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Chapter 15

Clair went to Lorenzo's office to confront him about Florence, she is furious on the fact that he care and love her.

"Lorenzo!" she called his attention, he already knew that this will happen.

She slapped him hard, "Puñeta ka! Hinayaan kitang tingnan sila dahil sabi mo nangungulila ka, tiniis ko ng napakaraming taon yung mga araw na dapat magkasama tayo dahil mas inuuna mo silang tanawin mula sa malayo! Sinubukan natin magkaroon ng sariling anak, ilang beses akong nakunan! Ang hirap sa akin na ako lang ang nagluluksa sa pagkawala ng mga bata--pero itong ginawa mo ngayon, hindi lang ito pagyurak sa dignidad ko bilang babae pero bilang isang ina rin!"

Lorenzo became silent, Claire really let it all out.

"It's not easy for me, Lorenzo. Alam mo sa simula pa lang na this marriage is gonna be fucked up, ipinapamukha mo sa akin na si Florence ang mahal mo bawat araw siya at ang mga anak ninyo ang priority mo!"

He stood up to his chair, "Alam mo namang napilitan lang akong maikasal sa'yo, Claire. Gusto ka ng parents ko dahil sa business, bago ako naging pulitiko. At huwag mo rin akong pagsabihan tungkol sa paglukuksa sa mga anak natin. Hindi ko maibabalik ang mga buhay nila kahit magmakaawa ako, araw-araw kong dinadala yung bigat ng pakiramdam na nawala sila sa atin.

Kasalanan ko lang ito, walang kinalaman si Florence o ang mga anak ko."

"You know what, let's be real.. Mahal mo pa rin siya di ba?" Claire asks, she anticipated his answer but she really wanted to hear it.

"Yes, of course." he replied,

Claire shed tears, she sat on the floor sobbing.

"I'm sorry for all the pain that i've caused you, hindi mo deserve ang tulad ko still clinging to his old flame. Minahal din kita, at totoo 'yon.. Pero mas mahal ko si Florence." he looked at his ring finger and took it off.

"Ako na ang mag-file for divorce, you don't have to worry about it." he walked towards her and kisses her forehead for the last time.

Claire hugged him tight, after that they parted.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

Florence and Celine went home in the afternoon, Mamita is the only person they saw. They immediately hugged her.

"O kumusta ang bakasyon, ok ba?" she asked, the couple smiled at each other.

"Mahabang kwento, Ma.. Kumain na ba kayo? Ang kambal, nasaan?" Florence.

"First question, yes, kumain na ako.. Second question, pauwi na sila." Mamita replied.

"I should unpack our luggages at ipapa-laundry ko bukas.." Celine opens one luggage.

"Moooom!!!!" Stefan is elated to see her, he hugged her tight. "I miss you, sobra! Teka, si Mama po?"

"Nasa kwarto, nag aasikaso ng mga paperworks niya." Celine replied,

"Mommy!!!" Seb went to her and shower her with kisses, "Kumain na po kayo?"

"Yeah, before umalis. Mag prepare ako ng meryenda, sandali." she quickly parted to the twins and went to the pantry.

Florence went downstairs and saw the twins, she hugged them.

"Uhm, Ma.. Mommy.." Seb utter, the couple and Mamita look at him.

"Can anyone tell us who is Lorenzo Sotomayor in our lives? Is he our Dad?" Stefan asks,

"It's time, Flo.. Let them know the truth." Celine hold Florence's hand and squeeze it lightly.

The family sit on the dinning area, Florence looks at her sons before she would say anything.

"To answer your question, Stefan.. Yes, siya ang Tatay ninyo. Pero, kasi ang kumplikado ng mga nangyari sa amin.

Typical mayaman na na in love sa mahirap story, hindi ako gusto ng mga magulang niya dahil ayun nga.. Solo parent si Mamita at nagtatrabaho ako as waitress sa isang restaurant sa Ermita kung saan niya ako nakilala.

