Chapter 0415
DENNIS
Even after firing Tabitha, the guilt lingered. I couldn't look at Ana and not think back to those few minutes in the water with Tabitha. At this point, I was ridden by guilt.
I'd tried to tell Ana but it always felt like the wrong time. Where do I even begin if I finally think the time is right?
"Hey, Ana, while we waited for Amie to heal, I foolishly joined a fake church and there, one of their members who happens to be my employee tried to seduce me. We might have kissed and gone deeper than that."
I scoffed. Yeah, I sound like an utter fool. I could imagine the hurt in her eyes and I knew I had to ensure it stayed that way, just my imagination. It'd break me to actually see her hurt.
This morning, after an early makeout session, I found myself saying to Ana.
"How about a getaway?" I murmured as I gently bit on her ear. "Something romantic, just you and I."
She placed her palm on my chest and gently pushed. When I was looking at her, her eyes searched mine for a while. "A getaway?" There was the ghost of a smile on her face, "Like a vacation?"
""Yes," I nodded with a smile.
Then her brows furrowed ever slightly. "Wait, what about the kids? They can't go with us, can they?"
"We can hire a temporary nanny for them," I said. I've thought the whole thing through. But now I briefly wondered why I wanted this. Yes, a vacation with just Ana and I would be great, but I normally would not want to leave the kids in the hands of anyone. I suspected that it was to remove the aching guilt from what happened with Tabitha. But it was just a suspicion.
She smiled and I could already tell what her response would be. "Dennis, I love the idea of a getaway. Really, it would be perfect. After all of these emotional turmoil, it was the perfect thing to do. But..." she trailed off and sighed. She cupped my cheek. "I don't think it's the right time."
"If it's because of the kids, we could go with them with their temporary nanny." I was desperate. I needed this feeling to go away before I blurted out my infidelity and ruin this beautiful marriage I have. "With the kids, it would be even more fun and bonding."
She sighed again. She lifted her head and pressed a kiss to my lips. "I know you mean well, babe, but Amie's just resumed school. She's lagging behind enough. She cannot miss school. And-"
"It would just be for like a week or two. She can take virtual classes from wherever we choose to go." Now, I was pushing it. I knew it. It was like I wanted to force the trip on her, but I couldn't help it.
There was a pause before she responded, a frown on her face. And I couldn't help but wonder what went through her head.
"There's also Justin," she finally spoke up. "We can't just expose him to any weather or environment just like that. He still needs proper care."
Drop it, Dennis. Drop it. A voice repeated in my head, but I didn't listen. "We could take proper precautions, we cou-"
She palmed my face and kissed my lips. "Dennis, it's not the right time," she said firmly. Then she added, "And to be honest, I cannot leave my kids with anyone. Not yet."
I smiled back. "It's okay then. When do you think the right time will be?" I asked as I got off her. I laid by her side and spooned her.
She hummed for a while. "Say... umm... six months from now."
Six months!
"By then, the kids would have perfectly eased into their daily lives and Justin would be stronger for any journey or vacation."
Even though her back was pressed to my chest and she couldn't see me, I forced a smile. "Okay. I can't wait for that time."
She giggled. She gently twisted her neck to peer at me. "You really want this, huh?" She said, her gaze falling to my lips and back to my face.
"I really do," I answered, then I took her lips in a brief kiss.
She smiled up at me, looking at me like I was the best human she had ever seen and it only made me feel even more guilty.This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org - ©.
"Me too," she said. "But the kids' well-being has to come first."
"I understand." I admired her selflessness, her ability to put the kids first before her desires. I just hoped that before then, all would still be well. She turned back to face the front and we just laid there in a comfortable silence.
Suddenly, she turned her head again, but this time, her gaze was on the ceiling. Her brows were deeply furrowed, she almost looked angry. "There's something I need to tell you. More like a question and I need you to be honest with me."
My heart rammed against my chest. Did Tabitha call her? That bitch! I should have gotten her and her crew arrested.
"What's that?" I squeaked.
"Did you tell anyone that Amie is Aiden's?"
Though relieved, I frowned. "Why will I do that? Amie is mine."
The tip of her lips lifted in a small smile for a couple of seconds before she frowned again. "Amie returned from school and told me that her friends told her she has two dads."
"Two dads?"
"Yes. The friends told her that they heard their moms talk about it."
"What? How?"
"I have no idea. I contacted the moms, they've both attended Amie's party at some point so we exchanged numbers. I asked where they heard it and from and guess what their response was."
"Uhh... I don't know. What did they say?"
"They said the news is already everywhere." "What th-"
"I know, right? I was as shocked as you are right now." After a short silence she asked in a small voice, "What do we do, Dennis? I think we'd have to tell Amie the truth, right?"
I sighed. "It's the only way to stop things from getting out of hand."
"We should talk to Amie soon."
I nodded. "Yes." I added, "And Aiden too. Let's know his stance on all of this."