Chapter 1: Coming back home
1929 Words
CATERINA
.
.
"Mamma! Mamma! wake up! Me hungry!"
I woke up when I heard Clinton's voice who keep on calling me, I stopped his small soft hands from tapping my face and chuckle seeing his cheeks getting bigger from frowning.
"Yeah yea I'm already awake honey, let me freshen up a bit okay?" I said which made him smile and nod.
I went to the bathroom and took a bath for awhile and after that we went downstairs to have a meal. I smiled seeing my son happily eating his breakfast while watching a cartoon movie.
We rarely have a moments like this since I'm too busy with my work, good thing he's smart and understanding even at his age.
I wiped he's cheeks when a porridge messed up around his mouth and sat beside him to eat.
He just keep on yapping about the movie he was watching while I was listening and teasing him.
After we finished having breakfast I was about to clean up but then I stop when my phone ring, I reached it on the table and my forehead crease when I saw an unknown number calling.
"Hello who's this?"
I asked but no one answered.
"Mamma let's play!" Clinton said while running towards me from the living room.
I waited for the caller to respond but it took 2 minutes before it ended, it didn't even said a word. Maybe it was a prank call, I just shrugged it off and was about to turn it off but then someone called again and this time it was my brother.
Well that's new, he rarely calls me these days.
"Yes why hello there brother!" I excitedly answered, he didn't answered at first since I heard that he's wheezing it looks like he's running right now.
"Cat, bad news. Dad's currently in the hospital, na stroke daw sya while nasa meeting and I'm on my way to the hospital." my eyes widen when I heard what he said and stood up feeling nervous.
"Wait what? Ho-how? I mean is he fine? oh right you're still on your way, how about ate Nena? is she already there? Wait I'll call her, I'll also gonna booked a flight right now. what hospital is he—"
"Calm down Cat I can't answer all your questions at once, balitaan nalang kita pagkarating ko sa hospital okay? I'll drop the call now, ingat ka jan." he answered before the call ended, I run my fingers through my hair feeling nervous about the news I got. I look at Clinton who suddenly hold the tip of my shirt looking at me concernedly.
"I'm alright baby, just play there for awhile mommy has something to do for a minute." I said to him which made him nod and run towards his toys.
I grab my laptop and search for available flight this evening from Italy to the Philippines. When I saw one I immediately called my secretary and told her to cancel all my appointments this week, I need to focus on dad even just for a week.
I was about to tap the booked confirmation but when my gaze passed on Clinton I stopped.
I'm having second thoughts if I should bring him along, it's been what? Five freaking years since I left the Philippines.
I promise to myself to never let my son step foot to that place most especially to never let my son see he's freaking father!
Damn my blood boils again thinking about that s**t years ago.
I was a bit hesitant, I don't know when will I be back if incase I'll leave. Dad's still in critical state and it will be hard to move him from Manila up to here in Italy.
I put down my laptop to the table before walking close to Clinton and called him.
"Clinton baby, come over here I have something to tell you."
"Sì mamma?"
"Mommy will be leaving tonight for a business trip, and I will let yaya Riley to stay here for awhile to babysit you. Is that okay with you? I'll be back as soon as possible." I said to him making sure he understands what I say, he nods but his eyes are kinda sad.
"When you back?" he asks which I didn't answer immediately, I don't know when will I come back. I don't want to disappoint him.
"Uhm maybe next week, don't worry I'll call you everyday okay? I'll buy you lots and lots of toys and foods when I come back." I said reassuring him which made him smile and jump out of joy hearing those magic words.
"Okay momma!" he said which made me smile, I booked the flight for tonight and packed our things. I also called Riley to stay at our house for a while to babysit Clint, she's our house maid. She only comes here when I ask her to babysit Clint and when I don't have a time to clean the house.
She's dad's mayordoma in the mansion, dad trusted her to watch over me and Clint since we move out of the house just so I can try on being independent, which is good since my life went well after everything that happened.
"Signora, why not moved baby Clint to the mansion?" Riley ask while carrying Clinton.
"No, you already know why I left there aside from trying to standing up on my own Riley. Just follow my order, I'll call every night to talk to Clint." that's the last thing I said before bidding goodbye to my son who's now sleeping.
"Take care of him for me okay?"
Riley just nod and accompanied me outside the house. Our driver was already waiting so I just went into the car and we immediately leave the house.
We were in the middle of the road when my brother called me so I hurriedly answered it.
"How's dad kuya?"
"Nasa ICU siya, he's still being monitored." he answered which I nod.
