Her Misfortune

V. He Looks Like You Too

I open my eyes to the noise my phone is making. Someone is calling me but I did not get mad as when I look at the time it is just right about my wake-up time.

“Hello?” I said with my voice being husky at to my throat being dry.

“I called the guard and told him that you will be coming.” It is Nick responding to my message from last night and in his usual hurry tone as he hugs up the phone quickly.

I look at my phone with a smile curve on my face with a thought of “Nick would be a great husband to his wife and the best father to his children.” If ever he finds someone to be with.

I stood up to fix my bed when suddenly my phone once again rung. I answered it quickly thinking that Nick have forgotten something to tell me.

“Old man, what did you forgot?” I said in teasing tone as I continue to fix my bed.

“You were the one who forgot about me although I apologize for being old.” The voice said. My eyes went wide as I hear an unfamiliar voice from the other end of the call. I quickly took away my phone from my ear to check who is calling me. A man using an unknown number to my surprise what seems like it.

I stare at it for a few moments before taking a deep breath as I put it back to my ear and sat “Sorry, who is this?”

“Ms. Monte, I feel hurt for you not recognizing my voice even though we just met two nights ago and I kindly give you an express ride to the hospital.” The man said with faking hurt voice.

‘Two nights ago? Ride to the hospital?’ I thought to myself and tries to remember what he just said for a few seconds until a picture of a man popped into my mind and finally said his name “Mr. Smith!” I exclaimed that received a chuckle from him.

“Finally!” he said after his chuckle.

“I am sorry, so to what do I owe this early call?” I said as I feel strange receiving a call from him at seven am.

“Is it too early? I am sorry, I will be busy after fifteen minutes for the whole day.” He said that made me thought ‘What does it have to do to me.’

“Is that so? Then I guess you need to quickly tell me, what can I do for you?” I said in a bit of sarcastic tone.

“I guess you are right. I just wanted to say that I want to claim the payback for the ride. A dinner tonight maybe?” he said giving back the same sarcasm.

“Tonight? I could not. I have a prior meeting tonight with a friend.” I said remembering that Lisa have asked me if we could go out tonight with the twins.

“Then how about lunch today?” he quickly said making me confused as he said that he would be busy today.

“I am sorry, I will have a pick nick with my children. Maybe next time.” I said and hung up the phone as I am in a hurry. It is late for me to follow my plans for today.

I quickly run to the bathroom to take a quick bath right after fixing my bed. After a quick bath, I quickly did my morning routine until I am ready to go and get the car.

Mom is still asleep so are the twins. I wanted to go early so I could get back before everyone wakes up and prepare the breakfast.

I run out of the house where the cab is waiting for me. The work is near from the house, thirty minutes of ride so I choose not to go with the bus.

I look at my wrist watch as I stepped out of the cab after paying the driver. I smiled seeing that I have recuperated my schedule as I arrived on time to get the car. I quickly hopped in and started the car as soon as I get the keys and reach the car. I drove out of the office compound and through the street that is already packed with people in their hurry for something.

After a couple of minutes, I have successfully arrived before everyone wakes up. That made me smile from ear to ear as I remove my jacket and bag off of my shoulder walks directly to the kitchen where I put an apron on me, tying up my hair into a messy bun.

I got the pan and started making breakfast that I am sure the twins will love. Toasts cooked with eggs, hotdogs and pancakes with chocolate syrup and orange juice are what I have in mind.

After a couple of moments, I suddenly felt arms on my hips that made me almost throw the pan with pancake on it.

“Mimi, why are you already awake?” I hear the voice of Mark who is clinging tightly to my hips. I put the pan after putting the last pancake on the plate.

“Dear, do not do that again, specially when someone is in the kitchen cooking, you might hurt yourself. And I am awake because I want to prepare your favorite breakfast.” I said as I lean down and give him a kiss on his chubby cheek that made him giggle.

“But I told nana and Michael that we should do the breakfast you like this morning.” He said pouting his lips and a yell of yes came out of nowhere that I guess is Michael.

“Oh, my babies, come here and give mimi a morning hug full of love.” I said as I spread my arms and Michael came running to me that the impact almost made me fell. They give me a tight hug and shower me with their kisses as we all laugh together.

“Let me join too......” mom said as she came down running towards us helping me to make it steady so the twins will not be hurt.

After a few moments of morning cuddling, the breakfast starts when they ate all and leave nothing and soon went to take bath and prepare for the picnic.

It is almost 10 when we got done and is ready to go. I first loaded the car with everything, well almost foods since there will be benches with tables so I did not have to bring a mat.

I decided to bring them to the zoo. The biggest one in the city but the twins still did not know about it. They thought that we are just going to the nearest park and will sit on the grass.

I just thought that it is the perfect time to make them meet some animals and they are in age which they would remember what will happen today.

