"TOGETHER, FOREVER"

Lana shook her head and let out a deep sigh at what the woman in front of her said. And as much as possible, she didn’t want to lose her composure because of this. It was okay to be kind, but this time, and from the contour of the woman's tongue, she didn't seem to need her kindness.

"I know you heard me, you're not deaf, are you?" Rhyza's steady question.

It was then that Lana leaned her back against the back of her swivel chair. "Yeah, I heard you," she said calmly then smiled at the woman.

Rhyza's eyes immediately widened, and she seemed to be impatient that she was even able to hit her hand on the top of her desk and then pointed a finger at her.

"Damn you girl, I'm serious. I said, I'm pregnant and Andrew is the father!" she stared at her angrily.

Lana refrained from smiling but she couldn't help it. "You're funny," she said laughing softly again.

She saw that Rhyza's face reflected the intense irritation that she feels for her. "I'm not joking!” she said emphatically.

Lana's eyes rolled at what she heard. "You know Rhyza, I have a lot of work to do. Maybe you have read what was engraved on the door nameplate of this office. I mean, my office. Many employees here are depending on me. My staffs who have families to support and not the desperate kind of woman like you who loves to make a story just get what you want!" she said giving Rhyza a stern look.

Rhyza's face turned red from the sharpness of the words she uttered so she wasn't surprised when she made her even angrier. "I'm not making up a story! Damn you!"

Lana laughed sarcastically because of that. "As far as I remember, Andrew and I have been dating for about four months. So, if you say you're pregnant, does that mean his relationship with you continues while we're together?" she said boldly.

Rhyza was unable to say whatever she wanted to say with what she said so Lana continued.

"Andrew is different now, Rhyza. Do you know what I mean? He's no longer the man you used to be in a relationship with. The one who used to be like he's just dressing up when he changes women. And do you know why? Because he loves his daughter."

"His daughter yes, but you? Does he love you?"

Lana shrugged. "Why don't you answer your question. He probably wouldn't offer me marriage if he didn't have special feelings for me, would he?" she stood up then approached the woman.

“Not everyone who gets married loves each other,” Rhyza repeated.

"Maybe, but I feel different when Andrew kisses me. When he caresses me. Do I have to get into details and tell you all that? When for sure you know it deep down that there is a big difference between the two of us?"

That was when Rhyza's hand move and was ready to slap her but that was stopped when Lana spoke again.

"It's true what others say, that you cannot buy class and manners. Isn't it Rhyza?" her sarcastic question then stared sharply at the woman.

"We're not done yet! I'll take Andrew from you! Remember that!" she furiously said and pointer a finger on her once again.

"Leave Rhyza, and don't ever come back here," she replied instead.

Lana's gaze followed the angry woman who was thrown shut the door of her office. Then breathe a sigh of relief when she goes back and sat down on her executive chair.

She couldn’t believe she was able to defend herself in a way like that. And most of all, she was able to fight for the man she loved the most in a way that she didn’t have to drop to the level of the woman who wanted to ruin them.

Just like what she said to Rhyza earlier, Andrew has changed. And she saw it right in the man. Because during the almost four months of their dating, something happened to them countless times, she saw and even more, so she felt the young man’s desire to fix the lives of the three of them.

Lana's eyes quickly warmed as she felt the warm caress of her love for Andrew on her chest. She had never heard from the young man that he loved her. But is that still important? When as a matter of fact she could feel even more every time the young man kisses and caresses her?

Lana immediately composes herself. She will not allow anyone to just destroy the family Andrew is trying to build. She would fight him, in the way she knew, no matter who else interfered.

*****

"Are you insane? No! I won't allow it! What you want to do is wrong!" Patricia's loud cry when she heard what he said.

Andrew laughed softly. "When has it been wrong to fall in love deeply and truly?"

"Fuck you!" Patricia shouted again.

"Please leave, my decision is final, and you can't change it or anyone else," he shooed the woman away.

That was when Patricia stopped crying. She picked up her shoulder bag and left the room furiously.

Andrew knew it wasn't over yet. He knew that he would be able to experience Patricia’s wrath and all the kind of trouble she can do. So, he had to prepare himself, to protect his own family.

Andrew was in such a state of mind when he heard a series of knocks on the door. Moments later, it spat out Samantha.

"Are you ready for the store visit?" his sister asked him while smiling.

With what his sister said, that was when Andrew suddenly stood up. "Oh shit! I'm sorry that escapes my mind!"

"What? Seriously?"

He nodded and made his preparation easy. A few more moments and they were walking towards the parking lot.

"Patricia was here earlier so I wasted my time. She was so furious with me," he said shaking his head as he started the engine.

He heard Samantha when she clicks her tongue. "Explain everything to Lana, dear brother, while it's still early. You know Patricia's behavior, don't you?" his sister even reminded him.

Andrew nodded. "Just don’t let him hurt Lana and Andrea, we won’t have any problems,” what he said was true inside him.

*****

IN the department store of a mall, Lana is busy shopping for beautiful curtains that she will put on the four-poster bed in Andrew's penthouse. The young man will surely like it.

The young lady felt the intense heat on both her cheeks as she imagined the possibility of Andrew's reaction when he saw what she had done.