"Achoo!""Hey, how do you feel?" Denny asked warily. They were already clothed warmly and were cozying up in the theater room. They did not stay so long in their bath as Trisha reminded Denny they still had to sort the things they bought last night. Denny realized what Trisha meant when she said he had to decide which to throw away and which ones to keep before buying things. He had difficulty finding space for the new ones without disposing of the old stuff on the cupboards. The good thing is, he did not buy many things that he already had at home, or else he would have regretted it. They were done arranging things in the kitchen as well as the pantry, moving more of the items that she would often need to Trisha's reach. They also cleaned the kitchen floor with a vacuum cleaner and electric mop. "My cleaners come twice a week," Denny reminded Trisha so she would stop overdoing the cleaning."Can you ask them to stop while I'm here?" Trisha suggested."Why?" Denny asked with disbel
Denny was starting to feel conscious of his age, and he was thinking about asking Trisha about her point of view about age gaps. He was busy with other thoughts that he could ignore Tom and Jerry, which had never happened to him. And Trisha was also thinking about asking Denny, her client, her master as for now, as per their agreed contract, regarding the word he called her for an identity in front of his sister, her scary sister. Denny did not introduce the two ladies, but he addressed Trisha as his wife. Denny even rudely shooed his sister away and declared she wasn't welcome in their home. Trisha wanted to know how she was supposed to do or how is she going to react if any of his family comes when he was at work or even when he was simply not around, at home, or anywhere else she might get ambushed. "Honey...""Sir..."The two of them spoke at the same time. They also bit their tongues back, allowing the other to speak first. But a deafening silence seemed to creep in between the
Asking Trisha about the age gap matter got lost in their conversation. He did not remember he was going to ask her about anything as a few more crucial things seemed to pop out. He heard his phone ringing from the living room. "Honey, I think my phone is ringing," Denny uttered after he figured where the sound was coming from. He was about to excuse himself and stand, but Denny realized the girl in his hold fell asleep while watching. He carefully moved to lift her in his arms and carry her to the bedroom. She must have been too tired that she did not bother to ask but clung tightly to his shoulder and nape as she felt Denny lifting her up from the sofa. She returned to sleep despite feeling his moves as he walked with her in his hold away from the seat. Denny gently put her down on the bed, but he tapped the tip of her nose with his index finger as he warned her."You can't sleep for too long, or you will be sleepless tonight. We have to leave home early tomorrow," Denny reminded Tr
"I may not be able to do that, but I can try to spread the memo to my fellow investigators to skip that detail if they get asked to dig about Aleah Silver," the PI replied. "How about that, Mister Vero?" "Is there any other way possible aside from that?" Denny still inquired."Well, we can ask the management to delete their files about Aleah Silver. Even if words come out that she used to work there, if there is no file to support that claim, the information would not be valid or concrete," the PI explained. "That would be better; I will deal with it then," Denny was relieved the issue could be resolved through a call with Harold Brown. "But just in case a job order comes around about digging into Aleah Silver's background, please let me know. It would even be better if you take the job, that way we can monitor what they know and keep the details we don't want to inform them. Is that okay with you?" Denny asked. "Of course, Mister Vero," the PI happily responded. Denny Vero is a g
"What?!" Harold forgot the seriousness of their conversation and yelled out in surprise. "What did Denisse say?""She was furious that I did not tell anyone back home about me getting married, and she threatened to tell mom and dad, so I will have to bring Trisha along and introduce her to my parents," Denny replied calmly. He was not bothered at all. He already talked with his mom, Chloe, over the phone, and he could sense they already had an idea, so Denny was not worried about their approval or disapproval anymore. "And what does Trisha say?" Harold asked again."Well, you know that girl would never make things difficult for her client, she agreed. I also told her about Denisse's personality," Denny replied. "She is worried my family will barge in here, so I will take her to my office and come home together every day.""Well, it's now up to you guys. I am now in my office and will delete every file with her in the system. I won't leave any trace, don't worry," Harold sighed. "Your
Denny did not notice Trisha's face as they were walking side by side, and she had her head slightly bowed down, but he felt the difference in her tone. Denny smiled as he could sense this silly girl was taking his words differently and a little too serious. They were on the stairs, so he did not say anything to retort her words. Denny was thinking about making his statement clear when they got to sit at the table. But he did not hear her say anything even until they reached the ground floor, so he broke the silence."Wait," Denny stood in front of Trisha as soon as they stood flat on the ground floor surface. He kept her in prison between his arms as they held on to the railing of the stairs. "Look at me," Denny commanded in a soft voice.Trisha felt even more terrified. She was worried she had done something to add to her offense without knowing. She timidly looked up as commanded. She wanted to say something, say she was sorry, and beg him to forgive her, but her voice seemed to hav
