Wayne's POV

I blinked my eyes open to see a little girl sleeping next to me and right next to the girl was Tanya. Her arm was wrapped around Therese's body as she slept. It was already morning. The sun was shining through the windows and falling in golden rays inside Therese's room.

How many times had I dreamt of waking up next to her and our children? I felt a sting in my chest as reality slowly sunk in. She could've been mine but Therese wasn't my child. She was the child of the woman I loved and her lover. Maraming taon na ang nakaraan, Tanya had always been at the back of my mind. That was where I buried her and our memories. Not I felt as if it was burning like wildfire through my mind. I'd been trying to fight it but it just kept spreading. I'd fantasized about seeing her one day, everything would be forgiven, everything would be forgotten. I'd take her again and we'd have the family we had always wanted. But it was too late. She built a family with someone else.

I knew I was torturing myself. I could've easily refuse George's offer but I gave in to my need for her. I still couldn't accept a life without her. I could no more give her up than I could give up breathing. I needed her if it's only for a moment now and then. A glimpse of heaven is better than a life in hell which is exactly what it was without her.

"Good morning, Mr. Wayne." Therese's little voice pulled me from my thoughts. I looked down and she was staring at me with a sweet smile on her face.

"Hey." I smiled. "Good morning."

"Did you sleep in my bed too? We had a sleepover?"


"I guess so, yeah." Sabi ko.

Therese sat up, her motion woke Tanya up. Our gaze met but she immediately looked away.

"Good morning, Mommy." Therese said and kissed her mother's cheek. Then she turned to me and pressed her lips on my cheek too. "I forgot to say give you a morning kiss." She giggled.

"That's alright." I smiled. Her sweetness made my heart melt.

"Good morning, sweetheart." Tanya sat up and kissed him on the forehead.

"We had a sleepover, Mommy! Can we do it again? Can Mr. Wayne sleep here with us again?"

Tanya just smiled at her. She sat up and kissed her daughter on the forehead. "Gutom ka na ba? What do you want for breakfast?"

"I want some french toast!"

"Okay, I'll go make you your french toast." She affectionately pinched her little nose. And then her eyes landed on me. "Ikaw? Anong gusto mong kainin?"

"What you usually cook." I answered. She quietly nodded her head and then she got up from bed. She headed to the bathroom and got out of it after a few minutes, looking fresh. Tanya took Therese with her out of the room and I was left there alone. I went to the bathroom and freshened up.

The delicious smell of food filled my nostrill when I opened the door. I followed scent and it lead me to the kitchen. Tanya was in front of the stove and Therese was sitting on the dining table, eating her french toast. The warmth of the morning felt as if it was mocking me, reminding me of all our dreams and plans that never came true.

Tanya turned her head and saw me. "Umupo ka muna. Malapit ng matapos itong niluluto ko."

I did as she told me and sat next to Therese. After a minute or so, she put a plate of fried rice with egg and corned beef in front of me. She sat down with us. Tanya was wearing a blue cotton nighties. Very unsuccessfully, I tried not to ogle as she leaned in, I tried to ignore how the nighties she was wearing exposed a hint of sweel of her breasts. I tried to pretend it didn't remind me of the perfection of her body and how it had felt against me.

"Mr. Wayne do you have a family?" Therese asked as we ate.

"Therese, eat your breakfast." Tanya said in a scolding voice.

I took me awhile to answer but I did. "No, I don't."

"Can you be my daddy?" She asked.

"Therese! Ano ba yang pinagsasabi mo? You don't ask people to be your daddy!" Pinandilatan niya ang bata.

"But mommy, my teacher told me we have to bring our mommies and daddies next week for family day. I don't want to go without a daddy." She pouted.

Tanya's face softened as she looked at her daughter. She brushed her fingers through her hair. "You have me? Ayaw mo bang tayong dalawa lang?"

"All my classmates' daddies are all going to be there." Her eyes twinkled with sadness.

"We'll explain to your teacher. Don't worry about it, okay?" She tucked some loose hair behind the little girl's ear.

"You don't have to worry about it because I'm going. I'll be your daddy for family day." I said.

"Really?" Her face glowed with happiness. Seeing her this happy made me happy as well. She had this charming and sweet innocence about her.

"Really." I nodded my head.

She jumped out of her seat and hugged me. "Thanks, Mr. Wayne. You're the best."

"You're welcome, sweety." I smiled.

"Can I call you Daddy on family day?"

"Therese!" Tanya frowned, her cheeks flushing. "You can't call him daddy. You're pushing it too far. Ikaw talagang bata ka. Nakakahiya na kay Wayne."

"If he's going to be my daddy for family day then I can't call him Mr. Wayne in front of my teachers and classmates." She reasoned.

"It's alright." I told Tanya, giving a sharp look. This was the the life she had robbed me of. We could've had five kids by now. Things could've been different. When she left there was nothing but emptiness, loneliness. I was alone and lost. She was the only thing that made sense in my life. Therese wasn't my child, she was Tanya's but she was the closest thing that I would ever be to the life we'd dreamt of. "You can call me Dad, Therese."

