4

Belle's Point of View

I don't feel like coming out today. I feel sick and if I stand up the whole world is turning upside down. High fever is the worst. I closed my eyes and try to sleep but as I'm about to sleep someone knocked on my door.

"Come in"

"Belle, it's already 1:45 pm and you're still not eating. Do you want me to cook something for you?" It was Aunt Amelia

"I'm not hungry, Nana Amy. But I want some beef bulalo, can you ask Charles to cook for me?" I said

"Of course," She left and I tried to sleep again

My head is so heavy.

-----

I woke up at 4 in the afternoon, I stare at the sliding door I remember it's closed but it's open. I stood up and walked towards the door. There I saw Charles setting a table

"Hey!" I called

"Oh, you're awake already, I'm just setting a table for you. Have a seat I'll get the soup" He left me and I sat down

The sun is kissing my skin but it's not that hot, it's actually windy. A minute after Charles comes back with a big bowl

"Holy cow!! I can't eat all of that" I exclaimed

"We can share if you want" He put down the bowl and scratch the back of his head

"You know what? Sure, let's hang out. I want to know you better" He put down a little empty bowl

He put meat and sweet corn then broth and gave it to me. He sits down and looked at me

"Here's some medicine for your fever" The reason why I can't drink medicine for fever is that I'm scared it will leave me to death because of my other medications

"Thanks," I said and smiled at him

"You're really pretty when you smile," He said and I blushed

Unbelievable...

"That's not how you eat a corn" He laughed

He's pertaining how I eat the corn. I'm using a fork to eat it. He gets corn and shows me how to eat it using my hands, embarrassing. I did what he taught and we both laughed

"In Manila, I don't usually go home to Dad's house. I usually go home to my condo, and I usually eat canned goods and cup noodles" I said

"You survived eating those?" I nod

"I don't know how to cook so yeah" I smiled

We talked about our lives, dream, wish, etc. I actually love his company, he's funny and all I can see is kindness towards people who he helped and still helping right now

"And my mother, she usually helped my father or should I say Mom took Dad's work so that we can eat three times a day because my father is paralyzed. I have one little sister her name is Claire" He's telling his story

"Why does your father paralyze?" I ask and sip the broth of the bulalo

"Car accident, he was a family driver unluckily they got into an accident" He explained

"What does your mother do? She can work here" I ask

"Home, I stopped going to school to help Mom to work and I insist that I should be the one who's working and not her. She's old and she easily gets tired and I just can't look at her every night thinking that she's working for the family." He said

"What's your course?" I ask and he smiled

His smile was genuine but it quickly fades

"I want to be a painter, Belle" His eyes were telling me how much he wants to be a painter

"But because of poverty I can't be a painter," He added

"Anyways, how about you? What's your story?" He asks

"I'm just a simple 18 years old girl nothing special," I said

"Come on, tell me something about you," He said

"Ah, I stopped going to school. You know Leah, right? She can't go to school anymore and I said I'll pay for her tuition but he said No so I stopped too. I want to be a painter too, but I can't draw."

"Mama Isabella is not my biological mother, she died giving birth to me. I never get a chance to meet her"

He looked at me worriedly

"You're not seeing this as your fault, right?" He asks

"Kind of"

Actually, talking with him comforts me, I forgot that I have a fever, I lost track of time. I just realized that it's already dark

"Belle..." I heard Dad's voice

"Come in" I shout I heard the door opened

"Where are you?" He asks

"Charles and I are here at the terrace" I shout again

I saw Dad entering the sliding door

"I'm happy to see you two hang out together" He tapped Charles's shoulder and whisper something

Charles left with the bowl we used and say goodbye to me. On other hand, Dad sat down beside me and wrap his arms around my shoulders

"You know, he's a good guy," He said sounds like someone is teasing me

"Dad!!!" I claimed but he just laughs

"Your mom died because of cancer too, Honey" I looked at him

"What? How?" I ask

"I cheated on your Mom, Belle. Isabella and I did something wrong to you mother" I'm surprised

"You're such a horrible person" I burst out

"Belle...." He whispers

"No, Dad!" I stood up and look disgustingly at him

"Belinda died while giving to you, she didn't say that she has cancer. Belle, listen to me, it's not my intention to cheat on your mother" He said

"I was drunk and a lot happened. I met Isabella and it's just a one-night stand" He added

"Cheating is a choice, Dad. And there are no rightful excuses for that" I'm angry

"Is Izrael is the consequence of what you've done? Is that karma, Dad?" I ask angrily

"Belle, he's not my son, and you don't have the right to say that" Oh so he's angry too?

"All this time, Dad. I thought Mom died peacefully that's what you said to me. Think of my disappointment after 18 years of finding out she died angrily" I said

AQUEENAB