THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE BABYSITS ME (R18+)

Chapter Forty-One

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

ADAM MEADOWS

"HI, Mom," I greeted her nang pagbuksan niya ako ng pinto. Bitbit ko ang medyo malaking shopping bag na may tatak ng isang signature brand. A slight smile on my face. I had promised her last night I'd send a gift today, but because of Jazz mentioning the vault and the photo album, I thought I'd have to check it out myself. Dad wasn't home; he was at the company.

"Hello, anak!" mom responded warmly, her eyes lighting up when she saw me. "Come in, come in."

I stepped inside, feeling a mix of determination and anxiety. Ang tagal ko nang nakatira sa bahay namin na 'to. Kung hindi sa penthouse ay dito ako naglalagi, pero ni minsan ay hindi ko nakita ang vault na sinabi ni Jazz, and now I couldn't shake off the urgency of finding out the truth about those pictures. Pero kailangan ko muna siyang libangin dahil hindi naman niya alam ang totoong pakay ko sa pag-uwi ngayon dito. Ang alam niya ay busy ako sa trabaho.

"Here's my gift." Iniabot ko sa kaniya ang bitbit kong shopping bag noong nasa living area na kami.

"Goodness, Adam!" Para siyang nawala sa sarili habang inaaral ang bawat detalye ng bag. Signature ladies' bag 'yon na hindi pa nailalabas sa market kaya napaawang ang bibig niya nang simulan niya 'yon buklatin sa kahon. "How did you... get one?"

Ngumiti ako at pabirong sugamot. "Connections?"

She chuckles. "Wait. You deserve a tasty breakfast." Tumayo siya sa couch na may malapad na ngiti sa labi. "Ipaghahanda kita ng almusal. Sandali lang."

I followed her to the kitchen, deciding to prepare my own coffee. Noong natapos ako at bitbit na ang mug, I turned to her. "Where's Fritzie?"

"Lumabas. Mamamasyal daw. Alam mo naman ang kapatid mong 'yan, simula nang bumalik kami rito sa bansa, hindi na napanuto sa bahay."

Bahagya akong napatango bago nagpaalam sa kaniya. Sinabi kong aakyat ako sa taas, sa kuwarto ko. Tumango naman siya habang busy sa paghahanda ng almusal ko.

I took a sip of my coffee, the warmth and bitterness grounding me slightly as I made my way out of the kitchen. I climbed the stairs, my footsteps echoing in the quiet house. I headed toward the room where Jazz and her friends had found the vault. As I entered, I saw the painting Jazz had mentioned. Isinara ko muna ang pinto at siniguradong naka-lock 'yon bago ko lapitan ang painting. Then, I gently adjusted it, revealing the hidden vault once more.

I stood in front of the vault, my fingers tracing over the combination lock. My mind raced as I tried to think of possible combinations. Dad's birthday, mom's birthday, Fritzie's, their anniversary—all the significant dates I could think of. I tried each one, but nothing happened. The vault remained stubbornly closed.

Ano kaya ang code?

Frustrated, I took a step back and ran a hand through my hair. I needed to find another way to open it or get the combination from someone who knew it. Napailing ako. I headed back downstairs, trying to keep my frustration in check. Mom was still in the kitchen, placing the finishing touches on breakfast. She looked up and smiled when she saw me.

"All set to eat?" she asked, her tone cheerful.

I nodded, forcing a smile in return. "Yeah, everything looks great, mom."

As I sat down, I couldn't help but think about the vault and its contents. I had to find a way to get inside it, but for now, I needed to keep things normal and not arouse suspicion. 

We ate breakfast, making small talk. She seemed happy to have me here, and I felt a pang of guilt for my secret mission. Saktong natapos akong kumain nang nag-ring ang phone ko. It was dad, voice calling me. Sinulyapan ko si mom at nagpaalam ako sa kaniya na sasagutin ko lang ang tawag. Hindi niya alam na si dad 'yon, ganunpaman ay hindi siya nagtanong.