Chapter 5: Marriage
"Hello!" he exclaimed.
I stuttered, "Umm...what?"
He shook his head and returned to his car. I hesitated to get in because of my shyness. I had hoped he would open the door for me. But despite his handsome face, his behavior was quite ugly. I considered backing out, but my desire to provide my child with a complete family outweighed my doubts.
As I entered the car, he didn't say a word. We remained silent until we arrived at a grand and elegant mansion. I was in awe of its size, even before stepping inside. Gathering my courage, I asked him what I should say to his parents.
"I'm nervous. I don't know how to handle this. I don't know what to say," I nervously admitted.
"This is what you wanted, right?" he asked firmly.
"Tell them the truth," he added.
His response hurt me deeply. My mind wanted to retreat, but my heart urged me forward. Why was he tormenting me like this after I had given him everything?
I fought back tears, determined not to cry at that moment. I gathered my strength as we entered their mansion.
A woman and a man in their 60s greeted us. Both had fair complexions and exuded elegance. They smiled warmly at me and kissed my cheeks.
"Welcome to our family, our future daughter-in-law. What was your name again?" his mother asked with a smile.
"Prima Montero, Ma'am," I softly replied.
"What a beautiful name. By the way, don't call me Ma'am, call me Mom," his mother praised me.
"Thank you, um... mom?" I replied uncertainly.
They graciously invited me to join them for dinner in their grand dining area. I was taken aback when a gentleman kindly assisted me in finding my seat. His demeanor was quite unpredictable, making it difficult for me to comprehend his behavior. He sat beside me, facing his parents. Despite my nerves, I managed to offer them a warm smile.
"I believe it's time we discuss your marriage," his father stated with a serious tone.
"What are your intentions now, my son?" his father inquired.
I heard him let out a sigh in response to his father's question. Meanwhile, his father's expression turned into a frown as he observed him.
"The decision is yours, Dad," he replied.
"Well, I expect you to marry her promptly, before Prima's pregnancy becomes noticeable. I refuse to let our family's reputation be tarnished due to a single mistake on your part," his father declared.
"Yes, Dad, I will marry her as soon as possible," he responded earnestly, a smile gracing his face.
Suddenly, a swarm of butterflies fluttered inside my stomach, even though I sensed that he was being coerced into this situation. It was impossible not to notice the change in his demeanor. He spoke with a calmness that exuded respect for his parents.
"Alright, that's great. By the way, I would love to meet your parents, Prima," his father said, a warm smile gracing his face.
"Um, my only companion in life is my mom," I replied.
"Oh, I see. We would still like to meet her, so we can start preparing for your wedding," his father added.
I couldn't help but smile at his father's words. I never expected such a warm welcome from them. Their kindness washed away the nervousness I had been feeling earlier.
After dinner, I bid them farewell, and Diego offered to drive me home. I agreed, knowing it was what his parents wanted. As we drove, a heavy silence enveloped us. I couldn't resist asking him about our impending marriage.
"Are you being forced into marrying me?" I asked, my voice filled with concern.
He didn't respond, choosing to remain silent. I sighed, feeling restless as I awaited his answer. I didn't want to push him into something he didn't truly desire.
"Just tell me if you don't want this. I'll be okay, all I want is for you to be the father of my child," I said earnestly.
But there was no response from him. He accelerated the car, causing us to draw closer, and fear gripped me.
When we arrived in front of my house, I stepped out of the car. He didn't utter a word and swiftly drove away. I held my breath, shaking my head as I watched his car disappear into the distance.
Upon entering the house, I found my mother smiling at me. Her expression was serious, making me nervous as I approached her.
"The car that brought you here is quite elegant. Who is that? Your boyfriend?" she asked, her tone filled with seriousness.
I didn't know how to respond. I didn't know how to explain my sudden marriage to a stranger, especially considering the fact that I was pregnant.
"Mom," I whispered softly.
I had no choice but to lie and nod. I had no choice but to pretend that Diego was my boyfriend. And her reaction surprised me.
As I looked into her eyes, I could see the pure joy radiating from within her. She embraced me tightly, and in that moment, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. I swallowed hard, knowing that the words I had just spoken to her were nothing but a lie.
"Finally, my dear daughter, you have found someone to share your life with. I am overjoyed for you," she exclaimed, a smile spreading across his face.
"Why didn't you let him come inside first?" she questioned, her disappointment evident in her voice.
"Well, mom, he was in a rush too," I replied, trying to come up with a plausible excuse.
Her disappointment lingered as she expressed her desire to meet him. We both took a seat on the sofa, and I could sense her curiosity growing. She leaned in, her eyes filled with anticipation, and asked me what was on my mind.
"There's something you should know, mom," I mustered up the courage to say.
"What is it?" she inquired, her voice filled with concern.
I took a deep breath, gathering all the strength within me to confess about my pregnancy and impending marriage to Diego. But for now, all I could bring myself to say was that I was getting married.
"Mom, I'm getting married," I finally admitted, the weight of my secret slowly lifting off my shoulders.