“You see now, Minerva,” Darwin patted the back of the newly awakened Minerva on the couch. “There is always good in everybody. No matter how despicable they are…”            “I know.” Minerva’s tears were still wetting her face early in the morning.            “Is that only your reply, Minnie?!” Her head was still bowed down in sorrow despite his echoing voice. “It’s the same words you kept on uttering since last night!”            She abruptly turned her head towards him and pointed a finger to herself. “Can’t you see I’m having my moment? Please, Darwin. Just let me cry for today. You know that pregnant women are particularly overly emotional…”      

The wind in the cemetery is always serene—as calm as the people eternally sleeping beneath the grassy ground.         Minerva placed a white lily and blue rose atop his tombstone, holding her tears not to fall on Derrick’s grave as well.         “It’s been a long time, babe.” Her voice was soft; her words were gentle and full of heartache.         Her baby kicked, making her smile. “I know, little one. As much as we badly want to see your daddy,  we can’t. Giving him flowers is enough. And letting him know that both of us are in good hands.” She gently stroked her belly in a circular motion. “...and that you’ll have someone to call a daddy as soon as you come out, Hemera.”         She called her child by the name Darwin had given her: Hemera. It wasn’t so bad. In fact, it sound’s

 “How’s your girl date?”             Minerva was a bit startled upon seeing Darwin on the dining table, drinking what smelts like coffee. He was wearing his ripped blue jean shorts, the first button was unbuttoned. Darwin was half naked, which made Minerva secretly bite her lip.             “I saw that.” She hoisted her head to Darwin, who was now slowly walking towards her like how a predator approaches a prey. She forgot that she was actually wearing a dress, the sexy type.             “Promise me that your lips will only belong to me,” he breathed. Minerva was oozing. If he was the ocean and she was a stone, she had long drowned into him, unto him—with him.             Minerva felt as if the stars had exploded and had lunged in

Minerva and Darwin knew that they were an hour and a half late already.         Yet, Darwin acts like it was just nothing—fixing his tie and brushing his hair with his left hand as his other hand held hers.         “Hope your stepmom won't be shouting when she sees you very late.”         She was given a breathy laugh by him.         “She won’t.” He eyed her for a second, “As long as you wrap your arm around mine.”            The two smiled at each other, a secret love language and signal that only the two of them knew.  Minerva’s cave was still a bit aching due to her and Darwin lasting for an hour without him pulling out.         She tried to walk as normal as she could.         Nevertheless, she smi

Minerva thought that Darwin was simply craving for it.            But as soon as she saw the smoke in his eyes, the boiling rage on his ragged-looking face, she knew something was wrong with him. And it has to do with her.            He licked his lips with his tongue. Minerva just waited for him to gather the courage to ask her what he badly needed to ask.            “Is my father courting you?”            Minerva leaned closer to him with widened eyes. She thought she heard the wrong query when she looked at his hands, clenched hard on his either sides—as if he was ready to punch her.            She fathomed how angry he was now. Minerva thought that thi