Chapter 7

"That's insane, Alex!" yelled Robbie. "So how are we going to do that?"

"Like we first agreed, we will stay in your house temporarily until we both find a place to live in. Then, we can both agree to have physical custody with her."

"Or you can just live with me for the whole period and do whatever you want as long as I can have Sasha in my home. No marriage. But tell me, Alex, how are you going to pay all your mounting debts, huh? How can I be so sure that you're going to give her a life that she needed?"

"I have raised her for ten years all by myself, Robbie. So what made you think I cannot do it again?"

"Maybe, yes. But how about paying your ten thousand dollars debt in the bank? Tell me. Where are you going to get a big amount of money in just a short time? How will you ensure to me that you can provide for my daughter? Tell me, Alex!"

"I may not be as rich as you but I'm sure as hell I could get on my feet back again."

"By what? Waitressing? Working in a bar for tips? What? Is this how you will present yourself in court?"

"Ugh! I can't with you!" and she flung her hands in frustration. "So what are you saying? This is my only way to provide for her? To be married to you?"

Robbie sighed. His voice was calm. "All I'm saying is, take my offer. I'll pay for all your debts and provide a home for both of you. We will get married only for a year... after that we can get a divorce. I will help you get back on your feet. Find you a better home. Just... give me this chance, Alex, for Sasha."

She sat on the bed. "But if we get married, Sasha will get heartbroken if we separate."

He sat beside her on the bed.

"Not if she had good memories and... I think she's big enough to understand everything by then."

"One year? Isn't that too long?"

"You've been away from me for ten years, Alex. What is one year to you? Besides, we're still friends. I'm sure we could still get along somehow, right?"

She smiled. "Only if you'll let me win the arguments most of the time."

He rolled his eyes. "You always try to get your way and you hate me for pushing you because I always disagree. This is how we've always been, Alex. That's why our friendship works."

"No. Our friendship worked because we learned to talk it out.."

"Yeah. You're right."

"I hate arguing with you."

"I do, too. But you're just stubborn."

"We both are. Just look at our daughter."

He smiled. "I can see that. But the sassiness is from you."

"Hey! I'm not sassy."

"Yes you are!"

"And you're bossy. She bossed me around sometimes, too."

He laughed. "Funny how she got both our traits. I never thought I'd see myself into someone else. Most especially to a child.... We did an amazing thing, Alex."

"Yes, even if it's a mistake."

"It's not a mistake if it resulted into something great like Sasha."

"If you put it that way, I see it as a blessing."

"Yes..."

Then, silence....

Robbie broke the silence first. He stood up.

"Very well, let's meet Attorney Ledesma downstairs . I'm sure he had probably drunk several teas already for the past half hour."

She smiled. "Let's go then."

He walked ahead of her to open the door when she spoke up.

"Why did you try to kiss me, Robbie?" she asked.

He stopped midway towards the door. His back was on her and he didn't dare to turn. He didn't want her to see that what he's about to tell her was a lie.

He took a deep breath and spoke up.

"It's an experiment," he replied.

"An experiment?" and she lowered her eyes. "For what?"

"For.." he cleared his throat. "My new product."

"A new product?"

He finally turned to her and forced a smile.

"Yes. I assumed you're still wearing my line."

She smiled. "Yes. I never stopped supporting you. So what is the new product?"

"I was thinking of making a kiss-proof lipstick."

"Kiss-proof?"

"Yes. Most of the customers loved to have something that stays on especially on evenings."

"I see..." and she walked towards him. "Are you sure it's nothing personal?"

She was standing before him and his heart was racing inside his chest, as if it was about to come out of him.

Could she tell he was lying?

He grinned and swallowed hard.

"Me? Don't think too much, Alex. It's just an experiment. Nothing personal."

"Right", she replied. But why did she feel disappointed?

"Sorry about your cheek. Does it hurt?" and she touched his cheek.

"No, it's okay," he replied and moved away from her to open the door. "I think painful memories are much harder to endure than physical pain."

Then he walked out of the room ahead of her.

***************

Sasha kept staring at someone dressed in a purple dress and feathered hat in the living room. The person was sitting with legs crossed and a pearly white purse was hooked on one of his arms.

'Sparkly shoes,' she thought. Somehow she wanted to grab them and maybe tried it on. She loved anything that sparkles most especially shoes.

"Hello, cutie!" he greeted, waving at her, and Sasha blinked.

She didn't know what to tell this lady before her.

'She looked kinda weird,' she thought.

