Diego was used to carrying babies. From Helena to Aurora to Eleven to Quintin, he already perfected the art of soothing babies.
Aside from being Helena's first man, Diego also became part of the brat's childhood. He used to carry her a lot, especially when Hellery attended some meetings.
But as he carried Paige, it was different.
There wasn't any confirmation yet if Paige was his because Aibe was still unconscious. It had been sixteen hours, and she was still resting.
Nakatulog na rin sa kwarto ng bantay si Lea kaya si Diego ang umasikaso kay Paige nang bigla na lang itong umiyak.
"Am I trained for you?" bulong ni Diego habang mahinang isinasayaw ang sanggol. "You look like your mom, hun."
Nasa living area siya ng hospital room. One thing about the hospital, may rooms na parang condo style lalo na sa parteng may living area para sa mga bisita, may bathroom, may kusina at kumpleto sa gamit, at mayroong kwarto para sa bantay.
Bumukas ang pinto ng kwarto. It was Jada with Rico. May dalang paper bag.
"Aww." Jada bit her lower lips. "Looks good on you."
Diego chuckled without saying anything. He looked at Paige who was also looking at him. Gising na gising ito at buhay na buhay ang mga matang nakatitig sa kaniya.
Naupo si Jada sa sofa at sumunod si Rico. Nakatingin ang dalawa sa kaniya at doon na-realize ni Diego na mayroon siyang bimpo ng baby sa balikat at hawak niya ang bote ng gatas ni Paige.
"Diego, one question." Jada stuttered. "I-Is the baby yours?"
Diego shook his head and felt a thump inside his chest. "I d-don't know," he worriedly responded. "I mean, w-we used protection. We talked about it. We were careful."
Jada looked concerned.
"But I counted. Lea told me Paige's birthday, and I was still there. We were still together when . . . she was pregnant." He gulped. "If that's the case, Jada, then she has all the reason to get mad."
"Maybe she would understand once you let her know?" Jada muttered. "Kapag nagising na siya, mabuting makapag-usap kayong dalawa."
Yumuko si Diego nang maalalang hindi siya kilala ni Aibe. Dahil na rin sa sinabi ni Lea na kahit kailan ay hindi nabanggit ni Aibe ang tungkol sa kaniya.
"To be sure, bakit hindi ka magpa-DNA test?" tanong ni Jada. "Sure naman ako na nasabi na rin sa 'yo ito ni Arkon. Just to be sure."
Umiling si Diego at naupo sa sofa. Pina-burp niya si Paige sa balikat niya. "I won't do that without Aibe's consent."
"You can easi—"
"I won't." Diego insisted. "I will ask her, and I know that she won't lie to me. I . . . know she will tell me the truth."
"But she's mad at you. Bak—"
"Stop," Diego commanded. "Please don't say things about her. We're not sure yet. She's still unconscious, and we will talk once she's awake. Please, don't assume things just yet."
Jada and Rico glanced at each other when Diego sounded a little off. They knew that he was thinking something, and they chose just to shut it.
"Nagdala ako ng food. Alam kong hindi ka pa kumakain. Papunta na rin kasi kami sa Criso later for a meeting dahil sa nangyari," ani Jada at patuloy na nakinig si Diego. "Babalitaan na lang kita. I already requested a time off for you, so don't worry about it."
Diego nodded and thanked Jada for everything. Sinabi rin nito na safe ang hospital para sa kanilang tatlo. His priority was to make Aibe and Paige safe.
