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 not

cousin and punch him over 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

don't worry, it's in the past and my daughter

I said closing the

"Yes, what is it."

actually

But I didn't see you with

Florida

see, but does my daughter know about this

I actually introduced her to my family and Greg was

said nodding.

"We're actually engaged, Mom."

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

God! Is that true? Were you

I didn't finish my sentence when she lunged

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

because I got shocked, my mouth fell open with what she said. 'Grandbabies'.

thank you, Gabriel," she said when she calm down

"For what, Mom?"

stubborn, but she's a fine woman, son. I hope you can extend your patience even further with it

that's exactly my first impression of her

for you personally!" her eyes were filled with happiness and amusement when

to do

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

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

I tried to suggest

trust me, Madi 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 detail of it." she

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 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

* * * * *

Madi's POV:

were in the swimming pool, both of

to ask? Something that my mother told