CHAPTER 158: DARE TO LOVE ME Even I Don’t Know 

“Your strokes are perfect, darlings,” I said as I watched them fill the drawings provided by the 

restaurant with colors while we waited for the food. 

“It’s just that I couldn’t be happier,” Ash commented with a huge smile. 

“Well, who wouldn’t be, sweetheart, if you have that handsome man rearranging your ovaries 

like no one has in a long time,” Tino said quietly, becoming more discreet. 

“Darling,” Ash said, laughing, “what did you just say?” 

“I tried to find a polite way to tell you, or I could say he’s wrecking your p***y,” he commented, 

and oh well, he was never going to change. 

“Sweetie…” Alaia said. 

“I asked you to hold back those comments, not to come up with something worse.” 

“They just won’t let me be; I said it quietly for the kids, and they still don’t appreciate it,” he 

pouted, and Ash and Aly exchanged glances while shaking their heads. 

We ate, and I listened as they all talked about their jobs and their handsome men, even Tino talked about Tony, which was a waste because he was gorgeous but very gay, though you 

wouldn’t know it. 

I sighed, listening to them, feeling excited that at least they lived wonderful love stories, 

something I saw was not destined for me. 

I was thinking about this when I looked up and found Gavin, who glanced at me from a distance. I swallowed the piece of meat in my mouth and stared at him like a fool until I remembered there was nothing to see there and looked down, still feeling his gaze on me. 

“She’s the only one who hasn’t noticed,” Tino commented, and I looked at him. He was staring at me. What was he up to? The girls looked at me too, keeping slight smiles on their lips. 

“Are you talking about me?” I pointed to myself, and he huffed and rolled his eyes like the effeminate guy he was. 

“Who else, dear?” 

“That I haven’t noticed what?” I questioned, eyes wide. Should I be worried? 

“That Gavin, that tall blonde over there, looks at you every chance he gets. I remember he almost had a fit when he saw you in a swimsuit a few days ago, showing off that perfect skin and lovely figure of yours,” he assured, and the girls nodded slowly while I grimaced, not 

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believing it. 

“Your eyesight must be failing you,” I shook my head and looked back at my plate. Ash and Aly were feeding the little ones. Lately, there was very little I needed to do for the darlings; there were so many hands at home that I was left with nothing to do except teach them as the 

months went by. 

“Did you hear her?” Tino pointed at me with both hands. 

“Tino, darling, I love you more than you can imagine, but please, stop saying those things. I 

don’t need them right now,” I said. I was trying to get him out of my head, and it was hard when I had to see him every day. 

“But…” he was about to argue. 

“Tino, listen to her, please,” Alaia took his hand, and he rolled his eyes again. 

“Fine, I’ll be quiet, but I can assure you that this,” he pointed to Gavin and then to me, “isn’t over 

yet.” 

We left the restaurant to head home. 

I went to open the car door so the little ones could get in, who let go of their aunt’s and mom’s hands to run to the SUV, but Gavin got ahead of me and grabbed the handle. 

“It’s fine, thanks, I can open a door,” I faced him, and he looked at me. 

“I’m just trying to be considerate, miss,” he fixed his gaze on my face, giving me a slight inspection, something I’d noticed for days but had ignored completely. 

“You don’t need to be considerate of me, Gary, it’s not necessary, I’ve never needed it, I’ve 

managed on my own,” I spoke very seriously. 

Tino inhaled loudly, and Alaia and Ash seemed to talk about an unrelated topic, but I knew 

they were paying attention, and not missing a thing. 

“Gavin,” the blonde clarified, not seeming annoyed that I changed his name again, “I’m sure you can, but there will always be someone willing to help and show you that you’re not alone.” 

I was left speechless, looking into his eyes without showing that his words had touched a chord within me. Though I knew I was strong and had moved forward on my own, I’d always wanted someone in my life to let me know I wasn’t alone, to hold my hand and walk with me. I sighed and shook my head, and it was better to stop dreaming. 

I opened my mouth and closed it again. What should I say to him? He wasn’t the right person 

for such an offer, so I didn’t speak. I leaned toward the little ones and helped them into the 

SUV. 

