Chapter 3

"NANDITO na po ang mga bata, Ma'am." Tinanguan ko ang mga tauhan ko at tahimik na pinagmamasdan ang dalawang batang dinala nila. “You can go now,” Agad silang umalis ay isinara ang pinto.

I couldn't believe that they were in front of me, and they were two. I thought it was only one but just like what my private investigator told me. Quira gave birth to twins, a girl and a boy, Eros Quirov Villagracia and Liliana Aphrodite Villagracia. The future heir and heiress of the Madrigal Empire looked alike. They inherited their mother's features, but they got their father's eyes which made me recognise them easily.

"Who are you? And why did you bring us here? What do you need?" Eros asked, squinting his eyes at me. I let out a short laugh, he didn't only get his father's eyes but also Hades’ attitude. I felt like I was facing my son when he was Eros’ age.

He even covered his sister as if he was protecting her from me, aw, what a caring older brother. Quira raised them well. Speaking of that woman, I'm glad that she was the mother of Hades’ children. But after the incident happened she suddenly left without leaving any traces, I searched for her but she was quick to hide herself. And now destiny intentionally crossed our paths, I'm glad to see her with—my grandchildren. I'm sure she'll be right here in no time, knowing Quira she does everything for her people.

"Hi, kids. I'm Romana Madrigal, your grandmother." I smiled before introducing myself, hoping not to creep them out.

Eros's brows furrowed. "Why would we believe you? You even kidnapped us, now you're introducing yourself as our grandma? What a joke." He mocked. Crossing his arms against his chest, reminding me of an identical image of his father.

"She does look a bit like us, Kuya. And maybe she's telling the truth." Aphrodite convinced her brother, he turned towards her. Tinaasan niya ng kilay ang kapatid bago lumapit at bumulong.

"Phoebe, don't you remember what Mom told us?" He asked, gentleness evident in his voice. "Don't trust strangers." They said in unison. Aphrodite nodded and turned her head to the side, trying to take a look at me.

"It's good. That your mother taught you that, seems like Quira raised you well,” Napagtanto ko na mas mabuti pang hindi ko muna sila piliting tanggapin iyon, besides they're young.

"She's our mother. So probably that would be one of the things she teaches us,” Eros added.

"She's the best Mom we could ask for. We love Mommy, don't we Kuya?" She asked enthusiastically.

"Of course," Tugon nito sa kapatid bago hinawakan ang kamay nito at ginayak palapit sa kanya. Tiningnan ko sila ng matiim at iginaya mga upuan, sinamaan ako ng tingin ni Eros bago tinulungan si Aphrodite.

These kids are smart. Kasalukuyan kaming nakaukupa sa presidential suite ng hotel na pag-aari ko. The kids sat on the couch hugging each other. I ordered food for us, it seemed like they were used to dining in, and both of them knew that they were currently occupying a restaurant. I took the remote and pressed a button to open up the curtains, revealing the view of the city. It's better at night. Kinuha ko ang baso ko bago sumimsim habang hindi tinatanggal ang titig sa kanila.

"Wow, Kuya. Look, we can even see our school from here." Aphrodite shook her brother's shoulders while pointing to something, her eyes lit up in happiness.

"Yeah, and I can see Mom's car heading here." I almost spit my wine when I heard him. I coughed, getting their attention, and they assisted me immediately. Agad akong nakabawi at umusli ang gilid ng labi ko, that was fast.

"Lola, are you okay?" Aphrodite asked worriedly, offering me her table napkin. I accepted it and wiped some wet parts of my lips.

"Yes, thank you, dear." The food arrived, marami akong in-order para sa kanila. Hindi ko kasi alam kung ano ang gusto nilang kainin at gusto ko din na matikman nila ang ibang putahe kaya niramihan ko.

Sabay naming hinintay ang ina nila, ilang minuto ay pabagsak na bumukas ang pintuan halatang sinipa pabukas. The heavy oak door revealed a calm looking woman, I was caught in her expressionless gaze. Siguradong iba ang nararamdaman niya ngayon kumpara sa ipinapakita ng mukha niya.

"Mommy!" Masayang salubong ni Aphrodite kay Quira na nagpabago ng ekspresyon nito na tila walang nangyari, pinatakan niya ng magaan na halik sa noo ang anak bago nagsalita.

"Are you okay, baby? Did she hurt you?" She asked with a gentle voice.

"No, Mommy. She told us she was our Lola, grannys don't hurt their grandchildren, right? It's bad." Paniniguro ni Aphrodite at nagpout ng labi, dahan-dahang naglakad si Quira papunta sa direksyon ni Eros at agad namang niyakap nito ang mga hita niya.

"Yes, I wouldn't hurt my grandchildren." Tugon ko sa bata bago tumayo.

"I'll make sure you won't. Because I'm taking them away from you and your family, Mrs. Madrigal." She replied by lifting Eros.

"Look, Quira, I'm here to apologize not fight with you." Kumbinsi ko sa kanya.

"Mommy, why don't you talk to Mommyla about it? You know, settle things with her. She seems to be persistent, maybe it's important." Aphrodite urged her Mom, Quira heaved a sigh and walked towards the other side of the couch putting down both kids. My heart swelled up upon hearing that my grandchild acknowledged me, I'm glad that she accepted me as her grandmother. Wala sa sariling napangiti ako habang nakamasid sa kanila.

"Eros, Aphrodite, maybe you should eat first while we talk, alright?" She asked softly. And the kids nodded in response.

"Let's talk somewhere else." Turan niya, unti-unting lumapit sakin. Naunang akong naglakad at iginaya siya sa veranda.

"Pangungunahan na kita Quira. I know we've done a lot of bad things to you but that doesn't remove our rights from my grandchildren, please work for us again. That's all I'm asking for you. I won't tell my son or any of our family members. This will remain our secret. Hayaan mo akong sustentuhan ang mga apo ko. How old are they now?" Mahaba kong litanya.

"Their five-year-old turns six in December and January." Tugon niya habang pinagmamasdan ang siyudad. "Eros was born on the 31st of December, a minute before the new year. Aphrodite was born on the same date but is the exact time of the new year, that's the difference between their birthdays."

"I'm glad that even how much you despise our family you named them close to my son." Nakangiting sabi ko habang nakatingin sa kanya.

"No, that's not the real reason. I just happen to love greek mythology that's all. I still despise you and your family." Tiningnan niya ako ng masama bago ibinalik ang tingin sa malayo at itinungtong ang mga braso sa railings ng terrace.

"I know that. But will you come back and work for us?" Pangungulit ko.