Marry Me, Miss Villainess - Chapter 96：PICNIC

Yago looked up and watched as thin white cirrus clouds scattered under the clear blue sky. It was such a beautiful morning and everyone seemed to be having fun. Arianna and Belle were setting the grill while Roy was silently sitting on the riverbank holding a fishing rod.

“Brother. This is so much fun, right? We used to only play with our mommies. Now we have daddies too!”, Aaliyah happily commented as they were seated on a picnic blanket.

Albee nodded. “Do you like your dad?”, he asked.

“Very much!” she replied. Her already bright eyes sparkled even more with delight. “Oh, speaking of dad, I think I’ll head over there to accompany him for a bit. I don’t want him to be lonely.”she stated as she watch her dad sit alone on the far end.

Albee chuckled. “Go ahead!”, he said. There’s no need to tell her that Roy was really isolating himself to catch some fish, right? Chatty Aaliyah will surely scare away the fish, but hey! At least Aaliyah is fun to be with! He wondered if he should join them later…. You know! Just to piss Roy off! His grumpy expression sure was precious!

“May I sit here with you, buddy?”, Yago asked the boy from behind. He has been watching the kids’ interaction and honestly, it reminded him of himself and Arianna. Little kids who got along perfectly.

Albee turned to see the man behind him. “Sure.” he replied before looking away again. He had always lived without a father, and he didn’t think he’ll ever have one so he didn’t know how to treat the man behind him.

Yago sat beside the boy but didn’t look at him. He too, focused his eyes on the father and daughter sitting side by side on the riverbank. Unlike their sweet interactions, Yago and Albee were often awkward to each other like this. Yago wished he was there when Albee was born. Maybe he had time to adjust and learn how to be a good father. But there are no ifs in this world. He could only face all this head on.

“Sorry for intruding. It’s supposed to be your date with Aaliyah afterall.”

“It’s alright. We’re kids. We love things like this….having fun with our family and friends. Do you really think I’m that corrupted?” the little boy jested. “I’ll go with whatever makes Aaliyah happy..”

Yago raised his brows. The kid sure knows a lot. And corrupted? He was only thinking maybe he wanted to have Aaliyah’s undivided attention. He was like that when he was a child. He loved spending time with Arianna; just the two of them. But it looked like his son is so much better than him. Currently, for example. He enjoyed watching Aaliyah having fun from a distance. He’s so open-minded and selfless.

“Roy is such a good father, don’t you think?”, he remarked as they both watch Roy and Aaliyah from their seat. “If you could choose, would you rather have someone like him as a father?” Yago asked all of a sudden. As he looked at the father and daughter pair, he couldn’t help but envy their close relationship.

Albee turned to Yago and looked at his face intently. He then followed his gaze and with his cold expression, tilted his head. “Roy? Nah… If he’s my father, then it’ll be a disaster.” he said before chuckling. He likes making fun of the man. If he’s his father, he couldn’t tease him anymore. Moreover, he didn’t want to share a father with Aaliyah! But he didn’t voice any of these leaving Yago with his baffled expression.

“How about you?” Albee turned to his father again as he asked the same question. “Would you like someone like Aaliyah as your kid?” Albee uttered with a smile.

Yago was left speechless by that question. Should he answer his question truthfully? But that could offend the little guy. Actually, he thinks all this won’t be this difficult if he had a daughter instead of a son. The moment he first saw Aaliyah in the playground, he thought to himself, ‘How good would it be if I have a sweet child like her.’ But how can he say such a cruel thing to his own son?

Sensing his father’s hesitation, Albee smiled and urged him to reply. “It’s alright. Honesty is rewarded with trust!” he said.

Yago sighed. What a sly kid. ” Alright. I admit. I like Aaliyah but…”

“That’s good.” Albee immediately replied cutting off the rest of his words. “I promise I’ll try my best to bring her home someday… so she can be your daughter.” he added as he gave his dad a side glance. “But that would take some time. So in the mean time, you have to try having another baby with Mum. I want a sister too. I hope you won’t give me a brother instead.” he said, teasing his dad.

