Chapter II.8: I Will Tire Myself Out (Part 1)

A soft knock pounded on his bedroom door and a gentle call of his name brought him up to sit.

"Wha-what."

Did he fell asleep?

Did he?

It was morning, the birds are busy chirping again, the daylights are slowly seeping in his room as the wind gently flutters the curtain.

His feet are still on the ground, he's sitting on the edge, beside Althea's bed, with an electric mosquito bat in his hands and the lamplights are still on.

Last night, he's not able to find and kill their little enemy that's why he decided to watch over her, it sounds stupid but after a series of deep thinking, he thought that this might be the best to exhaust himself and have a good sleep when night comes again.

He smiled crazily thinking how smart he is, killing two birds in one stone.

He looked over at Althea who might wake up at any moment and examined her skin with great care whether the invader touches it or not, luckily, it shows no sign of its bite.

He's glad that Althea's sleep gets better and better each and every day, she rarely wakes up in grave hours.

But his urinary bladder is painful and about to explode, for hours of not releasing his fluids.

He instantly got up and ran towards the door.

"Please, paki-bantayan po muna si Althea." He panicked opening the door, handing the weapon to the person in front of him and running straight for the bathroom without sparing a glance who approached him.

Cecilia, the youngest maid fell back in surprise with his intimidating height and held her tongue from greeting him. She's confused on why Bryan was freaking out and why he gave her an electric mosquito bat.

But one thing, she is sure of.

He looks terrible… but still stunning and strikingly handsome with his knockout beauty and jaw-breaking body. She cannot forget how he smells really good that made her smile, thinking how lucky she is.

She's too absorbed in her thoughts that she absentmindedly bangs the mosquito bat on her forehead, knocking off all her nasty mentality.

♥♣♠♦♠♣♥

"Ha…" I sighed in pure contentment after releasing the pent-up fluid in my body, then I stood in front of the convex mirror and my mouth gaped open when I saw my appearance.

Disheveled hair, hanging eyelids, redder and swollen eyes, darker circles beneath it, paler skin and I… I looked sadder!

The last time I had this face was when--- nevermind.

"Are you really me?" I asked myself as I examine my facial features and sighed in defeat.

'Di bale, babawi naman ako ng tulog mamayang gabi, ang importante, mapagod ako ng husto habang nakatirik ang araw, in and out.

I cast a glance on the double glass door just inside this spacious bathroom that is twice as large as the guest room, it leads to a large and chic wood-clad sauna with benches, rectangle glass window that showcase the great view of outside and built-in lights with smoke glass walls.

"Maybe sauna is a good idea too." I'm still undecided.

Most of the bathrooms in this house have their own style but the one I'm in right now is my favorite.

Because, on one side of the walls is a wide two-way glass that you can fully enjoy the view of the outdoors as you soak on a Le Cob Glass bathtub without worrying of peeping toms.

Everything in here is a streak of luxury and not a single thing failed to amaze me.

Just how wealthy she is to build this almost paradise and palace at the same time?

I have never imagined stepping on this kind of place before and until now, I am still having a hard time believing it.

A large place for a small family is a wrong proportion.

It made me pause for a while, I can't ruin my day with unwanted feelings so I stopped whatever I started.

I shake off my head and sort out myself.

As I walk back to my bedroom, I layout plans in my head on how to exhaust myself to the fullest, indoor activities will probably entice me more to lay my head on a soft pillow and take a nap so, how about an outdoor venture?

This villa has a vast piece of unknown and untouched lands, so maybe, if I could wander together with Althea, we might find hidden treasures.

I giggled how perfect my plan is and seeing Ate Clara entering my bedroom.

"Good morning Ate Clara!" I greeted her with a beam.

"Sir." She looks surprised and clutches her chest as if something just scared her.

She instantly recovered though and was about to say something but stopped for a moment. Then she walked towards me and examined my face as if I have injured myself and disfigured my appearance.

"Sir, ano po nangyari sa inyo? Bakit ganito po ang complexion nyo? Pati po yung mata nyo rin, hindi nasa tamang kondisyon." She asked worriedly, just like a mother's touch, I smiled and held her hands.

"I'm all good po. Tara po sa loob." I led her inside and found Claire changing the soft diapers of Althea, she stood up the moment she saw me.

"Sir, napalitan ko na po diaper ni Althea. Mukhang masarap po tulog nya dahil kakagising palang po nya." Claire smiled.

Why do I feel a surge of annoyance when Althea saw Claire first thing in the morning and not me?

"Anong ginagawa ng mosquito bat dito, Sir Bryan?" Ate Clara noticed it lying on my bed, kudos to her eagle eye.

I winced. "Long story po." And she clicks her tongue, expressing her unhappy thoughts.

I just walked towards Althea and bent down. "How's my baby?"

Her eyes are a bit reddish, still trying to recover from her imaginary dreams.

