The heck.

I just let out a big laugh. I said, "He's 29," and I still find it hard to believe it.

Elyse, it's all right. It's alright since you might simply feel the same way.

I almost slap my forehead. He doesn't talk much, Elyse, what vibes! How can you two have the same vibes, okay!

"My son is kind, as I've already said," I said.

"Are you sure?" She shook her head when I asked. What exactly she was talking about has me completely baffled.

"Oh! How old is your daughter, by the way?"

"She has already turned ten..." I paused mid-sentence if unexpectedly taken aback by what she had heard?

"You became pregnant at 17?"

"Y-Yes."

"You were so young when you became pregnant, wow."

"Yes, but I didn't become pregnant once more; that one is sufficient for me." I've never been pregnant, no matter how often we were together, and as my company expanded, I ran out of time to talk to Daren since I was so worn out from work. I can still cook and look after Elizabeth, but I have no desire to do so."

I nodded and grinned in response to what she said. "You should be grateful, she's a blessing to god for you." She reminded me of how I felt when people judged me for being pregnant too soon.

"Yes, I am aware that everything in our lives has a purpose."

"Yes, without a doubt." There was a little period of stillness, and because she was now staring at me, I appeared embarrassed.

Is my face covered in dirt? Oh, I guess I stink because I was sweating so much.

"You seem to be familiar to me in some way, ija. I feel as though I've seen you before, but I can't remember where."

"Oh, in the Philippines, I formerly owned a toy business. Maybe you caught me talking about infidelity on TV."

"Oh, I see; I remember. I saw you on television. Right, I saw a news about you and your husband? I'm not sure if I did remember it right but it does talk about you and your husband, that you cheated on him? Did you really cheat on your husband ija?

"Of course not; in that interview, he is stating the exact opposite. He cheated, not me. I was so committed to him that I never considered flirting or cheating with another guy." I said telling her the truth.

Even just a crush, longing about artists, or even glancing at other men I don't. Why would I even look for or at someone else if they are around when I already have him and my daughter, also I have my work. However, that is really the sole distinction between the two of us.

Perhaps I'm the only one who has that thought. I'll be honest: I spend more time at work than he does. Could that be the reason he might be looking for someone else? Despite what they say, your trust is more valuable than time.

"He's a dunce, ija. He didn't even consider how attractive you are when he deceived you."

"You will be duped whether you are attractive or ugly, big- or small boobs. Finding a partner who exclusively loves you is incredibly lucky." 

Has Mrs. Ferrer ever been the victim of cheating?

After a lengthy story-sharing session with Mrs. Ferrer, we abruptly ran into each other. She's nice, which is my good fortune. Simply put, I'm unsure of how kind her son is.

I'm heading home with Mindy after being advised to start the following day. Will that be okay? I'm going to fix my things, and I'm also asking her to watch over Elizabeth while I'm gone.

We're currently dining in the late hours.

"Elyse, how are you doing? Have you found work?" She questioned while she ate her rice.

"Mommy, have you found work?" Elizabeth was now seated next to me as I turned to face her.

"Ah, hmm, yes", I replied. I'm sure Mindy wouldn't believe me if I told her that my work was a yaya.

She is aware that I will work any job but this kind of job. Not because I disliked it, but rather because I feel like I'm not good at that, I really didn't want that anymore when we were youngsters.

My mother used to be a yaya, therefore that could be the reason. When I was a child, she used to take me to the house where she worked, where I observed how they would chastise her even if she made a mistake, how she would clean up, and how if any dust remained, they would criticize her, and if the cooking was subpar, they would throw it at her.

I don't know; I just believe that being a yaya is a more difficult profession, but at this point, I have no choice because I must provide for Elizabeth financially.

"Really? When will you begin, then?"

"Tomorrow..." She bowed.

I enquire, "What about you? Have you found a job?"

