like real people do

prologue

Hallo! <3

Endless gratitude for coming along with me on my first Wattpad story, hehe. If you're here again, I send kisses!

Characters:

Aga Muhlach as Aga Montilla

Lea Salonga as Leanna Sevilla-Hughes

Setting: a small town in New Jersey

~

"Baby, you're going to be late!" Leanna shouted through the staircase. There was no response. She groaned, walking back to the kitchen to grab her cup of coffee.

"I don't have the time to bring you to school today, Ry! If you don't catch the bus, you're walking." She scrambled while fixing the papers she needed to bring to her meeting today, she, too, was running late, and his lack of cooperation was not making it any easier.

"Well, if you allowed dad to buy me a car, this wouldn't be a problem now, would it?"

She almost dropped her coffee upon hearing her son's voice from behind her, "god, Ryan, don't sneak up on me like that."

"Not my fault you're all jittery and running late this morning," he mumbled.

She turned around, gobsmacked at how insensitive he was being. He knew what today was, and she thought that he, of all people, would show her a little compassion. "I don't like the tone you're using on me, young man."

"Okay," he walked past her, grabbing his lunch on the counter before walking out the door. "I'm not having dinner at home," he informed her, not daring to ask for permission—he knew he wouldn't be allowed. As a 17-year-old with an overbearing mother, this was to be expected.

"Ryan!" She called after him. He didn't budge.

The past few months have been rough on them, and it's as if this week, all hell hath forth in their household—this was slowly becoming their norm, and she desperately wanted to get out of the cycle.

Although, when Ryan got to their front porch and saw little Valerie with her school backpack, he softened, ruffling her hair before squatting down to level with her, "have fun at school today, kiddo." The little girl nodded, giving him a wide smile before waving as he left for the bus stop.

It made her pause the rushed movements. Valerie was the light of their lives, and though this morning didn't start on a good note, the little interaction was enough to make her smile.

Oh, her kids, they are her joy.

Ping!

Maddie

Lea, where are you? Your being late won't do this case any good.

Ah, a reminder that happiness only comprises moments—fleeting moments.

She sprung into action, rushing to get her things in order. "Bubba, you ready?" She half-shouted.

Valerie's head peeked through the front door, nodding, "I'm waiting for you lang kay you're so dugay." (you're taking too long) A sleepy yawn accompanied it.

Lea chuckled softly, her mom taught the little one quite a few terms when she came to visit last month, and as it was fairing out, they stuck. She rushed over to her, "Abu taught you all the mean things to say, didn't she?"

Valerie shook her head, "it's not being mean. It's being honest."

Ever so blunt, this little kid.

Then they were walking to the car; Val was strapped up in the backseat while they drove the short distance to her school.

"Be good, okay? I'll pick you up later," she kissed her on the cheek.

"Will daddy be there, too?" Her eyes were pleading. She overheard her Kuya saying that their dad would be in town today.

Lea could only force a smile, "no, love. Just mommy. Is that okay?"

The little girl released a small sigh before mustering a forced smile, "yup."

Her heart broke a little at how downcast her little girl seemed to be. No one deserved this, her kids didn't deserve this, but it was their reality. Lea squatted down, enveloping her daughter in a tight hug, "I love you, bub." She held her head in her hands, kissing her on the forehead before fixing the loose tendrils of hair on her forehead.

"Love you too, mommy," and then she was off, turning around only to wave Lea goodbye.

Despite her being the youngest in the family, one could argue that she was the most understanding. Lea admired that about her, how at the young age of six, she never threw a fit regarding whatever was happening in their family. She asked questions but didn't prod when her mom wasn't ready to answer them.

She watched as her little girl walked to class, heart breaking a little with every step she took. Valerie was too young... too young to be carrying this load... too young to be this understanding.

Ping!

Maddie

Leanna? He's here.

She heaved a deep breath before making her way back inside her car, driving to the court for a meeting with her lawyer—their lawyers.

It was bound to be a long day.