Falling For The Man I Married

"A friend and a suitor?"

"Yes. What's that boy's name again?"

She said thinking the name of whoever it was. I felt my heart stop beating as I waited for her to speak again. 

"Oh, it's Garry!" she squealed excitedly. 

"Garry?"

"No.No, wait! It's not Garry." then she tried thinking again. "Ahh... it's Greg! Yeah, it's Greg I'm sure of it. Thank God, I finally remember the name of that sweet boy."

Then I was left thinking. Greg. I wasn't sure if the person she was talking about was the same person I know. Greg also studied in Florida and Florida is Madi's homeland. But as they say, there's no harm in trying... trying to ask. 

"What's the name again of her friend?"

"His name is Greg. Come here, she has a picture of him. They were so close back in their school days. They took the same course and this sweet boy was always taking care of my daughter."

She took my hand and we sat on the three-seater sofa near the last cabinet. She took something from the drawer. An album. A photo album. 

"Here. You can see their pictures and their circle of friends in college."

She gave me the green album and started scanning the pages, but my hand was stuck in one of the photos. It's Madi with three girls and 'Greg' my cousin and my best friend, wearing a cooking school uniform. 

"Greg Anderson," I muttered just to myself but she heard it. 

"Yes, Greg Anderson. How did you know him and his last name?" she asked looking directly into my eyes. 

"Uhm..."

"I usually call him Anderson boy. He's the one who never stopped being friends with my daughter and you know what, I remember once he asked me if he can go out and court my daughter. And then I told him, it's not my decision to make, but he never stopped. Until now he keeps coming back just to know if she's okay and ask about her situation. He's very persistent and has great patience because it's been eight years since his feelings for Madi started.

I frowned with the newest information I heard. Madi's identity was a lot to take, but knowing she and Greg were best friends in college and he's still insistent on going out with her until now, it makes me want to punch something. I put my fist under the photo album and formed it in a hardball. 

"Wait, I'm not telling you this to make you jealous. I'm just sharing a little bit of my daughter's life and school days story."

okay and I'm

he told me to take care of Madi for him. Why he was so affected when he

past and

something to confess, Mom." I said

"Yes, what is it."

He's actually my cousin. First cousin on my mother's

Is that true? But I didn't see you with him in the last

both of our families were originally from Chicago, but after our high school graduation, they moved here to Florida and he finished his studies here while our family

does my daughter know about this

her to my family and Greg was

said

"We're actually engaged, Mom."

little possessive now with Madi, especially when

that true? Were

I didn't finish my sentence when she

I'm happy, son with this news! Thank you good heavens. Praise the Almighty

my mouth fell open with what

you, Gabriel," she said

"For what, Mom?"

for being there for her. I know sometimes she's really stubborn, but she's a fine woman, son. I hope you can extend your

she said 'smart mouth' because that's exactly my first

cake flavor? I'll cook for you personally!" her eyes were filled with happiness and amusement when she got

do that, Mom, it's

don't be

Madi is going to kill me if she knows about

just help Madi in the kitchen." I tried to suggest but she

I frowned. "Remember, she comes from a cooking school and she's a professional cook. All of her restaurants have been

couldn't help but smile with all the information I heard about Madi. She's a completely innocent woman, but she knows how to move well in this huge world. I've never met someone like her before and I admit the respect I already had for her got deeper after the conversation with her mother and at the same time, my eagerness to become a better man for her has

* * * * * * * *

Madi's POV:

to feel. It started when he got back from I don't know where, with my Mom. But now we were in the swimming pool, both of us sitting on the edge, while both of our feet were submerged in the

something you wanted to ask? Something that