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. 

Gabriel in the mall, stealing glances at his ex-girlfriend. I laughed at him and called him 'stupid and the biggest fool I've

join the parade of fools on the street and the one who needs to build

explain this feeling? I'm happy when he's happy, I feel sad when he's sad and

in love with him when I know he's

embraced me and shivered a little at

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

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

"Thank you, Madi."

I don't know

"For what?"

he smiled at me, a smile that didn't even reach his eyes.

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

"Madi, I've already told you the

"Just to punish her?"

I wonder why I still asked when the answer is

punish her." and he

have to punish

I suffered when she left. When she

my turn to laugh. A bitter kind of

and be happy for the life she has chosen. You will not punish her for what she has done because you love her, and that means you don't want her to get hurt or

boyfriend!" his voice

was a low blow.

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

just found myself

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

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.

are you telling

I chose to

I continued. "Because I suddenly felt guilty and sad at the same time because I really wanted to help you let 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

said shaking his head and I laughed

-'Fucking shit!'-

already planned all this and you

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. "... will remain

all of this! I'm going to show her that I've

Don't do all this for her. Do this for yourself

noticed him sigh

backing out

where he got that question. I was just giving him advice but

a certain emotion in his eyes

"Gab---"

please stay with me. I can't do this without you," he said as he repeatedly kissed the top

going

pulled back and hold both of my shoulders as he looked directly into my

me. If you don't want me to kiss

him? He's like my boyfriend begging me not to leave him and to stay