Rome and Ae went to watch a movie but the whole time, Rome was thinking about Rita and her situation. He couldn’t concentrate on the movie while Ae is just snacking on the popcorns. When the movie is over, Ae and Rome went to pick up Nong Gino at Rita’s place. Nong Gino just got up and was upstairs in Rita’s room with Rita when Rome came upstairs to find Rita and Nong Gino reading together. “Uh, it’s time to leave, Nong Gino,” say Rome sticking his head inside her room. “Uncle Rome,” says Nong Gino and ran out of the bed to Rome, “how did you know I was here?” “I asked your nanny, she wouldn’t let me worry about you,” say Rome once he picked up Nong Gino. “Did you, Rita?” ask Nong Gino turning to look at her. “Yes, you can’t let them worry about your whereabouts, and I told you we’ll call them to inform them where you are,” say Rita putting away the book. “How did you know this is my room?” she asked when she got closer to them. “Your mother told me,” say Rome. “oh,” say Rita. “Let’s go down, I want to see Mrs. Jensen, she’s been good to me, Uncle,” say Nong Gino. “That’s wonderful, our prince is loved by everyone,” say Rome with a smile. “Let’s go,” say Nong Gino and was put down so he can go downstairs. “I apologize for Ae,” say Rome. “It’s okay, that’s just a misunderstanding,” say Rita before heading downstairs and he followed her. When they got downstairs, Nong Gino was hugging Mrs. Jensen. “It’s time to go,” say Ae at the door. “I don’t want to go yet,” say Nong Gino. “It’s late, Nong Gino can visit myself and Rita when Nong Gino have time, okay,” say Mrs. Jensen. “Promise,” say Nong Gino and ran to Rita, “Promise Rita.” “Yes, anytime you want,” say Rita and sees them out the door.
In the car, “Who is she, Rome?” ask Ae driving. “Who?” ask Rome. “That Rita,” say Ae, “I haven’t seen her before, is she your new maid?” “Rita is Nong Gino’s new nanny,” say Rome paying attention on his driving. “When did she got hire? Was she working for a while since I left out of country? You haven’t been near her have you?” ask Ae. “What are you thinking? She’s working for Nong Gino, not for me besides I only have you,” say Rome. “I’m relief to hear you say that because she sure is pretty, maybe that’s why Nong Gino likes her,” say Ae looking back to Nong Gino who was looking out the window. “Our prince will not fall for her since he’s too small to know what love is,” say Rome. Rome drove to their house then Ae left for home once she greeted Mr. Nampan. Ae didn’t stay for dinner leaving the three guys at the table. “How’s your day today our little prince,” say Mr. Nampan noticing that Nong Gino ate all his food. “Good, grandpa, can I go out every day if Rita isn’t here?” he asked and Rome look at him. “What for?” asked grandpa. “To visit Rita and grandma,” say Nong Gino. “What our prince is trying to say is that if Rita is not going to be here then he’ll go to her,” say Rome looking at Nong Gino. “That is not a problem if Rita is okay but I think the only time she won’t be here is on her days off or have to take care of her mother,” say Mr. Nampan, “therefore our prince should not bother her.” “But Rita say I can visit her and grandma anytime,” say Nong Gino. “But you shouldn’t,” say Rome. “Why?” ask Nong Gino. “Because it’s not good for you to visit her when she’s not here,” say Rome. “I’ll consider what you’re saying, okay, our prince,” say Mr. Nampan. “Okay, grandpa, see uncle, grandma is okay with it,” say Nong Gino. “But I’m not, why are you so close to her?” ask Rome which got Mr. Nampan’s attention. “Because I’m her baby,” say Nong Gino. “What?” ask Rome looking straight at Nong Gino. “I’m her baby,” say Nong Gino. “She’s not your mother,” say Rome getting mad all of a sudden. “Rome,” say Mr. Nampan. “What?” ask Rome with a loud voice that scare Nong Gino who went over to his grandpa. “Go up to your room okay,” say grandpa and Nong Gino went up to his room. Once he’s out of the room, “what is wrong with you? He is still a little kid,” say Mr. Nampan. “I don’t understand why Nong Gino is so close to her?” say Rome standing up. “maybe because Nong Gino found something in her that you don’t,” say Mr. Nampan. “What do you mean?” ask Rome. “Something that little kid sees in the people they like and because Rita can get him to do things that no other can,” say Mr. Nampan. “Nong Gino is good the way he is until she comes into the picture,” say Rome. “why are you worrying all of a sudden?” ask Mr. Nampan. “Because he’s acting weird,” say Rome turning to face his father. “I don’t see that as a problem,” say Mr. Nampan, “Unless you see that as a problem.” “Of course, he’ll start to go out and be where he’s not suppose to be, no one’s to watch him,” say Rome. “That’s enough, you’re just overreacting,” say Mr. Nampan, “you think about it,” before leaving to go to his room. Rome couldn’t understand himself why he acted this way.
