Prologue
The sun is now slowly rising, making its way to be seen behind those hills which stand as the protector of the lake. Luckily, I am one of those fortunate who happened to witness this amazing view for almost four years. The morning breeze is always relaxing. I am sitting on a wooden chair, particularly on my balcony while having my coffee to start the day, still wearing my white satin nightgown. This dad’s property is quite a surprise for me. It’s inside a village and he acquired this asset a long time ago back when he was still a bachelor.
“M-mommy...”
I stopped my reverie and turned to the sweet little voice who called me. And there, my little angel who’s holding her favorite teddy standing in the doorway.
“Come, Lilou,” I said as I reached out my hand to her.
“Good morning, my love.” I greeted her as soon as I held her hands. I immediately put her on my lap and hug her, smelling her baby scent that is so relaxing.
“Good morning, mommy.”
I nuzzled on her neck, giving her light kisses.
“Mommy, look! The sun is starting to show up.” she excitedly says,
“Yes, baby,” I replied holding my emotion back.
“It means that I’m going to see Daddy, later! Right, mommy?” the excitement in her voice is written on her face.
“Yes, pumpkin,” I said assuring her. She squealed.
“I hope he’s going to like me! Well, I looked like you Mom, and everybody likes you, so I am sure daddy’s going to like me too!” she’s quite confident since it’s true that she’s my carbon copy except for her hair. My hair is a bit wavy on its ends while hers is all straight.
“Of course, love. He’s not just going to like you; he’s going to love you.” I said to assure her.
“Mommy?”
I only smiled and nodded. If her eyes can turn into a heart shape, it’s already one.
“I also love Daddy! I want him beside us while we are going to sleep. I also want him to eat with us while we are having a meal, while we are going out of town. I always want him beside us Mommy.” hopeful niyang sabi. I only kissed her cheek as a response. I couldn’t say anything since I’m on the edge of crying. I brush her hair with my fingers while letting her talk about the things she wants to do with her dad.
Later this afternoon, I’m going to face the man who I barely saw for the last four years of my life. If not just because of Lilou’s eagerness to finally meet her dad, I won’t see him. My daughter is only three years old but she’s above average than her age. She can already talk without difficulty and understand things on her own.
Apat na buwan palang ang nakakaraan ng simulan niyang itanong sa akin kung nasaan ang daddy niya. Bakit hindi namin kasama, samantalang ang mga kaibigan niya ay palaging may daddy na sumusundo o humahatid sa kanila tuwing pumupunta kami sa park. The look on her face while asking me that made me cry. That’s when I decided to tell her about her dad. I showed her an Instagram photo of her dad. At mula noon, she’s always asking about him. I don’t want to lie. My daughter doesn’t deserve that kaya kahit mahirap, ginawa ko ang sa tingin ko ay nararapat.
We live in an exclusive village where the security is too tight. Kaya malaya kaming nakakagala kung saan man namin gustuhin. The village consists of two big malls, a primary school, a park, one supermarket, two coffee shops, a mini hospital, a gym that contains all the necessary equipment, a chapel, and a clubhouse. All the necessities we need are already here. Kaya naman sa tuwing pumapasok ako para mag-trabaho, uuwi rin agad pagkatapos. I don’t want to leave Lilou that long if I can go home right after to her.
“Ma’am, kanina pa po nagri-ring ang cellphone niyo.”
I snap from my thought after hearing Lilou’s nanny. Inabot niya ang phone sa akin. It’s an unregistered number.
“Ate Trish! I want to take a bath already!” masiglang sabi ni Lilou.
“Hala siya, ang aga naman. Anong nakain mo?”
“Wala pa po, kakain palang, then, maliligo.” slang niyang sagot sabay abot sa kamay ng kanyang yaya.
“Saan ang punta ng batang to ma’am? Ang hyper, ang aga pa.” tanong ni Trish habang kinakarga si Lilou na ngayon ay pinaglalaruan ang buhok ng kanyang yaya.
“Ate Trish, I’m going to meet my daddy today kaya I woke up as early as a bird.” sagot niya dito. Hindi naman makapaniwalang tumingin sa akin ang kanyang yaya.
“Talaga ma’am? Hala siya, makikita mo na rin sa wakas ang pogi mong tatay! Ma’am, sobrang gwapo po ng racer na yun!”
