Chapter 10: Chapter 10

A deafening noise greeted Vanilla's peaceful morning. The girl opened her eyes and yawned at the foot of her soft bed. She looked up at the round wall clock; it’s already seven in the morning. She heard Ark's groan again in the living room. Who else can play it and the kid is giggling so loud? She first combed her hair, tied it up and went down the shiny stairs. She saw her mother focused on changing the curtains with the helpers. It turned to her as she noticed her presence.

"Oh, honey, you’re awake now." Her mother said and planted a kiss on her.

"Good morning too, Mom." She rubbed her eyes and yawned again.

"All right, go to the kitchen. Your Manang Suling and I cooked early. Join Ark with the food." The lady said and turned her attention to designing a beautiful design that could be put on the window.

"Who’s with him?" What she heard seemed to overwhelm her.

"Yes, you have a guest. He is in the kitchen playing with Ark." There was no response to her. She raised an eyebrow before stepping into the kitchen. When she turned the gate, her son smiled broadly at Edward. It caressed the side of the child causing him to laugh uncontrollably. She watched the scene of the father and son for a long time. She secretly smiled as she watched the two. She calmed herself as Edward looked up at her. The girl sneezed, rolled her eyes and started walking towards it.

"Good morning, son." She kissed Ark's head and messed up the strands of its hair.

"Hi, Mommy." Ark gave her a bright smile before a tight hug. She passed the quiet Edward while still holding her son. She went behind it and reached for the coffee pot and poured the coffee into a small cup before sitting down. The man lowered the child and sat in the opposite chair. Ark, on the other hand, sided with him.

Vanilla silently put rice on the plate. It also fitted the child and handed him a glass of milk. She smiled at Ark and handed the soup to the small bowl. Edward's gaze still silently followed what she was doing. It doesn’t move in the seat, it just keeps the child looking at them. After she put chopsuey on the plate, they started eating. Vanilla noticed that the man was still stunned. It just started to spoon after she finished putting the hotdog on the plate.

Edward just watched Vanilla in action. She is an exemplary mother if he looks at it. It raised Ark well and didn’t neglect it. Maybe he noticed that he was embarrassed in front of her so he was embarrassed to be spooned by the steak, he would have taken an egg but the sunny-side up egg was close to Vanilla's location, he was embarrassed to catch it. He was about to start opening his mouth to swallow when Vanilla immediately dropped an egg and hotdog on his plate. His lips parted as his cutlery was hanging in the air. It was the least Vanilla could do for him, but it still did that. He didn’t reveal to the girl the pleasure that pierced his heart. Edward seemed to want to eat, and for the first time he tasted an egg. At home, when he was with his parents at the table, he didn’t feel excited. No matter how grand they are, the food seems tasteless. He thinks the food served on their table is dull even though it came from an expensive restaurant.

Vanilla immediately stopped eating when Edward's cell phone rang. She glanced at it secretly. Maybe one of Edward's women again, calling and sending the young man home. Vanilla wondered why this grass was in their house, it turned out to be too rough and rushed to the house to accompany them in the morning. She forgave it yesterday. She allowed him to be with the child when they talked intensely yesterday. They also agreed that they would only pretend to be together when Ark was in front of them, but if they weren’t there, they would return to being strangers.

She restored the spirit of sailing to another planet. As much as possible, she didn’t want to be tempted by the desire to listen to the conversation between the two. She shouldn’t be jealous, there is no solid reason for her to be jealous because the young man has no space in her heart. Its presence now is only for their son and not for her. She hurried to eat, she did a series of eating, gulped water and kissed the child's head. Vanilla continued into the living room of the house and turned on the wide TV screen. She needs to eradicate in his brain the thought of jealousy running through her entire muscle.

Shit! This man is driving her crazy again and she didn't want to, but she was being carried away. Vanilla pinched herself; she was shivering at the thought. Her heart is now invading every corner of her brain's opposition against Edward.

Calm down, Vanilla. That man hurt you before. Will you let him do that to you again this time? She restrained herself to win the emotion to trust the young man again. It was too early for her to trust it. It has not yet proved to her that it is indeed serious to the son Ark and of course to her.

Edward was about to pick up the cellphone when he noticed Vanilla stopped eating. He just pocketed the device and turned his full attention to Ark. Vanilla quickly scratched what was on her plate when he looked at it. He wanted to laugh because it almost choked with what she was doing. She kissed the child carelessly and immediately escaped.

Does she have a problem? He asked himself. Edward let out a heavy sigh. He put down the cutlery and instantly lost his appetite. Ark's eyes just stared at what he was doing. It puts milk in the rice, mixing it as if.

Was the girl jealous when she kissed Ark but she was not? That’s what went through Edward's mind. His lips parted and a strange smile gripped him. What if she was jealous? He didn't care about it anymore. It just explained to him that their reconciliation was just for Ark - nothing more, nothing less. And when there is a re-emotion between the two of them, it should be eliminated immediately while it’s still early.