"Don't worry, they won't," Denny chuckled at her worried mien. "My parents are not as narrow-minded as my sister appears to be," he added.Trisha smiled at his confident reply. "Well, that would be good news because I am weak and meek in front of elders," Trisha sighed. "Not to forget, they are your parents; I might not get to fight for you if you ask me to," she confessed. Trisha's mom had constantly reminded her and her little brother Yohan always to be polite. Not to the extent of losing their self-respect, but as much as possible, they are advised not to retort or speak without considering not only the age level of the other person involved but also the position it bears in the arrangement. Such as a teacher and student, a parent to children, and elders in general. There are times when even the elder does not show the best attitude to be looked up to, and Yohan had cited such an incident when they were younger, but their mom only replied that that elder might be feeling under th
The two had a nice and lovely dinner sharing things from their past. Denny asked Trisha this and that, in return, he also shared stories of his childhood. They wrapped things up in the kitchen with Denny washing things while Trisha did the ones Denny would allow her to do. Soon they were up to the bedroom, did their before-bed regular rituals of brushing their teeth only. Denny did not let Trisha wash up."You did not go anywhere else after our bath in the afternoon; you don't have to take a shower before bed tonight," he decisively declared. He did the same, but as a habit, he rinsed his face after brushing his face, and when he looked up to see his face in the mirror, he saw Trisha looking at him with envy."Do you wanna wash your face?" he asked.Trisha bit her lips in surprise to see Denny saw her watch him freely wash his face with warm water from the lavatory's faucet. She timidly nodded. "Wait," Denny replied. He took a small towel from the toilet and rinsed it with warm water
“Honey…?” Denny called out carefully.Claudette was already about to enter the ward when she heard the man who introduced himself as Denny Vero called for Aleah so sweetly and concerned. She smiled. She just confirmed her thoughts that these two are romantically involved. She silently placed the food she bought and the change on a chair by the door before she lightly knocked and waved her hands to say she would be right back.Trisha bowed her head lower when she heard the knocking on the door. At the same time, Denny turned his head to look back and saw Mrs. Murphy pointing at the purchases she brought while she hurriedly exited the ward.Denny wasn’t able to say anything before the lady disappeared from his sight. He went to get the drinks and handed Trisha a cup of tea. There were two, so he supposed the other one was for him. He took a sip and just said anything. He urged Trisha to try hers, too.“Honey, the tea is good. You should have a sip while it’s still warm.”But Trisha place
Trisha turned her head away from Denny and faced her mom instead. Her tears started to cloud her eyes again. She bit her lips not to let her cries out of her mouth.She clearly understood what Denny had just said right now, but she could not respond right away. She was feeling torn between accepting or declining his offer of financial assistance. It wasn’t for herself alone. It was for her mom, most especially. He also mentioned being a philanthropist, which surely meant he was going to donate a considerable amount to get the procedure done with the best outcome. Yet, Trisha was still worried about what she might have to do to return such a huge favor from Denny Vero.When she was with Chloe earlier, and Denny was not by her side, Chloe spoke to Trisha with her honest and frank thoughts. Trisha realized that Denny did not know his parents already knew everything, the facts, not what they feared his sister, Denisse, might have told them. She was actually glad Denny accepted her suggesti
“She is so kind,” Denny moved closer and whispered to Trisha. “I like her a lot!”Then Denny moved back to look at the girl on her face with a silly smile.“But don’t let her know about that, okay?” Denny murmured again. “She might like me back. I am afraid of that happening.”The two shared suppressed laughter with their hands in their mouths, covering, as they both looked back in the direction of the door. They seemed to have the same fear that the person they mentioned was already back and heard what Denny just said.“I like her, too,” Trisha shrugged her shoulders as she giggled after making sure Claudette wasn’t back just yet. She played along with Denny’s joke not to let the lady Murphy know they liked her so much.“Kidding aside, she is awesome,” Denny cleared his throat before he made known to Trisha his honest opinion about the lady taking care of the patient.He also heard from the doctor and nurses he was able to speak with that Claudette is doing her duties more than a mere
