THE RELUCTANT GROOM

Chapter 1

ASHER'S P.O.V

Today is our wedding day, I thought it would be my best day, but it turns out that this is the worst nightmare of my life. I never thought that my own best friend and Diego would hurt me like this. It's so painful, they didn't just trample on my personality, they insulted and crushed it.

I'm like a puppet they're playing with. I was unaware that they were stabbing me from behind. But anyway, I am grateful to Anastasia, for admitting this. Because of his confession, I realized my stupidity.

"Sir, we are here..." said my driver. I nodded to him and looked at a small house, but it was enough for me and my future child.

Yes, I just found out the other day that I'm pregnant, I couldn't believe it, but this is what my doctor said. I rubbed my stomach and smiled.

I looked at my cellphone when Diego called. Instead of answering the call, I immediately hung up.

Again, my cellphone lit up. I thought it was Diego, but it was just papa. I answered the call.

"W-yet?"

"Where are you? Diego has been missing here for a while!" I closed my eyes tightly. Is he losing, because he can no longer get the inheritance? I laughed in my mind.

"I-I'm fine dad..." was all I could answer him and immediately hung up.

Only I and my driver know where I am now. I can't tell them yet. Maybe, when the time is right.

I got out of my car and Rafael immediately supported me.

"I will carry your things, sir..." he presented. I smiled at him, so he was immediately greeted. I just laughed and patted his shoulder.

"Thank you..."

As soon as I entered the house, the quiet atmosphere immediately struck me. It's refreshing, even if I'm not used to it, I'll train myself. Because from now on, only me and my son will be with me.

"Sir, I'll just put it here..."

I turned my gaze to him and couldn't help but smile when his cheeks reddened again. Because apart from being nice, Rafael is also handsome and white. So I can quickly notice the reddening of his cheeks.

It left and was going to take my other things so I continued walking.

With every step, I feel the weight of responsibility falling on my shoulders. I am no longer just Asher, the free and happy young man; I am now Asher, the future father, the sole guardian of the life yet to come.

I found myself in the living room, the furniture was neat and clean, a mirror of silence that seemed to emerge from every corner. It relieves worry, offers reassurance in the midst of nothingness.

I sat on the sofa and immediately felt its softness. I bought this house on impulse a long time ago. So that when Diego and I get married, we will live here. Far from the noisy city. But it seems that my plans will not happen.

I don't know what I have done and they will just stab me in the back like that. But maybe, this is also a plan of fate for me.

I can't even change the past, but I can choose how to move forward. I can choose to embrace this new phase of my life, face whatever challenges await with strength and courage.

I closed my eyes for a moment and gently rubbed my stomach.

"Daddy loves you so much, son..."

I don't know how long I slept. I just woke up when my cellphone rang. Diego, he called me again.

I just stared at my phone, until the call died.

Not again.

Taking a deep breath, I put my cellphone away, vowing to focus on the future, on building a life for me and my son, free from past ties.

And as I stand there in the silence of my new home, I know that no matter what challenges come my way, I will face them with courage, strength, and faith that a better day is yet to come.

This is the first time I wake up in my new house, I feel a strange peace around. If it used to be full of chaos and confusion, now the days seem to be passing by full of calmness and hope. Even though I'm adjusting to my new life, I'm making sure that I can get used to it.

I got up and looked out the window and noticed the beautiful view of the mountains surrounding our house. For the first time, I feel true freedom. This is the life I want, away from the chaos and noises.