“FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN”

THE next day is Lara's first day as a full-time mother and wife to Joaquin and Callie. Because of that, she was the one who presented to prepare breakfast for them. But Nanny Loring still helped and assisted her. This is also the opportunity she had to get to know her husband thoroughly through the old woman's stories.

"Joaquin has always been a good boy. Friendly to anyone. Maybe that's why he is often misinterpreted by the women who become his friends," said the old woman who at that moment was busy chopping garlic and onions to be used for the rice.

"He's really kind and gentle," she answered. "That's why I'm so thankful because, despite my situation, he loved and married me. Even, after all, he can get a woman who is so much better than me.”

When she said that, Nanny Loring quickly put down the knife she was holding. Even she was chopping garlic she took her hand then held it tightly and squeezed it.

"Believe it or not, he is the lucky one because of having you sweetie," as Nanny Loring looked her straight in the eyes, that's what she said.

Warm feelings caressed Lara's heart because of what the old woman said. Even though her way of staring at her was meaningful, she just ignored it. It's not because she's not interested. But because the pleasure in her heart prevailed because of what she said.

"Thank you," she replied then continued what she was doing.

At that moment, she was busy preparing Callie and Joaquin's sandwich.

She knows they can buy. But it's still different if they bring food that she prepared.

"I hope that even when he makes a mistake, you will always be able to understand him. He loves you very much. And I know that a woman like you will only pass once in his life.”

Nanny Loring's tone of voice was pleading. She didn't know why she was talking like this. It's as if Joaquin has committed a great sin against her that this old woman has to apologize to her.

"That's the way it is, isn't it? Being a married couple is different compared to just being a lover. Especially if there is a child involved," when she finally said that, Lara immediately saw Nanny Loring's quick reaction.

She immediately felt nervous because of that. Even if she wanted to take back what she said, she couldn't. That's why the only thing she thought of as a remedy was to add to her story to mislead what she meant.

"Callie has been so close with him. And as far as I can see, Joaquin is the same. So if the two of them fell apart then Callie will definitely be in trouble. I don't want my daughter to be heartbroken especially now that she is experiencing this," she said choosing to be careful with what she said next because she didn't want her tongue to slip again.

She avoids that especially when she and Joaquin last talked it was as if he was suspicious of her.

When she saw Nanny Loring's reaction, Lara's mood calmed down. She has felt a lighter feeling in her chest because she seems to have believed it. But her belief quickly changed when the old woman spoke and she heard what she said.

"Do you know that sometimes I want to think that Callie is Joaquin's daughter because of the child's undeniable resemblance to your husband's late mother?"

Lara did not know what Nanny Loring means by what she said. Or maybe she's the only one who thinks like that because of the secret she's keeping from Joaquin?

Lara didn't answer that and instead just smiled at Nanny Loring. She was thinking that she might say something that would be suspicious to her.

"Yummy breakfast," said Joaquin after they shared the breakfast that she prepared.

"Yes, so yummy! Thank you, Mommy!” Callie happily answered.

The breakfast she prepared was a simple thing after all. But maybe because she was the one who cooked, her husband and daughter were just that happy. And that touched her heart deeply.

"I can always do this now, Callie. I'll always be with you and spend most of my time here at home," she said, glancing at Joaquin and then returning her gaze to her daughter who was staring at her too.

"Really?" Callie asked in disbelief.

That's when Lara glanced at her husband and then smiled. Now she fully understood how good Joaquin's idea was. It was obvious from Callie's aura that she was very happy.

"Yes, sweetie. I resigned from my job. So that I can take good care of you and your Daddy," she said.

As soon as she said that, Callie immediately came to her and hugged her tightly.

"Wow, thank you, Mommy!" she kissed her on the cheek afterward.

"You're welcome," she said. "But maybe you should also thank your Daddy because he came up with this idea," she said truthfully.

Lara didn't even have to tell Callie to approach Joaquin. Because she willingly approached her father.

"Thank you, Daddy," Callie said softly then hugged Joaquin and kissed him on the cheek.

Lara exerted a lot of control over herself just to not cry at those moments. And even though it was difficult, she managed to control her own emotions.

"I love you, Daddy," she heard Callie add.

"I love you more, baby," was Joaquin's response.

At that point, Lara's restraint finally broke. She couldn't handle the honesty she felt in Joaquin's words.

"Mommy is crying," Joaquin teased her when he saw her crying.

"Yeah, don't cry, Mommy," Callie said.

That's when Lara laughed and wiped her tears.

"I'm just happy because I see you guys love each other," that's the truth so that's what she said.

But in her heart, if there is something more than the word happy, she knows that's what she feels. Everything is fine. The only thing she had to do now was to confess to Joaquin what was true.

*****

"BE CAREFUL driving, okay?" she instructed her husband when she took him to the garage.

Joaquin just nodded then bent down and kissed her on the lips.

"Later, let’s have dinner outside with Callie, okay?" he said to her after he released her lips.

Lara's beautiful eyebrows rose because of what she heard. "Really? What is the occasion and why are we going out for dinner?”

Joaquin shrugged his shoulders before opening his mouth to answer her question.

"It's payday today. Let's take Callie shopping and then we'll eat out. What do you think?” that is what he replied.

Lara was not able to speak immediately when her husband said that. She just kept staring at him.

"Hey, are you okay? Did you hear what I said?" he asked when she remained silent.

"Yes, I heard you," she said. "I'm speechless because I didn't think I'd be this happy," she said telling him the truth.

That's when Joaquin pulled and then hugged her. "I will do everything to make you and Callie happy."

She nodded while staying to hug her husband. After a while, she releases herself from him.

"You go ahead or you might be late. Be careful driving, okay?” he said to Joaquin once again.

Before getting into the car, her husband bowed to her again and kissed her on the lips.

"I'll see you tonight," he said.

It was Lara who opened the gate for her husband. She even waved at him and then watch as the car moved away. She was about to close the gate when she spotted an unknown man standing on the other side of the street.

Lara couldn't say where the shiver that suddenly hit her chest came from. Especially when she saw him looking at her.

She moved quickly and then closed the gate. Then she went inside and closed the large door.

"What happened to you, Lara?" was Nanny Loring's worried question to her.

She shook her head one after the other. "Where is Callie?" she asked instead.

"She's in her room waiting for you. You are the one she wants to fix her," the old woman answered her.

Lara immediately smiled at what she heard. "All right," she replied then went to take care of her daughter.

In Lara's mind, the man she saw standing in front of their house was somehow lost in her thoughts. She has to take care of her daughter because her school service might arrive anytime soon.