I'm pregnant.

Well, the doctor have confirmed it a week ago and I'm set for another appointment three weeks from now. I'm guessing there will be a whole lot of changes and I'm certain of it now. I sighed in front of the mirror, unable to zip and snap my jeans. I turned and see a different angle of me, my hips stays the same as my thighs but my flat stomach started to bulge.

Men wouldn't understand how heartbreaking it is for women to watch their bodies changing from best to worst. Especially when all you do is take care of it. And this doesn't mean I love my child less than I should, it's just that, I'm confused. I'm seven weeks pregnant and I've googled things about it. I don't know if it's just me or my stomach looks way larger than it should be. The fact that I'm watching my healthy diet and I'm in control is just so unfair.

In the end, I settled for a loose swing dress. The ones I've never worn. I have no choice, it's the only thing I have in my closet that would make my stomach comfortable. Oh, the struggles of a plus size is beginning to sink in.

As I headed downstairs, I heard mom throwing orders to the uniformed housemaids. I can see that everyone is busy changing and arranging the setup of the furniture. Looks like what we'll be having is a whole new living room. Leave it to mom, she's bored.

"Mom," I called her attention when I reached the bottom step.

"Gabby, good that you're awake." The excitement in her voice toned down when she finally turned to see me, she looked horrified. I've expected it, she wouldn't approve this dress for me. But I know if it's Oxygen who'll see me in this, he'd still think I'm beautiful. Like I could ever get ugly in his eyes. "What's that you're wearing?"

"A dress," was my simple reply and continued my way down.

"You don't call that dress. More like a rug." She's overreacting. "Where'd you get that? I'm certain I didn't give you that or neither you bought it to yourself."

"It was a gift." I said, it's true and mom's right. I would never buy something as simple as this. Although the dress doesn't look that bad, it's plain and I'm not sure why Prada have it on the market. I don't even know why it's packed along with my finer clothes but nonetheless I'm thankful or else I'd be naked by now. "Don't ask me from whom, can't remember."

"Bad taste, go change something nicer." She said with distaste while I kissed her cheek, mom isn't letting it go.

"I'm fine with this, I'm not going anywhere anyway." It's too early for argument, I'm not up for one. I looked around and diverted the topic. "What's with the arrangements?"

"Oh," her mood lighten up a bit. She smiled and looked around. "I was planning to replace window curtains with the ones I've seen online. It's been delivered the other day and all is set. Isn't it beautiful?"

I looked at the huge window facing the beautiful view of the greenery outside. There's the curtain she's talking about. Upscale jacquard yarn curtain, a good combination of rose gold and brown. It looks vintage, especially when the sun finds it. Beautiful is an understatement, it's marvelous. Elegant and it screams money. Mom tends to overdo everything, dad lets her.

"So, what can you say?" She urged me to say something.

I'd be a bitch not to appreciate her effort to beautify things, I smiled at her. "It's perfect, it gives me a Marie Antoinette's vibe."

"Exactly!" She beamed as if I've given her the reaction she wanted to heard from me.

Oh well, now that mom's taking over my grandmother's throne in this house. Simplicity can wave its goodbye, all the flashy things are coming in. This is just the beginning. I swear, in no time this whole house would look like the ones we had in Beverly Hills. And I don't take it against mom, her taste and class fits me well. I'm even thinking I'd be just like her in a decade or two. Hope I won't turn my own house into doll's, my future husband might ruin me. Or I've got to marry someone who's as patient and as giving as dad, Oxygen might've been the best choice for me. I smiled.

And I caught mom's attention back to my face and down to what I'm wearing. "You go change!"

I turned my back on her before I rolled my eyes. I didn't listen, instead I went to the kitchen and look for something to eat. I'm starving. Again. Alright, I'm often looking for food. But what can I do? I'm not the only one who's eating.

My healthy diet is occupying a great space in my head that I nearly didn't notice mom following me. She stopped at the counter, I was on the fridge, taking time to decide what to eat. I know she's watching me.

