Chapter 124 Chapter 42.1

Chapter 124 Chapter 42.1
We were all happily enjoying dinner together. Our long dining table was completely filled. The Velasquez family sat on one side while my family occupied the other. Chairman sat at one end of the table while Dad sat at the opposite end.
Desmond sat on our side because Daryl was seated between us. There was so much food that it felt like we were celebrating a fiesta. The whole place was so lively, it almost felt like Christmas night or New Year's Eve. I guess a family can really be happy even without a special occasion. Sometimes, some families only become complete during special occasions, like reunions, birthdays, Christmas, and New Year.
I could barely understand everyone anymore because they were all busy chatting with one another. I was taking care of Daryl, and Desmond was doing the same.
“What do you all think? Wouldn't it be nice if we had dinner together every single day?” Mommy Shiermy suggested.
“We wouldn't have any problem with that if that's what all of you want. We'll visit your place sometimes too, so it won't always be you coming over to ours. As long as none of us are busy, we can all have dinner together,” Dad replied.
“I think it's better if we only do it once in a while. You might get tired of seeing us if we do this every night, and the excitement might disappear if it becomes an everyday thing,” Mom suggested. “Don't get me wrong. I'm really happy to be with all of you. I'm happy that we're finally complete. I'm just thinking that we might not enjoy special occasions anymore because they'll just feel like ordinary days if we're already having dinner together every night.” she explained further. She was right. Special occasions wouldn't feel as exciting anymore if we were always together every night.
“She has a point. It's still more enjoyable if we do it once in a while or only during special occasions,” Grandpa agreed. Everyone nodded, and in the end, they all agreed to do it only on special occasions or every now and then.
The room suddenly fell silent when a cellphone rang. I looked at Desmond because it was his phone.
“Why don't you answer it? It might be important,” I said to him. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and answered it.
“Hello? Who is this?” he asked quietly. Everyone continued talking while I kept my attention on Desmond. I had no idea who he was talking to. I couldn't hear what the other person was saying, especially when his brows suddenly furrowed.
He glanced at me but didn't say anything. Who called him? Why did he suddenly look worried?
“I'm sorry, I can't come. I'm having dinner with my family,” he replied before ending the call and continuing to eat. I didn't ask him anything because we were still sitting with our families.
We all stayed at the dining table for almost an hour. After we finished eating, everyone moved to the living room. I had been noticing for a while now that Desmond seemed restless. Ever since he received that call earlier, it was as if his mood had completely changed. I still hadn't asked him who had called or what they had said.
Our families were busy chatting, so I walked over to him. He looked at me when I stopped beside him.
“Are you okay?” I asked. He smiled, but I knew that smile never reached his eyes.
“Of course. I'm having such a wonderful night, love. I wish it could always be like this.”
“Don't lie to me. Who called you earlier, and what did they say? You've looked troubled ever since then. Did something happen? Do you need to leave?” I asked. He let out a deep sigh. Just from that sigh alone, I knew something was weighing heavily on his mind.
“It was Macie. I don't know if what she said was true. She was crying earlier and sounded terrified. She wanted me to come to her condo, but I don't want to leave all of you here. Macie and I have been over for a long time now, her problems aren't mine anymore. Don't think about it.” he said as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. He took a sip of his wine, but I could still tell he was deeply bothered.
I had a feeling he wanted to go see Macie, especially if she was really crying and scared. I couldn't stop myself from feeling jealous because even though they had been apart for a long time, Macie still occupied a place in his heart, but if making sure she was okay was the only way to ease his worries, then I had to let him go.
I looked at our families, who were still happily enjoying themselves.
“If you want to go check on her, then go. I know you're worried about her,” I said without looking at him. I could see from the corner of my eye that he turned to look at me.
“Love, I don't have any feelings for Macie anymore. I don't want to hurt you again.”
“You're not drunk this time, are you? You're in your right mind, so you know exactly what you're doing. If you won't have peace of mind until you've checked on her, then it's better if you just go. I trust you,” I said as I looked at him and smiled. His brows remained knitted together. It was as if he was still hesitating whether he should follow what I had said.
“It'll be better if you check on her. Don't worry about me because I'll be fine. I understand that you're still worried about her.” I gently held his arm and softly rubbed it.
He let out another deep sigh.
“I promise, I'll come back. As soon as I know she's okay, I'll come back right away. I promise.” I smiled and nodded at him. “I won't say goodbye to them anymore. Just tell them why I had to leave.” he added, and I simply nodded.
He set his wine glass down before leaving. Our families didn't even notice that he was gone. I let out a quiet sigh. I wondered what was happening to Macie right now. Is she okay? Or is she still hurting because she lost everything, Desmond and her career? I hope she's fine, and I hope she won't do anything again that could destroy the relationship Desmond and I had worked so hard to fix.
There was fear and uneasiness in my heart, especially knowing that the two of them were alone together in the same room, but I chose to trust Desmond. Surely, he wouldn't betray me again after everything we had gone through to fix our relationship.
Our families were having so much fun that none of us noticed how late it had become. They didn't even realize Desmond was gone, and I didn't tell them either. I excused myself and said that Daryl and I would head upstairs first because he was already asleep. He was exhausted from playing all day.
It was already past midnight, but I still couldn't fall asleep because I wanted to wait for Desmond. Three hours had already passed since he left, yet he still hadn't returned. I couldn't even call him because he had left his cellphone behind.
Every time I imagined the two of them alone together in the same room, it felt as if my heart was being sliced apart. I didn't know if I could survive being hurt for a second time. All I could do was hope that he wouldn't betray me again.
Please, Desmond, I believe in you.