"Daddy, stop. Hahaha, D-daddy, I'm tired na!" my son laughed as he ran, his little legs pumping.

The scent of grilling meat filled the air as Kyle and Francisco ran around, their laughter echoing in the backyard.

"Keep running! Daddy won't stop chasing you," Francisco shouted, instead of stopping his pursuit of Kyle.

I couldn't help but laugh as I grilled. Kyle looked worn out from playing, but his dad wouldn't give up the chase.

"Daddy! Let me breathe first! Would you like me to die early? Sige ka, you won't see my handsome face na!" Kyle threatened, hiding behind his Lola Mica, who was busy arranging plates.

Francisco chuckled but finally stopped running. "Okay, okay, I'll stop now, come here, lapit ka na rito," he said, gesturing for Levi to come closer. But my son just shook his head.

"No, you might tickle me. I won't come near you," Kyle declared, sticking his tongue out at Francisco na tinawanan lang siya.

Francisco started to approach him again, but Kyle took off running towards me.

"Mommy! Daddy Francisco won't stop chasing me, Mommy help me!" my son murmured while hiding behind my back holding the hem of my shirt.

I shook my head and gently pushed Kyle down onto the ground. "You two stop playing, it's time to eat," I said, heading inside the house to get Kyle's towel.

We had decided to have a picnic since we were leaving for the Philippines next week.

"Hey, Luliana." Francisco called out, making me turn around.

What was he doing here? He was catching his breathe, drenched in sweat. I grabbed another towel and tossed it to him, which he caught with a quick flick of his wrist.

"Bakit?" I asked, closing Kyle's closet door.

"Nothing, I just wanted to know if your decision is final. What comes to your mind at napag isipan mong umalis?" he asked, settling onto the mini sofa.

"I don't know either" Kibit-balikat ko. All I knew was that I wanted to do to the Philippines.

He just nodded and stood up, walking out first. He waited for me to leave Kylei's room before we both stepped out of the house.

"Bakit mo natanong?" I asked.

"The house will feel empty. We'll miss you both," he said, even though we weren't leaving yet.

"We still have 1 week naman," I replied, smiling as Kyle waved to us.

"I know, it's still the same. Aalis pa rin kayo," he said, I gave him a small smile.

"Magkikita pa rin naman tayo hindi ba?" I asked. He nodded. "Kaya, don't be sad na, Kuya," I said, starting to walk towards my son.

"Damn," I heard him mutter, "Ang alat. She called me... Kuya?" I couldn't hear the rest of his sentence properly, so I just focused my attention on my son.

We were happily eating and chatting while Francisco and Kyle played a game of tag, again.

"Mommy, you are so pretty," my son said, I chuckled, "I bet you have a crush na," he added, making me choke on my food.

Umubo ako ng ilang beses, "Where did you learn that... crush thingy?" I asked him, confused.

"You know Kuya Liam, right Mommy?" he said. I nodded. He was referring to our neighbor who was seven years older than him. "Sabi niya sa akin, he has a crush on you. He said you are beautiful and wife material, I know that but you are not available, 'di ba, My?" he explained. I winced and nodded.

A freaking eleven-year-old had a crush on me?

Well, wala namang problema ang crush, paghanga lang naman yun.

"Bakit, may crush na ang apo ko na 'yan? At alam mo ang crush na 'yan?" Mama teased, her voice lased with amusement. My son just shook his head. Francisco poked his side to further tease him.

We all burst into laughter. He blushed, shyly looking down, his cheeks turning rosy.

