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Chapter 46: Ties
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Her father's words hovered like a dark cloud over her head as she imagined a younger Lia waiting for her. Waiting for her to come back. Turning away from the window, she walked towards her bureau and folded her father's letter slowly. She put it inside the white envelope and picked the other packet up. She clenched her fist and put it back down when she saw her hands tremble.
"Buksan mo na yan, Alexa." She muttered aloud and grabbed the thicker envelope, hastily tearing it open. Tears escaped her eyes when she saw that it contained photos of two young girls. Pulling a chair, she sat down and smiled in spite of her tears as she saw pictures herself and Lia making faces, eating ice cream and laughing together. She never really realized how much they look alike maybe because the Lia she met wore a lot of makeup but in the pictures, they could almost be mistaken as twins as they wear the same clothes and have the same hairstyles.
I know even if she doesn't, that really, this hostility between you two is just her trying to tell you that she's waiting. She's still looking for you, let her find you again.
"Love?" She heard Alexander call and she looked up after she quickly wiped her tears with her hand.
"Yes?" She asked and Alexander's brows furrowed in obvious concern as he gently put Alexi on his rocker before he went to wrap his arms around his wife.
"Ano yun? Anong nangyari? Anong problema?" He asked in rapid succession as Alexa turned towards him and cried.
"Ang sama kong kapatid." She sobbed. "Hindi ko kasi sya matandaan. God, I didn't know."
"Ano yun? Is it about Lee Ann?"
"Hindi. This is about Ate Lia." She confided and she felt him freeze. "I know she's a sore topic for you, Alex but she's my sister. Kalimutan na natin yung nakaraan ninyo because I've put all those behind us. Kalimutan na natin yung atraso nya sayo o atraso mo sa kanya kasi kahit anong gawin natin, parte sya ng buhay natin because she's my sister."
"Love, lahat tatanggapin ko but whatever or whoever comes in between us does not deserve a spot in this world."
"Alex--"
"Okay lang sa akin, naiintindihan kong kapatid mo si Lia but if and when she starts to do something that will harm my family, I'm not just going to watch her do it."
"Naiintindihan ko. I am your wife and I am aware that my place is beside you but I am her sister and my place is behind her for support."
"I will trust your judgment, Love. Sana kung dumating si Lia sa buhay natin, walang magbabago."
"Wala. Walang magbabago."
"Makakadede pa rin ako sayo kahit kelan ko gusto?"
"What the fuck, Alex!" She exclaimed and he laughed as he nuzzled her cheek before he kissed her below the ear. "Gutom ka na naman?" She asked and he chuckled.
"Oo eh. Ano bang atin dyan?"
"Loko." She replied laughing as she turned towards him to kiss his lips. He held her face and the kiss deepened as his breathing became ragged. "Na naman?" She asked and he nodded his head and he pulled her towards the bed with him. He was about to unbutton her blouse when Alexi started crying.
"Anak, naman." Alexander groaned as Alexa started to laugh. He chuckled as he pulled his wife to her feet.
"Tama na daw, masyado ka na daw mahalay." Alexa kidded as she picked up her son. Alexander put his arms around them before he kissed his son's cheek.