"Really?" Her eyes were lamps turned on as she looked at me. She got to her feet and started jumping up and down. "Yay! Now I have a Daddy!"

"Don't you already have a Daddy?" I asked.

"You mean Papa George? He's not my Daddy, he's my Papa." She beamed.

"Therese, tapusin mo na yang kinakain mo. It's not good to keep the food waiting." Tanya sighed as if she was annoyed.

Therese being her usual bubbly self, talked on and on as we ate. I said goodbye to her after finishing our breakfast and Tanya stood walk me to the door.

"Hindi mo naman kailangan gawin iyon, Wayne." She suddenly said as we walked out of the dining room, out of Therese's sight.

"What?" I asked.

"Hindi mo naman kailangan pumunta sa family day sa school ni Therese. Ako na lang ang magpapaliwanag sa kanya."

"You're going to disappoint the kid?" My lips lifted in a contemptuous smirk. "Hindi niya kasalanan na wala siyang madadalang ama para sa father's day. Hindi ka ba naaawa sa bata, Tanya? Hindi mo siya kayang bigyan ng buong pamilya."

She swallowed, her eyes remained on me but she never said a word. I knew she wouldn't be saying any and so I walked away. I walked away from the life that should've been mine.

Tanya's POV

Family day ngayon sa school ni Therese. We were already in her school with Wayne. She introduced Wayne to her teachers and her classmates as her father. Ilang araw niyang pinaghandaan itong family day. She had been so anxious and excited since yesterday.

"This is my Daddy Wayne." She said to her teachers, showing him off. Wayne had been nothing but patient and kind to her. Para silang totoong mag-ama. It made me smile seeing her happy but I also felt a pinch in my heart. Wayne was right when he told me that I couldn't give her a complete family. Mula ng dumating siya sa buhay ko, kami lang talagang dalawa ang magkasama. George occassionally visit us but it was mostly just her and I.

Ibinuhos ko ang lahat ng pagmamahal ko kay Therese. Ibinigay ko sa kanya ang lahat ng kaya kong ibigay. She was all I had and she was enough for me. Pero iba ang nararamdaman ni Therese. Kahit hindi niya sabihin alam kong nararamdaman niyang may kulang sa buhay niya. I could feel her longing for a normal family.

"And this is my Mommy." She held my hand with her free hand while on the other hand she was holding Wayne's.

"What a gorgeous family." Sabi ng teacher niya habang nakatingin sa amin. We went and join the other families after Therese introduced us to her teachers.

Natutuwa akong makitang masaya ang anak ko dahil kumpleto ang 'pamilya' namin. Kahit ngayon araw may naiharap siyang buong pamilya sa mga tao sa paligid niya. It was pretend but it felt good. In front of other people, we were a family. It was like taking a peak through the life Wayne and I envisioned together when we were younger.

Nagparticipate si Wayne sa sack race ng mga tatay ng mga bata. He won the race at tuwang-tuwa si Therese lalo na ng makakuha sila ng price. Nag third place kami sa tug-of-war which was not so bad. Wayne and Therese joined the three legged race and won second place. Ang sumunod at huling game ay ang apple eating contest. Ang mga magulang ng mga bata ang kailangan maglaro which meant Wayne and I. Ayaw kong sumali pero pinilit ako ni Therese.

There was an apple hanging from the string between me and Wayne and we had to finish it without using our hands. Kailangan namin maubos ang mansanas na iyon. Wayne and I tried to catch the apple swinging in the air and we munched on it. Nang paubos na ang mansanas at sinubukan kong hulihin iyon, Wayne was doing the same thing as I was and our lips suddenly touched. We kissed... while Therese was watching. I felt his lips curving upward against mine. My whole body tensed and I pulled away. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko.

This wasn't the first time we kissed but not in front of my daughter. For God's sake! One of the couples finished the apple and won the game. I was relieved when it ended.

"I saw you and Mommy kiss!" Therese giggled ng bumalik kami sa pwesto niya. My cheeks turned red in embarrassment. Wayne smiled at my daughter and affectionately ruffled her hair.

Gabi na ng matapos ang family day. Sumakay kami sa kotse ni Wayne para ihatid na kami sa bahay. I sat next to him on the passenger's seat and Therese sat at the back.

"Mommy and Mr. Wayne kissing on a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" She sang, moving her head right and left.

"Therese, stop it." Marahang saway ko sa kanya at napuno ng halakhak ni Wayne ang buong kotse.

"Did you have fun, munchkin?" Tanong niya sa bata.

"I had tons of fun!" Sagot ng bata. "Mr. Wayne?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I call you Daddy even if it's not family day?"

"Therese, ano ka ba? Hindi na tama yan, ah! Sumusobra ka na." I turned my head at pinandilatan ko siya ng mata.

"Of course, you can." Sabi naman ni Wayne na ikinagulat ko.

"Wayne!" I exhaled in a tight voice. He gave me a sideway glance and shrugged. Huminto ang kotse niya sa driveway ng bahay. Tulog na tulog na si Therese sa likod ng kotse. I got out of the car and carried her but Wayne took her from me. I tried to take my daughter back but he wouldn't let me. Naglakad siya papunta sa pinto ng bahay.

