THE OUT OF MY LEAGUE

25

“Victoria?”

Lily's eyes scoured a car that stopped in front of an elementary school stop. Inside, a woman is waving to Lily and Mary, who are waiting for the bus to come home.

“Lily!”

Victoria got out of the car and approached them. His smile was so carefree, different from the previous Victoria. Maybe it's because their relationship has been better since the last time Victoria told Lily everything.

“What's up?” Lily asked with a sweet smile that greeted Victoria.

“I want to talk to you about something. Can you come with me? We're talking in a cafe near here only.”

Lily looked at Mary. “Mary want to come, no?”

Mary bit her finger, then nodded shyly. Lily looked back at Titania, “Ayo.”

The three of them then went to a cafe where the last time Victoria took Mary there, when Darren and Lily rushed in and took Mary from her mother. But now, Victoria can freely look at her beautiful daughter thanks to Lily who allows her.

“Hai!” Victoria drugs cheerfully across the table, smiling at Mary to make the boy cheerful.

“Hai Aunty,” Mary replied shyly.

Victoria giggled, it was okay if her daughter called her Aunt, the most important thing was that she could see Mary again without having to do reckless things.

“Oh, yes. Mary likes what flavor cake?”

Mary thought, her cheeks were tapped. Then suddenly raised his finger and answered his spirit, “Vanilla!”

Victoria nodded. Then call the waiter and order them a light snack along with a refreshing drink. After the maid left, Victoria took her bag and took something out of it. A purple wedding invitation.

Both of Lily's eyebrows shot up in shock, her lips gaping. Victoria had confided in the past that her return in the Philippines was aimed at marrying a respected businessman named Ethan Ishikawa.

“Are you getting married this month?” Lily did not believe it.

Victoria gave the invitation to Lily's hand, Lily accepted it with a sparkling look.

“Iya, the date is accelerated another week.”

Lily mangosteen. “The invitation is very beautiful,” while checking the contents of the invitation whose design looks different from the invitation he has seen.

“It was Ethan who chose it. I hope you family will attend.” There was a sad smile on the corner of Victoria's lips.

Lily nodded for sure, reassuring him. “I'll do.”

...----------------...

The door opened without being knocked, Lily walked in and approached Darren's desk. The man looked serious behind his computer, but was immediately distracted as soon as he felt Lily's presence.

Darren smiles. “What's up, Lily?”

Lily carefully lays Victoria and Ethan's wedding invitation on Darren's desk. Darren's brows frowned then picked it up to read.

“This ..” Darren looked up at Lily's eyes, looking for answers.

“Victoria wants us to come to her wedding,” cut Lily.

Actually the last time Darren met Ethan, the man said he would invite Darren to his wedding. Before finally a split second later Victoria appeared and was introduced as the man's fiancee, Darren certainly so careless to think of leaving if one day Ethan would actually invite her.

“What Victoria came to give you directly?” Darren glanced at the invitation he was holding again.

“Iya.”

“When?”

“While Mary and I were waiting for the bus to get home from school.”

“Lalu ... What Victoria---”

“Darren ..” Lily called out softly, approaching him. Then, as if knowing Darren's anxiety, he said, “Victoria hasn't revealed that she is Mary's real mother. We've both talked about this, Victoria said she wants Mary to stay out of her real mother if you don't want her. He appreciates your decision because he knew from the beginning he was the one at fault.”

Darren frowned deeply, not wanting to believe. “He said that to you?”

Lily smiled, choosing a cool-headed face towards Darren. “You may not know, and may not want to believe, but we both have become good friends. There's a lot of suffering in her life that you never know, Darren. So much so that it took a great deal of courage to open it up in front of a person like myself. If only you would listen to him, if only you would understand him ... Maybe you and he don't have to fight like this anymore. Wouldn't it be good that Mary would find out who her birth mother was?”

Darren bowed. Doubt pervades his heart and mind.

“I don't want to make up with him, Lily. But every time I think about what he did, in my eyes he'll always be the worst person I know. I don't want Mary to know someone like her.”

Lily drew closer, grabbed Darren's chin and cupped the man's face. “Darren, every human being has a reason behind his actions. Victoria is just a human being, she is a woman, a creature of weak heart. If only you would listen and understand her suffering and throw away your selfishness, wouldn't you want things to be a happy ending for them, us, and Mary herself?”

Darren looked on wistfully, reflecting the sadness that had been buried deep through his eyes. Darren knew how hard he wanted to forgive, it was still so difficult. However, Lily's words are true, Darren wants everyone to have their own happy ending, and honestly he doesn't want Mary to be overwhelmed later on.

“What should I do, Lily?” Weaknessed.

“Talk carefully with Victoria, I know you will definitely forgive her. Do this for Mary. For the sake of being together. I'm sure Mary would be happy if she had two mothers who loved her.”

Darren looked at Lily's face for a long time, absorbing the positive energy emitted from the woman's smile.

“Will I try.”