Obnoxious Oxygen

Chapter Forty Four

Tita Moana fall into step beside me, asking me again if it's really okay for me to come here. If it isn't putting too much pressure on my condition. No matter how strong I think I could be, I'm still a pregnant woman and the babies inside me arent as strong as I am. But my presence was requested for this morning.

I gave her a simple nod, that didn't ease her worry though.

"Basta, kapag may naramdaman ka sabihin mo agad sa akin." Actually, she'd been telling me that repeatedly. I smiled at her solicitousness, until now it was a puzzle for me why mom hated her. She's the very definition of kindness.

What I've witnessed yesterday was something I'm still trying to comprehend. I've tried asking, but they didn't give me the answer I'm dying to know. I understand, it must be really sensitive and they're afraid they might get me involved and Oxygen wouldn't like that. And as for now, we've all been going through a challenge, I wouldn't be inconsiderate to push through my questions.

"You okay, Gabby?" That's Tito Exodus, walking past us to open the door of the board room. He's smiling at me but when he looked over my shoulder, his expression hardened. Well, Zach's behind me.

"Yes, Tito." I smiled back at him before stepping in.

A kid chatting was what greeted us. He's sitting on one of the swivel chairs around the table, he seemed very engrossed telling his story to other boy sitting next to him.

"Ang aga aga ang daldal naman ni Ricos," Tita Moana said.

The little kid named Ricos frowned and turned to us. He beamed recognizing Tita Moana. "Oh, hi there Princess of Motunui!"

It made me chuckle, this kid is pretty clever. I caught his attention, he stared at me and I smiled at him. He seemed undecided if he's going to smile back or what.

"Who is she?" He politely asked, glancing at Tita Moana and back to me. No, to my bulging stomach actually.

"This is Tita Gabby, Tito Oxygen's girl." She answered pulling a chair for me. "Dito ka na maupo, Gabby. Anyway, si Ricos 'yan. Anak ni Paris at Aidan, masanay ka na. Madaldal at matanong ang batang 'yan. Yung isa naman, si Ridge. Anak ni Reid."

Nanlaki ang aking mga mata na sinulyapan muli ang dalawa, abala na muli si Ricos makipagusap sa katabi. Mukhang magka-edad lamang ang mga ito. "Reid has a son?"

"Secret that wasn't a secret anymore."

"You're pregnant, too." The brilliant kid turned to me again, he's smiling at my stomach. "You girls have magical tummies, ain't ya? It can produce babies! My mommy is pregnant, too. We'll name her Riley, what a cute name right? It means brave. How about you, Tita Gabby? What's the name of your baby?"

"Babies, actually." I grinned when his cute little eyes go wide.

"You mean it's two or more?" He said, raising his fingers. I nodded. "Wow, mom should multiply the baby in her tummy, too. So I'd have a baby brother. How'd you do that? I thought it's only one baby at a time."

The door swung open and Tita Chiara came in, next to her is her brother, Roy Christian. Holding two glasses of milk, which I assumed for the kids.

"Ricos, put your feet down." Suway nito sa bata na agad naman sumunod.

"Thank you, Legend of the Wild West." Ricos grinned after he took his milk. "Ridge, we'll play Super Mario Odyssey again but you'll let me win, okay?"

Ridge didn't say anything but a nod. Ricos looked at me, giggling with traces of milk just above his lips.

"He doesn't talk much but he's not mute."

Tita Chiara's gaze found Zach, who stayed on his feet far from the table. "The prodigal son is back. Come and have a seat. You're invited here, Zach Lawrence."