Chapter 12

Fabio called me for dinner. I was busy setting up my stuff from the suitcase to the huge built-in drawers on my room. Hindi na naman ako nagpatulong dahil kaya ko namang gawin 'to, pero hindi pa ako tapos. I could do that later, o baka mamaya hindi ko na magawa at ipagawa na ni Fabio sa mga stuff niya kapag nakita niyang hindi pa ako tapos.

As I headed downstairs and followed the trail of the smell of the food he cooked—he said he was the one who will cook dinner for us so I'm expecting he prepared it himself. He has already done it with his pizza. Should I expect better?

Tumungo ako papunta sa kusina kung saan nakita ko siyang naghahanda ro'n. some staff are helping him, but when they saw me, the staff immediately find their way out while Fabio stopped what he was doing in the meantime and looked at me.

"Hello there," he said with a glowing smile on his face. He was holding a platter in his hand. "Have you started feeling comfortable in your room?"

I shrugged off. "Well, I'm trying. I cannot push myself to feel comfortable all at once, you know?"

He nodded. "Touche, but I hope you will be. For now, let's eat. I've prepared some lasagna for you. I'm not sure if you would like it. Have you tried hardcore Italian dishes so I can prepare you some other day?"

"You called your local dishes hardcore Italian food?" I squeak a little laugh.

He chuckles, nodding his head. "What should I call them then? But I promise you, you'll like them—no, you'll love them," he corrected. "Now, join me."

Ibinaba niya iyong hawak niyang platter at inayos niya iyon sa lamesa habang inusog niya ang silya na uupuan ko. Pumwesto ako ro'n at dahan-dahan niyang tinulak paloob.

He wasn't done preparing it all and he continued putting dishes on the meal aside from the lasagna he cooked.

"I hope you'll like it," he wished, smiling at me.

Hindi naman ako sumagot. I let him put what he cooked on my plate and then he was about to pour wine into my glass when I covered the lid.

"No wine," I reminded him.

He laughed. "I forgot, I'm sorry. Do you want some water or juice?"

"What you have is fine for me," I answered.

Tumayo naman siya saka tumungo sa fridge para kunin iyong pitchel ng juice.

"Four seasons? You like it?" Tumango ako sa tanong niya. He sat once again and then pour it into my glass. "You know you can have everything you want while you're in here. Just say it, and we'll get it for you."

"While..." I smirked.

His forehead creased. "Did I say something wrong?"

Umiling ako. "Nothing... don't mind it. I'm just gonna criticize your lasagna now."

He smirked and then watched me eat it. Tahimik lang ako. I know he's carefully watching what would be my reaction. Hindi naman ako nagpapahalata. But as soon as I tasted it, it was so powerful I couldn't even speak and continue eating.

"That's what I thought," he murmured. "Just enjoy it, we've got some desert on the fridge if you want some."

"You're gonna make me fat, don't you?" I raised a brow at him.

"Oh, that's my intention... I was just making sure you and our baby are getting the right nutrition. We'll be seeing the baby next month and I cannot wait for him..."

"Or her," I corrected.

He chuckled. "Do you want to do a gender reveal party?"

Umangat ang tingin ko sa kanya at saka ko siya tiningnan. I thought about what he suggested for a minute and shook my head once I got into my decision.

Nagsalubong ang kilay niya sa tanong ko. "Why not?"

I smirked. "No one will come for me. All my friends are in the Philippines. The only family and friends I have in here are my auntie, uncle, and Alejandro."

"Then we'll invite them and my friends," he said.

Umiling ako. "No. I don't think that's still necessary. We'll just leave that alone and move forward. We'll just wait for the baby to come. I don't need any parties or whatever. I'm not in the mood for that."

"Alright," he said. "That has been noted."

We continued eating and I've got my second plate, third, and was about to get my fourth when he stopped me. I told him that I couldn't control it, but he said I should take it some time at pagpahingain ko muna raw ang tiyan ko at baka mas lalo akong lumobo. So, instead of eating the lasagna. I ate the ice cream he told me he has on his fridge. Hindi na naman niya ako pinigilan at pinanood na lang niya ako.

"Oh, woman..." he muttered, putting his hands behind his head and laying his back on the chair. "I still can't believe this..."

Napatigil ako sa pagkain ko at saka unti-unting tumaas ang kilay sa kanya. "What is it now?"

His lips grew a lopsided smile. "I was only thinking that this day would come and here you are, craving for anything you want to eat."

Napangisi naman ako sa sinabi niya. "You've only found out I had your baby a few weeks ago and it sounds like you've known it for too long? Wait... do you know anything about it and you're just avoiding me?"

Mabilis siyang umayos sa pagkakaupo niya at saka ito umiling.

"No, no," he said. "I don't have any idea... I don't really know what happened to you when I left the Philippines. I haven't heard a thing about you since then. Not a thing."

Napabitaw naman ako nang malalim na buntonghininga at binitawan ko ang pagkain ko ng ice cream. Sumandal ako sa upuan at tiningnan ko siya ng ilang segundo bago ako nagbigay ng reaksyon.

"So, you just forget about me when you thought I don't have a purpose in your life anymore. You just vanished Fab. But you seem so happy without me when I'm seeing your posts on your Instagram. You're fine without me—no, you're having the best time of your life without me. And this... did I ruin your life?" pagtukoy ko sa pagbubuntis ko.

