HIDING HIS DAUGHTER (UNDER EDITING)

CHAPTER 42

ANGELA'S POV

Nagdadabog na pumasok si Althea, kaya nagkatinginan naman kami ni Jaiden. Her usual bubbly demeanor was replaced with a stormy frown, a clear sign that something was amiss.

"What's wrong with our baby?" Jaiden asked, his voice laced with concern as he immediately approached Althea. He was always so attuned to her moods.

Si Kuya Alvin ay nakangiti sa gilid. I remembered Althea had gone with him, wanting to play with Axel. Kaya bakit umuwi na siyang ganito? The sight of Althea's grumpy face while Kuya Alvin just smiled was perplexing.

"Daddy, did you teach Kuya Axel the longest words?" Althea asked, her eyes narrowed in accusation. I furrowed my brow, wondering what this was all about.

Tumawa ng malakas si Kuya Alvin, clearly enjoying Althea's indignation.

"Uncle, stop laughing, hindi na talaga nakakatuwa," Althea whined, saka nag-pout. Ang cute niya, even when she's upset.

"Yes, baby, ako ang nagturo kay Axel," Jaiden answered honestly, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Daddy, you're my father, right?" Althea asked, her tone serious, as if she were questioning her own existence.

"You're not Tito Jaiden's child, you're adopted, that's why look at how beautiful your Mommy is, Tita Angela is gorgeous, Tito Jaiden is handsome, and you..." Axel said, cutting himself off with a dramatic pause, clearly trying to provoke Althea.

"Pinapalabas mo ba, kuya, na hindi ako maganda?" Althea retorted, her eyes blazing at Axel. Masama ang tingin niya kay Axel. What was wrong with these two? Medyo naguguluhan ako sa kanila.

"Both of you, stop it. Yes, baby, you're my child," Jaiden asserted, trying to mediate the budding conflict.

"Why did you teach him then?" Althea asked, still fixated on the "longest words" issue.

"Because I'm kind," Axel said, a smug grin on his face, making us all laugh. His arrogance was amusing.

"Hindi po ba 'ko mabait, ha daddy?" Althea asked, her lower lip trembling slightly.

"No, you're kind, kaya baby," Jaiden reassured her, pulling her into a comforting hug.

"My baby is very kind," I said, kissing her on the cheek, trying to soothe her ruffled feathers.

"Daddy, you should teach me, not Kuya Axel. I need to beat him, I won't allow him to win, that's not fair," Althea declared, her competitive spirit fully ignited.

I chuckled, as did Kuya Alvin. Her determination was admirable, if a bit intense.

"Sorry, but you won't beat me," Axel said confidently, taking after Catherine's unwavering self-assurance. He truly was his mother's son.

"Daddy, mabilis akong magselos. Ako lang, ha, ako lang ang tuturuan mo, wala nang iba," Althea demanded, her gaze darting to Axel to emphasize her point. "Mommy, ikaw din po, ha," she added, looking at me with pleading eyes.

Tumawa kaming lahat, pati si Axel ay tawa ng tawa. Her possessiveness was undeniably cute.

"Opo, baby," natatawang sagot ni Jaiden, clearly amused by his daughter's antics.

"You're so competitive, baby," I said, marveling at her fierce spirit.

"Yes, Mommy, I am po," she replied quickly, her chin held high. I looked at Axel; he was smiling and shaking his head, a mixture of exasperation and affection on his face.

"The future queen of all is queening, huh?" sabi ni Kuya Alvin, chuckling.

"What do you mean, Uncle?" Althea asked, her head tilted in confusion.