I couldn't sleep last night because of what Francisco said, and I was still sleepy this morning, but I had no choice because it was breakfast time.

"Tita, I'm going to look for a job to help with the bills," I told Tita Mica as we ate breakfast. She stopped eating and looked at me with furrowed brows.

"What? Why? You don't need to work, and you're pregnant. So the answer is no. It's bad for your health, and I won't risk that," she said, resuming her meal.

"Aren't we a burden here?" I asked, looking down and fiddling with my fingers.

"You and your mom aren't a burden. I'm happy you're here. It would be boring without you. My son and I have been living here alone ever since my husband died years ago. You don't need to work. You can wash the dishes if you want, but only in the mornings," she said. I felt tears welling up in my eyes. I looked at Mom, who then spoke.

"I'll be the one to work, sister," Mom said. Tita Mica shook her head. She cleared her throat.

"I'll be the one to work, sister," Mom said. Tita Mica shook her head. She cleared her throat.

"Thank you for taking us in, sister," Mom said sincerely. Tita Mica nodded and smiled. Mom then took my hand.

Kung wala sila Tita Mica siguro wala kaming natitirhan ngayon at natunton na ako ni Mateo.

"Ma, where's my kikiam?" I asked, craving it.

"Nasa ref na, anak," she said, folding clothes. I jumped up and rushed to the kitchen to get the kikiam from the fridge.

Once I got the kikiam, I quickly grabbed a pan and other things I needed. Mom stopped folding clothes for a moment to help me.

As I cooked, Mom and I chatted. She finished what she was doing.

Once the kikiam was done, I sat next to Mom.

"What happened to you? Kay Kuya, at Papa, after I disappeared?" I asked, a shiver running down my spine as I mentioned my brother and father.

"I looked for you after I had your father arrested. When I saw you at the mall, you had changed so much. You looked even more snobbish as you grew up. Seeing you then made me sad because you didn't recognize me. And that's when I realized you had amnesia," she said, her voice cracking. I started to cry.

That's probably why he seemed familiar to me back then.

"When I found out where Majika was living, I went there. You were unconscious. I begged them to return you to me. I showed them all the evidence I had, even pictures of you, but the man wouldn't give you back. Even when I knelt before him, he wouldn't budge. I talked to Majika, and she said she couldn't do anything because her son was more powerful than her. She said she would talk to her husband to help get you back to me. I knew that family was dangerous, but I had a right to you. You're my child. But when I couldn't get you back despite all my pleas, I gave up and went back to Pangasinan. They were powerful, and I was weak—" Mom said, tears streaming down her face as she stared at the ceiling. I cried.

My heart broke as I heard her story.

"Thank you, Ma. Thank you. Kahit wala kang panalo, sinubukan mo pa rin" I said, sobbing as I hugged her back. I took a bite of kikiam as we cried together.

"You're my child. How could I just give up on you like that?" she said. I nodded, feeling my eyelids growing heavy. I yawned, and Mom noticed.

"You're still sleepy, anak," Mom said, chuckling. I nodded, and she wiped her tears and stood up, helping me.

"Let's go to your room so you can sleep. You can eat when you wake up. You don't look like you'll eat lunch," she said. I nodded, too tired to speak.

"I'll just cook the rest of your kikiam and bring it to you later. I'll reheat it," she said. I nodded again and said goodbye.

Once I was in my room, I immediately lay down and fell asleep.

Kasalanan mo 'to, Francisco kung kaya't napuyat ako.

~~~

When I woke up at 1 pm, there was food on the table in my room. There was also a letter saying Mom and Tita Mica went grocery shopping, so I was alone with Francisco.

I felt the awkwardness, or maybe it was just me because he seemed to have forgotten what he said last night.

I noticed we were slowly getting closer, but we still bickered from time to time.

Then I remembered he was Mateo's friend. We hadn't seen each other for just a month, but I had completely forgotten him.

After eating, I put away the dishes and decided to watch Spongebob.

As I watched Spongebob, I found myself wiping away tears. I didn't know why I was crying, either. Francisco walked in, his brow furrowing when he saw me crying. He quickly came over and sat beside me.

"Why the heck are you crying, woman?" he asked, concerned, and wiped my tears.

I pointed at the TV, and he looked at it. Then, he turned back to me and raised an eyebrow, looking confused.

"Isn't it sad?" I asked, sniffling.

He suddenly laughed which made me stop crying.

"You're crying just because of cartoons? Pfff," he said, still laughing and holding his stomach. I swatted his arm playfully.

"Francisco! 'Yan ka na naman, go away nga," I said, pushing him lightly. He moved back a little, raising his hands in mock surrender.

"Fine, fine. Stop pushing me, I won't laugh anymore," he said, but he was still chuckling. I rolled my eyes and ignored him.

Sininindot niya ang tagiliran ko gamit ang mga daliri niya ngunit hindi ko siya pinapansin.

"Hey, I'm sorry," he said. I still didn't pay attention.

"Liana, I said sorry," he said, his voice laced with a hint of frustration. I kept my eyes glued to the TV.

"If you pay attention to me, I'll give you chocolate," he said, trying to bribe me. I turned to him quickly and held out my hand.

"Where's the chocolate muna?" I asked. He laughed and ruffled my hair, making me pout.

"Later," he said, which made me pout even more.

I clicked my tongue, "Ngayon na" I whined, pouting and giving him puppy eyes. He swallowed hard.

"Fine," he said, quickly getting up and leaving. I shrugged and continued watching TV.

I was getting impatient because Francisco still wasn't back, so I decided to take a nap. I adjusted the sofa to make it more comfortable for sleeping.