"Jacinta, no," he said. "You didn't ruin my life."

"Wala na akong gana. Gusto ko nang matulog."

"What?"

"Nothing. I'm heading back to my room," sagot ko nang walang gana. Aakmang tatayo na sana ako, pero hinawakan niya ako sa kamay ko para pigilan akong umalis. "I'm just full... and tired, Fabio."

I slowly shove his hand off of mine and eventually he let me go. Hinayaan niya akong umalis at bumalik sa kwarto ko. Pagkapasok ko ng kwarto, I really have the urge to do anything again. Humilata na lamang ako sa kama at hinayaang dalawin ng pagod sa katawan at antok.

When I woke up, it was already the next day. It was morning and I need to prepare to go to work. I haven't had a chance to change my clothes lats night. Sa sobrang pagod at busog ko, wala na akong nagawa kagabi. Hindi ko rin matutuloy sa pag-aayos ang mga gamit ko kaya naman siguro kung may energy pa ako mamayang gabi, I would take some time to do it.

I met Fabio downstairs and he's already prepared to join me at work today. Kinuha naman niya ang handbag na dala ko. He carried it all the way to the car. Pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto at dahan-dahan akong pumasok sa loob. As soon as I settled inside, he quickly went around and put his seatbelt on and checked mine and as he did, we were off to go.

"I checked in on you last night," he started while he was driving. "But you're already asleep. I thought we should talk, but I don't want to bother you or disturb you. I just put the blanket on you and I left your room."

Hindi naman ako nagsalita.

"I'm sorry for what happened last night," he said. "I—"

I shifted my attention back at him and raised my hand. "Stop right there. Let's just not talk about it. There are things that are more important than what happened before. I don't care if you've left me before. I really don't care."

"Oh... okay..." he muttered. "How was your sleep?"

"It was good."

"Do you feel comfortable?"

I slowly nodded at him. "Yes..."

Napansin ko naman ang pagngiti niya sa pagkompirma ko sa sagot niya.

He even slightly smacked the steering wheel a little to show his excitement. "Good to know that."

In a while, we finally reached the Messina's vineyard. It was true that we got into the place fast rather than taking Jann's Vespa. Jann was strolling the Vespa so slow to make sure we'll be safe and sound when we reached the place.

I'm not sure how long we will do this. Iyong hatid-sundo niya ako papunta sa office ko. I know he's just a business partner and he doesn't need to stay in the office. He has his own business to look after. And I guess I'm just one of his businesses now that he was looking after.

When he parked the car and opened the door for me, I slowly get off the car and headed inside the office greeting my colleagues. Nagulat pa sila nang makita nilang kasunod ko si Fabio na bitbit ang bag ko. Kinukuha ko na kasi kanina sa kanya, ayaw ibigay sa akin kaya hinayaan ko na.

Dumiretsyo ako sa office table ko. Napakunot naman ang noo nitong lalaki ang office space ko.

"This is where Andre put you to work?" he asked.

"You could see it with your own eyes," sagot ko.

He shook his head. "I'll go tell Andre to give me a spacious room. You're pregnant... maybe you should work at home. I'll talk to Andre and it's beneficial—"

"Okay, let me stop you there," I told him, raising my hand in front of his face. "I don't wanna work at home. I wanna work here. At this office. If I'm not pregnant at all, I would still be working at Ale's bar. I love working there."

"But he lay you off because of your situation, right?"

I nodded. "But I told Andre I can work here that's why he took me in. And I needed something to take everything off of my mind every now and then. Just... just stay out of what I do at work."

"But if any—"

"Yeah, if anything happens, I'll let you know," I said with finality. "Now, go on. Leave. Do you work? You have work, right?"

He nodded. "Yeah, but I can stay here with you. To look after you."

"I can look after myself. Thank you for that."

Saglit lamang ay may kumatok at iyon ay ang receptionist naming at pinapatawag ako sa lobby dahil may naghahanap daw sa akin. When she told me that it was the model, nakahanap na ako ng chance na talikuran si Fabio.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some work to do."

I would hit him with my shoulder if I wasn't just pregnant, I would do it so hard kahit pa mabali buto ko.

Umalis ako sa office ko at saka ako tumungo sa lobby. I know Fabio would follow me, but I didn't look back to check on him. Alam ko na naman.

As soon as I get there, when Caiden saw me, he widely opened his arms and give me a hug as I got close to him as a way of his greeting. I know Fabio was intently watching us kaya naman hinigpitan ko rin ang pagkakayakap ko kay Caiden.

"Wow, that's a tight hug," he commented and then I move out of his arms.

I giggled. "It's nice to see you, Caiden. I'm so happy you're so ecstatic to work with us."

He smirked. "I'm excited! This would be my first time modeling for alcoholic beverages so this is new to me."

"Nice to know that! Are you ready to meet our boss?"

He nodded. "Sure, let's do it."

I told Caiden where to go and then I tried looking back where Fabio would be and then I saw him leaning on his side on the wall crossing his arms. His face falls on a serious note and means no other business. Hindi ko na siya pinansin at binalik ang atensyon ko kay Caiden.

If I would give birth today, surely Fabio would come running at me, but I hope today isn't the day.

#BirthOfLiesInSicily #BOLISChapter12 #WTS9