She moaned softly as she felt warm. Sumiksik pa siya lalo and brought the blanket closer. She felt soft, moist lips on her face that was followed by giggles.
Dahan-dahan niyang minulat ang mata. The twins were sitting on the bed at pinupugpog siya ng halik.
“Mommy’s up,” Matt said, then kissed her cheek. “Morning, mommy.” nakahiga ito sa tabi niya and was the warm thing hugging her from behind.
“Oh my!” napabalikwas siya ng bangon. She overslept. The twins were already in their uniforms.
“Daddy gave us showers, mommy. Then he made breakfast.” Chico informed her. Sumulyap pa ito kay Matt na umayos na rin ng up
Their meeting started at 9:30 AM sharp. Matt knew his employees dreaded his marketing meetings. While the quality of their service was the heart of their operations. It was their marketing team that truly pushed them to the perch, a cut above the rest.They were reviewing their plans for the upcoming year. The team has started the review since mid-year and there were still some things Matt was not satisfied with and they were in their last few weeks of December already.The team thought they caught Matt in a really good mood nang pumasok ito na nakangiti. He was even carrying a blush pink tumbler. Even Melissa was surprised when Matt turned down his coffee and opted to drink his juice.But they were grilled on the onset. Lampas isang oras na and they were still on competitor analysis na nasa simula
Matt returned to his seat as if nothing extraordinary happened.“What?” tanong niya sa sekretarya while returning his attention to the meeting.“Boss, baka ayaw ni Miss G ng clingy,” Melissa tried to soften her voice pero hindi pa rin maiwasan marinig siya ng iba.“The next time any man clings to you, Melissa, don’t let go,” Matt advised.Sumimangot naman si Melissa sa narinig. She has been working for Matt for five years already at medyo nabibiro niya na ito minsan.“Sir - Sir, cute naman po ang clingy up to a certain degree.” Hindi na napigil at sumabat na din ang isa sa mga Senior PM sa usapan.
“Sorry about that.” Pag-uulit ni Gabby sa sinasabi. She said it with finality para wala nang magtanong. “As I was saying, I need a week to revise the story.” Dugtong niya. “Direk?”She prayed that Joel cooperate with her and hindi na magtanong ng tungkol kay Matt.“Yeah, we can do that.”She was relieved when she heard him answer.“Then we can set another meeting on Friday.” ani Gabby.Agad naman na sinalo ni Cheryl ang usapan, “I’ll send the calendar. Let’s set it at the same time. And hopefully we get a glimpse again niyang tinatago mo dyan.” At nanunudyo pa itong tumawa.
Binihisan na ni Gabby ang mga anak pagkatapos nilang mag-agahan. Not a shadow of Matt returned. Nabanggit naman ni Gabby na 9 AM ang usapan niya with the broker. They were leaving already.She wore faded blue jeans, and a plain light blue shirt at pinarisan lang ng rubber shoes. She wanted to be comfortable as she expected that it would be a whole day activity. Pinag shorts niya naman si Chico and a light blue shirt, pinagsuot niya ito ng cap. Naghanda din siya ng light blue na shirt para kay Mango but she insisted na gusto nitong isuot ang blue dress na pinilit nitong bilhin ni Matt when they went out. She hoped mauto niya pa yung mga anak niya talaga na magsuot ng mga terno. She scaled back already, just matching yung mga kulay ng mga suot nila.She looked at her phone one more time. Wala. Walang text or missed call from Matt. Sinilip niya ulit ang dala
“NIAM, I CANNOT AFFORD THIS LOCATION.” Gabby said once they cross the gate of one of the most expensive and exclusive subdivisions in the metro.“See the location first.”“Kahit na gusto ko pa siya, mamumulubi ako.”“Come on, you are exaggerating.”Napapabuntung-hininga na lang si Gabby.They stopped in a corner lot. Her eyes looked at the site na obvious na may construction na ginagawa. The front of the property was covered by metal sheets and she can read the signages and First Construction.Atubiling bumaba si Gabby. She took Chico’s hand and Niam carried Mango. She just followed Niam as he walk
Jessica was nearest to Gabby so she approached her first with a polite smile, she clasped her hand at nakigpagbeso-beso dito.“Babe, help me up.” said Lexie sa katabing si Lucas. “May bisita tayo and I can’t even greet them properly.”Napalingon naman si Gabby dito. Lexie was heavily pregnant. Umiling siya dito at sinenyasan itong maupo lang. Gabby took the opportunity para mapalayo kay Matt. She went to Lexie at naupo sa tabi nito bringing Chico to sit on her lap.“Daddy, put me down.” pakiusap ni Mango at sumunod din sa ina.“Your tummy is biiiiig.” Mango said nang makalapit. She even made a big circle with her hands na ikinatawa ni Lexie.
“I MISS YOUR FOOD THE MOST, LEX,” puri ni Jessica pagkatapos ng munting salu-salo na inihanda ni Lexie.Mahina naman bumulong lang si Gabby sa katabing si Chico, “Anak, what will you say?”“Thank you, Tita.”Sumunod din na nagpasalamat si Mango copying Chico.Gabby reached behind and patted Mango’s hair. Nabigla pa si Gabby when she felt Matt’s hand grasp her hand pero agad din nitong binitawan when she lightly shook it off. Napapagitnaan nila ang kambal tulad nang kung paano sila maupo sa hapag when eating at home.“Buti nalang nagdadala si Matt ng mga pagkain when he visits me in Paris.” Jessica continued to say. She was seated on the other side o
“Jess!” Matt called after Jessica.Jessica left the pantry crying inconsolably.“F*ck this day!” malakas na mura ni Matt and turned to go after Jessica.Inabutan niya ito sa labas ng bahay.Mark had a hand on Jessica's arm stopping her from going."Jess, calm down." Pinilit itong yakapin ni Mark hanggang napahagulgol na lang Ito sa balikat ng kaibigan."G," Mark mouthed sabay turo to the parking below sa parating na si Matt.Matt ran to the parking. Found four kids taking a step each on the stairs, happily sending their new friends home.