The Curse of the Past (Fairytale Series 6)

Kabanata 12

Present

''Yes, attorney. I understand. I'll try to talk to Lucian. Bukas ay bibisitahin ko.'' Napahilot si Lake sa kaniyang sentido, bago binaba ang tawag.

He shifted his gaze to mine and motioned for me to approach him. He taps his lap and orders me to sit on his lap. I bite my lips and sit on his lap like an obedient woman. His hand went down to my baby bump. I'm now 8 months pregnant, and he gently traces his finger in a circular motion around my big tummy and massages it carefully before he relaxes his chin on my shoulder.

"Thank you for bearing our child... and for choosing to keep our child." 

''Thank you, Zealia. for giving me a chance to be a father and a husband to you, even for a short period of time. I can't wait to see our son and hold him in my arms. I love you so much, darling.'' He whispered weakly to me.

Hindi ako sumagot sa kaniyang sinabi. Nanatili akong tahimik at walang imik. Habang palapit nang palapit ang kabuwanan ko, kapalit naman non ang pag-iwan at pagtalikod ko sa mag ama ko. 

Lake is the one who handled the board that Lucian left. His cousin is in jail right now. The late Mayor Suarez filed a case against him for assaulting Amir Suarez. Lake is the one who's left in charge of the board. He's also taking care of the rest of their company. Lake is a very professional person who keeps his work and personal lives separate. Despite having a load of paperwork, he still managed to go home on time and take care of me and his son. 

He cooks for me, he understands my mood swings, and he is patient with my tantrums. Lake is just too good to be true, too kind for someone like me. His heart is so pure and full of kindness. He's a man of principle.

Lake Vasco's only flaw is that he fell in love with someone like me. That's the wrong decision he ever made, falling for a selfish and heartless woman like me. A monster who never cares about someone's feelings, a monster who only cares about herself, a monster who'll only use you for her own satisfaction—that monster is me.

Marahan niyang hinahaplos ang malaki kong tyan. Parehas kaming nagulat na dalawa nang sumipa ang anak namin. Kitang-kita ko ang saya sa mukha ni Lake. Pinaulanan niya ng halik ang aking leeg pababa sa aking balikat. Habang ang mga braso naman niya ay nakayapos sa aking beywang.

Sumipa ulit ang anak naming dalawa. Sa pagkakataong ito nakatinginan kaming dalawa ni Lake. Kita ko ang namumuong luha sa gilid ng kaniyang mata. Tinayo niya ko at hinalikan ang aking tyan. Banayad niya rin 'tong hinahaplos at parang naiintindihan naman siya ng anak naming dalawa. Dahil sa tuwing tumitigil si Lake sa paghaplos dito ay sumisipa ito.

I watch how Lake moves his jaw and swallows hard; it's like he's having a hard time speaking.

"Son, are you also excited to come out?" 

''Me and your mama are excited to see you. I'm excited to hold you and keep you in my arms... I promise, I'll be a better father to you. I'll spoil you with everything. I'll love you wholeheartedly and raise you with so much love... pupunuin ka namin ng pagmamahal, Caius." Dagdag niya pa.

Umangat ang tingin niya sa akin at tila nangangapa ng mga salita. Nanatiling nakaawang ang kaniyang mga labi. Habang naghihintay naman ako sa kung anong sasabihin niya. Lumambot ang tingin niya sa akin, bago siya tuluyang nagsalita.

''I want to name him Caius, is t-that okay with you?'' Gumaralgal ang boses niya.

Kinagat ko ang aking labi at banayad na tumango sa kaniya. ''Caius... Caius Melasio Alfaro-Vasco.''

Tumayo siya at binuhat ako. He carried me in bridal style. I pouted my lips and relaxed my head on his chest. I can hear his heartbeat—it's very loud and very fast. I can feel his nervousness. I have a feeling that his heart will explode at any time, like a bomb waiting to go off.