The Secret Temptation of a Single Mom

CHAPTER 6

THE SERENITY AND COLD BREEZE made me relaxed for the two-week vacation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We rode in the private yacht of Papa Hernando to cruise all around the beauty of the sea and then island hopping in the different tourist spots.

In the span of our vacation, Hershey and I easily got clicked, because we had the same interests. We took a lot of pictures wearing our swimsuits and summer dresses that Mommy bought for us. I was truly amazed by Hershey, because she was a great surfer like Papa Herrnando. Both of them show-off their skills in surfing to the monstrous waves.

Proud na proud naman si Mommy habang kinukuhaan niya ng videos at pictures sina Hershey at Papa Hernando habang nag-su-surfing. Tuwang-tuwa naman si Irish at gustong matuto kung paano mag-surf kaya't tinuruan siya ni Hershey.

Nag-boodle fight kami sa private yacht habang nagkukuwentuhan hanggang sa mag-sunset. Balak ni Mommy na magkaro'n ng sunset beach wedding habang nakasakay sa cruise ship ni Papa Hernando. Agad kaming sumang-ayon ni Hershey do'n. Nagplano kami ng ibang detalye at motifs. Ibinida rin sa amin ni Papa Hernando na magaling mag-surfing ang panganay niyang anak na si Cole.

Cole's age gap to Hershey was four years. Even though Hershey kept on teasing his older brother, I could see in her eyes how she loved and looked up to him. They were complete, but I could see that they care and love each other as a sibling.

Hanggang sa nakauwi kami ng Pilipinas ay hindi ko nakilala si Cole. Ngunit tumawag siya kay Papa Hernando at sinabing masyadong busy at maraming inaasikaso sa hospital sa Pilipinas at pumunta pa siya sa ibang bansa para operahan ang isang pasyente na mayro'ng Brain Tumor. Babawi na lang siya kina Papa Hernando at Mommy sa wedding. Nagpadala na lang siya ng regalo at tuwang-tuwa naman si Irish dahil mayro'n siyang laruan.

Irish and I really enjoyed our two-week vacation in Brazil with them. We would definitely return again for the final preparation of Mommy and Papa Hernando's wedding. I would make sure that it would be extravagant and magical, because Mommy really deserved it.

Hershey and I exchanged contact numbers and followed each other on social media. We wanted to keep in touch with each other. Her Manager Aline told her that she needed to attend an awards' night, because she was being nominated to the best actress list. I congratulated her in advance before we bid farewell.

Naging maayos naman ang pag-uiwi naming dalawa ng aking anak sa Pilipinas. Marami akong binili na mga pasalubong para ipamigay kina Cristina at sa aking mga staffs sa Ivy's Seduction. Kagaya ng aking ipinangako ay hinayaan ko rin sila magsaya dahil deserved nilang lahat iyon. Tuwang-tuwa sila ngunit mayro'ng isang nakabusangot.

"What's your problem? Did something happen while I'm away?" tanong ko kay Cristina pagkatapos kong basahin at pirmahan ang mga files. Pumasok si Raquisha at kinuha ang mga files at agad lumabas ng aking opisina.

Inirapan lang niya ako habang nakabusangot na parang bata. Nakaupo siya sa aking sofa habang katabi niya si Irish na busy sa paglalaro ng mga laruan na bigay ni Cole.

Cristina was wearing a luxurious pair of dark brown blazer with gold buttons and fitted pants. Underneath it was her beige tube crop top which revealed her navel piercing. She paired her outfit with beige stilettos. Her dirty blonde hair was styled in a high ponytail with gold scrunchie which showed off her ear piercings.

I'm bewildered as to why she was acting like that. I didn't know if I did something wrong or something happened to her.

I sighed as I fixed myself. For today, I wore an orange off-shoulder top with a knee length skirt with a nature design print that was being paired with gold ankle gladiator shoes which were Hershey's gifts for me. I loved it so much. I also paired it with a golden belt, gold tassel earrings and necklace.

While my daughter wore her orange off-shoulders dress with a nature design print that was being paired with gold ankle boots. Her jet-black hair was perfectly styled in braided pigtails. On top of her head, there was a golden tiara given by Hershey. She also wore colorful crystal bracelets and a necklace that were given by Mommy and Papa Hernando.

