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. 

saw Gabriel in the mall, stealing glances at his ex-girlfriend. I laughed at him and called him 'stupid and the biggest fool I've ever met, for following her, for hiring someone to monitor her and for

people who needs to join the parade of fools on the street and

I fell in love with him. How 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 pain

in love with him when I know he's still in love with her? When I know he can't look at me differently?

I felt the cold breeze embraced me and

are you here? Do you want to catch colds?" I heard Gabriel's voice as I also felt something

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

"Thank you, Madi."

at him, frowning. I don't know

"For what?"

and for everything." Then he smiled at me, a smile that didn't even reach his eyes. And I have to look away before I

pretend? I mean, why do we have to do this? Why do you have to act as if you've already moved

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

"Just to punish her?"

I wonder why I still asked when the

punish her." and he answered finally.

do you have to

I suffered when she left. When she decided to choose someone

to laugh.

do, you will let her go and be happy for the life she has chosen.

even have a boyfriend!" his voice rose as his both eyes were boring holes

that was a low

I became like this because of her! And you won't understand because you aren't the one who suffered

just found myself laughing...

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

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

are you telling me this,

sighed but I chose to

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 meant for you, then she's for you.

shaking his head and

-'Fucking shit!'-

planned all this and you know

become happy again." 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. "... will remain until you finally allow yourself to

this! I'm going to show her that I've moved on and that I'm

all this for her. Do this for yourself

say anything. He was silent until I noticed him sigh and looked at me while my hands were

backing out

I was just giving him

a certain emotion in his eyes that I

"Gab---"

please stay with me. I can't do this without you," he

What's going on with

and hold both of my shoulders as

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 stay with me until I'm done

boyfriend begging me not to leave him