Chapter 4

"For what? For money? I have money. I can feed, clothe, and take care of my children without any of your help. I don't need to work for your company just to gain money, I can earn it by working for someone else." She scoffed. Umayos siya ng tayo at akmang aalis nang nagpatuloy ako sa pagsasalita.

"Are you sure about that, Attorney Villagracia?" As expected she stilled, not daring to take a step further. "Attorney Quira Amethyst Villagracia, the precious princess of the Villagracia family, you own the merged company Villagracia Law Inc. You're the youngest daughter of Engineer Alessandra Villagracia and Attorney Herman Villagracia, your family is widely known in Asia and Europe. One of the most feared clans of the business world. A bachelorette and a successful lawyer featured in magazines and articles. And you're hiding your real identity by changing your name, and personal information, how about that Quira? Will you let people know that the famous Villagracia heir is hiding from her clan? And—"

"Don't you dare, Madrigal!" Umalingawngaw ang maawtoridad na boses ni Quira sa buong terrace. I hit a nerve, didn't I?

"Everything will stay as it is as long as you abide by my rules and accept my offer. Give and take." I smiled sinisterly, making her dim expression worse. She looks like a predator about to attack its prey.

"Leave my family out of this, these are my problems, not theirs. I can take responsibility for the consequences of what I chose. I'll work for you. I'll send my resume to your secretary and other papers that you need." She replied, gritting her teeth with a closed fist.

"Good. Then it's a deal. Oh, and from now on you should call me Mommy Rom. Let me visit and spoil my grandchildren too." I added. Sabay kaming naglakad papunta sa mga bata na kumakain pa. Mga salad at mga pagkain mababa sa sugar at sodium lang ang kinain nila, leaving the meat untouched. Hmm, they don't like pork I guess. They stilled when we began to walk towards them.

"Mommy! Mommyla! Thank you po sa food it's good talaga!" Aphrodite said and giggled. Ah, music to my ears.

"Your welcome, mga apo." I replied smiling.

I stared at Eros who was eating a Chinese dish using a pair of chopsticks. He seems used to it.

"Thank you, Mommyla. I'm full now." Eros said after eating his food. He even wiped his mouth in a boyish manner.

"Your welcome, hijo. I'm glad that you enjoyed your meal. So let's go?" Tanong ko sa mga bata bago kinuha ang bag ko mula sa couch.

"Go where, Mommyla?" Naguguluhang tanong ni Aphrodite, tumingin siya kay Quira.

"Shopping. If you don't mind Quira. I want to spend time with my grandchildren." She just nodded. Aphrodite bounced up and down in so much excitement. She ran towards her mother and hugged her legs.

"Thanks, Mommy. I love you. I love you. I love you. Yhiee, thank you." She said enthusiastically.

She lifted her and Aphrodite began to kiss her cheeks, leaving popping sounds.

"Bye, baby Phoebe. See you later." She replied smilingly. "Come, Eros let Mom hug you both." Agad namang lumapit ang bata at nakangiting h******n ang mukha niya.

"Thank you, Mom. I love you." Eros smiled, hugging her mother.

"Your welcome, my darling angels. I love you both. Huwag kayong magpapasaway kay Mommyla ha?" Quira asked sweetly.

"Yes, po!" The kids said in unison with excitement.

"Okay go to your Mommyla now." She urged. And both of the kids ran towards me.

"Thank you, Quira." I thanked her with a sweet genuine smile.

"Take care of them, Mrs. Madrigal." She said, But it sounded like a warning to me.

"No worries, I have a lot of bodyguards. I won't let anything happen to my grandchildren. And it's Mommy Rom, Quira."

"Bye, Mommy Rom." She replied while making a face, kalaunan ay kinawayan nito ang mga anak na nagflying kiss pa.

"Bye, Quira." My future daughter-in-law. I laughed quietly. Well, it wouldn't be bad to have her as a daughter.

And with that, she left. Sabi niya aasikasuhin pa niya ang dokumento at mga gamit niya mula sa dating pinagtratrabuhuan, nasabi din niya na magpapaalam muna siya sa mga kaibigan niya. So we followed. Pumunta kami sa mall, binilhan ko ng maraming laruan, essential stuffs and school supplies ang mga apo ko. I was genuinely happy. And no words can describe it. I'm grateful to have my grandchildren. The hours passed by so fast that I didn't even notice that it was already dusk if Eros didn't say so. My grandchildren also enjoyed a day with me. Thanking me more and giving me hugs and kisses. This is the first I felt this way. Because it was my first grandchildren after all.

"Mommyla it's already dusk. We need to go home now. Mom will be worried if we don't. Thank you for this day po." He said with a huge smile and hugged me. Ah, it feels good.

"No, thank you kiddo." I hugged back.

"Hey, hindi ako kasali. Unfair." Natawa kaming dalawa ni Eros sa tinuran ng kapatid niya. She was stomping her little feet while pouting. Aw, she's cute.

"Wawa naman si Phoebe. Lika rito. Hugged tayo kay Mommyla." Her brother urged. And seconds later she began to run and joined the hug.

Eros told me their address and they asked me if they could bond with me again next time. And of course, we would.

"Thank you, Quira. For letting me spend time with my grandchildren." I hugged her and she stilled.

"Your welcome, M-Mommy Rom." Her response made me smile. She hugged me back. We hugged a little more before moving away.

"You must be missing your family." It was not a question, it was a matter of fact.

"Yeah, I'll tell them about my children soon," Tugon niya habang nakayuko.

"You should, until the day that you'll be ready. I know it's not going to be easy but you need to. For your children's sake, not that I'm dictating you but I'm just saying that they need to know. I'm sure they'll be happy with the news. I'll support you Quira. Alam kong malaki ang pagkakamaling nagawa ko sa inyo ng mga apo ko. I hope you will give me a chance to change that. Please let me be there for you and them." I held her hands and looked at her, hoping.

"It may take time Mommy Rom. Forgiveness takes time to work, and I'm willing to try. My Mom taught me to forgive but it will take time." She sighed, before fixing her hair into a bun

"I know Quira and I'm willing to wait. Let me be your mother for now. Let me guide you." She just nodded. We hugged each other before I bid goodbye.

I arrived at our mansion at seven in the evening, agad akong dinaluhan ng asawa ko nang pagpasok ko sa loob ng mansion.

"Good evening, hon." He greeted me by kissing me on my forehead. I unconsciously hugged him, I couldn't hold back my tears from falling because of happiness.

"Why are you crying? Did I do something wrong?" Hindi ko mapigilang matawa sa tinuran niya, his eyes widened with worry. "Why are you laughing? Seconds ago you were crying? Are you okay?" He asked with so much concern, he gently held my jaw causing me to look up at him. And I just smiled at him.

"I'm just happy, hon." And began to cry again, but he stayed with me until sobered up.

"I'm here. I love you, hon." He whispered while hugging me.

"I love you too," I replied and sobbed.

Later that night, I was still crying. Shedding tears of joy, grateful that God brought Quira and my grandchildren into this world. And with that, I'm looking forward to the next days, weeks, months, years, and decades to spend with the new members of our family, Quira, Eros, and Aphrodite. I slept peacefully with my husband.