Instant Mommy

Chapter 24

I just stood in the hallway looking at her stared at the family picture hanging on the wall. For a few long seconds, she just stared at it. Then a quiet laugh escaped her lips.

She turned around to face me as a mocking smile slowly formed on her lips as her eyes dragged over me from head to toe just like what she did outside.

She scoffed looking at me and back at the picture as if she was trying to compare the woman in the photo to the woman standing in front of her now.

"Who the hell are you?" I almost stumbled back when she stepped toward me. She was looking at me as if she's ready to pounce on me any moment.

"I'm sorry?" Mahinahon kong tanong, kahit ramdam kong nagsisimula nang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko.

"What's your relationship with Jacob?" She crossed her arms over her chest before tilting her head slightly. "Are you another one of those pathetic women throwing themselves at him?"

She looked me up and down again, her lips curling with obvious disgust.

"Or did you just get lucky?" she continued mockingly. "Move into his house, play happy family, spend his money..." She scoffed. "Tell me, which one are you?"

Every word she threw at me dripped with contempt. As if the mere thought of me standing inside this house offended her.

I straightened my posture, forcing myself to remain calm despite the uneasy feeling crawling beneath my skin.

"I'm afraid that's private."

"Oh? Private?" She arched her brow. "So you don't even have a title, I see."

"Just tell me which one are you?" Amusement dancing in her eye. "The rebound? A charity case? Or did he finally decide to rescue another lost puppy?" Her smile widened when she saw my expression.

"I dont think that's any of your business,". Her smile disappeared and for a split second, I saw her jaw tighten. The smile vanished from his face.

"Then where the hell is Jacob?"

"He isn't home right now."

"When exactly is he coming back?" she asked impatiently, her voice sharper this time. "Or are you not important enough for him to tell you where he is?"

"I'm not sure." She looked at me with pure disgust. As if my answer only confirmed whatever conclusion she had already made about me.

She took another step forward, until there was barely any space left between us.

"Call him." Her voice turned even colder.

"Excuse me?"

"I said..." she repeated slowly, emphasizing every word. "Call him."

Napasinghap ako nang bahagya ng hawakan niya ang braso ko. I could feel her long fingernails digging into my skin.

"I'm sorry," mahinahon kong sagot habang pilit kong inaalis ang braso ko sa pagkakahawak niya. "Pero hindi ko siya tatawagan dahil lang sinabi mo."

She stared at me for a second before she let out a humorless laugh

"So..." she tilted her head. "...he really doesn't tell you anything."

"What?" She ignored my question completely.

Instead, she looked around the living room once more. Her gaze lingered on the family picture on the wall. Then on the toys scattered neatly inside one corner of the house.

Parang bawat detalyeng nakikita niya ay lalo lang nagpapatigas ng ekspresyon niya.

She slowly looked back at me.