CHAPTER 57
Daisy's POV
"Who the hell is Lizzy?" Grandmother lamented.
I shook my head. She was too choosy when it comes to her association with other humans. I was sure she doesn't like Lizzy just from the name. Grandmother was insisting that we get the company back. That was when I told them about Lizzy.
I stayed back in the Philippines because my grandmother insisted I stay. Aunt Vanessa supported her. We discussed a lot, including Aunt Susana.
I also got to meet Fred, aunt Vanessa's son. He was an intelligent and smart kid. When aunt Vanessa told him I was his aunt, he hugged me fiercely asking me different questions about where I stayed and about Ellah.
"Dad had an affair with her and she got pregnant. She informed me about the bankruptcy and that Susana wants to sell the company. Nina wanted to help me but I refused. I didn't want her to waste her money for nothing. Lizzy later called to inform me that she bought the company already."
"I don't give a damn whether she is carrying his child or not. The company is rightfully yours and you will get it back from her'', grandmother uttered stubbornly.
I saw the reason why she never got along well with my parents. She was a no-nonsense woman and was hard to please.
"I agree with granny", aunt Vanessa commented.
I shook my head. "I'm not interested. Her son or daughter is also my sibling so she also has a right to the company."
"What are you saying? She's not family." Granny argued.
"She is. You just don't see her as one. Lizzy is a nice woman."
"How sure are you that she didn't seduce him just to....."
"Granny", both aunt and her exclaimed. I exhaled deeply and shook my head.
"That was the same thing you said about my mother", I stood up as tears threatened to spill from my eyes. I saw her looking guilty at my statement.
"Don't be judgemental. That girl saved the company. Your son wasn't faithful enough, that was why he impregnated Susana who is the real devil, and still went ahead to impregnate Lizzy. You should judge him", I ranted and turned to go out when aunt blocked me from going out.
"I'm sorry", granny apologized behind my back.
"She's sorry. You have to get used to her awful behavior", aunt grinned.
I hesitated for a moment before turning back to go to my room. I strolled past my grandmother without sparing her a glance. I was still mad at her.
"When are you going back to America?" Aunt Vanessa inquired, halting me.
I was planning to spend at least two weeks with them. I had spent a week already but from the way things were going, I felt going back home soon was the best. I knew I wouldn't be able to take granny's conscious behavior at judging people too much like she is the perfect one ever liveth. I loved her. There was no doubt about that. But I just couldn't take it.
"Next tomorrow", I answered my aunt and continued walking.
"Vanessa, get prepared, we are following Daisy back to America," Granny said.
****
Nina's POV
I thought my happiness was about to be short-lived. The happiness I had been feeling ever since Amar proposed was something else. It felt like heaven on earth. I didn't think twice about accepting his proposal. That has always been my dream and it would be so foolish of me to let such a golden opportunity go.
But the moment I noticed the swelling of my stomach, I became sad. I thought I had a dreadful illness that has no cure. I thought I was going to die without eventually getting married to the man of my dreams. But I was wrong.
"Am I going to die? What could be wrong with me?" I asked my doctor, with a tearful face.
I had been having sleepless nights ever since the discovery of my swollen stomach. I tried to hide my fears from Damien and Amar. Amar usually spends the night with me during the weekends. He noticed I was sleeping the day before and asked me what the problem was. I told him nothing and pretended to be asleep. That was when I got to know that I needed to see a doctor. I needed to find a way out so I wouldn't die. I wanted to grow old with Amar.
"No, Nina", the doctor said with no expression. The usual smile on his face was not there and that increased by fear.
I gripped the chair hard and closed my eyes, waiting patiently for her to tell me when I was going to die. She didn't say anything.
I opened my eyes and questioned. "Tell me what it is."
He smiled for a while. "I'm afraid.....", he began and I shut my eyes again, waiting for the heavy blow of the news.
"Congratulations, Nina you are pregnant." I could sense the hint of excitement in his voice
"What?" I opened my eyes sharply with mouth agape.
I couldn't believe my ears as I watched her smile turn into a wide grin. I didn't know whether to be happy that it wasn't a sickness and I wasn't going to die anytime soon or to be sad that I was pregnant at the age of 43.
****
Daisy's POV
"Congratulations, mom. When is the wedding?" We were in the car, going home from the airport. She had come to pick me up with Richard. She had informed me about Amar's proposal and I was happy for her.
"Not anytime soon", she answered, smiling at Ellah and patting her hair.
"Why?" I questioned.
"I missed you, baby", she said to Ellah who grinned and snuggled close to her bosom.
I watched the show of affection and thought it was best not to tell her about Ellah's asthmatic attack the day before. I totally forgot Ellah was asthmatic not until I saw the way she was gasping for air while playing with Fred on the beach. It saddened me to know that my child will have to live the rest of her life with asthma.
But there was little I could do, just like Aunt Vanessa had told me in consolation.
Granny and aunt Vanessa couldn't go with me as they intended. A neighbor informed her of a vacancy in a restaurant in Cebu and she went there to confirm. They promised to come the following week.
"I miss you too", Ellah said in her baby voice.
I smiled. "You don't miss me, mom?" I pouted.
"Of course, I do."
"So why hasn't the date been fixed yet? What are you waiting for?"
"Amar isn't saying anything yet. He has been so busy with the new company here in America. We barely have time to talk."
"Oh! Ok then. I'm happy, mom. You are glowing."
She sighed and looked at me. "Daisy, there is something else I haven't told you."
The look on her face made me worried.
"What is it?"
"I'm pregnant", she announced.
I couldn't believe my ears. I didn't know whether to jump up for joy or not. The look on her face was evident enough that she wasn't happy with it. The rest of the ride back home was in silence. I was utterly speechless.
When we got home, I went straight to take a shower and a nap. I woke up with hunger. I realized I hadn't seen Nadia since I got home and I left Ellah with Nina.
I was still bothered about what she told me and I was hoping to go talk to her after finding something to eat. Despite sleeping, I was still exhausted and I took the staircase down slowly. I was on the last staircase when Nina's door opened and a guy came out.
When I saw his face, I was shocked.
"Daisy", he called in surprise, as a cold shiver ran down my spine.
'What the hell was happening? I wanted to say something but no words were coming. I stood still staring at his face.
"Daisy, I forgot to tell you Damien is back home", Nina informed me. I didn't even see her come out of the room behind Damien with Ellah in her arms.
"Daisy meet Damien, Damien meet...."
"Daisy?" He called again more like a question, interrupting his mother.
"Oh! I see you've gotten acquainted already", Nina said but I could see the confusion on her face. She looked at Damien with a puzzled look as we both stared at each other until she demanded.
"Do you know each other?"
After a moment of hesitation, I nodded. "He is Ellah's father."
"What?" They both exclaimed in shock.