CHAPTER 32
1054 Words
Chapter 32
"Yay! But I want dolphin toys, mama!"
"Dolphin then… anything else? Is that all?" I asked Freya, who had just stopped crying because I was leaving for Cebu tonight.
"Hmm, I want a teddy bear and a panda too!" she added. My children were in our room to help me pack, a while ago, they were crying the whole time. They only stopped when I said I'd bring them souvenirs.
"Noted." I said while wiping her face, which was still wet with tears. "How about my baby Maynard?" I asked my son, who was squatting on the mattress reading a book.
"I'm happy with books and airplane toys, mama. But if there aren't any, it's okay. I have a lot of toys and books already." he said. He wasn't sure about the airplane though, so I smiled. I know he wants it.
"Alright! Mama has listed everything my babies want in her brain."
"Thank you mama, I love you!" Freya said and immediately came to me to give me a kiss on the cheek. This child is so sweet. Maynard too.
"Call us everyday mama, so we won't be sad that you're far away from us." Freya said, still hiccuping and threatening to cry again.
My smile widened. If I didn't need money, I wouldn't go, especially since I'm going with their father.
"Of course baby, we'll call each other everyday so mama won't be sad too, okay?"
"Yes mama!" They answered in unison, making me smile. "I'm still going to Tita Che's and Ate Chareleene's house mama." Freya said.
"Of course, but behave yourselves with them, okay? And make sure you stay at their house. Don't go anywhere, okay?" This is my constant reminder to them. I don't want them to approach strangers or even acquaintances. I don't want them to let visitors in without mama and papa knowing, but Chevika and Chareleene are exceptions, because I think they're nice neighbors.
"Yes, mama." After packing my things, I played with the kids. We went to church early this morning, and I'll put them to sleep this afternoon. When they wake up, I'll leave for the airport.
Boss wanted to pick me up at home, but I immediately refused. What if he comes here and sees the kids? I don't want that to happen.
But wait, isn't he following me? And why would he follow me, Aubree? I shook my head. Sheesh. He probably doesn't care anymore, he probably has a fiancee or a wife now. Every day we face each other or pass by each other, it's like yesterday or what we went through is just nothing. It ends there, not even a word of sorry. He's a jerk.
As I watched my children sleep soundly this afternoon, I thought, I don't know what they're thinking.
They're growing up and for sure as they grow up, they'll have many questions in their minds. Especially when they see other students in school whose parents are complete and pick them up.
I looked up and tried to hold back my tears. I don't want to be weak in front of them. I'm brave, right? I can raise them. I'm enough for them, right?
I'll do everything for them. "Promise my children, mama will do even better."
"Okay mama, papa. You take care of the kids first. I'll call you." I said goodbye to them.
"Okay Aubree, just be careful when you're away. If you can't handle the work your boss is giving you, come home right away. We'll take care of everything." Papa threatened. I smiled. What if papa finds out that my boss is the son of the person he used to work for? Because the ending is, they serve the parents, and now I serve the son. It's the Sullivaño family. And then if he finds out that he's the father of my child.
It would be messy.
"See you soon mama. I love you more mama!"
"Take care mama, it's okay if there are no souvenirs, as long as you get home safely," Maynard sounds like an old man when he advises me.
"Be careful here too kids, and don't be too naughty with Lola mama and Lolo papa, okay? Don't talk to strangers and don't go anywhere without your Lola and lolo, okay?"
"Yes mama!" My children said, raising their small hands.
I glanced at my parents and met their eyes. They smiled. "I know my children are trying not to cry in front of me. They're so brave. Really brave and I'm so proud of them.
As soon as I arrived at the airport, I got out of the taxi after paying the driver.
It's good that Ryker isn't bothering me about where I am. He just called to ask where I was, and when I said I was on my way, he didn't say anything else and hung up, though I know I'm late. I'm 10 minutes late.
Carrying my suitcase, a man approached me and took my bag. I didn't want to, but when he pointed out who he was and where Ryker was, I followed him immediately.
"We're taking a private plane, sir?"
"Yes ma'am," he replied curtly.
I didn't ask any more questions and just followed him until we reached the plane.
Is this his?
Who cares…
The man pointed to where Ryker was.
I immediately walked to find a cabin seat. I saw Ryker, and even though I didn't want to, I approached him to greet him.
He was wearing a white long-sleeved polo, which he had rolled up to his elbows, and black pants. If I could have been amazed by him before, now I just rolled my eyes at nothing.
"Good evening sir. I'm sorry I'm uhmm… 27 minutes late." I said, and he didn't even move his lips and just looked at me. Was he looking at what I was wearing? It's okay, this plain white sleeveless dress I'm wearing is fine if that's what he's looking at.
He looked at me with furrowed brows, his finger under his chin, so I immediately looked away, but…
"I think I know you?" I was the one with furrowed brows looking at him now because of what he said.
"What?"
"I don't know but… I feel like I know you from before."
- Writer
