Madi's POV:
"God, Sissy. You made me cry." Nancy said while sniffing, right after I finished my song.
I just smiled at her and glanced on Gabriel's direction. I also smiled to him and he does the same.
"You know why was that my favorite song?"
"No, why?" I asked her confused.
She takes my hands and she lead me back to our seats.
"Because I have a friend in high school who fell in love with her bestfriend. But her bestfriend didn't notice her effort. But she continued to love him even when she knows deep inside, the guy will never notice her effort because he's in love with someone else. And that song was her team song for her bestfriend. Catch me I'm falling for you."
"Ohh.." why does it hurt to hear her story.
"But anyway, let's cheers for this night. For your ever after with Gabriel and for your upcoming babies!"
We lifted up our glass while we're both laughing. When I glanced back at Gabriel, I saw him frowning while talking to Phillip. But then I looked away when he also looked at me.
Mr. Wilsons is really enjoying his song which is obviously dedicated to his wife. And when he finished singing, he passed the microphone to his son. I looked at Nancy when she nudged my arm.
"What?" I asked her.
"He's going to sing?" she asked with wide eyes while referring to her brother.
"And so?" I can't help not to ask.
"He stopped singing after his break up with------ ohh, I'm sorry." and she immediately covered her mouth like mentioning Stacey's name is a huge sin.
"Why do you always say sorry every time you mentioned Stacey's name?" I asked frowning.
"Because she was his ex and you're the present." she awkwardly answered.
I sighed before I hold her hand.
"Nancy, like what you said.. she's in the past and I am his present. And it's nothing to me if you talk about her." I hope my eyes can show the same emotion with what my mouth speaks.
"Can I also choose a song for you, Gab?" that was Justine, who take the song lists from Gabriel hands. They were already in the middle and choosing the song for Gabriel. He didn't complain, he just let him choose a song for him.
"Okay, here it is." Justine said grinning.
Nancy and I leaned on our seats and just watched Gabriel frowned and looked at the grinning Justine on the couch. He just shook his head, and to my surprise, he walked towards me and kissed my forehead. All eyes are watching us. And I hitched my breath when he lowered his head to my ear.
"Love, I didn't choose this song. The bastard Justine put it on the screen." I smiled at him. Asking him silently through eyes. Actually, he didn't even have to tell me.
"I just want you to know." he smiled and cupped my left cheek while his other hand is holding the microphone. And then he starts to sing.
I straightened my seat when I hear the first lyrics.
"When did you stop loving me? How long I been a memory? I've gotta know for my own sanity. Tell me when did you stop loving me?"
Although I know that song was not chosen by him, but by the way he sings its every lyrics, it feels like an arrow piercing through my heart.
"Was it that night that you stayed out until dawn? You know that night has hunted me for so long. Or was your love already cold? Tell me please, I've gotta know. Darling, when did you stop loving me?"
For me, it's like his personal question to her. When did she stop loving him?
"There was a time when you worshipped where I stood. Heaven knows I'd bring it back if I could. Now I can tell when we make love, It ain't me you're thinking of. Tell me when did you stop loving me? Darling, when did you stop loving me?"
The time he finished his song, no one of them clapped their hands, except me. I looked at them one by one, but their eyes were only focused on him. It's really an awkward situation. He walked towards me, made me stand and sit on my place, before he pulled me and made me sit on his lap. He encircled his both arms around my waist and dipped his head in the crook of my neck.
I was left confused and a little bit of shock. What is happening? All of them suddenly stopped talking and just looking at him. And because he's hiding his head on my neck, I can also feel the stares of each one of them.
"Madi, can I talk to you outside, dear?" Aunt Cindy asked me. But before I could answer, Gabriel asked her back.
"Why do you want to talk to her?" his face become serious and cold.
"Because I asked her to talk to Madi." but his Mom was the one who answered his question.
"And why do you want Aunt Cindy to talk to Madi?"
"Because me and your Dad has something to ask you!" his hands tightened his hold around my waist.
"Madi, is it okay with you, honey?" she asked me suddenly.
I looked at Gabriel's face and my eyes asked for an answer. And he nodded.
"Just relax, I follow you after," he whispered slowly to my ear and give me a peck on my lips and my forehead.
Me, Nancy, Aunt Morgan, and Aunt Cindy walked towards the veranda. We all seated at the long wooden mahogany bench outside.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Gabriel's POV:
"What's this Ma? Why do you have to pull in the kitchen? Aunt Cindy already pulled Madi outside?" I asked a little annoyed.
"What is this---- you're asking me what is this? Isn't it me who should be asking that question to you, Gabriel?"
"Ma, what are you talking about?"
"What am I talking about? What was that? What's with your song earlier?"
"So, this is just all about my song? Come on, Ma? That was just a song! What's the problem with that?"
"It was not just a song, Gabriel! That was your heartbreak song? It's like your personal question to your ex, asking her when did she stop loving you? What was that?"
"Ma, I told you that was just a song! And I wasn't the one who choose that, it's Justine!"
"Gabriel, whether you choose it or not, the way you decided to sing that song in front of your girlfriend, that was a big foul, Gabriel!"
"Ma..." I chuckled. "You're overreacting. That was just nothing to Madi."
"Who told you that it was just nothing to her? Have you seen her face while you're singing?"
I didn't answer her, because I am curious about what she would say next. And I know that Madi was just acting.
"You're hurting her, Gab." I looked directly in her eyes when she lifted my chin. "Can I ask you a serious question, son? But I also want an honest answer." she paused and stared at me. "Have you actually moved on from your past relationship?"
I was taken aback with my Mom's question, I didn't expect her to ask me that question. It's been over a year since my break up with Stacey, but they never asked me such this question.
"Ma, it's been a year-----"
"Just answer my question, Gabriel. Yes or no, have you really gotten over with your last relationship?"
"Yes, Ma. I'm over with it. It's in the past, why do we have to talk about this over and over again?"
"Because, I can see it in your eyes your true feelings, Gabriel. Your actions can lie, but your eyes say the opposite."
I chuckled at her again. "Ma, are you now a fortune-teller?"
She became more serious. "Why, do you want me to read what's on your mind right now?"
I didn't say anything. He cupped my cheek. "Gab, I want you to treasure what you have right now. You already have Madi." I just remained quiet. "If you keep picking a scab, it will bleed and never heal. If you keep dragging the pain of the past, it will never heal. Just let go and move on."
Thay was her last sentence before she gets back inside the living room. I was left thinking of the past, of my pain, of Madi and my game.
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Hi, lovelies... please see also my other book...
'Contractually Married '
Thank you😘😘😘