Chapter 36

Laura crossed her legs on the white chair outside by the pool area.

Among all the areas of the house, this one was particularly her favorite. Aside from having an olympic-sized swimming pool and lounging area with chaises and umbrellas, it was surrounded by palm trees and tall thick bushes. Brown wooden walls and hidden cameras were installed all over the property to ward off prying neighbors and paparazzis lurking around.

Laura was not there when the rumors had happened and a part of her just wanted to hate the person who spread the rumors. What was shocking to her was, she didn't expect Alex to be the culprit. She was so disappointed and angry when she learned that the woman just vanished without a trace. Alex had been practically family to her that it was so hurtful most especially when she left Robbie alone to face the media.

Robbie sat in the chair in front of her as Manang Emilia brought a tray with two cups of coffee. She placed each one in front of them. Since the maid was the oldest among all, Laura still preferred her to make coffee than the others. To Laura's taste, she still made the best coffee.

"Thank you, Manang Emilia," Laura greeted her. "How was your family back home by the way?"

"They're doing well, Madam. In fact my youngest grandson just graduated with a master's degree," Manang Emilia replied.

"That's good to hear, Manang. I'm so happy for you," she said and took a sip of her coffee. "Thank you for taking care of my Robbie here."

Manang Emilia smiled at Robbie as the latter smiled sweetly at her, too. Since Manang Gloria had passed away, Robbie had gone to the beach house more often, especially in the winter. The maid had taken good care of him like a second mother, just like her sister was before. Both women had been very faithful workers that eventhough they were already at the age of retirement, they still chose to stay with the family for a few years more.

"Robbie was like a son to me, Madam, and I had grown to love him as my own," Manang Emilia told Laura.

"Thank you for that, Manang. But what do you think of your new boss? Alex?"

Robbie creased his brows. There was a hidden meaning to what his mother was asking her, and he was not liking it.

"What do you mean by that, Mom?" Robbie asked, trying hard not to get angry by the way his mother asked the question.

"What? I'm just asking a question, Robbie," and she shrugged her shoulders. "Well, it's the truth anyway. When you get married next week, then she will be considered their boss, too, isn't it?"

Robbie pursed his lips and was thinking of something to say when Manang Emilia spoke up.

"Pardon me, Madam, but Ms. Alex is a very nice young lady. I do understand how much you were probably hurting by what she did, but I could see that she would be a great addition to the family along with little Sasha. I never considered Robbie or any of you as my bosses, even if you are, because eversince my sister and I worked here, you have considered us as family. Therefore, Ms. Alex will not be any different to me. She's part of the family," Manang Emilia stated that made Laura sighed and Robbie smiled.

He made a note mentally to thank her later.

"Thank you, Manang. If you may, I would like to speak to my son alone," Laura said in resignation. She hated to admit it but the old lady was right. Alex will be part of her family and yet, the pain of the past stiil hurts. A part of her just wanted to push Alex away much farther from her son so he could not feel the same pain again.

"Sure, Madam. It was nice to see you again after all these years," Manang Emilia commented and smiled at her.

Laura couldn't help but smile.

"You're still the sweetest, Manang. Thank you," she replied as she held her arm before the lady went inside the house.

"Mom..." Robbie started. "I know this must be hard for you to accept but, you know how much Alex means to me. Now that we have Sasha, it was much more imporant for me to keep my family together."

"Is that why you're marrying her? Just because of Sasha?"

He couldn't let his mother know the reason. She will definitely hate Alex more.

"No, Mom. Both of them are my reasons. I want to keep them. Ten years is too long for me to wait. I cannot afford to lose them again."

"But, Anak, what if Alex just decided to run away again? Remember what she did before? She ruined your life!"

Robbie sighed. "Mom... I'm much older now. Don't you think I know how to handle it? I'll be fine, Mom. You don't need to worry about me."

Laura reached for her son's hand and clasped it with hers. The last thing she ever wanted to see was for her son to get broken-hearted again. But no matter how much she tried to warn him, he would still do what he wanted to do.

He was stubborn like her and yet, it helped both of them to survive throughout the years.

"I love you, Robbie. You know that, right?" she said, with eyes only a mother would give to their children... So much love.

"Yes, Mom, I do," he replied. "I love you, too, Mom."

"I just don't want to see you get hurt again."

"I know... but I promise you, I won't. And if I ever do, you know I can handle it much better now. I'm your son, remember?"

That made Laura smile.

"I just wished you're making the right decision..." concern was in her voice. It was difficult to see her son devastated after being on the news. She didn't want to see him go through that pain again.

"I will be fine, Mom."

"Did she say she loves you?"

'Not yet... but she will,' he almost wanted to say but he knew he wasn't sure. There was only a glimpse of hope from last night's scene... but there was no sure answer to it.

He knew she felt it and yet, she was afraid.

Afraid of what? That he would not feel the same way?

She was probably still thinking he was gay or bisexual.

He needed to erase that from her mind but then, he just didn't know how anymore. He felt like he exhausted all his efforts in showing her that there was nothing more he could do but to wait for her. He hoped she would have the courage to show him how she really felt.

He sighed as his mother gazed at him. He just wanted one thing from his mother and that was to give her blessing even if he knew in his heart all was just arranged.

He was still hoping for a miracle before the year ends... which will be for a long time.

There was still time to convince her... and let her fall in love with him completely.

"By the way, hijo," his mother looked a bit worried all of a sudden.

He furrowed his eyebrows.

"What is is mom?" he asked.

"Well... I don't know how to say this but..." and their eyes met. Robbie didn't know what to make of it as his hear got nervous of what his mother was about to tell him.

"I-I think your father knew," Laura told him.

And he froze.

"Dad knew about what, Mom?" he asked, his insides begand to shake in anger. "Did you tell him about all these?"

"Well, I have to," and Robbie pulled his hand off from her. "Anak-"

"MOM! He didn't need to know everything about me!"

"I-I know. I haven't even spoken to him for awhile but he saw a video of Sasha. Well, technically, they both did."

"What video?"

"Don't tell me you didn't know about the youtube video your daughter made on her birthday?" and this time Laura had raised her voice. "You should have thought about it before letting her upload the video."

"But still, you shouldn't have told him, Mom!"

"W-Well, I don't have any other choice. He kept asking me I mean... hijo, he is still your father."

"By blood yes but not by any means," and Robbie stood up. "I stopped referring to him as my father when he chose them over us, Mom. That's why I don't see the point of why he needed to know. But of course, knowing you, you cannot resist not to tell him at all."

"Robbie..."

"I'm sorry, Mom. But he's out of the picture and I don't want him any part of my life anymore," and he started towards the door. "Excuse me, Mom, but Alex needs me. The wedding planner will be here soon. We'll talk later."

Then he walked inside the house.

As much as he wanted his father to be part of his life, it will never be the same.

His heart stopped caring for his father the moment he left him and and his mother for someone else...