chapter 6

WEEK had passed after the revelation about my pregnancy. Rosel also did not fail to remind and ask about my feelings.

It's funny that after a week my actions are normal. I am also more interested in continuing my class session with Sir Gresena to complete my degree in the next two months.

I already made a decision. After I officially graduated with my homeschool business degree, I decided to fly overseas— in Spain. We have a hotel there and I will use that as an excuse to hide my pregnancy from all but one person. I can't afford to keep this situation to my father. He needs to know what's happening to me.

So now I'm in front of his office here in the mansion. He didn't go to the hotel and said he was going to work here at the mansion. Ate Cray is not there so I feel safe.

I let out a heavy sigh. I grabbed the door handle and slowly opened the door. My heart was hammering so fast. I can feel and even hear it. I feel like my ribcage is about to break because of the high speed of its pulse.

"Hon, do you need anything?" he asked as he noticed my presence, but his eyes were still fixed on the documents he was holding.

I sighed deeply again before walking towards him. He was wearing his reading glasses as he read the documents in front of him. Now I also took a closer look at his appearance. He aged a bit. Wrinkles were now visible on his face. White strands of hair were also showing.

"Dad," I said. My hands were trembling so I hid it at my back.

"What brings you here?" he gently asked as he dropped the papers on his table.

I sighed as I bowed my head. I can't find the words I should say. I shouldn't waste this opportunity anymore. My father deserves to know about my situation. I'll just accept whatever his reactions would be.

"Is there a problem?" he asked. I immediately shook my head. I still can not speak. "Sit first, hon."

I sat in the living area of ​​his office. He followed and sat next to me. I was holding my hands tightly, preventing it from trembling more.

"Tell me, what's the problem?" he asked gently.

I swallowed hard. "Dad, don't get m-mad at me..."

He chuckled to light up the atmosphere. "Why would I be mad at my princess? Come on, tell me what's bothering you."

I shook my head as tears started to build up at the corner of my eyes. "I'm scared, Dad..."

"Shhh..." He comforted as he held both my hands. I stared at it and tightly held Daddy's hand. "Tell me, hmm? I'll help you, I promise."

I nodded as my lips were trembling so bad. "I'm... I'm..."

I sighed to calm myself first.

"I'm pregnant, Dad..." I whispered.

I bowed and waited for his reaction. I was still clinging tightly to his hands as if I was drawing strength from there. I want to cry because he still hasn't reacted in the past few minutes.

"D-Dad..." I called as my head was still down. I couldn't look at him straight on his eyes.

"You're pregnant?" he asked again, trying to make himself believe if I was telling the truth.

I nodded. "Y-Yes, Dad."

My tears gradually fell when Daddy became quiet again. I cried silently in front of him, trying not to let out loud sobs.

"I'm sorry..." I cried.

I cried hard when he embraced me. I could feel Daddy's warm body on me which gave comfort to my system.

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"When else, hmm?" he asked while rubbing my back to calm me down from crying.

"One week since I found out, Dad. I'm so sorry..." I cried.

"Don't be, hon. It's a blessing, okay?" he softly uttered.

"I can't, Dad. This is so complicated. The father..." I cried again when I thought about the situation.

My Dad let me cry on his arms. He was just there, listening to my cries as he was hugging me, giving me the comfort that I really need right now.

"Tredore Reverio," I uttered his name painfully. "I don't know. I-I don't know..."

I felt him stop slightly because of the name I mentioned. I don't know what I'm going to do but I'm sure of one thing. I will hide my pregnancy from all of them. I will not let them have my child.

"I won't let them get my angel, Dad. I won't let them get my son," I said.

"I won't let them, too. I'll protect the both of you, okay? Until I'm here, I won't let anything bad happen to you, my grandson," he said.

I let go of his embrace and stared into his eyes with all my might. I saw a glint of happiness as he stared at me. I saw no anger and disappointment in his eyes.

"Y-You're not mad at me?" I asked.

He chuckled as he squeezed my hand. "I told you. I can't be angry with my only princess."

"Thank you, Dad..." I smiled at him.

He smiled back. "What's your plan, then? Does Cray know this?"

I immediately shook my head. "She doesn't have the idea."

She doesn't have the idea, but there's always hope in her eyes every time she was consulting me if I already had the symptoms of being pregnant.

"I don't want her to know," I said. Daddy kept his mouth shut so I continued to speak. "It's complicated, Dad. I don't want to cause trouble for my future son. It's better to do this alone and stay away from them."

He nodded. "If that's what you want."

