Through Your Eyes — Chapter 68

RED'S POV

Since I held too many doubts at him, and since I was too afraid to give my full trust because of Calla, I also didn't want to deceive myself, nor give Sean false assurances. Until now, he didn't dare to tell me about her. If it were not because I could also justify his action because Leila told me about the call from the president, I would have made it a big issue. If it were not also for the assurances of both Dina and Patrick, I would have called this relationship off.

Aside from that, Sean had maintained his warmth towards me, and he was always on my side. I couldn't forget how he cried and how scared he was when he learned that the bug bit me. I could not put aside all his efforts in giving me his time for this relationship to work.

What remained a mystery was the reason why he said he had been thinking about me for so long. Had he been stalking at me while I was yet a student? I tried to ask about it many times, but he always said he would surprise me one day with the answer.

I just gave Sean back a tight hug, silently telling him my gratitude for loving me this much.

"Sean, thanks for coming into my life. I hope I don't live in a dream, and may we last forever," I mumbled, tears stinging my eyes.

Those were tears of humiliation for not trusting me entirely as to why he kept Calla from me, and tears of gratitude for being cared for the way he did. Throughout my five years with Eric, I had learned to be submissive. I have learned to keep my questions to myself and have learned not to complain. Perhaps, this was just the way it should be when one is in a relationship with powerful men like Eric and Sean. Whenever they avoided answering questions, it only meant I should wait or forget about it.

Sean rubbed my back and assured me. "You are not dreaming, sweetheart. There are so many beautiful things I want to share with you right now, but I want to wait for that day where many people are watching as witnesses."

"What are you talking about?" I insisted, but my lips twisted into a wide grin. I imagined his surprises as the night he would formally ask my hand in marriage, placing a diamond ring on my finger. I imagined him promising to support me as the new chairwoman of TAG Medical Center.

"It won't be a surprise anymore, my dear. Just a little more patience."

"Alright," I agreed, but my lips pouted, that he cupped my face and sucked my lower lip.

The following morning was our schedule to go hiking towards the top of Diamond Head Summit Trail, one of the wonders of  Hawaiian Islands of O'ahu, known to Hawaiians as Le'ahi. It is a volcanic tuff cone that can be seen from the coast of Waikiki, the place where we stayed, appearing like the dorsal fin of a tuna fish. The climb towards the peak looked difficult, but in reality, the height is only 760 feet away from the foot of the crater.

I wore a comfortable set of leggings and top, while Sean did a pair of body-hugging shirts and knee-length shorts. He looked more handsome and attractive, and I couldn't seem to take my eyes off him. Throughout our hike, he either held my hand or place an arm around my shoulders. I really felt safe, loved, and protected.

We talked about many things, sharing about our childhood days. Sean never kept the fact that he came from a poor family, and that his mother was widowed. He also told me how they lived in a hand-to-mouth existence until Mr. Thomas Grey brought them to his home and adopted him as his legal son. It sounded unusual that her mother did not accept Mr. Grey's offer to marry her.

"She doesn't want the people to think that she married him because of money."

"But he made you the heir to his wealth," I argued, "and how does it differ from marrying him?"

"Making me a legal son is different from making her a wife," he laughed, knowing that he lost the argument.

"You and your mother have  a pure heart, Sean, that's why you are blessed."

"But dad has a secret," Sean said, looking straight into my eyes, "but I will tell you about it during the party."

"You're placing me in a cliffhanger, Sean. Can you just tell me right now?" I pouted. I felt so fed up with his secrets and surprises.

"No, baby. Just a little more patience."

The path towards the top get narrower and steep, and I was already panting for breath. I stopped to take a rest; drops of sweat came trickling down my temples. Sean pulled out a face towel from his backpack and pat-dried me, including my back. And before I could step forward, he stepped ahead and crouched in front of me.

"Hop on, babe!"

My eyes widened in surprise. This was too much. "No! I'm too heavy."

"Come on! Hurry up. I won't go forward if you don't hop on."

Squeals from other hikers had me blushing, and so to keep them quiet, I gave in.

"That's good. You should not tire yourself," Sean said, pushing my thighs up to a more comfortable position.

"The people are watching us."

"Just keep quiet. Your health and safety should come first. Let's just pretend that we are husband and wife. And husbands should care for their wives, right?"

"Sean, what if Calla suddenly comes and claims that she is pregnant with your baby? Would you still want to be my husband?"

"I want nothing in this world, but you. Always keep that in mind."

"What about the baby?"

"It won't happen. She was sleeping with another man."

"What if she proves it with a DNA test?"

"I'll support the baby."

"What about her?"

"There's only one woman that I love to be with forever. And that is Dr. Red Grey."

I did not answer, but these exchanges moved me again that I wanted to cry. I took a deep breath to hold back my tears. I felt being desired, wanted, and needed. And at that moment, I felt a sense of self-worth.

After a few minutes, the trail got more difficult, and I felt him breathing hard.

"Put me down," I whispered in his ear.

"No. I don't want to lose a wife just because I let her climb up a hill a few days after being discharged from the hospital."

Before I could answer, Sean suddenly tripped over a rock. He staggered but tried hard to keep his balance, and I screamed.

"I'm sorry, dear. I was too careless." He stopped and panted, not because of the labored walk, but because he got scared that I might get hurt.

"I said, put me down," I squirmed to get down, but he secured me tighter to his back.

I didn't know why I got so emotional. The tears I kept pushing back a while ago, escaped freely from my eyes. I brushed it angrily from my cheeks, embarrassed for having to cry in the presence of so many strangers.

"Sean," I whispered again.

"Yes, sweetheart."

"I want-"

"Water? Yes, sure." He stopped and put me down gently.

"No-" I said, and I felt heat rushing into my face.

"What do you need?" he said, squinting his eyes. His expression told me he got worried about why I was blushing.

"I want-I want to be your wife."

Sean suddenly swept me off from the ground and squealed.