ERIC'S POV
"You're giving me creeps, Eric. Stop smiling like an idiot!" Sweetheart said while giggling
I just shook my head, with my smile never leaving my face. I get the folders she brought.
Fallon doesn't want me to leave so I asked Sweetheart's secretary to bring the files that I have to sign. Sweetheart said that she'll bring it herself instead.
I scanned the documents before signing it. When I was done, she's busy fidgeting her phone.
"Here it is. Thank you" I smiled at her
She lifted the frame beside my bed.
"Your daughter is so beautiful, Eric. Can I see her?" she asked with a big and hopeful smile.
I nodded my head. I get off the bed. "Let's go out so you can see her. Hindi mo ba nakita kanina sa sala?" tanong ko sa kanya
She shook her head while putting the folders on her case. "Nope"
I comb my hair with my fingers and redo the tying of it on a man bun. Fallon said I look handsome on it so I have second thoughts about cutting my hair. I heard her that night when she said she finds me pogi.
"So you volunteered to bring the documents by yourself so that you can see my daughter?" I asked her
"Partly, yes. But the main reason is I want to see the special girl. I am so d-amn curious about that Tere you keep on talking about. Is she the one who brought me here?" she asked in a teasing tone.
I knotted my forehead. "Yes, that's Fallon, I called her Tere. But there's nothing special between us. She's here for my daughter and nothing more"
I ignored the weird feeling I had upon admitting that there's nothing special between us.
She smiled. It's showing that she's not believing what I've said. "The way I see things, it's the other way around. I can still remember how she rolled her eyes when you called me 'Sweetheart'. And how your eyes sparkled upon seeing her" she teased
I frowned at her. "You're imagining things then"
"Uh-huh. And pigs do fly" she smirk at me. "Kailan ba ako nagkamali sa mga ganitong bagay? I was right on my observations with Erica and Clifford. And I am positive on this one" she confidently raised a brow on me
I rolled my eyes on her. "Tsamba mo lang 'yon sa kanila. And she's always like that whenever I'm around"
"No! Iba talaga 'yong mukha niya when you called me Sweetheart" she insisted
I crossed my arms at my chest. "And what's wrong with me calling you by your name?"
She smiled wider this time. "Since when did you became that dense, Eric?" she rolled her eyes. "She thought that you are calling me on an endearment. Malay ba niya na Sweetheart ang pangalan ko?" she giggled like a teenager. "I told you naman kasi na SC ang itawag sakin"
"Sweetheart na ang nakasanayan ko. Ang tamis-tamis mo kasi"
She frowned. "Blame your favorite ninang for that. Who in her right mind would name her daughter after a corny endearment?"
I smirked at her. "Ninang Vina did"
"Because she's not on her right mind! My mother is insane" she hissed
"Mana-mana lang 'yan" natatawang sabi ko at inakbayan na siya.
Sweetheart hated her name ever since.
We are very close since we're kids. She's my favorite kinakapatid. Sa kompanya din siya nagta-trabaho as the Financial Dept Head.
"But I am serious, Eric. May chemistry kayo ni Tere" she nudge at my side.
Napailing na lamang ako sa kanya at lumabas na kami ng kwarto ko
I saw Fallon on the living room with Avy.
I badly missed my daughter but I don't want her to catch my flu. I still have runny nose so I chose not to stay too close to her.
"Daddy!" she cheerfully called me when she saw me descending the stairs.
My world suddenly brightened upon hearing her calling me 'Daddy'. I never imagined that I can be this happy with this simple things. It's more satisfactory than having o-rgasm on a woman's mouth.
She run to my direction but Fallon was fast to catch her and lifted her up.
"Hindi pa pwede, may sakit pa si Daddy" she gently talked to Avy.
"Hi, sweety" Sweetheart gently touched Avy's hand. Avy is frowning while pulling her hand but Sweetheart didn't let go. "Can I hold her?" she asked Fallon with all smile on her face.
Fallon smiled at her but I can see something on her eyes. I just stand there watching them.
"Sure. If she lets you" Fallon smiled.
Sweetheart attempted to get Avy but Avy hugged Fallon's neck
"No!" Avy screamed.
Sweetheart was taken aback with my daughter's outburst
"She's aloof with strangers, Sweetheart" I gently said and pulled her a little by her arm
"Oh!" she smiled at me. "I'm sorry, I didn't know" she gave Fallon an apologetic look.
That's the best thing about Sweetheart, she always smile. And she's humble.
I felt disappointed with Fallon though. She should have tell Sweetheart that Avy will throw tantrums if someone she's not familiar with tried to touch her.
"It's fine. Maybe if you come here more often Avy will be familiar with you. Hindi naman ganoon kalayo ang bahay niyo dito" I gently said. "Dito ka na kumain. Masarap magluto si Fallon. And maybe we should discuss the deal further"
She look at her wristwatch before she nodded and smile. "Yeah, sure. But you have to bring me home later. Mom will need the driver now. I don't have my car with me. So if I didn't get home by now, I have to walk few blocks to get home"
"No problem. And I would like to pay some visit to-"
"My mother would like that!" she smile.
Napailing na lamang ako. I know she's planning something.
"I'll just tell the driver to go ahead"
"Don't bother. I'll do it" I pulled her towards the couch before going out.
When I came back after telling their driver to go ahead, I saw them at the living room.
Avy is busy playing with her Lalaloopsy dolls. Sweetheart is trying to play with her. And Fallon is busy looking at the television with a frown.