"I want my pregnancy hidden. I plan to stay in Spain after I graduate. We have a hotel there, right?" I asked and he nodded in response. "I want to live there until I give birth to my angel. I just don't know how long we will be there once I give birth to him."

I felt some relief inside me when I was told my plan for my pregnancy. This is the only way I could think of to detach myself from them.

I know I made a promise to my sister, but an innocent baby will feel sorry for me. I can't let that happen. I can't risk my angel's life and safety for this stupid deed.

"You've already grown up," he said emotionally.

I chuckled. "I don't think so, Dad."

He shook his head. "You made those decisions all by yourself. I'm so proud that you chose to face the consequences."

I smiled at what he said. At first it was really difficult. I agreed to my sister's plan because I was led to want her to be happy always, but when it was over, in exchange for that was a change in my life and a sympathetic person.

I will be selfish this time. Myself first. I won't let myself again to bow my head just to please other people's desire. Not now that I have my angel to fight for.

I will no longer allow myself to be submissive. I will fight back if needed and right. I will no longer be weak because an angel is carrying me now. I should be strong.

"I thought at first, you wanted to abort the child." He chuckled as I shook my head aggressively. "I was shocked that you're afraid of your situation and yet, you chose to continue striving. I'm proud that I'm your father, Zreinessa."

I chuckled as I hugged him again. "Thank you for being my father, Dad. I love you and Mom so much."

"I love you both too," he lovingly said.

Two months went by FAST. Sir Gresena is here today to formally hand me my diploma.

"Congratulations, Miss Zreinessa Nerillano!" he greeted as he handed me the diploma.

I gladly accepted you and shook hands with him. My smile didn't leave my face. After all the hardships of being homeschooled, I am now a graduate.

We had a little party with Sir Gresena. Daddy led the party because he wanted to thank Sir Gresena for being my patient homeschool professor throughout college.

I didn't delay because I also gave him a message. He's a good professor, a good friend and a good companion to be with. I'm glad that I got the chance to meet him. But for now, I know this will be our last meeting so I fully express my gratitude to him.

In the middle of our meal, I said goodbye to take a shower. I can't stop peeing anymore.

"Sister." I was surprised to see him outside the cubicle. I kept smiling to not show my surprise.

"Congratulations to my dearest sister!" she enthusiastically greeted as she embraced me for a hug.

"Thank you, sister. Finally, I'm a graduate. I can help manage our hotels," I happily said.

He loosened the hug and stared at me. I can't help but get nervous every time he stares at me.

"I'm sure Dad will assign you, so no need to worry so much," he said.

I nodded. Daddy and I have talked about it. He planned that he will make it look like that he will assign me to lessen doubts. Maybe they will be more suspicious when it is said that I made the decision that I will work far away.

"Yes, sister. I'm nervous actually," I said.

We left the bathroom together to go back to the dining room. But while walking, sister Cray couldn't bear to ask again.

"Any signs?" she asked.

I heaved a forfeited sigh as I shook my head slowly. "Nothing, sister."

She sighed. "Maybe, nothing really. Update me if there's any changes on you, okay?"

I nodded. "Okay."

For the past two months, Daddy has been secretly making me check-up with my OB Gyne. It also happens in the mansion so there is no trouble when I go out and go to the hospital.

My baby bump is still not obvious so it's not obvious that I'm pregnant. The OB said that some people are really small to get pregnant and it looks like I'm one of them. So I felt a little reassured that I could hide the pregnancy before I left for Spain.

When we got back to the dining table, Sir Gresena said goodbye. He said he still needed to attend to his work, which we gladly accommodated.

"Since, Zreinessa graduated, I have now decided on where I will assign her." Daddy broke the silence between the three of us.

Ate Cray stopped eating and we focused on Daddy.

"Since, she's homeschooled, it would be a great starting experience if she would handle the hotel internationally," he added.

"International? Which one?" asked Sister Cray.

"I'm thinking for U.S., is that fine with you, Zreinessa?" he asked me.

I swallowed hard. "Y-Yes, Dad. I would like to grab that opportunity."

"Very well, then. I'll settle it as fast as I can," he happily uttered.

"Are you sure about this, Zrei? Don't you like it here in the Philippines?" Ate asked me.

I sighed. "I like it here, but it's okay for me to start in the U.S., Sister. I think it would help me more."

"Alright, if that's what you want. I'll be busy again since Dad was almost handling me tons of branches." She rolled her eyes jokingly.

We laughed together.

I heaved a deep sigh silently. I must strive hard. This will be a new start.

For my angel...