CHAPTRE 34

"It's okay, sweetheart; I understand. It's just my gift—the trip to Palawan for the both of you—but as you said, You can't leave my grandson again. Well, the decision was all yours. It's not a problem for me. "I'm more than happy to know that you are also fascinated by Hacienda Hillarca."

"Hacienda Hillarca is beautiful, Mama, but like Hacienda Tacata. "A place where I've lived my entire life; my neighborhood is smaller, but this is the extent of your land," I said with a smile."I'm afraid of getting lost."

"Oh really! I never thought you'd have that thought; why not get to know the place, sweetheart?"What do you think, Israel?" I looked at Rezoir. He places his hands on my shoulder and kisses me on the head.

"Hmm, I think it was a good plan." "Also, I haven't taken him on a tour of the hacienda yet." Mama Serena nodded.

"You can use your horse, Israel; Rayver will accompany the two of you." He smiled sweetly at us. I nodded, and that's what we did.

Carefully manure the horse, or its name is Lightning. We are in the middle of nowhere because the sun is beautiful. The stewards here at Hacienda Hillarca are also currently harvesting.

"Good morning, sir, and miss," they greeted. They still have a chance to see my son. Others just bowed, obviously embarrassed. Maybe it just saw me now, so I understand.

Rezoir came down slowly, and I carefully handed Rayver to him. I didn't notice Rouston earlier, but he took Rayver while Rezoir turned to me to help me get down.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, baby," I said, nodding. He wrapped his hands around my waist.

"Do you want to taste the mango?"

"Is it okay if we have some?" I asked because they were still picking at the moment.

"It's okay; you want it?" I nodded to him. and averted his gaze from the busy workers.

"Yes, but I'm fine with two babies." He nodded and immediately approached the one who was leaning on the mangoes. I heard him calling Uncle Fred.

"I thought you two would go to Palawan." Rouston.

"We didn't." I looked at my son. It was quiet while his uncle Rouston carried him. He nodded at me. "We don't want to leave him."

"Fine," he shrugged. "It's not a waste of tickets; Demetria and Rizalde go, by the way." He grinned at me. I was surprised because I didn't expect that. So Rezoir gave them the ticket. The truth is that he took the ticket from me when I asked whom he was going to give it to. He didn't answer me. That's just the two of them!

"Nobody knows it; I just accidentally found out." I frowned.

"Why? "Don't they want to be told?"

"Nah, you know Rizalde." He was secretive sometimes; he didn't want to be interfered with. That's why I didn't tell others."

"But why does he need to drag Demetria?" "Are the two of them a thing?" He shook his head and laughed.

"Hmm, we don't know. Rizal was still sticking to his past, so I don't have a say in that.

"What are you two talking about?" Rezoir.

"Palawan," Rouston replied sparingly. And he winked at me, and when Rezoir saw that, He grunted. Rouston laughed at his cousin's reaction and walked to the wooden seat, a little far from the mangoes.

"What was that?" Rezoir suddenly exclaimed, and I grabbed him by the arm.

Ricarde and Demetria?" I raised an eyebrow at him. "So, they are the ones whose tickets you got from me, huh?" I stared at him hard.

"Baby."

"Do you like her?"

"What? No!"

"Hey! "Why do you have to hide it from me?"

"Because, baby, Rizalde doesn't want to let you know." Knowing him, you don't want to oppose what he wants. I snorted.

"Come on, don't be jealous." He pulled me closer to him. "She's Rizalde's woman, baby; why do you think I like her?"

"She's beautiful!"

"So do you."

"She's sexier than me."

"Baby, you're sexier." My cheeks warmed up. He chuckled.

"You tend to be jealous out of nowhere." I pay attention, too. It's been the other way around lately, now that I have a child with him. It's like I just became more like this to him. Yes, there was an Althea before. But compared to now, I suddenly became more content.

