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 over in his face. Now, understand why he told me to take care of Madi for him. Why he was so affected when he met my assistant and when we got married. Now I know his reasons. He likes her since

it's in the past and my daughter already

to confess, Mom." I said closing the

"Yes, what is it."

actually my cousin. First cousin

But I didn't see you with

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

see, but does my daughter know about

actually introduced her to my family and Greg

said

"We're actually engaged, Mom."

Actually, I don't really know why I did that, but I just felt a little possessive now with Madi, especially when I heard that Greg wasn't just a friend to her, but he once became a part of her life

true? Were

my sentence when she lunged at me and hugged me

good heavens. Praise the Almighty

mouth fell

thank you, Gabriel," she said when she

"For what, Mom?"

but she's a fine woman, son. I hope you can extend your

that's exactly my first

cake flavor? I'll cook for you personally!" her eyes

do that, Mom, it's

Come on, tell your mother-in-law, don't be shy, you're part of this

smiled awkwardly and scratched the back of my neck. Madi is going

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

doesn't even need our help," she said with a chuckle and I frowned. "Remember, she comes from a cooking school and she's a professional cook. All of her restaurants have been started by her own hands, her dishes and even a single

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 doubled. She deserves someone who can love her and protect her against this cruel world. But right now, I'm not that person who can do it because it was I who

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

Madi's POV:

what 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

there something you wanted to ask? Something that my