~~~

I felt myself floating in the air, which made me lose focus.

"Close your eyes, I'll take you to your room," he said. I didn't protest and let him carry me.

I was used to him carrying me when I fell asleep in the living room or the kitchen.

"Ang tagal mo naman kasi. Where's my chocolate?" I mumbled sleepily, loud enough for him to hear. I heard him chuckle.

"Sorry, I forgot. Later, when you wake up, I'll give you your chocolates," he said. I nodded and buried my face in his chest. I felt a little awkward because I might be too heavy for him, but he said it was okay. He said he could handle it.

I heard the door open and felt the softness of my bed beneath me.

~~~

"Anong ginagawa mo rito, Mateo?" I asked angrily, my eyes lifeless as I stared at him.

"Getting what's mine? You're coming with me," he said coldly.

"Walang sa'yo rito, Mateo. And get out," I said, backing away as he slowly approached me.

"You're bearing my child. You're the mother of my child. I marked you. So basically, you're mine," he whispered in a cold voice into my ear. I shoved him and slapped him.

"I didn't want what happened. You made this happen. This child is a mistake, but even so, I'll love the one growing inside me and raise it properly. Not a liar like you!" I shouted, my voice trembling. He was holding my jaw, his eyes burning into me. He also grabbed my arm.

"Ano ba?! Let go of me, Mateo!" I struggled, feeling pain from his grip on my arm. I was sure I'd be bruised.

"You're coming with me. I won't leave without you. I will get you. No one can stop me," he said, forcefully pulling me towards his car. I struggled against his grip.

"MAMA! TULONGAN— Anak, wake up!" Someone was patting my shoulder, and I opened my eyes to see Mom, Francisco, and Tita Mica.

"Anak, are you okay?" Mom asked, her voice filled with concern.

"Si... si M-Mateo?" I asked, my voice hoarse. My eyes darted around the room, searching for him.

"Anong mayroon kay Mateo, anak? napaginipan mo ba?" Mom asked. I nodded.

"Kukunin daw niya ako, Ma. Ayaw kong sumama sa kaniya," I said, shaking my head repeatedly as tears streamed down my face. Tita Mica came over and took my hand.

"Mateo isn't here, ija. Calm down. Don't worry. Majika told me that his search for you wasn't successful because Majika hired someone really good to stop his investigation. Majika's smart," she said. I let out a sigh of relief.

"Here, drink some water," Francisco said, approaching me. He opened a bottle of water and handed it to me. I took it and drank.

Nginitian ko siya ng maliit, "Thank you," I whispered as he sat down beside me.

"Are you okay?" he asked, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. I nodded.

"Thank you again," I said, my face lighting up when he handed me the chocolate. I happily took it and hugged him. He laughed at my reaction and patted my back.

"Don't worry, I won't let him get you," he whispered. I just smiled and snuggled closer to him.

When I pulled away, I wanted to melt into the floor. I felt my cheeks burning because Mom and Tita were smiling and watching us.

When I pulled away, I wanted to melt into the floor. I felt my cheeks burning because Mom and Tita were smiling and watching us.

"We're okay now. We don't fight anymore. We're friends," Francisco said. I nodded in agreement.

"It feels like just yesterday you two were like cat and dog," Mom said, a smile playing on her lips.

"Ma, come on," I said, pouting, but she just laughed. Tita Mica joined in the laughter.

"Alright, let's go downstairs. It's 4 pm. You need to eat, Ija. You didn't eat lunch. Food is ready," she said. I nodded, but I let them go first because I needed to wash my face.

While I was in the bathroom, I wondered if the person Tita Majika hired was really good. Would Mateo find out where we were and take me away from Mom?

I hoped not. We weren't married, after all. Yes, I was carrying his child, but he was the one who caused it.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts. I needed to focus on my child's future first.