CHAPTER 53

The last time I went to their mansion, I was almost overwhelmed by the sheer size of it as well as the expensive things they use inside. Their large garden... wow! I didn’t pay attention to it when I first got here. If their garden is big for me, there is something bigger here and that is the inside of the Acuzar mansion where my daughter and I are now.

"They'll be glad to see you, baby." I heard Levi say to my daughter while he was carrying her while I was just behind them.

He was serious when he said we would pick up Ria at my condo to take to his parents. I no longer refused because he had already told my daughter that she had no hesitation in consenting. I can't believe it!

When we finally entered, someone greeted us and the maids immediately took the bag I was carrying with only Ria’s clothes. I could feel my chest constantly pounding because I didn’t know what was going to happen now. What if Jaxon is here, too?

“Are you okay? Relax, Astraea,” Levi suddenly said to me.

When I looked up, they were waiting for me to walk. I was so nervous that I could hardly step on my feet.

Before I could answer, he quickly took my hand and brought it to his lips to kiss. Ria saw that with a wide smile as she looked at the two of us.

“We’re family now. You’re safe,” he added softly so I just smiled.

I simply nodded at him and continued walking toward the living room of their mansion.

I never thought I would be able to be with his family. I mean, they are so rich! Far, far away from the life I grew up in. This is exactly what I read and also write — the woman is poor and the man is very rich but unluckily, the man's family disagreed with their relationship. Though, I have already met them and they look like good people but I still can't help but think.

"Rae?" I heard someone call me.

When I looked back at who it was, I saw Maxim and Celine coming down the stairs. I saw the joyfulness in their eyes when they saw me and the two next to me.

“Oh my G! Astraea, is that really you?!” Celine shouted and ran to us.

Before I could utter any word, she rushed to hug me while Maxim kept looking at us. I even saw it turn its gaze to Levi and the child he was holding.

“When did you come back? I missed you so much! We thought we would never see you again,” she told me as she pushed me away from her.

"Just last month, Celine," I answered her shortly and turned to Maxim.

“Still looking good, huh? Welcome back,” she greeted me happily. "Mind telling us who is this beautiful kid?" She also added and finally turned to Ria.

Levi lowered it so it faced her. Ria smiled widely.

"What's your name, baby?" Celine asked her.

"My name is Asteria Lorraine... Acuzar," she innocently answered.

I could see Levi's grin and the two of them were shocked before finally turning to me. I bit my lower lip when I saw their reaction. They don’t really know yet.

“My god, Rae! Did you give birth? Is this why you suddenly disappeared for five years?” Celine asked me a shocking question.

“Obviously, there is a bigger story, so let’s hear it from Rae later. Let’s go to the dining, they are all waiting,” Maxim uttered and quickly took my daughter’s hand and guided her away from us.

Celine shakes her head before she also went their way. The two of us were left and neither of us was still speaking. I heave a sigh and then looked at him.

“I told you I can’t do this. I'm not ready,” I told him angrily.

I can now feel the pressure inside me. I don’t know why but I feel like I will be tied now. I was just thinking about the questions that everyone would throw at me and I didn't know how to answer them.

“I told you to calm down. I'm here, Rae. What's wrong?" Levi asked me gently as he placed his hand on my face.

He gently stroked it and then held my hand tightly. I was overwhelmed with emptiness.

“I don’t know, Levi. I'm not ready. I told you we’re not okay, why is it suddenly like this?” I could no longer hide the irritation inside me.

I could see the softness in his expression as he looked at me. He tightened his grip on my hand and gently caressed it.

"I won't let you go again if that's what you want to tell me now. They know how much I love you and they also know about Ria. Why don't you trust me this time?" He asked me which made me laugh.

"The last time I trusted you, I could hardly get out of my drowning," I told him bitterly while trying to withdraw the hand he was holding but he won't let me go so I sighed violently.

"Let's talk about that later. For now, let’s do it. I'm here again. Stop thinking too much and let me handle everything. I’m sorry for pressuring you, baby...” he almost whispered to me.

Before I could refuse, he kissed me hard and quickly on the lips. When we parted, I almost chased after his lips, so I was just disappointed. Resisting but wanting his kiss, Rae? Idiot.

I could feel everyone staring at me even at my daughter sitting between Levi and me. I found out that the whole Acuzar is having an intimate dinner today because it’s Maxim’s birthday celebration so everyone is here. Levi’s mom and dad which is Tita Criselda and Tito Saldy Acuzar. His dad is retired army which I fear even more while his mom is a designer. Maxim’s parents are also here, Celine’s too, and their other cousins. I don’t think I can remember all of their names but all I remember are Acel and Roy and their own family; Avery and her husband.

“Why’s Jaxon not here? Doesn't he know?” I heard Acel ask who it was so I looked up.

I looked up at Levi and my daughter. I also saw Maxim looking at us and just smiling.

“He’s not available. Besides, it’s a good thing that he’s not here because it might just cause trouble,” she shrugged in response to her cousin.

I almost wanted the earth to eat me when they focused on me again.

“How are you, Rae? I heard that one of your books has a movie adaptation,” Levi’s mom told me so I quickly turned to her.

“Y-yes, auntie. The shooting of the movie is ongoing,” I replied nervously.

I saw how she looks at Ria and immediately smiled at me.

“Thank you for bringing our granddaughter here, ija. I know Levi will learn from his mistakes with you,” she added and gently nodded at me.

"It simply came to our notice then. He’s now a father. If that man does anything to you, tell us right away, Rae, so we can help you,” Levi’s dad uttered in his baritone voice so I winced.

I didn't know what to say so I just nodded and continued eating. Suddenly, I felt my heart calm when I heard that from them. All the fear and pressure I had been feeling lately had suddenly disappeared. If they only read what I thought about them before, they might not accept me.