After Ark ate, he went upstairs to get dressed. His first day on his duty as a full-fledged daddy, so that should be memorable. The young man had already told the secretary all the details when the parents called the office and looked for him. He also canceled the appointments today; he will just finish reviewing the paperwork at home.

Edward looked around at the girl's big, fancy house. On the left side are huge paintings, prickly chandeliers on the ceiling and polished floors. On the right side is the spacious balcony and the curved stairs. There is also an empty room at the far end opposite a Chinese vase. He went downstairs and noticed the girl quietly watching the show in the dining room. Its full attention flickered without a glass of orange juice. He slowly approached where it was and sat on the sofa, a distance away from Vanilla. She turned around but immediately regained her composure, continuing watching as if unaccompanied.

"D-Do you want to… Uh, Ark and I will go out. I mean, I want to ask you if you want to come with us…” He invited her in a nervous voice. Trembling covered him. He may think that he is getting too close to it.

"I'm busy, you and Ark can go." Her answer to him was still dry on the leaves every summer, even a glance wasn’t given to him.

"You’re not going to the office this afternoon, right?" He shyly continued. He prefers to be with Vanilla, Ark will be happier if that happens.

"I have another schedule today." There is no change in the tone of its voice.

"Honey, don't refuse. It's as if you can visit Ark with his daddy.” Suddenly, the lady holding a floral curtain appeared. Good thing, he already has an ally. He must allow Vanilla to join the two of them with Ark. He saw the disgust on her face as she stood up and went upstairs. He thought it wouldn’t go with their gimmick, but his eyes just kept moving as she sharply went down the stairs, Ark sat down and got dressed. Edward's eyes widened for a few seconds as he saw Vanilla's whole being. From the smoothness of her hair, the green color to her dress, red 5-inch heels and rosy lips melted Edward's trembling eyes. His eyes were blurred by Vanilla's strange charm.

He overcame his own imagination before the girl noticed him. She took the child from him and kissed the lady in front of her, who in turn kissed the mother's cheek. They both got in the car and left.

The pleasure was evident in Ark's eyes as Vanilla watched it. It was even clearer to the star at night that its glare was bright. Colgate commercials will be embarrassed by the whiteness of their child's smile. Vanilla unfolded a tablecloth in the shade of the mango tree and pulled out the food items from the basket. When the two got tired of playing on the slide, Vanilla thought of putting peanut butter on the slice of bread. She handed it to her son and the other to Edward as well who deliberately waited for the stuffing to be applied. He was obviously surprised when she offered him the slice of bread. Edward smiled at her then grabbed it. Somehow she became happy too, especially when she saw that the child was happy. She was relieved a little of her resentment towards the young man, she felt the sensitivity of what it was doing for the child.

"Daddy, Mommy." they both smiled at each other and stared. Vanilla immediately withdrew her eyes. She couldn’t stare at the young man for a long time, she was angry with him.

"All right, invite Mommy to play with us." The man whispered to his son even though Vanilla could hear it. Ark gently pulled on the sleeve she was wearing signaling his agreement with what his father had said. Vanilla could do nothing but fulfill Ark's request - she had to pretend that she and Edward were well together when it faced him.

The three of them are chasing each other. Edward was the bet. The child was first arrested but Vanilla was very agile, she quickly avoided him every time he approached her. When Edward had the opportunity to grab the girl, he did it easily. He hugged the laughing girl. His two arms wrapped around her waist and continued to giggle. Edward felt at ease and complete with himself as Vanilla was bound in his arms. He felt his muscles drifting in the heat of the body touching him. It looked like a bolt of electricity flowed through his body, it was still strong on the Meralco cable. But he didn’t want to reveal to the girl that it was no longer part of the game but he really hugged it very tightly. Their son ran away and clung to the two of them. The three of them hugged as they fell on the soft grass. The girl put her arms around his arms and the child stood between them. For Edward, that was the happiest moment of his life. He thinks they have become a whole and happy picture of a perfect family.

Their eyes are on the blue cloud. She glanced at Vanilla who couldn't help but smile. He never really gets tired of looking at the whole of Vanilla's face especially when her eyes widen at the seductive lips that he had previously claimed before. The sky is as peaceful as it is now with her and hopefully it will continue.

Vanilla knew that the young man's embrace was becoming strange. But she couldn’t bear to remove it, especially the heat of its arms. She just let go of himself and didn’t reveal her need for him - she wanted it. Vanilla drifted even more as they fell on the grass and their fingers stuck together, as if some kind of energy had revived her body and she couldn’t control her own thrill. She looks like a teenager in the middle of nowhere. For three years, the young man made her feel short-term pain, it also turned out to bring her lasting happiness. But she did not seem to have peace; her spirit was traveling to what might happen the next day. It is possible that this is another short-term joy that fate enjoys for her. It is also possible that this is just a huge dream that when she finally wakes up, everything will return to normal. It will hurt her. She will be chased away and hated as before. She didn't even know that it might be worse so that his son could be affected. That's what she usually reads in novels. Where revelations suddenly appear to be hard to accept. She was just praying that it would not happen.

