"WHAT?! BA'T NGAYON mo lang sa'min 'yan ni-report?!" natigilan kaming lahat nang marinig namin ang sigaw ni Troy. Galit ang itsura nito at tila hindi nagustuhan ang natanggap na tawag. It's a Sunday morning and we are all in the dining area to eat our breakfast. Katabi ko si Gabriel at kasalukuyan ko itong sinusubuan ng pagkain. Ang yaya naman ni Gabriel ay nasa ko naman at nahihiyang kumain dahil inaya ko s'yang sumabay na.

Gabriel looked at his Dad with curiosity. Nakita ko rin ang bahagya nitong pagkagulat kaya agad kong kinuha ang atensyon ng binata. "Troy."

Lumingon naman sa'min ang binata at doon pa nga lang nitong napansin na tumaas ang kanyang tono at nakita ng anak nito ang galit sa kanyang mukha. He immediately went to his room but he didn't forget to kiss Gabriel's forehead and he also kissed mine as well.

Napalabi ako nang bahagya sa ginawa nitong gesture. Namula ang pisngi ko but I completely ignored it.

"Is Dad mad at me?" Gabriel asked and I immediately turned my attention to him. I put the spoon back on his plate and caressed his sweet cute cheeks.

"Of course not, baby. He's not mad at you." I replied then I winked at him. "Because of work maybe."

Hindi ko inaasahan na maiintindihan ng bata ang sinabi ko pero natawa na lamang ito tapos ay nag-aya uling subuan ko s'ya.

This kid... he seems to be very smart. For his age, he was able to grasped the idea of having the truth slapped that he's not a biologically connected with Troy. At naawa ako dahil sa mura n'yang edad ay bakas na ang lungkot at takot nito.

Matapos kong malaman ang kwento kagabi kay Troy, halos gusto kong sumpain ang pamilyang nag-abandona sa kanya sa gitna ng malamig na gabi ng Amerika. 'Di man lang naawa sa bata. Kung ayaw naman pala nila sa baby, ba't sila gumawa in the first place? Regardless that he's not planned to happen, at least they should have the decency of taking full responsibility of their reckless action. I loathed people like them. And I don't consider their immaturity to understand them. Even the most immature human that I know has the balls to take the responsibility.

"Pakipaliguan na muna si Gabriel. Puntahan ko lang si Troy." Wika ko sa yaya nitong mga around my age lang.

This woman creeps me sometimes. She's too good to be true because she's so innocent and pure in the outside. Very conservative in any aspect. Pero ramdam kong may kimkim s'yang galit sa'kin. Mind you, girls instincts are somehow ninety-percent accurate when sensing danger and... threat.

"Sige po," tugon nito at binigyan ako ng kiming tango.

We are planning to go to church today because we promised the kid to have fun since it's Sunday. After that, we're going to an amusement park to spend the whole day with the kid.

Nang buksan ko ang pinto ng Master's bedroom ni Troy ay bumungad sa'kin ang galit nitong tono sa kausap.

"You have to know the bottom of it. Hindi pupwedeng nawalan tayo ng isandaang milyong piso nang isang gabi lang, Mr. Alcantara. The management didn't hire you there just for a display! I'm expecting an explanation and a resolution first thing in the morning tomorrow. Do you understand?!" rinig ko palahaw n'ya sa kausap and I was shocked about the news I accidentally heard.

"What the hell? Paanong kumalat ang isyu na 'yan sa media? Nakarating na ba 'to sa mga Fontanilla? You know that this won't be a good image since we're asking for their help on our upcoming project... then do something!"

"Tama ba yung narinig ko?" I asked Troy when he put down his phone. Nagulat ko naman ang binata pero binigyan niya ako ng isang malakas na buntung-hininga tapos ay naupo sa gilid ng kama. He slammed his hands on his face and stress was now being visible.

"I asked them to know the reason and how it happened. I'm expecting a result and a solution by tomorrow." He replied but his tone seems too bothered.

Lihim akong napakuyom ng kamao nang maalala ang mga nabasang Financial report noong isang araw. It's the discrepancies of their financial standing and its irregularities. This time, sobrang laki naman ang nawala ngayon? And unlike sa mga napansin kong nawalang pera, ito mas naging broad and public na.

