Chapter 3

When they arrived at the condo, the five thought of drawing on the white ding ding near the door. They said goodbye to me and I agreed because this condo is now mine.

They said they will show how good they are at drawing and coloring. Looks like I have a future painter here?

They stopped dressing up and started taking out their small paint brushes and paint colors. I moved the sofas and tables, as well as the TV and the plant next to the door until it was free and there was nothing blocking it.

I watched them help, Steve and Alvin were drawing while the three were coloring what they were drawing.

A few minutes passed, I took off the white long sleeve blouse I was wearing, I was wearing a tube and jeans, I also took off my sandal and approached them then joined in the drawing.

Aj left earlier, he only brought us here because he has something to attend to today.

We spent the time painting until late afternoon.

I fed them first before changing their clothes and then put them to sleep. I carefully laid Larissa down on the bed that I changed into bed sheets and placed a strand of her hair behind her ear then kissed her on the forehead.

After I arranged her clothes in the cabinet, I went out. Next I went to Steve's room, I saw him arranging clothes in his cabinet so I came closer.

"I'll finish it, Go to sleep now, honey." I said, and looked at him.

"But mommy, you're tired." he said with a worried tone. I smiled and fixed his messy hair.

"Mommy is not tired yet and mommy wants you to sleep now because it's time for you to sleep. Won't you obey mommy?” I said with sadness.

He snorted and kissed me on the cheek, "Of course, Mommy I will follow you." He said softly, I smiled again.

I kissed his forehead, "Good boy, good night and sweet dreams, honey." I said.

"Good night too, Mom." he said, he went to the bed and covered himself while closing his eyes.

I finished arranging his things and quietly left the room. Next, I went to Alvin, I peeked into his room and when he was sleeping soundly, I also fixed his things earlier. I slowly closed the door.

I made coffee and brought it to the living room, I looked at what we did in the ding ding while drinking, Daisy flowers.

I looked at my leg and saw Sharmaine hugging me.

"Why is my baby still awake?" I asked, I sat down to match him and put the glass I was holding to the side.

"I can't sleep." he said with a snort.

"Hmm, do you want me to season you with milk?" I asked and he nodded so I took the glass and stood up.

I went to the kitchen while she was just following me, I put my glass on the bar counter, I picked up Sharmaine and made her sit on the tiffany bar stool.

"What's that?" he asked and pointed to my glass.

"Coffee and you can't drink that, you might not be able to sleep." I said directly before he said goodbye to me that I can have a drink.

"Mommy, I have a question." I raised my eyebrows and looked at him for a moment, then looked back at the glass and poured a little hot water.

“Hmm?”

"Who is Ban Tibattiyan?"

I stopped mixing when he asked that.

I sighed and put the glass I prepared in front of him.

"He is.. he is the CEO of one of the famous companies here." and he's your father..

"It's okay." she said.

I just smiled and blew on the milk first, before it was too hot. I gave it to him and he drank it little by little.

"Just tell me when it's over, mommy will just clean the living room." I said, he nodded, holding the glass with both his hands.

I returned the sofa, table, tv and plants to their original place, I put away the things we used. When it was done, I returned to the kitchen and saw Sharmaine who had just placed a glass on the table.

"I'm done." he said when I approached, I took the glass and put it in the sink then returned to him and picked him up.

When I entered his room, I laid him on the bed and told him.

"Good night, mommy."

I kissed her forehead and scratched her, "Good night too, sweetie."

I left the lamp on the table—behind me—while I stroked her hair.

I thought, will they be angry with me when they find out that the CEO of the Conrad Company is their real father who now has another husband? Will they be angry with me because I kept it a secret from them? Will they forgive me? I don't care if Van gets angry because I hid his daughter from him because he himself said that I won't show him anymore.

I hope our paths will not cross each other even though the Philippines is wide.

I went to the bathroom for a while to wash and change my clothes and came back later.

I woke up with many people kissing my cheek. When I opened my eyes, my five children appeared to me.

"Good morning, Mommy!" they greeted

I got up from lying down, "Good morning, my babies." I said and kissed them on the cheek one by one, I just laughed when they winced.

"Mommy, you haven't brushed your teeth yet." Larissa's snotty manner made me laugh weakly.

"Why you? Have you brushed your teeth?” I said, they nodded and showed me their teeth one by one, except for Steve who was quietly on the side watching us so I called him. He's just five years old and yet so quiet and serious.

"Yes, Mom! Brother Steve and brother Alvin taught us how to brush our own teeth!” Melissa said when Steve approached me.

"Because I'm a good boy, right, Mommy?" Alvin said, I nodded and smiled.

"Of course, you are." I said, I turned to Steve again, I smiled and nodded when he showed me his teeth.

I once saw Steve and Alvin spontaneously brushing their teeth in their bedroom bathroom, regardless of the height of the sink because they were standing on a small chair. But it's better for me to see them brush their teeth.

I got up so the four of them got off the bed, I took my hair clamp and stuck it in my hair. I was not able to work out because I woke up in the morning.

"Just take a shower and wash mommy." I said and went to the bathroom. I didn't last long and went out.

After I cooked the pancakes, bacon and ham, I put them on the table, the next thing I did was mix their milk, mine had coffee.

We had breakfast in silence until I finished first.

When it was over, I washed the food we ate while I got the five of them dressed because I promised yesterday that we would go to the mall today for a walk. Then, I went to the room to take a shower and get dressed.

I'm wearing high waist denim mom short and square neck shirt croptop that I paired with white nike shoes.

I put my cellphone in the tote bag and the others. I just let my hair down and went out when I was done fixing it.

I let them get in the car first and when it was okay, I got into the driver's seat and started talking.

I immediately asked them where they wanted to go when we were inside the mall.

"Toy section!" they said so I nodded.

We went to the toy section, they started looking at the toys while I watched them.

I was surprised when Steve approached me with nothing, "Mommy, There are no guns here." he said with a snort.

I called the saleslady and asked where the toys for boys were. He pointed in the direction and there I saw different types of toy guns, I also saw Alvin there.

"I want real guns, mommy." he said as I turned around. I don't know what the saleslady's expression was when she said it because I was looking at Steve and looking at him.

"Honey, real guns are only for adults who know how to use non and it's dangerous." I said, I turned to the saleslady and thanked her.

"You're welcome, ma'am. Just call me if you need anything else." I nodded to what he said so he left.

"I know, I thought I'd see that here even though it's in the toy section, but I understand, maybe I'll just get a toy gun and practice."

"Bro, look at this big truck toy."

Alvin came to us with a toy truck. "Do you think my cockroach can fit here and can drive it?" he asked Steve.

"I don't know, maybe? Ask your pet and if he can speak, I'll let you enter my room and play with my toys." Steve said seriously.

"Bro, cockroach can't speak." Alvin said in a matter of fact.

"Exactly, cockroaches can't drive." As Steve said, Alvin looked up.

"But what if they can drive and speak like they have powers?"

"Don't talk to me, Alvin."

Steve kissed me on the cheek and headed to the toys for boys, leaving Alvin behind.

"Mommy, can't they really talk?" he said with a snort.

"Yes, but is it true that you have a pet cockroach?" I asked, he nodded.

"Yes, Mom! I made him a prison." he said smiling, I winced and smiled too, oh my gosh, I messed up his hair.

"Okay, is that what you want to buy?" I asked and pointed to what he was holding. He nodded so I stood up and put the toy truck in the basket, he went back to where Steve went.