After that day Vanilla's treatment of Edward changed. Her heart becomes lighter here every time he visits the house. He also takes the child for a walk every day so Ark can almost memorize the man's face; he just wants to live with them. On weekends, he is all day at their house, the child plays and cooks. And again, little by little, Vanilla fell in love with Edward again. Yes, she restrained herself but she couldn’t prevent her heart from beating again.

Flowers for you. It's the usual line when it comes to them. And of course, she gladly accepts those, that's just when no one is looking.

Hey! You might be eaten by the ants because of your sweetness! So Vanilla avoids getting caught with the guy in the same place. Because this is her Mom's line.

Here comes the bride all dressed in white. This is Peppermint's line when it comes to her office. Annoyingly, they didn’t really stop teasing her until she was completely angry. Just like today, they really joined forces to just make fun of her. Add the maids that seem to be live CCTV to her house. Alert twenty-four hours to deliver the latest update to her Mom.

"I'll cook you a steak. Do you like that son?" Ark nodded and turned his attention back to drawing.

"How about you, Mommy? Do you like it?" Vanilla bit her lip at Edward's annoying language. It winked at her so she immediately hit it with a spoon. She knew that the eyes of her mother and friend were waiting like paparazzi. Maybe its eyes were squinting at the small opening of the door just to find out what they were doing.

Time passes easily. Vanilla immediately smelled the steak he cooked, she could not control her appetite so she got a plate.

"Wait, wait. What are you doing?" Edward's teasing response between smiles.

"Huh? Uh... Taking a plate. We are going to eat that anyway.” She stammered. She seemed too excited to taste it.

"And who told you this is for you? This is for Ark." Vanilla frowned slightly before returning the plate to the tray. She sluggishly returned to the chair and there grumbled. She averted her eyes from Edward, the man obviously teasing her. "Look at Mommy, frowning." The son grinned at her as she frowned even more. She glared at Edward and raised an eyebrow. "As for you, Mommy, you can’t be jested. You know you’re also my favorite." He dropped a smoky bowl in front of her and unconsciously kissed her cheek. She turned away in shock, but he kissed her forehead again.

"What the!" She stopped him but inwardly she liked what it was doing to her.

"All right, if you don't stop frowning, I'll kiss you again."

"All right then, try me.” Her challenging tone.

"That’s what you want, huh?” Edward kissed her cheek, her eyes, her nose, and her forehead. Vanilla closes her eyes in excitement. She was held on both sides of the table while waiting for Edward's daring lips to touch again - but that didn’t happen. She opened her eyes and stared at him, just a few inches between their faces. She could smell its fragrant and poisonous breath. Edward's stares at her were melting and deliberately burning, as if she were a block of ice slowly melting.

At the center of her mind was an impulsive and burning kiss awaiting her. That kiss was criminal, the young man's lips didn’t let go as he rubbed her mouth, those kisses plowed her and forced her mouth open to agree with the rundle she was dancing with. And it didn’t fail. She gave up her own defense; his rebellious kiss broke down her hard wall and finally drifted into the glory he felt. It took him to an unparalleled paradise. It explored his mouth and brought her to the cloud and ultimate happiness. They both close their eyes as they enjoy each other's captivating lips.

Vanilla converted herself to feel the cling to her thigh. She saw the child so she pushed Edward away. It looked at her and watched her reaction before it scratched its head.

"I have to go." She kissed the boy's head and hurried away.

Gosh, what is happening to Vanilla and she quickly gave up her lips to the man? She even forgot that the child was next to them and watching them. But in one corner of her brain, she didn’t regret what had happened but her heart seemed to jump for joy. It's a blissful kiss, intoxicating, torrid yet sleek and she finds it very good - no, it lacks. It's daring.

While in the car Edward could not help but celebrate. The girl responded with an earnest kiss to him. He was completely mesmerized by it and gone blank; he lost himself and forgot that Ark was next to him. The plan was too simple; just kiss the girl on the forehead. He didn't mean that it would reach to such an extent that he already claimed its remains - and yes it did. Vanilla was a tempting maiden; it disturbed his self-control so he swallowed hard on her lips. Edward whistled, this is the happiest day of his life. Vanilla's confidence in him gradually returned and he did not want to destroy it again. A second chance is more than a pot of gold for him. His cellphone rang which he answered kindly. Her Mommy is on the other line.

"Yes, Mom?

"I just want to remind you about next week." its gentle rebuke to him.

"What about next week?"

"The engagement, remember?"

Oh, right. The engagement is next week and he almost forgot about it. How can she tell Vanilla that he’s engaged without getting her mad and Thalia getting disappointed? This is another huge problem.