Rico finally came back from the restroom. The person stood up as soon as he saw the boy and hugged him. Rico hugged him back.

"How are you, hijo? How's your mother?" he asked, in surprisingly low male voice that startled Sasha.

How can a lady have a low voice like a guy?

"She's good. She's at work. Nice to see you, Auntie."

The girl knitted her eyebrows.

'Auntie? Who is this? Why is Rico calling her Auntie? Are they related?' her mind was confused.

"I'm glad to see you, too, hijo. So who's this beautiful girl?"

Sasha smiled faintly as Rico introduced him.

"This is Sasha. She's Tito Robbie's daughter."

The person's eyes grew wide as Robbie came bounding down the steps.

"Tito Bernie, what are you doing here?" asked Robbie.

"It's Tita, hijo. How many times do I have to correct you?" and Robbie came to him. He gave him a peck on the cheek. "So when are you going to tell me you have a kid?"

Robbie went to Sasha and put an arm around her.

"So you met Sasha then?"

"Yes and apparently you forgot to tell me about her."

"I didn't know till this morning."

"So who's the lovely lady? The mother of this beautiful child?"

Suddenly, Alex came down the steps.

"Aunt Bernie!" she called and Bernie looked at her.

"Oh my god! Allison! Come here, honey!" and she gave him a hug. "Deary, where have you been? I missed you."

"I missed you, too."

"So, tell me, are you the mother of this cutie pie?" and he pointed towards Sasha.

Alex looked at Sasha. She smiled and nodded.

"You're kidding!" Bernie's eyes grew wide in surprise, and he placed his hand on his mouth. "I never have thought... oh my god, hijo! What have you done?!"

Robbie laughed as if it's the funniest thing someone had said to him today. Sasha knitted her eyebrows, still wondering why this person was dressed like that.

Rico was beside Sasha and she whispered in his ear.

"I'm confused. I thought he was a lady," she said.

"No, he's not a lady. He's gay."

"Oh!" was all she could say. "Are they always dressed like this?"

"Like what?"

"Like.. I don't know... weird!"

"Hey! Auntie is not weird," and Rico frowned at her. "She's nice and she's going to be your Auntie, too you know since he's Tito Robbie's aunt."

"Uncle."

"Well, he wanted to be called Auntie instead because he said he has a lady's heart."

"How can a guy have a lady's heart?"

Rico sighed. "He thinks he's a girl, stupid! Get what I mean. Didn't you see any of this before?"

"Not really. I mean... up close. I see them on TV."

"I might think you're an alien. Like, you just landed from outer space yesterday."

Sasha rolled her eyes at him.

"Mr. Magsano," called a male voice and Robbie turned to look at a man dressed in suit with eyeglasses.

"Attorney. I'm sorry to keep you waiting. If you'll excuse us, Tito. Alex and I just have some important matters to discuss with Attorney," and he turned to Sasha. "Go play along with Rico for awhile, okay. We will join you at lunch later."

Sasha nodded and he let go of her hand. Alex walked towards him as they went to his office.

"Should I call you, Auntie, too?" asked Sasha.

"Well, it's up to you, honeybun. I can be a Tita or Auntie. Whichever you like," Bernie answered. "You know, you look exactly like Allison when she was your age."

Sasha smiled. It always made her proud whenever someone says that. To her, being compared to her mom was an honor.

"Thank you."

"Do you know that Auntie is a great storyteller?" Rico supplied.

"Really?"

"Oh yes! I love stories. Especially about your daddy."

"My daddy?"

"Yes. I took care of him, you know?"

"Why? Did Dad didn't have a mom?"

"He does."

"So, why did you take care of him? Didn't he have a daddy?"

Bernie sighed. "Well, his daddy and mommy divorced when he was seven and so his mommy needed some help. Since she's my sister, I needed to help. So I did."

"Hmmm... so where is my grandma then?"

"She's in Canada."

"I see... I hope I can meet her, too."

"Well, I can tell her you wanted to meet her."

"Really? That will be so cool! You see, I don't have grandparents on my mom's side. Grandma died when Mom was only eight years old."

"Yes, I remember that..." his eyes suddenly sad. "She's a very nice woman."

" I wish I met her... but at least I get to meet my grandma."

"Hmmm. That reminds me. Let us do a video call on her now. I'm sure she'll be delighted to meet you, dear Sasha."

"Really? You will do that?"

"Yes, if you want to."

Sasha clapped her hands in excitement. Her eyes lighting up as she gave him a pearly white smile.

Bernie smiled. He was starting to like this girl.

So they started dialing the number...