"Smile, princess," sabi ni Aaron kay Xiana. Sumimangot naman ito at nagpakarga kay Aaron. The latter gladly took her in his arms. Si Xander naman, kanina pa tulog sa balikat ko.
"Can I visit you again at work tomorrow, Daddy?" Xiana pouted. Halos ayaw niya ngang bitiwan ang kamay ni Aaron kanina nang sabihin kong kailangan na niyang umuwi.
Na-text ko na si Drei na sunduin kami at on the way na siya.
"Sure. Gusto nga ni Daddy araw-araw kasama ka niya," he answered. Xiana embraced him and rested her head on his neck. Pagod na siguro at inaantok.
I averted my gaze when Aaron stared at me. I feel kind of guilty that I shouted at him a while ago, but if I didn't do that, then he would think that he still has a chance with me. Ayokong umasa siya. Kaligayahan lang ng mga bata ang gusto ko.
In all honesty, kung hindi nga lang ginusto ni Xiana na makilala siya ay hindi na ako magpapakita pa ulit sa kanya. He only makes me remember the past and I don't want to relive it again.
I walked towards the elevator and pressed the open button. We stepped inside.
"Daddy?" Xiana spoke with her eyes closed. She yawned.
"Yes, princess?"
"Why do you call me princess? I'm not a princess. My name is Alexiana Callisto Hurdiss," mahaba niyang saad.
Aaron let out a hearty laugh. "Because you're Daddy's princess."
"So if I'm your princess, then does that mean Mommy's your queen?" Napaiwas ako ng tingin sa tanong ni Xiana, but deep inside I also want to hear his answer. Then Xander shifted. Inayos ko ang pagkarga sa kanya.
There was a long silence. I even thought Aaron wouldn't answer Xiana's question, but he did.
"Yes. Your mommy will always be my queen."
Lumabas na agad ako ng elevator. Malamang sinabi niya lang 'yon para hindi isipin ni Xiana na hindi kami okay.
I shut my eyes as I felt the cold breeze touching my skin.Mas presko at malinis ang hangin sa Bicol.
I missed that place so much. Kumusta na kaya si Aling Pacing at Mang Carding? Si Kuya Toto kaya lasenggero pa rin? Naaalala pa kaya nila ako?
I tried to push those memories out of my mind but I failed. Napabuntong-hininga nalang akong muli habang nakatingin sa kalsada.
"I'm sorry," he said after a few minutes. I chose to shut my mouth. "I'm sorry for everything, Cassidy."
I don't want him to talk. Because everytime he does, he keeps on saying something about our past. It's like his words are like knives that are trying to reopen an old scar.
"And thank you," he whispered. The wind carried his words away.
Nilingon ko siya sa pagkakataong ito. "Salamat para saan?"
He smiled and in that moment I could swear that his eyes were misty because of unshed tears. "For giving birth to the twins. For taking care of them. For loving them. They are my angels."
I didn't answer. Xander shifted again and slowly opened his eyes. He looked at me. "Mommy are we going home already?"
"Yes, baby."
"Put me down po. I want to make salubong when Papa shows up." I put him down and I saw him look at Aaron. Aaron smiled at him but he didn't smile back. He just held my hand and ignored him. Nakita ko ang paglamlam ng mga mata ni Aaron.
He heaved a sigh and when he noticed that I was looking at him, he forced a smile. Inayos niya ang ulo ni Xiana na nakalungayngay na.
"Mom, I miss Papa agad," Xander said as he tugged at my hand.
Lumuhod ako para pantay na kami. "He's on his way. Be patient." He nodded.
Yumuko ako at bumulong sa tenga niya. "Why don't you talk to your dad so you won't get bored, huh?"
Alexander obviously does not like Aaron. Kanina habang nagkukwentuhan si Xiana at Aaron ay nakaupo lang siya habang nakatingin sa dalawa. Kapag tinatanong siya ni Aaron, sasagot lang siya, tapos tatahimik na ulit.
Tumayo na akong muli at nanahimik na lang. My phone beeped. I took it out and smiled when I saw that Drei sent me a message saying he's within the area.
"Cassidy?" I turned towards Aaron and raised my eyebrows in inquiry. "Yeah?"
"Kelan ang birthday ng mga bata?"
"May fifteen," maikling sagot ko.
He nodded and muttered his thanks. Malayo pa ang birthday ng kambal.
"Hey, buddy. What do you want for your birthday?" masiglang tanong ni Aaron kay Xander kahit siyam na buwan pa ang bibilangin.
Nagtaas lang ito ng tingin bago nagkibit-balikat. "Do you want a toy car? I can buy you lots of those."
