"Wait.... Mom... What do you mean.. He's out to get me?" curious by what she said, I ask.
Bumuntong-hininga si Mom bago niya sabihin ang isang balitang parang sumampal sa akin."What?!""Yes, It's true, Honey. After you left, That guy came up to us saying you have his heir.... funny how I remember you saying he has a wife, they are inlove and...." she took a sip from her tea before continuing "You crying that you were just his mistress"He came here?! The Audacity!Napakakapal talaga ng mukha ng lalaking iyon.... Oh god! What if he'll take Lev away from me? I.... I can't have that!What should I do?"What the Fuck?!" I blurted out.I just remember mom was here! Shit! I slipped."Barbara----"Alam ko kung ano ang isisigaw ni Mom kaya pinigilan ko na, Nakakahiya kaya!"Mom... Please, I don't wanna hear my full name right now.... It's... It's embarrassing." I told her while my face was flushed with redness.Mom look at me like I told her a not-so-funny joke."What's wrong with the name your father picked out for you, And don't dare change-----""Honey, Barbara." Napabalik Ako sa reyalidad ng tinawag kami ni Dad, Na nanggaling pa ata sa pagkakahabol ni Lyubov.Thank you, Father of mine.... you saved me from a 3 hour sermon session.I thought to myself after looking at my dad with hopeful eyes.Bitbit niya ang anak kong natutulog sa balikat niya. He smiled at me as he patted my head and kisses my mom."Czack"Mom's sweet voice echoes in my ears as I started cringing over them, forgetting about what happened earlier."Seriously.... Infront of me?" Napapantiskuhan ko na tanong kay Dad na tinawanan niya lang, Liebe and Lyubov started chasing around each other and left our sight, maybe to annoy the Bengal tiger na nasa hawla sa likod ng bahay."Stop being bitter and bring your son upstairs para makatulog naman ng maayos" Dad muttered to me before giving me my Lev, Lev isn't that heavy for me but he did have a slight weigh.I rolled my eyes as I bid bye's sa Dad at Mom ko na naglalandian sa balkonahe, sakmalin sana kayo ni Lyubov, mga PDA!I walked down the Halls to Lev's room. After escaping the cringiness of Czack and Breeiana's lovey-doveyness, a very thought came to me.Why would Keith tell my mother and father that I have his heir, when in the first place..... He wanted me to abort Lev....Did something happened to his unborn child with Sasha? Or did Sasha found out about me?If it did happen then........ Will he take my Lev away from me, because Sasha refuses to give him her son!?I shook my head frantically, Hanggang sa nakarating ako sa designated bed room ni Lev, umuungot pa siya ng inilapag ko siya ng dahan-dahan sa kanyang kama.Hinaplos ko ang mukha ng aking anak before I swiftly kiss his forehead as I whispered him good night.Lev is like the carbon copy of his father, With that jet-black hair, pale white porcelain skin and the color of his eyes, amber, he's literally like the mini version of Keith, no doubt. They were like two peas in a pod, kakahiya naman sa naghirap sa kanya ng siyam na buwan, at ang umire sa bata tas nakuha niya pa ang features niya sa taong nagpakasasa lang sa sarap nung ginagawa namin siya. Probably the only thing Lev got from me were his mole under his left eye, and his curly perm.But even though Lev, resembles the person I hated. It does not change the fact that I love my son, more than everything in this world.I glanced at him once again as I was about to leave his room, I heard him muttered something that made me stunned.'Papa'"You didn't informed me!"Napatakip nalang ako sa tenga ng marinig ang pasigaw na reklamo ni Matthias, He was throwing a fuss abot me not telling him anything."Matt, I was about to call you.... You just got to call me first." I said with a sigh as the whole estate's magnificent view unraveled before my eyes.The beautiful garden everywhere gives off the vibe this estate is known for 'Tenuta Dei Fiori Incantevoli', it actually means 'The Estate of Enchanting Flowers, it was named after the enchanting beauty of the flowers. Mom admires them, so my dad who was typically obsess with my mom built this place, for her's and my comfort.Sa East side ng estate, nakalagay Ang mga alaga ko at ni Dad. It was barricaded for safety purposes, since that pets weren't normal animals, those pet weren't domesticated and weren't trained to be petted.There were five cages, all for the exotic animals, Dad has kept. There's also a separate cage for mom's white tiger, Shiro, dad has bought for her.Dad isn't a Zoologist, he was just fascinated with exotic animals that he started keeping one..... It only increases when Mom was fascinated by it too... And by the time passes by, I too, was fascinated with it."Hoy! Barbara Sophia Viktoria Louise Hernandez- De Luca, narinig mo ba ako? " I was rush back to my reveries when Matthias called me by my full name.God!"The hell, Matt?" I complained while I was watching Mang Ambo feeding Dad's most beloved pet, a giant Bengal tiger, Shí and his Panthera Leo, Shizí.I smirked as how tamed those animals can be, Oh, How I wish Keith is here at sana masakmal sya ni Shizí, na sa hula ko ay pinaka-agresibo sa dalawang alaga ni Dad."Babalik ako diyan, I know how my