“Good morning Mrs. Lily!” the twins greeted the sweets store owner as we stop in front of her shop.

She came rushing towards us with a box of I do not know yet what kind of sweets. “Morning M&M!” She exclaimed as she turns towards the twins after handing the box to mom and me handing her the payment.

“We are going picnic!” the twins said in unison with their voice both in boastful tone.

“Really? Then the sweets I prepared will be perfect! Take a lot of pictures and let me see later when you come to tell me how my sweets tastes, ok?” she said and the twins replied with a nod both four times until she finally got off the car and walk back inside after waving them goodbye one last time.

Soon we zoom off but still driving with caution as I have babies on board. The twins are pretty excited as they keep on singing children’s medleys that I am proud of singing to them or letting them hear it since the day they were born.

“Mimi, where are we going?” Mark said that made me look to my rear-view mirror.

“To have a picnic remember?” I replied.

“But we already passed the park.” He said in wonder while he looks outside and made me shock.

“How the hell in the world did he know that?” I thought to myself as I look outside as well only to find out that what he said is true.

I cleared my throat before saying “Honey, we are going to a different place and it is a surprise. So please gentlemen, enjoy the ride until we reach our destination. And please hold on tight!” I said that turn into something like what I do at work.

The twins yelled in agreement and so I speed up a little bit and sudden that made an impact which they liked so much to make them laugh.

“God. I will once again be thanking you for giving me an opportunity to experience this. A precious experience to be a mom that not everyone could get.” I thought to myself as I watch them singing and singing along with them.

After almost one hour of driving, we finally reached our destination that when the twins saw the name of the place, they went first in to daze, then shock before they finally started yelling in their excitement.

I am glad that I decided to bring them here and the weather is on my side as it let the sun out with a clear clouds around it and the wind that blows soon enough to freshen you a little bit.

I stepped down of the car after parking it near the tables. I guess we are lucky to be the last one in the lane. I know that these few tables will never be enough on how many people comes here so I had to reserve this table near us.

I went to the compartment where I took a back pack full of the twin’s necessities and a big umbrella. You can put it in the middle of table on summer for the strong sun rays, and a thermo bag that is full of water. I opened the door first so the twins could get air before I set up the umbrella and put the thermo bag on the table hoping that there will be no thick faced people who would use our umbrella and so is our water before I took down the twins.

“Honey, hold my shirt and do not let go ok?” I said to Mark being the first to stepped down before I went to Michael’s side and took him down and finally wakes up my mom and we took off as we go inside after locking the car.

It makes me proud as my sons are not like the other kids who runs off as soon as their parents turn their sight off of them or as soon as they enter. My M&M held my hands tightly as ever, as we walk around.

Their faces full of happiness as they gaze towards the animals. They listen attentively as I read the description with info of the animals in our sight, asking question about it or asking what does a certain word does mean if it is unusual for them to hear. They make me so proud.

I am once like them. Interfering in adult’s conversation just to ask an unfamiliar word I heard from the same conversation, things that I see for the first time or asking someone to elaborate things for me as I grew up. Gathering all of that in my brain that is with no bragging intend gave high IQ. So, I have never wonder why they are like this.

And although I could not remember their father’s features, I could still remember why I fell for him. His intelligence as I listen to him talking over the phone being so professional, and his humour when he talks to me. So, I also know that they got his genes, both in features of the face, specially their almond eyes and their intelligence.

I am watching the twins as they pet the squirrels on their lap when my phone rings.

“Hello?” I said as I am unsure whose number it is.

“Will you just save my number and put my name on it?” the voice of a man that seems familiar came from the other end of the call.

“Is that you Mr. Smith?” I said confirming the one I am talking to right now is the same man I was talking as soon as I woke up.

“Finally!” he exclaimed.

“I thought I have told you that I will just call you when I decided when to pay you.” I said.

“No, you did not. You just selfishly hanged up the call earlier. And I could not wait, possibly.” He said to my surprise. I did not say anything for a moment to think and try to remember when I hear his voice once again.

“And since I am here already, why do not just let me join you guys for lunch?” he added that surprised me some more.

“Here?” I whisper to myself. “What is he talking about?” thinking as well.

“What do you mean by here?” I said to clarify things.

“Behind you.” He simply said. I am shock. I am not sure if everything will be fine after I turn my head back and he is really there.

I took a deep breath before I told my mom who has been by my side to keep an eye to the twins and turned my head slowly.

And there I see Mr. Smith standing wearing a gray suit with a big smile plastered on his face as he waves his phone.

“Please record a statement first that if something happens to you, I will take no responsibilities.” I said after staring at him for a moment while processing things.

I could hear him chuckling both in the phone and in person as he got closer taking steps towards me. “Why is that?” he said in between his chuckles.

