The Same Boat?

None of them spoke after Vivian drove off. There's only silence in the car.

They are sitting next to each other, but they feel like they're so close yet so far apart.

"Thank you for helping and being nice to the villagers."

Vivian spoke up first while focusing on the road. The silence in the car is killing her as she is trying to figure out what to say to kill the silent.

"There's no need to thank me. I do what I did earlier because I want to. I'm happy that I get to know more about them."

Vivian was glad that Ivan was happy to get to know the villagers and they get along pretty well too.

"I'm glad you feel that way. I was worried that you might not know how to handle them. They're so cute, aren't they?"

'Is she talking about Jan and Asher?'

Ivan turns his head on his shoulder to look at Vivian. He could see how happy she is when she's talking about them.

"Yea…"

'Just like she said, Rory was a good guy. I can see that he's a kind hearted man. His caring and relatable behavior has won everyone's heart. Everyone in the village likes him. Many young women tried to get his attention but his eyes looked at Vivian only.'

'He looks nothing like someone who grew up on a mountain or hill. He looks more like a city guy than someone who works in the farms.'

'No wonder Vivian didn't hesitate to praise him and said she likes him. They look good together. Plus, their age gaps are not much compared to me, I'm like an old man to them.'

'She looked so happy talking about her kids. She's a loving mother.'

Silent fell in the car once again after Ivan gave her a short answer.

Vivian was not sure if Ivan did not want to have conversations with her or he just didn't know what to talk like she was.

Vivian wonders what's going on in Ivan's mind that he is kinda quiet right now.

"So, what do you think about the kids?"

Vivian asked.

Silence makes her feel bored. She doesn't know what to say. And she kind of wanted to know what Ivan thought about the kids.

"They are adorable."

Vivian smiles "right? I feel blessed to have them in my life."

'I'm sure you do. I can see how much you love them. Just by mentioning them already makes you smile happily.'

Ivan didn't say anything.

Inside the car became quiet again.

"Oh yeah! I found out that you already have someone you're going to marry."

Vivian was trying her best to sound normal. But deep down, she feels empty.

She has to stop everything now or she won't be able to let him go when he marries his fiancé.

"What do you mean?"

Ivan asked in confusion. How come he himself didn't know about having someone I'm going to marry.

"Your Fiancé Emily Brown. She's a stunner. You guys look good together. You're handsome and she's a beauty."

'The Brown eldest daughter? Our families did arrange marriage for us, but we broke up since we don't have any feelings for each other.'

'I've met her once. To break off the engagement. That was my first and last meeting her. After that she already has found someone she loves. It seems like she still hasn't told her family about her lover.'

'But, why is she mentioning Miss Brown? Did she read an old article about my engagement with Miss Brown?'

Vivian continues as she fakes smiles, "You should've told me if you already had someone. Why lie about not having anyone?"

Ivan was about to explain everything to Vivian, he swallowed his words after Vivian continued talking.

'I should be the one saying that. I feel like it's my loss that I give my first to someone who already has kids.'

"What if she found out about what we had done? She must've been so heartbroken. That's why I decided not to meet with you again. I'll stop going to the WE cafe.

'Is she saying that she'll disappear from my life?'

Vivian gave Ivan a small smile "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone about what happened between us. Even if they are my friends or family, I won't spill anything. Not to a soul."

"I'll forget about everything that happened between us and move on. You should do the same too. And stop seeing other women behind Miss Brown's back. It won't do you good when she finds out."

'Isn't she the one who does things behind her kid's father's back? She already had two kids at a young age but still sleeps around with other men. Why am I the bad guy now? Everything I did was from the bottom of my heart. I never lie to her. She did.'

"What about you?"

Ivan couldn't resist holding his thoughts anymore.

"Huh? What about me?!"

Vivian doesn't know what he means.

"You lied about your first time."

"That was my first time. You're the first man I've slept with."

'Why did he say it's a lie? I don't lie to him. I don't keep secrets from him. After spending more time with him, I even started having feelings for him.'

'Ha! Is she going to lie to the very end? Cool! Both can play.'

Ivan looked at Vivian with a serious face, "Since we both lie, we're on the same boat. Since you're saying that was your first, then how do you explain about giving birth to Jan and Asher?"

'Let see how you're going to explain it.'

"I never said I gave birth to them. I found them on the side of the road. When I was on my way to the village, I saw something moving in the blankets on the side of the road. I was curious. So I parked my car nearby and got out of the car to go look at it. When I heard the crying noise, I rushed to pick them up and take them to the village so that they could be treated."

Vivian continues, "they were barely breathing and crying. God must've pity them, that's why they grow up healthy. I'm glad that I'm the one who found them."

"After investigating, I found out that their parents left them on the side of the road right after they were born and after they found out that they couldn't stay alive long, hoping someone will take good care of their kids. They died from illness not long after they left. But no one notices the babies are left on the side of the road."

"Since they are poor, they couldn't afford to pay for their treatment. And the villagers end up taking good care of them. That's what happened."

"And one more thing, we're not on the same boat. I didn't lie to you. Everything that I've done with you was from the bottom of my heart."

"That's why I didn't ask you to hold me when we went to bed last time. Even if I want to sleep in your arms, I don't have the heart to keep doing something out of line behind Miss Brown's back."

"My sin has gotten bigger, I have to stop everything before it's too late. I don't have the heart to keep hurting an innocent woman. She deserves the best only."

"She doesn't deserve to be cheated on. If I were in her shoes, I'd be so heart wrecking. If the one I love dearly was unfaithful and slept around with other women behind my back and I found it out accidentally, I might not trust someone again for the rest of my life."

"That's why it's better for us not to meet again."

Ivan regretted what he just said after hearing what Vivian said.

He wished he had held his emotions longer. He should've waited a little longer before saying anything.