I was able to breathe for awhile when school started for Emmy. She told me where she was studying and I immediately contacted her teacher to clarify things out.

Staring at the ceiling, I started to contemplate about my life lately.
It still hasn't sank to me that I have a toddler at hand.

I groaned inwardly as I also remembered how I struggled to buy and cook us food to survive life everyday.

I didn't know that I had dozed off when I heard loud knocks on my door. Frowning, I stood up from my bed and walked towards the door.

I peeked through the peephole and saw an old lady outside my unit. Sighing, I opened my door and prepared a polite smile for her, "Hello. How may I help you?"

"I-i just want to ask if you have a little girl with you?" She asked and my forehead creased even more. "Are you sure she is your friend's daughter? Have you wondered how easily she passed the responsibility to you? Can you really handle the fact of taking care of someone who isn't your relative?"

"Wait. Who are you anyway? You don't have any say about who I take care of especially when I have her parent's blessing!" I lost it and snapped at her. "Look, if you don't have anything better to say, then I cannot help you." I said and began to close the door but she stopped me with her hand.

"Take good care of her. Someone wants her back. And if you cannot take full responsibility, better give her to someone who can." She said before she left me alone.

I closed the door immediately and as I stepped into the couch, a knock interrupted my thoughts again.

"Wait a sec!" I shouted in frustration.  I opened the door and saw a cheerful Duncan with a smiling Ylona.

"Beshie! We miss you!" Ylona shrieked and hugged me automatically. It was Duncan who shut the door close. He was holding a grocery bag and I assume they have bought foods again.

"Where's little Emmy?" Duncan asked as they sat comfortably on the couch. Ylona immediately unloaded the foods they bought from a fastfood chain.

"Out for school. Be picking her up after lunch. What is it with you, guys?" I asked and flopped down on the carpeted floor.

I poured the mayonnaise dip into a tiny saucer and let the fries' aroma sink into our senses. Ylona opened the styro and the inviting smell of burgersteak made my stomach growled in hunger.

"Seriously, you haven't had snack yet? Rather, breakfast?" Duncan asked raising his eyebrows at me.

"I was in a rush to take Emmy to her school. I woke up late so I just let her eat and then I left as soon as she was settled. I did some laundry earlier that I forgot to eat." I said and munched on some fries.

"Poor you. Come on, eat up." Duncan cooed and passed on the burgersteak to me. "Glad I followed my instinct. I couldn't stand seeing you hangry." He chuckled.

"Gee. Thanks." I said rolling my eyes at him. But I am happy having such thoughtful and caring friends like them.

Just like that, I forgot about the old woman who threw a fit earlier. We engaged in conversation before they left me to shower and fetch Emmy from school.

I wore my black jeans and a three-fourths blouse and brought my sling bag with me. I made sure that I had locked my door, remembering the woman from earlier.

She was indeed creepy as she knew about such details which only a few people know. Particularly the one closest to me.

"Aunt Eli. Can I have some cake today?" Emmy asked as we ate at a friendly carinderia nearby. I want to introduce to her home-made healthy foods and not rely much on fastfood.

"Sure thing. But if we have one today, the next one will be after a month, okay?" I asked and she nodded.

"Yay! Thanks Auntie!" She grinned and gave me a hug.

As I helped her eat, I noticed someone staring at us at the far side of the carinderia. Where we are eating is a spacious one.

I blinked hoping it was just my imagination but it isn't. The man was still there.

"Hey, auntie!" Emmy snapped me out of my reverie and I smiled at her.

"Sorry, was thinking about something else. Go on, do you want some more?" I asked and she nodded.