"How long has it been since we all slept on one bed?" Nat, Aika and Jamie were in Nat's bedroom. Jamie would only sleep with Nat, and Aika, when she had a bad dream. But tonight, Jamie really wanted to be beside Nat and Aika.
"Maybe you should buy a bigger bed, Daddy. Your current bed is too small for us!" Jamie snuggled closer to Aika.
"I second that. But I don't mind hugging my sweetie tight while we sleep." Aika wrapped her arms around Jamie.
"I can't believe I'm feeling left out even on my own bed..." Nat pouted as he inched closer to the girls.
"Daddy, you're squeezing me!" Jamie jokingly pushed Nat away.
"They said you have to hold the people you treasure close to your heart. That's what I'm doing." Nat gave Aika and Jamie each a forehead kiss.
"Ninang has to sleep early, Daddy." Jamie furrowed her eyebrows and warned Nat. Aika stifled a chuckle as Nat's jaw dropped.
"Good night, birthday girl." Aika wished Jamie one last time.
~
"Oops sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up." Aika's alarm rang at 4am. She had set it as soft as she could to avoid waking Jamie up. Thank goodness the girl had been knocked out after playing hard at her party.
"Mind if I accompany you? Mum offered to take care of Jamie for today." Nat whispered, not wanting to disturb Jamie.
"Why not?" Aika smiled as she gently pried Jamie's arms away from her. Jamie held tight to Aika the entire night.
"I'm kinda nervous...I've never actually done anything like this." Nat bit his lip anxiously as he and Aika headed to the carpark. Aika's team was waiting for her there.
"You can just use today to observe and learn. Don't be pressurised to do or say anything." Aika assured Nat.
"Good morning Ms Aika!" The core team greeted Aika as she opened the door.
"Good morning! I brought extra help along, hope you guys don't mind." Aika nodded at Nat.
"Good morning everyone. I'm Nathaniel. Feel free to boss me around!" Nat's introduction cracked up the team of 3 women.
"Boyfriend mo ba siya po?" The youngest on the team whispered to Aika.
"Hindi siya makakaintindi ng filipino" Aika chuckled as Nat shifted his eyes.
"Hindi ako nagsasalita...ng Filipino. Does that count?" Nat hoped he got it right.
"Ang pogi mo" The oldest woman on the team commented.
"Salamat po. I know what pogi means." Nat bowed slightly at the compliment.
"Don't praise him too much, tita. His head will balloon." Aika scoffed.
"Ang ganda mo, mahal ko." Nat smiled at Aika. His comment made the ladies swoon. The whole ride there, the ladies bombarded Nat with questions, which he answered all of them.
"Nakapasa siya na interview..." The ladies gave Aika a thumbs up.
"Interview? What interview?" Nat only caught the last word.
"We take the job of Ma'am Aika's boyfriend very seriously. Are you up to it?" The youngest challenged Nat.
"Joy, stop teasing him already." Annie, the oldest in the team chided their youngest. Nat heaved a sigh of relief.
"Sorry about it, we can't help but be protective." Ella, the second in charge patted Nat on the back.
"No worries, Ma'am Annie and Ma'am Ella. I totally understand. Aika's worth the grilling anytime." Nat smiled. The ladies squealed a second time.
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...
