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ACE'S POV

"Oh, Ace. Tatawagin ko lang si Manuel, malapit lang naman naka-park 'yun dito." I was left here with the other groceries while my personal guards are busy refraining people to come any closer. Kumakaway ako sa kanila. Hindi naman kilala masiyado dahil modeling lang naman ang expertise ko, some of these people went with the bandwagon lang. Curious 'ata sa kung sino ako.

Iginala ko ang paningin and it stopped at my reflection in the mirror, I observed my outfit for the day, a white crop top Valentino shirt paired with a simple Armani cardigan, plus white shoes. I have an androgen body so it suited with my current blonde hair and milk skin.

Nandito ako sa gutter ng mall standing, smiling, waving a hand to my fans.

I noticed two street children who are lying in the side of the road opposite to mine kaya pinuntahan ko ang mga ito. They are both boys, the smaller one who is clutching his stomach while crying, it's because of hunger. The other one who I'm assuming is his older brother is helplessly soothing his younger brother to stop crying. It's heartbreaking.

I approach and crouch at their level as I give them a friendly smiles, they looked up to me with teary eyes. I can't help myself but to mirror their expressions. Wala na akong paki kung may nanonood ba sa amin, I only cared for this two kawawang bata.

"Hi." I greeted as friendly as I could. Tumingin naman sila sa akin. They have this big doe eyes!

"Ano ang mga pangalan niyo?" They didn't answer "Uhm, Naririnig niyo ba ako?" I ask fearing na baka may hearing disorder sila, thankfully the older one made-tango at me, "Ako nga pala si Kuya Ace."

"Kayo ba? Ano ang mga pangalan niyo? Kung sasagutin n'yo ako ay bibilhan ko kayo ng foods. Yeah? I'm sure nagugutom na ang tummies niyo." Tinuro ko naman ang naglalakihang fastfood chain sa loob ng mall para maniwala sila. Sooner ay nasilayan ko rin ang mga matamis nilang ngiti.

"Talago po?" Tanong ng bata.

"Oo naman! Pero dapat alam ko muna ang mga name niyo diba?" My gosh, ang hirap kapag nag s-straight ng tagalog. I'm not sanay pero 'di naman ako maiintindihan ng mga bata kung ganun.

"Ako po si Jino and heto po ay si kuya Rudy." Jino grinned toothily to me.

"Sino po sila?" Rudy for the first time talked while his eyes were glued to the men in black personnel at my back, my personal guards.

"Sila ang nagbabantay sa akin. To keep me safe from the masasamnang guys." I replied to Rudy who look at me and the bodyguards.

"Nakakatakot sila, ang lalaki ng katawan!" I chuckled at Jino's innocence.

"Fear not, they are big kasi they protects me dahil may mga bad guys. Gaya ng kuya mo, he's your hero diba? He protects you with the tummy-ache." I giggled.

"Opo." They said fondly, I can't help and awe with the adoration in their eyes.

"That's good to hear then, so ready na kayong kumain?" I said crouching and carrying Jino in my hands who giggled at the action while I reach my free hand to Rudy so he can hold it, and he did.

"Good morning, welcome to Jollibee." The security Guard in the door greeted. Nakita ko ang excitement sa mga mata ng bata ng makita ang nagsasayaw na mascot at the front-counter.

Jino yelp while clapping his hands. We proceeded to the counter where people are lining, "Excuse me." I said to a young woman in the counter, she's busy typing to the screen and when she look up to me she gape and smiles heartedly,

"Good morning Mr. Heartily, what are your orders po?"

"Good morning!" Ang mga bata ang sumagot sa kaniya. I was surprised dahil nakikilala ako ng babae.

"Kahit na sa malayo ay nakikilala ko po ang taong nakapskil ang malalaking larawan sa billboards ng Mandaluyong at buong social media." I looked at her name tag who I read aloud as Sabel

"It's nice to meet you, Sabel. But for now I will order something for these two adorable guppies here." I said while looking at my companions.

As a response Jino and Rudy wave at her while Sabel mirrored them while asking for their orders. They look up to me and I encourage them to choose anything they want.

The managers himself managed our table as we took a sit with the foods. I'm not fan of special services but I really needed it for now kasi may kasamahan akong mga bata. Kaya thanks to Kuyang manager who personally took care of our table and necessities.

I order water for myself. After taking a sip, I noticed the two and they were looking at me expectantly showing no moves to eat their foods.

