Chapter 28 — Choked

Alexis's POV:

I awkwardly straightened my body as I felt their eyes on me, his mom and dad, and also his sister.

I gulped, then took a long deep breath with my eyes fixed on Kylie, who looked back at me with so much mischief and innocence.

"Welcome…er, er, A-A—"

"Alexis's dad, Alexis." Emily reminded, and he shook his head.

"I'm sorry, I'm getting old, so I tend to forget some things." He apologized.

"It's no problem at all, sir." I smiled back.

My relationship with Mr. Matthews has always been good. He was fond of me even when I was Mackenzie. He never yelled at me and was always smiling whenever we were together.

"Good evening, ma'am and Emily." I greeted them both with a smile.

"Good evening dear, why don't you take a seat. We were waiting for you." She answered and emphasized the waiting part.

I awkwardly moved and took a seat that was far from everyone, causing them to stare at me.

"Why sit far away from everyone? We're not gonna bite you." Mr. Matthews laughed.

My heart would not stop beating fast. I got up around moved again, this time closer to them. I just played with the bracelet I had on.

Then suddenly, like a light switch went on in my head. I remember that Kylie was here, but they both weren't in the dining room.

My eyes drifted to the window and noticed Kylie having a conversation with Kyle outside, and my lips turned into a smile.

I'm like a creep, watching them both talk outside.

A lady in a uniform came to the table and brought a few dishwares that contained what I presumed to be food.

"So when were you planning on telling us wh—"

Mrs. Matthews paused when she noticed Kyle enter with Kylie in his arms. Her eyes froze on both of them.

"Family," Kyle started. "This is Kylie, my daughter. Your granddaughter and niece." He announced to the table.

Before anyone could say anything, he started again. "And Kylie," he looked at her. "These are your grandparents and your aunt Emily." He carefully whispered to her.

"W—"

"And also before I forget. Family, this is also Alexis." He paused again. "The mother of your granddaughter." He smiled at me.

"Hi, grandparents!" She screamed. "Hi, Aunt Emily!"

"Hello, Kylie!" Emily screamed back, sweeping Kylie off the floor and into her arms.

I could see Mr. Matthews's watery eyes, but he cleared his throat. "Come here." He called Kylie.

After Emily put her down, she slowly walked over to him.

"Hi Kylie," he said, going down to her height. "Just so you know, your grandpa isn't really the emotional one, but uh... Welcome to the family, and, uh, the doors of this house are always open to you, so come here whenever you want because this is your house too. And also, I might just be meeting you for the first time but know that I already adore you," he said, then hugged her.

"Wait! Why did you say all that?! Now, what do I tell her." Mrs. Matthews rolled her eyes.

"Well, hi, I'm your grandma. What do I say? Well, I would really like to get to know you better." She smiled and took her into her arms.

"Your eyes are really pretty." She said again.

"Thank you, Grandma! They look like yours! You have the same eye color as my dad and me!"

"Such a sweet girl."

"Well, let's proceed to dinner then." Kyle clapped his hands together.

Kylie proceeded to sit with sit next to me and in the middle of Kyle and myself.

The dinner that started awkwardly got better. The conversations, everyone getting to know Kylie better. I felt good, really good seeing her interact with her family.

"Um..," I cleared my throat, causing all eyes to gaze at me. "I'm sorry for keeping Kylie away from you. I know you must be a little bit curious as to why I had another identity and keep her away from you all, so I'll explain."

"Alexis, you don't have to." Kyle pitched in.

"I do." I gave him a reassuring smile. "I changed my name a few years ago because of certain things. I met Penelope at a cafe, and she talked me into being her wedding planner. At first, I didn't know who the person she was marrying was until I met both of them at Kyle's office. I realized that he had moved on, and I couldn't destroy their relationship by introducing them to my daughter. So I thought it would be better for everyone if I just kept Kylie away." I sighed when I finished talking and gulped down a glass of wine.

"He obviously didn't get over you because if he did, he wouldn't have been at your house that morning." His mother added, and Kyle choked on his wine.

She said it.

In front of everyone.

Shit.

Who knows what they'll think about me now?

"Mom!" He yelled, but his mother kept her calm demeanor.

"I'm not trying to make you feel embarrassed. I don't mind anyway." She said.

"Oh wow, stop. You both were still seeing each other in secret?" Kyle's father asked, slightly amused.

"No"

"Yes."

I looked at Kyle, who, in return, looked back at me.

"I didn't want to let her go because I loved her, and I still love her now," he admitted, not taking his eyes off me for even a second.

I bit my tongue, trying to make myself not blush or say something I will regret later, and broke our eye contact.

"What do you mean, Kyle? Do you still have feelings for her?" his father asked, and I just carried a piece of bread and stuffed it In my mouth.

I tried to give him some eye signal to Kyle, but he didn't bother looking my way.

"Yes." He admitted again.

Please stop talking.

"Interesting." Mr. Matthews nodded. "The wedding wasn't called, though. You both are aware, right?" he added.

"What?" we said in unison.

"Tell me, do you feel the same way he does?" his mom asked me, and everyone heard it.

Shit.

This was a bad idea.

Why did they put me on the spot?

What do I say?

You'll say no, obviously. His father just said the wedding wasn't canceled.

"Well—"

"Test the truth, though." My heart whispered to me.

What's the use of listening to your heart? Listen to your brain.

"Uh.." I stuttered. "Yes?" I managed to say.

I could see a broad smile plastered on Kyle's face, and I poured wine into my glass again.

"Would you like to marry him?" His father questioned, and this time, I choked on my wine.

"E-Excuse me, sir?"

"Yes or No?"

"I mean, it would be nice to be family and all, so yes?"

"Then it is settled. You both will get engaged tomorrow."

"What?" Kyle and I said in unison while Mr. and Mrs. Matthews gave each other a rewarding smile.