Words I was Afraid to Hear

Manta was hiding in his uncle's coat as he was secretly squeezed in between the two adults.

Everyone heaved a sigh of relief when they arrived at the house without alerting the police.

The boy had a wide grin of satisfaction as he left his shoes in the getabako.

Dan followed his wife into her room. Soon, their muffled argument was heard from the room.

"What's your problem?! I'm just eating with a friend! We even brought Manta along!"

"You're aware that to him, you're not just a friend." Dan did not raise his voice. He knew it was best not to clash with his hormonal wife. Though he is still upset about seeing her with Takagi Ryuuji, he did not want to aggravate her emotions.

"I'm not doing anything wrong!" She glared at him.

"I know. I'm not accusing you."

"Oh really...then why are you telling me not to do it again?!"

"Because it hurts to see you with him." He played the pity card.

Midori's fuming head cooled like it was drenched with water. She forgot to consider how he felt. She thought the action was harmless because it was just eating. She became quiet. She thought about how she could have revealed her pregnancy if Ryuuji insisted that she eats the sushi.

Dan's arrival had good timing actually.

"Sorry." she whispered.

Dan pursed his lips into a subtle smile. His arm snaked around her waist as he pulled her closer.

"Hey! Why you..!" Her next words were drowned by a warm kiss.

Just when they were starting to react with each other, a voice sounded behind the door.

"Midori-san, dinner is ready."

Dan let out a huge sigh as he looked down on his little buddy who was ready for action.

Midori cleared her throat and inched away from him.

"Let's eat. I'm starving."

Dan eyed her with a disappointed expression.

She chuckled. "I need to eat for two now. Let's go."

He looked down on her little bump and smiled. He took her hand and they walked towards the kitchen.

______________

Aoi Xiu was reading the report regarding her son's incident at home while waiting for dinner to be ready.

As she pondered on Ming Xiaoyu's name again, memories rushed through her head.

.

Weeks before Midori was born, an unknown lady came into their house, a newborn in her arms, requesting for a dialogue with her husband.

It was in the middle of the day. Her son was in school and Xiu Jin is at work. She was sent for rest due to her delivery drawing near.

Aoi Xiu looked at the lady sitting on the sofa from upstairs.

Ming Xiaoyu lovingly cuddled her sleeping daughter while waiting for Xiu Jin to arrive.

The lady of the house was afraid. Afraid to hear the words from this suspicious woman.

Aoi Xiu held her large abdomen, her eyes beginning to water, but she held it in.

Usually, she could not tolerate standing for too long because of the weight she was bearing. However, she stood behind the railing, dazed, figuring out other explanations in her head as to why a lady with a child was looking for her husband.

She was already standing there for an hour when a maid noticed her.

"Madam, why are you still standing there? You should be resting in your room." The maid noted that before she ran an errand, the lady was already standing there. When she came back, she was surprised to find her in the same position.

Aoi Xiu turned to her with watery eyes.

The maid was frightened. Something is wrong with the madam!

The maid rushed downstairs to get Xiu Lan.

Xiu Lan was almost tripping on the steps as she went to find the lady of the house.

Aoi Xiu was found still standing there, gazing below towards the lady sitting on the sofa.

"Aoi..." Before Xiu Lan's words could register into Aoi's mind, the opening of the front door startled everyone.

Everyone from the household had widened eyes as the woman who had a baby in her arms bolted towards the man at the foyer.

"Jin!"