The Nutcracker Project [Gen L Society #3]

Chapter 6

Princess

It didn't make any sense. I thought Logan was supposed to be a womanizer who forces girls to get abortion. So, paanong nagkaroon siya ng anak?

"Baby princess, huwag mo na ulit gagawin 'yon, okay? Pinag-alala mo si daddy." Logan caressed the little girl's head as he looked at her in the most endearing way I'd ever seen.

I just stood there still, a few meters away from where they were, not wanting to interrupt their moment. Marami akong katanungan sa aking isip, but I chose to keep them to myself for now.

"Daddy, gusto ko lang naman kumain ng ice cream," the child reasoned out.

Nakita ko ang pagbuga ng hangin ni Logan sabay tapik ng kamay ng bata. "Princess, pwede ka namang kumain ng ice cream, huwag lang masyadong marami, okay? You need to listen to your Ate Therese."

Tumango naman ang babae na nakaupo sa tabi. She was probably Therese.

So, hindi siya ang mommy ng bata? This was making it more complicated to think about.

"Daddy, who is she?" The little girl suddenly pointed her hand in my direction, making the guys turn to me.

I saw Logan's brows meeting in the middle as soon as he locked eyes with me. Ngumiti ako sabay lakad patungo sa kanila. "Hi, I'm Bee, your daddy's... friend." Pinag-isipan ko pa kung ano ang sasabihin ko at baka may masabi akong ikagulat ng bata.

"Friend? I don't think I've seen you before," sagot pa ulit ng bata. Mukhang kilala niya lahat ng kaibigan ng kanyang daddy.

"I'm a new friend of his," I explained, glancing at Logan and flashing him a smile.

"Is that a ballerina?" Biglang tanong ng bata habang nakaturo ang kanyang kamay sa may sling bag ko.

May isang maliit na pink ballerina keychain na nakasabit dito. It was given to me by mom when I was kid. It was that same day I told myself I would make her proud by being a ballerina someday.

I nodded at the kid as I removed the keychain off my bag. Inabot ko ang keychain sa bata at agad naman siyang napangiti sa tuwa. "You can have it, but promise you will listen to your daddy from now on, okay?"

Agad namang tumango ang bata habang nakatingin sa bigay kong keychain. "Thank you, Ate Bee."

"You're welcome, Princess," I tapped her arm lightly and immediately noticed how warm she was.

"Excuse me po ma'am, sir, ichecheck ko lang ang IV ng pasyente," isang babaeng nurse ang dumating kaya lumayo na rin ako at umupo sa bakanteng upuan sa may waiting area.

Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas at biglang dumating si Logan. Umupo siya sa tabi ko sabay abot sa akin ng isang bote ng lemon iced tea. "Oh, uminom ka muna."

"Uh, no, thanks. I don't drink iced tea," sabi ko sa lalaki.

Nakita ko ang pagkunot ng noo ni Logan. "Walang lason 'to."

I shook my head, stifling a chuckle at him. "Alam ko. I just don't drink that."

He exhaled a breath. "Arte naman neto. Ano bang gusto mo? Bibilhan kita."

"No. Hindi ako gutom," I reasoned, folding my arms over my chest.

"Bahala ka," the guy spoke again, turning to me in a serious tone. "Salamat pala kanina."

"For what? Sa keychain? That's no big deal," I waved him off.

Umiling si Logan. "For making Princess happy."

His eyes glistened upon saying that and I suddenly felt the weight of his words. He was worried sick for his child that he ran his ass off just to make sure she was okay. If that's not a definition of a good father, then I don't know what is.