“YOU should have called me before going here,” Lucille told Steven and looked away from him. She can’t contain her feelings if he’s staring at her like that.

“Lucille, I know you’re mad at me about what I told you yesterday,” he took a step closer to him, and Lucille felt like she’s going to hyperventilate.

To hide her giddiness, she turned her back at him and shut her eyes. “Of course, I’m not,” she lied despite the truth that she had cried a million liters of tears last night because of him. “I understand…” She heaved a sigh. “I always understand you, Steve.”

She felt Steven’s hands on her shoulders, and in an instant, Lucille wanted to throw herself to him. But she contained her excitement. She has to pretend hard to get so that he’ll think that she’s not head over heels to him, even if she really was.

“Lucille, we’ve been together for two decades. Don’t be like this to me just because I wanted you to stop seeing me,” he said in a pleading tone. "It's for your own good."

Lucille bit her lower lip. Steven repeated to her the favor that hurt her so badly. And, he’s begging for her to stay away from him. She heaved a sigh and faced him.

“Yes, you’re right, Steven. We’ve been together for two decades. We grew up together, go to school and college together, we even used to eat, sleep, and take a bath together!” she shouted frustratingly.

Steven hushed her lips then looked around the restaurant, checking if somebody heard what she said. Lucille suppressed her laughed. She raised her voice intentionally so the people around would think that he’s breaking up with her. In that way, Steven has no choice but to act sweet to her.

“Lower down your voice, Lucille,” Steven whispered then gave her a warning look.

Lucille rolled her eyes ceilingwards. She used her fork to twirl the carbonara pasta and put it all inside her mouth. She didn’t even bother to wipe the carbonara cream smeared behind her lips.

As she expected, Steven picked up a tissue and wiped her mouth, but he paused suddenly as if realizing something. He pulled back his hand and gave the tissue to her.

“I shouldn’t be doing this anymore,” he said, shaking his head.

“Why? Is it because somebody from your church might see us?” she smirked. “I can’t believe you’re letting them dictate your life. They’re stealing you from me, Steven.” Her voice cracked. “You knew that you’re the only person that I have, yet you still chose to leave me hanging.”

Steven sighed. “Lucille, we’re adults now, we’re not kids anymore. It’s about time for us to follow our dreams and do the things that make us happy.”

“And, that includes leaving me?” she asked as tears stung her eyes. “Am I not a part of your life anymore, Steven?”

Steven reached her hand on the table. “Lucille, you will always be in my heart. You know that no one can replace you in my life.”

Lucille made a ‘tss’ sound. “You got me by those words, Steve. You talked like as if you’re in love with me.”

“Because I do,” he replied quickly.

“You love me?” she asked in disbelief. “You love me as in romantically?”

Steven chuckled. “I love you because you’re the little sister that I always wanted but never have,” he said and smiled. “But, even if we aren’t siblings by blood, I still love and care for you as my own little sister.”

Lucille clenched her jaw. She had heard it a thousand times, but it still hurt like hell. “You know what, Steven? I don’t want you to be my big brother.”

Steven knotted his forehead. “Why? Am I not a good brother to you?”

Lucille shook her head. “You’re not a good brother because you didn’t catch me when I fall.”

“Lucille…” Steven warned her again with his gorgeous commanding tone that Lucille dreamed about every night. “I told you that you just misunderstood your feelings for me.”

Lucille fantasized about Steven standing on the foot of her bed and waiting for her to give him the best service that he’ll experience in his whole life. But she guessed it will never happen.

She paused. 'Unless Steven and I will have an intimate time together...' Lucille got excited at the thought.

“Okay, I gave up,” Lucille said after a moment of daydreaming while staring at his lips. “But, I want to ask one last favor from you.”

Steven hesitated, but he still gave in. “Okay, what is it?”

“Let’s have dinner at my apartment,” she said and smiled sweetly. “I’ll cook for us. It’ll be our last supper together.”

________

CARLSON wore his sunglass and bull cap before he got off from his car and went straight to the orphanage’s gate. The middle-aged man recognized him and let him in immediately.

“Is Sister Imelda here?” he asked the guard.

The man nodded. “Yes, Sir Carlson. I saw him talking to Skye at the garden.”

Carlson went to the garden with haste. He has to do this as soon as possible. Carlson found Sister Imelda and Skye at the garden with other kids. It looked like the elder nun is teaching Skye to take care of the plants. As he stepped on the newly-trimmed grass, Skye turned to his direction.

“Papa!” Skye shouted and ran towards him to give him a hug. “Papa!”

Carlson carried him as he walked towards Sister Imelda, who was surprised to see him at the orphanage a few hours after his press conference was released on the news.

“Carlson, I thought you wouldn’t come here for days because of the mall incident,” she said, approaching him. “Did you sneak from your manager again?”

Carlson smiled. He put Skye down and told him to continue watering the plants while he talked to Sister Imelda. When the kid left, he heaved a sigh.

“Is there something bothering you?”

Carlson looked at Skye. “My manager wanted me to stop visiting him,” he said.

“Is that the reason why you’re here? To tell him personally?”

Carlson shook his head. “No. I’m here to legally adopt Skye as my son.”

Sister Imelda was surprised. “That’s good to hear, Carlson. Finally, after three years of fostering, you’re now ready to adopt a child. But, I think it’s not a good idea right now…” She looked at Skye. “How will you handle the adoptions if your agency is against it?”

“I won’t tell them. I’ll do adoption process secretly,” he said. “I can’t take to see him sad again because of my absence.”

“How will you take care of him? You’re busy with your comeback, right? Who’s gonna look out for him?” Sister Imelda asked worriedly, and Carlson understood why. “You know that Skye isn’t easy to handle because of his state.”

Carlson looked at Skye. When Skye looked back at him and smiled, a particular woman came to his mind. “I know somebody that could take good care of Skye.”

***