Chapter 2

“EARTH calling Caroline Valdez!”

From the window of their office, Caroline turned to look at her best friend, Hyacinth. “What’s your problem?” she asked with a scowl.

“What’s my problem? You’re asking me what’s my problem?” Hyacinth exaggeratedly cupped her forehead. “I’ve called you many times, but it seems like you can’t hear me. You’re just staring blankly at the window. Are you waiting for an airplane to crash by our window?”

She hushed her friend. “Words are powerful. Be careful what you wish for,” she said and picked up her phone absent-mindedly.

Hyacinth knocked on their wooden table. “I’m just kidding,” she whispered as she knocked on the table. It was a superstition that you would just tap on wood if you wanted to take back what you have said. “So, what were you thinking? You looked so preoccupied since yesterday.”

Caroline heaved a sigh. “Benjamin told me that I could live in my house with them.”

Hyacinth laughed. “Why am I not surprise?” she pulled another chair and sat in front of her. “And, you said, ‘Sure! I’d love to!’. Am I right? I know I’m right.”

“I said that I’d think about it,” she said and sighed. “And, you know what I did?”

Hyacinth lifted an eyebrow. “You walked out?”

Caroline shook her head. “I kissed him.”

Hyacinth’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Wh-what? How? Wh-why?”

Caroline covered her face in embarrassment. “I told him about my childhood story… Then, he said that he and his kids would be there for me.”

“And then, you kissed him?” Hyacinth asked, still shocked.

She nodded and frowned. “It’s so embarrassing.”

“I know that you like him, Caroline. But, I never thought that you would be so aggressive when you’re with him,” Hyacinth scolded her. “So, what was his reaction?”

“Nothing—”

“Nothing? Did he kiss you back?”

Caroline shook her head. “He’s also shocked…”

“Of course!” Hyacinth caught her forehead. “I can’t believe it. If you’re living with them, I’m sure more than that kiss could happen.”

Caroline didn’t answer. What Hyacinth said gave her a bright idea. “You know what, I think you’re right.”

She knotted her forehead. “I’m right about what?”

“That if I stay in my house with them, more than a kiss could happen between us.” Caroline stood up and stared at the clear sky in the window. “And I will have more time to make him fall in love with me.”

“That’s insanity,” she heard him grunted. “Oh, by the way, Lucas invited us to the soft opening of one of his friend’s Bistro & Grill. Are you interested?”

Caroline turned to face her. She folded her arms and arched a brow. “If I say no—”

“Sorry, the word ‘no’ wasn’t in the options,” Hyacinth said and winked at her.

*

Benjamin closed the door behind him. It was already nine p.m, and he’s sure that his kids were fast asleep. It’s a good thing that Caroline’s house was just a fifteen-minute drive from Demitasse. He could go home and check his daughters any time of the day. He could drop by to cook for their lunch and bring them snacks during the afternoon. But, he still needs somebody who will look for them when he’s away or busy in Café Demitasse.

He’s thinking if he will call his younger sister, who was living with their parents in the province, and ask her to be Anastacia and Antonette’s guardian when he’s at work. But he doubted that their mother would allow her to come with her to Manila. His sister was still studying and the only companion of their mother when his father died.

Benjamin heaved a sigh. He needs someone that could take care of his twin daughters. Hiring a nanny was out of his options. There is a lot of horrific news about a nanny who maltreated the children that they babysit. Benjamin won’t put his twins' safety at risk.

He was about to change his clothes when his phone rang. His heart almost jumped when he saw that it was Caroline who’s calling. She hasn’t called or texted him since last night, and he thought that maybe it’s because of what happened yesterday.

“Raf…” Caroline’s throaty voice aired from the other line. “Can you please open the door?”

Benjamin’s brow furrowed. “Why? Where are you?”

He quickly walked towards the window and peeked behind the curtains. There was no car in front of the house nor a single human being.

Caroline chuckled. “How will you know if you want the open the door?”

Based on the woman’s husky voice, Benjamin can tell that she’s drunk. “Caroline? Tell me where you are.”

“I’m here…”

As soon as she said it from the other line, Caroline’s car pulled over in front of the house. She honked her horn repeatedly until the dogs from the neighbors barked and caused the noise.

Benjamin opened the door and dashed towards Caroline’s car. She got out of the car and hobbled to meet him.

“Raf…” She hooked her arm around his neck. “It’s good to see you.”

“Caroline, what happened? Are you drunk?” he asked, even it was apparent in her red face that she’s drunk. “And why did you drive drunk?”

Caroline giggled. “You answered your own questions, honey…” she said with a hiccup. “I went here because I wanted to see you …”

“Where’s Hyacinth? Is she with you?” he asked and tried to look at the car, but Caroline caught his face and forced him to just look at her.

“She’s with Lucas,” she said and laughed. “They really looked good together. I wish that the rich guy would marry her.”

Benjamin knotted his forehead. “Lucas Santiago is your boyfriend, right? Why would you want him to marry your friend?”

Caroline laughed again. “Oh, well… It’s just that Lucas doesn’t deserve me.”

“Why?” Benjamin asked as he ushered Caroline inside the house. “You’re a nice and gorgeous woman. Every man would do everything just to have you.”

“Really? Then, why you don’t like me?” she asked.

Benjamin closed the door behind them. “Do you want coffee?”

Caroline narrowed her eyes to him, and she pulled him closer to her. “I want you…” she murmured. “But…”

Benjamin looked into her eyes. “Caroline, you’re drunk—”

“I have secrets…” she said and let go of him. “And, I think you already know the other one…”

Benjamin caught her arm when she swayed backward. “Come on, rest down—”

“Benjamin… I don’t love Lucas…” She stepped closer to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Because I love you.”

Caroline tiptoed to reach his lips. She pulled him closer to her and kissed him passionately. Benjamin tried to stop her, but when she opened her mouth and invited him to deepen their kiss, his lips automatically kissed her back.

Caroline moaned when he moved his lips against hers. “Raf…” She raked her fingers through his hair as she kissed him back. Their body was now pressed hard against each other. “Take me, Raf…”

Benjamin's eyes flew open. He felt like cold water washed over him. His hands traveled up to Caroline’s shoulders as he pulled back from their kiss. He pressed his forehead against hers. “Caroline…” he said, almost out of breath. “You’re just drunk…”

***