Chapter 6

The heck.

I just let out a big laugh. I said, "He's 29," and I still find it hard to believe it.

Elyse, it's all right. It's alright since you might simply feel the same way.

I almost slap my forehead. He doesn't talk much, Elyse, what vibes! How can you two have the same vibes, okay!

"My son is kind, as I've already said," I said.

"Are you sure?" She shook her head when I asked. What exactly she was talking about has me completely baffled.

"Oh! How old is your daughter, by the way?"

"She has already turned ten..." I paused mid-sentence if unexpectedly taken aback by what she had heard?

"You became pregnant at 17?"

"Y-Yes."

"You were so young when you became pregnant, wow."

"Yes, but I didn't become pregnant once more; that one is sufficient for me." I've never been pregnant, no matter how often we were together, and as my company expanded, I ran out of time to talk to Daren since I was so worn out from work. I can still cook and look after Elizabeth, but I have no desire to do so."

I nodded and grinned in response to what she said. "You should be grateful, she's a blessing to god for you." She reminded me of how I felt when people judged me for being pregnant too soon.

"Yes, I am aware that everything in our lives has a purpose."

"Yes, without a doubt." There was a little period of stillness, and because she was now staring at me, I appeared embarrassed.

Is my face covered in dirt? Oh, I guess I stink because I was sweating so much.

"You seem to be familiar to me in some way, ija. I feel as though I've seen you before, but I can't remember where."

"Oh, in the Philippines, I formerly owned a toy business. Maybe you caught me talking about infidelity on TV."

"Oh, I see; I remember. I saw you on television. Right, I saw a news about you and your husband? I'm not sure if I did remember it right but it does talk about you and your husband, that you cheated on him? Did you really cheat on your husband ija?

"Of course not; in that interview, he is stating the exact opposite. He cheated, not me. I was so committed to him that I never considered flirting or cheating with another guy." I said telling her the truth.

Even just a crush, longing about artists, or even glancing at other men I don't. Why would I even look for or at someone else if they are around when I already have him and my daughter, also I have my work. However, that is really the sole distinction between the two of us.

Perhaps I'm the only one who has that thought. I'll be honest: I spend more time at work than he does. Could that be the reason he might be looking for someone else? Despite what they say, your trust is more valuable than time.

"He's a dunce, ija. He didn't even consider how attractive you are when he deceived you."

"You will be duped whether you are attractive or ugly, big- or small boobs. Finding a partner who exclusively loves you is incredibly lucky." 

Has Mrs. Ferrer ever been the victim of cheating?

After a lengthy story-sharing session with Mrs. Ferrer, we abruptly ran into each other. She's nice, which is my good fortune. Simply put, I'm unsure of how kind her son is.

I'm heading home with Mindy after being advised to start the following day. Will that be okay? I'm going to fix my things, and I'm also asking her to watch over Elizabeth while I'm gone.

We're currently dining in the late hours.

"Elyse, how are you doing? Have you found work?" She questioned while she ate her rice.

"Mommy, have you found work?" Elizabeth was now seated next to me as I turned to face her.

"Ah, hmm, yes", I replied. I'm sure Mindy wouldn't believe me if I told her that my work was a yaya.

She is aware that I will work any job but this kind of job. Not because I disliked it, but rather because I feel like I'm not good at that, I really didn't want that anymore when we were youngsters.

My mother used to be a yaya, therefore that could be the reason. When I was a child, she used to take me to the house where she worked, where I observed how they would chastise her even if she made a mistake, how she would clean up, and how if any dust remained, they would criticize her, and if the cooking was subpar, they would throw it at her.

I don't know; I just believe that being a yaya is a more difficult profession, but at this point, I have no choice because I must provide for Elizabeth financially.

"Really? When will you begin, then?"

"Tomorrow..." She bowed.

I enquire, "What about you? Have you found a job?"

