CHAPTER 16: CHAPTER 16

Olivia’s POV

"We are just talking. Serious talking," Gabriel muttered, staring at Daniel without fear.

I held Daniel’s hand, trying to get his attention but he’s not turning at me. "Daniel..." I called his name.

He turned to me with a serious expression, but later on he smiled. It was faint and I saw the questions that he wanted to ask from his eyes. "Let’s go home," he said.

I nodded, "Yes."

He held my hand tightly before pulling me away, but Gabriel grabbed my hand to stop us. Daniel and I turned at him. Meanwhile, I stare at him with a strange look in my eyes, giving him a ’what the hell is he doing’ look.

"Our family was still here. It would be rude if you’re leaving without even finishing the dinner," he reasoned.

I took my hand away, enduring the pain from my wrist and said, " We are going home, okay? Enough with your nonsense."

His eyes landed on Daniel, who was quiet. I can tell he’s holding himself back. I’m grateful that he did, especially since I don’t know how to stop them if they fight.

"We are going home," I repeat.

"Is that it? We are here for family dinner and yet you’re leaving because I’m being a jerk? I’m just being protective, Olivia. You don’t know if that man will take care of you, or accept your child."

"He did, Gabriel. You are being unreasonable and I don’t know why. So please stop!" I exclaimed.

"No, you are not leaving." He was about to grab my wrist again when Daniel pulled me behind him.

"My girlfriend and I are leaving, Gabriel. Let us be," he murmured.

Gabriel laughed, "She is my sister—"

"Step-sister," I clarified.

"Still. She’s my family. I’m not letting my sister be with a man who is not sure about his life," he commented.

I was backfired but soon scoffed because of his unreasonable actions. "What the heck are you trying to imply, Gabriel? You know what? This is ridiculous. We’re leaving!"

"Why don’t you tell her, Daniel?" Gabriel suddenly spoke with a hint of something serious. Like a secret that needs to be told.

I frowned, "What are you talking about?" I faced Daniel, "What is he talking about?"

"So you haven’t told her. Allow me to enlighten my sister," he said. Gabriel turned at me, "Daniel got arrested."

"What?! When?"

"Remember when he’s not around lately? He asked me for help to bail him out, and I told him to tell you about it."

I swirled to face Daniel who remained quiet and questioned, "Is that true, Daniel?"

"Let me explain, Olivia."

"There’s nothing to be explained, Daniel. Olivia clearly does not deserve you, especially a fraud like you."

I widened, "Fraud? What is happening? I don’t understand."

"Daniel was involved with money laundering. He and his company were closed down due to public issues, and he was arrested. That’s why he’s not the right man for you," he explained.

For a minute, I was stunned. I didn’t know Daniel was facing such hardship and he didn’t even tell me about it. I can see the shame in his eyes, and now my guilt disappears.

"I told you to give me time to explain it to her," Danny groaned.

"When, Daniel? Next year? When Olivia is already married to you? No wonder you wanted to make her your girlfriend. You need her money to stand again, and I won’t allow it."

"That’s not true!"

"Come on! We both—" he was cut off when Daniel punched him.

Gabriel immediately recovered and punched him in return. They fell on the floor, and Gabriel was about him, keep punching him in the face.

"Gabriel! Stop!" I screamed, catching the attention of people eating at the restaurant.

I tried to push him but he wouldn’t stop. Daniel’s face was already covered with blood, and I didn’t know what to do.

"Daniel! Help!"

"Gabriel!" Dad came and carried Gabriel away from him. He locked him in his arms, halting Gabriel to attack again. The waitresses, on the other hand, helped Daniel to get up.

"What have you done, Gabby?!" Dad yelled at his son.

"I’m just trying to explain to Olivia what happened. It wasn’t my fault if that man was too cowardly to tell her the truth!" Gabriel replied.

