BAIDER (ENGLISH VERSION)

ANMELA’S POV

I looked at myself in the mirror. I was wearing pitch black, a lady’s suit, slacks, and black heels. This was what Laurent made me wear. A formal attire.

He would introduce me to the whole Baider clan. I was nervous but I tried to strengthen myself. I was looking at how beautiful I was in the mirror. Suddenly, my hands touched my stomach.

Baby…

I would do everything for you and your daddy to make us a complete family. No matter how hard Laurent tried to stop me from facing the Patunay, I kept determined. He was suggesting that we hide, just hide, but I did not agree. If he hid us, our baby would not have freedom. I would not want that to happen.

No matter how bloody that Patunay was, as long as it was for him, I would do everything.

When I glanced in the mirror again, I saw Laurent’s reflection staring at me seriously. I turned to him. His face was so serious.

Suddenly, the worriedness appeared on his emotion. “Anmela, I can’t accept if something bad happened to you and our child. We still have time, we can escape.” He covered his face and sat down on the sofa dejectedly.

“How many times are we going to argue about this?” I said calmly.

I glanced at his feet from his face. He was very handsome in his formal attire which was also pure black, tuxedo, slacks and black shoes.

I sat on her lap in a side direction and hugged his neck.

“I can do this. Promise.” I showed him the assurance in my face.

“How can you handle that? You can’t even shout or yell at me? Can you fight that kind of brutality?” The tears were dripping on his cheek. Lately, he was being emotional. He kept saying how deadly that Patunay was.

I wiped his tears using my thumb. “When I say I can… I can, okay?” I kissed his cheek and buried my face on his neck for a second.

He removed my hand on him, he stared directly at my face. “Listen…” He touched my cheek and brought his face closer to mine.

“When we get out of here, don’t touch me, don’t take courage from me because they don’t want to.”

I also stared at him and listened carefully to his instructions.

I will do that!

“When any member talks to you, look at them, eye to eye, don’t joke or smile wide because they’ll think you’re playing. Answer the question from your heart. Every question they have has a corresponding answer that must be answered; will be able to satisfy them.” He sighed and looked away. “I’m scared because the first woman that my father loved… died in Patunay.”

The tremor crawled in my chest but I cleared it away immediately if I was led by fear everything would not move forward. I have to face it with all my heart for the man I have dedicated to the world.

“Promise me you’ll live.” Tears dripped from her eyes again and I wiped them away over and over again.

“I will do that because we’re going to create a huge family.” I kissed him on the cheek over and over again.

He nodded before giving me a sweet kiss on the lips. I was surprised when he lifted my suit and also gave me a kiss on the stomach.

“You’re coming back to me, huh?” He talked to my stomach as if it could answer him, as if he could see our child. “I love you my little angel.”

My tears also dropped as he said that passionately with all of his heart and love for the both of us.

He gently stroked my stomach. “I can’t stand it when I lose you.” I just wiped away his tears.

I could feel the pain he felt. I stabilized my system. I needed to pull myself together for the introduction of me to their family.

“Anmela Eris, I love you so much.” He kissed my lips again to which I responded. He was still crying as she did that.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

When we came out of the room the shiver rumbled in my chest. I forced myself to calm down and refrained from touching Laurent. We casually walked into the wide, social and long dining table. I have seen their clan, their emotions were completely black and cold. They all had serious faces, no one smiled or greeted me.

I took a deep breath but I did not let them notice it. Laurent and I sat in the middle of them all.

“Everyone, this is Anmela Eris Velasco, wanting to be part of our family,” Laurent announced but no one spoke instead they all looked bad except for Resttan who had obvious concern on his face.

I forced myself not to smile and just looked at them all and sat down seriously. Until I just saw the nods on their faces.

“Lauressa,” Lauressa said suddenly with a serious stare.

I did not get it. Is she introducing herself?

“Resttan,” he also looked at me seriously.

“Ariya,” said the beautiful woman who was a little older.

“Anton,” said the man who looked at me as if he was going to kill me at this moment.

“Cristoph,” the man frowned as he introduced himself. I think his age is far from us.

“Lucio,” the man said with a very serious face.

“Semon,” the man I think is the same as our age or younger. He had no emotion.

“Leroi.” He looked straight into my eyes. I think he was nineteen years younger.

I now understand that this was their way on how they introduced themselves. Even though I was terrified as they mentioned their name I didn’t budge. I memorized each of their names and also took a serious look at them one by one. If they were serious it was probably their tradition so I was copying that. My full attention should be on them even though my chest was pounding. When they introduced me, I noticed that their expressions were unchanging and they were all like that. Maybe it was a way for them to get me to withdraw from the wedding or join their family.

“My mom and dad,” Laurent pointed seriously to the man and woman to our right side. I just nodded, showing them that I got it.

“Now.” My attention was grabbed by Ariya’s voice. “Mention our names again and point out who they are.” Only then, I saw her smile.

Can I smile?

I imitated that too. I tilted my head before speaking again. “All right, Ariya.” I saw the shock on her face as I mentioned her name. Did he think I didn’t memorize? They were wrong if that was so.

I looked at Lauressa and pointed. “Lauressa, Resttan, Anton, Cristoph, Lucio, Semon, Leroi, and Laurent’s mom and dad,” I seriously pointed one after the other.

I could see the amazement on their faces while Laurent and Resttan’s smirk, but Lauressa’s sharp gaze touched mine.

“Unbelievable,” Ariya said while the smile was on her face.

Maybe she was the oldest member of the family. I saw it through her wrinkles, but the beauty could still be seen.

“Are you sure you want to be part of this family?” Ariya asked again with a smile.

I smiled, too, showing them how sincere I was.

I don’t know where I draw courage and bravery, but this time, I was sure I would win.

‘When I met Laurent, everything when it comes to him is sure.” I saw the amazement on their faces again.

“Back off, girl. You’ll end up at First Patunay. I’m sure you won’t survive,” Lauressa told me with a sharp look.

I also stared at her seriously. “How sure are you?”