But the moment she sees my face, occupying her view, greeting her as our regular day starter routine, her face immediately lights up and playfully moves her arms and legs, up and down motion. "Good morning."

She's asking me to hold her in my arms.

I carefully scrutinize her face and body one last time before taking her in. She doesn't have any mosquito bite, she's all safe.

"Sir, meron po bang lamok na nakapuslit sa kwarto nyo?" She asked unbelievably and I can only imagine the worry creasing on her ageing face.

It will be odd to have a mosquito bat in a bedroom, furthermore, a haggard face in the morning.

I faced them and nodded as I bring Althea near to my lips to kiss her forehead.

Claire's eyes widened in horror and Ate Clara panicked. "Claire, pakitapon na muna ng diaper at pakisabihan sina Jane at Beth na pumunta rito, we'll have an intensive cleaning of this room. Make sure to close the door instantly. We won't let this foolish mosquito off and wander around the house."

Claire obtaining all the instructions bolted out of the room leaving us alone.

Just as I predicted.

It will bother them in the middle of the night, cleaning and repelling the little foe.

She sighed loudly and she seems irritated.

"Sir Bryan, bakit hindi nyo po sa amin pinaalam kagabi 'to? Kaya naman po pala ganyan ang itsura nyo." She scolded and all I could do is avoid her eyes.

"Ahh, nakatulog naman po ako." I just tried to look around. "Sige po, Ate Clara. Baba na po ko kasi papakainin ko pa po si Althea." My eyes locked on the door, tempting me to run for it, I can't wait to escape.

But just as I was about to move forward, she quickly blocked my path. "Not so fast, Sir Bryan. We have to examine Althea for any rashes including you."

I instantly shake my head. "Binantayan ko naman po sya ng husto, kaya naman po walang nakadapo sa kanya na kahit isang lamok."

Ate Clara smirked and I gasped.

I blurted it out without thinking twice and I don't know why my brain didn't even filtered out my thoughts first.

"Iba-iba ang kwento. Why are you in a hurry, Sir Bryan? Why are you so against checking you up and Althea with a doctor?" She interrogates and I swallowed nervously.

I'm not against.

But I clearly know, the moment the doctor sees my complexion, he will definitely advise me to get some good sleep right away and all my plan will go into waste.

I looked past at her, my eyes widened and I screamed in horror. "Ate Clara, lamok!" I pointed it out and she instantly looked back to where my finger is pointing.

"Saan?" She responded in alarm and my feet moved swiftly but not to where she's looking at, rather on the opposite direction.

To the door.

"Sir Bryan!" She shouted, realizing I just fooled her.

"Sorry po." I apologized as I dashed towards the exit, when I reached the door, I turned back to her, who is shaking her head, sighing and has no plan to chase me, I bowed down in apology.

"Sorry Mommy Clara, just let me off today." I smiled and closed the door behind me.

♥♣♠♦♠♣♥

Open the lid.

Scoop the organic formula.

Place it in the bottle with water cooled to room temperature.

Shake, shake.

Sprinkled a few drops inside of my wrist, temperature is just right.

Althea wiggled her arms and legs excitedly, mouth opening with exciting sounds and I chuckled.

"Here comes the train, choo, choo!" I say as I inserted the nipple into her opened lips, she started sucking the milk eagerly, she just knows what she needs.

And I can't handle her overwhelming cuteness.

Her plump cheeks are working hard and it makes me laugh.

I walked towards our large living room, spotted the best place for us, the heavenly seat, a red velvet chaise longue in between of two gigantic Eisenberg Cathedral Wall Mirrored windows with pure white 18th-Century Rococo curtains on each side.

It looks like an Egyptian seat designed and crafted for the royalties, the outside scene makes it even more exceptional.

The lighting reflected on the window seems right so I didn't pull the curtain to cover the view, it won't hurt her eyes from the inescapable and harmful brightness.

(A/N: Background music: Love Love by Choi Soo Jin)

I sat and searched for the best position, carefully turning and placing my body in the most comfortable position we both need.

Finally, I'm sitting down with my legs propped up, Althea on the top of my lap, head resting on my knees and her feet on my stomach.

We are facing one another, a perfect position to make a plenty of eye contact.

She's properly secured and too tiny to fall down from my body structure.

Her lips are busy but her eyes are on me, then it starts to travel to certain places that she's fully fond of, the dramatic overhead effect of English Renaissance-inspired coffered ceiling with circular lights at the center above us.

Her warm hands touch my large ones, gripping gently as I held her feeding bottle.

I can see how delighted she is, to the point that her lips are smiling almost dropping the nipple.

One of my best bonding moments with her is feeding Althea.

I looked out of the window just beside me, the rays of sunlight are gentle somehow, it doesn't look fierce at all as if it intends to be calm for my baby girl.

It is definitely a beautiful and warm morning.

But my head is aching. A bit.