"I've made a cilantro and peanut salad, it's in the third row. I saved you a bowl."

I grinned. I saw it, thing is, I ignored it. That's her kind of breakfast, had been my kind, too. Even dad's. Only Chanel refuses to eat leaves in the morning. Then I suddenly thought of Oxygen, he'd be damned laughing his ass off if he sees me eating it and would accuse me of being a horse in a ranch enjoying the grass. Oh, I'm missing him. It's been a week and we satisfied ourselves to talking over the phone. I know it's not enough but that's all for us by now.

I took three pieces of oranges and the pitcher of water. This will be good. Mom continued watching me, I didn't mind.

"I'm thinking of revamping the garden," she said. I started eating, not paying much attention on her. "So, I've called Ethan for help."

That's what got me frowning, I chewed the food first and sat on the stool before shifting my gaze on her. "Why Ethan? He's not a landscape architect."

"Sure he isn't, but he's willing to help. He's actually on his way that's why I'm forcing you to get rid of your nasty clothes but you're not listening!"

I froze. What was my mother trying to do? I looked at her and a gleam of excitement and was that romance? Setting in her eyes. Oh no, it's ridiculous!

"I'm saying that Ethan is coming and he can't see you looking like that!" She repeated, making her intentions clearer now.

So what if Ethan sees me like this? The guy wouldn't mind. I won't, too. Is my mom playing cupid on me? Now I'm scared. She knows how I'm mad in love with Ethan as a teenager but that was before. Before I'm pregnant with Oxygen's child and Ethan is Oxygen's cousin making it sounds sicker! I'm all about Oxygen now and I couldn't tell mom that without her going ballistic and crazy.

"Ethan is a fine man. He's from a reputable family. I've know his parents for so long and they've been nice to our family. And Ethan is such a lovely kid." Mom's voice sounded dreamy. "He wasn't a prince of any country or has a royal blood. But I see Ethan as a perfect fit for you. Now that you two are of age, you should start dating and stepping up the friendship you have."

If I have heard this things a year ago, I'd probably go starry-eyed. But things are different now. I'm so over Ethan.

After a short while, we heard a car parking on the driveway. It didn't fire up my ass, I'll let mom welcome her visitor. I'm not the one who invited him here. I continued eating my orange and mom shot me a glare.

"Change and put on something nice." Those were her last words before she left me.

Why would I? I bet if Ethan will give me his eyes for over five seconds. He never did then, why would he now? Especially when he knows exactly how Oxygen got over possessive of me.

I didn't bother to hurry my breakfast, once I'm done I stood up and clean my mess, wash my hand. Then I walked out and went into the garden to see how things are going.

To my surprise, it wasn't just mom and Ethan that was there. Oxygen is standing in the middle of the garden, under the sun. With both hands in the pocket of his jeans, looking at the exterior of that side of the house. While mom is busy entertaining Ethan. Expect her that, she doesn't like Oxygen so she wouldn't show him anything but animosity.

My heart goes haywire when he finally looked at my direction and our eyes meet. I was talking to him last night on the phone and he didn't mention about being here today. His lips curved a smile, I did, too. Never thought my morning would turn out this thrilling.

Just when I was about to stalked towards him, mom noticed me and called out my name. I had to walk near her instead, I know Oxygen will understand without a word.

"Gabby, darling, Ethan is here." She said with a warm smile on her lips. "We were talking about replacing this set of chairs to something made of woods. Like a huge log chair. And other furniture from rustic log and stuff, it will compliment the greenery. What do you think?"

I turned to Ethan and said a simple hi, I don't wanna overdo the greetings by kissing his cheek now that Oxygen is watching with eagle eye. He wouldn't like that. "That's perfect, mom. It will probably work."

"That's exactly what I told him, he's got a taste, honey." Mom grinned at me, oh I know what's behind her meaningful stare.

