Chapter 150 - Chapter 149

@International_Pen

(CLAIRE)

All seemed to happen just yesterday. I remember being so poor that I spent my youth slaving myself with part-time and summer jobs. There were even times before that we just sleep our hunger off.  

Until Zhio came into my life and changed everything.

I was hungry when I woke up. Mindlessly believing I was still inside the mansion bedroom, I knocked in the door.

It opened from the outside and Nadine's curious face greeted me disbelievingly.

"Why were you knocking on your door. You're inside, you can open it on your own."

That made me realize I was inside our house.

"Sorry…"

"Your friend and Dexter…were having a war at the kitchen," she said.

War? Could it be…

"Dexter!"

He looked at me while faithfully chopping meat.

Dennise, on the other hand, was eagerly dousing the chicken cuts in flour.

They both raised their brows at me.

I thought they were in a deadly fight.

"What's the problem Clarita?"

Did I interrupt something?

I approached Dennise.  

"Oh… I'm just hungry," I lied.

I thought I was about to see Word War III.

"Eat later and judge who between us cooks best," Dennise jabbed my side weakly.

Cooking competition huh?  

It will be the first time I'd ever taste Dexter's cooking.  

"Alright!"

I could smell something between the two. Whatever their history was, I could tell it was something near the romance-comedy genre that ended tragically.

I was still smiling as I left the kitchen but when I saw Pa, I felt my tears edging at the corners of my eyes.  

"Pa!" I hugged him tight.

"Clarita!" he hugged me back.

My hands felt the jutting bones on his back and I could tell how much weight he has lost again. His age has taken away the rest of his strength and it showed through his weak movements.

"Are you feeling well? Did the medications help?" I asked consecutively.

"A little," Ma answered for him.

"Why are you here so soon Clarita?"

"Hello Mother!" Dennise butted in suddenly.  

"Who's she?" Ma turned to me.

"I'm Claire's friend…Dennise."

"Clarita said she broke up with Derick," Nadine brought up.

I knew she would.

Ma's eyes widened.

"Clarita!"

"That bastard Derick deserved it," Dexter said as he emerged from the kitchen.

"What's good about it?" Ma fell on the sofa.

She suddenly had difficulty breathing.

I bit my lip.

Dennise took a glass of water while Nadine stroked Ma's back and fanned her some air.  

I thought she'd give the water to Ma but she handed it to me.

"Be careful not to lose Zhio Jr." she whispered at me.

"Ma, all the help we're received apparently didn't come from Derick," Dexter pointed out.

I chugged the water anxiously.

"And how could you so?"

@INTERNATIONAL_PEN