"Daddy naman, e." he annoyedly said, clearly annoyed. Tinawanan lang siya ni Francisco ganon din sila Tita Mica.

~~~

"Mommy, why do we have to go back to the Philippines? Why don't we stay here instead? You can work here naman po, hindi ba? paano sila Lola at Daddy Francisco? maiiwan natin sila here?" my four-year-old son Kyle bombarded me with question.

"Kasi, anak, doon mag w-work si Mommy. Si Lola at Daddy susunod sila sa Philippines, so no need to worry. And aside I miss the Philippines, kaya gusto ko roon mag work, baby. For now, fix your things. Aalis na tayo mamayang 8 pm. Also, you said you want to meet Lola Majika and Lolo Carlos, right?" sabi ko as I kiss his forehead. He just nodded and continued packing his things.

He's naughty kid, intelligent and loving, but a little bit of a grumpy sometimes.

My son Kyle Levi Cartier-Montevallo, my four-year-old son. I didn't deny him his father's surname, because no matter what, siya pa rin ang tatay ng anak ko. At kahit papaano ay may karapatan pa rin siya.

I don't know how much longer I can keep my son hidden. He's a spitting image of his father, even his personality. He only got his nose from me. Tita Majika knows that I gave birth. They talk secretly on the phone. Mateo stopped looking for us two years ago because he couldn't find a good investigator, no matter how much he paid. Tita is very good at making sure Mateo's investigators can't find us.

Mom entered my room and helped me pack.

"Sigurado ka na ba sa desisyon mo, anak? Paano kapag nagkita ang mag ama?" she asked, her eyes fixed on me, waiting for my answer.

"I'm sure about my decision, Ma. We can't depend on Tita Mica forever. I have a son, and I'm twenty-seven years old. I can work. And if they ever meet, well, they'll have a happy family reunion," I replied. She let out a deep sigh.

After years of hiding. Handa na nga ba akong magkita silang dalawa? O nakalimutan ko lang siya dahil sa anak ko?

"You still have the nerve to joke. Fine. If that's your decision, I'll support you. But if you ever can't handle it, just tell me," she said. I nodded in agreement and hugged her.

"Mag ingat kayo sa byahe. Susunod kami ni Mica," I nodded. Nag paalam na siyang lalabas na kaya tumango na lang ako.

My attention was drawn to the door when someone knocked. I opened it and saw Francisco standing outside.

"Hey, Liana," bati niya sa akin at binigyan ako ng ngiti.

Nginitian ko siya pabalik. "Bakit?" I asked. He shook his head stepped inside, at naupo sa kama ko.

"Are you sure gusto mo umalis? why don't you stay here?" He asked, resting his forearms on the back of the bed for support.

Ilang beses niya na 'tong natanong na para bang magbabago pa desisyon ko.

"I don't want to depend on you at kay Tita Mica. May anak ako, Francisco. I need work to provide for him. Kyle is growing up, and we can't rely on you... all the time." I muttered, I heard him taking a deep breathe.

"Mom and I can work pa naman, so you don't need to worry about money. Mom loves to see you and Kyle here. We're not looking for an exchange," he said, making me touch my forehead.

"Ayon na nga, Cis. What am I going to do, just relax while you guys work? Hindi ako makakapayag sa ganiyang set up." I said firmly.

"How can I win? It's your decision, but if you are tired, tell me. Call me, if you need help, okay?" he said. I nodded and thanked him.

"Hindi ka susunod sa pilipinas?" tanong ko sa kaniya at sinarado ang maleta tsaka naupo sa tabi niya.

"Not sure" tumango lang ako.

"Where's Kyle?" he asked, standing up. I looked up at him. He's about six foot two, just as tall as Mateo.

"He's in his room, packing his things." I said. He nodded, then stood up.

"I'll go help him. Once you're done, come downstairs. Food is ready." I just nodded. I wasn't surprised when he kissed me on the forehead before leaving.

I'm used to Francisco kissing me on the forehead, but it's never been anything romantic. We're just friends. He's been there for me since I got pregnant with Kyle.

After packing and showering, I went downstairs to eat. Everyone was there, except for me.

"Ija, eat up so you won't be hungry on the trip," Mom said. I nodded in response and went to hug Tita Mica, kissing her on the cheek. Then I hugged Mom and sat down next to Kyle, kissing him on the forehead.

