HIDING HIS DAUGHTER (UNDER EDITING)

CHAPTER 40

ANGELA'S POV

Nagising ako nang may naramdaman akong nakayakap sa akin. Pagtingin ko, si Althea. Her small, warm body was pressed against mine, a comforting weight.

Ang himbing ng tulog niya. I smiled softly, running a hand through her hair. Pero akala ko sa kuwarto niya siya matutulog, bakit nandito ito? I distinctly remembered telling her to sleep in her own bed.

"I can't sleep, and Althea feels the same way, so she moved here and slept next to you," sabi ni Jaiden, kakapasok lang niya. My eyes narrowed slightly. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay, a silent question about his own sudden appearance.

"I don't have any perfume left," he said, nakangiti, as if reading my mind about his scent, or lack thereof. He was referring to the previous night's incident.

Tumango naman ako. He walked closer, his presence filling the room. Hinalikan niya ang noo ng anak namin. Pagkatapos ay hinalikan niya rin ako, but it was just a quick smack on the lips. My heart fluttered despite my feigned indifference.

"Saan ka nga pala nanggaling?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. Hindi ko naman siya matiis na hindi kausapin.

"Nothing, we were just taking care of some things," he said, his tone casual, almost dismissive. He then sat next to me, effectively sandwiching me between him and Althea. I leaned over and kissed my daughter's head, then combed her hair with my hand. Althea responded by hugging me even tighter in her sleep.

"Kayo? At sino naman ang mga kasama mo?" I pressed, knowing that "some things" usually involved a lot more than he let on. He always had a way of downplaying the dangerous situations he got himself into.

"Mga Kuya mo," he answered simply, at sinandal niya ang ulo niya sa balikat ko. His warmth was surprisingly comforting, even with my earlier annoyance.

"Are you sure? Maybe you were with another woman," I said to him, a hint of playful accusation in my voice. Minsan, gusto ko lang siyang inisin.

"I don't have another woman; it's just you," he answered, his voice low and sincere.

"Really?!" I said, still trying to get a rise out of him. I wanted to hear him say it again.

He chuckled softly. "Are you jealous?" he asked, his lips brushing against my ear.

"No, why would I be jealous? I know I'm prettier than your other woman," I said confidently, holding my head high. Alam ko namang wala siyang ibang titingnan bukod sa akin.

"Yes, you're right, my woman is beautiful," he said with a smile, tightening his arm around my waist. Ang sarap pakinggan, pero may catch.

"Ibig sabihin meron ka ngang babae, lumayas-layas ka nga sa harapan ko, Jaiden!" I exclaimed, naiirita, pushing him.

"Patapusin mo muna kasi ako," he said, habang nagpupumiglas ako. But I ignored him, turning my attention to our daughter. Ipinakita kong hindi ko siya pinapansin.

"Maganda nga ang babae ko, ikaw lang naman ang babae sa buhay ko, kayong dalawa ni Althea, love," he finally managed to explain, his voice soft. Napula ang pisngi ko sa sinabi niya. Ang bilis niyang magpakilig.

"Matulog na tayo," he whispered, saka hinalikan ang pisngi ko. He then lay down beside me, pulling me closer.

"Ayoko pa," I said, resisting the urge to close my eyes.

"Bakit?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

"Gusto ko ng ubas saka ng mangga," I said, saka nag-puppy eyes sa kanya. Sana effective.

"Love, seriously, mangga ng alas dos ng umaga?" he asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice. Tumango naman ako, determined.

"Please, puwedeng ipagtatalop mo 'ko ng mangga?" I pleaded, maintaining my puppy-dog eyes.

"Love, matulog na tayo, anong oras na, oh," he said, pulling me into a tight hug, trying to make me forget my cravings. Pero hindi, eh. Mas lalo lang akong nag-crave.

Napaluha nalang ako. The tears just started flowing, unexpected and uncontrollable. Hindi ko mapigilan.

