Kabanata 5

Chapter 5

The couple smiled at her. But she was still really uneasy. It's like Gabrielle was adopted because he doesn't look alike to them, and he really didn't inherit it from the couple. Gabrielle's face looks like he's half foreigner. Yes, it's like he's a foreigner and she doubts his personality even more because he's fluent in speaking English. Well, speaking of that kind of matter, everyone can talk or be fluent but Gabrielle has his own unique accent.

"Kathleen?" Susana snapped at her. She pulled herself out on her own reverie. She was a little bit out of space.

"Yes? Let's go inside. Are you hungry? Did you eat a lot?"

"Yes," she answered sparingly. Efren approached Gabrielle. They were talking about something and she just didn't know what because they were too far away.

"I'm sorry to ask this aunty Susana about Gabrielle? Is he really your son?" she suddenly asked frankly. Then her eyes widened because she was stunned by her question too when she realized it. Damn it!

Susana was also stunned by her question. Ugh! She wanted to shoot herself for being so nosy. She's intruding into others' lives again. Damn it! Susana smiled widely at her.

"Uhm, I'm sorry if I'm too nosy. Gabrielle looks far from you two couples. It's not that I'm interfering but—"

"We adopted Gabrielle," Susana suddenly interjected, causing her to close her mouth. See Kathleen? You're so nosy!

"Sorry," she apologized immediately.

"It's okay, the people here know that Gabrielle is not our real son."

"Where are his parents?" she asked again. Okay? She's intruding others privacy again. Ugh!

"His parents are still alive. Gabrielle just ran away when he was fifteen years old. I used to be their maid before. When he found out I was going to stop working, he came with me. It's really good to know that and his kind parents allowed him to stay with me." She nodded. See? She's too nosy!

"I'm really sorry. I might have offended you."

"No! That's not true. Oh hey, come inside first," Susana told her. She just nodded and followed Susana.

They were inside the house when Susana pointed to her room.

"Can I call you a daughter, Kathleen? I really want to have a daughter, but I'm not lucky to have one of my own," Susana said with a trace of sadness on her face. She immediately came to Susana. She held her right hand and squeezed it gently.

"You can! I don't have a problem with that," she said. She feels so warm knowing that there's someone who wants her to be as their daughter. On the other side, she also suddenly felt disappointed in her Mommy Felicia. Because she doesn't care about her and they haven't seen each other for almost a decade. She was really annoyed every time she thought about it.

"I'll call you mom," she said with a smile. Susana's eyes immediately lit up.

"Thank you." She just smiled sweetly at her. She really feels comfortable with her.

"Come upstairs. Gabrielle has already taken your things here."

"After you." She followed by climbing the three steps of the stairs. She immediately saw the room that Susana was referring to.

"Gabrielle bought a mattress the other day so I know you'll be comfortable here Kathleen. You also have a new blanket and two pillows. Please forgive me if our house is not that pretty and it's not like you're used to." She shook her head.

"It's fine," she said.

"Oh by the way, I'll leave you for now and I'll just prepare our lunch."

She just nodded and followed Susana only with her gaze until it came down. She looks at the area. There are only two rooms here and she has already occupied one room. Perhaps the other side is the couple's room. She sighs. Well, honestly, she hates the idea of living in this kind of house but because of the very heartwarming reception and care that Susana gave her, she won't complain anymore. Well, on the other hand she thinks that maybe this set-up is better. She will learn how to live a simple life.

She approached and opened the cabinet. The cabinet looks like it's new. She opened it and it was still empty. She took her suitcase and opened it. She unpacked her belongings and organized them. It's good that her things are all in plastic bags. Good thing! It will not get easy to get dusty.

After she finished cleaning, another cabinet caught her attention. She pulled it but refused to open it because it was locked. She frowned. Okay? It's not her belongings so she should stop being curious. She shrugged and left the room. She went down the stairs. She heard the noise from the kitchen but she didn't bother to look. She left the house. She looked around. She's really in the province.

The fresh air really makes her feel better. She looked around until she saw a hammock in the distance. Each end of the rope is connected to two mango trees. She immediately stepped and sat on the hammock. She swings herself slowly while playing with her fingertips. She gasped for air. She thinks that her friends are enjoying themselves at the beach right now. She took a deep breath and lay down on the hammock. She's looking at the bright sky. Suddenly her mind went blank because of the beauty of the sky. Her annoyance with Gabrielle disappeared for a moment. The weather too was nice and she's hoping that her stay here will be worth it. She laid down her body in the cloth swing. She was facing the sky. She feels like her eyelids are going to get heavy anytime. She almost forgot. She didn't apply her skin care last night. Well, maybe she wouldn't be ugly right away if she skipped one night. She sighs again. She really thought about skin care when she had a big problem. Now she's wondering if how would her father fix this mess. Honestly, she badly wanted to go home because she wants to help solve the problem they're facing but at the same time, she's having second thoughts. That man wants her to be his wife. What if that day comes? What will she do? She gasped violently and closed her eyes. She badly needs a rest and a long sleep.