It was six o'clock in the morning when I went out of the house, while Magdalen was still sound asleep. Yes, Elton took us to my ex-boyfriend's house. I stopped talking when we arrived in front of his house. Maybe Elton and Tary already talked about our temporary stay at his house. Elton also went home to them after.

Tary accompanied us to a guest room and he said that it would be our room. I just nodded and smiled at him. Then, he said goodbye and left.
Tary told me to call him if Magdalen and I needed something. It felt like I had a debt because we were living under his roof.

"I thought this day would never come."

I was slightly surprised when he suddenly spoke from behind.

Tsk. He’s talking nonsense even if it’s too early.

"Me too," I said.

"We were living in the same roof before ---"

"That was back then when we’re still a couple." I didn’t look at him.
"D*mn. I hate myself! I know I'm the one at fault. It's hard when you know you're the one to be blamed. I was an assh*le before," he said.

"It already happened, just don't repeat it."

I hated myself too. I hated myself because I was still bitter with him. No one could blame me. I was hurt. I was fooled by the person I loved so much. She had another woman and it felt like I was not good enough for him.

"I'm sorry," he said almost in a whisper.

"I'm sorry too. I can't forgive you yet," I honestly told him.

"I understand."

"Yes, you should understand. The wound is not easy to heal…"

I faced him until our eyes met.

"Here," I continued while pointing to the part where my heart was. "You wounded my heart. You ruined my soul. You let me hate you."

He was speechless.

"I'm sorry too. Maybe I did something that hurt you big time, but you just didn't say it. Maybe I was really the problem. Anyway, what was my right to you way back? None, right? We were not married at that time. It was like we were playing, maybe that’s the reason why our relationship ended right away. Well, you neglected someone who was rich and more beautiful. No wonder why you neglected me. I was just nothing. But that’s done already. Let’s move on. Tomorrow is better," I said seriously before I left. I turned away from him because I was uncomfortable when we stared at each other.

"I troubled you a lot," he said softly.

"It's okay. We're just the same, maybe you're just ahead in points. Just don't do it again. Love the woman who's ready to be with you until you're old. Fix yourself. Don't be an asshol* because you're ugly."

"Babe, I've been looking for you for a while. You're just here," a woman said.

Did he marry someone already?

"I just went out to inhale some fresh air," he replied to the woman behind us.

I didn’t have the courage to look back at that woman. It felt like I was bothering them.

I was just hoping she didn’t feel the way I felt when I saw another woman with Tary in bed. I wish I hadn’t made her feel that way.

"Who is she, babe?"

"Oh, hi. I'm Yvo Heneroso. I'm Tary's friend," I said as soon as I faced her.

I smiled at her, but she threw me a forced smile.

I smiled at her again and held out my right hand hoping for a shake hand. "Nice to meet you."

But I never thought she would just stare at me.

Tskkk. I thought it only happened in the movie.

And since I didn't want to look an idiot in front of the two of them, I just pretended to slightly scratch my head.

"I'm Lavender Acess, Tary's dearest fiancée," she said formally but I could feel her attitude.

Where did Tary find her? She looked educated but the arrogance in her was something.

"You didn't say right away that you have a fiancée, Tary. I was surprised. But you know, I really thought you were married. It's been a long time since we last met," I joked to Tary.

"I forgot to mention earlier," he replied.

"It's okay," I said before I smiled at them. "I'm happy for both of you."

"Thanks," Lavender replied.

"I need to go. Maybe my daughter is awake. Bye for now," I let them both know.

They just nodded in response, then I decided to walk into Tary's house.

For sure, the two of them would have another moment outside. Privacy should be given then, right?

I couldn’t deny the fact that Lavender was beautiful when I saw her, unlike me who seemed to forget how to put a make-up. My life was for Magdalen, so I didn't have time for it. Plus, I knew I was beautiful in my own ways even if I didn't make myself look good.

Her nose was pointed, her hair was wavy up to an elbow in length, she had a clear skin, and her face was round. She was also tall because I thought she was 5'8 in height, she could join a beauty pageant. But what really stood out to her was the purple outfit she was wearing. She was wearing dress and sandals that were in pure purple. Tary would marry the purple woman. But as long as he's happy, I wouldn't say anything even if his wedding would be full of purple stuff.

