She was contemplating what to do with her life. Then the handsome face of Jacob, the man who first worshiped by her heart at an early age, flashed through her mind. When Stefanie told her that he was madly in love with his beautiful childhood sweetheart, she tried to eliminate the feelings from her heart that were rooting for Jacob. And having the earnest desire to erase it, she turned her attention to others. And she was not disappointed when there was a man who almost resembled Jacob in good looks and wealth. But it was a short romance because she knew her grandmother was against it.
And again, her feelings for Jacob were coming to the surface even though she knew she shouldn't. Someone still owns his heart. She never had a place in the man's heart. She will never be.
She let out a deep breath. How can she consider Jacob's proposal that no direction of having him in her life and be loved for good? She needed to make her feelings buried forever and have him a father to her coming baby. That was the sensible thing she could consider now, and she tried to forget her baby's father for good.
Angeline moved in her sleep while she felt her mattress sag. She opened her eyes. However, she shut her eyes back when she realized that her bedroom was very bright from the glare of sunlight reflected through the curtain.
She covered her arm up to the eyeballs. She could not tolerate the radiance of the sun lately. It made her feel like a vegetable, making her crawl into the darkroom, especially in the morning sunshine when she woke up. That is why the first thing she will do when she gets up as early as six in the morning is to put on her contact lenses. It protected her from ultraviolet radiation, a type of energy produced by the sun and artificial sources.
"Hey, wake up. Granny's been asking you for some time. She's probably dying to hear it all from you. If you haven't figured that out, our old lady ogre is romantic at heart," said Ashley. "Now, get up before she comes to you and realizes your true state."
A small grunt grazed her lips. She wanted to stay in bed and fall asleep. She felt exhausted by last night's gathering, which she referred to as "trivia of her granny's wishes."
"Come on, Angel. It's time to get out of bed." And I have a lot to say to you..." she said while tapping her foot.
"Like what...?" she asked, waiting for the reply as she rolled on the bed with her head down, followed by a growl. Her eyes shut. This burning sensation in her eyes weakened her.
"Grandma's preached to Alissa why she dares to slap Jacob when he never made a pass on her. What's worse, grandma will send her back to Spain. And she will stay there until your wedding ceremony isn't set.
Angeline was finally fully awakened by what she heard. Even though her frame turned into feeling heavy to move, she stretched and leaned on the bed's headboard. Her hand helped her forehead. Her head was in pain, and she felt numb.
"Grandma doesn't have to do that to Alissa, " she said, her voice gruff when she managed to speak. "I didn't accept Jacob's proposal last night. So, I'm sure-"
"Do you think Jacob can change his decision?"
"Why not? Like us, his grandmother also controlled him. He has no choice but to marry Alissa."
"Can you convince that man?"
That question stunned her.
"Hey, gossip girls, don't worry about me," said the voice at the door.
"Alissa…"
The two uttered almost simultaneously, which made the newcomer smile. She slowly closed the door and sat at the foot of her bed.
"Don't worry about me. I thought a lot of stuff last night after granny sponged me."
"Sponged? Indeed," she commented.
The three of them barked with laughter.
"Seriously, I was stupid enough to believe he'd choose me when I saw him last night. It doomed to me just last night some instances that I ignored every time we talked. He never missed asking about you. That should give me a hunch already."
Alissa looked at them, speechless.
Ashley nodded while playing with her long hair.
"So, I was right," finally Ashley said, breaking the deafening silence. "That guy already decided that it's you, Angel."
"Yes, you're the one he wants to marry, so I shouldn't force myself," Alissa confirmed. "Let's say it hurt me, but I don't want to be selfish at this point. He made up his decision before coming here. I'm sure he will not change it even when I say you're pregnant. It would be best if you accepted him. It would be best if you had someone like him to lean on, especially in your situation. "
"B-but-"
"Stop worrying about me, Angel. Go for it. I'll concede grandma's plan. You need a father for your baby. "
Her eyebrows arched slightly, but no response.
"Did you agree to leave?" Ashley asked. Her eyes towards Alissa.
She nodded, smiling despite the puffiness of her eyes. "If that's what grandma wants to happen. For the benefit of everybody, then we should follow grandma. She has been with us and caring for us since our parents died. She is old, so let's not give her any more worries…."
"I'm so sorry, Alissa…."
"Hey, it's not your fault. Not at all, so don't say sorry, Angel. Don't think of me but of yourself at this point, "she said, holding her hand. "If you'll ask me, you'd better give Jacob's offer a chance. He's a nice guy, and you'll be secure with him. Also, you can't refuse because he has decided already, and grandma already knows."
In a fit of emotion, she hugged her oldest sister.
"Alissa is probably right," Ashley said. "Besides, Jacob is okay to be part of our family. A real good catch, handsome, great lawyer, and rich. You name it; he has everything. So don't mess around anymore. It's good that he accepted you despite your condition. If only you'd marry him..."
Alissa and Angeline looked at each other.