I took pictures of Irish with different poses, and sent them to Hershey's private social media account that she immediately reacted to and shared to her social media accounts. Actually, my daughter was really adorable and photogenic. I could envision her to be one of the famous models in the future.

"Nang-nang Tina, Aywit yiyi yab Tata Shey so much!" bulalas ni Irish.

Cristina gasped exaggeratedly. "Oh my gosh! How about me, Baby? Hindi mo na ba ako love?"

Ngunit hindi pinansin ng aking anak ang pagiging drama queen ni Cristina. Mas lalong nalukot ang kaniyang mukha habang nakabusangot at nilayasan siya nito.

Naghihimutok na umismid si Cristina. "Grabe! I felt insulted and cheated. Nagbakasyon lang kayo ng two weeks sa Brazil pero ipinagpalit ninyo na ang kagandahan ko sa isang Chocolate!"

"Ang lakas ng topak mo ngayon, ha? Ngayon na nga lang tayo nagkita pero kung anu-ano pang ipinagsasabi mo," pabiro kong turan.

Padabog na umupo si Cristina sa sofa chair na mayro'ng gold linings na katapat ng aking office table. Nakakrus ang kaniyang mga braso sa dibdib habang masamang nakatingin sa akin.

I sighed heavily. "Stop glaring and scowling like a mad dog, because you looked like an ugly duckling. You're thinking too much. Kumalma ka lang, mahal na mahal ka naming dalawa ni Irish at hindi ka namin ipagpapalit, okay?"

She scoffed in annoyance "Gaga ka talaga! Nakakainis ka namang manuyo, Bessiwap! Ni-walang halong paglalambing para naman pagaanin ang aking kalooban. Basta't kahit ano pa ang mangyari ay mas maganda at sexy pa rin ako kay Chocolate, period!"

I couldn't help but to chuckle while shaking my head. "Paniguradong lagi kang nagpapalipas ng gutom kaya't sinasapian ka."

'Ang lakas talaga ng topak ni Cristina. Ang init-init ng kaniyang dugo kay Hershey. Lagi kasing ibinibida ni Irish ang mga regalo ni Hershey sa kaniya kaya naman ay halos umusok na ang ilong at puwet sa inis.'

"Para mawala ang topak mo ay mag-shopping tayo at kumain na rin sa paborito mong restaurant," dagdag ko para naman gumaan ang kaniyang loob.

"Weh, hindi nga? Baka naman scam iyan, Bessiwap? Bad trip ako kaya't huwag mo akong pagtripan," pagdududa niya.

I arched my on-fleek brow. "Ano naman ang akala mo sa akin, walang isang salita? Tanggapin mo ba ang peace offering ko o hindi?"

She chuckled, and hugged my arm. "Okay, let's go shopping, Bessiwap! Mahirap na't baka magbago pa ang isip mo, 'no!"

"Taping! Taping! Taping! Sama po si Aywit sa taping, Mama at Nang-nang Tina!" bulalas ni Irish habang patalon-talon.

"Anak, i-kiss and hug mo si Ninang Cristina para hindi na siya magtampo. Tell her how much you loved her, so she wouldn't overthink and be envious," malambing kong pakiusap sa aking anak.

Mabilis na tumakbo si Irish kay Cristina. Agad niyang kinarga ang aking anak na yumakap pa sa kaniyang leeg habang pinapaulanan siya ng mga halik sa mukha. Tawa naman siya nang tawa dahil sa paglalambing nito.

"Ayabyu po ng dami, Nang-nang Tina! No tampo na po kasi yab po ni Aywit si Nang-nang Tina na super puwiti at tekti, okie?" paglalambing ni Irish.

Cristina rubbed the tip of her nose to Irish's little nose that giggled because of the ticklish sensation. "Oo na, basta hindi mo ako ipagpapalit, ha? Ako lang dapat ang love mo, Baby!"

Nakangiti lamang ako habang pinapanood silang dalawa. Masyado talagang selosa at possessive ang aking kaibigan. Ngunit kahit ano pa ang mangyari, hindi namin siya ipagpapalit ng aking anak sa iba lalo na't parte na siya ng aming buhay.

'In life, we never lose friends, we only learn who the true ones are. And I'm grateful to have a true yet mischievous partner-in-crime for life and a soul sister like her.'