Living as Palacios (Shadows of the Past) BOOK 2

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

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It was a bright morning when Aurora walked into the kitchen. To her surprise, she found Rafael diligently preparing breakfast for the family. Amando was at the other end of the counter, struggling with ingredients while clad in a pink apron that made him look both endearing and comical. Aurora couldn't help but smile at the sight of them; her heart melted with pride at the family they had built together.

"Anak, bakit ikaw ang gumagawa niyan?" Aurora asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity as she watched Rafael whisking eggs with determination.

Her attention drifted to Amando, his apron fluttering as he moved, and she couldn't suppress a smile at his cuteness.

"I just want to learn how to cook, Ma. Nagpaturo ako kay Papa." Rafael replied politely.

"Hindi mo naman kailangang gawin 'yan. We have maids—" Aurora started, but Rafael interrupted her gently as he moved behind her.

"Ma..." he said softly, guiding her to sit at the center table. "Ikaw ang reyna kaya relax ka lang. Okay?"

Aurora nodded, feeling a wave of affection as she settled into her chair. Rafael returned to his tasks, arranging the meals on the table with care. However, she noticed Amando's unusual silence; he was avoiding her gaze as if lost in thought.

"Mahal..." she called him gently, concern creeping into her voice. But Amando only smiled, his eyes filled with something she couldn't quite understand. "What's wrong?" just as Aurora was about to stand up, Rafael placed a plate in front of her.

"Pa, tara na. Ano pang ginagawa mo diyan?" Rafael said brightly. Aurora thanked him, her heart warming at his thoughtful gesture as Rafael took a seat on her right.

"Pa, tara na dito." Rafael urged, and Amando finally removed his apron, walking over to join them at the dining table, his demeanor still distant.

"Masarap ba, Ma? I think I put too much salt."

"It's good, anak. Is this your first time cooking?" Aurora asked and took a bite on her food.

Rafael nodded. "Yeah. Not bad, right?"

As they chatted, Aurora sensed Amando's unusual silence. He was focused on his plate, clearly avoiding the conversation but trying hard to seem engaged. Concerned, Rafael wiped his mouth with the table napkin and turned to his father.

"Pa, are you okay? Kanina ka pa tahimik." the two of them looked at Amando, waiting for his answer.

When Aurora felt the long silence she immediately changed the topic. "Anak, look at this. That's yours." she slid the white folder near Rafael.

"Ano 'to?" Rafael opened the folder and his eyes widened in surprise as he pulled out his birth certificate. "Birth Certificate? For what?"

"To prove that you're an official Palacios, pero mas maganda pa rin pakinggan ang sa Papa mo, hindi ba?"

Rafael smiled widely. He couldn't believed that he has his own birth certificate. "Thank you, Ma."

Rafael scanned the document that symbolized his identity and belonging, feeling an overwhelming sense of connection to his family.

"Sige na, kumain na muna tayo because after this, I want you to get ready, anak. Kasi ipapakilala na kita sa media." Aurora said to Rafael.

Rafael turned to her, surprise etched on his face before he returned the folder on the table.