"I'll just attempt to apply again tomorrow if nothing else. If you're the only one who spends money on our cuisine, it's embarrassing." She hasn't changed much at all, so when she said that, I just quietly laughed.

Do you still want to eat, Sweetie? Elizabeth shook her head in response when I asked. "Mommy, I'm filled."

I merely brought her some water and gave it to her.

"I'll simply finish my assignment, Mom." I simply nodded when she replied, "Let's go together." I look at Mindy, who is currently sipping water.

"Oh? Elyse, why are you staring at me like that?"

"Do you mind if I ask you to watch over Elizabeth while I'm gone? I'll be starting work tomorrow, and there isn't anyone else to do it."

"Just that I don't find that problematic. What job did you find, by the way?"

"Yaya,"

"What?? I think I heard you wrong. What did you say again?" Looking at me, her forehead was still slightly creased.

I spoke again, and I could tell that she was still in disbelief that she was staring at me. "Elyse, are you ok? Are you sure about that? You dislike it right?"

No other options, it appears that only that position wants to recruit me. That's preferable to being jobless.

"Yesterday I read a paper stating they were looking for a yaya, the salary is high so I attempted to apply and it looks like that old woman likes me, therefore, she accepted me," 

"You're going to stay there if you're a yaya right? Because that would be hard for you if you'll have to go home after work, anyway I don't think they're still such a work for yaya that doesn't work stay in."

"The issue is that..."

"You want me to look after Elizabeth while you're away?" I slowly nodded.

"It's okay with me then, but how can I work?" Her worried question.

I thought about what it said.

She's still looking for a job, isn't she? "Anyway, you don't have to work anymore. I'll pay for everything! All you have to do is watch Elizabeth while I'm not here."

"It's embarrassing when it's like that Elyse, it's as if you're the one who keeps me alive. It's like we're going back to the past, I'm only relying on you."

"Why are saying that all of sudden? It's okay with me." I got up and went to her, then hugged her.

"You know Mindy, you and I are like sisters. We've known each other for a long time and until now you still seem to be ashamed. Then there's no one else to work with but us, isn't the family working together?" She slowly nodded.

We put away what we ate and then went to the bedroom. When I entered the room I saw Elizabeth who was now sound asleep.

I just smiled as I watched it. I slowly approached and lay down next to her. I caressed her cheek and kissed her on the forehead.

"Hmm, mommy?" It slowly opened its eyes and stared at me.

"I'm sorry sweetie. Did I wake you up?"

"It's okay mommy." She smiled at me and kissed me on the cheek. I was just surprised by that and laughed softly.

"Oh, why are you laughing so hard? It's like you're being tickled by your laughter."

"Your smelly mommy, aren't you taking a bath?" I quickly sniffed myself and my daughter was right, I was already sniffing. I got dressed straight away when I got here and I couldn't take a bath, I forgot.

"It's okay mommy, I can still handle your level of stench."

"You huh, because now that you're so big you treat your mommy like that."

"Eh? I'm just telling the truth, didn't you say it's bad to lie?" Of course not, I said that to her.

She hugged me tightly. "Mommy, I didn't mean to hear what you and Aunt Mindy were talking about, but is it true that you got a job?" I swallowed one after another.

I haven't told her about it yet but she heard it himself.

"Ahh, yeah..."

"It's okay with me that Aunt Mindy can be with me first while you're not here."

"Huh?"

"I know, mommy, you need money, that's why you're working."

Uhm, is this my daughter? Why is she even older than me when it comes to speaking?

"Is that okay with you sweetie? Mommy only comes home here every Sunday?" She smiled at me and nodded.

I don't know, when Elizabeth was my age I would cry when I didn't see my mom but she was fine with her. It's a good thing she didn't inherit me to cry when I was young.

Where did she inherit? Maybe Daren? Tsk, he cried when he was a child. In high school, we were talking about what happened when we were young...

I quickly slapped my forehead because I remembered that sh*t again! Memories are crazy! I hope he gets bored with his new woman!