Tinabihan ko s'ya ng upo sa kama and patted his back. "Let me help," napatingin s'ya sa'kin.

"This is beyond of your scope, Serena." He replied.

"It's actually my forte, Troy," I announced that made him confused and somehow shocked. I grinned at him to confirm that I'm serious.

I won't be called the Lioness for nothing.

I just need power to better know the reason behind this. Using my power as Lady Elle won't be advisable since I'm keeping that image as low as possible here in the Philippines.

"How--" pinutol ko ang sasabihin n'ya sa pamamagitan ng pagdantay ng hintuturo ko sa kanyang labi then grinned at him more.

"Just leave it to me, Daddy." Then I stood up at hinila na ang kanyang braso para makatayo na rin s'ya. "For now, let's forget about it and leave the stress here on your condo. We promised Gabriel that we will have fun today, right?"

Isang buntung-hininga muli ang pinakawalan ng binata bago ako tinanguhan. "Okay, it's seems we both need distraction for today."

My smile grew wider when I heard him saying the word distraction.

I slowly walked in the bathroom and opened it. Then I faced him while grinning seductively, "I think the term can be applied here? Want to save and conserve water, Daddy?"

I saw him gulping hard when he saw how I'm slowly removing my top and revealing my delicate shoulders.

I chuckled when he started removing his clothes while groaning. "My Mommy is being naughty and Daddy likes it..."

* * *

"HERE, EAT THIS." Napalingon ako sa gawi ni Troy nang dumating na ito at inabot sa'kin ang hawak nitong strawberry ice cream on its cone. Inabot ko naman 'yon at muling ibinalik ang tingin kay Gabriel-- sa anak ko.

Yeah, he's my son. I'm deliberately announcing to the world that Gabriel's my son and no one will stop me. Kahit siguro hindi ako pinakilala ni Troy sa batang 'yon na ako ang magiging ina n'ya dahil pinapakita namin ng binata na may relasyon kami, I'd still consider him treating like he came from my womb. Napagkaitan s'ya ng kalinga ng kanyang tunay na magulang lalo na ang ina kaya hindi ko ipagdadamot 'yon sa bata. If staying and sticking with Troy is the best choice for Gabriel not to feel that he's alone? Then so be it. Kahit 'di ko alam kung hanggang saan ang relasyon na nangyayari sa'min ni Troy, itutuloy ko rin ang pagiging ina sa kanya. Saka ko na pag-iisipan ang gagawin kapag dumating na ang araw na magsawa na sa'kin si Troy.

And thinking Troy will be sated and done with me as his current bed buddy makes my chest ached. Alam ko na kung saan hahantong 'to. I know I would only make my heart bleed kapag nagpatuloy 'to. I'm considering before to guard my heart tighter pero dahil biglang dumating si Gabriel sa buhay ko, hahayaan ko na muna siguro ang sarili kong maging masaya sa piling ng mag-ama.

I think this is the chance for myself to rest as a busy woman. I'll take this opportunity to vacant myself of being alone. Kung masaktan man ako sa huli at least I know that I have some happy memories that I can treasure. Tulad nalang ng nakikita ko ngayon.

Gabriel is laughing and enjoying himself while riding a horse in the carousel. Ito na yata ang huling sasakyan ng bata dahil pagabi na rin at napansin na namin ang pagod sa mata ng bata kanina. Pero sa pinapakita niya sa'min ngayon, its seems to me that he's just starting to enjoy.

"Thank you by the way," napalipat ang atensyon ko kay Troy nang magwika ito. "Thank you at hindi ka tumangging maging ina n'ya. I know that I might be disturbing you. Nag-aaral ka pa, tapos nagtatrabaho sa'kin tapos ay dinagdagan pa kita ng isang responsibilidad na hindi mo na dapat gawin. Just tell me if we're pestering you--"

Siniko ko s'ya sa tagiliran nito nang matigil na sa kung ano anong sinasabi. I gave him the most genuine smile that I can share. "You're insulting me if you continue using the term pestering just because of Gabriel."