Maybe it's just like this when you have a family. That type of person who is afraid my husband will leave her—yes, cheating and being cheated are still prevalent in society. Maybe that's why I'm becoming like this. I know that my body has changed a lot since I gave birth. Yes, there are those possible things in my brain. Because building your own family is not like we see in the movie, it's not easy.

Now, I have my own family. I'm just saying what I can't do without Rezoir by my side.

"Y-you don't like it?"

"Don't overthink it, baby," he said as he kissed my brow."Do you think I can look at someone else?" Hmm." I didn't speak for a while. "Mrs. Hillarca, no woman dares get me away from you." "Because I will not do something that will cause them to do that to me."

"Baby," he said tenderly.

"I know... I just... don't know why I'm acting this way," I said sweetly. The tears flowed. "I'm sorry," he said, wiping my tears.

"I understand; it's okay." Just remember, baby, I'm so f*cking in love with you. Even now, it seems to be fine. It's still unavoidable to be anxious like this. And knowing that I would feel this kind of anxiety, I was so glad that my husband still understood me. even if it seems like everyone has an issue with me. Now I can say that he has been patient with me since day one.

In the end, they helped their cousin pick mangoes. There was this college girl who was also the daughter of one of the pickers. She's hitting my husband and his cousin, but what we talked about earlier was the reason why I shrugged it off.

"Then you'll be back next week?"

"Yes, there is the company I need to run through." Rouston nodded. We are in the living room, and I am currently changing my son.

"How about the renovation in Samar?" "Are you going to take it?"

"No, I already gave the job to Ravier."

"Rav?" Rouston's voice was surprised and tinged with shock. "Did he take it?" I finished changing Rayver, so I approached them. Rezoir immediately sat up and put down the glass full of wine.

He immediately held Rayver in his arms.

"Yeah, he takes it." Rouston laughed.

"I doubt it!" Rouston shook his head. He really couldn't believe it and insisted that Rav wouldn't accept it.

"He did; what's your problem?" That one is bored too. He waved his hand in front of us, and then suddenly he was busy dialing someone. Maybe it was Rav.

Rouston was serious while talking to Ravier. There are times when it is numbing to the senses and slightly debilitating. Rezoir just didn't have her cousin's reaction. I don't know why Rouston seems troubled when Ravier is probably in Samar.

"What's in Samar?" Then I couldn't help but ask.

"Beach baby," he reflected on me. I looked at him badly. "Just kidding, I have a project in that area, but because I can't go there, "I gave it to Rav," he said, looking at Ruston. "I don't know why he's against it."

"Maybe because Rav doesn't want to go." It might just be forced. Because he understands his cousin, he cannot leave his mother and daughter. that even if Ravier didn't want to go to the place, he had no choice. Rezoir asked him for a favor.

"Don't tell me you're going to build your own family?!" I heard Rouston snort on the other line. Family? My eyes widened, and my husband suddenly straightened up.

"Did you hear that?" I thought, "He doesn't have a girlfriend."

He shook his head. What did I hear? Building your own family?

"Isn't it possible that he also ran away?" I promised with a smile. When Rezoir heard the word "run," his jaw tightened. Rouston finished the call; he was about to leave when Rezoir called him.

"Imran." It's seriously called a second cousin's name. He gave me Rayver first.

"I'll be back later." He said. He kissed me lightly on the forehead, and I watched them walk to the swimming pool area. Maybe talk about their cousin in Samar.

Rayver and I played for a few minutes before he fell asleep.

"Oh, have a snack first, dear." Selma's mother started to put the tray he was holding on the table. It prepared blueberry cake and juice.

"Thank you, Mom. Are you?" He looked at Rayver.

"I'm done. It's okay, dear." Selma's mother slightly adjusted the pacifier in Rayver's mouth. My son is so naughty that his favorite pacifier is partially removed from his mouth. "Is the wife there?" I immediately pointed to the swimming pool. Immediately, he saw the cousins, and he nodded.

"It looks like they are talking about something important." Nana Selma sat next to me. "Invite them to have a snack too when they are done."

