Safe In Your Sound

Chapter 6: Thank You

I can go to work for the day without giving a damn about anything. But that was before yesterday happened.

First thing I saw when I got to work this morning was Orly and Tanya talking by the cashier post. The man's gaze bore unto me abruptly while I was walking towards the personnel room. Our eyes met and I instantly recalled what happened yesterday.

"She's Orly's daughter," Lucas uttered beside me as I watched Orly lift Hope into his arms, the latter giggling in happiness.

I refused to believe it at first but seeing Hope all giddy and clingy towards him was enough to convince me. I could think that he only adopted her but their resemblance is quite undeniable, especially their eyes.

"Papa, we have a new neighbor," Hope told Orly while pointing at me. He glanced at me for a split second and returned his gaze on his daughter.

"Hm. What did you do today? Have you been a good girl?" he asked, smiling to his ears which surprised me.

Grandpa Pol and Lucas were watching them in awe while I stood there, still dumbfounded on what I just found out. Orly carried Hope while the latter excitedly narrate what she did while her father was out. He walks towards us, nodding at his daughter's words.

He stopped in front of me and Lucas but didn't looked at us until Hope was done with her story. My mouth was agape as I continue to watch them. But what amazes me is the man's full and genuine smile towards the little girl.

So, he does know how to smile.

He talked to Lucas but I didn't quite comprehend what they were saying as I was too engrossed with the sight of him and Hope.

The girl smiled at me, with her ever twinkling and meaningful gaze. Not to be snob, I smiled back and it was then when Orly turned and saw me smiling.

"Papa, she's our new neighbor," Hope whispered into his ears but it was loud enough to grasp.

"You know her?" He whispered back.

I know he knows that I can hear them talking about me but he still tried to keep their voices low. And as if I wasn't there.

"She's beautiful. I like her," Hope said, softly unto him but I can still hear it.

"Let's go inside now? I brought your favorite bread rolls," Orly then said making the little girl clapped enthusiastically.

He bid goodbye to us, and it was the first time that he looked at me in a more appealing expression, no furrowed brows or piercing gaze, just a simple face.

"How about tomorrow night then? After your shift?" Tanya inquired with the usual seductive smirk plastered on her face.

First thing in the morning and they're already flirting with each other. I don't normally give a damn about it especially to someone like them, but after slightly witnessing their fun-time yesterday then meeting the man's daughter a few minutes after is just too much for me.

If he has a daughter, then he must have a wife! But here he is with this woman who seems willing to give him everything she's got without even knowing that he already has a family!

I can tolerate plain flirting but not cheating. This man is cheating on his wife and daughter!

"I'm busy, Tanya. I can't go out. You can just ask someone else," he said, tearing his sight off me.

Though he rejected her, I still can't help but grimace at them. I almost ran towards the personnel room, not wanting to hear anymore of their conversation. I thought I'd still see them there when I went out of the room but they weren't there anymore.

I went straight to my post, which was on the third section and flinched in surprise when I saw Orly loading an empty shelf just after I made a turn to the section.

He smirked and though he didn't glance at me, I know it was because of me. I scoffed upon seeing that annoying grin on his lips and fought the urge to knee him when I walked past behind him.

The day went by as it normally does. And by normal, I meant including all the simple flirting of the salesladies towards the men here and them flirting back. There was a new bagman in the store and every woman here seemed to be fond of him too as if they haven't met someone as beautiful as him, with long hair that falls just on his shoulders, a subtle beard and deep black orbs.

The new guy is indeed handsome. And very friendly too, compared to the other guy who doesn't know how to lift the corners of his lips every time he meets or talks to someone. He would either frown at the person or ignore him.

"Hi, Erica," Andres greeted when he entered the room. I smiled. He has been working here for around three days now after Bruno quit last Monday.

He sighed as he plopped himself on the monoblock chair from across the table. I was having my snacks when he came in.

"You want some?" I offered the sandwich I made for myself this morning which I took to work but he shook his head.

"No, thanks. I'm good with water," he showed his water bottle before drinking from it.

"You look tired. Did the girls tire you?" I remarked, seeing the trickles of sweat on his forehead and down to his jaws.

He chuckled. "Yeah. Someone did."

He seemed pretty much cool about it though. Not like the other guy who's  obviously helping just to get some attention from the ladies. I almost rolled my eyes thinking about him. I still couldn't get over the fact that he has a daughter and keeps doing pesky things!

Like, doesn't he have any dignity?

And as if I have called him through my thoughts, that person suddenly entered the personnel room.

"Hey there, Orly!" Andres beamed. But like the usual, Orly only glanced at us and nodded before stopping in front of his locker.

I scoffed.

"By the way, Tanya's inviting for a little drink at her place next Saturday for her birthday. You'll be there too, right?" Andres asked.

I recalled Tanya's invitation last Thursday. Her birthday celebration is still in a week's time and I think turning it down would be much of a hasty decision so I told her that I'll try. Now, Andres asks me the same thing and I'm suddenly convinced to go.

"Yeah, I'll be there," I nodded.

He smiled. "It would be fun."

He then turned to the guy who was still standing by his locker. My gaze fell to him too but looked away instantly, can't withstand seeing him after all the things I know about him.

It's not good to judge people base on the things they do but I don't think he has a good reason to do such thing too. What's good in cheating? Nothing!

"How about you Orly? You're going too right?"

"No," he said firmly without glancing at Andres and closed his locker.

But Andres didn't stop there. He tried to persuade him to go but as the snob he is, Orly only shook his head and stick with his previous decision before he left us. Andres was disappointed while I'm not even surprised.

He sighed. "He's really hard to convince. Like seriously?!"

