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. 

ex-girlfriend. I laughed at him and called him 'stupid and the biggest fool I've ever met, for

also one of those people who needs to join the parade of fools on the

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 inside his

my head with a bitter smile. How did I end up falling in love with him when I

embraced me and shivered a little at

catch colds?" I heard Gabriel's voice as I also felt something warm on my shoulders. I looked at him

you," I said smiling at him. He didn't say anything. He just sighed and watched the pool water glisten with

"Thank you, Madi."

glanced at him, frowning. I don't know why he's saying thank you.

"For what?"

smile that didn't even reach his eyes. And I have to look

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

already told you the reason, to get

"Just to punish her?"

when he fell silent after I asked that question. Haist... I wonder why I still asked when the answer is already dancing in front of me.

and

have to

the pain I suffered when she left. When she decided to choose someone else

turn to laugh.

he looked 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 for what

a boyfriend!" his voice rose as

a

I became like this because of her! And you won't understand because you

I just found myself laughing... laughing again

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

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

telling me

sighed but I chose to

to help you let out all the pain and show you the 'second

his head and I laughed

-'Fucking shit!'-

planned all this

yourself another chance to 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

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

do all this for her. Do this

anything. He was silent until I noticed him sigh and looked at me

backing out

just giving him advice

out now?" There's a certain emotion

"Gab---"

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

going on with

of my shoulders as he looked directly into

He closed his eyes 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 stay with me until I'm done with this and until I finally figure out

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