"Yes." I thought of his daughter, Demetria. Even he is ignorant enough to know that it is in Palawan. He lovingly watched my son. "Where is your daughter, Mom?" I asked casually. Even though I know where Demetria is, I still ask because I just want to know if Nana Selma does.

"Ah, they have an outing with friends, dear; they just left." I nodded. Then he didn't tell the truth. I understand, though, even though Rezoir said that she's Rizalde's girl. But Rizalde still had a thing for his past, and I hope the two of them will be together.

I don't know, but I have this feeling that they will be. And one more thing: the joy that I'm seeing now on Nana Selma's face. The face of an old woman who also wants to experience her grandchildren

"Isn't Demetria your second child?" He turned his attention to me.

"Yes, dear, he's the second, but it's like he's also the firstborn." I frowned. I was a little confused by what he said.

"Yes? "What do you mean?" He looked away and sighed. He looked at Rayver as he stared deeply at my son. He seems to be worried about something.

"I was the same age as you when I got pregnant," he said sadly. Unlike you, my body was not healthy. He looked at me for a moment. "I was captured by dear, and even though it's been a long time, I still can't get it out of my mind. "Perhaps this is what it's like to be a mother."

"O-Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." Nana Selma shook her head.

"No problem, dear. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before." I shook my head this time.

"Oh! No, Mom, it's fine. You don't have to tell me everything."

"Demetria is the second, but she became the firstborn because her older brother disappeared."

And there you have the reason why she has that face. because he remembered my son from his first child as well.

"My youngest daughter is also a boy," he smiled. "I'm sorry, and it's a beautiful day; you can hear me dramatize."

"I don't mind, nana Selma; I'm also glad that somehow you were able to tell your own story."

"Oh! I'll leave you now, and I'll prepare lunch. Would you like to cook something, dear?"

"I'm fine with what you prepare."

"He's fine; I'll leave you for now," I asked him. When nana Selma left, Rezoir returned.

"You okay, baby?"

"I'm fine; how about Rouston?" I asked when I couldn't see him anymore.

"He's going to Samar."

"Are you going to pick up Ravier?"

"Yeah, there's a thing that Rouston needs to settle in Samar too. And besides, Ravier will only stay there for two days. He will just look at the area; he has a man to do the job.

"Is he not allowed in Samar?"

"It's not a baby; he just has someone to avoid." Rouston is scared that Ravier will turn out to be a jerk again this time.

"This appears to be a serious matter."

"It is," he said. I just nodded and didn't speak. I didn't try to ask any more questions, because, at the end of the day, That has nothing to do with us; we should learn to recognize the boundary even if they are now a part of the family.

"Next week I will go back to Manila." "Then tomorrow we will go to visit Papa." HisHertaboutdad.

"Hmm," I said, nodding."Papa also said that he wants his grandson to bond before we return to Manila."

"How about a nanny baby?" I immediately leaned on him. Last time, we talked about having a nanny with me when she goes to work.

"I don't think we need it, babe; I can do it." He lightly caressed my arm. Well, that's his hobby. He kisses me on the forehead, cheek, and in the nape of my neck. It's a good thing when he does that I don't get tickled. I'm still tickled, especially around the neck.

"Are you sure? Even though I know our house is in a restricted area, I can't bear the thought of leaving you alone." There was a hint of concern in his voice, and my heart melted.

"I can be a nanny to my niece, brother!" Reign sat down on the sofa. Rezoir immediately stomped on him when Rayver cried. "Oops, sorry." Reign laughed.

"What are you?" "My son might even become a gangster if you take care of me, Idris," Rezoir answered his brother seriously. I laughed when Reign snorted and Rezoir grunted.

"You were the one who took care of me then, you see." "I didn't become a gangster like in your imagination." He grinned. I couldn't help but laugh at what he said.

"One." Rezoir's threat.

"Two." The second is his mischievous brother.

