Lie With Me

Seventh Lie

HIS

"Daddy!!! Mommy!!!"

Sabay-sabay kaming napatigil sa paguusap ng bumukas ang pinto ng conference room. I turn around and found Louie running towards my direction with Louis walking behind him. Hindi lang pala ako ang napatingin sa kanila, even the other board members with us are looking at both of them. Tinignan ko sina Kean at Elle na nakaupo sa gitna na nakatingin lang din sa kambal. Halatang hindi rin nila inaasahan ito.

But who is he referring to? Sinong Daddy ang tinatawag nila?

However, my thoughts are interrupted when something collided with my legs. "Daddy," I look down and found Louie clutching my pants while smiling up at me.

I heard gasps around me and feel their stares boring down on me. They must be wondering why Louie is calling me Daddy. Hindi pa rin pala nila alam kung anong meron sa amin ni Elle. Every one still knows that Kean is supposed to be their father and not Kenneth.

I crouch down and pat his head, "Hey there buddy," I greet him but before he could open his mouth, he turn to Elle.

"Meeting dismissed." Napatingin naman ako kay Elle ng sabihin niya iyon. "We'll resume the meeting this afternoon. Everyone can grab their early lunch and have their breaks but be sure to be here by 1pm."

Her voice shows no room for arguement and everyone immediately follow. Walang gumagalaw sa amin maliban na lang sa mga palabas. Each of them greets the twins when they pass by them, which they return with smiles. Halatang kilala at close sila with the way they interact with each other.

We wait until all of them are gone before Elle walk towards the door and lock it. By the looks she's wearing, it's not a good idea to anger her further. She looks stressed and irritated since the meeting started and it looks like having the twins here unannounced didn't do her any good.

"Now," she look intently at the twins and I notice them flinching a bit, "why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be at school at this moment?"

School?

Napatingin naman ako sa suot nila and they are actually wearing their uniforms. And from the patch, it's clear that Elle gave them only the best. I look at my watch and frown seeing the time. It's just 9 am. Don't tell me na nagcutting classes sila? Ang bata pa nila para gawin yun. And just how did they got here?

The twins look at each other before turning towards her. They start walking with their head down until they reach her. It's really interesting to watch how this twins can easily melt Elle's heart. Hindi maipagkakaila ang ngiti sa labi niya habang tinitignan ang dalawa habang papalapit sa kanya. They may not notice it, but her eyes immediately softens the moment they started walking or upon seeing them. It's something magical, how they can transform a cold-hearted business woman to a loving mother in a blink of any eye.

"Louie, Louis?"

Louie bow his head lower, while Louis look up to her before doing the same. "Louie misses you and is starting to cry... so teacher called Manang Oring and asked to bring us here so he will stop." He explain.

Napatingin naman kaming lahat kay Louie when we heard him sniff, his shoulders starts to shake a bit. Lalapit na sana ako when someone beat me to it----none other than Kean. He immediately kneel down and carry Louie in his arms where he started crying for all of us to hear. Umiiyak lang siya habang pinapanood siya ni Elle at ni Louis, pero makikita sa mukha nila na maski sila ay nasasaktan para sa kanya. A proof of which is how Louis ball his fist as he clutch Elle's dress while looking down.

Ilang sandali pa't tumigil na rin siya before Elle went to them para kunin siya. Upon seeing her, Louie immediately let go from Kean to his mother at doon siya sumiksik sa balikat nito. Elle keeps on whispering in his ears to make him calm and it looks like effective for after half an hour, mukhang napatahan na niya siya.

And all I did is to watch everything take place before me. Looking at them, they look like a family. Kean surely knows how to handle them just like how Elle could. No matter how much I want to take his place, I can't do it right away----for a whole lot of reasons. The twins surely loved him, despite knowing the truth that he's not their real father. Hindi ko rin naman maipapasawalang bahala ang mga panahon na nakasama nila siya. They love him and it's obvious that he loves them as well like they are his own. Kitang-kita sa mukha niya ang pag-aalala habang nakatingin sa kanila.

"I'm sorry, Mommy." Sabay nilang sabi. "I just miss you and want to be with you and Daddy." Dugtong pa ni Louie.

That seem to catch Elle's attention and look up to us. She smile a little, before motioning for us to approach them. And despite the restraint, I found myself walking and patting Louie in the head. He turn and latch himself to my legs and murmurs how sorry he is for crying like that.

"Nothing's wrong with that, buddy. Even the toughest and bravest of men shed tears more than what all woman could think of." I assure him. "If you miss us, just feel free and call us, I promise that we'll be there soon after."

"Really?" I nod.

"You can ask your Mommy about it." He did and I watch as a smile form in his lips the moment Elle nod her head in surpport of what I said. "See? You don't have to cry, just call and we'll make a way to come for you both."

Louie nods his head and just like that, he's back to his normal self. Sensing someone looking at me, I turn up and found Elle smiling softly at me that I give in return. It's not everyday that she smiles like that towards me and it makes me appreciate moments like this more. Hindi siya madaling pangitiin, maliban na lang kung isa sa kambal, kaya it's an honor to receive it given the situation we are in at this time.

Because I may not be Kenneth, at least, in times like this, I could make them believe that he's here with them.

That way I won't be guilty enough for stealing someone's identity.

I just want them to think and feel how Kenneth would have love them given the chance. After that, I'll find a way to introduce myself slowly to them. I'll find a way for them to meet the real Clark Ferrer, and not anyone else.

I could only hope they'll understand it someday and won't hate me.