"You don't have to do all these." Sabi ko sa kanya habang nakasunod sa likod niya. "Tama na yung sumama ka sa amin sa family day. Sobra na yata kung hahayaan mo ang anak ko na tawagin kang Daddy."


"I'm doing this to make the kid happy. Hindi ko ito ginagawa para sa'yo." He coldly said.

I unlocked the door and pushed it open. "Ayaw ko lang maguluhan ang bata. She already has a father."

"Then where is he now? With his real family?" He snided. I stared at him for a moment, not knowing exactly what to say. "Alam ba niyang pamilya kayo ni George sa labas?"

"Please, Wayne, I don't want to talk about that. Baka marinig ka ni Therese." Pag-iiwas ko.

He gave me a distasteful glance before stepping inside the house. Dinala niya si Therese sa kwarto nito at hiniga doon. Nagulat ako ng dumiretso siya sa kwarto ko at sinundan ko siya doon.

"What are you do—" I paused when I saw him undressing down to his boxers. Tumambad sa akin ang matipunong katawan niya. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin. "Bakit naghuhubad ka?"

"I feel sweaty and sticky. Maliligo lang ako." He said before taking off the last of his cloth and going into the bathroom in my room. I didn't know why but I stayed in that room while he took a shower. Dinampot ko ang mga hinubad na damit niya at tiniklop iyon ng maayos.

Something in his pants vibrated and lit. Out of curiosity, I reached into his pocket and a message popped out of his screen.

Amanda:

I miss you, Love. I still can't forget the night I spent with you. When are we going to see each other again?

My fingers clenched around his phone. Huminga ako ng malalim nang maramdaman ko ang namumuong init sa dibdib ko.

Biglang bumukas ang pinto ng banyo ko at lumabas si Wayne na walang suot kung hindi ang tuwalyang nakapulupot sa baywang niya.

"Mabuti ka pa umuwi ka na. Miss ka na daw ni Amanda!" I sarcastically said.

Bumaba ang tingin niya sa kamay kong hawak ang phone niya. His brow cocked and a smile formed on his lips. "Have you been going through my phone?"

Agad kong ibinaba iyon sa bedside table. "Hindi ah! Inaayos ko lang naman yung mga damit tapos nagpop yung message ng girlfriend mo."

"Wala akong girlfriend." Her smile grew wider.

"Talaga? Sabi pa nga niya 'she can't forget the night she spent with you'." I rolled my eyes. "Mabuti pa puntahan mo na si Amanda. Siguro sabik na sabik na siyang makita ka."

He chuckled. "Are you jealous?"

"I'm not jealous." Tanggi ko kahit totoo naman. I felt my cheek heat up and I avoided his gaze. "Salamat sa pagsama sa amin ni Therese sa family day. But I think you have to go. You don't want to keep Amanda waiting."

"She can wait all she wants. I'm going to sleep." He yawned. Tinanggal niya ang tuwalyang nakatakip sa ibabang bahagi ng katawan niya. I swallowed and looked away, embarrassed.

"Why are you acting all embarrassed? Last week lang nasa loob mo ito." He laughed and slid into my bed.

"Bastos!" My cheeks were burning with humiliation. Nagulat ako ng bigla niyang kunin ang kamay ko at hatakin ako. Dahilan para mahulog ako sa tabi niya. 

"Wayne, ano ba?" I tried to get away from him as he wrapped his arm around my waist.

"Shh... let's go to sleep. We're both tired." He yawned.

"No, umuwi ka na. Umuwi ka na dun sa Amanda mo!" Inis na sabi ko.

"I'm staying here." He pulled me closer to him, burying his face into my neck and pressing his naked body against mine. Hindi na ako nanlaban. Hinayaan kong balutin ako ng init ng katawan niya. 

Wayne's POV

I kissed her on her close eyelids and she clung tighter to me. Her face bathed in the moonlight as she slept in my arms. She had the most sensual, holy, and angelic face that heaven and earth created. Her face was both innocent and feral, soft and wild. Not much had changed. If anything, time had only enhanced her quiet beauty. I could not look away. I wanted to memorize every inch of her, I wanted to notice every change in her.

I felt that familiar feeling I could clearly remember from years ago when we were still together. That insatiable feeling that flows through my body deep into the pits of my soul. My soul connected to hers... and only to hers. I found a home inside her that I had never found in anyone. My happiest breaths were inhaled while I was interwined with her. I experienced with her the purest feeling a human being could ever feel, love.

 I let myself love every piece of her, every broken piece. I loved her selflessly. Ibinuhos ko ang lahat ng pagmamahal ko sa kanya. Wala akong itinira sa sarili ko. But why did she have to leave? She had no idea how much she had hurt me.  I wanted to refuse to be somewhere near her but something about the fact of seeing her drew me closer to her. 

She was already with another man and they had a daughter. Everytime I look at the child, I feel a deep sense of longing for the life that could've been. The life we'd envisioned together. Hindi man sa akin si Therese, handa akong tumayong ama niya. Gusto kong ipagpatuloy ang nasimulan namin. I wanted to take back the life she had robbed me of.