"Why don't you just make your son?" Rezoir sneered. I immediately pinched his arm.

"Do you want it, brother?" "Just say it!"

"What is that Reign Idris?" Mama Serena called him.

"I'm getting married, Ma!"

"What did you say?!" even before Mama walked over to our band. Reign immediately sped off; I didn't know that. If he moves, he doesn't seem to be a doctor. How will his patient be when he is in the mood not to be serious? Oh my! just like Theo.

I smiled. I also miss being able to bond with my cousins. It's good that we'll be at the other hacienda tomorrow, at least now that we're free. It is good to devote time to family bonding. When lunch came, I could see Reign's red ears. Mama Serena probably pressed him; maybe the two reached out.

"What are you pouting at, Idris? You look like a snoring artifice!" Lucia's get his attention. Rajih, who was next to him, laughed.

"Why do you have your eyes on me, Lia? What? I'm handsome, aren't I?" Lucia snorted.

"You are ugly! That's why I'm embarrassed by your face; fix it! You look gay!"

"Ah, is it Lia?" His voice deepened this time. Deliberately.

"Stop it, you two! "We are at the table; you are still like children!" Mama Serena disobeyed. Grandfather Sebastian was speechless, but a smile appeared on his cheeks.

"What happened to your ears, Idris?"

"Mama squeezed it, grandpa. "I don't want to be allowed to get married." Elderly people cough.

"REIGN IDRIS!" Mama disobeyed him. still glared at him when Papa Horace took a sip. Idris was scratching his head.

"Easy, I'm just kidding!" Take it back.

"Don't joke that you're going to get married; we know you're dating a thirteen-year-old." You can be charged with child abuse there!

"Rajih! "You're another one!"

Grandpa Sebastian laughed because he was wearing glasses. He bowed slightly when he looked at the twins.

"Do you have anything to show me?" he said. The twins coughed at what he said.

"I'm just kidding!"

"I'm just kidding!" the two promised at the same time.

"I will leave the villa in Tarlac to you when you present something to me." It's a bonus when you have grandchildren." Mama Serena's eyes widened.

"Dad!" it disobeys. Grandfather laughed.

"I'm just practicing dear, in case it's too late for both." I don't know why the two look pale. When we finished having lunch with Mom Selma, I found out the reason for both of them being pale.

"It's on Don Sebastian's mother's side, his youngest cousins." Being a widower is especially common in men. Rumor has it that they are cursed, so that's what he always says to them. Maybe it won't happen to them, dear; the source of that speculation is a distant relative of Don Sebastian. "It's like the old man only uses it to scare his grandchildren." I nodded. That's why the two reacted just like that earlier; marriage is not dependent on time. That depends on the person, so if it's true that Grandpa Sebastian's youngest male cousins never got married, I think that's one of the only signs of his grandchildren. How beautiful they are, he didn't want to see them grow up alone. I doubt they can't find a woman to marry.

"Maybe not."

"We can't determine the present, but it's good that at least they have something to fear."

"I'm not even scared."

"Maryosep!" Nana Selma held her chest slightly. "You child!" he said to Reign.

"Sorry Mom," he laughed. "I'm not scared, just terrified."

"Yeah." Rajih. We are currently drinking water in the kitchen. As usual, the adults were talking. I went to the kitchen to get some non-cold water; I didn't realize that the two followed. "It's not just the fact that he keeps saying that; it might be too late for us." But the fact that he's saying that we don't have the chance

"Right." Reign even nodded while hugging the twins.

"Nana Selma, whom do you think between Idris and I will get married first?"

"Oh, I want that! Who among us is Mom? I'll give you a kiss when you answer, Rajih!" Reign grinned.

"I don't know about you two! "Well, go ahead and go back there." Nana Selma scratched her head. Now the two looked at me.

"I do—"

"You will not get married." Rezoir's groin. His hands are wrapped around my waist.

"Why? "Are you Azeria?" Reign philosophized.

