It'll Come Naturally

Annie looked Leena earnestly and put on a small smile. She offered, "Why don't you let me help you? I did say I wanted to learn some things from you, after all." Despite Annie having seen Patricia and Michelle, there was still this lingering feeling inside her heart that she just couldn't enter their world. Leena looked at Annie for a moment then responded, "Alright. Come with me." Leena then turned the stove off and took the pan with the dish she had just cooked with her to the dining area. Annie followed, "I've already finished cooking the dishes so... maybe you could help me out in setting the table. Or, if that's too simple for you then, I can free up some time to teach you." "Ah, no! Not at all!" Annie replied with a smile.Content is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

"I'm usually free when I finish my work these days so, I'm just really looking for something to keep myself preoccupied. And I appreciate your kind suggestion. After I finish my work these days, let's have some time so I can learn a lot from you. Thank you so much." Annie then started to make her way to the dining room but, something caught her attention. It was the view of all men in the area, playing and laughing along with the kids. One child, Joyce, who was a girl, was also well protected. It was such a heart-warming view to see. And it made Annie's heart ache.

'I wonder how long happiness such as these would last...' Annie thought to herself as she gazed at the view longingly. Annie bit her lip. 'When Rain told me he was going to talk to me later, his expression seemed so serious..."

Breaking Annie away from her trail of thoughts was none other than Leena's sweet voice. "Isn't it beautiful, Annie?" Annie turned to see Leena who was looking at the same view. Leena had a soft and delicate expression on her face. Annie knew that Leena felt blessed for what she had.

Annie then looked back at the view in front of them. "Hey... Thanks Leena... For inviting me." If Leena hadn't invited Annie over, her secret would still be in the shadows, and Rain would never have a chance to even know that he had children.

Living with a heavy secret was never easy.

Leena smiled at Annie. "You're welcome. And hey, don't act so distant with me. Also, correct me if I'm wrong but, you're not married, right?" There's a saying that goes that women would always be more intelligent than men due to their innate 'sixth sense.' When Leena knew that Huey and Joyce were Rain's children, all the questions and doubts she had within herself were answered. She sighed in relief as she knew a happy ending was waiting for Rain.

"Uh, no! I never said that I was married!" Annie protested. "You guys are completely out of it!" Though, in the deepest depths of Annie's heart, she felt ashamed of what she had done. Annie had, indeed misled them and never admitted it. Even when she gave a tacit consent to Rain, she kept her lips shut as she was too angry with Rain.

Leena shyly smiled. "Yeah, it's our fault. I mean, we just assumed. That's why everything becomes so complicated." Annie never said anything about being married. All just completely assumed that she was as well.

"It's also my fault," Annie responded, her tone somber. "I deceived you guys." Annie was completely full of regrets when they had questioned her. Annie kept asking herself why didn't she just explain everything clearly rather than let go.

"Are we counseling each other right now?" Annie jested. "Aren't we supposed to be preparing lunch?" Leena laughed. "Ah, right! Lunch! We almost forgot!"

"Then, let's get started," Annie said and laughed as well. "They're probably starving!" Annie felt comfortable around Leena. Leena was like her warmth, her light that would never fail to illuminate the darkness inside her heart.

Laughter and smiles were present all throughout the lunch party in Waterside. All stayed at the area, enjoying themselves until the sun had switched places with the moon.

When dinner was over, they said their goodbyes and see you laters to one another and one by one did the guests start to make their departure.

Rain sent Annie and the children home and insisted he stay and spend some time with the kids, completely trying to get his mind off of the problem he needed to face very soon. Throughout the whole family party, he barely kept himself together regarding Annie and Fred. When the children grew tired, he bathed them and tucked them to sleep.

Rain made his way back to the living room and already saw Annie sitting down on the couch with her hands together.

Now that the festivities were over, both knew that it was time to face this problem head on.

When Rain arrived, Annie stood up and spoke, her voice giving away how nervous she was, "W-Would you like something? H-How about some coffee? Or maybe s-some tea?"

"Iced water," Rain answered simply and took the seat across her. Rain thought that maybe a glass of iced water would cool down his nerves.

On the other hand, Annie was surprised. She stared at him for a brief moment, remembering that she had also done the same in Belinda's office.

"I-I'll just get you some warm water," Annie responded. Annie then made her way to the kitchen and poured Rain a glass of warm water and eventually made her way back to the living room, placing the glass of warm water in front of Rain. She completely ignored Rain's request.

"Isn't there something you'd like to tell me?" Rain started. The question shocked Annie but, she knew it was coming.

As long as the thought of Annie marrying another man with their kids crossed Rain's mind, he was more than upset. He felt annoyed. The more he had talked and laughed with his children, the pain in his heart grew bigger.

Annie then sat herself down across Rain. She rubbed her hands together and asked, "What would you like to know?"

"Why the hell didn't you come back to me and why did you marry that damn guy?" Rain didn't even want to mention that man's name. It felt like poison to him.

"If I had come back to you, judging from your attitude towards me at that time, wouldn't you think that the kids were my bargaining chip to threaten you into marrying me?" Annie answered Rain with another question. The last thing Annie would like to see was having Rain marry her just because of the children but not because of love. She would rather give up a marriage devoid of love.

Rain then looked at Annie in the eyes. "So, in your opinion, I'm a shallow human being?" Rain huffed, averting his gaze away from her as he wore a bitter smile. "I see how it is."

"It was my problem," Annie responded, her voice full of conviction. The last thing Annie wanted to hear was Rain blaming himself. "I just wasn't confident about myself." Rather, Annie was uncertain about him and their relationship.

"You wanna know something?" Rain looked at her with a sarcastic smile, though his eyes were full of deep sorrow. "You're an expert at knowing how to piss me off." "I--"

Annie's eyes widened at Rain's statement. She couldn't say anything thus, she just lowered her head and avoided his piercing gaze.

It hurt Rain to see Annie like this. He had to resist the urge to hold her in his arms and tell her he was sorry. But, Rain knew he wasn't the same Rain Annie had been with before. He was no longer a man who would easily be swayed with his emotions. Rain would not move until he had confirmed that one thing he wanted from Annie.

That was if, she had continued loving him. Annie then took the courage to raise her head and meet Rain's gaze head on but only to find herself looking back down, unable to do so. Annie held her hands together tightly.

"So, tell me." Rain said, his voice barren of emotion. "What's your plan, hmm?"☐☐☐☐