"Tere, luto ka na" sabi ko nang umupo ako sa couch sa tabi ni Sweetheart. Gusto ko sana sa tabi ni Avy kaso ay baka mahawa naman siya sa akin
Padabog na tumayo si Tere. Sinundan siya ng tingin ni Avy at akmang susunod na sa kanya
"Hey, baby" I gently called her.
She turned on my direction then smile at me.
I miss cuddling with her.
"Wear this, Eric" Sweetheart handed me a mask.
"Thanks" I smile at her then kiss her cheek.
That means nothing. Nakasanayan na namin ang ganoon. She's like a sister to me kaya walang malisya ang mga ganoon.
I wore the mask then I went beside my Avy.
I keep myself busy playing with her. I somewhat tried to introduce Sweetheart to her.
We are all laughing when Fallon came back from the kitchen
"Kakain na po" masungit na sabi niya at tumalikod na.
Binuhat ko si Avy at niyaya na si Sweetheart sa kusina.
"Sungit mo ngayon a. May dalaw ka?" nakangising tanong ko kay Tere
Inirapan niya lamang ako.
Sweetheart pulled the hem of my shirt. I look at her and she signaled that she'll whisper something to me. I bend a little since I am taller than her.
"I think she's jealous" she whispered in my ear.
Ginulo ko na lamang ang buhok niya. "Stop it will you"
She just shrugged her shoulders. I put Avy on her chair then I pulled a chair beside mine for Sweetheart.
"It's been a long time since I last ate here. I think it's Cady's birthday" Sweetheart said while putting rice on her plate. "Eric, I think you should invite Erica to come over this weekend so we can have a little reunion. I'll tell Dylan and the other"
"The little reunion is a good idea, Sweetheart. Pero sa inyo nalang. Wala kasing mag-aasikaso dito. Ayoko naman na mapagod ng husto si Fallon kung mag-i-invite ako ng madaming bisita" sagot ko at tumingin sa gawi ni Fallon. I saw her looking at me then she bowed her head
I am really concerned. I know she's tired. She's taking good care of my daughter and she also took care of me.
My heart felt warm as I remembered how she took care of me when I am sick. After a long time, may nag-alaga ulit sa akin nang may sakit ako. The last time na may nag-alaga sa akin ay noong nabubuhay pa si Mommy. And that was ages ago.
Since my mother died, itinutulog ko na lamang kapag may sakit ako. I'll just wait for it to go away. Hinahatidan naman ako ng mga katulong ng pagkain at gamot. At kaya matagal akong gumaling ay dahil iniintay ko na lamang na umepekto ang gamot.
But last Friday night, Fallon did what my mother usually do. Pinunasan niya ako ng maligamgam na tubig. Pinakain niya ako. Pinainom ng gamot. She constantly checked my body temperature. Inalagaan niya ako.
And I am very thankful for that. I am thinking of asking her where she wants to spend this coming weekend. I will bring her anywhere she wants.
"I'll just bring our helpers here. You know my Mom, she won't like the idea of a little party in our house" Sweetheart even touched my hand on the table.
Napangisi na lamang ako at napailing. Ang kulit talaga ng babae na 'to.
Napatingin ako sa plato ni Falolon nang malakas na kumalansing ang kubyertos niya sa plato.
She's murdering the meat on her plate.
"Eric, try this. You're right masarap nga magluto ang cook niyo" malambing na sabi ni Sweetheart at iniumang sa bibig ko ang kutsara niya.
Hindi ko alam kung ibubuka ko ba ang bibig ko, pero tinignan niya ako ng masama. Ayoko naman na pahiyain siya so ibinuka ko na lamang ang bibig ko at tinanggap ang sinusubo niya.
"Oh, may natirang sauce sa gilid ng bibig mo!" she said in a worried tone then she wipes the corner of my mouth with her thumb.
Napatuwid ako ng upo nang may narinig ako na bumagsak.
"Oh, s-sorry" hinging paumanhin ni Fallon at inurong niya ang upuan niya para damputin ang nalaglag niya.
Napasinghap naman ako nang maramdaman ko ang paa ni Sweetheart sa binti ko.
I threw her a sharp look. She just winked at me.
F-uck! She's enjoying this!
She's always been a frustrated actress. And she's a f-ucking hopeless romantic.
I don't like this plot of her. Wala naman kasing mangyayari. There will be no romance between Fallon and me.
I cleared my throat and resume eating.
"Am!" Avy called our attention
Sht! Nakalimutan na namin siyang pakainin. Usually, kapag nandito ako ay ako ang nagpapakain sa kanya
"Sorry, baby. Ito na o" I lifted her spoon on her mouth.
"Ako na po, Sir. Asikasuhin niyo nalang po ang bisita niyo" Fallon said in a bitter tone
Napamaang naman ako sa kanya. Siya na ang nagpakain kay Avy.
Napatingin ako kay Sweetheart dahil kinalabit niya ako.
She's smiling widely at me then wiggle her brows up and down.
I just frown at her.
She pulled me then whisper to my ears.
"Open your d-amn eyes, Eric, she's jealous with me!" kinikilig na bulong niya. "She likes you"
Pinitik ko ang noo niya. "I said stop it" seryosong sabi ko
She just pouted ans continue eating with a frown on her face
I don't want to entertain the idea.
It's like betraying Nicolette if I did.
For Pete's sake, wala pa ngang isang taon when she passed away. I shouldn't forget her that fast.
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September 27, 2015 (Sunday) - 01:48