I LOVED YOU FIRST

PROLOGUE Three year old Paris was sitting on her throne, a reclining single sofa. She was busy watching her favorite cartoon show on TV. It was a good thing the house has cable otherwise William and Annie would have a hard time explaining to Paris on why she could not watch her favorite cartoon.   They are currently at her Uncle Gabriel’s and Auntie Catherine’s house. They, together with their two sons, Justin and Luke, have recently arrived from the States. They lived in the States for over 5 years. Gabriel had to take over Cardenas International. His father decided to retire and Gabriel, being the eldest son, had to continue the legacy corporation which his great-grandparents have started. His other siblings have business of their own to take care of. It was his responsibility to keep Cardenas International alive and at the pedestal.   Cardenas International has been passed down to the eldest son of each generation since it has been established. The Cardenas clan have other big companies in their name but Cardenas International had been the first company their ascendants was able to establish and therefore making it the heart of all other companies they might have started since. Cardenas International consists chain of hotels and resorts which can be found on every major cities like New York as well as towns with breathtaking locations such as Pagudpud.   Gabriel and Catherine are having their closest friends over for lunch. They are the friends they were lucky to make in high school. It has been so long since they had this kind of gathering. Although, they keep in touch by phone and emails, it still a lot different having to see them in person. All of them have their own family now. Some of them brought their kids. The same kids who are now making a lot of pleasant noise.   Paris was swinging her legs, watching intently at the television and not minding the adults as they chat all over the living room. William and Annie, her parents are keeping their eyes on her nevertheless.   Nobody dares to bother her once she sat on that chair. Nobody dares get the remote control and change the channel for fear of making her cry. For, oh boy, she could cry! Her face would look so pitiful and her sobs could break any man's heart. Which all of them witnessed earlier when one of the kids tried to steal the remote from her grasp.     Justin is only 6 years old. The oldest of the bunch of kids present. He just got back from the States with his parents. He is a fun and friendly child. He's talked to every kid present except for Paris.   While all the other kids are running around in ruckus, Paris just sat there and concentrating on watching cartoons.    Justin approached Paris and sat on the chair beside hers. Justin somewhat remembers Paris as a baby. Before going to the States he remember going inside a room where his Auntie Annie was sleeping. His Uncle William signaled him inside the room while rocking a bundle in his arms, shushing. He knew about the new baby. Just like Luke, his new baby brother. He got the idea that all babies are small. He cannot play with them. They cannot even hold things in their tiny hands.    He was three years old then. He was still practically a baby himself but the adults had let him hold Paris, with their assistance of course. She was so small, much smaller than Luke when he was born. But her smile, it captivated him. He still remembers how Paris smiled that day. It made something glow inside his heart.   "Hello." Justin mumbled. He sat on the edge of the sofa beside her. “What are you watching?” he asked. He sounded a little breathless. He was still catching his breath after all the running he did.   He’s a little tired and bored with the games they were playing. They had been playing since the other kids arrived. It was fun but tiring.   Paris didn't appear to have heard him. Her eyes still glued on the TV.    Justin made himself comfortable in the sofa. He put his legs up and crossed them in front of him and leaned back on the sofa.   Luke arrived afterwards and sat directly beside Paris. He was breathing hard and sweating. Paris turned to him and frowned.    She slide a little to the side. She didn’t like it when anyone tries to crowd her.    “Hi!” he said in a bubbly voice. “What are you watching.” Luke asked.    Like before, Paris did not bother to answer.     The adults looked on with teasing smiles on their faces.  "I see..not even your son could steal her attention when she is focused like that." William said to Gab with a booming laugh.   “Sons.” Catherine corrected. “Justin tried talking to her earlier but she ignored him too.” She continued, rolling her eyes jokingly.   "Well, it will be a different story in a matter of say...ten years." Gab responded gamely.   “Hmm…we’ll see.” Annie replied. Her eyes twinkling.   They all raised their brows when they heard Paris speak.   “Here.” Paris said, passing the remote control to Luke.    Luke took it and just held the remote.   “I like that.” He said referring to the cartoon they are currently watching.   The adults turned to each other and laughed. “I guess we did not have to wait for ten years after all.” Annie said teasingly.   “At least one of my guys was able to catch her attention after all.” Catherine said.   “Aren’t they the same age? Luke and Paris, I mean.” Diana, one of their friends asked.   “Yes. Luke was born just few months before Paris.” Gabriel replied.   They continued chatting while they finish preparing the food. The guys went to prepare the tables to be set up at the verandah, where they plan to set the food.    The house, which should be properly called a rest house was designed with wide and open spaces in every room. The house itself was surrounded by big acacia and narra trees. The front yard is covered with beautiful dichondra. The vast land where the rest house was located is just one of the many properties that Catherine inherited from her parents.    Like Gabriel, Catherine also belongs to a rich clan. She was an only child and therefore, the only heir to all the properties left by her parents. Her mother had only one sibling, a sister, who now resides in the States with her own family. Her father, also, had only one sibling, her favorite aunt who now lives in Canada with her five children and hordes of grandchildren.    Catherine’s family owns businesses from different industries. Her cousins are ruling in their chosen professions.    Gabriel and Catherine’s marriage was arranged. Fortunately, they were lucky to have fallen in love with each other.    When the men finished setting the tables, they grabbed their kids and tried to settle them at the playpen set at the verandah. “Tried” being the operative word. Some of the children, whose ages ranges from one to six, are trying to leave the playpen. Their fathers, instead of getting mad, are just laughing as they bring each child to settle.   On the other hand, the women brought the food from the kitchen with the assistance of the house helpers.   Paris is also now at the playpen with the rest of the kids. Once she realize she cannot anymore watch the TV, she decided to interact with the other kids. She is now playing and laughing with them.    Justin, being the eldest, is trying to keep the peace and acting like the adult of the group. He is seated beside Paris. Luke is seated on the other side of Paris.    Jennie, who is five years old, tried to snatch the toy that Paris was playing with but Justin took it back and returned it to Paris. He immediately gave Jennie another toy before she started to cry.    Four-year-old Marco almost started a fight with Luke but Justin got between them and stopped them from going at each other.   All the while, the men are just standing and watching the interactions between their children. They are ready to intervene to prevent any mishaps.    “I do not think we are still needed here.” A chuckling James said.   Observing Justin as the child tried to keep the peace among the children.   “I sometimes wish my Paris had an elder brother. To protect her when I am not around. But I guess, your Justin is going to be that for her.” William observed. He cannot help but admire Justin. Such a young age but acting like a man already.   When Paris was born and he held her in his arms, William immediately fell in love. She was such a sweet, fragile baby girl. She was so small he was scared he was going to break her if he touch her.   But sometimes, when he is watching her, like now, he wish their first born was a boy. Because a boy could protect his mother and sister when the father is not around.    He prays for a son. A son to take care of Paris, his princess. She is so young and she will constantly need him and Annie.    She is so beautiful. She is one of the most precious thing he ever had. His heart is full of love for this beautiful child he and the love of his life was able to create.    Gab thumped his back and grinned. “You can still make another baby. We will pray it’s going to be a boy.”   They did not notice that their wives were listening to their conversation until they were upon then.   Annie offered her hands to William, she smiled and wistfully turned to the children playing.   “I have also been praying for a boy.” Annie said.   William hugged her close and kissed the top of her head.   “Maybe we can make one tonight.” He teased her.   Their friend laughed along with them. They teased each other like they were back in high school. The verandah were filled with laughter of both children and adults. It was a scene that will be duplicated a hundred times more.    At that moment, everything was just perfect.