"But he's already fine, right?" I asked which made him sigh.
"I don't know yet, I hope so."
My eyes got teary knowing there's a possibility that dad won't make it, its his second time having a stroke.
The first was only mild, we already told him to rest but he's hard headed man.
"Hey don't think about it, dad will be fine have faith in him." Zion said which made me smile.
"Right, oh by the way I'm on my way to the airport."
"Huh? You're coming here in the Philippines?" he said feeling shock on hearing the news.
"Yeah, my flight will be 12 am." I answered.
"Dang are you sure? you never came back here since uhm.. I mean even nung nag ka mild stroke si dad you never set foot here in the Philippines are you sure you're coming?" he asked which made me nod in final response even tho he cant see it.
"Yeah, don't ask me anymore. If father is well enough after a week, I plan to bring him here in Italy to receive his treatment. I will carefully monitor his progress and make the necessary arrangements for his return as soon as his health permits." I said which he kinda agreed. I dropped the call after we talked and finally wait for my flight.
Time went by, and now I've arrived at the place I used to avoid.
There's no turning back already, also as if I will ran unto him. Manila is a huge place, I just hope he still don't hang around to Kate.
"Cat! Over here!"
I look around to find the familiar voice that I've heard. And when I face to the left side, there I saw my pretty sister in law walking towards my direction while raising her left hand. Her other hand was carrying my niece, my pretty niece!
I immediately run towards her and hug my niece tightly. Omg how I miss this pretty girl! She's a big girl already!
"Tita Cat!" she cheerfully said while hugging and kissing my cheeks. I smiled and hold her both cheeks.
"I miss you baby girl." I whisper which made her smile widely and held my face also.
"Misyooo too Tita Cat!" she said while I grip her face the reason why she looks like a cutie fish. I only see this kid thrice and yet she's that close to me haha. She's really adorable if only Clinton's here she could be a great cousin to her.
"Omg Cat, good thing nandito ka na. Kanina pa yan naiinip, she keeps on asking me if nasaan ka na daw hahaha." Kate said referring to her kid I smiled before pinching her cheeks again and kiss it before I walked towards Kate and kiss her on the cheeks also and we hug each other.
"I miss you so muchhhh Kate!"
"Sameee, ba't kasi ngayon ka lang bumisita dito sa Pinas?" she asks the reason why I awkwardly laugh and change the topic.
"Where's my brother by the way?"
"Ah pumunta siya ng banyo. Sa sasakyan niya nalang daw tayo hintayin tara na." I nod from her response before I grab my suitcase.
When we reach at the parking lot I smiled widely again when I saw my most handsome brother in the world and immediately ran towards him before giving him a tight hug.
"Mi manchi Fratello!"
"Mi manchi anche tu." he said while hugging me too.
"You still look handsome brother!" I said which made him laugh.
"Oh come on, I already know that already." he said the reason why Kate reacted. I just laugh and get inside the car, later on the atmosphere got serious.
"How's dad by the way? Is he already awake?" I asked still feeling worried, he shook his head before answering.
"Not yet, the doctor will call me if there's any update about him. But we'll visit him later, after I drop you off to the mansion." he answered which made me nod. After we areived at the mansion I immediately went to my old room and looked around the place.
God I miss this place,
"Tita Cat, tumawag po si Tita Mia kahapon and she said to me to tell you this." Xierra said which made me curious. Oh that b***h is still alive huh?
"What is it baby girl?" I asked before glancing at Kate who's also don't have any clue about what Mia says to the kid.
"She said 'sabihin mo kay tita Cat mo na single pa rin si Owen hanggang ngayon, iblind date ko silang dalawa pag uwi niya.' that's what she said tita ahahaha." Xierra said mimicking Mia's voice, I frown before looking at my brother who was laughing while Kate facedpalmed from the stupidity of her best friend.
"Baliw talaga ang babaeng yon." Kate whispered.
That b***h, she still hasn't changed.
I'll really strangle her to death if she freaking does that.
But wait.. what does she mean by 'single pa rin?' Hasn't he had any relationship after that day?
Hah! Maybe the girl left him, deserve!
"Xierra, wag ka makinig sa pinagsasabi ng tita mo. Kung ano ano nalang pinagsasabi non." Kate said which made Xierra nod and laugh.
"Tita Cat." I look at Xierra back when she whispered at me, trying to prevent her mother from hearing anything she says. I look at her with a questioning look and laugh a bit when she closely whispered on my ear.
"Tita Mia said, Uncle Owen was still waiting for you."
- Writer
