Dinner

Aerody ran in the garden at tumigil ako sandali as I look around. Now this is a garden. Like every area you look once you step out of that mansion is the beauty of nature.

I hug myself as I feel that cold air brushes my skin, "I'll join along your plan coz' I like it. And please wear this as you go." He bends down in front of me and drop some slippers and after giving me that he stands up again and sigh.

"Catch up." Sabi n'ya saakin habang diretsyo s'ya doon sa may parang pa maze na part ng garden n'ya kung nasan si aerody. Instead of going there, I remembered something that makes my feet brings me in the kitchen.

I carry the cake up and look for some candles and matches. After finding those, I ran in his relaxing room I guess, or tea room or whatever what he call this kind of room na pang kape or tea n'ya pag umaga. I forgot what it is being called basta yon.

I place down the cake on the coffee table and plant the candle on the cake. Before I light it up, I need to do something for him to be distracted and to leave aerody alone there.

Since etong glass house na to medyo patago dahil sa nakapalibot dito yung matataas na palumpong at mga rosas kaya sa tingin ko di ako agad mahahalata.

I glance at the boys who's walking towards the gate with the dogs. Sorry chase but I'm gonna ruin that smile for a short moment 

I walk towards the entrance door and screamed so loud as it echoed inside. After that I quickly ran on the shrubs and peek at them.

I saw chase quickly looked towards the house and slowly letting go of Aerody's hand and literally jumped over the fence and ran inside the house.

Wow. Is he serious?

"CINDERELLA?!!" I heard Chase's yelled from the inside and I saw aerody entered in with the dogs so I called him and he ran at me.

"Mam—

"Shh... Come here first. We need to surprise your dada so keep your voice down okay?" I cut aerody off so he nodded and squeeze himself in the glass house with me.

So this time while chase is not yet here, I lit the candle and hold Aerody's hand.

"WHERE ON EARTH IS CINDERELLA?! TALK TO ME !!" I heard chase yelled from inside and yeah. He's holding a gun once again. I could see him from the inside but I guess he can't see me from here.

"FUCK! AERODY! WHERE IS HE ALSO?!!!! WHERE ARE THEY?!" Sigaw ni chase sa tauhan n'ya at napasulyap ako kay Aerody na umatras na sa likod ko at napahigpit ang kapit sa kamay ko and after that he cried.

I put the cake down and bend down in front of him. "Baby, dada is only singing so loud okay? Don't be scared. Look at me. I'm not scared at your Dada's tone." pang adlib ko as I caresses his cheeks at pinilit n'ya sarili n'ya na tumigil sa pag iyak.

"We'll still surprise dada okay?"

"Yes mama." He responded, I wipe his tears away then stand up again and carry the cake up. I was about to call chase para di na matakot si aerody kaso biglang bumukas yung pinto dahil sa aso at kamuntik na kong ma knock out ng dalwang golden retriever with the cake.

Napa luhod lang ako katabi si aerody at tinulungan na ko ni aerody na ilayo ang aso saakin. "There's dada!" Aerody happily said so I look up and I saw him ran in and look around before keeping the gun in his back. .

"Happy birthday dada!!!! Happy birthday dada!!! Happy birthdayyy happy birthdayyyyy happy birthdayyy dadaaaaaaa!!!!!" Aerody singed and I joined at nilapit ko kay chase ang cake n'ya.

"Happy birthday chase." I said at kaya nakita ko s'ya na bigla na lamang na napaluhod sa harap ko at napatingin sa baba...

"Make a wish dada! Make a wish!" Aerody happily said to chase as he glanced at him.

"I fvcking wish not to lost each of you." He said out loud as he blows his candle. I was about to put down his cake on the ground but chase quickly put it on the table and  hugged us.

"Aerody I'm sorry if you heard dada—

"Dada, mama said that you sing like that aloud and it scares me dada. Please don't sing like that loud again...." Aerody cuts off and chase glanced at me so I gave him a small smile.

"I-I... I won't sing like that again. I love you... I'm sorry..." He hugged aerody and kisses him on the cheeks at sabay buhat sa kanya.

"Dada! Let's bring mama in my room! Let's play! Let's play!!" Aerody happily said at humarap si chase saakin at inalalayan patayo.

"Let's go." Chase smiled at me then I carried the cake up. "But after you." Dagdag ni chase so I chuckled and just go.

Pagpasok sa kwarto ni aerody, well I'm really impressed about his room. Puro paintings sa pader, and most of it mga portraits n'ya at ni Aerody.

"Mama! Did y-you know dada made this room?"

"Really? Even these portraits?" I looked at them and aerody nods as he carry the cake on his bed.