beloved cousin thinks...."I crossed my arms after turning my back from the animals as continued my talk with Matthias Diaz-Ramírez, Keith Everard Valiente-Ramírez's cousin." Yeah, sure.. para naman ay may magbabantay kay Lev habang may inaayos ako. " I said while looking at my nails.I hear his deep sighs from the other line, I know he's worried but I don't need it."Fine. Next week, Friday. Why the hell am I babysitting your son? Not that I'm complaining. Damn it!" He stated before ending the call.Did he just hang up on me?!That fucker!Napa-iling nalang ako habang papasok ako sa kuwarto ko.That's right.I have Keith's cousin on my side, His cousin whom he's been rivalling ever since they were just children's.I don't intend to use Matthias, He's my precious friend but I know he'll do everything for me, the mother of his cousin's child.I laid down my bed as I keep overthinking of some stuff that might happen, the thought of Keith taking my son away crossed my mind too.But I am determined to fight. If it's for my son then......"I won't let you, Keith. I will never hand my son to you without a fight"" Mommy.... Love...Love "Napamulat ako dahil sa mga munting halik at mga mahihinang bulong sa tabi ko.I opened my eyes only to see my son, Lev, covered in tears." Lev... Honey, What's wrong? " I asks him ng makabangon at kaagad na inakap ang anak kong puno na ng luha ang mga mata nitong namumula."Mom.... Why weren't you in my room? Weren't we suppose to sleep together?" He asks me while burying his head into my neck.Aww .... My sweet Lev."I'm sorry, Honey. Mommy fell asleep here, but tonight.... Mommy swears that she'll sleep alongside with you" I said with a gentle smile, reassuring him.He got up from burying his head from my neck, to make sure I wasn't lying.He looks at me in the eye as if reading me before he wipes his tears and beamingly smiled at me, realizing I wasn't bluffing."Okay, Love. That's a promise okay?"I was about to reassure Lev once again but, a loud noise from the outside and Manang Belen barging inside my room, with a frantic and nervous complexion, made me stop from doing so.She was catching her breath when she look around for something, and when she saw me and Lev, she bowed to show respect before stating what she was here for, para akong binuhusan ng isang timba ng malamig ng tubig ng isambit niya ang ngalan ng lalaking kagabi ko pa iniisip."Keith...... Nandito po yong Keith.... at hinahanap niya po kayo!""What?! What is he doing here?" I ask her immediately, I clutch my son's clothes as I embrace him tighter.Manang Belen looked at me, hesitating if sasabihin niya ba sa akin, in terms of Lev's presence.I understood what her eyes has been meaning to tell me."Claudia!" Tawag ko sa Yaya ni Lev, who immediately came running with sweats in here forehead."Y... Yes, Ma'am?""Watch over my son. I have matters to deal with outside, make sure that he will not be exposed outside. Understand?" I told her as I unclasped my grasp from my son, who was no looking at me with confusion.His face were red but the curiousness and confusion were still there."Hon, Mom has matters to settle so I want you to stay here with your Ate Claudia and not go out, Okay?" Ani ko sa kanya before I kissed his cheeks and turns to the door to leave. "Grandma and Grandpa will be here, so stay put, m'kay?"I told him and turns to leave, but before I do so, I saw my son raises his palm and waves at me, with a smile but h
"Perhaps.... I mean... Won't you mind having a child with me to please our eldest?!"Parang sirang plaka na nagpaulit-ulit sa aking isipan ang sinaad ni Keith, Ilang araw na matapos Ang nangyari pero heto ako ngayon at nagpagulong-gulong sa kama dahil sa kahihiyan.Is this what they call second-hand embarrassment? Oh god, it's a feeling I never want to experience, again."Love..... What's the matter?"Lev, who was sitting in his study table, spoke up.I smiled awkwardly bago lumapit at niyakap siya patalikod."Lev..... Do you want papa?" Tanong ko dito.He look at me, His eyes was full of suspicion, but I know he will not voice it out." No. " He said with firm voice before he continued reading.Lev's acting weird. His actions this days when we arrived in the Philippines is somewhat...... mature." But, son, You want papa right? remember when you told me to give him to you on Christmas? "I said pertaining to his wish, that he mentioned when he was just three."Mommy, yes, I longed fo
"Napakasipag mo at pati asawa ko, trinabraho mo rin." nanunuyang litanya ni Sasha sa akin.Mabuti nalang at kami lang ang naririto sa loob ng opisina, soundproof ang office ni Dad kaya mase-settle sana namin ito ng kami lang."Sasha, what are you doing here? In our territory?"I said to her, standing up to confront her."Oh? do you not want the people here to know about your abominable doings?" tugon niya sa akin ng nakangisi.Sasha is pretty gorgeous herself, with an hourglass body and pale skin, Anyone would mistaken her for a high-class model.Naglakbay ang mata niya mula sa paa ko hanggang ulo then she snickered."You're not beyond my level pero pinatulan ka parin ni Keith, you should consider yourself lucky" nanunuya niyang saad sa akin.I clenched my fist as I breathed heavily."I am done with Keith so why are you bringing this up now?"What I said made her burst into a chuckle."Oh, Dear. Bitch, I knew Keith went to your house...." She whispered right into my ears ng nakalapit