"Why do you even try to ask her; she doesn't read your future?" As for this one, he is still participating in the antics of his brothers. They grew up to be angry with each other, according to Mama Serena.

"You know, Azeria, you can still file an annulment!"

"Rezoir!" I disobeyed by stepping on my brother again. But this time, he was writhing in pain.

"Don't worry about him; he's a doctor. He can heal himself." Rajih.

"I don't know about you two!" I snort.

"Oh! "Your wife prefers me, brother!" Reign said it vehemently, still holding onto his leg. I winced at his appearance.

"Tsk!" Nana Reming, the butler, entered Hacienda Hillarca.

"That's right, Idris; help Selma!" here" Reign immediately fixed what Nana Reming said. And in the end, Nana Selma and I just watched the three wash the dishes.

#### EPILOGUE

Sounds of the crashing waves of the ocean. We were now in Hacienda Tacata, and it was still early. Before, I was waking up like this at the same time as now. Suddenly the warmest blanket covered my shoulder. "You're up early," my husband, dressed in white pajamas and a white tight V-neck shirt, said. I smiled at him. I immediately leaned on him; he hugged me tighter.

"I'm no longer sleepy; that's why I decided to go here."

"How did the talk with your grandfather?" upon opening that topic. The sudden, deep talk with my grandfather crossed my mind.

"I'm planning to put the company in the hands of Theo; are you okay with that?" unlike the Hillarcas, where the first grandchildren inherit everything. It was far different from the Tacata.

"You know I don't mind, Grandpa," was the truth. In the first place, they know I don't want to handle the company. It's not because I can't handle it, nor am I interested in it. I just know that I'm not the right person to handle the company we have.

"I know Theo will run it successfully." He nodded. Where is the main library of the hacienda? Some portraits of our ancestors were hanging on the wall. And my grandfather was busy looking at them.

"So, are you planning on pushing your plans then?" He turns around to look me directly in the eyes. My plan? What is my plan? "I still remember the day you said it, but it didn't stay in my mind because we can predict the future," they said. "However," he shrugged."Looks like my cara mia was right." I remember now. I nodded to him; I know people know me as an heiress.

Eventually, I will also run the hacienda. But what exactly is my plan that Grandpa is talking about?

"You're not interested in haciendas?"

"No!" shake when I was young.

"So, what does my cara mia want?"

"I don't have any!"

"You don't have?" he inquired, surprised. He and Papa both laughed. "What's your plan after you have your own family then?" the younger version of me, gave a wicked smile at the two men in front of her.

"I'm going to build my cafe!"

"Cafe?!"

"Yes! Yes! Yes! "Coffee is life!" I was younger at that time; in fact, I only drank milk, but I wanted to turn coffee into a business. Grandpa and dad used to laugh at me because they thought that what I was saying was just a joke for a child like me. Yes. When I'm still in college, my dream is to work for an ordinary company. But the dream is different from the plan. And my dreams... I got them a long time ago. I was able to work for a huge company, and it belonged to the man I was destined to marry. Rayver. Rezoir. They have become my world if only I had included myself in the plans. Now with them too, all decisions are

He gives me a peck on the head. "I will support you, baby." "If you want me to build your cafe, I will do it for you."

"Do you think I will be able to do it?"

"Hmm, you are. You are capable of everything, and I'm here. "I am willing to be handed to you. Always, baby." when I'm looking at him. His eyes were already looking at me, and my lips couldn't stop smiling. His lips reached mine, kissing each other. Many memories entered my brain. The memory is still there in the back of my mind.

"You like that boy," my grandfather whispered. He caught me riding between the haciendas of Tacata and Hillarca.

"N-No." I was still in denial. At the age of thirteen, the first grandchild of Hillarca's caught my attention. I was still wondering why Grandpa was laughing at me; I was even more surprised that he didn't even scold me. And that's the thing he emphasizes: not to try to cross the gap.