I now looked at chase. "Don't look at me like I can't make those portraits." Medyo naiinis na tono ang pagkakasaad saakin ni chase kaya naman napatawa ako.

"Its amazing." I said and I approach them on the bed. Si aerody nagsimula nang magtatatalon sa kama at nakisama naman sa kama din yung dalwang aso.
u.
"Careful! You might fall! And the cake!" I was about to get the cake but chase gets it and put it down on his pillow where is on his lap.

"Let's taste this cake shall we?" He said so I crawl next to him and watch him took a slice on it.

"Dada! I want th—

"Its my birthday baby, Dada's first." Sabi ni chase kay aerody kaya naman umupo si aerody sa may kandungan ko at humarap kay chase.

Chase took a bite on the slice and he looks at me. "What? Taste bad?"

"Actually..." He paused and feed aerody. "Of all the incident happened earlier it still taste good." Sabi ni chase at halata namang umaaggree si aerody din kase kumuha na ng isang slice pa at bumaba kasama nung aso.

"Dada who baked this dada?" Aerody asked and chase looked at me. "Your amazing mama." He smiled at me at inirapan ko s'ya.

chase puts down the cake first on the table then played with aerody. Ako naman napahiga sa kama at medyo nakakaramdam na din ng antok.

Habang nag iingay don silang dalawa, di ko namalayang nakapikit na pala ako non kase syempre wala na kong makita. Lol lasing paba ako hanggang ngayon?

"Mama— dada mama is sleeping." Dinig kong biglang bulong ni aerody kaya bigla kong minulat ang aking mata.

I quickly slide myself towards them at kaya napatalon sa gulat si aerody pagkaharap saakin. "Hide! Now! Or I'll get you!" I said kaya bigla s'yang humagalpak ng tawa at tumakbo bigla paalis ng kwarto kasunod si chase.

So, kahit maantok na ko pinilit ko sarili ko na makipag laro sa kanila.

So siguro mga isa o dalwa na yata na oras kaming nag lalaro at maygad. Di ata marunong mapagod tong si aerody kaya hanggang ngayon naglalaro nalang s'ya sa may gitna namin ni chase at ako naka higa na sa may tabi ng ulo ni chase.

"Mali, that should be color red aerody." Sabi ni chase habang tinuturuan n'ya si aerody gumawa ng something gamit ang lego.

"Dada! No! You always a choose red." Chase chuckled

Chase looks at me so humiga s'ya sa may ulo ko den. "Chase you know you're heavy right?" I said as I push his face away from my head. How dare is he.

"I am? Damot neto pahiga lang eh."

"Chase no... Not this time... I'm tired." paunti-unti kong saad kaya naman humiga s'ya ngayon sa harap ko mismo at sobrang lapit n'ya pa.

"Chaaaaseee. Nakaka duling lumayo ka nga saken." I groaned as I push his face away so he laughed.

"sleepy?"

"Yah." Tipid kong sagot kaya bumalik s'ya sa pwesto n'ya kanina sa may uluhan ko. "You know you're really unbelievable. And the first person that doesn't pass out after getting drunk. And now you're telling me that you're tired, you even hesitate to sleep for Aerody."

I just respond that with a smile and go back looking at Aerody. "Come let's sleep together."

Agad naman akong napatingin sa kanya, he laughed. "Sleep here? Together? With Aerody?"

"Estulto." I cursed and so he laughed at umayos na ko ng higa. "Aerody. Enough. Mama is sleepy."

"Yay! Can I sleep also dada?"

"Come here." Tawag ko kaya naman tumakbo na sakin si aerody at humiga s'ya sa may gitna namin ni chase.

Si chase naman nakiyakap samin pero s'ya lagpas ang pagkakayakap kay aerody, kasama ako eh.

I glare at chase as I now kick his feet, he laughed and locked my feet to him so he maked face at me. How childish.

I gritted my teeth and remove his hand that's touching me at tumawa s'ya, at ngayon si aerody yumakap saken.

nagulat naman ako nang bigla nalang ipinatong ni chase ang aking hita sa kanya at saka pa s'ya lumapit saakin.

"Sasapakin kita!" I whispered annoyingly and he laughed and makes face at me. Ghad! So childish!

"Hoy mama tulog na daw uhuh." Chase now caresses my hair and keeps on annoying me again and again.

Hindi naman ako ganong makagalaw kase yakap ko non si aerody! Nako kung hindi lang naka yakap saken tong batang to na wrestling ko na tong si chase!

Pagkatapos makipag harutan netong si chase, wala na nakatulog na ko at feeling ko sobrang haba na ng tulog ko.

Nagising nalang ako nung may naglalaro ng buhok ko at dinig ko ang pag tawa ni aerody so I opened my eyes.

