“TIME AS TRUTH TELLER”

Earlier than she expected was when Joaquin got home that night. That's why they also had a long time to go strolling at the mall and shopping. Just like Joaquin wanted to happen.

"Aren't you tired? Do you want to help me with those?” Lara asked Joaquin while she was referring to the many paper bags he was carrying.

The man immediately shook his head. "No, I'm okay," Joaquin said to her then smiled.

"Oh, don't spoil this child too much and she might get used to it," she said glancing at Callie who was holding one of her hands and was busy looking around at the stores they were passing.

"Oh, don't mention it. I really enjoyed doing this," Joaquin told her.

After all, Joaquin didn't even need to tell her about that. Because the truth is that she can see it in his face. Even in the sparkle of his eyes.

"I know. And I'm happy to see that you enjoyed it,” she replied.

They had dinner at an Italian restaurant. That's because Callie likes to eat spaghetti.

"Looks like our order will take a longer, I'll just go to the comfort room, okay?" she said to Joaquin after the waiter took their orders.

Her husband just nodded and then turned to face Callie again who at that moment had chosen to sit next to him.

*****

WHEN Tessa saw Lara stand up, she quickly followed her. She knew she was going to the comfort room.

After all, that was the first time she saw Lara. The only clue she had was Joaquin. She saw them in a toy store so she decided to follow them.

She saw Joaquin happy. Well, not only her previous bed partner but also his two other companions. Lara and the little girl who looks like Joaquin. At that Tessa quickly felt confused.

Well, she also has to admit that Joaquin and Lara have a slight resemblance. So maybe that's what the kid looks like.

But the idea that the woman Joaquin chooses to marry is a single mother is what really hurts her heart.

Does this mean that Joaquin's love for her is so great? So he was able to accept even her daughter?

She knew she was okay. But she is hurting now. She just couldn't tell if it was just because of the pride that she knew was injured. But that is no longer important to her.

When Tessa entered the bathroom, she saw that there was no one there. That's when she waited for Lara to come out of the cubicle. So, from her bag, she took out her comb and then started to groom herself.

She was about to apply lipstick to her lips when the cubicle door suddenly opened. And from there came out a very beautiful woman.

When she and Lara’s eyes met in the mirror reflection, the latter immediately smiled at her. And since she was only irritated with her, she didn't smile back.

She expected to see the embarrassment on her face, but she was disappointed. It’s like she was not affected by what she did. Instead, she joins her by the sink and began to groom herself as well.

While they were there side by side, she couldn't help herself from feeling very insecure about Lara. It is not unlikely that Joaquin will like her because she is really beautiful. But if it's just about being pretty is what to talk about, she can say that she won't be left behind with the kind that she has.

"Well, it's not impossible for a President and CEO of the company to like you because you're really beautiful," when Tessa couldn't stand the irritation and insecurity she was feeling that's when she let her sharp tongue do its job.

*****

IMMEDIATELY, Lara's eyebrows met when she heard that said by the woman with her in front of the mirror.

"Excuse me?" her eyebrows are still knit. "Are you talking to me?" she asked to clarify.

She saw the woman roll her eyes as if to indicate that she was stupid to ask such a question.

"It's just the two of us here, isn't it? Of course, I'm talking to you," was her sarcastic reply.

Lara's quickly felt nervous. She didn't know her. So why is that she seems so angry at her?

"Do we know each other?" she asked her.

“No. But because I feel like you want to know me. All right, I'll introduce myself to you," she said, extending her hand to her. "Tessa, I am Joaquin Antonio Jr.'s former bed partner. Joaquin, your husband. The President and CEO of Antonio Paper Corporation.”

Lara clearly heard every word the woman said. But at that moment it was as if she suddenly lost her sanity. It's like she's in a nightmare and she doesn't know how to fight it.

"W-What are you talking about?" she asked in confusion.

"I told you, I was your husband's former bed partner. I saw you earlier in a toy shop, so I followed. I went back and forth to their office several times, but I couldn't find him. When I talked to his best friend, that's when I found out that he's already married to you?"

Lara did not speak as the woman continued.

"Wait, why don't you seem to know anything?" she said suddenly as if surprised.

"What do you mean I know nothing?" she asked.

Then the woman grinned. "Well, my original plan that’s why I came back here to the Philippines is to get Joaquin back. You know that even though we are just bed partners and for you our relationship only revolves around sex, we can get along. And then I met this guy named Ramil. Oh, what a small world isn't it?"

"Ramil? Does that mean you're the girl he's telling me about?" for a moment, Lara couldn't help but feel happy instead of annoyed because she was finally facing the woman who captured Ramil's heart.

"Maybe? Unless what he's telling me is not true that he has left his other bed partners," answered Tessa, shrugging her shoulders.

"I'm glad to meet you," she said truthfully then Tessa smiled.

"Really? Despite your husband and I's past, you are happy to meet me?" as if from the tone of Tessa's speech, it was obvious that she could not believe what she said.

Lara nodded there. "My husband doesn't hide anything from me. I know everything about his past," she said.

"Oh, so meaning to say you also know that he is a very rich person, right? Because earlier you seemed surprised when I told you that he is the President and CEO of a large paper company. Actually, it's the biggest paper company here in the Philippines. And because he married you, I feel like I want to be jealous of you because even if you don't work anymore, you will be able to live well. And most of all, he accepts your daughter. How sweet," Tessa even added.

Lara was literally stunned after everything she heard from Tessa.

Joaquin? President and CEO of the largest paper company here in the Philippines? Why didn't she know about that?

What she knew and the only thing he admitted to her was that he was the Vice President. So he has the capacity to give her and Callie a good life even if she doesn't work anymore. And that's what she saw as the reason why she was convinced to stop working.

"All right, I have to go," Tessa said when her shock completely engulfed her.

Lara just nodded and then followed the woman with her gaze. While her mind at that moment was occupied by everything she was saying.

You shouldn't just believe hearsay, Lara. Talk to your husband first and maybe that woman just wants to ruin you especially admitted to you that she used to be Joaquin's bed partner.

It was the other side of her mind that in the end, she chose to listen to.

She came out of CR after that. And because it took her a little while to come back, the food they ordered was already on the table.

"What took you so long, Mommy?" Callie asked her.

She just smiled at her daughter and then glanced at her husband who started to take care of their daughter.

"Are you okay?" when Joaquin noticed her seeming silence while they were eating.

Lara nodded. "Yes, I just felt a little tired," she added.

Later when they get home, she will talk to Joaquin. Because if she doesn't do that she knows she won't feel okay either.