Tapos, ang Mommy nyo that time we're friends and living together.. Then, Lorenzo impregnated me, pinangakuan niya ako ng kasal after his studies pero ayun.. Engage na pala kay Claire.

I never knew that i will see him again in so many years. Masakit sa akin na hindi niya kayo kinilala at ipinaglaban man lang. Kaya gamit ninyo ang apelyido ko na Hernandez-Genora."

The twins hold their mother's hands, they both smiled at her.

"Ma, thank you for everything. Thank you for being brave enough to raise me, alam kong ginagawa mo lahat mapabuti ako." Sebastian almost cried, he kissed the back of Florence's hand.

"Sa ating dalawa, ikaw ang tough cookie, bunso. Nasabi nga ni Mommy yung nagkasakit ka noong baby pa tayo, grabe you pull it through!" Stefan lightly punch his brother's arm.

"Syempre, fighter 'to!" he smug, "Anyway, Ma, Mommy.. Alam nyo po bang nakita naming dalawa ang iresponsableng tatay namin!"

"Huh, kailan?" Florence asked, "Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin?"

"Ma, para saan? Eh di ba pinabayaan lang niya tayo.. Nakatanaw lang siya sa atin habang tinutuya ka ng mga tao dahil naging 'kabit' ka niya!" he said, "Have some respect for yourself, naman. You deserve better, that's why nandito si Mommy di ba!"

"Anak, alam ko hanggang ngayon galit ka pa rin sa kanya, pero kung pwede, i-set aside ang pride mo for me.."

"I'm sorry, Ma.. Pero hindi mo mababago ang isip ko on him. Siguro, nabilog ka niya, pero he can never fool me!" Seb stood up and went to his room.

"Uhm, he seems nice naman, Ma, Mommy.. Ayaw ko lang na magtampo kayo kung pumayag kami mag lunch with him that day. But, Mommy, atabs mo 'ko!" Stefan uttered that made Celine smile.

"Well, at least we know that Lorenzo is lurking around.. Anak, buksan mo ang TV, please?" Celine says, Stefan turn on the tv and saw the news of divorce between Mr. and Mrs. Sotomayor due to irreconcilable differences.

They're all in shock, hearing it. The couple didn't want to have interviews at the moment. The court will do it's decision.

Florence is busy on her lesson plan when Celine accompanied her, the latter seriously looking at her face.

"Grabe namang titig 'yan, easyhan mo naman, baka matunaw ako niyan, boss!"

"Ganda mo, hindi lang maganda, mahaba pa ang buhok.. Actually, natapakan ko na nga siya ngayon!" she jokingly put up her feet.

"Alam, mo diretsuhin mo na ako.." Florence stare at her, Celine got serious.

"Flo, so ganun na lang 'yon.. After malaman ng mga bata na si Lorenzo ang tatay nila, may free pass na siya na pumasok sa buhay nating apat?"

"Mahal, hindi. Di ba galit si Seb sa kanya, so-"

"Eh ikaw, sabihin mo na ang totoo kung may feelings ka sa damuhong 'yon at uuwi na ako sa Manchester!" Celine felt
jealous,

"Wala, mahal ko. I'm sorry kung naging mapusok ako when i was with him. Rest assured, my heart is yours." she cupped her face and kissed her lips,

"Pag sa'yo talaga, bumibigay ako.. Haay, mahal ko!"

"As long as you have this ring, you're my one and only, Mrs. Genora!" Florence held Celine's hand where the ring was on. She lovingly stare at her and caress her face.

Celine can't help but peck on Florence's lips,

"Baka saan na naman ito mapunta, Celine.."

"Dadalhin kita sa langit, mahal ko.."

Lorenzo is standing few meters away from the Gerona's residence, he saw silhouettes behind the curtains.

"I won't stop until i can finally have you, Florence." he whispered.