Romancing the Devil

CHAPTER 39

Early in the morning, Callum sent me a message telling me that he’s going here again. Gusto ko mang sabihan siyang h’wag na, narinig ko na agad ang pagwawala ni Hestia at hinahanap ang Daddy niya. Napahinga ako ng malalim bago ni-reply-an si Callum.

To: Callum
Alright, you can go here now.

Natulala ako ng ilang sandali habang iniisip ang mga nangyari. Everything seems so surreal now. Parang ang bilis ng lahat ng nangyari. Parang . . . hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na sa isang iglap at hindi inaasahang pangyayari ay nagkita ang mag-ama. I really want to make it a secret but I think fate is really has its own way for our lives. It has a plan for us.

I shook my head, inaalis sa isipan ang gano’ng bagay. I shouldn’t be affected that Callum is with us now. Because in fact, he’s just here because of the thought of his responsibilities to his daughter. I shouldn’t think too much that will drive me to falling in love to him so hard for the third time. I should render my heart ang mind.

After minutes of just being preoccupied and just staring at the ceiling, I decided to finally go to the bathroom to take a shower. May trabaho rin pala akong dapat asikasuhin. Kagabi ay sunod-sunod na tawag ng sekretarya ko ang tumapos sa gabi ko, telling me about the meetings and clients I missed the whole day. Pina-reschedule ko ang mga ‘yon at paniguradong magiging abala ako ngayong araw.

While putting a light make up on my face, someone knocked on my door.

“Madame, narito ho si sir Callum sa baba. Hinahanap po kayo,” anang kasambahay na bahagyang nagpagulat sa akin kahit na inaasahan ko naman ang pagdating niya ngayong araw.

“Pakisabi na nag-aayos pa ako. Baba rin ako after a minute.”

She responded and heard her footsteps away from the doorway.

I heave a deep sigh before finally giving up on pushing Callum away from my daughter’s life. Ngayon pa lang ay sukong-suko na ako. Paano pa kapag napatunayan niya talagang anak niya si Hestia. I know he already pull some strings about it. At alam kong naiinis siya sa akin dahil pinilit ko pang itago sa kaniya kahit kita naman na ang ebidensya. Kahit na ipagpilitan kong hindi siya ang ama . . . gagawa at gagawa siya ng paraan upang mapatunayan ‘yon.

When I went downstairs I immediately heard my daughter squirms from the leaving room. I can’t even smile because I am bothered. That Callum might leave after he gaves hope to my daughter. He can find any way to escape from this responsibility sooner or later. Madadamay lang ang anak ko.

“How old are you again?” Callum asked in a sweet and soft voice to my daughter.

“I’m thlee!” Hestia giggled when she answered.

“When will you turn four, then?” asked Callum again.

“On . . . hmm . . . Aplil?” I smiled when she answered unsure.

“April, I’ll take note on that. What do you want for a Christmas gift?” Napayuko ako dahil alam ko na ang isasagot ng anak ko.

“Mommy and Daddy . . .” Hestia answered in a soft voice. My eyes watered and smiled sadly.

For years, she didn’t asked for his father. But every Christmas she asked for a complete family. Just like when she was two years old.

“I want my family,”

Hindi ko na napigilan at tuluyan na akong bumaba. Nang narinig nila ang yabag ko ay pareho silang nag-angat ng tingin sa akin. My daughter smiled at me sweetly while Callum stared at me with unreadable expression. Hanggang sa makababa ako nang tuluyan ay gano’n ang tingin niya sa akin.

“Molning, mommy!” Hestia ran towards me and hugged my waist.

“Good morning, baby.” Agad akong bumaling kay Nica. “Kumain na ba siya ng agahan? Sorry, I overslept.”