"What time kayo aalis ni Kyle? Hindi naman na siya umiiyak kanina?" Tita asked.

Bumuntong hininga ako. Iniiyakan niya ang pag-alis namin nung nakaraang araw dahil ayaw niyang sila Mama rito.

"Eight p.m., Tita. Our flight is at nine, and the airport isn't too far away."

"Sinong mag hahatid sainyo ni Kyle?" I was about to answer, but someone else spoke up first.

"Me, Mom," Francisco said. I frowned.

"What? I thought you had work, Cis?" I asked, confused.

"I excused myself so I could drive you later," he replied nonchalantly.

"But you said you had an important meeting to attend?" I asked nervously, because he always does what he says he's going to do.

"I rescheduled it. I want to see my boy before he leaves. You guys are more important than my meeting," he said, ruffling his son's hair.

"Why aren't you coming with Lola if she's going to the Philippines?" my son asked.

"Of course I will, but I have to make sure I finish my work first. I can continue my work in the Philippines if you want," Francisco said, ruffling his son's hair.

Pumalakpak ang anak ko, "Really, Daddy?"

"No, you won't do that. Your work needs you here. Just finish what you're doing and then follow Mama," I said firmly.

I heard Francisco sigh and my son's little sobs.

"But, Mommy," my son whined, already spoiled by his Lola and Daddy.

"No, anak. Daddy needs to finish his work. Daddy can follow you there later," I said, gently cupping his chin. He nodded and pouted.

"As I said, it's okay. I can work in the Philippines," Francisco insisted, his voice laced with playful persistence.

"Anak, Francisco, why don't you just follow them after you finish work?" Mom asked, having been listening to our conversation.

"But Tita, who will Liana travel with?" He asked, wiping his mouth.

"I can handle it, Francisco. Stop being stubborn. Kumain ka na lang diyan," I said with a firm smile. He reluctantly nodded and ate. Mom and Tita Mica exchanged knowing glances, shaking their heads.

It was eight o'clock, and it was time for us to leave. Francisco was driving us.

"Kiss Lola, anak, and say goodbye to them," I said. He walked over to Mom and hugged her, kissing her on the cheek.

"We are leaving now, Lola Lori and Lola Mica," my son said, his voice thick with tears. He then hugged Tita Mica.

"Be careful on your trip. Keep safe," Mom and Tita Mica said in unison. My son nodded and got into the car first. I went over to hug Mom first, then Tita Mica.

"Thank you for everything, Tita. We're leaving now," I said, and she kissed me on the cheek.

I could see sadness in her eyes. I didn't want to leave, but I also didn't want to be a burden to them.

"No need to thank me, Ija. As I said, I'm happy you've been living with us. Please call us when you arrive in Manila. See you there," Tita Mica said, hugging me tightly. I nodded and then hugged Mom.

"We're leaving now, Ma. Take care of yourselves here," I said, hugging her back and kissing her on the cheek.

"You guys be careful there, anak. Mag ingat kayo. See you in two days," Mom said. I nodded and said goodbye. Once I was in the car, I waved goodbye before Francisco started driving.

Hindi masyadong mahaba ang byahe since hindi naman kalayuan ang airport sa amin.

"Be careful there," I said to Francisco. We waited until it was time for them to board the plane.

"Please call us or Tita Lori when you both arrive at the hotel," he said. I nodded. He closed his eyes and kissed me on the forehead.

"Anak, say goodbye to Daddy," I said. My son came over and hugged Francisco. He knows that Francisco isn't his real father; I told him that.

I'm not sure if I imagined it, but I saw a figure watching us, not too far away. It felt like they were following our every move, but I didn't give it much thought.

"Daddy, follow us, please don't break your promises," my son said, tears welling up in his eyes. Francisco hugged him and nodded.

"I will, buddy. Daddy will follow, okay?" He kissed the top of my son's head.

"Come on, Anak. We have to leave, or we'll miss the plane," I said, and my son sniffled and walked towards me.

"We're leaving, Francis," I said, kissing him on the cheek. He kissed me on the forehead in return, and I hugged him tightly before letting go.

"Go now. Be careful, you and Kyle," he said. I nodded, took my son's hand, and waved to Francisco. He waved back.