"They don't understand her. They don't know how hard it is for her. And even if they took her shoes on, they still wouldn't know and wouldn't understand because they're not her." Anger, frustration and sadness join forces to fill my face with my tears as I told Oxygen what happened. "As much as I don't wanna hate them, I'm beginning to. It's not easy for me to watch mom hurting and to see dad causing her pain. I love them, just how you've been in love with your parents. God, Oxygen. This is too much for me."

He heaved a deep sigh and pulled me closer to him. I closed my eyes and let my tears fall down. In Oxygen's arms, I feel safe. And this feels home than any house ever did.

"I know they're thinking that mom has been overreacting, but you know why I get where mom is coming from? Because right now that I'm carrying your child, though it doesn't mean this calls for something we need to step up, I mean, I understand we're both new to this. I want to take everything slowly," I looked up to him and his brows shots up as if something I said amuses him. I rolled my eyes. "I know that sounds hypocrite knowing that I'm already pregnant. But to shoot my point, I don't think I'd be up for something like this in the future, Oxygen. I don't think I could ever absorb the idea of you having a child from one of your exes only to find it out, what? Twenty plus years later? I can't. It's already hard for me to think of the girls you've slept with and having a child from one of them is another thing."

"Gabbana, ano ka ba?" Carefully, he moved me to face him fully. "Hindi 'to tungkol satin. Wag kung anu-ano ang iniisip mo. Hindi maganda para sayo at para sa baby natin, okay?"

But I couldn't help myself. I didn't say that, I just stared at him and waited for his next words. I know there is. Oxygen would say a lot of things to make me feel better.

"Whatever is happening between your parents, it's between them. As much as I'd like you to be less involved for you and our baby's sake since this shit is going to be stressful, I know I can't help that. You are their daughter." He said, looking at me with gentleness in his eyes. "And about your mom, I've told you I never speak ill of others and I never judge them just by the way I see things. People shouldn't judge people by their attitude until they've felt their pain. I've never met your mom but I'm pretty sure, if not a hundred percent, at any percent you're just like her. She won't be defeated by it, she'll come around but for now you all have to give her a break and some space."

My lips slowly curved a smile, how can this man melt my heart with his words is above me. I pulled his arm to get me back to hugging him.

"And as for you, little mommy." He kissed the top of my head and I feel like my stomach took a flip by the way he called me. "I know you're hurting, as a daughter and is probably mad at your dad. But baby, your old man already filled his hand with so much chaos and having you taking sides against him won't help the situation. Be a bigger person and try to understand everything. Pain is unrelenting, I know. Everyone goes through hell, but not everyone stays there. Stop tormenting yourself by reliving it. Wise people know what to let go."

"But I love my mom..."

"If you really love her, get her out don't join her in."

Easier said than done. What he said make sense, I'm not stupid not to get that. But it's not easy. It will be a handful duty for me. Yet as her daughter and as someone who loves and cares for her deeply, I'm into it.

I told Oxygen I need to stay with mom now, besides Zander would wonder if I'm still gonna stay with Oxygen. I don't intend to keep our relationship a secret but right now I have to leave it that way. There's so much more I need to focus on.

I've packed some of my things and after we had dinner, Oxygen drove me off to mom's house. He went on and on reminding me to stay calm and relax. And that I don't have to worry, he believes that everything's gonna be fine.

"Not that I didn't expect you to still be here, I know you're always persistent but I've hoped you're already gone."

Mom's voice is what I've stepped into, I handed my stuff to a uniformed maid who greeted me in and was quick to make her exit. On her pink satin robe, mom's heading down the stairs and dad is obviously waiting for her.

"You can't just shoved me away easily, Camille. I'm not leaving you here. I know you don't wanna talk to me but we both know we need to." Dad said in a serious and stoic manner.

"Oh, yeah?" Mom walked past her and called out our help. "Make me a dinner, take it upstairs. I'm staying at the master's bedroom and have someone cleanup my old room."

The help nodded her head and immediately followed what she's told to do. I turned to see Zander who's sitting on the couch, watching our parents.