Aum awoke to find himself hugging Aff who is still asleep. He removes her hair from her face and kisses her lightly on the cheek. “I promise to only marry once and with only one person, it’s fate that brought us together, I don’t care how we met, I won’t let you go,” he say lowly while looking at her sleeping peacefully. When she stirs, he pretended to be sleeping. She turns her face to look at him and smile to herself before removing his hand and getting up to go wash. When she got out of the restroom, Aum was seated on the bed looking straight at her. “You took a while in there,” he tease. “When were you up?” she asked standing in the doorway. “Way before you, you look like an angel sleeping soundly and peacefully,” he say. “why didn’t you wake me? You know you’re late for work,” she say. “That’s because I wasn’t planning on going to work today, but to take you out,” say Aum. “Where to? Just because you’re the boss does not give you the right to be absent from work, what happens if something happen and you’re needed?” ask Aff. “Why are you so worry? Does money mean everything to you?” he asked not aware that she’ll get mad because it’s like an insult to her. “that’s not what I mean, I just think that since you’re the boss, you should be there at work for guidance and all, but if I look like someone who always want money to you then I guess so,” she say then head out of the room. “why are you mad already?” he yell after her. She just ignore him and went to cook breakfast. When he got out of the restroom and went downstair, she set the food on the table and went into the livingroom to watch tv. He went into the livingroom when he notice she’s not in the kitchen, “what are you doing in here? Let’s go eat before the food turns cold,” he say. “I’m not hungry,” she say. “why not? Are you mad already?” he asked sitting down next to her. “I can’t be mad at you,” she say. “then what’s gotten into you?” he ask taking her hand but she pull back. “Nothing,” she say. “tell me what’s wrong, I will listen to you,” he say. “what do you think of me?” she finally ask. “what do you mean what do I think of you,” he ask confused. “I mean about me having you go to work?” she say. “oh, nothing, it just seems like you’re concern about money,” he say. “But did I mentioned money?” she ask. “No,” he answer, “but I wonder why you would auction yourself if not for money. Why do you need that much money?” “personal reason,” she answer. “I thought that you were someone looking for fun until last night,” he say, “I still don’t understand why you did it, you know you could land yourself in someone’s hand,” he say. “I know but it’s a risk I have to take for the situation that I’m in,” she replied. “what situation?” he asked. “It’s nothing big, just my mistake,” she lied, “you can go have breakfast, I’m not hungry.” When he sees that he can’t make her go have breakfast, he went himself. After eating, he left for work. She’s all alone and think about what to do. Just when he left, the phone rang, “Hello,” she answer. “Hello, is Aum home?” ask a lady’s voice. “He went to work,” answer Aff. “Who’s this?” the voice asked. “I’m Aff,” she answer. “Are you the new maid?” she asked. “um..” answer Aff but was cut by the voice, “when he gets home let him know that his mother call,” say the voice. “okay,” Aff answer before hanging up.
At the office, Aum’s mother called him. He told his mother that he is married when his mother told him that she found him a lady and will be returning home with her. When his mother heard that he’s already married without her permission and attendance, she got upset and demanded to know his wife. Aum told her about Aff except that he met her at the auction place. He then called Tui to talk about his problems but wasn’t able to get through to him.
