Chapter 3

“Kuya!” I hugged older brother Loren as they entered the house. He was very handsome wearing a black button-down shirt, black pants and black luxury watch. His clean cut also complimented his look.

“Ate Celine!” I also hugged my sister Celine. She’s wearing a black turtle neck mini dress paired with a black stiletto and her hair straight down at her back. Perfect for her brunette skin.

“Lea, where’s dad?” Kuya asked.

“At his office, are you staying here?” I asked back.

“No, we’ll just drop by. We’re on our way to the mall. Hon, stay with Lea for a while, I’ll just talk to dad very quick.” He said goodbye to his wife. Sister Celine nodded before my brother kissed her on the lips.

My mouth formed a letter ‘O’ with excitement, my sister Celine was very embarrassed but my older brother didn’t seem to care. Kuya Loren messed up my hair as he walked pass me and went straight to the stairs.

I smiled at my sister Celine and invited her into the kitchen. “Where’s Cohen?” I am specific to their son.

“He ran to your garden when he heard that you’re here. You know him.” She replied. We both laughed, Cohen is a 3 years old handsome boy who has a crush on me. And every time we meet, he’ll give me flowers that he picked anywhere. “How have you been?”

“I’m good,” I nodded. We reached the kitchen area and I made her sit in the high chair. I signaled to the maid to bring us some juice and she acted immediately. “How about you? Are you happy?” I asked the obvious question.

I saw how she smiled genuinely, and the way her eyes screams contentment really amazes me. “Of course, Lea, I’ve never been this happy my entire life. Well, maybe when I gave birth to Cohen, but I’m happier now that we’re complete.” She said.

I smiled and thanked the maid who served us drinks. “Let’s have some snacks?” I offered but she politely declined. They also seem to be leaving after my older brother comes down.

“We’re gonna buy Cohen’s school supplies, because he’s already planning and excited to go to school even though it’s still on the next month.” She said.

“That’s good, he’s eager to learn. You gave birth to a genius!” I said, what else can I wonder, the father is a doctor and the mother is a lawyer, there is no doubt that the child is smart.

We talked about what my sister had been through since she and my brother parted ways while she was pregnant. My kuya didn’t know that and he only met the child after four years, and that’s last year.

“Hey, Lea, hi, ate Celine.” Kuya Sage greeted ate Celine and kissed me on my forehead. His two silver helix piercings and one on the earlobe caught his attention on his left ear. He was wearing a black V-neck shirt, black pants, black leather jacket and black cap.

My forehead frowned. “Why didn’t anyone tell me that we’re supposed to wear black? Is it black day today?” I asked.

Sister Celine laughed and my older brother just smiled at me. “I’m going on a date, Lea. Don’t call, okay.” He said then I was shocked. I kicked him so he immediately ran out of the house. “Bye!” He shouted.

I just shook my head and turned to my sister-in-law. “C’mon, ate, I wanna see Cohen too, I missed him so much.” I cheered on.

She stood up and we walked towards the garden together. When we entered the glass door I could already hear Cohen’s voice, but he wasn’t alone, Wyatt was there too.

“Daddy’s marrying mommy, I want to marry tita Lea, too.” I heard Cohen say, my sister Celine and I looked at each other and she smiled shyly at me.

We stopped to listen to them. They sat facing each other in a chair in the middle of a round table. There lay some flowers and leaves that I was sure Cohen had picked up.

“Is that your cousin? The Black Raven?” Sister Celine asked in a whisper. I just nodded.

“Really.” Wyatt replied folded and wearing shades. He’s wearing a white T-shirt and brown khaki shorts. His hair is a bit messy because of the wind. It’s fresh on this side.

“Yes. She’s beautiful.” Cohen added.

I waited for Wyatt to say something, making sure it contradicted what Cohen said I was beautiful, and when that happens, I would hit him.

I saw the small grin on Wyatt’s lips and he nodded softly. “You can say that,” he said, which surprised me. I don’t know if I’ll be happy or embarrassed because I’m also beautiful in his eyes. Did I really say, eh, I typed this one. “But attitude matters.” He added that erased my smile. This brute!

It was as if all of a sudden and I wanted to hit him with a piece of wood. Is he saying that I’m bad?!

“What do you mean, Aunt Lea’s perfect.” Cohen defended and I nodded, of course baby! Charr.

Wyatt laughed low, that insulting laugh because you know it’s sarcastic. “You’re still young, your perspective will improve someday.” He says. I couldn’t take it anymore. I walked closer to them.

“Baby,” I called. And I was surprised when they turned to me at the same time.

“Aunt Lea!” I glared at Wyatt and met Cohen who ran closer to me. I sat down so I could hug him.

“I miss you baby, how are you?” I asked sweetly. When he faced me he pulled me towards their table.

“I’m doing great, tita, I have some flowers for you…” he said while giving me the flowers.

I smiled and accepted it. “Oh, thank you, baby. You’re so sweet.” I ran my fingers through his hair and gave him a kiss on his cheeks.

He was immediately called so he ran to his mother. Sister Celine greeted him and laughed at her son’s reaction. Cohen whispered something to him that I could not hear.

Kuya Loren came out of the glass door just in time and immediately pulled Celine’s waist. “I’m sorry, hon, I think we need to cancel our plans for today. There’s a problem in the company and dad wants us there since our company lawyer will accompany dad with his appointments today. We need legal advice.” I heard my brother say.

I turned to Wyatt who had been looking at me before, I stared at him and left him there. I approached kuya.

