Chapter 2

Chapter Two

"I just forgot that he once existed in my life..." Francine began while we were on the balcony.

I couldn't help but ask about how she was feeling, after Andrei died I had no news so I just took this opportunity.

"It was hard," she paused, smiling. "But look, I made it."

I couldn’t help but smile as Francine talked. A lot has changed in her, maybe she has learned in her life now.

"It hurts to admit, but Drex, sister Mich, Marco and brother Sky helped me, they didn't leave me alone so now here, I'm happy." She even laughed as if nothing really happened.

"I'm happy to hear that," I smiled.

She smiled back at me; she reached for her orange juice and drank it.

She is helping me now to choose my wedding gown, I just want it simple and I know Francine is the best there.

"You're lucky with brother, 'no, sister? There's a lot of things that happened but you still ended up together." Suddenly she said while looking at other gown designs.

"Maybe it's because we both didn't give up..." I couldn't help but smile.

The things that Sky and I went through, it never really entered my mind that we would come like this, that we're just planning a wedding now.

"If I hadn't given up then, would Andrei and I be happy too?" She suddenly asked asked me.

I let go of the tablet I was holding where I was looking for beautiful gowns for the best men, maids of honor and whoever else.

"I don't know, do you still love him? Do you regret the decision you made?" I will ask.

For the first time, it was as if I saw the former Francine. The emotional and weak Francine. That no matter what was done to her before; she will just be quiet and still forgiving.

"I don't love him anymore sister," her voice cracked. "But it hurts because I carry the pain he left when he committed suicide. I don't love him anymore but there is a part of me that blames myself for his death. It pains me because I don't know if he really loved or just got used to my presence." She looked up and forced a smile.

"Are you regretting?" I asked again.

"I regret that I loved him sister, I regret I squeezed myself with him.." I saw how tears started to form in her eyes. "I have no regrets I left him before, I just valued myself." She wiped away her tears and then smiled at me again. "It just pains me because why am I the one who should be blame of for his death, why are they blaming me when he died, I just chose myself, I'm just tired, I'm just tired of being hurt. Why is it my fault, I was also hurt."

I remembered how Andrei's parents put the blame on Francine. How Venice used to talk to Francine as if it was all her fault.

I was not able to defend Francine then because I was also hurt by the death of my friend.

Francine was very fragile, like a broken vase that was forced to be rebuilt. Maybe she was okay now, but there was still a trace of destruction because of what happened then.

"I got a lot of hates from his friends when I became his girlfriend. I was judged when I fought him, saying I was stupid. And I was blamed for giving up. I do not know where I will be during those times, sister. It was hard for me, but it was more painful because none of them understood me. No one thought I was just a human being... "I approached Francine and hugged her.

It feels nostalgic. Five years ago, when Andrei was still alive and Francine once cried for me because she was in so much pain, now here it is again.

Francine just stopped crying when she calmed down. I invite her to play with the kids. When I had a baby, I realized that children are really good stress relievers.

"I look like Zerine sister!" She exclaimed while holding Zerine. Sky snorted on what she said then rolled his eyes.

"I looked like mommy, auntie" Zerine replied to her in an artistic voice that made Marco laugh.

"You're ugly Francine so you don't want to look like a child!" He teased her so he threw a toy at the man.

Francine almost didn't let go of the children so Sky took the opportunity to pull me into the common bathroom.

He pushed me to the sink, making me sit there. "Glad Francine came, the kids won't let me have alone time with you." He said as he gave me a peck on the lips.

I smiled and touched both his cheeks; I moved my face here before kissing him on the lips. It was a quick kiss, but his smile widened immediately.

It's been years since the last time I saw this smile and my heart couldn't help but go crazy while staring at his face.

"I miss you, Sky." I sincerely said as I stare at his face.

He gently stroked my cheek

"I miss you more, baby." He leaned his face closer to me, making me close my eyes, anticipating a kiss from him. I could already feel his breath on my face when suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Sky!" I heard Marco's voice making Sky groan in disappointment.

"The heck is your problem Iñigo?" He snorted.

I gently slapped him on the shoulder so he frowned.

"I need to pee, don't have sex there. If you want to do it then go in your room!" Marco shouted from outside so I gently pushed Sky and got down from the sink.

"Tch, he is really a pain in ass, I will kill him..." I heard Sky murmur before we left the bathroom together.

I saw Francine crossed her brows when she saw Sky and I together.

"I thought Marco was just knocking on my older brother so that's why..." she even covered her mouth as if she was still surprised by what she saw.

"Mommy, why are you and daddy together?" Skyler asked innocently.

"Huh? Ah daddy's stomach hurts, mommy just helped him." My reason, I know I taught them not to lie, white lies won't kill me.

"Hah! Maybe the stomach hurts," Marco teased before looking at Sky's chin making Sky punched his shoulder. Marco groan but in the end he laughs and finally enters the cr.

"My older brother..." I heard Francine say.

Sky just stared at them and held my hand again before pulling me onto the sofa near the kids. He almost sat me on his thigh but I widened my eyes. He just sniffed and let me sit next to him. He even squeezed himself into me, like a child who does not want to be away from his parents.

"Brother is clingy!" Francine even threw a throw pillow at him and then stared.

"Shut up, Francine. You are just jealous because Casper doesn't want to date you!"

"Sky!" I sat down with Sky when I saw that his sister looked at him badly.

"Just telling the truth," he sticks out his tongue to Francine like a child so I was just shaken.

The woman just rolled her eyes and chose to take care of the four children she is now teaching to write.

"Skyler, Skye, don't imitate your daddy when you grow up, huh?"

"But why tita? Daddy is cool!" Skyler said.

Francine just blinked again when her cellphone suddenly rang, she frowned slightly and then looked at her sister.

"Brother, sister Zayrene's death anniversary is tomorrow. Mama said, we need to go back to Spain."