"It's perfectly fine if you stop liking him, Cara Mia."Did I? I think I didn't stop; however, the feeling didn't stop me from forgetting him. I'm entering puberty and maturity, which means that I don't have enough habits in that area anymore. area with space. I forgot about him. But that's not how I feel about him. Something I would never tell Rezoir

I smiled when the sun covered both of our faces. I closed my eyes, and he gave me a peak kiss and kissed me torridly at the end. Being with him and watching the sunrise, there is not a day that I am not grateful to the creator of everything. It's my dream to experience this too.

watching the sunrise in the morning, sitting by the ocean at dusk. that I can completely feel my hands waving in the wind. and counting the stars while our smile shines. As I looked back at those things, he had fulfilled them all. I just didn't realize sooner that it's right that everything has a problem.

We criticize everything, and we only focus on things that should be improved. We forget your achievements. Rayver will never be my achievement. He was the fruit of my truthfulness. It's not an achievement.

"I love you, Mr. Hillarca."

"And I love you too, my Mrs. Hillarca."

Two years have passed. just as my husband promised. He's the one who works at my cafe; two years have passed now, and the cafe is successful. Since the location is really in the center, many people go here. Also include the fact that during the weekend everything is free in the cafe, so maybe it will be popular with the customers.

"Good morning!" Theo was greeted with enthusiasm.

Upon seeing him, I rolled my eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"Why? "You don't like me here?" he laughed. Lucas and Red entered next. Red carried my son.

"Mimi!" my son shouted. I smiled and immediately greeted him and picked him up. I kiss him on his cheeks.

"How's my baby?" "Have you eaten yet?" Theo said it happily. Upon seeing him, I rolled my eyes.

"Yes! I already ate spaghetti! Uncle handsome, treat me!" He said it enthusiastically. I can still see Theo pouting on the side. What's the problem? I smiled as I realized something.

"Which of the three is handsome, baby?" I said He giggled.

"Uncle Rizalde!" he said. We both burst into laughter, and the faces of my three cousins suddenly turned sour. When I have work or am busy at the cafe, sometimes my son is with me. All day he was in the office with his father; sometimes he was with the Toccatas. I mean to my cousins; Rayver is already well-known in the company. There are still others who mistook his nephew for his son. It's often mistaken because Rayver has a resemblance to Theo.

When Rezoir learned that, I just laughed every time he suddenly became cold toward Theo. How come my son prefers to play with his uncle Rizalde sometimes? That's why I'm not surprised if my husband encourages him to spend more time with his niece.

"Did you eat ice cream?" I ask seriously. Immediately his face became wild, and again I looked at them seriously. The doctor said not to eat too much cold food, especially ice cream. Because his tooth hurt the other day, how come he only feeds on sweets? That's also true for Rezoir; he gets an earful from me.

"You might cry, so I let it go."

"No one will cry tonight, huh?" I say to Rayver, my baby. He nodded cutely, and I walked over to the table. The snack I prepared is already here; it's already nine o'clock in the morning. We went to church, and Rezoir immediately snapped at the company.

"Where's your girlfriend, Thaddeus?" I look at red.

"Why did you ask?" Theo replied gruffly to Red. While Red was smiling from ear to ear,

"You don't know what's going on with us," says Red.

"Right, if you're an author, then there's no update," said Lucas.

"Lucia is busy," Theo answered.

"Aunt pretty!" my son's groin.

"Yes, baby, it's my pretty aunt," I explained."Did you see Aunt Patty, hmm?"

"Yes," he nodded. Now, he is drinking milk. I immediately wiped the sweat from his forehead, and when I finished, I put a bimbo on his back. "Yes, Mimi, I noticed Aunt's lovely face. She's still pretty; she's with her prince charming."

"Oh!" the three of us said. Theo's grip on the milk tea tightened even more. I'm not sure what's going on between them; it's been three weeks since the bad air between them. I tried to intervene between the two, but my husband stopped me. So, I don't know why and how the two became cold toward each other. So now I'm just trying to talk to Theo, just in case the truth is told. We've been here in Manila for two years now, but I haven't heard any news from the hacienda.

