Lose Control

3.2

Mornings and Coffee,
part two of three

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"Ay nako, tulala na na naman ang babaeng 'to. Jenha nga!"

Natawa na lang ako kay Erwan at umiling. I couldn't really help but to stare at our newly-wed again friends. Vain and Chrys look so in love and thinking about the hours I've spent on making their cake, sobrang worth it.

Si Vain lang ang lagi naming kasama kapag lalabas pero these past few months, nakilala na talaga na namin ng asawa niyang si Chrys. She's a wonderful lady that fitted immediately to our group. Sobrang na-enjoy ko rin 'tong concept ng wedding cake nila na summer-flavored. First time ko gumawa ng fresh fruit-flavored cake para sa isang wedding cake at sobra talagang na-happy ang heart ko. Looking at them now makes me happier.

"I swear I'd be puking rainbows after this. Even Art and Jia are so in love. Makakalimutan ko nang next month pa ang kasal nila kasi parang sila ang newly-weds na ngayon." My twin Jenhe rants as she sits back down to her chair.

Natawa na lang kami ni Erwan sa kanya.

Tinignan ko rin ang couple friends namin. Excited na rin akong gawin ang cake nila.

I was actually thinking already about what wedding cake I'll make for them. Sa totoo lang kasi, Art and Jia loves everything I make and eveything I make is their favorite. Nakikita ko nang sila na ang magiging pinaka-indecisive kong kliyente.

"Penny for your thoughts, sweetheart?"

Doon na ako nagising sa pagde-daydream ko at hinarap ko na ang bebe ko. "Hi, love."

Jenhe groans and Erwan is laughing again.

My Sir Gwapo gave me sweet kiss and I couldn't help but to remember how we ended up like this.

• • • • •

Nico walked out and I swear I can feel my heart tearing apart.

Gusto ko nang maiyak kaya lang...

He came back running with a bouquet of pink roses and a box wrapped in a pink velvet wrapper with a ridiculous big pink ribbon. Sobrang ngiting-ngiti na naman siya kahit na medyo naghahabol pa siya nang hininga ngayong kaharap ko na siya ulit.

"Sa sobrang pagmamadali kong makita ka, nakalimutan ko lahat ng dala ko." He chuckles and hands me everything. "Happy Valentine's, sweetheart."

Tuluyan na akong naiyak na biglang sobrang nag-alala na 'yung expression niya. But then he laughs and hugs me. I can hear my staff cheering for us and I swear it's almost surreal. Ni hindi ko na nga maalala kung sinong naghatid saming dalawa sa opisina ko para daw may privacy na kaming dalawa.

When I finally calmed down, Nico hands me my cup of coffee.

"I really don't know why you're crying, sweetheart, but I really missed you. Sorry hindi ako nakabalik agad 'nung mismong Valentine's."

I didn't even know Valentine's has already passed. Sobrang blurred ng mga nakaraang araw ko kasi wala akong ibang naiisip kung babalik pa siya. I didn't know I voiced that out loud until he laughs.

"Oh sweetheart!"

Napanguso na ako. "Sweetheart ka ng sweetheart dyan hindi mo naman pinansin 'yung sinabi ko kanina. Nico, I am a transwoman and are you even sure you want me despite I'm not a real woman?"

Bigla siyang ngumiti at umayos nang upo. He even cleared his throat as if releasing nervousness. "Hi, Miss Jenhe Avila. I'm Niccolo Rabinovich, half-Filipino half-Russian and a little bit of Italian, marrying age of 28, co-owner of the Nicolla Hotels and Condominiums. I was on baby-sitting duty for my sister's baby girl that's why I only came here every early mornings. Like I said, it was the biggest work I have to do and kept me the busiest man, and yes, I also brought her with me to my work. My sis is kinda my boss. I don't use any social media, but I quite started maybe around three months ago to stalk you."