“You see, my kids hate all the man in this world that they might not know yet what it called is but they know how to do it. Killing you know.” I said in joking tone while I look back at him.

“You are joking right?” he said suddenly his voice turns straight and serious.

“Take a few more steps and so you could see it yourself.” I said in challenging tone.

I stare at him a few feet away, I saw him hanging up the phone, gulping in fright and biting his lips as he walks towards me.

“Mimi!” I suddenly hear the twin’s voices and soon they are clinging on me. I laugh to the thought that suddenly came upon seeing them.

“Why are you laughing mimi?” Mark asks and he got impatient as I still seen could not stop myself from laughing.

He waited and so is Michael until I finally lean down and told them “You know what you look like when you cling onto me like this?”

They look at me puzzled biting their lips. It surprised me enough that it made me stop laughing, but I choose to shrugging it off from my brain and tell them “You look like those monkeys we have seen earlier.” They look at each other and soon started acting like real monkeys. Rubbing their heads and jumping around. I could not stop laughing until we hear a voice.

“Should I save this Lady from these cute monkeys?” said the voice that when I look at, it is Mr. Smith standing next to me.

And just like what I expected, the twins stopped their acting like monkeys.

Mark pushed Mr. Smith away and occupied that side and they both clings to me as they throw daggers looks towards him.

I watch them together with mom who have been watching from the side. I watch the twin with a smirk on my face acting like that and then towards him who looks problematic.

He look at me with pleading eyes like they wanted to tell me to save him. I shrug my shoulder with a playful smile that did not fail to receive a sigh from him.

It shocks me, the next thing he did. He leans down just right for the three of them meet their sights. He smiled, a warm one. I look at them three carefully and the thing that came to my mind is mind blowing that I could not help but to keep it to myself.

Not until the usual quiet Michael smiles and point at him as he says “He looks just like Mark!”

“Baby, does that mean he looks like you to...” a thought came that made me gasp to realize that it is not only me who sees this. I look at my mom who is still quiet and unmoved.

“Then, you look like me too. Since you and Mark have the same face. Is it not great?” Mr. Smith said.

I do not know what to do or what to say with this thing that is happening. I could not comprehend.

“Please, just please do not tell me that this man is...” I said to myself and was cut off by Mark finally talk.

“Why would that be great?” Mark said. I hold my breath. I held it in praying that he would not say anything stupid to make the twins confuse.

“Because I hear a lot of people saying I am cool and handsome. So, if you look like him then it means you are too. So, is it not great?” Mr. Smith said that I could not help but to let out a deep breath as I still look at them.

Mark smiled, he and Michael return the high five the man is offering with smiles in their faces.

“It can’t be. He lives in Italy. He is half Italian and half American.” I keep on repeating in my mind. And I know I will as I could not accept if this is true.

“Then, now I guess it will not be a problem if I want to join you guys for lunch, is it?” Mr. Smith said.

I almost died to what he just said, to how fast things happened and the fact that he looks like the twins.

The twins look at me with asking and the same time pleading eyes. And what is more is he looks at me too with a slight smile on his face while his eyes are saying “say yes say yes please.”

I sigh before I nod towards the twins and they dance around as I mouthed Mr. Smith “We will talk later.”

“Well then.” He said ignoring me as he scoops the twins and carry them both in his arms and started walking happily talking like mom and I did not exist.

“Jay,” mom suddenly said as she holds my arms and give it a light rub.

“I do not know mom. I could not remember his face anymore.” I said as we walk behind them.

I really could not remember his face; this man and that man’s aura are different. That man was giving off a happy go lucky kind. While this man gives off full confidence, seriousness and capabilities.

I watch them as I walk with mom with silence. He walks with them in his arms like he knows where he is going and he do. But that did not surprise me. But the fact that there is a barbecue stand with a man standing facing his us his back beside our table where a table cloth is covering with much more foods lying on it.

He put them down and they started running claiming their seats. I walk fast with deep breaths in every step.

“Can I talk to you first?” I said with mixed feelings as I reach him.

“We can talk for the rest of the day, but for now let the kids eat first. Aren’t right gentlemen?” he said that the twins look at me.

“Mimi, we are starving.” As both of them said in unison.

“You will leave as soon as you finish your plate!” I said into his face sternly.

He just looks at me, into my eyes for a moment before he nods and acted like nothing is wrong as he places foods on the plate of the twins and they just gradually eat in tranquillity.

My mom pats my back and she nods at me like saying just go with the flow for now when I look at her. I sigh in surrender and claim my seat next to mom as he claimed the seat between the twins.

“So, Mr.?” My mom started as she hands him a bowl of salad.

“Smith ma'am. Gabriel Smith.” He said in response with a smile on his face as he takes the salad from her.

“What do you do for a living? I could only tell that you are not a simple person seeing you have someone to do the barbecue.” She said as she hands me the rice.