Ha.

Last night, I was the one who slept like a baby, I honestly don't mind if I get bitten but if Althea comes into picture, I don't think I can just sleep in comfort.

I wiped the slipping milk on the side of her mouth.

"Baby, can you teach me how to sleep when your mind is uncooperative?" I asked and kissed her tiny fist.

"What do you think I should do?" I kissed it again.

"How can I fall asleep properly at night time, hmm?" I kissed it again.

"Is there a baby secret you'd like to share with me?" I kissed it again.

"What was your dream last night, huh? I just saw you smiling, you're so unfair." I brought her near me, breathe in her cheeks and kissed her soundly.

She grumbled and it made me stop, I distanced my face away back to the original position, to see her expression but I gasped and my muscles suddenly flex at the sides of my mouth.

"Baby, did you just?" I raised my eyebrow. "Did you just growl at me?" I laughed.

Inward slanting eyebrows.

Lightly squeezed together in a wrinkle.

She has never done it before, she's not a grumpy person.

"Hahahaha." I happily laugh, I don't know why but it makes my heart really happy and relieve.

"A little grumpy pumpkin."

You're so much like her, a grumpy matured pumpkin, who likes to frighten off people and even shake up the unmovable scarecrow.

I got up, took away her almost empty bottle, placed it on the near table and dashed towards the stairs until I reached my bedroom and opened the door excitedly.

"Sinimangutan ako ni Althea!" I happily informed them.

My bedroom is a mess, everything is unorganized as if they're still finding the culprit in every corner, additionally, they have all stopped moving, looking at me with surprised expression visible beneath their masks.

One of them cleared her throat which I clearly recognize to whom it belongs and her stares emit an aura of off-limits.

I sniffed around and I smelt a reek of chemicals.

"Sorry." I say and closed the door immediately.

I forgot they are cleaning my bedroom and that wearing full cleaning armor means I just placed Althea into bad situation.

I instantly looked at her who looks confused on what's happening and decided to take her to open area for fresh area.

As I was about to walk downstairs, the door suddenly opened and Ate Clara came into my view without a face cover and her face is undeniably angry.

"Sir Bryan, kani-kanina lang ay nagmamadali kayong makawala sa kwarto nyo tapos ngayon ay bigla kayong papasok kahit na alam nyong nililinis namin ang inyong kwarto." She removed her gloves, her eyes went to Althea and she even looks more disturbed.

I suddenly sense a fear in my heart that made me want to secure Althea in my arms. "I'm sorry, nakalimutan ko po Ate Clara, hindi na po mauulit."

My heart is pounding.

Hindi ko alam kung anong pumasok sa isip ko at napakilos na lang ng ganun. I know I sound foolish pero sobrang natuwa lang ako kaya naman ay hindi ko napigilan ang aking sarili.

My wrong actions will definitely drag Althea into dreadful consequences.

Ate Clara sighed and walked closer to me. "Please Iho, next time try to think of Althea's welfare before yours. I know how much you care for her but still it is not enough, throw aside whatever immaturity is left from you and fully embrace the role of being a responsible and fully pledge father."

On the spur of the moment, I felt dizzy.

Like a destructive echo ringing in my head.

The thing in my chest beats loudly.

The words she just told me are somewhat firing gunshots of war soldiers against each other, wounding and taking the most important piece they're fighting for.

"Sir Bryan." She softly says and I came back to my senses, she was about to open her mouth but sighed instead.

"Please, don't take Althea away from me." I whispered in a trembling voice.

They always, always think that I'm incapable of being with her.

That I don't have the right to take her in my arms and care for my little daughter.

From the very beginning she was brought into this place, they restricted me from getting near her.

I always never had a full-time moment with her and partially, just an on-looker waiting for my time to come.

My heart trembles but when she placed her hand on my shoulder and on Althea's head and looks at me with deep empathy, fears started to wither.

"I'm sorry. I was wrong to judge you when we all know that you're stuck here, tending to Althea's needs instead of having your own life out there. Some happenings might be a mess but there is always a tiny part that is utterly pure." She gently says, her eyes bring me comfort.

I nodded and my heart feels a little ease, gradually, driving away the nagging fears.

"O sya, magpakasaya kayo ni Althea. I'm taking too much of your time. Isa pa, palitan mo na ng damit si Althea, naka-pajamas pa sya. Don't also forget her schedule ah, it must be on time. At saka, think before you act, always remember to put her welfare first before yours." She shooed me away and I hugged her right away.

"Oofff." She reacted, surprised by my actions.

"Thank you po." I say with a meaningful tone. "I-popostpone ko po muna pagiging hyper ko."

"Hmm, sinungaling."

And I laughed, walking away and when I came back to our old post, the feeding bottle is gone.

I looked at Althea, I just robbed her unfinished meal over my selfish action.

"Sisimangutan mo ba ko ulit?"

Because I like it.