The Billionaire 1&2 novel Chapter 16

AMBER is drying her hair when Rafael entered the room—the room they are occupying is her husband’s room. He is wearing a white shirt paired with a black pajama, until now she still can’t believe that she married a handsome and hunk man.

“Are you tired?” Rafael asked and planted a kiss on her forehead.

“Not really. I enjoyed talking to your parents.” She answered and turned off the blow dryer. “You are lucky to have them.” She added and unplugged the blow dryer and faced her husband. “You are really loved.

“Well, I guess that’s the advantage of being an only child.” Rafael said, and she can see the sadness on his eyes. “My mom had three miscarriage before conceiving me.” Rafael said making her gasps in horror. “When they learned that Mom is pregnant with me, mom took a leave on her work and dad leave the company to my grandfather. They always took precautions and mom went for a regular check-up but I was not breathing when mom gave birth to me.”

“Rafa…”

“The doctors did everything they could until they could feel pulse and heartbeat.” Rafael said. “My parents tried to conceive another one but they failed. I still remembered their joy and excitement when my mom got pregnant when I was thirteen, especially when they found out that it was a girl…” A tear escaped Rafael’s eyes. “But a drunk driver robbed that happiness from us—from my parents.”

Amber noticed that Rafael’s hands are trembling, and all she could do is to hold them tight. Now, she finally understands why he was so triggered when she threatened him to abort their baby. She cannot say anything as there is like a lump on her throat.

“My parents are on their way to the hospital for a prenatal check-up but that drunk driver… the collision…” Rafael cannot continue talking as he remembers those painful memories.

“Hush… Rafa…” She hugged him tight. Her tears are falling fast. Losing a loved one is very painful.

“My sister is gone in just a glimpse of time, Amber…” Rafael said in between his sob. It is the first time that Amber saw Rafael in this state. “Because of that drunk driver…. Because of him, I lost my sister…”

Amber is speechless and felt so guilty saying those things in the hospital even if she didn’t mean it. Rafa’s words before now makes sense. If only she could turn back time, she will not make the same mistake. She couldn’t imagine how Rafa felt before, her words are like a knife that cuts really deep.

“I’m so sorry, Rafa… I’m so sorry…” She repeatedly apologized when Rafael calmed down. “I’m so sorry for the words I said when we were in the hospital.”

“Amber…”

“I may not mean those words but I felt so guilty… It is all wrong. I’m so sorry.” She said in between her sobs. “I promise you that I will take good care of our baby, I will make sure that he will be born safe and healthy.”

“Amber…”

“I’m really sorry…” She continued apologizing.

“Stop crying, hon.” Rafael said, cupping her face and drying away her tears. “Let’s just forget about the past and look forward to what awaits us.”

“I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.” Amber sincerely said. Rafael didn’t say anything and kissed her lips and she responded.

MORNING came and the whole family are happily taking their breakfast, Allison and Nico still can’t believe that they are now going to be grandparents and they keep on thanking Amber for that. Amber on the other hand is feeling guilty, will they still thank her if they know the things she has said? They might even curse at her. She looked at Rafa who suddenly squeeze her hand.

“It’s okay.” Rafael mouthed making her smile. “Eat up.” He said when he noticed that she’s not eating her breakfast.

“Is the food not to your liking, hija?” Allison worriedly asked. “We can ask Linda to cook something for you.”

“I’m fine, mom.” Amber smiled. “It’s just been a long time since I experience having breakfast with the whole family.” She added. Amber can’t remember the last time she had a meal with her parents, was that a year ago?

“Why?” Allison asked. “Where are your parents?”

“They are dead, mom.” Amber said and took a sip on her milk. Allison and Clyde looked at each other, feeling sympathy to their daughter-in-law, she’s young to be left alone in the world.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Allison said.

“It’s okay, mom.” Amber said and started eating the food on her plate. No one bothered to speak until Rafael cleared his throat.

“Hon, I’ll leave you for a while here.” Rafael told Amber, making her looked at him, frowning. “I’ll go and meet up with Joshua in the hotel to sort things.” He explained.

“Okay.” Amber nodded.

“You can go around the house late, hija, if ever you feel bored.” Allison suggested. “I’m sure you will like the garden.”

“Or better yet, you can go and roam around the village, we have many exciting activities here.” Clyde added.

“Really? I will do that, then.” Amber said in excitement.

“Oh, Clyde and I already talked about your engagement party.” Allison said making her speechless.

“Mom, Amber and I are already married. There is no need for that.” Rafael frowned.

“No, we insist, son!” Allison sternly said. “You are our only child and we want to experience planning for everything. I mean, this only happens once so don’t rob the excitement from us, Rafa.”

“And it is better if you two will be married in the church, it is more sacred.” Clyde added making Rafael sighed.

“Rafa, you are our only child, so please…”

“Okay, fine. I get it.” Rafael said and massage his temple. With this Allison and Clyde smiled ear to ear. Rafael looked at Amber who is quiet by his side. “Are you okay with that?” He asked.

“Yeah.” Amber smiled but it did not reach her eyes. Rafael knew what is running on his wife’s mind, he let out another sigh.

After their breakfast, Amber and Rafael roamed around the garden and she cannot help not to be amazed, the garden is two times the garden in Rafael’s house.

She really loves the smell of the garden—adding the smell of pine trees around the village. There are colors everywhere—bright color, subtle color—pink, purple, green, red, yellow—you name it.

And the sound, oh! It is a music to her ears, the sound of wind chimes, the birds chirping, the man-made waterfalls and plants gently rustling in the wind. She wandered her eyes around and saw wind chimes throughout the garden with different sizes and shapes. It has different sounds but it generally requires strong wind to get the larger chimes to move.

The man-made waterfall is located on the side of the garden and has different kinds of fish swimming through it, and was surrounded by different kinds of flowers.

They continued to walk until they stopped in front of a fountain with lotus flowers.

“Your mom is so amazing.” Amber said. Rafael looked at her waiting for her to talk. “The garden is so breath taking that it can be compared to an enchanted garden being describe on a story book.”

“It is one of mom’s dreams to have a house with a big yard so that their pets can freely run and play.” Rafael said. “My mom grew up in a poor family and she worked very hard to make their life easier. A lot of people said that the reason why she and her parents is now living a luxurious life because she married my dad, since my father is from a wealthy family. But they are all wrong, my mom already built a house for her parents and is providing them well before meeting my father. She already helped her younger brother finish his studies.” Rafael said smiling and proud of his mother.

“My mom doesn’t want a big house, for her a roof above her head and a big garden is enough.” Rafael added, “And speaking of which, it seems that their two dogs is nowhere to be found.”

“Dogs?” She asked. She can’t remember seeing two dogs last night.

“Yes, Copper and Draco.” Rafael answered. Just then a golden retriever is running in their direction. “Oh! There you are Copper.” Rafael said, patting the dog who is whining in front of Rafa. “Who’s the good boy?” Rafael asked while rubbing Copper’s belly. “Where is Draco?” Rafa asked as if the dog will answer him. She cannot help not to smiled looking at them, she has a soft spot for animals.

She wanted to touch Copper when she felt a warm breath on her hand. She looked down and saw a Siberian husky sitting in front of her.

“You must be Draco.” She smiled and touched its head; Draco wagged his tail before standing and run to Copper and Rafael.