“Thank you so much, Mrs. Murphy!” Trisha’s voice was shaky as she looked up from the other side of the bed, embracing her mom cautiously.Trisha felt emotional. She was glad even to only hear that her mom would regain her consciousness. She’s been in the hospital bed for almost seven months now. She might have seen the person driving the car when she was hit, but as she was still in a coma, they could not ask her. Trisha and her brother Yohan are still hoping to find the justice they deserve. The police seemed to have no more lead to continue the investigation, and since the Silver siblings did not have anyone influential to ask for assistance, they would have to rely on whatever they heard from their mom’s recollections.It would be tough to hold on to such possibilities, but they believe their mom is fighting within her to survive her situation. And one victory may lead to another if she could point out who caused her so much pain and stole so much of her time to stay healthy and pro
Soon they arrived at the ward where the name Elaine Silver was written on the chart by the foot end of the patient’s bed. A woman was reading a book seated next to the patient. She was reading the book aloud like a mother reading a bedtime story to a kid. She was too focused on her book as she read with enthusiasm and emotion according to the content of the story that she did not notice the two, Trisha and Denny, walking next to the patient’s bed.Denny and Trisha looked at each other with amused smiles on their faces. Denny gave Trisha a sign not to make a sound using his finger placed above his mouth. Trisha nodded her head as she agreed not to make a sound. She was beyond glad and satisfied that the lady Murphy was indeed attending to her mom’s welfare with so much dedication and sincerity. She was also happy that the man beside her seemed to have the same thoughts about letting the lady reading a book continue until she realized their presence. And so she continued to read:“A fath
Trisha smiled happily. Denny saw her serene smile in his peripheral vision, and he felt good. His idea was turning out to be successful. That was what he was hoping for, to make his “honey” smile, not the polite one that her face had seemed to be painted with the whole day, but the pure natural smile she would usually wear on her face when she is genuinely happy.Soon they arrived at the hospital. Trisha was worried he would be late with his appointment.“Honey, I can walk my way into the hospital. You don’t have to send me in,” Trisha cautiously suggested. “You might be late.”Denny chuckled.“It’s okay. You wait for me by the entrance. I will be right back after I park the car.”Trisha had no choice but to do as he ordered. She consoled herself that he should know what he was doing. He wouldn’t insist if he did not have enough time, right?“Okay, I will stand by the entrance door. You can call me if there are any changes,” Trisha raised her purse with her phone and wallet inside it.
Denny paused for a while. He could not say it was personal, but it wasn’t business either. But he did not want to explain further, so he just made his answer short, although a bit ambiguous.“A little of both?” Denny chuckled, helping Trisha to stand from her seat beside him.Chloe was not convinced. Or maybe even if she was, the mother still wanted to spend a little more time with her dear son, so she expressed her disagreement.“I can only let you go early today if you promise to visit us next Sunday again,” she bargained.Denny’s eyes widened in disbelief.“Mom, I cannot promise you that, but I will try,” the son scratched his non-itchy backhead as he replied.“Then you will have to stay until dinner today. What do you say about that, Aleah?” Chloe turned to the girl beside Denny.“I… am…” the service girl stuttered. She did not know what to say, but knowing her answer was awaited, she had to say something. “I’m very sorry, Mrs. Vero, but I do not decide things with…” Trisha could n
“Do you mean to marry this girl?” Franco Vero asked. His tone was still calm, not making his honest reactions known to his dearest son.“As of the moment, and if that is all for me to decide, I might say yes,” Denny chuckled at his sudden realization.The father was baffled by the son’s answer.“What do you mean?”“I don’t think the feeling is mutual just yet,” Denny let his weary mind off him.He felt good that his kind dad asked. He had been holding these thoughts within him. He could not freely speak about it with Don Carlo and Angela as he did not want to worry them for Trisha. But with his dad, he felt the assurance that his old man would understand where he was coming from. Denny let his heartfelt emotions flow.“I can feel this girl is purely doing business with me, and she never flirts nor misleads me to think she fancies me like a woman fancies a man. She is obedient in everything I ask and tells her to do because she is too cautious about losing her job. She has these invisib
As Aleah requested and without fear for Denny to grant them, they got dressed up with the doting Denny assisting his heart's wife; since they weren't legally married yet, in every step of getting her nicely yet comfortably clothed. "We should shop for new sizes of your underwear, honey," Denny gently suggested. "I am worried you might feel discomfort with the ones you used to wear and in your closet right now," he explained eagerly. He knew that pregnant women could be very sensitive, so he tried his best to clear any misinterpretations of his words. Angela excitedly bought Aleah different designs of pregnant dresses and others obviously needed by an expecting woman, but as she had not had the experience to reach pregnancy into a stage where her belly would swell up, Angela did not realize to include underwear in her shopping list. I have been meaning to do so, but as I was not allowed to go out without company aside from the nurse, I was just waiting when we could visit the shoppi