Chapter 5
1214 Words
The next morning, she got up early to bake. She wasn’t able to do it yesterday since she was preoccupied preparing dinner for Khalid. She had promised her niece she’d bake her cupcakes, so here she was now—yawning on her way to the bathroom to shower.
After bathing, she dressed in something casual, planning to change into something nicer later. She opted for a simple t-shirt and shorts—comfort was key at the moment.
She dried her hair with a blower and then tied it up in a neat bun.
Once she was in the kitchen, she immersed herself in the task. She prepared everything: a tray of eggs, a large container of milk, flour, sugar, chocolate—everything she needed for baking.
She set aside the ingredients for the icing and then began baking.
---
Two hours later, she had finished everything—fifteen cupcakes in total. She carefully arranged them in a large box she had bought the day before.
Afterward, she freshened up—applying some baby powder to her face, a light tint, and a touch of blush.
Her phone rang. She quickly grabbed it from her bed.
It was Hermionelle.
“I’m on my way,” she greeted, even though she was still getting ready.
“Oh, I see…”
“So why’d you call?”
There was a brief pause before Hermionelle spoke again.
“Can I leave Aubrielle with you for a bit? We’re headed to a charity event at one of our donation sites.”
“Sure, no problem…”
“Are you sure? Mom’s busy, and I really don’t want to leave her with the nannies. You know how picky Aubrielle is.” Hermionelle laughed.
“Well, she takes after me.”
“Definitely. You spoil her too much.”
“She’s my only niece! Of course, I’m going to spoil her. And she’s going to be even more spoiled today.” She laughed loudly.
“You’re impossible... Anyway, Joseph and I will drop her off at your condo. The charity event is all the way in Samar, so it’s a long trip.”
“No worries. Even if you left her with me for a whole week, I’d be fine with it.”
“When are you going to get married, huh? So you won’t—”
“Not in my plans yet,” she cut her off. “I’ve got something to finish first before I even dream about that.”
“And what kind of job is that?”
She grinned. “Secret.” A small giggle escaped her lips.
“Alright, I’ll hang up now.”
Moments later, the doorbell rang. She rushed to the door—it was exactly who she was expecting.
Aubrielle lit up at the sight of her and immediately raised her arms to be carried, hugging her aunt around the neck.
“Awwww, did you miss me? You miss tita mommy?” she asked, and the child nodded.
Hermionelle smiled widely beside Joseph, who also had a grin on his face.
“Well then?”
“Okay, okay. I’ll take care of her. You two take care on the trip.”
“Thank you so much!” Hermionelle hugged her tightly before pulling away.
“Hope you find a husband soon with how kind you are,” Joseph teased.
“Good thing I’m feisty,” she shot back playfully.
The couple laughed, and Joseph put an arm around Hermionelle. After kissing their daughter goodbye, they left.
She looked down at the child again.
“So baby, I’m your mommy for now, okay?”
She glanced at what the child was wearing—a floral dress, little sandals, a diaper, and her short hair was tied up. She chuckled when she noticed the tiny bag slung over Aubrielle’s shoulder. Curious, she opened it—inside were some clothes, baby cologne, lotion, powder, alcohol, and a feeding bottle. The baby’s sweet scent filled her nose.
She couldn’t help it—she kissed the toddler’s cheek.
“Awwww! You smell so good, baby!”
She brought her inside, locked the door, and gently set her down. The little girl could already walk on her own.
“You’re so cute, my little baby!” she said, holding back the urge to pinch her cheeks from the overwhelming cuteness.
She left Aubrielle in the living room for a moment, where the child began tearing up the magazines she had laid out on a blanket earlier. Smiling, she let her be. *Go ahead and tear them to pieces until you're satisfied, sweetheart.*
“Baby, look what tita mommy brought!” she called out, and the child turned toward her.
She showed her the two cupcakes on a plastic plate.
She placed the cupcake box on her mini table and helped Aubrielle sit up properly.
“You want to eat this? Remember last week you cried because you finished all my cupcakes? And I promised I’d make more for you when I wasn’t busy?”
Even though she knew the child wouldn’t answer, she still talked to her. Aubrielle stared at her as if studying her carefully.
“Awwww! Don’t give me that look, Brielle!”
She was shocked when the toddler suddenly burst out laughing.
“Alright then, I’ll hide this cupcake,” she teased.
The child froze. “Mamam! Mamam! Mamam!”
“Mamam?” she echoed, confused. She shook her head. *My niece’s language is next level.*
She placed the plate in front of the toddler, who instantly grabbed the cupcake with lightning speed, icing getting all over her little hands. She peeled the wrapper off herself, smiling as she watched the little one devour it.
With the child distracted, she went to the fridge and poured some milk into a plastic cup—safer in case of spills.
When she returned, half the cupcake was already gone.
“You really love chocolate, huh?” she chuckled. The cupcake was chocolate flavored, after all.
As expected, the child didn’t even look at her—too focused on eating.
She was about to sit in front of her and keep her company when the doorbell rang again. She placed the cup on the mini table and stood up with a puzzled frown, excusing herself.
She opened the door... and froze.
She almost choked on her own breath.
There he was—Khalid.
She hadn’t expected him. He was wearing a light sky-blue polo and gray slacks.
“K-Khalid...” she stammered.
Why now? Why today?
She felt embarrassed as she realized she had been staring too long. She stepped aside and gestured for him to come in.
Khalid’s face lit up in surprise when he spotted the child sitting calmly on the blanket.
“Oh wow! Aubrielle!” he rushed over to her and kissed her cheek.
“You smell so good! Eating a cupcake, huh? Oh no, you’ve got icing all over your face!” he said, laughing.
She shook her head and walked over to them.
“Want to try one?” she offered.
Khalid looked up at her, and she gestured to the box on the mini table.
He took one and took a bite—she held her breath, waiting for his reaction.
---
- Writer
