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SABINA's POV

3 months later

The smile on my face disappeared when I read the message of Xzavier. I groaned in disappointment and threw myself into bed.

'I'm sorry, my Ina. Looks like I'll be staying for another month here in the USA. The work keeps on piling up and I can't just leave without attending to them first. I missed you terribly.' -Your Xzav

I've been missing him terribly too and the thought of not seeing him for another month was already driving me mad in longingness.

Well, it was understandable that he needed to stay there long enough to attend to everything that he needed to do because he'd been absent for quite some time. Even though he'd been working online, there were things that he needed to do in person.

I shoved my phone on the empty space of the bed, too upset to even formulate a reply, and was about to close my eyes to just doze off when I heard my message alert tone.

I quickly checked my phone, thinking that the message came from Xzavier again but it actually came from Akira.

'Hi, Sabina. I just wanted to thank you for listening to me even after what happened. I know, I hurt you in a way but I'm happy that you still forgave me. I'm on my way back home now and don't know if I would ever come back here again. I'm glad that we saw each other before I departed Lyon. I wish you and Xzavier the best and take care always. I've never mentioned this to you but you were my one and only friend overseas. Thank you for being a great friend. I'll treasure our friendship forever.'

A smile appeared on my lips. When Akira came back from dealing with her family issues on her father side, she and I met yesterday and everything ended well between us. She asked for my forgiveness and I saw the sincerity in her eyes.

She told me her story and I felt really bad for her. Even though she let her father used her to achieve his goals, she still did the right thing in the end.

Xzavier told me that the night before Father Nicolas kidnapped me, Akira sent him an anonymous message, informing him about Father Nicolas' plans.

According to Xzavier, prior to that, his men already found the one who was responsible for the two attacks on them previously and that guy spilled the beans that it was Father Nicolas who sent him to do it, intending to scare and intimidate them.

After they discovered about it, they've been devising a plan to catch Father Nicolas. When he received that anonymous text, that helped them to trap Father Nicolas.

When Akira told Father Nicolas that she needed to use the toilet while we were in the car, going to the port, Akira sent Xzavier a signal so that he could track our location on time.

Because of her effort to correct her mistakes, she helped Xzavier and his men save our lives and defeat Father Nicolas. I gave her my forgiveness and wished her well which made her tear up.

After opening my heart for forgiveness, all the remnants of pain and bitterness that the past left in my heart vanished like a mist.

Finally, everything was peaceful these past few months and I couldn't ask for more. The only thing missing was Xzavier's presence beside me and it was getting difficult with each passing day.

After I replied to Akira's message, I heard a knock on my door.

"Sab, Billy and Henry are waiting for you downstairs!" It was my mother. My mood lifted up and I got up right away, almost flying towards the door excitedly.

"Thanks, mom!" Without waiting for her, I headed toward the stairs in a hurry.

"Hey, slow down, missy!" She reproached worriedly and quickly followed me. I slowed down.

"Sorry, mom. I forgot." She shook her head.

"You need to be careful all the time. You should know better." I grinned at her.

"This is the perks of having the best mom; always reminding me of what's important." I then hugged her.

"Thank God. My daughter Sabina finally came back." I couldn't hold back my laugh, knowing that they've been worried sick about me these past two months and at the same time, they had the hard time dealing with me.

"Mom, the Sabina from more than two months ago and now are the same."

"No. That Sabina was scary and a headache." I laughed heartily. When we reached downstairs, my mom went to the kitchen to start making lunch while me on the other hand went to the porch.

"I thought, they were here? Where are those two?" I asked myself as I looked around, looking for Henry and Billy. I sat on the couch, pursing my lips irritably, and that was when Billy came out of the door.

"Here comes the mango for our lovely lady!" He chirped as he placed the plate full of sliced green mangoes on the coffee table. He even prepared a dipping sauce. My face brightened and eyes lit up in so much happiness as I eyed the mouth-watering fruit in front of me.

"Thank you, Billy!" I then began digging in right away. "Hmm! It's sour but it is so delicious!" Billy grimaced while watching me eating with gusto.

"Oh, God. You look like you're eating the most delicious food on earth."

I beamed. "Yes, I am. Why don't you have some?"

"Oh, no thanks." He answered right away and that made me laugh full of amusement.

"You thanked Billy but what about me? I was the one who had to drive and searched all the Asian stores here just to find this specific mango that you've been craving for. I can't believe that I had to check 5 Asian stores just for this. Xzavier should be the one to experience this, not me." I couldn't help but to laugh again of Henry's statement. He looked tired and stressed out.

"Thank you, my dear cousin. I knew I could count on you especially now that Xzavier is not here." I even beamed at him and he shook his head.

