Mending Heart's Affliction [Phoenix Countesses: ETHEREAL MAIDENS SERIES I]

Chapter 49

Meet me tonight

"Kailan pala ang alis mo? I heard you're being assigned to another place," Oliver asked Rusty as we began to eat.

Abala ako sa pag aayos ng pagkain ni Ariah na tahimik lang na nakaupo sa tabi ko habang pinakikinggan ang usapan nila.

Rusty being assigned to another place? Makes sense. It's common for the kind of work he does. He's a renowned engineer. Even more popular among women. Mas nakakagulat nga na nagtagal siya rito dahil madalas siyang nasa ibang bansa. He's been here for months now.

"I declined that project. When did you and Mari start talking again?" Rusty chuckled.

"Your sister is my girlfriend's business partner. Don't be so surprised."

"Mommy, I want more mac 'n cheese." Ariah whispered to me shyly, so I turned my attention to her.

She had finished the mac 'n cheese I put on her plate, so I chuckled at how fast she was eating.

"I'll get you—"

"Here, Ariah."

I was taken aback when Rusty put more mac 'n cheese on Ariah's plate. Ang bilis naman niy!

"Who are you?" Ariah suddenly asked him as he filled her plate with more mac 'n cheese.

Rusty smiled at her before answering.

"There." He gestured towards her. "I'm your mom's friend. My name is Rusty."

"Mom's friend, huh?" Oliver whispered.

"This is the first time I've seen you. Are you mommy's new friend?" Ariah kept questioning as if she was interviewing him, and then she continued eating.

Bumalik na si Rusty sa upuan niya habang ako ay nakikinig lang sa kanilang dalawa.

"Uh, something like that. I'm also her co-worker."

"Daddy's too?"

Muntik ko nang mabitiwan ang tinidor na hawak ko dahil sa sinabing iyon ni Ariah. I looked up at Rusty. Tila nagulat din ito ngunit agad na itinago sa anak ko. Oliver took a gulp of water.

"You can say that, yes. I know your dad too," Rusty replied to her.

Ariah nodded and resumed eating.

"Because he hasn't come home yet. If you're a friend of dad too, can you ask him to come back home?"

My lips parted. I wasn't prepared for what she said, so I didn't know how to respond.

I cleared my throat to shift Rusty's attention to me, but I don't think he understood that, and he kept his focus on Ariah.

"I'll see what I can do, sweet girl," Rusty said to her, and I was left agape.

Ariah's face suddenly lit up, and her small smile appeared.

"Thank you, Tito Rusty, and thank you for this delicious mac 'n cheese."

"You're always welcome, Ariah."

After that snack, I left Ariah with her grandparents. I returned to the lanai where Rusty and Oliver were still chatting.

Hindi ako sigurado pero kanina ay narinig ko silang nag uusap tungkol sa bagong property na ipapagawa ni Oliver.

As I walked over there, my phone chimed with a text. It was from Arik, so I paused on my way.

Arik: I was calling you earlier but your line was busy. You seem to be talking to someone.

Arik: Who were you talking to, Celeste?

Nangunot ang noo ko. Ano namang pakialam niya sa kung sino ang kausap ko? At bakit ba panay ang text niya?