Chapter 37: Message To Pass.

Steven woke up first. He watched Dua sleep. His admiration for her growing as he appreciated her kindness to him despite his hateful and annoying aura. She forgets all about their fights the moment he's in need of help or in a low situation, and helps him out like nothing happened between them.

As he watched her, her lips broke into a smile. "Looks like you're having a good dream this time," he chuckled. He gave her one last look and got out of bed, leaving the bedroom.

He went to the kitchen, beginning his usual duty of preparing their meals. Shane walked in minutes later, breathing in relief. "Oh, thank goodness, you're alright. It remains Dua," he said, received a raised brow from Steven.

"I was so worried that I couldn't sleep. I hoped and prayed that you both don't kill each other. And Dua she doesn't help issues sometimes," he said. "Well, it's bound to happen and I have to begin to learn how to live with a couple with severe temper issues," he sighed.

"Don't worry, we've settled." Steven replied.

"Thank God," Shane breathed in relief.

Speaking of her, how did you discover she's someone else?" Shane asked.

"I'll just give you a summary. Diane loves, cherishes and worships me, but Dua doesn't, just as you said. Diane's not a virgin but Dua was until she gave it up to me. The only thing they share in common is their look. Asides that, they're two different people," Steven explained, but the only thing that caught Shane's attention was the part that Dua was a virgin.

"Hold on...so you two have consummated your marriage?" Shane couldn't believe it.

Steven shook his head, "I already predicted you'd say that."

"Of course, I would." Shane was happy. "I'm expecting my nieces and nephews," he teased Steven.

As Steven did the finishing touches for the light, easy and quick breakfast they were about to have, Dua walked in.

"Good morning, guys," she greeted the men.

"Good morning," Shane smiled widely at her, while Steven nodded at her.

The three ate their breakfast in silence with Dua stealing glances at Steven.

"Do you have something to tell me?" Steven asked her. He noticed she was glancing at him.

"No, not really," she replied.

Steven dropped his cutlery on the table and stood up, his breakfast coming to an end. As he was about leaving, Dua spoke, "I'll be going to see my family today. I swear I won't disobey the curfew you set."

"We'll go together." Steven replied.

"What? Why?" She didn't see that coming.

"I have a message to pass." Steven replied.

"You don't need to stress yourself. Just send me, and I'll deliver it really quick," she said, but he ignored her and left the kitchen.

Dua turned to Shane, silently asking what's going on, but he simply shrugged.

"So, Dua," he began. "How did you two settle? I slept in the living room because of you both, waiting to see if you'll both do your storming in and storming out activities so I can stop you guys, but surprisingly you didn't. So what happened, why did your atmosphere suddenly become peaceful and quiet?"

Dua remembered Steven's words of asking her not to let Shane know of his health conditions and she sighed. She opened her mouth to speak, but Shane interrupted her. "Or did you two end in romance?" He teased her and she laughed awkwardly.

She finished her breakfast quickly, and went to the bedroom that was empty. Steven was no longer there.

She took her bath and got prepared to set out. She stepped out of the living room, heading to Steven's study, knowing fully well that he was there. But then she met him halfway, "I'm ready," she announced to him and he nodded, walking pass her while she followed.

"We'll get going now," Steven announced to Shane who was doing dishes.

"I like this new version of you both, make sure you never change," Shane smiled while Dua forced out a smile. "This version is only untill knucklehead scatters things," she said to herself. But Steven heard her, he looked at her and shook his head.

"Bye," she said to Shane who smiled at her, and they left the house together.

As they stepped out of the house, the familiar smell of fresh grass and blooming flowers hit them. It was a beautiful day, free of the usual tension that had lingered between them lately. Steven walked with purpose, occasionally glancing at Dua, who was trying to keep up with his long strides.

"Are you sure you want to come with me?" Dua asked, trying to gauge whether he really meant to accompany her or if it was just an obligation. "I mean, you have your own things to handle."

Steven halted before his car, a hint of amusement dancing on his lips. "I have a message to pass," he explained. "And besides, someone needs to keep a sleepyhead like you in check," he said, entering the car.

Dua rolled her eyes, scoffing as she entered the car too. "Thank you, Steven. I appreciate it," she said, her tone sarcastic and Steven tried hard to suppress his chuckle.

Few hours later, they arrived at Dua's family house. They arrived at the doorstep, and Dua took a deep breath before knocking, already anticipating the loads of questions she was about to answer. Moments later, the door swung open, revealing Denise, who immediately broke into a wide smile. “Sis! You’re here!” She lunged at her Dua with excitement, nearly knocking her down with a tight hug.

Dua sighed, knowing that the more reason Denise was excited to see her was that they would finally get answers to their questions.

She pulled away from Dua and smiled at Steven, "hi, brother-in-law."

"Hi," Steven gave her a short reply.

They went into the house and they all greeted each other. After the greetings, Dua was pulled by her siblings into their mother's bedroom.

Stella shook her head at her children's behavior and then smiled at Steven. "Please give us a moment," she said and went to her bedroom.

"We're listening, sis." Denise said and Dua sighed. "Fine, as you all wish."

"Good, you should have just stuck to being Dua Sinclair and the compensation he was willing to give us. Why did you decide to go back with him?" Stella asked.

"We need the money, which he was willing to give us in choice one so why did you go with the second choice, sis? Desmond said.

"Being his wife I can get more money, that's the plan," she smiled but they didn't buy it. They knew she wasn't telling the truth yet.

Seeing the look on their faces, she sighed again. Fine...because I wanna solve the mystery behind Diane's disappearance, and also solve him. Third and newly added reason is that I discovered he really needs support in every aspect of his life, especially emotional support," she explained.

Denise furrowed her brows at her, giving her a close look. "Are you in love with him?" She asked.

"What nonsense are you spewing out of your mouth?" Dua glared at her.

"She's right sis, that's the only plausible reason for what you've just narrated to us." Desmond said.

"I'm not in love with him yet," Dua replied.

"Yet?" Desmond raised a brow at her. "Which means you're likely to fall in love with him?"

This was when Dua realized what she said. Was she really falling for Steven? She scoffed at herself, Desmond's question sinking into her head."Wake up, Dua, it'd be ridiculous if you fall in love with him," she said silently to herself.