"You can't make me talk about something I don't wanna be hearing." Mom said in a dismissing tone, she started turning and heading back upstairs when dad held her arm which mom immediately shoved. "Don't touch me. You make my stomach sick."

"Cams, I love you..." dad said in a quiet tone. "You know I do. You're my beautiful, lovely wife and I love you. If I can only do something or probably undo something just to ease your pain, I'll do it. Camille, seeing you this way is slowly killing me-"

"Then be ready for your death, ZA!" Mom's words are as bracing as a slap in the face, she turned to dad with remorse in her eyes. "You know what, ZA? If you think I'm not understanding it, nah, I get it. It was all before us. One of your exes-"

"I have never love anyone before you."

"And I know that. You've told me that many times before and during our married life. But you can't stop me from being jealous that you're about to love another woman's child. I have never, too, ZA. I have never seen it coming." She cried again, dad tried to reach for her but she stopped him. "Call me selfish but no one has prepared me for this kind of pain. Zayn Andrei, regardless if it's before, during or after me, it's painful. If it's killing you to see me this then you should probably know, I'm dying."

"God, Camille, I'm sorry." Dad look frustrated, he washed his face with his palm and took a series of heavy sighs, looking away from mom.

"I'm not the best wife, ZA. I'm probably the worst. I love you, so much. But you can't just come telling me like 'Hey, I have a son. But worry less, I didn't cheat. He's older than our eldest' and expect me to accept it wholeheartedly, forgive you just because you were sorry. No. I'm not strong enough to do that. ZA, not because you didn't cheat doesn't mean it ain't hurt." Mom started wiping off her tears, sobbing. "I've been crying all day, I need a break. Leave and give me some space."

She hurried up and dad was about to follow her when Zander stood up to stop him.

"Dad, let it go. I think mom's right, let's give her space."

"I can't leave her-"

"I'm not asking you that, she just need some time."

"Daddy," I called their attention and only then they've noticed my presence. Dad's eyes were bloodshot red, looks like it wasn't just mom who's been crying all day. I smiled faintly. "I've picked up some of my things, I'm staying here for mom."

"Good." Dad breathed out. "At least I'd feel safe to leave her for tonight."

In a small voice, I told him... "Everything is gonna be fine."

"Are you still mad at me, my sweet Gabby?" He asked in a very careful tone.

"Oh, dad!" I exclaimed and run to his arms, no one beats daddy's hug! "You know I can't stay mad at you for so long. I love you and I miss you, I still hate you though but I hope things will get better in the coming tomorrows."

"I won't give up." He kissed my forehead and squeezed my shoulder. "I love you, too, sweetheart."

"Don't give up on her, she's tough but your tougher." I said. Surprisingly, no matter how heartbreaking the situation is, I wasn't crying. "But for now, leave her alone. Tomorrow is another day."

"You bet," dad let out a weak chuckle. "I'll be here first thing in the morning tomorrow."

"I'm expecting you." I smiled and turned to Zander who's silently watching us with a smile on his face. I raised him a brow. "But I'd appreciate it if you won't bring Zander with you, he's up to ruining my mood."

"I'm not doing anything, Gabbana. You're ridiculous."

I made a face and hugged dad again. "I love you, dad. So much."

"Hmm," dad laughed again. "I'm wondering where you've gone to? Looks like you've breathed a good air and I'm starting to think I should bring your mom there, huh."

Now it's my turn to laugh. Only Oxygen.

I really am, pregnant. Well, waking up at four in the morning to crave for a peanut butter isn't something that a normal girl does. Without thinking if I'm interrupting a good sleep or what, I've called Oxygen when I didn't see any peanut butter in the kitchen. Besides, I needed to start of my day by seeing him, too.

Five rings and above, he's not picking up. Might be in a deep sleep, but no one's giving up. Hah! This is his baby, he's responsible for us. He should wake up!

And he did. With a sleepy hello, he greeted me.

"Oxygen, I want peanut butter." I said.

"Gabby, wait. It's..." he yawned. "Four. You're up early-"

"I'm up hungry." I corrected him out. "So? You gonna hurry your ass here and bring me a peanut butter from heaven? Because I'm near to crying and if you're not bringing me a peanut butter I'm gonna head out and get some myself."