"Enough! What is happening to you? You are acting so childish today! Look around you! These people know us and this is going to be another issue to our family! Whatever Daniel doesn’t want to tell Olivia, it’s none of your business! It was his!" Dad shouted to his face.

He calmed down, realizing his father’s words.

I swallowed, seeing how injured Daniel was. I turned to face Gabriel and hissed, "How could you hurt him!"

"I’m just trying to protect you."

"Well, I don’t need it! I don’t need to be protected and I’m not asking you to! This is outrageous, Gabriel. If Daniel needs time to tell me about it, then let him! You have no right to invade our lives!" I grabbed Daniel’s hand and added without turning at him, "Let’s go, Daniel."

Without further words, I walked away, leaving him, mom, and Gabriel’s father. I don’t want to talk to him and I don’t understand why he is acting like a jerk today. Gabriel was being unnecessarily overprotective for something I can protect myself.

We went to the car after reaching outside the restaurant. I sat on the driver seat while Daniel was in the passenger seat, wiping his bloody mouth with his handkerchief. I drove the car away and silence wrapped the car. I can feel the uncomfortable atmosphere between us, especially since I know Daniel doesn’t know how to explain everything.

The night is getting colder and my shoulders are freezing when suddenly Daniel puts his suit on my shoulder. He sighed, "I’m sorry. I should have told you about it. My company got involved in money laundering, Olivia. But it doesn’t mean I’m a bad person. I’m a victim. One of my clients uses my company to get money from people, and I’m stupid enough to believe it was a good investment for people who want their money doubled. I’m really sorry."

"Whatever it is, I understand. I also understand why you don’t want to tell me about it. But I want you to know that I’m willing to help you if you just told me about your problem. It makes me feel like you’re not trusting me," I answered.

He exhaled sharply and held my hand. I pull over to the side and face him, "I want you to feel how important you are to me. But seeing you rather keep your problems than tell me about it, makes me feel like you’re not trusting me."

"No, it’s not like that." Daniel squeezed my hand and added, "I just don’t want you to get involved with my problems, especially since I know how many problems you are facing. As long as I can deal with it, you don’t have to get involved."

"Daniel..." my voice softened.

"Look, Olivia. When I see you at that event, I know you are the woman I want to be loved forever. I swear to myself that I will protect you and your son, not involve you in any problem that I must deal with. That’s why I keep it. I asked my step-brother for help, but I wasn’t expecting him to use it against me just because he thought I’m not a good person."

"I also understand that Gabriel was trying to be protective. After all, he is your brother. Although you are not siblings by blood."

The guilt returned when I saw the spark in his eyes. Gabriel isn’t trying to be protective over me. He is being a jerk. I don’t know what got into him today, but I can feel that he was jealous after seeing me kiss Daniel earlier.

I caressed his cheek and smiled, "No matter how big your problem is, I want you to tell me. That way I could help you and you don’t have to ask Gabriel about it. We are in a relationship now, Daniel. I am the only person you can rely on."

"Of course, I’m sorry..."

"I’m sorry, too. I should have checked on you. I thought you were doing fine because you kept smiling in front of me, but behind those sweet smiles are the problems you were facing and hiding from me..."

Daniel hugged me and the car filled with warmth eventually. But that kiss... I must stop it. He doesn’t deserve to be betrayed, and Gabriel is using my weakness. Even though five years had gone, I know to my heart that he healed my wound that night. But I have Daniel now. I must focus on him and our son, forget about Gabriel, and make this right.

He parted. "I was planning to ask you this but chaos happened, Olivia."

"Ask me what?" I frowned.

He pulled a small box from his pocket and opened it. A pink diamond ring was exposed to me, dazzled from the street light. I looked at him with confusion and surprise. "Daniel..."

My heart was pounding. I don’t know if I’m going to say yes or no. He wanted to put our relationship into a new level. Am I ready? Yes, I am. But my heart says otherwise. It was like telling me to say no and break his heart.

"Olivia, will you marry me?" He smiled widely.