"Ano pang hinihintay ng mga babies ko? Kumain na tayo." I chuckled as they start eating their meal. Looking at them fondly I remember Miles and Yaya so I decided to give Miles a text message,

Miles, please go home already. Don't worry I'm with the Guards. Keep safe!

"Masarap ba?" I ask them and they looked at me with two identical doe eyes.

"How old na nga pala kayo Jino and Rudy?"

Rudy answered me saying that he is 9 while Jino is 7. I can't help but to worry for them, experiencing such misery ng kay aga. "Do you have family? 'Asaan ba ang mama niyo?"

"Hindi na po umuuwi ang mama pero si papa ay nasa trabaho po." I quirk a brow at that not because of their Dad's work but because of their Mom's selfish reason.

"Talaga?"

"Opo."

"Nasaan nga pala nagtratrabaho ang papa niyo? Why did he left you at the gutter's area?"

"Si papa ay nagtatrabaho sa Car Wash malapit sa mall."

"You guys done?" I said lifting a brow to their messy faces from the gravies and tomato sauce.

"Opo, Kuya Ace." Rudy said looking at his brother then me.

"Let's clean up first then mag sha-shopping tayo." They yelp in joy and they give me high-five. May pera ako, so bakit ko ipagdadamot? Sobra-sobra ito and ano naman ang gagawin ko dito? Mas maganda na makatulong sa kapwa.

I helped them clean their faces and hands and we proceed at the shopping areas, Jino talking how amazing his Dad, while my guards are at our tails. We enter the Kids toys section. I bought all the toys that their eyes laid on, it was a lot but the joys in their faces are enough to made me happy. Next, we enter the Kids clothing area and again bumili ako ng clothes para sa kanila, somewhere I was busy, I noticed Jino tugging at my Jogging Pants.

"Bakit Jino? 'Asaan ang kuya Rudy?"

"Pwede po ba tayong bumili para kay papa? Wala na po kasing bagong damit ang papa, kuya. Pwede ko pong i-trade ang new toys ko para sa damit ni papa, po." I was ready to agree but Rudy interfered,

"Marami na ang nabili ni Kuya Ace, Jino. Tama na'to."

"How about you guys choose clothes to your dad and we visit him after? Uh, pumili kayo ng damit for your papa and titingnan natin kung pwede bang bilhin?" They agreed and soon we're off to their papa's working area. The two young boys in my side are looking cleaner at their new attires.

We stopped at a car wash and an older looking man in jumper suit and looking wet, knocked the car windows. I rolled down the window just in time for the boys to shout,

"PAPA!"

The elderly was caught up surprise.

I open the car doors and they soon latch in their Papa's embrace. The guards are now at standby in every areas kaya bumaba na rin ako.

"Tignan mo papa! Binilhan kami ni Kuya Ace nito oh!" Jino proudly shows the Drive-thru ordered foods to his Father.

"Pasensiya po at na-abala pa kayo ng mga anak ko. Pero sobrang salamat po dito, ah." He said while carrying his two sons, man he's still strong. Naiiyak niyang niyakap ang dalawang anak.

"No need, Mr..?" I said offering a hand. The kids helped my guards unload their prizes together with some groceries I bought.

"Ako nga pala si Robert Fernando." He shook my hand.

"Mababait ang anak niyo po, Manong Robert. You raised them very well." I complimented him.

"Nakakahiya man pero nagpapasalamat ako sa kabutihan niyo po, sir. Hindi ko lang kasi makakayang bumili ng ganiyang bagay sa mga anak ko. Hulog kayo ng langit, sana po ay marami pa kayong matulungan." He said, a lone tear escaping his eyes.

"It's just Ace, no need for formalities. I'm wondering, how much do you often earned from this job? Uh, how much is your sahod sa work na ito?"

"Minsan po ay 300 pesos if I overtime ako magta-trabaho. Nag-iipon rin kasi ako dahil gusto nilang mag-aral ngayong pasokan." I can't help but be disheartened, why can't God put lives equally?

"Just so you know, you are a great father." I said handing him my contact information,

"Pumunta po kayo sa address na 'yan, manong. Sabihin mo na lang sa security that you, I mean ikaw, ang new na car wash ni Ace Heartily. It's a great pay for you and these cadets here, you can bring them if you want since I want to have a day with them if may free time ako."

I checked that Im already running late for my next schedules.

"Sobrang salamat po!" He was about to hug me pero kaagad akong umtras. Gosh, I may be kind pero ayaw kong mag-look na basing chicken.

"Walang anuman." By some time, I paid good-byes to the kids while assuring them that we will see each other and we will play with their toys.