4 - A Mother's request

"Hi, hija! You’re really beautiful. Now, I’m even more excited to see my future grandchild," Diana greeted warmly, pressing a kiss on Garnet’s cheek.

"Not really… just a little," Garnet responded shyly.

John watched his mother closely. Her eyes sparkled with happiness and hope. For years, she had longed for him to settle down and give her grandchildren. Now, it seemed that dream was finally within reach.

"I prepared a delicious meal. Would you like to eat first?" Diana offered.

Garnet nodded in response, but John quickly noticed something—his mother hadn’t even glanced at him.

Oh, so Garnet is her real child, not me.

"Kuya!" Ashley’s voice cut through his thoughts as she rushed toward him. Finally, someone acknowledged his presence. She turned to Garnet with a mischievous grin.

"Woah! Your fiancée is here," she teased, her tone laced with irritation and irritating his ear.

'Oh, c'mon Ashley... not this time.'

John narrowed his eyes to her annoying sister. He still hadn’t forgotten the absurd questionnaire she had made him answer. Was that even a real project? It felt more like a slambook than an academic assignment. Was she just messing with him?

Ashley walked over and hugged Garnet. Wait—were they even that close?

"You look stunning, even in such a simple outfit," Ashley complimented her.

Garnet responded with only a delicate smile.

"Oh, Kuya John, you’re just jealous! Look at how pretty Ate Garnet is!" Ashley teased again.

John scowled. He resisted the urge to smack her with a slipper and instead pinched her side, motioning for her to keep quiet.

"Gay," Ashley suddenly blurted out, making both Garnet and their mother turn to her.

John froze. His face paled.

Ashley quickly recovered, forcing a laugh. "My instructor is gay."

Ashley glanced at Garnet before continuing, "He’s interested in dating Kuya John. Honestly, I’m already annoyed at how handsome my brother is, even my classmates want to date him 'cause of his charming face. What about you, Ate Garnet? Do you think he’s good-looking?"

John noticed his mother’s lips twitch slightly before she masked it with a warm smile.

"Of course! He is," Garnet answered casually.

Ashley squealed. "See? I told you, Kuya! You’re handsome!"

John shot her a warning glare, signaling for her to shut her mouth. She was getting way too talkative.

As the three of them chatted, John felt increasingly out of place. No one was engaging him in conversation, and it was starting to irritate him. His father was away on a business trip in Singapore, leaving only his mother and Ashley at home.

Sipping his coffee, he tried to stay patient.

Then, his mother dropped the bomb.

"Flord, after the wedding, you and Garnet should have a baby right away."

John choked on his coffee, coughing violently. Ashley burst into laughter but quickly stifled it when she saw his warning glare.

"That can wait until we’re both ready," Garnet answered politely.

Diana’s expression remained firm. "Oh, come on, Garnet. Esmeralda and I aren’t getting any younger. We’ve been dreaming of having a grandchild for so long."

Garnet’s mother, Esmeralda, was also eager to have grandkids.

"Mom, we’ll get there eventually," John interjected.

Garnet quickly nodded in agreement.

Diana sighed, almost like a silent prayer. "I know, but I hope it happens this year."

"Exactly! Hurry up and have a baby!" Ashley chimed in.

John shot her another sharp look.

"What, Kuya? Mom’s right. It’s not like you’re the one who has to give birth—it’s Ate Garnet," Ashley teased, pointing at Garnet.

Garnet simply smiled, while John cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Okay… maybe this year," he said hesitantly.

Garnet turned to look at him, eyes wide with surprise.

He had no choice. He had to lie.

"That’s settled then! I’ll call Esmeralda later—I have good news for her!" Diana said excitedly.

Then, the unexpected happened.

"I don’t want to get pregnant."

The room fell into silence. All three of them turned to look at Garnet.

Realizing her mistake, Garnet quickly corrected herself. "Uhmm… I mean—I’m not ready yet."

That was a much better way to phrase it.

Diana’s expression hardened. John could see the disappointment in her eyes. And his mother was not someone you wanted to disappoint.

He attempted to smooth things over. "Mom, we nee—"

But Diana raised a hand, silencing him. Her gaze remained locked on Garnet.

"Garnet, having children is difficult, but the joy of being a mother is priceless. We were born as women, and one of our purposes in this world is to be mothers," she said sincerely.

John sighed. Not all women are destined to be mothers. Some want children, while others don’t. Maybe Garnet just wasn’t ready yet. She was only 24. Most women her age preferred to enjoy life before taking on the responsibilities of motherhood.

Garnet took a deep breath. "I understand what you’re looking forward to, Mrs. Congreene, but there’s no need to rush things. Being a parent isn’t easy. I’m just not ready yet—but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to become a mother someday. I’m sorry."

Diana’s eyes squinted a bit. "When? When will you be ready?"

Garnet fell silent.

Diana sighed. "Fine, it’s your decision. We can’t force you if you’re not ready. I’ll leave you three to talk."

Without another word, she stood up and left the room.

Ashley sighed. "I apologize on Mom’s behalf, Ate Garnet. She just gets too excited about having grandkids."

John rubbed his forehead, feeling drained and disgruntled.

---

Later, After Leaving John’s Parents’ House

As they walked away, Garnet spoke up, her voice filled with worry.

"I feel like your mother is mad at me. She wouldn’t even look me in the eye when we were leaving."

John could hear the guilt in her tone.

"She gets upset easily. Ashley takes after her—quick to sulk," he muttered.

Garnet sighed. "I want to apologize again. I was just being honest about how I feel, but I think I disappointed her."

John glanced at her. "You just have to understand that as people get older, they become more sensitive and emotional. She only asks for one thing—a grandchild. Even though she can be over-the-top and overwhelming, I still love her deeply."

Garnet gazed at him, touched by his words.

"You really love your mother," she mumbled softly.

John smiled but didn’t glance at her.

"I can tell she’s a wonderful mother—one I could never compare to," Garnet whispered.

John turned to peek at her. She was leaning back, staring out the window, guilt and gloom showed over her eyes.

Why would she say something like that?

Seeing her like this made his chest tighten.

---

The Day Before Meeting Garnet’s Parents

After his shower, John dried his hair and put on a white T-shirt and boxer briefs. The past few days had been exhausting. The wedding was only a week away—an elegant but intimate affair, attended by only the most prominent people.

He had never met Garnet’s parents in person. Everything had happened so fast, like a whirlwind.

His phone suddenly buzzed.

"Son, we need to meet the Sytone family tomorrow evening at the Jacinth Building. Pick me up from home."

John placed a hand on his chest, feeling an unexpected wave of nervousness.

He is meeting her parents. What if—what if they didn't like him? What if they changed their mind and chose another candidate to marry their daughter?

He shook his head. He's overthinking.

‘ I don’t mind if they didn't like me either.’

In fact, it would be better if they didn’t prefer him. Maybe then, the wedding wouldn’t happen.

But was there still time to stop it? The preparations had been set in motion over a year ago and their wedding is the key to saving their company.

His stomach twisted with unease.

He wasn’t excited about the wedding—so why did he feel so anxious?

Or… was it something else?