I chuckled. "If I were you, I'd give it up. He's the most unsociable person I know."

He smirked which had me confused. "So you two are close?"

"What?"

"Are you close to him?" He asked again, with malice.

I laughed it off. "No...? We barely know each other, actually. And I don't think I'll be interested in knowing him more. I already have an idea what kind of person he is."

"And by that, you mean?" He grinned mischievously.

I shake my head knowing what he is trying to imply. "Sorry but I think you got it all wrong. I really don't know him. And I'm not interested at all."

"Ah, is that so? How about me then?"

I bursted out laughing. So, this is where our conversation leads to. I thought he was going to act offended but he didn't.

"I guess that's a no," he chuckled.

After a few more minutes of talking, we went back to work. He was really fun to be with. He had the same vibe with Lucas only that his jokes were a bit more worldly compared to the latter's innocent ones.

I was just getting off the tricycle when I saw Lucas and Hope standing by my door. They were both looking at me as if they've been waiting for me since earlier. I smiled as I neared them.

"Hello," I waved at Hope which she returned with a smile.

I crouched down to her level when I was already in front of her. But she caught something that somehow delighted her.

"Oh! You have the same uniform as my Papa!" she exclaimed in amusement, pointing at my shirt.

Now, that she mentioned her father, my insides turned upside down. I was happy to see her and almost forgot that she's the daughter of that unlawful man. And speaking of that guy, I wonder what's taking him so long to come home. We logged out at the same time earlier and I even saw him rode a trike.

"Do you work with him, Ate Erica?" she asked.

"Hmm," I nodded slowly. "You're right. We're colleagues."

"But what are you doing out here? You should be inside already before the mosquitoes bite you," I said and looked at Lucas who only shrugged.

"She wanted to wait for her Papa. And also, she wants to play with you," he chuckled and messed Hope's hair which made the latter whine in annoyance. I chuckled with him upon seeing the cute annoyed face of the girl.

"Okay, then. But let's go inside first," I smiled at her before opening the door and letting them in.

Hope immediately jumped on the sofa causing her to almost fall on the floor that got Lucas and I startled.

"Be careful!" Lucas scolded but Hope only giggled, showing all her small white teeth.

"Hope that's not very funny. You might hurt yourself. Behave while I make something for you, okay?"

"I like cheese sandwich with cheese dripping from the sides please," she clasped her small hands together while looking at me with puppy eyes.

I giggled at the sight and held an 'okay' sign and glanced at Lucas, signalling him to look over the girl before I went to the kitchen.

While I was busy preparing her snacks, I can hear them talking and laughing from the living room which also made me smile. Although I can't really hear them clearly, I know they're probably just teasing each other.

I caught them whispering to each other when I got back and placed the cheese sandwiches and the orange juice on the coffee table before I made myself comfortable on the sofa, adjacent where they were sitting.

"Why are you whispering?" I asked.

Hope pouted after Lucas whispered something and pulled away, cackling by himself.

"No, that won't happen. I'll make sure it won't happen," Hope objected to whatever it is they were talking about.

Lucas lifts both of his shoulders before dropping them down and diverting his gaze on me. I raised an eyebrow at him, silently asking what's happening but he shook his head. My eyes caught Hope watching us closely while she pouts as if disappointed by something.

Lucas took one sandwich and munched on it while he eyed the girl teasingly which seemed very effective because Hope's brows were already creasing and I can see smoke coming out from her nose. I giggled and tried to get her attention off the guy.

"Aren't you going to taste the sandwich? I made them just for you," I cooed her and she quickly turned to me with a smile as if she wasn't upset just a second ago.

"Thank you, Ate Erica!" she took one sandwich and bit on it.

Her feet wiggled as she ate the sandwich happily, licking the melted cheese off from her fingers. I watched her in awe and thought of how cheerful the girl was. She was far different from her father and that's good thing. At least, he doesn't teach his how to be angry all the time like he is often.

She hasn't finished her sandwich yet when we heard a knock on the door.

"I'll get it," Lucas volunteered as he was closer to the door.

I was smiling as he turned the knob but when I got the glimpse of the person behind the door, I frowned.

Hope, upon seeing her father, got off from the couch and went to cling on his arms just like what she did yesterday. This girl is very much close to her father that I can't stand to feel sorry if she ever found out that her beloved Papa has a mistress.

I grimaced as the thought filled my mind, watching them on my doorstep.

"Papa! Ate Erica made cheese sandwich for me," Hope said that made his gaze fell unto me before looking down on his daughter.

"Did you say 'thank you'?" he asked her, in a calm tone.

"Yes, I did. Come in, Papa, and taste her sandwich," Hope pulled Orly inside my living room.

"No, baby, we need to go home," he resisted.

"Yes Papa but later after you taste it," Hope said and I can't believe he let himself be tugged by a little girl.

I fought the urge to glare at him while his daughter was looking at me with a huge smile. She gestured him to sit beside her on the couch and he did what he wanted. Hope then gave him one of the sandwich which he took and bite on as per her daughter's request.

"Mmm. It's tasty," he commented, which sounded very fake to my ears.

"And it's your favorite too," Hope remarked. Orly only nodded at his daughter. He glanced at me before turning to Lucas who was surprisingly sitting beside me.

He thanked Lucas for taking care of Hope while he was gone for work. And the latter just laughed it off saying it's not a big deal. Hope was smiling at me then and Orly must have noticed reason why he turned to me in an instant.

"Thank you too... Erica," he uttered my name as if it was so hard to say. Not wanting to be rude in front of his daughter, I smiled at him.

Hope bid goodnight to me before the three of them left. Tonight, I realized something – that he's a mother f*****g two-faced jerk.