Xander raised his head to look at him before shaking his head. "No thanks, I have many toys. My Papa bought them for me."
"Well, do you want new toys?" Aaron asked again, obviously not giving up. Xander shook his head for the second time. "I only accept toys from my Papa, sir."
"You can call me Dad." Lumambot ang tono ni Aaron.
"I already have a Papa, sir."
Tumingin ako sa kanya bago lumuhod at hinawakan ang balikat niya. "We've talked about this, right? He's your dad, Xander."
"But Mommy, my teacher said that a kid can only have one father. And I have Papa already."
Napasapo ako sa ulo ko. They've always known that Drei wasn't their real father so I don't understand why my son acts like this.
"Hindi lang siya sanay. It's okay. Maybe he just needs more time. Bata pa sila ni Xiana," Aaron said as if he understood.
Nailing-iling na lang ako and decided to just let the matter go. I was about to open my mouth to say something but I saw Drei's BMW. Nag-park siya sa harap ng building. He descended from the car and Xander ran to him excitedly.
Drei grinned and lifted him from the ground. Kinarga niya ito at pagharap niya ay nagkatinginan sila ni Aaron.
"My son seems to be so fond of you," may konting himig ng lungkot na saad ni Aaron.
Matagal silang nagtitigan. They didn't even bother to hide the animosity between them.
"So, you're Aaron," pagkaraan ay anas ni Drei.
Aaron nodded and knitted his brows. "And you are?"
"Raven Andrei."
Aaron looked at him using a cold expression. Para mawala ang tensiyon sa paligid ay nilapitan ko si Aaron at kinuha si Xiana. Dahan-dahan niya itong inilipat sa balikat ko.
"Drei, ipasok mo na si Xander sa backseat."
Inilapag ko ang natutulog na si Xiana sa tabi ng kakambal and I shut the car door afterwards. I was fully aware that Aaron was watching us. Drei leaned on the car and watched him.
I sighed and took a step towards him. I tried to give him the sincerest smile I could ever give. "Thank you for making the twins happy."
"Xander doesn't seem happy to me," he said matter of factly.
"Ikaw na rin ang nagsabi, nag-a-adjust pa ang bata. He's a nice boy once you get to know him."
"I hope he gives me the chance his mother deprived me of," makahulugan niyang saad.
"We have to go, Aaron. Goodnight." I replied, completely ignoring his remark.
Tinanguan niya ako kaya tumalikod na ako. But he called me. "Cassidy!"
Lumingon ako and I felt Drei's hand on mine.
"I'm not giving you up, not without a fight. Keep that in mind." Determination was dripping from his voice.
Drei's grip tightened and I saw him give Aaron a death stare. "Bastos ka ba? Hindi mo ba maintindihan na ako na ang boyfriend niya? Na parte ka nalang ng nakaraan niya? Na ako 'yong mahal niya at hindi ikaw? 'Wag mong ipagpilitan ang sarili mo!"
Nagdilim ang itsura ni Aaron, and I must admit na natatakot ako. I tugged at Drei's arm. Pinagtitinginan na kami ng mga guwardya ng building. "Drei, halika na. Please, let's just go home."
"Anong 'wag patulan? Bastos, e! Hindi marunong lumugar! Irespeto mo 'yong relasyon naming, pre!"
Aaron eyed him with distaste. "Whatever you do, you can't erase the fact that I became a part of her. We even have kids for pete's sake!"
"You're part of her past and that's all you'll ever be!" maanghang niyang sigaw.
Aaron's face became expressionless."She's mine. Before you even loved her, she was mine," mariing utas ni Aaron.
"Hindi porke't bilyonaryo ka ay babalik si Cassidy sa 'yo! You hurt her and pushed her away! Kailangan nga kitang pasalamatan, kasi kung hindi mo siya sinaktan, walang kami ngayon." Drei was furious.
Pumagitna na ako. I tried to push Drei towards the car but my effort was useless.
"Call me a villain or whatever the hell you prefer but I won't lose her to you. I will find a way," puno ng emosyong sabi ni Aaron habang nakatingin sa akin.
"She's my girlfriend! You are nothing to her now. You are just a good-for-nothing billionaire. Bilyonaryo ka lang, tandaan mo 'yan!" galit na sabi ni Drei. Ramdam ko ang paghulagpos ng galit niya.
We're making a scene!
Aaron's gaze drifted from my face to Drei's. There was amusement visible in his eyes. He raised his chin proudly and slowly, a smirk materialized on his face. Then it became a short laugh. "Bilyonaryo lang ako?" ulit pa niya.
Muli siyang nagpakawala ng nakakalokong tawa bago nagsalita. "But remember that this billionaire owns the woman you call a girlfriend."