"W-wait, love, why are you crying?" he asked, his voice now laced with panic. He immediately sat up, wiping my tears with his thumb.

"E-eh kasi g-gusto ko n-nga ng m-mangga saka ng ubas," I said, humihikbing. My voice was shaky.

"Shhh, don't cry, ipagtatalop na kita ng mangga," he promised, saka pinunasan ang luha ko. He hated seeing me cry.

"Talaga?" I asked, my voice still a bit wobbly, but hope was rekindled.

"Hmm, don't cry, love," he said, nakangiti, saka ako hinalikan. His kiss was gentle and reassuring.

He got off the bed saka siya lumabas sa pinto. I, too, got off the bed, but before I left, I adjusted our daughter's blanket. Ayokong lamigin siya.

Paglabas ko, walang tao dito. Tulog na ba lahat? It was eerily quiet.

Bumaba ako ng hagdan. Every step felt a little heavy, my body still adjusting to these new cravings and demands.

Jaiden immediately came to my side, supporting me. "Jaiden, kaya ko naman, ano ba!" I scolded him playfully. Hindi naman ako baldado, ah.

"Kahit na, baka mapano ka, that's bad for you," he said, his concern genuine.

"What do you mean?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. There was something he wasn't telling me.

"Nothing, love, I love you," he said, nakangiti, deflecting my question with his usual charm.

Nang makababa kami, nagpunta siya sa kusina. Ako naman ay sumunod sa kanya. The aroma of fruit was already making my mouth water.

"Jaiden," I called out, watching him open the fridge.

"Upo ka nalang sa sofa, love," he said, but I shook my head. Gusto kong makita kung paano niya ihanda ang mangga ko.

He took a mango from the fridge saka niya ito inumpisahang talupan. While he was peeling it, I just watched him, fascinated. Ang galing niya palang magbalat ng mangga. I moved closer to him as he was nearing the end of peeling the first mango.

And when he had peeled it, I immediately took it. Hindi na ako nakapagpigil.

Hinugasan ko ito saka ko kinagatan. The first bite was heavenly. Hindi ko alam kung bakit gusto ko ng mangga ng ganitong oras, but it was exactly what I needed.

Pagkatapos ay kumuha si Jaiden ng grapes sa ref saka niya ito hinugasan at nilagay ang iba sa mangkok. He was so attentive, so sweet.

Pagkalapit niya sa akin, binaba niya ang mangkok dito sa kitchen island.

Napanganga ako nang binuhat ako ni Jaiden paupo sa kitchen island. Ang bigat ko, pero ang lakas pa rin niya. He placed me gently, making sure I was comfortable.

I took another bite of the mango I was holding. Jaiden was just staring at me, a soft smile on his face.

"Gusto mo?" I offered, holding out the mango. He took a bite, pero ang laki ng kagat niya!

"Ang laki naman," I complained playfully, looking at the huge bite he took.

"Ipagtatalop ulit kita, do you want more?" he asked, saka niya sinandal ang ulo niya sa leeg ko. I felt his warm breath, and his lips brushed against my skin.

"J-Jaiden," I stammered, his name barely a whisper. My heart was racing.

"I'll stop myself," he murmured, his voice husky.

"Don't," I said, almost daring him. His gaze intensified, fixed on me. I tried to look cute, hoping it would work. Mukhang nag-effect naman.

I took a bite of the mango. Jaiden was still staring at me, so I raised an eyebrow, a playful challenge in my eyes. I chuckled softly because he looked so cute.

I felt him wrap his arm around my waist, pulling me closer, and then he started to caress my hair. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam.

"Kiss me," he whispered, his eyes dark with desire. But I shook my head.

"Please, love," he pleaded, nakanguso, his lips jutting out. I laughed at his expression; he looked so adorable.

I placed the mango in the bowl saka ko siya hinalikan, but it was just a quick, chaste kiss.

