Clio Stormhell ( Completed ) ( BL )

Chapter 3

Clio

I woke up in a feeling of discomfort, when I opened my eyes I saw Zilas resting his head on my chest.

He was peacefully sleeping, like an angel.

I look around the dim room to find a clock, I need to know what time it is.

When I spot the clock just right in front of the bed, hanged on top of the door frame. It was already 3 am.

I only got 2 hours of sleep.

No wonder my head is killing me.

My body is sore and my head is throbbing. I don't want to move because that would clearly wake Zilas, but I need to go home.

My daughter is alone in the apartment.

I tried to slowly move him away, slowly as possible so I won't wake his peaceful slumber.

Zilas, voluntarily scoot over to the other side when he felt me move. I thought I woke him up but when I look over to see his eyes, it was completely shut and he doesn't seem to be faking it.

Tumayo ako at dinampot ang mga natirang gamit kong nakalatag lang sa sahig.

I wore my long sleeve and zip my slacks, I just realized it was unzip the whole time I was sleeping.

He made me wear my clothes kasi raw baka magkasakit ako if I sleep naked, habang siya natulog na nakahubad kasi raw he's used to it.

I gave him one final look before leaving the room. The guard was still there, standing on each side of the door.

“ Alis na ako, ” pag paalam ko sa kanila.

They didn't pay attention to what I said kaya naglakad na ako paalis. I went straight to the locker.

When I stepped inside I saw Rhett, changing his clothes.

“ Rough night? ” Biglaan kung tanong, napalingon agad siya sa direkyon ko.

“ It was, ” kaniyang sagot habang inaayos ang laylayan ng damit niya.

“ Say 'hi' to Calliope for me. ” He pat my shoulder before leaving the room.

Calliope is my daughter. Her mother left us when she was still an infant, that woman left us before Calliope could even understand anything.

She was an awful woman.

I opened my locker and grabbed my clothes, I changed into the outfit I wore to go to work.

It is mandatory to wear our uniform only when inside this establishment that's why we used different clothes to get here. The owner implemented it para hindi halatang dito kami nag tatrabaho.

After wearing my clothes, kinapa ko ang perang tinago ko sa sulok. I directly put the white envelope in the inner pocket of my coat.

Before leaving the establishment, I made sure the night manager knew I was leaving.

“ Shift done? ” He asked nong makita ako.

“ Oo, ” I answered.

Nag time out muna ako before leaving.

The cold breeze brushed against my face leaving a trail of coldness in my skin. I looked at the sky, it's still dark. I really love how nightsky highlights the ethereal beauty of the stars.

I waited for a taxi but it was pointless, all that passes the roads are buses.

So I decided to walk home, it's a long way home but as long as I get home to my daughter.

She must be waiting for me. My poor girl.

Wala akong pamilyang malapit sa amin kaya tuwing aalis ako for work, naiiwan ang anak ko sa apartment. Calliope is too mature for her own good. At the age of 7 she can finally cook herself an egg and rice.

Whenever she does, it makes me feel like I was not a good father. A kid her age should be playing, but Calliope is cooking and washing dishes just because I'm not always there.

She has to learn things that's not appropriate for her age.

While walking I saw a pastry shop next to a 24/7 store that sells fried chicken, pumasok ako sa store muna at bumili ng 5 pieces of fried chicken for my daughter and I to share. Sumunod naman ako sa pastry shop, I look for a dessert that Calliope might like.

I saw some appetizing cinnamon rolls and cream-filled donuts, bumili ako ng tig dalawa para sa amin ng anak ko.

Paglabas ko sa shop, suwerting my taxing pumarada.

Agad akong sumakay dito, finally. I'll get home faster.

“ 88 street, ” I said to the driver.

I look at the streets we are passing by as the car move, the store signages made the street colorful. Umiilaw kasi signs nga halos lahat ng store dito kaya napaka ganda tingnan when it's night time.

There are a lot of 24/7 stores in our city, I don't know why.

After the 15 minute ride and inner monologue, we finally arrived in front of the building.

I paid a little extra kasi gabi eh, I know the fee is higher when it's this time of the night.

“ Thank you, ” sabi ko as I step out for he car.

“Sige sir,” pahabol ni manong bago nag drive paalis.

Agad akong pumasok sa building, I went to the stairs and transferred all the plastic bags to my left hand so my left hand could fetch the key in my pocket.

I opened the door with a key, silence and darkness greeted me.

Calliope is sleeping, I shouldn't make too much noise.

I slowly closed the door behind me, before taking another step I removed my shoes first.

Napahinto ako when I heard the door creak open and a tiny footsteps running towards me.

“ Papa! ” Calliope was running to me with her arms wide open for a hug.

I kneel down to meet her hug, the warmest hug anyone could give.

“ Bakit gising ka pa? ” I ask softly.

“ I was waiting for papa, ” kaniya sagot sa akin.

“ I'm sorry if ngayon lang ako, ” I tuck all the hair that's covering her face into the back of her ear.

“ Kumusta ang work papa? Tired ka ba? ” She asked innocently.

“ Kanina tired pa ako pero ngayon hindi na, nakita ko ang baby ko eh. ” I kissed her cheeks which made her giggle.

“ Look what papa bought, ” tinaas ko ang mga binili kung pagkain para sa kaniya.

Her eyes brightened up, she immediately took it out of my hand at tinakbo 'yun papuntang sala.

“ Thank you papa, ”