"Mommy are you okay?"

"H-Huh? Ah, yes mommy is fine. I just suddenly remembered something"

I didn't think I was even a little startled by what it said: "Is it, daddy?" I was wondering how she knew that her dad was what I was thinking.

“Daddy pfft,”

I arched an eyebrow and asked, "Oh, why are you still laughing there?"

"Didn't you miss your dad?" And over time, her smile faded as she stared into my eyes.

"Mommy, I have to tell you something, don't be mad."

"What's that?"

"Daddy met me and went to school with me, and you—"

My forehead furrowed in surprise as she exclaimed, "What?!" I rose and turned to face her.

I can't help but shout, "You talked to your dad without my permission?! What if he kidnapped you without notifying me? What will happen to me if he takes you too?!"

She started to say, "M-Mommy, he just said hi," but I cut her off.

I'm not mad at my daughter; I'm mad at Daren because it seems like he's trying to figure out a way to get Elizabeth for me, and I can't agree! "How are you?! Yes, maybe it's just a greeting but next time he might take you from me so don't trust your daddy!"

I initially told him to take everything, not just my kid.

Gradually I dropped my shoulder at what it said, "He said he was leaving, they were traveling to the States so he met me and said goodbye."

Is he relocating? Shameless, I tell ya! He used whose money, who? The cash took from my business! Okay, now that your karma is coming to you, take your time and your new woman to be happy for now.

It nodded, "And you believe that?!"

"That's what he told me... why don't you believe daddy?"

You won't grasp what I'm saying until you experience this as an adult, Elizabeth, because you already know how difficult it is to rebuild trust after someone has betrayed you.

It won't be better if what she claimed is accurate because we won't be disturbed here.

She gave me her hand, which I stroked. She sobbed and hugged me as she said, "Sweetie, I'm sorry, mom just doesn't want you to disappear. Okay?"

I tried to fight back the tears that I really wanted to drip into my eyes. "You're a very brave mommy, you don't want to cry in front of others. When you're in pain, you hold on to yourself. I just want to be like you. Even though it hurts so bad that I still try not to cry, I try to be okay even though It's not really... "I tried to be like you.

"Mommy, even if he cheated on you and made you cry a few times, I realize that my daddy he's still there and I love him. There's nothing wrong with that, mommy. " I got the impression that I know where this conversation is going.

I feel like a mommy telling you that your father still loves you because I can see it in his eyes, but aren't you and daddy really going to get along? Is there no chance that you two will reconcile?

"You know what sweetie if someone loves you, he won't trick you, he won't look for others, and if he says he was simply tempted, he doesn't love you anymore, because if he really feels love for you, he should think he had you in the first place,"

I added. "the first time I'm officially your dad's girlfriend. We talked about this thing before if it ever happened and it did. We told each other that if someone cheated, we wouldn't give each other a second opportunity.

I attempted to grin at her, "You're still little so you shouldn't think about things like this, someday you'll understand mommy too."

He questioned, "You truly don't like dad anymore?" and I gave him a hesitant nod.

My eyebrows opened at the remark, "Uhm, won't you get me a new daddy?"

"What??"

What standards will the new dad apply? I mean, I don't even have any plans to date or remarry.

I just laughed loudly, "Mommy is so serious, just kidding hihih." Even though it's a joke, if it's accurate, it's another problem.

Get some sleep, Elizabeth; you have class in the morning.

Simply to make sure he was awake, I went to sleep.

Though I was a morning person, Elizabeth and Mindy were awake before me. Since Mindy has already made the food and dressed my kid, it would seem that I'm the one that stinks here.

I asked her in disbelief, "Why is that, Mindy? I think you made breakfast today."

"In order for you to leave early." Respond to it.

"I think you're still thrilled." I laughed and said.

Simply put, "I don't want you to be late. It's dreadful to be late on your first day of work."

