"How's Jamie doing?" VP Leni asked as Aika took her seat at the dining table.
"She's back to normal, thankfully." Aika chuckled as she remembered the messy situation last week. Luckily, Jamie was back to her hyper state after 2 full days in bed. Although it also meant that Jamie was stuck to Aika like a baby koala, not wanting to let her go home.
"Now you know how hard it is to take care of a sick child..." VP Leni crossed her arms jokingly.
"Definitely, mama. But Jamie was extra endearing too...her tiny hugs, random kisses and just her wanting to be beside me just made my heart melt. Although Nat wasn't happy about being replaced..." Nat had been pouting about Jamie asking him to leave so she and Aika could have girl time.
"Uh oh, it looks like it's a done deal...right, mama?" Jill's voice boomed from the computer screen.
"What done deal?" Aika was confused.
"I'm getting a little niece and brother-in-law sooner than I thought..." Jill joked.
"Know that being in New York saved you..." Aika chided Jill, who playfully stuck her tongue out.
"Jill's not wrong though, I'm going to announce my candidature soon...which means you and Nat will have to work things out." VP Leni sighed softly, feeling bad about the implications of her decision.
"Nat said he was okay with accommodating us. He also asked if there was anything he could do to help?" Aika assured her mama. She and Nat had talked about it before; they wanted to keep a low profile for the time being to protect both of their families.
"Honestly? I actually can't wait to fly back and finally meet kuya Nat and the little sweetie Jamie?" Jill squealed, her excitement obvious from New York.
"If you're thinking about replacing me as the favourite tita, I think you can fold the thought. Jamie and I are besties." Tricia crossed her arm smugly.
"Besties? I thought Jamie and ate Aiks were besties, since when did you come in?" Jill was confused.
"Someone's a ninang now so the bestie position came to me." Tricia winked.
"Thank goodness I have Natalia and Alo. I'm the favourite tita." Jill comforted herself.
"Not so fast there bunso, I object to that statement." Aika shook her head.
"Wow, ganging up on me? Wait till the favourite child comes back..." Jill jokingly threatened.
"Sorry I can't be there for the announcement..." Jill pouted. It was crunch time in school.
"It's okay, darling. Focus on school and we'll see you soon." VP Leni assured her favourite. Aika and Tricia exchanged stiffled giggles.
~
"What are you reading?" Nat was sitting at the dining table, focused intently on his computer screen. He didn’t even noticed Aika entering the apartment. Yes, Aika knew the password to the door.
"Studying..." Nat replied, his eyes still on the screen.
"History of the Philippines...Politics of Philippines...Jesse Robredo...Leni Robredo..." Aika peered over Nat's shoulder and was surprised at the tabs that Nat had open.
"I studied the political history of the Philippines for a bit in high school back in Singapore but it's all rusty now." Nat was a little embarrassed.
"Why the sudden back to school mode though?" Aika sat next to Nat, noticing the notes he'd written on his iPad.
"Sun Tzu once said, 知己知彼 百战百胜, know thy self and thy enemy and you will win every battle..." Nat smiled at Aika. Aika loved it when Nat broke into random Chinese phrases or when his Singlish popped up.
YOU ARE READING
Beneath The Surface
RomanceAika Robredo was a poster child: with a Masters from Harvard, a respectable career trajectory and dependable eldest daughter of the Robredo family. Everyone was telling Aika that all she had left to do was finding her 'dream guy' to settle down with...