I was now sleeping at Chase's arms and he was talking to aerody silently? I guess? OH HOLY FVCK! WHY AM I CUDDLING HIM!

I quickly snap out and jump out of the bed as I almost squish Aerody whose carrying a food tray.

"Cinderella!" Tawag ni chase as I keep on breathing deeply so I glance at him. "Mama you're awake! Here! Let's have dinner mama!"

"Dinner?" I sit on the bed as I carry aerody also to the bed at sinulyapan si chase. "You did not tell me what time should I wake you up." Depensa kaagad ni chase kaya napa asik ako.

"Mama! Eat!"

"Wait. You did not wake me up while you're having dinner?" I asked and chase smirked. "Who said we already had dinner?"

"Great. Then let's eat together in the dining area." I yawn first before getting up with the tray at wala nalang silang nagawa kundi sumunod nalang sakin sa baba.

Sa may dining table, medyo nakakalungkot lang kase sa sobrang laki ng table walang katao tao at kami lang tatlo dito ang nakain.

"Is there a problem Cinderella?" Chase asked so I looked at him.

"Where are the others? Why are we the only three eating here?" I asked at may naglagay ng tubig sa baso ko.

"Sorry for the disturbance ma'am but we don't let ourselves eat with our—

"And I won't let myself to let you all wait for us to finish eating before you all eat. Call the others and tell them I want them all to accompany us here. Now."

"But—

"If your boss chase is the problem don't worry about it. I'll save you all from him." I said kaya napatango nalang s'ya at umalis.

"Hey what makes you think that I don't let them eat with us? I—

"Uhuh. Good one." medyo naiinis kong saad at naghalumbaba ako sa harap n'ya.

"Wow. Ask auntie. They were the one who told me that they don't w—

"Oh shush. They are all here." I cut him off and chase slam the fork on the table that makes aerody jump a little and I also saw his people step back.

"Oh." I put my hands together and smirk at chase. "Now I know why they don't want to eat with you."

I stand up and ask the others to join us even tho it really looks like they were all forced to eat with us.

Tumabi naman ung aunty ni chase sa kanya at ang iba naman tila mga robot sa sobrang pilit nila sa sarili nila na hindi mag gagagalaw.

"Are you now happy?" Chase asked so I looked at him. "No. I'm not satisfied yet. Why are they like this?" I asked as I point them out and so chase shrugged his shoulders.

I rolled my eyes. "Hi, I'm Cinderella, and I think you're Chase's aunt?" nakipag kamay ako sa aunt n'ya at ngumiti s'ya with a nod.

"May I ask you why are they all like this? Sorry but I just don't want them to act like someone will kill them if they'll do extra movements on their places." I annoyingly said and she glanced at chase.

"A-Actually I don't really know... W-We always eat all together—

"Did you threaten them before we go down here? That's why they were all acting so weird like this?" I quickly faced chase and he bit his lower lip and sigh.

"I knew it." I stand up and was about to leave but he quickly grabbed my hand but I just quickly shrug it away.

"What is wrong with you?!" Chase now stands up and faced me. "Go back on your seat." Banta nito pero napatawa lang ako.

"I won't go back on your seat unless you tell me why you do this to them!"

"This is just for this day!"

"Oh look so now you're admitting that you threaten—

"It's not like that!"

"No! It is like that! My god! Why did you do that to them?!"

"N—

"Tell me or I'll leave." Banta ko din at kaya nag cross arms na ko sa kanya. He stayed silent for a few seconds and glance at everyone who's watching us right now.

"Fine." I said as I now take a step away from him pero kaagad n'ya nanaman akong nahigit pabalik sa pwesto ko sa may tapat n'ya.

"I threaten them because I want to have a dinner with you and aerody only."After he said that I pull my hand back to me.

"Why?"

"Because they are those people who gets attention from others easily."

"So?"

"And I don't want them to get your attention away from... Me..." Mahinhin n'ya nang saad kaya napa ngisi nalang ako.

"Dean, you're acting cute." I glanced at Chase's aunt and every one forced themselves not to laugh.

"I lost my appetite." Biglang sabi ni chase and before he leaves It's my turn to stop him.

"Eat with us. Because after this I would be leaving." I said at bago pa intayin ang magiging sagot n'ya umupo na ko pabalik sa  upuan ko at naka ilang segundo pang makalipas bago pa s'ya bumalik din sa upuan n'ya.

He's getting more weird, tbh. But I like this kind of weirdness of him. His aunt is right. He's cute. But still weird. I-I mean not saying that he's always cute but he's cute every time he acts weird around me. Okay?

If you just knew that this is the most happiest dinner I've ever been with. Now I see that every of Chase's people in this house is his friends.