Mindy might be right. The fact that it was my first job and the compensation was still competitive made me fortunate. Unlike when I applied and was turned down, they still really hate me.

After we started eating, Mindy took Elizabeth to school while I continued to pack my luggage.

I left after that.

I was going to enter their shop when someone called me, and I saw Mrs. Ferrer shoveling. He was operating a black car with a window that was slightly ajar.

A man emerged from the vehicle to help me with my stuff.

"Elise? Hello, Elise?"

"Yes? Not Elise, but Elyse." I corrected and laughed it off.

"I'm sorry, but as you get older, you tend to forget things." I just smiled and joined her in her seat.

What is our destination? What are you contemplating—probably at the home of her son?

I did say, "At my son's house," after all. All I did was nod.

I just kept quiet here while Mrs. Ferret was on the phone. Because it looks like someone is phoning her every minute, is she tired of talking to him? I kept picturing myself with her when I was putting in so much effort. Whether you are eating, urinating, cooking, or sleeping, someone is calling.

Important: Failure to answer would be embarrassing.

Because you decided to complete that work, keep going and be patient. You can get tired and take a break, but once you're tired, you can't stop.

It's similar to quitting a relationship only to return to discover someone else waiting for you; when you lose your job, there is no way for you to get it back. Either you'll discover it or you'll get it, but it won't be the same as before.

"Are you feeling fine?"

I was knocked out when Mrs. Ferrer grabbed my shoulder and said, "Ija??"

"Yes?"

"Are you okay?" She asked.

Indeed, there is... Just musing, I suppose. I made an effort to smile at her. I can't help but swoon over her stunning face, even when she's old.

When I'm older, will I still be that attractive?

She is very white and has eyes that seem lovely. What's the secret to keeping that degree of beauty as I get older?

I began to wonder what the face of her child looked like. Is it appealing the way she is? I was unaware that her son was a male.

We stopped at a sizable house and are now in front of the enormous gate. When the gate is positioned in this way, no one really tries to break in because if you climb up there and fall, your bones could be gravely damaged.

Once we got out of the car and started looking around, I just noticed the tall trees.

I muttered to myself, "There shouldn't be another house here. What sort of place is this? It looks like a movie, wrong turn."

Most likely, her son's house is the haunted one; perhaps the ghost will prevent babysitters from staying long. I have conflicting feelings about ghosts; that's a mess, right?

While I carried my luggage, Mrs. Ferrer moved closer to the house. There were only the two of us. As soon as we got close to the front door, the doorbell started to ring.

Eh? Is it not possible to do so with just one touch? Need anything so badly? What if her son is inconsolable because someone is ringing the doorbell inside?

He only opens the gate when I don't ring the doorbell, so I'm sorry she's been doing it for so long. She smiled at me as she talked.

Nobody was still unlocking the door after a while, and I already had it in my possession. I was ready to ring the doorbell again, staring lifelessly at Mrs. Ferrer's hand, when someone suddenly opened the door. Before I could see his face, he swiftly turned around.

I invited them inside. She smiled and offered to help me carry my bags.

We both came to a stop, "Oh my, no issue, I can handle things on my own."

I raised an eyebrow and looked around the house. Although the property seems beautiful from the outside, the inside is a complete disaster. There was something that smelled like rotten fish in addition to the scattered pieces of clothing, shattered plates and glasses, and other items on the floor. Is the wall paint black as a result? It is rather dark. A completely black house is still discernible to me.

Is the interior of the house painted black while the exterior is white? I don't really question if he prefers the colors white and black.

She was no longer surprised or bewildered at the chaos in Mrs. Ferrer's son's house. Currently, she is beaming. Is she happy because she saw her child or is she upset by the mayhem all around her?

See if what I just said is weak on its own, "Here we go again." My hair stood on end in one place.

His tone was quite positive.

"Elyse, meet Xander's new maid."

I turned around and I was startled to see a familiar face standing in front of me. "YOU?!"