Nana Reming once told me that Lucia was in the hacienda on her way back to Manila. I think the bad air between the two has been going on for three weeks. I tried to intervene between the two, but my husband stopped me. So, I don't know why and how the two became cold toward each other. So now I'm just trying to talk to Theo, just in case the truth is told. We've been here in Manila for two years now, but I haven't heard any news from the hacienda.

Nana Reming once told me that Lucia was in the hacienda on her way back to Manila. I think the bad air between the two has been going on for three weeks. I tried to intervene between the two, but my husband stopped me. So, I don't know why and how the two became cold toward each other. So now I'm just trying to talk to Theo, just in case the truth is told. We've been here in Manila for two years now, but I haven't heard any news from the hacienda. Nana Reming once told me that Lucia was in the hacienda on her way back to Manila. So now I'm just trying to talk to Theo, just in case the truth is told.

We've been here in Manila for two years now, but I haven't heard any news from the hacienda. Nana Reming once told me that Lucia was in the hacienda on her way back to Manila. So now I'm just trying to talk to Theo, just in case the truth is told. We've been here in Manila for two years now, but I haven't heard any news from the hacienda. Nana Reming once told me that Lucia was in the hacienda on her way back to Manila.

We immediately looked at Theo when he stood up. "I have something to do at the hacienda," he said coldly. We didn't speak and watched him silently. I even smiled because even my son frowned while watching his uncle Theo. Maybe wondering. Because it's a week, he's used to playing with her from three until the afternoon.

"Daddy will be here in a few minutes," I whispered to him.

"Didn't you?"

"Yes, did. "Want to go home now?" He shook his head.

"Play!" he said cheerfully, slightly raising his hand. Red immediately picked him up. Rezoir has a special mini playground in the back part of the cafe, so sometimes there are children here with their parents. not just students. "Have you talked to Lucia?" Lucas.

"Not yet." I shook my head. "I wanted to ask. But Rezoir stopped me. Isn't it a big problem for the two of them?" I asked worriedly. He shrugged his shoulders. "Some rumors are spreading at the building,"

"Rumors?"

"That two of them are breaking up."

When I asked, she wrinkled her brow. Is that why Rezoir looks like a desert? There is a tendency to believe whether or not the rumors are true.

"Thaddeus is always yelling," Lucas said with a grin. I looked at him seriously and managed to smirk. "Because of his bad trip, he even yelled at his aunt." "He isn't looking; Aunt has been ignoring him for a few days."

"Theo's motivation for acting is not himself."

Rayver's birthday is coming soon, isn't it? "Yes, next week." I'm preparing for it. "Will the Hillarras come?"

Of course." He nodded while looking at Red. "Why don't you use that day to talk to her?" he said. Even though it wasn't obvious, I knew he did—the two are also worried about Theo, even me. I'm not used to seeing him without energy in his eyes. He smiles and laughs, but it's obvious that he's trying.

"I try." I'll try. I'm not even sure if I'll go, Lucia; I didn't confirm it yet with Ravier. I watched her drink the milk tea I prepared; all three of them seemed to have a problem. Is it a girl? I couldn't help but stare at her intently. "What?" he spat. I raise my eyebrow at him. "You? "No problem?" he frowned. "What?" he laughed. "Suppose the three of you are acting weird."

"I'm okay."

"Yeah."

"I'm really fine, Chaldene."

"Love problems?"

"What?! "I don't have time for that."

"Don't have time for that, or just don't want to spend time?" He shook his head at me.

"Why are we talking about love here?"

"Because I'm in love?" I joked.

"Really? "You're bragging now?"

"But seriously, the three of you are acting weird." Like Theo, I think he and Lucia have a problem. But the two of you," I said depressedly, pointing to his eyes."Your eyes were not as alive as before," I stated. "Can't it just be at work?" I shrugged

"Grandpa's keep asking me when I'm getting married?" he moaned.