Tapos ay nakangiti akong muli napatingin sa bata na ngayon ay nakaway sa'min at kitang kita ang saya sa mukha nito. Inayos ko saglit ang suot kong malaking glasses bago muling nagsalita.

"I told you, we have the same situation before. Though, my parents didn't abandon me just like what happened to him pero yung mamuhay ka sa isang pamilyang hindi buo ay isang bagay na hindi dapat nararanasan ng tulad niya. Ang bata dapat busog s'ya sa kalinga ng magulang habang nalaki at nagkakaisip. I just can't bear the idea of Gabriel thinking that there's something wrong with him kaya hindi n'ya kasama ang tunay niyang magulang. It's really heartbreaking and it burns my soul because of that. Hindi n'ya dapat isipin 'yon, Troy. Ayokong maranasan niya ang naramdaman ko noon na baka may pagkukulang ba s'ya bilang isang tao kaya hindi s'ya mahal ng tunay niyang magulang? Ayokong kwestyunin niya ang pagkatao niya na bakit pa s'ya nabuhay kung wala naman s'yang kumpletong magulang. Iyon ang isang bagay na hindi ko kakayanin. Kahit sinong bata pa 'yan, kaya kong akuin para lang punan ang pagkukulang na nararamdaman nila hanggang sa kaya ko."

Nilingon ko si Troy and I can see that he's totally appalled from the words that I've said. "So, don't apologize. I'm actually flattered that you chose me to be his pretend mother. Hindi s'ya hindrance sa buhay na mayroon ako kung 'yon ang iniisip mo. Nahiya naman ako sa ginawa mong pagkupkup sa kanya 'di ba? Kung ikaw nga, kinuha mo s'ya nang walang pag-aalinlangan kahit na masakripisyo ang bachelor life mo, paano pa ako? I can do the same, don't worry. I love Gabriel to turn him down."

Napalabi si Troy at kita ko mata n'ya ang saya sa narinig sa mga labi ko.

"Sana hindi lang si Gabriel ang love mo... sana pati ako."

Napakunot ako nang bigla itong may binulong na 'di ko narinig. "Ano 'yon?" I asked.

"W-Wala... wala! I just uttered a relief reaction." He answered then he turned his gaze away from. Nakalabi rin ito ng todo.

I just shrugged it off then a sudden question popped my mind. Bago ko pa mapigilan ang sarili ko ay bigla na 'yong lumabas sa labi ko. "Bakit hindi mo pinakilala si Yvonne kay Gabriel? Balita ko si Yvonne ang tanging babae na matagal mong nakarelasyon."

Nakagat ko ang aking labi dahil sa katabilan ng bunganga ko. I feel so bitter as well nang sabihin ko ang huling pangungusap na dinugtong ko.

Troy just shrugged as well and he folded his arms on his chest. "Yvonne doesn't like kids. Simple as that," tapos ay bigla itong gumawi sa'kin habang salubong ang dalawa niyang makapal na kilay. "Can we not talk about her or any of woman in my life before, Serena? They're all in the past now and I don't see the reason why bringing them up."

"Oh, 'eh ba't parang galit ka? Nagtaka lang naman ako kasi nabanggit mong ako lang ang tanging babae na nakakaalam ng existence ni Gabriel." I defended at medyo nainis ako sa reaksyon n'ya.

Bakit ayaw niyang pag-usapan? Bakit? 'Di pa s'ya nakaka-move on? Lalo na sa babaeng si Yvonne? I scoffed hard when I remembered the face of that total bitch in disguise!

Troy cringed and said, "Just... let's not talk about any of them kahit indirect or accidentally lang na nadamay sa usapan."

I rolled my eyes because I don't want to ignite the argument any further. Ayokong datnan kami ng bata na magkagalit na naman.

"Whatever," I only reacted.

We are all now on the way back to Troy's condo nang makatanggap ng tawag si Troy na pinapunta s'ya ni Travis sa Bar na pagmamay-ari nila and it's an urgent that they need to attend to.

