Chapter thirteen: We made this together!

~~~'Cause I am doing the best I can with everything I am. Don't you know nobody's perfect? Do you understand how hard I'm trying for you? I am doing the best I can with everything I am. Don't you know I think you're worth it? Do you understand how hard I'm trying to do the best I can?~~~

-Art of dying-

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"Luke?"

I asked in surprise but instead of answering my question, he dragged me towards the hallway where there are not many customers.

"What are you doing?" I tried to remove my hand from his grip but he didn't even budge.

"I believe I should be the one to ask you that question, woman! What are you doing, Samantha Soriano?" he asked as soon as he released my hand. "Why are your parents suddenly forcing me to marry you? You're really testing my patience, huh?"

"I don't know what you're talking about. Honestly, I also didn't know why my parents immediately came up with this kind of decision."

"Really?" He took a step forward that he now invading my personal space. "Then do everything to stop the wedding!"

"What?" My eyes widened in confusion. "I can't do that!"

"You can't or you just don't want to do it?"

"Luke---"

"I'm warning you, Samantha, you're gonna stop the wedding or I'll make your life a living hell!" He said through gritted teeth.

"Then why don't you do it? Why don't you ask your parents to stop what they're planning? Because for me, it's just fine if you don't want to marry me as long as I have my baby."

"Right! The baby! You're fucking using that baby to get what you want! For God sake, can you just grow up even at least for a day?"

Hearing the word he used to describe my baby made my blood rise to the highest degree. Gritting my teeth, I tiptoed to his level and looked directly into his eyes.

"That baby? Seriously, Luke Marcus? You're just calling your child 'that baby'?"

"Why? Was it my fault that you got pregnant? Was it me who asked someone to put the drug in my drinks?"

"But we made this together!"

"No, it's just you! You made it to yourself, Samantha! So, don't blame me of your fault because, in the first place, nobody ever told you to do it other than yourself!" He whispered-yelled pointing at my face.

And this time, no matter how I tried to prevent my tears from falling, it became useless as it already streamed down my face.

"Yes, I admit my fault, but I've already asked an apology ---"

"Apology? Do you think what you've done would easily vanish with just an apology? Wake up, Samantha, because even in your wildest dreams, I will never love you, nor will I ever learn to love you!"

And I heard those words again...

"So if you want us to have a peaceful life, you should start telling your parents to stop using our company just to force me to marry you!"

"But what about the child? Are you just gonna let him born without a father?"

"Can you stop using the child?"

"I'm not using my baby, Luke, I just don't want him to grow up without a complete family or to live without having a father on his side."

"Then you should think about that before you come up with your stupid idea of seducing me or ruining someone else's relationship!"

"I know, that's why I'm admitting that everything happened was because of me."

"Tss! You can't change what has happened or even turn back the time. The damage has been done, so if I were you, I would start my plan on how to stop this fucking wedding, or else I swear, Samantha, you'll experience living in hell while you're with me."

I don't know how many times I swallowed the lump inside my throat while listening to his warning. Because honestly, I'm not afraid of living in hell, I'm just afraid that because he hates me, he would also drag my child to live in that what he called hell.

I closed my eyes when he finally took his steps away from me, but it was only a few seconds when I heard his voice again and what he said made me sigh with relief.

"Don't worry, because I'll still be his father and no matter what happens, he will always be an exception for what you did. I'll protect him against all the harm that this world could give."

And that's it. He turned around but headed directly to the exit instead towards the room where both our families were waiting.

Another set of tears poured down my face as my heart silently wished he could also dedicate those words to me... that he would be willing to be my shield against all the harm this world could give... that he would also protect and love me the way I always dreamed he felt for me... and that he could be my man and that we would become a happy family.

But I guess if's there's a thing you could always have for free in this world... it's a dream... and it's dreaming.

I couldn't help heaving a sigh as my hand automatically lifted onto my belly.

'Hi, baby... I'm sorry that you also have to endure mommy's emotions and pain. But did you hear what your daddy says? He will protect you and I'm sure he will love you like the way fathers should love their children. He's a nice man, you know... and I'm sure he will also become a good father when you are born. I'm sorry if he's being grumpy with mommy, it's just that your mom made an unforgivable mistake against your dad and that's the reason why he hates your mom.'

And a faint smile formed my lips as I imagined that what if my baby really heard my thoughts and asked me with "Why mommy? What did you do that made my daddy hate you?"

This time, I chuckled. 'What am I supposed to answer?'

I was still in my own world that I hadn't noticed Dale walking in my direction. I was just surprised when he pulled me into a hug, which he didn't often do.

"Shhh... it's okay, everything will be okay." And these simple words made me fall into tears.

"I wish I could turn back the time, Dale, and I promise I would start listening to you," I whispered in between my sobs.

"Shhh... forget about it for a while. Let's go back inside."

"But Luke has already left---"

"I know, I saw him. Don't stress yourself with the wedding, Sam. I'm sure mom and dad have a reason for doing this. Well, don't you want that, your dream of being Luke's wife can now be fulfilled."

My tears had stopped instantly after hearing his last line.

"Dale!" I protest, narrowing my eyes on him.

He chuckled at me.

"What? You told me about it, right? I remembered you said you're gonna make him yours, didn't you?" He asked with a playful smile painted on his lips. I know he's just making fun of me.

"Argh! I know, but you should start forgetting about it!"

He laughed hilariously when I stomped my foot. I also couldn't help but be affected with it and for some reason, it really brought me relief and helped me forget my distress even just for a while.

We were still laughing when we get back. We also received different stares from those who were waiting inside the room and got questions about Luke as to why he didn't come back after receiving a call... but I just answered them with a simple 'I don't know' like what Dale told me when we were on our way here.