He planted a kiss on Simone and Nora's forehead and cupped his chin. His gaze later turned towards me.
Good thing I thought I was lost but found in their midst.
"They're beautiful. Just like you." He complimented the kids and I nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. After a while, he added, "Am sorry."
I lifted my head from the Mable tiled ground to his face. What did he just say?
Oh Wow. The Dawson I know would never apologize for anything for no reason. He hasn't given me his main reason why he said sorry.
I assume to know, so I shook my head. I believe he's fed up of me nodding my head without saying anything. Not even a single thing yet. He's the only one doing the talking.
I shyly took my face away, busy staring at a random place as the cool breeze sweeps my hair over.
"Look, I know I offended you in the past—"
I cut him out, "Can we just go inside?" Now I understood his driveway. "It's too sunny out here and my kids are fragile." For sure, they are.
"Our kids," He corrected, then I rolled my eyes. Whatever.
After he gestured us into the mansion, we met his father, Arthur Anderson, at the staircase. Descending down with his daughter, Jenner who never liked me.
I assume she does now as she wore a bright smile that widened her eyes. "Laura, it's really you?" She gasped, running down to give me a hug.
Why am I so loved and important to them now? These are the people that threw me out of their mansion after the misunderstanding that happened between me and Dawson.
I remember that Jenner was the one that hated me the most. She never liked me after the tantrums Blanca made me commit.
She hugged me tightly like I was gonna be taken away by the wind. "I missed you. Thanks for being here."
"Um, Jenner? I can't breathe." I manage to inform her and let go of me, feeling guilty for holding me that much.
"Sorry,"
"It's fine." I gave her a fake forced smile and she helped me dust off my shoulders.
I looked at the middle aged man, standing inches away with a light smile. "Hello, Mr. Anderson." I greeted him with a weak smile.
He didn't say a word but opened his arms wide as he walk towards me.
I didn't stay two seconds where I was standing. I approached him and gave him a warm hug. When we pulled away, he met Dawson who was still holding the twins. He took them into his arms and kissed their soft chubby cheeks.
"My grandkids." He smiled. Simone and Nora kept staring at them with one finger placed in their mouth like they're one year old.
"May I take them out for sightseeing? You know grab an ice cream….?" Jenner declared, hopefully.
"No," Dawson refused. "They just got here and needs to rest. And didn't you say you're hanging out with your boyfriend, earlier?"
Jenner rolled her eyes, "Really? Is that important right now."
"What's more important than a date with the love of your life?" Arthur chimed in.
I try not to laugh. Yet, my cheeks pumped, almost exploding for laughter.
"Doesn't matter right now. It's my nephew and niece. I believe Craig would understand." Jenner whined.
"It's okay," I chuckled, settling the ongoing issues under my nose. "You can take them out but—"
"Yes!" Jenner beamed before I could finish.
"But don't leave them to their selves." I warned her. "They can be very rough with objects when they see one."
"You heard her," Dawson warned Jenner as she gesture my twins.
"I'll join you guys too." Arthur stated, following Jenner and the kids from behind. But I know he's just doing it so Dawson and I could have a good time to ourselves.
I can't see any other person in the mansion, so I assume it to just be the both of us.
I clutch onto my purse, looking at the sparkling tiled floor. My gaze later turned towards random places where I admire the changes since I left. I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. The whole place is quiet and boring.
The atmospheree above Dawson and I is very awkward. He hasn't said anything yet, maybe because I'm avoiding his gaze. Neither have I said a word to him yet.
After a whole while, I heard him broke the silence. "Do you mind having a drink?"
"No," I said, still avoiding his gaze.
Lord of love, am I this timid?
"Am good." I mumbled, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
I heard him exhaled softly. "Okay, if you say so." He said. But am still not facing him. "Do you mind if we watch a new movie on Netflix? It's em, trending, so—"
"I don't mind at all." I stated quickly, placing my purse on the nearest sofa before settling on it.
He selected a particular genre. Just like the ones he chooses when we were in highschool.
Ah, thinking about that. Flashing back to the good young times. I missed those parts a lot. Then, I'd come over to his house, we would play together, cuddle, go to the movies, come back late in the afternoon, his mom would prepare our favorites with dessert, he would teach me my assignments because he was older than me and knew more things than I do. He would drive me home before it gets late and pick me up in the morning for school…..
Everything is all in the past now. I don't want to miss them. I don't want to recall. I just want to feel this present life and what nature has for me.
I don't want to fall in love with my past. I want to move on and that is what I chose for myself.