I mean... I could see the other side of chase while I'm in his home. He's really.... Different inside and outside this mansion. And I like the way when he is in this mansion.

Oh my fucking shit.

What's wrong with you xey! No! No! No! No shit! Fvck! Wag kang papalamon sa mga nangyayare ngayon! Ugh! Di to pwede kaw na babae ka!! You still have a plans to do okay? No more distractions after this!

So after dinner. I insist washing the dishes while the others are with aerody in his room putting him to sleep.

Sinabi ko kasi na ayokong makita ako ni aerody na umalis sa bahay nila, kaya sila na daw bahala sa bata at sumama muna sa kanila si chase.

Sa kusina naman, kasama ko don auntie ni chase na tumutulong sakin.

"Uhm... Please, let me get that for you ma'am." I said while I get the plates from her. I don't know what to call her. Auntie? Lol just kidding.

"Please. Just let me. Thank you." She said so I just smiled at her with a nod at bumalik sa pag huhugas.

"Darling?" I turn back to look at her and she smiled at me. "Yes?"

"Thank you."

"F-For what aun— ma'am." pinatay ko ang gripo at lumapit s'ya sakin. "Call me auntie. I like you darling for mi hijo dean." She hugged me but I slowly pull away.

"I-I'm sorry aunty... B-But what do you mean?" I chuckled a bit so she won't get uncomfortable with me then I lean on the counter.

"How did you two met?"

"Chase?" I smirk and laugh a bit. "In a crazy situation." I said and she smiled.

"What did you do?"

Natahimik ako sandali. "Sorry... Do what?"

"What did you do to tame him?"

"Oh... I-I did not tame him..."

I chuckled and yep. It's getting awkward. Bat di nalang s'ya mag straight to the point. Ako nahihirapan mag adjust ng maisasagot.

"Whatever you did to my dean... I am happy that you both met. So thank you... I really appreciate your existence to his life... You change him... And tamed him very well."

"No... Ma'am... Chase and I we're only—

"Friends?" Napatawa s'ya at lumapit saakin. "What I've saw earlier is not what you're going to say to me. Darling... It's a relationship that you don't want to confirm with him. And you're the first girl that he took here." I was about to speak up but she added something. "And people here in this mansion are all happy to meet you."

"W-Wait... But on what I've saw earlier, chase treated you like a shit." she laughed. "Oh, sorry for my language."

"Its okay and he's really like that... And yes. He's a shit, but only when he gets angry where we already used of it. But he's a good boy... We missed him so much after a long year of not visiting us here..."

"A-After a long year?"

She chuckled again. "I can't talk any further, to make your relationship strong why can't you talk with him and ask him some q—

"Oh my gosh aunty. No... No... No... This is all a misunderstanding... If you just know. We are both enemies."

"I know darling."

"W-Wait what?"

"My dean always talk about you that much. Even at the contract, that's why he stayed here for a long time just to leave you alone..." She now hugged me quickly "I just wanted to hear it from you that's why I asked And also wanted to confirm something..." She paused "Alright. I think I need to see my precious Aerody, so goodnight and I know you're leaving... And if I'll think that you leave without any valid reason... Please comeback with a reason to my dean... I can't bare him being alone and sad... I—

"tía, ¿qué estás haciendo aquí?" [Aunty? What are you doing here?]

"buenas noches hijo...llevarla a su casa de forma segura." [goodnight son. take her home safely.]

So... Its... Like... Auntie really asked me on purpose? Since she knew everything...  Oh fuck. That's a trap. Tas kung ano ano pa nasabi ko shet.

Umalis na si auntie at nilapitan ako ni chase. "I told you not to wash this dishes."

"And I told you that I'll do the dishes."

"Okay. But what did auntie told you?" Nagmamadali n'yang saad and he was too close to me. Now I feel uncomfortable with chase after what auntie told me.

"Chase its just a girl talk—

"I don't care. Tell me what she told you!"

"Hey. Hold your horses. She's just telling me how great they were to have me before I leave."  I said after washing my hands and I saw him stayed silent for a short moment.

"I don't want to take your time for taking me back in LA. so I want you to enjoy your day I'll be go—

"But I want my time to be taken by you. So, come, I want you to come with me first and get some takoyaki. Before you leave?"

"Chase..."

"Its still my birthday? Please?"

"What time is it?"

"6pm. Please? Come with me and I promise you before sunrise you're in LA."

Wala nanaman ba kong palag sa kanya? Why it looks like I'm giving up on him again.

"Make sure of that."

"Yes. I promise. Thank you!" He happily hop in front of me and quickly ran out of the kitchen.

I also laughed at mas natawa ako nung bumalik s'ya. "Wait, sorry I forgot you. Let's hit the road!" He happily pull my hand and we ran out of the kitchen.