Beneath The Surface

Chapter 11: Alone

"Do I have the honour of asking you out tomorrow?" Nat had picked Aika up from work and had dinner before sending her home.

"It depends on where we're going?" Aika joked as she unbuckled her seatbelt.

"I have a full day of fun planned out, if that interests you?" Nat tilted his head playfully.

"What time do we set off? Should I pack breakfast for the three of us?" Aika looked at Jamie, who was in the backseat, excitedly.

"It's going to be just the two of us tomorrow. You and me, alone." Nat smiled as Jamie gave her father a wink.

"Two...what about Jamie?" Aika was confused.

"I'm having a play date with Calvin tomorrow!" Jamie was squirming happily in her car seat.

"We've always been going on dates as three, I realised that we needed time together, alone. Jamie's nanny kindly offered to be with her the whole day tomorrow so we could spend time together." Nat held Aika's hand.

Ever since Nat and Aika started dating, 90% of their dates were with Jamie. Not that either of them minded, but Nat always felt sorry that he couldn't freely go on solo dates with Aika on the weekends.

"Sounds equally good to me. I'll see you tomorrow." Aika broke into a smile and reached over to kiss Nat on the cheek before getting out.

"Have fun and don't miss me tomorrow!" Jamie whispered to Aika as the latter hugged her.

"Tell me more about this Calvin next time..." Aika winked before closing the back door.

"Ate, do you have any plans tomorrow?" Tricia was lying on the sofa after finishing a 48 hour shift.

"I'm going out with Nat...what's up?" Aika eyed her sister suspiciously.

"I wanted to ask if you were interested in joining us for a bakery tour..." Tricia pouted.

"Us? Why would I be a lightbulb at your date in the first place?" Aika cringed at the thought of being stuck between Tricia and her boyfriend.

"I was just being nice...Mama, ate's bullying me again!" Tricia called out to their mother.

"Excuse me, I'm the lonely one with both of you going out tomorrow. Where's Jill, I miss her." VP Leni picked up her phone and called their bunso.

"So where are you going with kuya and the sweetie pie tomorrow?" Tricia made space for Aika on the sofa.

"Nat didn't tell me. He just said we were going to have fun alone. Jamie has a play date tomorrow." Aika shrugged.

"Ooh, a date with just the two of you?" Tricia sat up and snuggled closer to Aika.

"I don't know where this conversation is going but something tells me I should run away." Aika leaned away.

"I mean, it's great that you two get to go on a date without Jamie. She's utterly adorable but sometimes you two just need undisturbed time together." Tricia pursed her lips.

"That's what Nat said too. I haven't really thought about that but you two are right..." Aika never minded that Jamie was always there but it also meant that she and Nat couldn't give each other their undivided attention. If she and Nat were serious about their relationship, this protected time was important.

"Enjoy your date, ate. Make beautiful memories!" Tricia gave Aika a tiny hug before heading upstairs to call her boyfriend.

~

"Hey, what do I have to bring tomorrow?" Aika had washed up and was lying on her bed while talking to Nat.