"I'll just attempt to apply again tomorrow if nothing else. If you're the only one who spends money on our cuisine, it's embarrassing." She hasn't changed much at all, so when she said that, I just quietly laughed.

Do you still want to eat, Sweetie? Elizabeth shook her head in response when I asked. "Mommy, I'm filled."

I merely brought her some water and gave it to her.

"I'll simply finish my assignment, Mom." I simply nodded when she replied, "Let's go together." I look at Mindy, who is currently sipping water.

"Oh? Elyse, why are you staring at me like that?"

"Do you mind if I ask you to watch over Elizabeth while I'm gone? I'll be starting work tomorrow, and there isn't anyone else to do it."

"Just that I don't find that problematic. What job did you find, by the way?"

"Yaya,"

"What?? I think I heard you wrong. What did you say again?" Looking at me, her forehead was still slightly creased.

I spoke again, and I could tell that she was still in disbelief that she was staring at me. "Elyse, are you ok? Are you sure about that? You dislike it right?"

No other options, it appears that only that position wants to recruit me. That's preferable to being jobless.

"Yesterday I read a paper stating they were looking for a yaya, the salary is high so I attempted to apply and it looks like that old woman likes me, therefore, she accepted me," 

"You're going to stay there if you're a yaya right? Because that would be hard for you if you'll have to go home after work, anyway I don't think they're still such a work for yaya that doesn't work stay in."

"The issue is that..."

"You want me to look after Elizabeth while you're away?" I slowly nodded.

"It's okay with me then, but how can I work?" Her worried question.

I thought about what it said.

She's still looking for a job, isn't she? "Anyway, you don't have to work anymore. I'll pay for everything! All you have to do is watch Elizabeth while I'm not here."

"It's embarrassing when it's like that Elyse, it's as if you're the one who keeps me alive. It's like we're going back to the past, I'm only relying on you."

"Why are saying that all of sudden? It's okay with me." I got up and went to her, then hugged her.

"You know Mindy, you and I are like sisters. We've known each other for a long time and until now you still seem to be ashamed. Then there's no one else to work with but us, isn't the family working together?" She slowly nodded.

We put away what we ate and then went to the bedroom. When I entered the room I saw Elizabeth who was now sound asleep.

I just smiled as I watched it. I slowly approached and lay down next to her. I caressed her cheek and kissed her on the forehead.

"Hmm, mommy?" It slowly opened its eyes and stared at me.

"I'm sorry sweetie. Did I wake you up?"

"It's okay mommy." She smiled at me and kissed me on the cheek. I was just surprised by that and laughed softly.

"Oh, why are you laughing so hard? It's like you're being tickled by your laughter."

"Your smelly mommy, aren't you taking a bath?" I quickly sniffed myself and my daughter was right, I was already sniffing. I got dressed straight away when I got here and I couldn't take a bath, I forgot.

"It's okay mommy, I can still handle your level of stench."

"You huh, because now that you're so big you treat your mommy like that."

"Eh? I'm just telling the truth, didn't you say it's bad to lie?" Of course not, I said that to her.

She hugged me tightly. "Mommy, I didn't mean to hear what you and Aunt Mindy were talking about, but is it true that you got a job?" I swallowed one after another.

I haven't told her about it yet but she heard it himself.

"Ahh, yeah..."

"It's okay with me that Aunt Mindy can be with me first while you're not here."

"Huh?"

"I know, mommy, you need money, that's why you're working."

Uhm, is this my daughter? Why is she even older than me when it comes to speaking?

"Is that okay with you sweetie? Mommy only comes home here every Sunday?" She smiled at me and nodded.

I don't know, when Elizabeth was my age I would cry when I didn't see my mom but she was fine with her. It's a good thing she didn't inherit me to cry when I was young.

Where did she inherit? Maybe Daren? Tsk, he cried when he was a child. In high school, we were talking about what happened when we were young...

I quickly slapped my forehead because I remembered that sh*t again! Memories are crazy! I hope he gets bored with his new woman!

"Mommy are you okay?"