“Is that so? Sure, but… Cohen really wants to buy his things today.” Celine whispered to kuya so that Cohen wouldn’t hear.

“I can take him to the mall, kuya,” I offered so that Cohen would not be sad.

They both looked at me and Cohen. “Are you sure?” Older brother asked.

I nodded. “Yup, and besides, I really missed Cohen. I wanna treat him a little.” I said.

The older brother nodded. “Alright, I’ll call the driver.” He said.

“I’ll drive them, Loren.” I was surprised when Wyatt spoke behind me. I turned to him and saw him take off his shades and hang them around his round neckline.

“Hey, Wyatt, that’s better.” The older brother tapped her on the shoulder and carried Cohen. “Listen, big boy, your mommy and I are going to work, I know you understand. Your aunt Lea and uncle Wyatt will go with you to the mall, okay?”

“Kuya Wyatt too?” Cohen asked in surprise as his father grinned.

“Yes, so you can’t make moves to your aunt.” He joked and Cohen frowned. We laughed as we walked inside the house.

“Lea, don’t spoil him too much huh?” Ate Celine whispered to me. I just nodded even though I wanted to buy Cohen’s own store.

We used Wyatt’s BMW to go to the mall. I was in the shotgun seat while Cohen was in the back but there was no car seat, so Wyatt was careful driving. When we got down to Ayala Center I was already holding Cohen. He is not difficult to watch, especially since he probably inherited it from my older brother.

I already had the to-buy list for Cohen’s stuff, we went straight to school supplies and started shopping.

“Pick anything you want in additional, baby, it’s my treat.” I said to him.

“But I can’t let you pay…” he replied with a frown on my forehead.

“Why not? I have money.”

I watched his sincere eyes stare at me.

“Daddy said I should never let a woman pay for me, I should be the one treating you…” the corners of my lips lifted spontaneously to smile, finally I laughed. This child…

“It’s alright, baby, your dad is s sexist, don’t listen to him.” I said. “Tita will pay for today, and then you’ll treat me someday when you get older, is that okay?” But the boy won’t agree with me. He walked towards Wyatt and tugged on his right foot.

Wyatt squat down to talk to him. “What is it?” He asked in his usual low voice.

“You’re rich, right? Please lend me some money, I’ll pay you when I get a job.” Cohen whispered to him but I could still hear.

Wyatt nodded at him without emotion so Cohen’s face cleared. “Tita Lea, after this I’ll treat you to a restaurant. It’s a date.” Seriously, as time goes on, I’m being surprised by this child.

I just nodded and smiled at him as we shopped. He also bought his star wars bag and Wyatt paid for everything, I thought he was just joking before.

I grabbed a paper bag to help but Wyatt tried to get it back.

“I said I can do this, let me.” I insisted.

“Give it to me.” It’s so ugly to be beaten up.

“Seriously, Wyatt, this isn’t even that heavy. I’m fine.”

“Their cute family,” I turned to the women lined up at the counter and looking at us.

“Yeah, daddy’s sweet, and handsome!”

“But they look like they’re still kids.”

“That woman is familiar, isn’t that Eleanor?”

“Look son, oh, very nice race.”

I almost bit my own tongue because of what I heard. Eventually I dropped the paper bag and walked ahead to avoid those women. I’m sure Wyatt heard them too so it’s embarrassing!

I took Cohen to an Ice cream parlor to relax. We sat facing each other in the middle of the table.

“This time, I’ll pay, okay?” I clarified.

“No, you’re my date. I won’t let you pay.” he replied.

I gasped.

“How do you call this a date when I’m here?” Wyatt replied just sitting next to me.

“Kuya, sit here.” Cohen calls to him but he doesn’t seem to hear anything.

“What flavor do you want?” Wyatt asked.

“Uh, like chocolate chips.” My answer.

“You?” He asked Cohen.

“Moose tracks,” the child replied. Wyatt nodded and stood up to order and I was about to go, when Cohen stopped me. He stood up and joined Wyatt as I was left alone at our table. Nice, I left.

I took out my phone to update my sister Celine that we had already bought everything Cohen had. He didn’t reply and I understand because my older brother and I are taking care of something. I wonder how it feels to be in love, I mean the real love. The one that allows you to feel their so called ‘mixed emotions’.

I remember seeing kuya Loren cry on his study room when he found out that he has a son with the only woman that he loved. He was so furious for being successful but not knowing that he has a responsibility that ate Celine managed to do. He was so happy that finally he has a family to share his success and love. He was so grateful that ate Celine raised their child properly and without making Cohen hate my brother.

After all those years, they deserve to be happy and settle down for their family.

I can’t imagine myself in that situation. I haven’t even fell in love. I had boyfriends and flings but never did I felt hurt while losing them.

When Wyatt and Cohen came back with three bowls of Ice cream, I was stunned with the unfamiliar beat of my heart. Gavin Wyatt is walking towards me, he’s looking at Cohen intently. A small smile curved on his lips while watching Cohen walk. When they finally reached our table, Cohen sat down beside me and Wyatt settled down in front of me.

He placed a bowl of mint chocolate chips. I looked down on the ice cream as I analyze myself. Why do I feel like this? My heart is beating so fast and loud that it hurts my chest. I just froze there looking down and nervous while pulling myself together.

This is bad, this is really really bad. What I’m feeling is outlandish for me, and I’m afraid that once I figured it out… it might put us in great danger. And I’m afraid I’m walking through that hazard.