Chapter 21
“THE house wasn’t that big. But, all the things that a family needs are here,” Caroline explained as soon as she opened the front door of her two-story house in Metropolitan Residences. “This is the living room, and that is the kitchen. Each room upstairs has a bathroom and toilet.”
“Wow! I love it!” Anastacia ran towards the fully furnished kitchen with complete appliances. “It feels like home!”
“Isn’t it too much, Caroline?” Benjamin asked, his handsome face was clouded with worry. “Everything is here and looked brand new. And, you’ll just let us use it?”
“And, look at the living room, Antonette! The TV was so big, it looks like we have a home theatre here,” Anastacia plopped down the couch and looked something under the coffee table. “Here! Can I watch the TV, Tita Caroline?”
“Sure, Anastacia. Treat all the things here as yours.” She’s glad that Anastacia liked it here. She was about to join Anastacia on the couch when she noticed Antonette’s silently observing the whole house. “By the way, Antonette. I have a mini library in the attic. It was air-conditioned, and you can spend time there while reading your favorite books.”
Antonette cocked her head to her. The corner of her mouth twitched, and her eyes showed excitement, but she hid it quickly. “I thought you’re not into books.”
Caroline felt a small hope by her response. “It was Lucas’s idea, actually. He said that having a library inside the house will never make you feel lonely even if you really are—”
“Because the books could give you more than just a company that you need,” Antonette finished. Still, not smiling.
Caroline reached to touch her head, but she hesitated. She remembered her reaction when they’re in Clark, and her daddy brushed her head. She lowered her hand and just smile at Antonette, who just ignored her.
“Caroline, I don’t think—”
“Benjamin, we are here already. Look at your daughter, Anastacia. She loves it here.” Caroline patted Benjamin’s back. “Don’t worry, I won’t ask for the monthly rentals, just pay the bills on time.”
Benjamin scratched the back of his head. “That’s the point, Caroline. I don’t know if I should take this… You’re so kind to us, but this is unfair to you.”
Caroline heaved a sigh before she grabbed Benjamin’s hand and dragged him to the kitchen. “So, what is fair to you? Letting your daughters stay in your coffee shop with mostly male employees? What if they get their period soon? How are they going to move freely in that environment?”
Benjamin didn’t answer. He drew his breath. “None of this would happen if I just…” He shook his head. “I shouldn’t be like this. I’m sorry.”
Caroline touched his arm. “Benjamin, it’s okay. You can open up to me. I’m your friend, remember?”
Benjamin smiled. “Thank you, Caroline. But I really don’t think that we should take this house.” He touched her hand on the table. “But, I really appreciate your concern, especially to Antonette and Anastacia.”
The smile in her face faded. She sighed and looked away from him. “Okay… I’ll try to look for another apartment for you and your kids.”
*
HYACINTH laughed so loud that it reached the geek guy having a coffee in the corner of the cafeteria. They looked at them with a creased forehead.
“Hyacinth, can you please stop laughing like there will be no more tomorrows in your life. Is that your last breath?” Caroline scolded her friend, who just ignored her as usual.
“I just can’t believe it. Benjamin declined your too-good-to-be-true offer to him,” she said, still laughing. “You know, what? You look-like a desperate cougar giving indecent proposals to the only man that caught your attention in almost what? Fifteen years?”
Caroline ignored everything that she said. “Benjamin got a huge ego. He’s broke, but he won’t let it affect his pride.”
“Honestly, I didn’t expect that he’ll decline your offer. For a striving single dad with twin daughters, meeting a woman like you was like winning the lottery,” Hyacinth said while stirring her coffee. “But sad to say, Benjamin didn’t see it.”
Caroline blew her breath and propped her chin to her one hand. “How will I convince him to move into my house?”
“First, you have to know the reason for his reluctance,” Hyacinth began. “Second, make him realize that he needs you.”
Caroline shot her friend a look. “What did you say?”
“Which one?”
“The latter.”
“Make him realize that he needs your help,” she said and narrowed her eyes to her. “I’m still against your plans, Caroline. I’m more concerned to the twins, what if they became so attached to you?”
“Then, one problem solved.” Caroline took out her phone to check if Benjamin has sent her a message. “He’s still not changing his mind?”
Hyacinth laughed. “And, what if the daddy fell for you?”
“I’ll catch him and help him mend his broken heart,” Caroline said with so much affection that made Hyacinth winced.
“You didn’t tell me that your dream was to be the newest flavor of instant mommy,” Hyacinth commented and laughed.
Caroline glared at her friend. She was about to say something but changed her mind. “Why it’s hard to move on?
Hyacinth brows raised. She looked at her as her question came from outer space. “Why don’t you ask that question to Lucas, and to the other twelve bachelors that you just dumped?”
Caroline covered her face. “I didn’t mean to hurt them, you know that.”
“I know,” she said with a shake of her head. “Well, maybe because they gave it all to their partners to the point that nothing was left for them to hold on. And, to be alone and empty in this cruel world was the last thing that every man wanted.”
Caroline pressed her lips together. It happened to her two decades ago, and the memories kept on haunting her, making sure that she will never forget that darkest moment of her life.
I need to move on… And, I know that Benjamin can help me, Caroline thought.
***
