Chapter Four
December 18th, 1999
A woman just finished her part-time job as a dishwasher and heard a scream from outside.
"Uwaahh uwaahh, Mama!"
"Hush~ hush~ Mama's here, my sweet little princess. Who's my little princess, huh?"
The woman cuddled her baby girl who had just woken up from sleep. The child was crying because she could not see her mother when she woke up.
Penelope carried the child and did her best to soothe her.
"Abububu~"
She made funny faces to make her child laugh.
"Hehe, Mama!"
The little girl giggled and touched her mother's face. Penelope's heart melted when she saw her child smiling.
Since no one would take care of her child today, she decided to take her to her part-time job in a high school cafeteria.
She didn't know when her husband would return. Lately, her husband was depressed and drowning himself in alcohol almost every day. They had argued two days ago and their relationship was a bit sensitive at the moment.
Fortunately, her manager was a compassionate woman and let the child stay. Seeing an adorable child made the workers relieve the tension of this tiring job. The child slept most of the time, so she did not disturb them. Also, Penelope was able to soothe her child quickly.
"Let's go see your brother after this, okay? Let's buy some cake, too."
She smiled and the child squealed happily.
"Bwother! Cake!"
She seemed excited to see her brother and eat cake.
The baby girl's name was Sophia Castillo. She was a 20-month-old baby, and she could talk, but her pronunciation was babbling.
"Fufu, my sweet angel."
Penelope was reluctant to leave her little girl alone in the house, so she brought her here.
"Let's see if your father is in the house when we get back."
Penelope spoke with her manager and left the cafeteria. Her job was done and she was free to go.
It was only a twenty-minute walk to the kindergarten. Sophia, in her mother's arms, watched the scene with joy. It was exciting for a little child like her to see the outside world.
Mother Penelope bought four slices of cake. Baby Sophia babbled happily as she looked at the pastries on display in the store.
"Let's eat when we get home, okay, baby girl?"
"Yes, Mama!"
By the time Penelope reached the nursery, adorable children were already leaving the place. Penelope saw her little son standing there waiting for her.
The boy had black hair and dark blue eyes, he looked handsome. However, his cold gaze could frighten someone. He was used to being alone and preferred to keep quiet.
Penelope smiled when she saw her son and called him.
"Roman."
The child turned to see his mother. He pursed his lips and nodded.
"Hm."
"How's school?"
"Fine."
Penelope chuckled. She was already used to her son's one-word answer. If this were not her son, she might think he was mute.
"Bwother!"
"Hello, Sophia."
Sophia reached out her sweet arms to grab her brother, but she could not reach him. So Roman touched her hand instead and the little girl giggled.
"Let's go, I have cake for us to eat."
"Cake!"
"Hm."
The family of three left the kindergarten. Sophia babbled as she looked at the beautiful Christmas decorations.
Unfortunately, it was still 4:30 p.m. and the Christmas lights were not turned on; little Sophia would have to see them next time.
They didn't take a break because it was December and it would be cold once the sun went down.
"Honey? Are you here?"
When they reached the old apartment, Penelope noticed her husband's shoes on the floor. She raised her voice and called his name, but no one answered.
"Mom, cake~"
"Okay, let's feed you first."
She went into the kitchen and set some plates.
"Strange... Why do I feel like something is missing?"
There was something wrong as she looked at the kitchen utensils. But she decided to let it go and check on her husband first.
"Roman, can you please feed your sister?"
"Yes."
"Thank you, sweetheart."
She went into their room and found her husband sound asleep.
She sighed and approached him.
"Honey, we have cake, would you like to eat some?"
She asked gently. They had quarreled the last time and she wanted to reconcile with him through food. Yes, she was seducing him with his stomach.
"Honey?"
But she noticed that her husband was burning when she touched his forehead. She became worried when she noticed that he had a fever.
"Hmmm..."
The man groaned and opened his eyes faintly. He was confused at first, as if he saw a stranger. But his blurred vision quickly returned to normal.
"Honey, are you okay? Do you want to see a doctor?"
"..."
The man was just silent.
"Okay, I'll give you some cold medicine first. Just stay awake for a while, okay?"
"No."
She tried to get up, but her husband grabbed her arm and pulled her to the bed.
"H- Honey?"
Penelope was shocked. Her husband was not acting as usual, he was not the type to act like a rouge, even if he drank a lot of alcohol. Maybe his fever was affecting his mind.
"I have to get up, honey."
"Sorry..."
Penelope stiffened as she realized her husband was hugging her and pulling her closer.
His apology was clear, even though he was sick.
Penelope remained silent as her husband began to mumble. Suddenly she realized that her eyes were a little hot and blurry.
Their life was not easy and they both tried their best.
"From now on, I will work hard to keep you happy and healthy."
".. Yes."
She nodded as she wiped away her tears. God, she was getting emotional listening to a sick man.
A few minutes later she heard him snoring. She turned around to see her husband sleeping peacefully as if he had found the answer to life.
"I am sorry too, I know you are doing your best for us. But please stop drinking, you're a big spender when you're drunk."
She sighed and slipped out of his embrace. She returned to the kitchen and saw that her children had already finished eating. Roman helped his younger sister burp.
"Is Dad okay?"
"Yes... I think he's fine."
She smiled and stroked her son's hair.
[Illustration]