Without Preamble

Ironman

One afternoon, Noah came home while Anelle, Reigner, and their house helpers were having lunch. Noah was pleasantly surprised. He did not expect her to be that down-to-earth, and he liked her even more. Her unassuming simplicity.

Mayet and Clarisse stood up, feeling guilty about their transgression.

"Sir..." Mayet tried, but the words were evasive as she was about to explain why they were having lunch with the boss' guest and son.

Noah raised a hand to stop her. "No, just continue eating, I am fine." He took his place at the head of the table.

"Have you had lunch?" Anelle asked.

"Yeah, I had a luncheon meeting with a partner near the area."

"Dad, are you going to be busy today?" Reigner asked.

"No, why?"

"I want to watch the Ironman movie. With tita Anelle."

Noah and Anelle exchanged glances.

"What about your siesta? Can't we do it later?" Anelle offered. She made it a practice for Reigner to sleep after having lunch. In fact, his somewhat pale color body has improved, with all the sporty games with Anelle.

The child agreed. "Okay." He held a hand of the teacher. "But you are coming with us?" he asked.

She looked at Noah, her eyes wary.

It was Noah who replied for her with finality. "Okay, teacher Anelle will come with us once you wake up from your siesta..."

***

Anelle finds the request unbearable - going out with a married man and his son in public, while she spends time in bed with the man. But how could she disappoint Reigner? She did not want the request to be big deal considering that the child knew nothing about her and his father. But she felt guilty just the same because she can no longer deny their illicit affair.

Among the eyes of strangers in the mall, they are a happy family. She and Noah each held a hand of Reigner between them. Anelle felt like her heart was being pricked by needles as she hi-jack somebody else's place, Rebekah's place.

They were buying ice cream when by sheer accident, Reigner called her "Mommy, here's yours," as he hands her an ice cream cone. She suddenly turned to Noah, who was looking at her, smiling, and with a wink to Anelle, he laughed at what Reigner said, consciously noting that his son wants her to be his mom.

"Your wife will get mad at me once she hears what Reigner just called me, and you did not even correct him," she whispered at Noah when he got near.

He held her hand and squeezed it tight. "Sooner or later, Reigner will call you mommy, get used to it," he replied.

She pinched him on the side of his torso. "Will you stop kidding?"

She looked at her intently. "Do I look like I am joking?"

Anelle turned her head and walked fast away from him. "Hmp!" They were heading to tow in line towards the ticket booth at the cinema. Meanwhile, Reigner was measuring his height at the effigy of Ironman. He was also checking out the other promotional activities and merchandise in the area.

Suddenly, an elderly man came near them, "Engineer!" he called to Noah with a wide smile on his face. "It's good to see you, outside of the worksite!" They shook hands. Then, the old man looked at Anelle and Reigner who were back beside them in the queue. "Your family, I suppose?"

"Yes, Mr. Dela Cruz! This is Anelle, and this is my son Reigner."

The elderly took and shook Anelle's hand with gusto! "It's good to meet you Mrs. Asuncion!" he said sincerely.