"I'm still young," he pouted like a child, and I couldn't stop myself from hitting him on the arm.

"Seriously enough, Lucas, I think you two should be in a serious relationship right now. Look at me right now; I'm beyond happy. "I would be happier if I knew someone was taking care of you."

"I'm not a kid anymore, my dear cousin."

"It's not like that! "You know what I mean!"

"Okay! okay! fine! I get it. Hmm, maybe soon. "I'm not just looking for love, Azeria." I nodded at him. He's right, but seriously, now I have a child. The family I've built is happy. Maybe one of my wishes is to see them have someone else by their side as if a girl I know will take care of them. Meanwhile, I look at Red, who's busy playing around with his niece. I grew up with the three of them always by my side. I know they are not perfect boys based on the girls. But if there's one thing I can be proud of, it's the fact that when they fall in love, they all sacrifice.

It's not just the work that is taken seriously, but also the person who makes their heart beat. Now that there's a misunderstanding between Theo and Lucia, I hope I can try or will be able to fix the issue between them. not because Theo is my cousin and Lucia is Rezoir's cousin. Because I can see how they love each other. I know it's wrong to meddle in other people's affairs, but with them... I can fight it. My baby's birthday has come. How many days have I prepared for it now that we've been celebrating? Hearing my son giggle—it's all worth it. I never had the confidence to be a good mother to him. Not really.

You're struggling at first, or finally, how to change his diapers, or how to make it easier to settle him suddenly when he cries. Being a mother is difficult enough. As a mother, there are many things to prioritize. Sometimes I'm just stunned; can I still do it? Is it still worth it? Yes, you can say anxiety. I thought that what I read on the internet was just a joke. You give birth, you raise a child, and that's it. But first, it's not easy. So, I salute the single moms; I am a married one who is still struggling. They are still alone now to hear the words.

"He grew up right."

"You raised him well."

"Obedient child."

"Hey, Serena! Your grandson is still good and just goes when picked up. "He didn't inherit from his father!" Mama Serena's friends laughed. I hear many words, but all of them are praise. That made my heart grow fonder. He assigned us the role of mother with a single goal in mind. Mother or not, we are still women. It's not just that you're just a girl. Now, I understand. I just let Mama Serena's friends carry my child. Their laughter dominates the hacienda; yes, we are at hacienda Hillarca because Grandpa Sebastian doesn't travel much either. They cannot be absent from their grandson's first birthday.

So Rezoir and I thought, why not celebrate in Romblon? That's why we were here. All the Hillarca clans are complete; after all, Rayver is the first grandson of them in our generation. There are others I have just met, and there are also others in my family who have just seen them. This day has become a way to have a reunion.

"Are you okay?" asked my wife. It lightly wiped my sweaty forehead. "I'm fine, how about your guest? Are they okay?" I asked the staff at his company. He gave them a sidelong glance.

"They're good," he said, resting his hand on my waist. Lucas and I looked at each other, and I remembered what he said about taking this opportunity to congratulate Theo and Lucia. But there is no need. Because all my cousins are settled, they look okay and happy now. It's good; I kept smiling. "Come on, baby, let our helpers do that," Rezoir whispered beside me as I helped the helpers refill the rice bag. I looked at him for a moment before focusing on what I was doing. Maybe one of the catering women in front of me has already been counted.

"It's okay, ma'am; we'll take care of it," he said. He couldn't stop me from helping them.

"Alright, are you okay?" If you need help,

"Baby," Rezoir called me seriously. I smiled at the people in front of me. I just thought it would be fine if I helped them. "They will take care of it, come on." Let's go talk to our visitor, hmm. party. And it was my son's party, so I made sure that all of the things they did were according to my plan. Seeing my son happy makes me happy too. I'm beyond happy with what I have now. The happiness that I have, for now, is too much. My heart is full of joy and happiness. "Okay, in three, two, one, smile!" I smiled at the camera. My happy family