He immediately tightened his grip on my waist, pulling me even closer, pressing our bodies together.

He deepened our kiss. He kissed me gently, his lips moved from my lips to my cheek, then down to my jaw. I moaned at what he was doing, losing myself in the moment. Ang sarap ng halik niya, nakakalunod.

"Love..." I whispered, my voice breathless.

"Hmm," I felt his hot breath on my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

"J-Jaiden," I said, nang pinasok niya ang kamay niya sa loob ng damit ko. His touch was electrifying, sending a jolt through my entire being.

"Kumain ng mangga, ekis. Iba ang kainin, check." I froze when I heard Kuya Anthony's voice, loud and clear. My blood ran cold. Oh my god!

"F*ck," mura ni Jaiden, at halatang bitin. He quickly pulled his hand away, his face a mixture of frustration and embarrassment.

Ako naman ay napayuko nalang sa kahihiyan. My face was burning, and I wanted the ground to swallow me whole. Ang laking kahihiyan!

"Naks aga, alas dos pala ang tamang oras," I heard Catherine's voice, kaya napalingon ako sa kanila. She was clinging to Kuya Alvin, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

Kuya Anthony was nakangisi, a triumphant look on his face. He wasn't with Xianna.

Nang mapatingin ako kay Kuya Adrian, nakahawak siya sa bewang ni Shean. Siya na ata ito, ang ganda niya! Shean was absolutely stunning, even in the early hours of the morning.

"Bakit ba kayo nandito napaka aga tapos nandito kayo?" Jaiden asked, inis na inis. He was clearly not amused by their presence.

"Eh mga nag-date sila tapos ako third wheel sa kanila," sumbong ni Kuya Anthony, pointing to Kuya Adrian and Shean, Kuya Alvin and Catherine. Medyo nakakatawa 'yung itsura niya, parang batang inagawan ng candy.

"Si Xianna, asan?" I asked, remembering our previous conversation.

"Nasa bahay nila, pinalayas siya ni Xianna," Catherine answered, giggling.

I laughed. "Bat ka naman pinalayas, Kuya?" I asked Kuya Anthony, shaking my head.

Napanguso si Kuya Anthony. "May babae kasing bigla akong hinalikan sa pisngi, e. Si Xianna nandoon, nakita niya. Tang*na, sinuntok nga rin niya ako," sabi ni Kuya Anthony, rubbing his cheek dramatically.

Tumawa kami pare-parehas. It was hard not to, given his theatrical recount.

"Your sister is beautiful," Shean said to Kuya Adrian, smiling at me.

"Thanks," I replied, appreciating her compliment.

"I'm Shean, Shean Ly H. Suparat," she said to me, extending her hand.

"I know," I replied with a smile, shaking her hand. Alam ko na sa mga balita ni Catherine.

"Kala ko hindi pa nila alam?" Tanong ni Shean kay Kuya Adrian. Tumango lang Kuya, obviously not wanting to get into details.

"Ah, n-nasabi ko," sabi ni Catherine, looking guilty. Sabi na nga ba, ang daldal niya talaga.

"Matulog na nga tayong lahat," sabi ni Kuya Alvin, trying to take control of the chaotic situation.

"Ayoko pa," sabay-sabay na sagot namin ni Catherine at Shean. We were having too much fun.

"Matulog na tayo," sabi nila Jaiden, Kuya Alvin, at Kuya Adrian, a united front.

"Kayo nalang," I told them, playfully.

"We'll sleep, or I'll eat you, choose one," Jaiden whispered in my ear, his voice low and menacing. Napakagat ako ng ibabang labi ko. He was not playing around.

"M-matutulog na pala a-ako, t-tara m-matulog na t-tayo," I stammered, my face flushed. I then urged Catherine and Shean to sleep as well. Hindi ko na kayang i-defy si Jaiden sa ganitong sitwasyon!