“I asked Ate Trish who’s my daddy mom, even though she didn’t ask me. But I made her promise not to tell anyone unless you say so.” napa-facepalm nalang ako after hearing what Lilou said.
“Hala siya, secret po pala yun ma’am?” nanlalaki ang matang tanong ni Trish sa akin.
“Not anymore but just don’t tell anybody. I don’t want to create chaos in public since they didn’t know yet about Lilou.”
“Yes ma’am. Promise po. Mamatay man yong alagang manok ng jowa ko.”
“What’s manok, ate Trish?” agad na tanong ni Lilou,
“Chicken. Chicken is manok in Filipino, Lilou.”
“Alright. Then, what’s about jowa?”
Nagkatinginan kami ni Trish sa huling tanong ni Lilou.
“Sige na Lilou, kumain kana. Ate Trish will still prepare your things.”
“Alright, mommy.”
My phone rang after they went inside. It’s still the unregistered number that has five missed calls already. I pressed the answer button thinking it was an emergency or something.
“Hello?” I answered. The other line is quiet. I was about to end the call when the caller talked.
“Where are you? I’m going to fetch you.”
My heart stops for a second after hearing him. Mathis Valentin! I wouldn’t forget his baritone voice.
“W-where did you get my number?”
“I have my sources, love.”
Sources! Apat lang ang may alam ng private number ko. My manager, Trish, Dad who’s in Canada, and Brent! That traitor bestie of mine! Mathis hasn’t met Trish yet so it’s not her. Daddy is on the other side of the continent, and they haven’t met yet. So, it’s either my manager or my bestie who gave my number to him. My manager is quite busy while my bestie is just living his life as best as he could as a son of a freaking billionaire.
“Let’s just meet somewhere, Mathis. I’m going to text you the place.”
“As you wish.”
Sagot niya. I ended the call and texted him the place. It’s an exclusive restaurant where no paparazzi can easily get in.
I dialed Brent’s number to confirm something.
“Brent!”
“Oh my! My eardrums Sascha Louise!” halata ang iritasyon sa kanyang boses.
“Who told you to give my number to Mathis? I told you, I’m the one who will go to contact him!”
“Arte mo. Pareho lang din naman yun.” sagot niya. See? It’s him!
“Paano kung magbago ang isip ko ngayon at hindi na muna ako makipagkita sa kanya?”
“Sige, mag-inarte ka diyan tas iyak-iyak later.” Nakikinita ko na ang reaction niya ngayon. Eyes-rolling while having a wine.
“Brent!”
“Shit, Sascha Louise. Napakaarte mo, boses palang masyado ng maarte. Anyway, I apologized, okay? That goddamned-looking guy suddenly appeared in front of me while I’m a bit tipsy! He’s with a super-hot guy! My gosh! Anyway, I don’t remember how I gave your number to him. Maybe, I’m already drunk and I’m surprised! Hindi ko inaasahan ang bigla niyang pagpunta sa akin no! Hingin mo ’yong number ng kasama niya please!”
“Ewan ko sayo! Sunduin mo kami ni Lilou one hour from now! Ingrata ka talaga!”
“Alright, Your Highness.” sarcasm is written in his tone.
“And please!” I emphasized the word please, literally, ” Don’t use your limousine, it’s extravagant. Just use your other car, Brent. Thanks! Love you to the moon!”
I said as I ended the call not letting him speak.
“Mommy, is that dada Brent?” Lilou asked. She’s already wearing a pink dress. “Tell him I miss him, please.”
“Baby Lilou. Hindi pa tayo tapos. Hala siya, wala ka pa ngang shoes oh. Excited ka masyado, hindi halata.” sabat ni Trish na ngayon ay may dala-dalang pink na boots.
“The call already ended, Lilou. Don’t worry, Tito Brent will fetch us later.”
“Alright, mommy.”
“Just stay Lilou, it’s hard for ate Trish to dress you up when you’re roaming around the room.”
“Alright, mommy. Sorry ate Trish. I’m going to behave na. I’m just gonna sit here.” Sabi niya sabay upo sa isang maliit na upuan that’s intended for her.
“Okay lang baby, kaya love na love kita kasi mabait ka minsan!” Trish said as she continued to dress up Lilou.
“I’m going to my room. Magbibihis lang ako. When the bell rang, it was your Tito Brent, Lilou. Pabukas nalang Trish.”
“Okay po, ma’am.”
