Chapter 25
“TITA Caroline, can I ride in your car instead of dad’s?” Anastacia asked her when they have transferred all their things in Benjamin’s car.
“Yes, why not? I was about to ask you that, actually,” she replied with a smile.
She was touching Anastacia’s braided hair when she noticed Antonette watching them. She waved and smiled at her, but as she expected, Antonette just ignored her. Caroline couldn’t help but feel hurt. Every time Antonette ignored her, she felt as if there’s a tiny needle stabbing her heart repeatedly.
“Tita Caroline, do you want me to braid your hair? I know a lot of different styles in braiding,” Anastacia said when she noticed her silence. She was looking at her with those bright brown eyes.
The corner of her mouth turned up. “I’d love to. Should we do it inside the café? Or, in the car?”
Anastacia pointed at her car. “While we wait for dad. I know he’ll take time making reminders to the Demitasse staff, just like what he did before we went in Pampanga.” Anastacia rolled her eyes. “It was as if he’ll be away for months!”
Caroline chuckled. “Your dad just wanted to make sure that everything is in order before he leaves. It just shows that he really loves Café Demitasse.”
“Indeed,” Anastacia agreed. “He told us that Café Demitasse was their brainchild, and Mom loves it just like how much she loved us…” Anastacia trailed off. “Maybe that’s why Dad chose to sell the house in order to save the Demitasse. He knew that Mom would do the same thing, too, if she was still here.”
Caroline opened her car door and helped Anastacia get inside. “What do you mean in order to save the Demitasse? What happened to the café?”
Anastacia’s lips twitched. “I don’t know if I should tell it to you, Tita Caroline. But, because you’re my dad’s friend and I am comfortable with you, I’ll reveal it. But…” She held her eyes. “You have to promise me that you won’t tell anyone. Even to your Mommy.”
“I promised,” she complied with a nod.
“Okay.” She drew her breath before she continued. “Turn around, I’ll braid your hair while I tell a secret.”
Caroline hesitated. She wanted to look at Anastacia’s eyes while she revealed to her the reasons for Benjamin’s struggles—that he denied to tell her yesterday at the supermarket. She knew that she shouldn’t be doing this, it’s like stealing info that can’t be shared, or getting pieces of information without the owner’s permission. But, Anastacia was his daughter, and she was starting to speak anyway.
“Dad told us that Café Demitasse was on the brink of bankruptcy. The café sales started to fail after mom’s death because almost all of our bestselling pastries were made by mom.” She paused a moment. “Dad tried to borrow money at the bank, but because he hasn’t fully-paid his previous loans, the bank denied his request.”
“How he ends up buying your house then?” she asked with a frown.
“He met a wealthy businessman at the bank. When he noticed that daddy failed to apply for a loan, he offered to lend him money, but daddy has to give one property to him if he cannot pay back the money on the date that he gave him.” She heard Anastacia sniffed, and when she spoke, her voice cracked. “Dad only got Café Demitasse and our house.”
Caroline faced Anastacia, and she was right. She’s crying. “Don’t cry. Everything’s going to be alright.”
“I know it was tough for Dad to let go of our house because Mom’s memories were there, but he needed to save Café Demitasse.” She wiped her tears and smiled at her. “You know what, Tita Caroline? I’m thankful that you’re here. I can see that Dad was better whenever you’re around. He got someone to talk to with his problems.”
Caroline sadly smiled. Anastacia was wrong. Benjamin wasn’t open to his feelings and problems. Still, Caroline wasn’t giving up. She knew that sooner or later, Benjamin’s heart will open its doors to welcome her.
*
“DO you need some help, Benjamin?” Caroline asked when they parked their cars in front of her house. “I’ll take that luggage inside—”
Benjamin held her hand to stop her from carrying the bags. “I can handle that, Caroline.”
She knotted her forehead. “But that’s plenty. Let me help you with some bags—”
He squeezed her hand. “Can you just take the kids inside, please?”
Her cheeks turned pink. She fluttered her several times before she managed to answer him. “S-sure! We’ll wait for you inside,” she stuttered and walked towards his twins that were busy observing the stray plants in the yard.
He took almost one hour to carry all their things inside the house. Those were just some of their personal stuff that he chose to bring when they left their home. His plan was to pick up some of their appliances when they moved to another house. But, it looks like that it wasn’t necessary because Caroline’s house was completed in furniture and appliances—that she wanted them to use.
“Please take care of this house as your own home, okay? The electric power and water connection are ready to consume,” Caroline told them while they were putting out their things from the box.
“Thank you, Caroline. I’ll pay for the monthly rental as soon as I got the Demitasse—”
“Rental can wait, Benjamin. And, don’t worry, I’m not a monstrous landlady,” she joked.
“Have dinner with us, I’ll cook for dinner,” he said instead.
Caroline pursed her lips. She seemed to be thinking about it.
“If you have other plans—”
“Nah. I don’t have plans of leaving this house without trying the dish that you’ll cook,” she said and smiled.
“Are you sure? Is Lucas won’t look for you?” he asked. Benjamin doesn’t know why he has to ask that question to her. And, why he’s holding his breath while waiting for her reply.
“Lucas?” she asked back. “I advised him not to call me today because I’ll be occupied for the whole day,” she said in a neutral tone.
Benjamin released his breath. But it wasn’t the answer that he wanted to hear. And what he wanted? Benjamin watched Caroline helped his children unpack their things, he remembered what she told him yesterday.
“I need you, too…”
Those words echoed in his mind. She needs him in what aspect? And, why he kept on thinking about it?
***
