiss you in front of my family, then I won't. Just

What is going on with him? He's like my boyfriend begging me not to