Ethan cleared his throat. "Wasn't actually my idea. It was Oxygen's."

Mom's brow arched in the most intimidating way when Ethan invited Oxygen into the discussion. I couldn't hide my smile as he stepped forward in the circle he felt so out of place minutes ago. All thanks to Ethan!

"He said it before you walked in here, Tita Camille." Ethan smiled. "He said something about this luxurious lounging set being out of place, it's elegant and classy but it just doesn't fit the simplicity of the area and I couldn't agree more."

Now, I beamed. "Then he's right, mom! We could get a fine set of those chairs. Woods and all that. Then we could probably start the reconstruction of the small waterfalls on each corner. I'm can actually picture it right now."

"Tell them more about your idea, Ox."

I looked at him, playfully. "Oh, you have more to add?"

He's staring at me with those intense eyes. He didn't let go of it as he speaks his answer. "Sa tingin ko rin, mas maganda kung hindi artificial Bermuda grass ang gagamitin. I know a landscape architect who's probably the best in town."

I'm surprised with his sharp and observant eyes. The grass doesn't look fake, it's the most expensive artificial one. You wouldn't notice it until you had a closer look. One of the reasons why my grandmamma settle for this instead of growing a real one is that, no one's always here to maintain it. Less hassle and work to everyone. But Oxygen is right, the garden would look nicer if it has a real grass on it.

I'm impressed but mom doesn't look like it. Instead, she shove him off by inviting Ethan for a drink inside the house. That was rude and I'm momentarily hurt for Oxygen. Ethan extended the invite to Oxygen then he went to follow mom. Leaving Oxygen and I alone.

"I'm sorry about mom," I sighed.

"Guess I have to get used to her dismissing me," he chuckled. "Hindi ko kakayanin maging Ethan, para lang imbitahin ng mommy mo sa loob ng bahay niyo."

I reached for his hand and smiled at him. "Who said you need to be someone? I'm okay with you being you, I don't like anyone that is not you. Don't worry about mom, she'll come around."

"Kailan ba natin sasabihin?" He asked in a careful tone. "Ayoko na ng ganito, limitado pag-kikita natin."

"Ayoko rin naman," I sighed. "Pero ayoko pang makisabay, pinakikibagayan pa ni mommy 'yung katotohanan about Derek. My family is still adjusting and this, you and me isn't something that people expects. It will be like a bomb being dropped. Please, a little more time?"

The frustrated look in his eyes tightened my chest. He doesn't like what I said but I know he'll be at no choice rather than agree with me.

"Please? I'm really sorry." I said, tipping my toes to kiss his lips quickly. "I'm happy to see you today. Why didn't you tell me you're coming over?"

Doon siya agad napasimangot. "Why didn't you tell me Ethan is coming over?"

Tunog nag-tatampo iyon. Mabilis akong napailing. "I have no idea until today, while I'm having breakfast. Mom told me that she called Ethan for help."

The angry snarl on his face slowly faded. "Your mom is playing cupid, thing is she's hitting a wrong heart."

"Does it matter?" I smiled. "You're it for me, no Ethan and no cupid can change that."

That made him smile, no matter how hard he tried to hide it, I've seen it. "Sige na nga, maniniwala na 'ko."

"And why won't you believe me? I was never a liar!" I frowned.

"Cute," tumatawa niyang pinisil ang aking ilong. Matapos ay hinagod ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. "Most beautiful I've seen today."

See, I wonder if my beauty for him will ever fade.

Hinawakan niya ang may umbok na bahagi ng aking tyan. "Hmm, growing fast."

Napasimangot ako, isa lang ang ibig sabihin 'non. Tumaba ako.

Ngumisi siya at yumuko upang halikan ang tungki ng aking ilong. "Don't worry, every inch of you remains exquisite."

"You're just saying that because you love me," I rolled my eyes.

"Maybe yes, maybe no. All I'm certain is I'm in love with you."