Yago was dumbfounded. This kid is totally cool! He’s so easy to get along with and amazingly matured for his age. It’s sad to think that because of his absence, Albee was forced to mature early, but as a father, he’s very proud of this son! He’s ashamed to admit that he might not need him at all just like what the boy always say, but he’ll do his best to occupy a space in his life; watch him grow and give him assistance.

With a smile, Yago ruffled the boy’s hair. “Buddy… You’re dad is very proud of you. You’re really Arianna’s child. Always thinks differently than the others.” he commented.

Albee glanced at Arianna who were busy grilling meat from a distance. No one have ever told him that. Was he really like his mum? “Tell me more about her when she was young.”

Yago too, turned towards the women. “Your mum? She always had a different perspective than the others. When she was eight, I stole her dog because I was jealous. She spent all of her time playing with the little thing. But while I was running away to hide the puppy, I slipped and fell into the river. I went home all wet and told her what happened. The puppy drowned and I was so sure she would get furious. But she didn’t. She hugged me and told me she was glad I’m alright.” Arianna forgave him but he lived with the guilt for the next decade. He promised not to be selfish again and always prioritize Arianna’s happiness. That was why he didn’t oppose Arianna’s obsession with Jayden Bates back then. He thought as long as she’s happy, then everything is alright….

Albee stared at his father who was gazing at his mum with his loving look. He obviously adored his mother very much. The fact that he was existing as part of this great love story warmed Albee’s little heart. He used to think that he’s fatherless because Yago didn’t want them. But now, he’s beginning to like the idea of having this man in his family.

“So…” Albee said nudging the man’s arm. “When are you going to marry my mum?”

Yago snapped out of his daze and glanced at the little boy’s teasing gaze. Marry her? He has to ask her first!

***

“Brother! We caught some fish!”, Aaliyah yelled and waved at Albee as she was running towards them.

Albee waved back with a smile. He waited until Aaliyah got a little closer before pulling a canned soda from the picnic basket and opening it before handing it over to the little girl. “Here!”

Aaliyah took it and drank it after sitting on the picnic blanket. She then turned to him and asked with excited eyes, “Did you do it? Did you ask if Uncle Yago plans to marry Mum?”,Aaliyah probed.

“Yes. He said there’s no rush. I think he’s afraid Mum would turn him down.” he commented.

Aaliyah went silent for a while. She then turned to look at the women who were almost done with cooking and then to the men who were unfolding a wooden table and setting it up not too far away. It was as if she was contemplating about something. A few moment later, Aaliyah turned to Albee and smiled. “I hope your parents can get married soon.” she said with a smile. “Tell Mum I want to be the flower girl!” she added.

***

The two families enjoy a hearty lunch. The ladies grilled meat and fish and there were other dishes too. But after the meal, Aaliyah approached Arianna and suddenly hugged her, taking her by surprise. “Mum, I want to get some ice cream.” the girl whispered to Arianna’s ear.

Arianna was stunned at the girl’s request. She saw her ate a large portion of the meal. Was she still hungry? She glanced at Belle who was busy chatting with Roy. Should she tell her? It’s just a little ice cream. It’s alright to give the kids some, perhaps?

“Alright. But the ice cream is in the car. I’ll get some for you.” she whispered back.

“I’ll come with you! Let’s take brother, too!” Aaliyah replied with eager eyes.

***

“I’m taking Belle to the amusement park. She’s never been to one before. How about you?”, Roy asked. Belle left for a while to look for the kids and he was left alone with Yago.

“I already have something in mind but I’m still working on it.” Yago answered. They were talking about the Valentine’s date they’ve never had with their wife yet. Roy could take it easy because Belle is already his wife, but Arianna has yet to marry Yago so this date must turn out well. It was like wooing Arianna all over again and everything he does will be scored according to his effort!

Yago smiled and was about to thank him but they were both distracted when Belle’s worried voice echoed from a distance. She was running towards them and was shouting something but they couldn’t hear her clearly.

Yago stood up from his chair and ran towards her. For some reason, Belle’s expression made him nervous.

“What happened?”, he yelled.

“Arianna and the kids! I can’t find them!” she replied.