Tulip's Destiny

XXX - Found Bleu

"Yes! Tell her you'll help her." Mikhail whispered. "What?!" Manuel shouted, making a face. "What did you mean, what?" Raine asked over the phone. "Tell her yes. Yes, you'll help her." Mikhail mouthed, aggressively shaking his thumbs up. "Uh-huh... well yeaahhh... Okay, I'll talk to you when I get there." Manuel replied, watching Mikhail nod in agreement.

"Oh! Where were you?" Raine asked. "Oh. I'm in Amsterdam right now." Manuel said, making Mikhail grunt with frustration. "No! No! No!" He gestured. "Then can I come with you?" She chirped. "No! Definitely not." Manuel dismissed. "I'll be back...

"Tomorrow. Tomorrow... you're back  by tomorrow." Mikhail mouthed. "I'll be back by tomorrow. I just needed to attend a couple businesses here." Manuel reasoned, waiting for her response. "I see. I shouldn't bother you anymore then. I'll see you tomorrow." Raine said, bidding her goodbyes. "Sure. See you." Manuel let out a sigh of relief, slamming his phone slightly on the table. "That was close." Mikhail sat beside him, massaging his temples with menthol oil.

***

Raine arranged a general cleaning for the apartment. After that, she went back home to pick up Hail from her sister then got a cab to go back to the apartment. By the afternoon, Raine stopped by the office to get some documents that she can do by the evening. Tired, she took Hail on a walk grabbing a quick dinner from a convenience store.

The next day she had to bring Hail with her to work. Determined, Raine hopped into her desk and started figuring out what she was supposed to do. After some time, she got the hang of retrieving the book of accounts and started making a financial report statement. "Hail, mommy's not done yet." She said in a sweet tone while the furry continued to affectionately scratch off her legs. "Baby... for a while. For a while." Not being able to resist the dog's charms, she got up and stretched her muscles. "Now, what was it? Are you hungry?" Hail quickly threw herself at her, licking her face. "I think that's a yes." She went over the sofa to get a snack from the bag she packed for Hail. Wrapping up her day's work, Raine peaked over Khalil to say goodbye before calling her mother that she's going home.

"Ate!" Shaiya greeted, taking Hail from her arms. "Have you had dinner?" Mother asked, as Raine took her mother's hand and pressed it on her forehead as a sign of respect. "I saved some for you."

"My! Then what do we have?" Raine smiled, walking to the dining table. "Where's Dad?" She asked, sitting at the table. "He's already asleep." Mom replied, scooping her rice onto her plate. "Thank you." Raine mouthed, indulging herself with her mother's classic Patola Misua. "How was the apartment?" Mom asked, watching her daughter with pride. "I decluttered the place and it's bearable. I also started working at the office today." She said, slurping the thin rice noodles.

"Are you sure you can handle it on your own now?"

"Yep!" Raine turned to her with assurance. "Oh yeah... I'll be attending a masquerade ball next week. By any chance can I borrow a Filipiniana dress? I checked the mall already and it's costly."

"I don't think so." Mom said.

"Do you promise to take good care of it?" Dad asked, walking in from the corner. Raine got up, pressing his hand against her forehead. "Bless you." Dad said. "Your grandmother might just have what you're looking for."

"Really?" She smiled. "That's only if you're willing to go through some dust."

"Of course!" Raine replied ecstatically. Soon, they went to the back of the house where the storage room was. Father took out a large box, dusting it with a blow before giving it to her. Raine slipped into a petticoat, layering the dress patiently. After a while, she slowly walked out of the room to the living room. Raine was wearing a laced black Filipiniana, intricately designed with pearls and golden tassels. "This is heavy." She chuckled.