I was fazed.Sev? Here, In the Philippines?I have to get home..... this instance.I could feel the excitement and joy slowly building up on me. "Okay, Baby. Can you keep him company for awhile? I'll be home in ten minutes" I immediately grab my purse that is on the table and stands up to leave, but to my surprise, A hand grabbed my arm and pulled me back, agressively. It's Keith's.I tried to shake his hands off but to no avail. His grasps were very tight, and painful. Binaling ko sa kaniya Ang aking atensiyon and I saw how his eyes turns grim and dark, his veins in his neck was very visible.And this could only mean one thing. Galit siya. Galit na Galit."Who the fucking hell is that?" even his voice shows his angered expression.Binaklas ko ang kamay niyang nakahawak sa akin, I composed myself before answering him.Ano bang pake niya ha? "It's none of your fucking business, Keith. Thanks for the meal, I'm leaving." ani ko at tumalikod na para makaalis na sa lugar na ito.Sev w
"I like you" I felt the whole world stopped as I was stunned by his sudden confession."Ah.... Eh..." di ko alam kung ano ang isasagot, para akong napipi dahil sa nangyayari. Uminit ang pisngi ko tungo sa leeg, hindi dahil sa kahihiyan kundi dahil sa kasiyahan.Matagal na panahon ko nang crush si Keith Ramírez, at kahit na magkalaban ang pamilya namin dahil sa di malamang dahilan, eh nagkagusto parin itong puso ko sa kanya. I was just a trainee sa company ni Dad and I met Keith ng minsang bumisita sila noong bata pa kami, and kahit na bata pa kami noon eh, tinamaan na ng kupido ang aking puso."You know about the situation of our family, right?" Paglilinaw ko sa kanya, baka pala bingi siya, at di niya narinig ang kung anong problema Ang kinakaharap ng pamilya niya dahil sa amin. Parang napaka-suspicious. May duda ako, pero pinipilit kong wag pairalin. He nodded at me before standing straight and looking at me, straight in the eye." Yes, And I don't care. I like you... scratch that
Keith was sitting in his and Barbara's villa's sofa, wasted. He has drink about four bottles of vodka yet he is still drinking some more. Along side his drinking buddy was Cassian, his best friend."Barbara.... Barbara...." Keith kept murmuring, na kanina pa ata pumapasok sa taenga ng kaibigan. What Keith has been doing was now annoying Cassian. "Dude, What's happening?" At long last, di niya na napigilan at napatanong na siya, he deliberately let the last bottle of vodka fell, shattering it's glass and spilling it's content on the floor. Keith gives off no reaction pero inabot niya parin ang basong may kakaunti pang laman and was about to drink it pero naagaw na ni Cassian bago niya pa magawa."Seriously, dude. You gotta tell me what the fuck is going on?" Hindi niya pa nakitang nagpaka-lango sa alak ang kaibigan niya, and yet here he is taking care of his drunken wasted friend, just because of a girl, suspetya niya."Fuck off." tipid na sagot nito bago ulit umungot at dumapa sa s
I gently opened my eyes when the rays of the sun from the opened window hits my face. Kinapa ko Ang magkabilaan ng hinigaan ko, Only to find na wala na ang dalawa kong anak dito.I did my rituals and then proceeded down stairs. I heard some noises in the kitchen, like a giggle and some cute whispers so I knew that's where my children is.Kumakain sila when I entered. Lev was enjoying his pancake, while Sev... I saw how Sev glanced at me and smiled sadly. I knew it... He's forcing himself again.Hinalikan ko sila isa-isa when I got near them."How was the pancake, dears?" Tanong ko sa kanila.Lev gobbled up his last slice of pancake before answering me."T'was good, Mom. right, Sev?" Bumaling si Sev sa kaniya na kanina pa nilalaro ang pancake sa plato niya, He smiled at Lev and nod before facing his plate once again, took a small piece and put it inside his mouth.Ako yung nasasaktan sa anak ko, I saw how his hand trembled and his face after eating that pancake.I can't help it. Di ko
"Boys, I'm home." I whispered as I entered the door.God. Di ko naman alam na mauubusan sila ng Ice cream mochi kaya kailangan ko pang magbyahe ng isang oras.But it's worth it if makikita ko ang ngiti ng aking mga prinsipe mamaya, or bukas--Since it's late.I hear no noise so I speculated that all of the people are asleep, It seems pati si Claudia ay tulog na rin, so I proceeded to the kitchen and inilagay doon sa ref ang pasalubong. Afterwards ay pumunta nako sa taas para i-check ang aking mga anak, bitbit ko parin yung lunchbox.I opened the door only to see Lev in the bed, alone, without Sev in sight. It made me so nervous, but a noise that's coming from their bathroom convinced me that my son is in there. Inilagay ko Ang mga gamit sa lamesita and then pumunta roon.But what I witnessed broke my heart. My son, My Sev was throwing up. Tears were visible in his eyes and I know na pagod na siya."Why can't I just die!" The words that came out of his mouth making me burst out in tears