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“Thanks,” I said curtly, pulling the door from Gavin’s hands, who looked puzzled, and I closed it 

myself. 

The girls got in a few seconds later. 

“Where did this Loli come from?” Ash asked, looking at me. I didn’t even know, so I just 

exhaled, unable to give Ash an answer. 

“From disappointment, from sadness. See, my plan hasn’t failed,” Tino spoke, and I saw some truth in his words. Well, I doubted the plan hadn’t failed, but I said nothing, just like the girls who remained silent, probably thinking the same as me. 

After an afternoon spent with the little ones before Alaia and Nick decided to spend time with 

them, I was more than happy that my kids were so loved by their families; they were fortunate. 

I prepared to go home. Lately, I left early in the afternoons, so I could spend time with my 

parents and sleep in my room. 

I got into my car, the one I’d always wanted, and bought thanks to my job, though I couldn’t use it often because the Russells provided everything. After several minutes of enjoying good music in the car and driving around my hometown, I arrived at my parent’s house, the same one I’d remodeled to their liking. My next goal was an apartment in a good neighborhood in the UK; I’d saved quite a bit already. 

“You’re here,” my not–so–enthusiastic brother greeted me, and I planted two kisses on him. 

before he ran away from me. 

“But you’re so happy to see me,” I said sarcastically. He shrugged and left the house. 

“Sweetheart, it’s so good you’re here. I’m making the little wind fritters you love so much,” my mother greeted me quickly and returned to the kitchen. I approached my father and gave him 

two kisses. 

“She’s cooking dinner for a regiment,” he pointed to where my mother went. I frowned; there were just four of us. 

I left my cardigan on one of the pieces of furniture before heading to the kitchen. 

I was wearing jeans with a fitted beige sweater and matching ballet flats, making me look 

casual and well–dressed. 

“I like how you dress now, my daughter,” my mother moved around the kitchen, and I smiled at 

her. 

“What are you making?” I asked, putting on an apron to help her. 

“Your Aunt Raquel, her husband, and the kids are coming for dinner. Raquelita is eager to see 

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you,” she commented, and I made a face. I didn’t understand why; we weren’t that close… 

“Mom! Don’t tell me you invited that man you wanted me to date,” I finally understood 

everything. 

“No, sweetheart, no. How could you think that of me?” she said without looking at me. She had something up her sleeve. 

“Because I know you, I know you both.” 

“Honey, help me get the grandmother’s china,” she changed the subject and pointed to where it was. I did as she asked, and before I could say more, she gave me as many tasks as possible until it was dinner time. When the doorbell rang, I realized it was Aunt Raquel, who soon 

arrived in the kitchen. 

“Dolores, months without seeing you,” she took my hands and looked me up and down, “they eat a lot over there,” she commented, and I looked at myself. I wasn’t skinny, but I was at my correct weight, and I liked it, “don’t they know how to feed people properly in that rich household?” she questioned, and I made a face. 

“They know how to feed very well and also know that it’s not polite to comment on other people’s bodies without looking in a mirror first,” I said, because before talking about others, we should check ourselves to see if we still feel like it, and I noticed my aunt got offended. 

“Loli!” my mother put her hands on her hips. 

“She started it,” I said so only my mother understood. 

“Come on, let’s set the table,” my aunt didn’t respond, she approached my mother, and I noticed them whispering. Every second, I was more sure they were up to something. 

“Hi, Loli,” my cousins, who were little kids, came to greet me, and I got distracted with them. They were good kids, and that was something to be thankful for, considering the mother they 

had. 

We heard the doorbell again, and both of them rushed out of the kitchen. 

“They invited my teacher,” Beli, my cousin, commented, wrinkling her nose, “as if seeing him at school isn’t enough, now I have to see him at your house, but they said you and he would make a good couple,” she explained, and I rubbed my face. They were unbelievable. 

“Who arrived?” I asked my mother as soon as she returned. Without saying anything, she took my hand to lead me out of the kitchen. 

“Mom, I told you I didn’t want to date anyone. Is it so hard to understand? I don’t want to meet…” I stopped speaking when we stopped, and I saw a tall man with his back to us. He 

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was slim with dark hair and didn’t look like the other one. 

“Or maybe he does?” I thought to myself.