A Mafia's Obsession

CHAPTER 18

I couldn't sleep last night because of what Francisco said, and I was still sleepy this morning, but I had no choice because it was breakfast time.

"Tita, I'm going to look for a job to help with the bills," I told Tita Mica as we ate breakfast. She stopped eating and looked at me with furrowed brows.

"What? Why? You don't need to work, and you're pregnant. So the answer is no. It's bad for your health, and I won't risk that," she said, resuming her meal.

"Aren't we a burden here?" I asked, looking down and fiddling with my fingers.

"You and your mom aren't a burden. I'm happy you're here. It would be boring without you. My son and I have been living here alone ever since my husband died years ago. You don't need to work. You can wash the dishes if you want, but only in the mornings," she said. I felt tears welling up in my eyes. I looked at Mom, who then spoke.

"I'll be the one to work, sister," Mom said. Tita Mica shook her head. She cleared her throat.

"I'll be the one to work, sister," Mom said. Tita Mica shook her head. She cleared her throat.

"Thank you for taking us in, sister," Mom said sincerely. Tita Mica nodded and smiled. Mom then took my hand.

Kung wala sila Tita Mica siguro wala kaming natitirhan ngayon at natunton na ako ni Mateo.

"Ma, where's my kikiam?" I asked, craving it.

"Nasa ref na, anak," she said, folding clothes. I jumped up and rushed to the kitchen to get the kikiam from the fridge.

Once I got the kikiam, I quickly grabbed a pan and other things I needed. Mom stopped folding clothes for a moment to help me.

As I cooked, Mom and I chatted. She finished what she was doing.

Once the kikiam was done, I sat next to Mom.

"What happened to you? Kay Kuya, at Papa, after I disappeared?" I asked, a shiver running down my spine as I mentioned my brother and father.

"I looked for you after I had your father arrested. When I saw you at the mall, you had changed so much. You looked even more snobbish as you grew up. Seeing you then made me sad because you didn't recognize me. And that's when I realized you had amnesia," she said, her voice cracking. I started to cry.

That's probably why he seemed familiar to me back then.

"When I found out where Majika was living, I went there. You were unconscious. I begged them to return you to me. I showed them all the evidence I had, even pictures of you, but the man wouldn't give you back. Even when I knelt before him, he wouldn't budge. I talked to Majika, and she said she couldn't do anything because her son was more powerful than her. She said she would talk to her husband to help get you back to me. I knew that family was dangerous, but I had a right to you. You're my child. But when I couldn't get you back despite all my pleas, I gave up and went back to Pangasinan. They were powerful, and I was weak—" Mom said, tears streaming down her face as she stared at the ceiling. I cried.

My heart broke as I heard her story.

"Thank you, Ma. Thank you. Kahit wala kang panalo, sinubukan mo pa rin" I said, sobbing as I hugged her back. I took a bite of kikiam as we cried together.

"You're my child. How could I just give up on you like that?" she said. I nodded, feeling my eyelids growing heavy. I yawned, and Mom noticed.

"You're still sleepy, anak," Mom said, chuckling. I nodded, and she wiped her tears and stood up, helping me.

"Let's go to your room so you can sleep. You can eat when you wake up. You don't look like you'll eat lunch," she said. I nodded, too tired to speak.

"I'll just cook the rest of your kikiam and bring it to you later. I'll reheat it," she said. I nodded again and said goodbye.