"Alis ka po, Daddy?" Gabriel asked while he's on my lap. Ang yaya nito'y binaba namin sa malapit na provincial terminal dahil naka-leave pala ito bukas at kailangang umuwi ng probinsya. Noong una ay hindi pumayag si Troy pero ako na ang nagbigay ng go signal sa yaya ni Gabriel and I just gave Troy a glare dahil ang rason lang nito ay walang mag-aalaga sa bata. I volunteered anyway.

"Yes, Kiddo. Puntahan ko lang ang mga Ninong mo kasi we have something to talk about. Pero don't worry, bibilisan nalang ni Daddy para tabi tabi tayo ni Mommy ng pagtulog mamaya, okay?"

"Alright, Daddy! Say hi to my Ninongs later." Mabilis palang kausap 'tong bata na 'to.

"I'll just drop you both off then I'll go ahead, is that okay, 'My?" I was completely startled sa endearment na sinabi ni Troy and I can see his smirk from here.

"O-oo naman, 'Dy," I replied. Nakalimutan kong we're somehow pretending to be in love with each other for the sake of Gabriel and having endearment will complete the recipe.

Nang ibaba n'ya kami sa entrance ng condo building ay s'yang pagtunog ng cellphone ko. Sinagot ko 'yon habang hawak ko sa kabilang kamay ko ang bata habang pumapasok kami sa loob.

"Trav?" I greeted.

"Serena, I need you to go to our father now." Sambulat nito sa'kin na pinagtaka ko.

His tone is too serious and he's not on his usual goofy self when he said that.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked him with the same serious tone that he used. It must be a serious matter.

"Yes, huge problem. Nabalitaan mo ba yung issue sa MGC ngayon? About the lost money?" Natigil ako sa paglalakad papuntang elevator at tiningnan naman ako ng bata na may pagtataka.

"Oo, Troy told me about it. Why?" I asked him but I got an answer right away. "Umabot na 'to kay Dad?"

"Oo and you know that this is a huge problem. Nalaman pa niya habang kasama ngayon ang tatay ni Troy. You need to do some preventive action while I'm talking with Troy. Halos kalat na kasi sa media ang balita and this won't be a good impression sa mga investor na darating next week."

Napamura ako ng mahina dahil sa nalingat iyon sa isip ko. Troy did tell me na kumakalat na issue na 'yon.

"Sige, I'll do what I can. Just keep me updated kung ano ang pag-uusap ninyong lima about it."

"Will do," he replied then he hung up.

Matapos mababa ang tawag ay mabilis ko namang tinawagan ang sekretarya ko na si Aurora.

"Aurora," untag ko when she answered my call. Hindi pa man din ako nagsisimulang magsalita ay nauna na ito sa'kin.

"Lady Elle, t-totoo ba 'yung nasa balita?" she asked with a worried tone on her voice. "Napanuod namin ni Luke ang balita sa TV and he horridly went to his friends to talk about it."

I set aside the question on my mind when he mentioned the name of Luke and I just focused on what's happening.

"I'll have to confirm it by tomorrow, but right now, I need you to prepare my glam team as I have to meet my Dad about it. Make it quick. Bring them in the usual place." I ordered.

"Copy, Lady Elle. I'll call you again once everything has been settled."

Nang maibaba ko ang tawag mabilis akong lumuhod at tinapatan ang bata to ask him something. "Gab, anak? Are you tired yet? Mommy has to meet someone tonight. Gusto mo bang sumama or gusto mong patulugin--"

Nagulat ako nang bigla niya akong yakapin. "No! Don't leave me, M-Mommy. You might not come back. Sama ako. I'll be a good boy. I'm not tired yet. I want to be with you, Mommy."

I felt a pang of pain when I heard a worried tone on his voice. Takot s'yang maiwan na ng magulang lalo na ng ina. Inalo ko ang kanyang likod at nagwika. "Mommy won't leave you, okay? Sige, if you want to come with me just promise Mommy that you won't tell your Dad whatever you will see later, okay?"

Hinarap ako ng bata at kahit bakas sa makapal nitong kilay ang pagtataka sa sinabi ko ay tumango ito at pinakita pa sa'kin ang hinliliit nito and he's giving me a pinky promise.

"Promise, Mommy." I smiled at him at inabot ang pinky finger niya with mine.

"C'mon, Baby. You mother will tame Beasts tonight."