Zain gives Astoria a pleading look.
“Astoria, please, I’m begging you. You’re the only one who can help me.”
Astoria was about to walk away, but Zain held her hands tighter, leaving her with no choice.
“Astoria, please… be my wife.”
She pulled her hands away from him and kept them behind her back.
“I’m indebted to you. I owe you a lot, but please don’t get me and my kids involved in your family matters. I don’t want to mess with rich people.”
“But you’re the only person I know I can rely on.”
“Astoria, please? You’re the only one who knows about my sexuality.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll benefit from this too.”
“Why not just tell them the truth? Why did you even lie about having a girlfriend?”
“I told you! Our family guard caught me entering a Victoria’s Secret store and reported it to my parents.”
“Dad asked me what I was doing in a store full of things for girls. I panicked and accidentally told them I have a girlfriend.”
Astoria couldn’t help but facepalm. Sometimes she just wants to peel her best friend alive.
“Just tell them your girlfriend already broke up with you.”
“You know exactly why I can’t do that. You don’t know how excited my mother is after finding out.”
“She asked a lot of questions about my ‘girlfriend’ over dinner.”
“I don’t want to disappoint her.”
Astoria sighs.
“What now?”
“They want me to invite my ‘girlfriend’ tomorrow night.”
“Eh? Are they that excited?!”
“Nah. My brother will come home tomorrow. We’ll throw a homecoming party for him. At the same time, my mother wants me to propose to my girl. She wants me to get married right away, or else she’ll continue setting me up with her friends’ daughters.”
Astoria felt sorry for her friend. He’s under pressure, but it’s not surprising for his family to react that way.
They’ve been looking forward to the day he would introduce someone as his significant other.
As a wealthy family that owns many businesses, they need a successor, and that would come from him and his brother’s children. But what can he do? He is gay. He can’t give them a grandchild.
“Eh? You have a brother?”
“Yeah.”
She waited for him to add something, but he didn’t.
“Why not just hire some random girl to act as your girlfriend?”
“That’s my plan, but I need a woman I can trust. If I introduce someone, I’m sure my mom will arrange our wedding right away. I need someone trustworthy and someone I’m comfortable with.”
“Besides, if I introduce someone, they’ll do a background check on her. If it’s you, they won’t suspect anything because I’ve been visiting you almost every day for over three years.”
Astoria feels guilty for refusing to help him. For over three years, Zain has always been by her side, providing for her and her kids, but she doesn’t really know what to do.
“At least please hear me out?”
Astoria sighs a second time.
“Fine, I’ll at least hear you out.”
“Just like what I said earlier, please accept my proposal and be my fake girlfriend, soon-to-be fiancée, and wife.”
“It will just be a fake marriage.”
“If you agree, I will introduce you tomorrow night.”
“I’m sure my mother will prepare our wedding right away.”
“After our wedding, I will bring you to another country, and we will live there together with the kids, far from this country and far from my family.”
“I promise you, Astoria, once we get away, I will provide you with anything and everything, money, clothes, freedom. But just make sure you won’t date anyone other than me, or if someone finds out, we’re both dead. You know my family.”
Zain’s eyes are begging. Astoria couldn’t help but sigh. His offer is tempting, but she can’t decide overnight.
“Once we’re out of the country, I promise not to meddle in anything you do. We’ll both have freedom, just like we’re best friends. But I swear, I will love your sons like they are my own children. I will provide everything for them. Just please allow me to do so.”
Astoria stared at him for a moment, speechless and unable to find the right words to say. She’s still processing everything.
She doesn’t doubt his words. He is a loving friend. He is actually real husband material, if only he weren’t gay.
Astoria doesn’t really care about his sexuality, though.
She likes him the way he is, the way he cares for her like a big brother or sometimes like a big sister. He is her friend, and she has faith in him. Even so, things like this aren’t meant to be decided overnight.
“But Zain, it’s not just about that…”
“Is it about ‘him’ again?”
Astoria looked down and bit her lip.
“Astoria, it’s been three years. Don’t tell me you’re still waiting for that guy to come and find you. He doesn’t even know you’re pregnant.”
Among all of Astoria’s friends, Zain is the only one who knows about her dark past.
“I can’t help it, Zain. He is the father of my twins, after all.”
This time, it’s Zain who looks away.
“It’s also my fault. I wasn’t able to protect you that night. At least let me protect you and your children from now on. Maybe that will redeem me.”
“Don’t blame yourself, Zain.”
“But still, I’m partly to blame.”
“It’s been three years. It might be hard, but please just forget about that man and focus on your twins’ future. They are turning four and will attend school soon. It will be hard for you to handle all of this, the tuition fees and your everyday needs. Let me help you with it.”
“I’m your number one bestie, after all, right?”
Listening to Zain makes Astoria realize the reality she’s facing right now. Raising two kids will be hard. She doesn’t even have a job.
Practically speaking, this will be hard for a single, jobless mom like her.
“At least let me think about it tonight. I’ll give you an answer tomorrow.”
Zain finally smiles.
“Thanks, Astoria! I’ll send you the best dress tomorrow if you agree. Sigh I also want to wear a gown, but my father would surely kill me, so nah… I choose peace.”
Astoria chuckles. The atmosphere becomes lighter.
“Yeah, he’d probably beat your pretty face. Anyway, stop blaming yourself for what happened that night, okay? It’s not your fault.”
“Mommy, where’s the pancake? Oh, Uncle Zain, you’re here!”
Both of them look toward the second floor when someone speaks and see Ethan and Nathan rubbing their eyes while slowly walking down, looking excited.
“Hey, kids! Guess what I bought for you this time?!”
Zain has been with them since they were little, so it’s no surprise they are so close to him.
“I’m not blaming anyone. Not you, and not even that man.”
“Instead, I want to thank him.”
“Thank him for giving me such beautiful angels.”