I could only careless about him as whoever he is or whatever he is, one thing I am sure of is that I am not interested and will never be.

“Just a normal man with some business here and there.” He said with calmness in his voice.

I do not need to look at him to know that he is looking at me as I put foods in the twin’s mouths, just the feeling he is putting into it is enough to make me feel and aware.

“How about families?” mom said, this time I look at him waiting for his answer. Feeling like I am hoping that his answer will be just like what I thought.

“Complete parents with grandmothers in both sides together with a twin brother.” He spoke.

My mind started running back and forth to what he just said and says “Nationality? Where is your brother?” as I look at him.

He looks at me in the eyes for a moment before he speaks and said “Half American, half Italian. He stays in Italy.”

I gasp. I gasp to the thought that it might not him but his brother. His brother might be the father of the twins.

My mind went wild to the thoughts of worst-case scenarios.

“What if he came to make sure so he could tell his brother to get the twins away from me? From us? What if he wants to be close enough to them so they could trust him and suddenly bring them back to their father?” I argue to myself as I look at him then to the twins. I look at them lovingly with longing as I give them a kiss on their heads.

“Wha... what is his name?” I said stuttering in fright of what might happen next, later or tomorrow.

“Are you ok?” I waited but what he said is not what I was expecting. I look at him in daze until the twins said “Mimi, why are you crying?” in my surprise. I wiped my cheeks and is shock feeling them wet.

“Sorry baby, Mimi just suddenly feels sick. Can we go home? We already seen the animals; we can continue eating at home. If that is ok with you.” I said to the twins. They look at me for a moment before they stood up, hugged me and started collecting our things.

“We are very sorry Mr. Smith. Mimi does not feel ok so we have to go home now. But we are pleased to meet you.” Michael said to him.

I quickly loaded the car with our things after telling mom to hold them tight and do not let them go off of her sight that she nodded in agreement.

After loading the car, I first put Mark on his seat behind me, then Michael beside him before telling mom to get in first.

“I do not know why you are here and what are your intentions are. But keep this in mind. I would never ever give the twins who have been my life for almost five years. I will fight with you until to the deepest hole of the world. Tell that to your brother.” I exclaimed to his face before I hopped in the car, closes and lock it from inside and started the engine to begin speeding off.

I caught a glimpse of him. He looks at me with pain in his eyes. He keeps looking at our car until we are nowhere to be seen and only then I took a deep breath.

“Brother! When I grow up before anything else, I will learn how to drive so mimi does not have to drive when she feels sick.” Michael whispers to his brother but it is loud and clear enough for me to hear it.

“Then I will work hard and buy a car that you will drive, so mimi does not have to go and borrow the car from uncle Nick.” Mark said that I could not help, I could not contain it anymore.

I break and sobs as I continue driving in safe speed. I cry and cry in fright of losing them.

“Dear, it will be ok. I am here and I am sure Nick will not let something happen with them.” Mom said holding my hand. I hold hers back tightly.

I nodded to her with a thought in mind. “That is true. Nick loves them so much like they are his own. I know he will help me in all the way he can.

“Mom, will it be ok if I bring you guys to auntie? Just for now so I could be at ease.” I whisper to mom while the twins are busy talking about the animals that they have seen today with a smile on their faces.

“It will be no problem. Let me call her now.” She said and dialled Nick’s mom’s phone.

“Gentlemen, who wants to go and stay in a farm for a while? You can see hen running around, you can even see hatching eggs.” I said to the twins. I know they love nature so much, and this is the best way to make them agree without asking anything.

“Really? Can we go?” they both said in unison and a smile of victory curve into my face.

“We are going directly there now!” I said and speed off after kept looking at the back if someone is following us.

They yelled in celebration as I told mom to text Nick that we will be in his mom's house for the time being.

I speed up as I plan for my next move. And a thought came to my mind.

“Mom, we will take a bus. I am afraid that they did something to this car.” I told mom as I thought about of that man putting a tracking device in this car. I do not have a doubt in the inside which could not be open without that key that has been with me all this time. But the outer part is another whole new level of discussion. And I will not risk anything because of that.

We arrive at the bus station in no time. I told mom to prepare the kids for travelling, I do not know in what kind of condition the bus will be in for three hours. It is early afternoon, but the three hours could go longer with the traffic condition so we had to be prepared.

I went to the compartment where the bag of food is located. Somehow, I feel lucky that the burger sandwiches are still untouched. I put all of it in another bag together with a bottle of milk and water before loading myself and went to get the kids out of the car and ask mom to buy our tickets.

“Mimi why are we here?” the twins ask.

“It should be a surprise, but now that you have asked, mimi have no choice but to tell you. We need to ride a bus to get to auntie’s farm.” I said in fake toned voice.

The twins look around as they get excited seeing busses coming in and out of the terminal.