"How long are you going to keep on eating mangoes anyway? I heard that there was a strong typhoon that affected the production of mangoes in Asia that's why the imported mangoes here are limited for now."

"I don't know. Why don't you ask the cute little monster in there?" I then looked at my tummy. His face softened.

"Don't worry, Henry. If I have time, I'll help you look for mangoes no matter how far we need to drive. I mean, look at Sab. How can you say no with that smile on her face while eating her favorite mango? We're all she has right now." It was Billy.

"Aw. That's so sweet of you, Billy." I chirped.

"Well, what else can we do other than to do our best? I mean, this is better compared to the last two months. Her mood had been like the hurricane that almost drove us away. Even Auntie and Uncle were so worried, thinking that she had a problem or something. They almost took her to a psychologist." I laughed as I remembered what Henry was talking about.

I was always moody, hot-headed and sensitive that everyone started to get nervous whenever I was around. I couldn't understand myself back then and I thought, I was just missing Xzavier so much. But when I started having morning sickness and went to the doctor for a check-up, I was surprised when I learned that I was pregnant.

During Xzavier and I's last night together before he went to the USA, I realized that I've forgotten to take my pills for a whole month and because Xzavier wasn't with me, I continued on not taking my pills until I discovered that I was pregnant.

Since Xzavier left, I've been staying at my parents' house because I couldn't take the loneliness of being alone at home.

"Hey, I'm sure, it wasn't that bad."

"Believe me, it was. Xzavier was lucky because he wasn't here to experience the hell. Until now, I still can't believe how hard it was to deal with you back then." Henry answered which made me chuckle.

"I don't know about that. I think, he had his own fair share of struggle." I fought the urge to giggle while remembering what I made Xzavier do during those times even though we were apart.

"What do you mean by that? Don't tell me, you managed to make his life hell even though the poor guy was in the USA?" I grinned at Henry and merrily continued on eating as my mind wandered somewhere else.

"What did you say?"

"I said, I want to see you wearing pink briefs or boxers. I bet you'll look hot in it." Xzavier's jaw slacked open while staring at me in disbelief. We were in the middle of face-timing and he was only wearing his black boxers while sitting upright against the headboard.

He just finished showering, getting ready to go to work when I called him.

"Why, pink? You know I don't like that color, Ina." I could hint the slight irritation in his voice. I bit my lower lip and looked down.

"You're right. I'm sorry. I don't know why I suddenly had the urge to see you wearing pink underwear." He remained silent for a couple of seconds before he sighed in defeat.

"That's unfair, my Ina. Seeing you sad like that is my weakness." I lifted my face, suppressing the urge to grin from ear to ear.

"So..."

"Fine. I'll do it." My face brightened.

"Really?!"

"Yes. How can I say no to you?" I smiled sweetly at him.

"Thank you, Xzav! You're the best!" He shook his head full of amusement.

"You're really weird, Ina. I heard countless times that pregnant women have these weird food cravings but you on the other hand is different. You've been making me do some weird stuff lately which you normally wouldn't do."

"And one more thing. About the food; I've been actually craving to eat cotton fruit lately." His eyebrows knitted together.

"Cotton fruit? I don't think there's something like that in France, my Ina."

"I've seen one at a local Asian store before."

"Really? Okay, tell Henry to buy some for you."

"I already told him and he went out to find some for me."

"That's good then. But please, Ina. Eat it in moderation. I don't want you to have an upset stomach." His voice held concern.

"Don't worry, my Xzav. I will."

"That's good. Anyway, much as I love to talk to you more, I need to go. I'm already late."

"Wait. I have another request, Xzav."

"Sure. What is it?" His voice was gentle and sweet while staring at me lovingly.

"I want to eat cotton fruit with you."

"Huh? But we're thousand miles apart right now, my love."

"Yes, but we can face time again later." The crease on his forehead deepened.

"You mean..."

"Yes, my Xzav. You can buy cotton fruit there and let's face time again later while eating cotton fruit together."

He slapped his hand to his forehead. "Oh, God! You want me to eat something like that too?"

"Yes. I mean, you'll do it for me and our baby, right, my Xzav?" He groaned, obviously didn't want to do it but eventually agreed.

It was already 5 pm in France when Xzavier finally called me again and while he was wearing his pink boxers, we both enjoyed our own cotton fruit. I kept on laughing at him as he let out a series of curse while watching him try his best to eat the sour fruit...

"What do you think?" I answered with a wide grin. Henry shook his head in disbelief.

"Even though I don't have any slight idea what you made him do, I already feel sorry for him."

"Me too." Billy added and I chortled. They both shook their heads in disbelief. I beamed at them.

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Did you crave for mangoes or any sour fruit during pregnancy? (For those who experienced getting pregnant)

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