"Good morning, mama! It's comfortable in this bed," Magdalen said happily after I opened the door of our room.

I went straight to where she was to hug her. I am used to hugging her after she wakes up every morning. "I love you, darling."

"I love you too, mama!" she said before she kissed me on the cheek.

I released her from the hug. "Are you hungry already, darling?"

"Yes," she answered immediately.

"All right, we'll just change our clothes first and then we can eat."

Even if they would just give us bread, it's okay. Or I would just buy at the canteen near Tary's house.

"Wash your face and brush your teeth first," I said to her and she immediately obeyed me.

"Dress me up," Magdalen said after I picked up a white dress with a small cherry label all over it. The dress was up to her knees.

A few minutes passed and I was done dressing up Magdalen. When it comes to her clothes, I make sure those are nice. They look branded even if they’re not. Why would I spend just for a piece of branded clothing that is expensive when there are so many affordable yet nice? I will only buy for my child when I have a lot of money already. For now, I’ll go for ukay-ukay. My daughter is beautiful, so what she wears would look branded, especially when she smiles.

"Comb your hair first, darling. I'll just get dressed."

"All right, mom!"

I chose white plain t-shirt that was a bit big on me and black pants from the suitcase. I also immediately went to the bathroom to get dressed. I washed again. I was able to brush my teeth before I went out earlier so I wouldn’t brush again. I just combed my hair for a while and applied a light lipstick to make myself look presentable somehow.

"Let's go," I said to Magdalen before I offered my hand which she immediately accepted as well.

We carried our slippers before we left the room and closed its door. I was carrying my wallet because I decided that we would eat at the canteen. It would be embarrassing for Tary and Lavender if we would eat inside their house. I didn’t want Lavender to think that we were parasite.

There was no one in the living room, so we were free to leave Tary's house. I didn’t know where his fiancée was.

"Welcome to ‘Canteen Special’. Are you new here?" Maybe the woman who welcomed us was about my age. I felt like she’s kind unlike Lavender.

In fairness to the name of their canteen, it really sounded special.

"Thank you," I said immediately before I smiled at her. "Yes, we're new to this canteen. We’d like to eat."

"Ah, sure. What do you want to order?"

I let Magdalen sit in a chair first, it’s part of table 23. It was in the middle of the canteen.

I turned my attention to the right side of the canteen because there was a tarpaulin where I could see what foods could be bought. We were the only three people inside the canteen, so the surroundings were very quiet. It's also big maybe because of Tary's workers, they might eat there when they want.

"Two rice, pork adobo, two bottles of water, and two fried fish." I mentioned it slowly because she listing them.

"Is that all, ma'am?"

"That's all. Thank you."

"All right, ma'am. I'll tell them your order. Please wait," she said before smiling.

"All right," I answered before I smiled at her.

Then, I approached Magdalen and sat down next to her.

"The surrounding is beautiful, right?" I asked her.

"Yes, it is!" she politely agreed and nodded.

In the front part of the canteen, the concrete part of the wall was only waist-high because there were shiny wooden posts above it up to the roof that served as a window. So when you are inside, people outside can see you. And when you are inside while eating, you can clearly see the green surroundings. There are as many lime trees planted in Tary's yard. There are also blooming sunflowers in front of the canteen, so your eyes will be really satisfied.

"Oh, hello! Good morning, sir! You’re here," said the woman at the counter earlier who seemed shocked.

We immediately looked at her until I saw Tary staring at us.

Oh-oh!

He went out from the door behind the counter, so we didn’t notice him coming. I thought we could peacefully eat in the canteen; but I was wrong.

"Good morning too."

I felt annoyed when he started walking towards us. The more you avoid a person, the more he or she comes closer. Ayst!

She smiled at Magdalen before she looked at me. "Breakfast is ready. Why are you still here?"
"Ah, we're going to eat here. We've already ordered," I answered immediately before I smiled at him. I smiled to ease the annoyance I was feeling.

"Babe! You're just here. I've been looking for you for a while," Lavender said as if irritated as she entered the canteen. "Ah, you're picking them up?"

I stood up and faced them both. At this point, Lavender's hand was already wrapped around Tary's arm.
Tary was just quiet.

"He just saw us here, so he approached us. He wasn't picking us up."

"Does she really have to always tail Tary?" I thought.