That night, there was a lot of people attending the gathering. Mark was the last one to arrive and he’s with Tui. “Why didn’t you invite Aum?” ask Mark. “I forgot about him, besides it’s not a gathering I would want him to attend,” he say. “Why is that? He won’t take your girl from you,” tease Mark. “like I care? Besides he have his own girl already,” Tui say. “I heard, and is that why you got yourself Linda?” ask Mark. “You know you’re going to hurt Ja’s feeling,” say Mark. “I don’t care about her, if you haven’t known that by now, besides I invited Linda over,” say Tui. “I admire you, Tui but what you’re doing is not right, you shouldn’t embarrass her like that,” say Mark. “How did you know I was going to embarrass her?” ask Tui. “I just know besides how long have we been friends? You know you like to embarrassed people you don’t like,” say Mark, “Especially when it comes to girls.” “We’ll have to see about this one, she may not be embarrass at all,” say Tui with a smirk. “Whatever,” say Mark looking for Toey.
Toey and Ja were with Mrs. Lata and Mr. Lata greeting their friends. After meeting all the friends, a song was put on and everyone started dancing. Mark went over and ask Ja to dance with him. On the dance floor, “you look beautiful,” he say. “thanks,” say Ja blushing. “I heard Tui say you won’t be staying here long,” say Mark. “yes, Toey and I are only here for a couple days, actually tomorrow we’ll be leaving,” say Ja. “That’s sad, I wish you could stay with us longer,” say Mark, “besides why are you here?” “Oh, that, Toey came to visit her friend but since everything’s taken care of, we can go home. Besides only our mother and older sister is home,” say Ja. “her friend?” ask Mark, “do you know what happen to her friend that’s why she came?” “Yes, Mint’s boyfriend cheated on her so Toey came to comfort her,” say Ja. “Mint?” ask Mark. “Yes, her best friend in college, Mint,” say Ja. “What happen to her?” ask Mark getting curious. “Well, like I mentioned earlier, Mint’s boyfriend cheated on her and Toey came to comfort her which I guess she’s okay now because Toey hasn’t went to see Mint for a couple of days now, she kept on asking when we’re leaving,” say Ja, “anyways, you seem interested in the situation.” “of course not I don’t even know your sister and her friend, just that if I know something of your sister, maybe I can talk with her,” he lied. “That’s good, I haven’t seen her talk to anyone, if you want I can introduce you more to her,” say Ja. Just then Mr. and Mrs. Lata went up on stage and made a speech. “Good evening everyone, today we have a special occasion where no one knows, I would like my two daughters, Ja and Toey to come up on stage and my son Tui,” say Mr. Lata. “Time for you to go,” say Mark to Ja who went over to Toey and they both went on stage shortly following was Tui. “Today is a special day for everyone, I would like to introduce my two daughters to everyone, then we’re going to have a wedding,” say Mr. Lata. That shock Ja, Toey, Tui and Mark but not all the others because they were notify of the special occasion except for the youngsters. “A wedding?” ask Tui coming to Mr. Lata. “Yes, Tui, your father and I plan this wedding for you and Ja, it’s time,” say Mrs. Lata. Ja took Mrs. Lata to the side and speak with her but unfortunately she gave in because she didn’t want to embarrass Mr. and Mrs. Lata since there is a lot of people in attendance. Tui was stuck and carries on with the wedding. It was a simple wedding, Tui and Ja exchanged rings then sign the wedding certificate. After all that done, it was time for dance. Tui took Ja to dance and Mark took Toey to dance. “Don’t tell me you have something to do with this,” say Tui angrily. “I don’t, I am as shock as you when Auntie and Uncle announced the wedding,” say Ja. “You need to return home and don’t come back,” he say. “What?” say Ja. “You heard me, don’t pretend you don’t,” he say and held onto her hand hard. “Ouch, you’re hurting me,” say Ja trying to loosen his hold.
to be continued...
thanks everyone...