Chapter 8 What Secret?

• "Do we really have to do this?" Groaning, I chucked the last set of dress in my duffel bag
• "It's just for the weekend" Gerald rubbed his hand on my shoulder soothingly.
• I nodded my head in understanding. I was so happy he was coming with me to that place though.
• When Antonio told me that his grandfather wanted me to come with my husband, I was shocked. Oh no, Antonio didn't address Gerald as my husband. He'd die before he ever do that. Anyway, I couldn't turn it down because I loved that Old man. He was the only one who looked after me when Antonio began to act up.
• "I'm ready" I smiled at Gerald, letting him take my duffel bag from me.
• We said a quick goodbye to the babysitter and My daughter. Hopefully, they get along fine and I'll probably tip her off too.
• "Stop fidgeting, you'll be fine" His eyes was on the road but yet he was paying close attention to me.
• This man was just too good at being attentive "I'm not fidgeting" When he glared at me from the corner of his eyes, I groaned. "Okay! Maybe a little."
• I mean, it's been 9 years and that's a long ass time. Worse of all, Roberta might be there and that means WAR.
• Gerald's hand strolled to mine, gripping it softly and soothingly. I smiled at him softly before relaxing into his touch.
• "Thank you" I said lowly, looking at our entwined hands.
• "You're my wife, after all" He chuckled. I nodded, laughing as well.
• We stayed quiet, just listening to the music that emanated from the Bluetooth speaker. My stomach began to knot as we approached the building. It looked the same, just that it's been repainted. Same color though.
• "You ready?" Gerald asked as he turned off the engine. I shook my head honestly.
• He chuckled, coming down from his car. However, before he could get to my side, Antonio was already there, holding the door open.
• Where did he even come from?
• "Antonio!" Doris shouted from where she stood "I got this man" Gerald said pulling Antonio aside.
• I rolled my eyes internally, taking Gerald's hand. "Thank you, hunnie" I smiled at him sweetly. "Hi, Antonio"
• "A hug?" He opened his arms wide I raised my eyebrow at him, then looking at Gerald. He didn't look like he wanted me to hug him. It's not like I wanted to anyway.
• I walked into his arms, bringing it down when I was close enough to him. "At least, try not to act desperate in front of your wife" I made sure it was loud enough for Doris to hear as I smiled sweetly at her.
• Antonio's fist clenched as he glared at me. He couldn't believe that I turned him down. "I know you're just acting hard to get now"
• "That's because she's married and she respects her husband" With that, Gerald pulled me away, my duffel bag on the other hand.
• "Hey, sister in-law" I smiled at Doris who had a permanent scowl on her face.
• "I'm not your sister in-law" She sneered when I walked past her.
• That was true though because Antonio and Gerald were Stepbrothers not Half brothers.
• "What is she doing here?" Roberta blocked me from entering, eyeing me up and down.
• "Hi Roberta. It's always a surprise seeing you alive and also seeing that your hair isn't falling yet" I smiled at her sweetly. She visibly swallowed hard, still glaring at me.
• Before she could open her mouth to say something, another voice spoke up. "Is that my favourite daughter?"
• On seeing the old man, I smiled at him, removing my hands from Gerald's soft grip as I rushed to hug him.
• "Grandpa!" I cried, sinking into his warm embrace He ran his hand along my hair gently. "I missed you. You left without saying goodbye." His crooked voice said.
• "I'm so sorry, Grandpa. I'll make it up to you" I whispered, still holding him delicately.
• "Has Antonio been a bad boy?" He pushed me back gently, breaking us free from the long lasting hug.
• Turning to face Antonio, I said. "I'm in control, he wouldn't dare" Antonio glared at me from where he stood, his eyes dark.
• "Grandpa" Gerald greeted. Grandpa just nodded at him. I guess he wasn't a fan of him yet.
• "Come! Let's all eat." Grandpa placed his hand on my back. Everyone followed us closely.
• Of course, the air was thick around us. Everybody was in their own mood. The men were staring at each other like they were going to kill themselves while the women were glaring daggers at Grandpa and I.
• "Would you want salt, Daddy?" Doris said out loud. Grandpa just stared at her, not uttering a word.
• I wanted to laugh out loud but decided against it. "He's not a fan of salt" I said, sitting up right.
• "At least, someone knows me too well" Grandpa patted my free hand that was on the table. I smiled at him softly in return "You both were inseparable" Antonio smiled at us, most especially at me.
• I shifted comfortably at my seat. I didn't like the way they were putting me on spot.
• "Well, until she cheated on her husband and ran away from her inseparable father" Roberta shot at me.
• "And that was how I was able to achieve this rare gem to myself. I don't think I want to ever let her go" Gerald spoke up.
• Coughing, I stood up. "Excuse me, everyone"
• I needed to get out of there before things went south. I closed the door when I got into the guest toilet that was built downstairs.
• "Just 2 more hours and you'll be gone, Melissa" I said to myself, arranging my hair while letting out a sharp breath.
• "You must think you're the real shit" Roberta said, her heels clinked on the floor as she approached further into the room. "Well, you're a piece of shit"
• "You know, I'm starting to think you're obsessed with me." I scoffed, folding my hand. "Came to check up on me?"
• "I beg to differ. I came to warn you" She pointed her manicured finger at my face.
• "You should be warning your son" I glared at her.
• "If you hadn't reappeared in our lives, I wouldn't be warning him. Did you think about that? Just get out of our lives already" She yelled at me.
• "Because I have a mother, I'm not going to disrespect you. However, you better mind the way you talk to me before I decide to focus on you and bring you down as revenge for every single pain you caused me" I sneered at her.
• Her eyes widen at me. "What are you going to do? Tell Antonio my secret that you can't prove?"
• "What secret?" A male voice said, opening the door.
• I smiled, looking at Roberta who froze on spot. She opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out