"I'm on my way, baby. I've already got my jeans on. Ten minutes tops, love you."

I giggled as I got off the line. "Oh, peanut butter!"

As promised, within ten minutes, Oxygen's on the front door with a brown bag. I immediately went to him and grabbed it.

"Oh my God, you're a devil but for this morning you're an angel!" I smiled at him and tiptoed to kiss his lips. "Thank you, daddy,"

"Anything." He chuckled.

I pulled him towards the kitchen, then the whole room lit up. One of our servants came in, she's even surprised to see us. I smiled at him and handed him the peanut butter. I'm about to order her to do things for me when Oxygen whispered beside me.

"It's too early, at least be nice."

I chuckled. "Good morning, what's your name?"

I've never talked to a maid before, well except when I'm asking for something. This one looks older, probably mom's age.

"Gina, po."

"Drop the po and will you be kind to prepare me some toast and this peanut butter." I grinned at her and she smiled at me, started to follow my order.

I turned to Oxygen and he's looking at me with amusement all over his face.

"Easy peasy."

"Galing nga, pakiss nga ulit." He pinched my nose and lowered his face on me.

"Na-uh," I shook my head. "You can't flirt with me here, mom might see us."

He rolled his eyes, throwing both of his hands in the air. "Alright,"

I made a face, he did, too. Made me laugh again, that's when we heard a loud clearing of throat. We turned only to see mom, heading inside the kitchen.

"M-mom." Good thing Oxygen and I has a fair distance between us. "You're up early."

"My dreams weren't tolerable, I need to get up for some tea." She said, straightening the skirt of her robe before she looked at Oxygen, raising an eyebrow. "You have some company."

"Uh, yeah. Oxygen, this is my mom and mom, he's Oxygen." I said.

"I didn't know you were friends with him." Mom's stiff tone made an animosity as clear as crystal.

I rolled my eyes. "Well, you know now."

"Good morning, ma'am." Oxygen greeted her politely but all she did is run an eye on him.

It's rude. I hate it. I mean, Moana Marie has been polite to the point of rudeness when I first saw her but she's there and has given me her arms when I needed it. And I think it's not fair to have my mother treating Oxygen this way.

"And he's heading out. He's pleased to meet you." I hope the sarcasm will hide itself. "Excuse us."

I pulled Oxygen's arm and walked him through the door. I kept uttering my apology and he keeps telling me that it's okay. For him it is, for me it's not.

"Gabgab, ang aga pa. Wag kang ma-stress, maliit na bagay lang 'yan." He chuckled. "If your mom didn't like me, I'm not surprised. She's not the first one to hate me."

"True." I sneered. "But you don't deserve her hate. She's obviously judging you, one thing you didn't do to her."

"Hey, remember? You hated me the first time you saw me." He bent down and pressed a kiss on my lips. "Take that, baby. Make your day wonderful, I'll call you soon as I get home."

With that, I smiled. "Okay, be safe."

After sending Oxygen out, I went back to the kitchen and saw mom is still there.

"Gina, bring my tea at the azotea and make me a banana pancake."

"Yes, ma'am." Gina turned to me. "Ma'am, okay na po yung toast at peanut butter niyo. Dito niyo po ba kakainin?"

"Peanut butter, Gabbana?" Mom freaked out. "Where'd you get those? Is that why your friend was here?"

"Mom, he has a name and it's Oxygen." My eyes narrowed at her.

"And I don't care."

I blew an air and blurted out what's on my mind. "What's wrong with you? He's a De Salvo, you sure know that. We're friends to his family for like ages-"

"The other De Salvos." She cut me off. "I was never friends with Moana Marie and her family, never will be."

"Oh, God!" I rolled my eyes and turned to Gina. "I'm not eating here, bring it upstairs to my room. Thank you." I started leaving when mom speaks again.

"A peanut butter will make you fat. It typically has one hundred and ninety calories in a two table spoon serving with one hundred forty four from fat. You'll gain weight, Gabbana!" She hissed. "It's not good for you."

"I don't care, mom. And will you please stop judging the peanut butter, it can't defend itself from you." That's it, I stormed out.