Traces of Her

CHAPTER 18 Past

Mishka was silently following Stephen out of the building. A while ago when she entered the office room of Attorney Jessica Hernaez, she was suddenly conscious and aware of the big build of a man that is facing at the front of the attorney's table. Her heart beat went faster and she felt her hands trembling. When she was already at the attorneys side she pretended that she was on awe on how the attorney make fast movement so that Stephen wouldn't not notice she was stealing glances on him. Up to now,that they were alone, she is still stealing glances beside him as they walk towards the car park.

She suddenly saw Stephen took a key on his pocket, face it out on an aligned cars (including the red one which looks like a sport car).

Nah, impossible that he would have 'that' kind of car...

Her eyes went wide and stopped on her tracks when that red car responded with a sound tut tut with blinking signal yellow lights.

But I thought he has trouble with financially?...

"Come on, hop in!" Stephen said while climbing at the driver's seat.

Silence came between the two when Mishka climbed inside at the front seat.

"Ahm, I know your wondering why I do have this kind of car"Stephen started explaining to her. Probably Stephen notice the look on her face.

"...Is your friend really that rich?" she asked in a soft voice after he is done explaining.

"Um, not really...."

Then the long silence started all over again when he started to drive. "Is it okay with you if we turn on the radio?" He asked.

She simply nod then took out her phone and started to play a game.

From time to time she would steal glances at Stephen who is concentrating on his driving. While the "Great Unknown" music was playing. She noticed that her kuya Stephen became a man. He has now a strong build and pointed nose. His eyes is still the same, brown eyes.

He really looks more handsome than before.

She suddenly looked back on her phone when she noticed him looked back at her.

"Mishka, I just want to ask why did Uncle Philip suddenly decided to leave you to me?"

"It's because Papa Philip was assigned to Turkey because of work and also because Mama Aida remarried--"

"Whoah! hold on, why are you calling him Papa and the one whom you are calling Mama Aida, isn't the person who is taking care of you when you were little?"

I was right he would be shocked,

"Yeah, it's because they got married--"

Stephen suddenly stepped on the brakes.

"--but it is just a marriage for convenience..." she continue to explain.

Stephen then turned the car and parked.

" Now, you may continue. What do you mean by 'marriage for convenience'?" He asked while facing her.

"Well, there once a foreign couple visited the orphanage and was interested in adopting me. So, to avoid adoption, Papa Philip and mama Aida got married,"

"But why would they not allow you to be adopted? It will be more convenient for your future?"

Mishka suddenly frowned for a while then continue to explain, " Actually, at first I was confused but then I remembered in the past when Mommy Katrina..."she suddenly paused when she notice Stephen frowned when she mentioned the word 'Mommy'.