" Nita what are you doing here?" I asked watching how Nita smile lovingly at me. Damn it! How could I even forget she is my girlfriend! "Heng?" I darted my gaze towards Heng who slumped his shoulder in response uttering a that's -what-i-was-about-to-tell-you face.

"I payed a visit since you seem like you enjoyed too much being here in England. Just a little more and i'm gonna think you already found someone else, or am I right?." She asked wrapping her arms around my waist pulling me in for a hug. I remained stiff, arms slouched in the side as she planted a kiss on my cheeks. " Are you going somewhere?"

I gulped. How could I tell her i'm going to my daughter's play? I can't just drop a bomb like that like this or else she might do something I wouldn't like.

"I-uhm—"

"Heng! Oh my god hi!" Nam's voice rang over the hallway, she was unaware of the other visitor standing outside our door as she is block by Heng's figure. She engulf Heng into a hug.

"Oh Freen, I thought you already left? Aren't you gonna be late for Fin's —". Nam didn't finished her sentence, I covered her mouth with my palms as she rumbled the words in making it inaudible.  Once Heng move a muscle from his spot, Nam saw Nita, she looked at me with her creased eyebrows before I ushered her not to say anything.

"What are you bitch doing here?" Nam asked before rolling her eyes. I long knew that Nam harbored a feeling of dislike with my girlfriend and I won't blame her for that. Nita is a bitch.

"I'm visiting my girlfriend... Am I not allowed to do that?" She asked.

"Of course because you're not needed here." She snapped. Nita's jaw clenched. Her face turned red as she suppressed the anger she felt. Yet before the tension escalate, I pull them away from each other or else they'll be throwing punches.

"Look this is not the time to fight okay.  Nam relax okay? And you Nita, I don't know why you suddenly showed up here when you knew i'm here for business. " Her sculptured eyebrows creased.

"Are you kidding me? You're blaming me now because I came here?" She asked. " You're unbelievable."

I sighed, I looked at my watched and found out i'm really running out of time. "Nita can we just talk when I get home please? I have places to be right now and you arguing with me right now keeps me longer. Okay? Please... Let's talk when I get home."  I attempted to flee, yet Nita grasp my wrist pulling me back.

"Aren't you even gonna offer me a room to stay?"

I groaned." Fine! Let's get you another room, Heng can you accompany Nita?"

"No! I want to sleep with you! Why are you asking me to get another room?" She inquired, voice raising into a higher pitched as I pinch the bridge of my nose.

"Nam is staying with me Nita. And I am not planning on kicking her out so it's either you sleep in another room or sleep somewhere else." I warned. This woman is so hard to persuade and if I don't flee right now i'm scared i'll miss Fin's play. " I need to go Nita." I bid my goodbye, this time not letting Nita hold me back again. I heard her call from afar yet it didn't halt my strides.

The moment I entered my car, I quickly started the ignition and mumble a silent prayer along the way. I took a glance at my wrist watch, it reads 9:30, fifteen minutes before Fin's play.

I ruffled my hair in annoyance as the traffic ahead me hung heavy. " Damn it!" I mumbled, my patience drew down by the static motion of cars lined up waiting for the traffic to lessen.

Richard Armstrong
I hate to have you here but Fin asked where you are. Where are you?

Richard Armstrong
Are you coming?

Richard Armstrong

Richie's consecutive texts added to my distress. My annoyance growing by the fact that Nita consumed too much of my time making me be stuck in this freaking traffic when all I wanted to do is to fly as fast as I can to my daughter's play.  I waited patiently, waiting for the traffic to subside glancing at my watch every now and then. 9:50, my watch read.  It means Fin is already playing and I am already twenty minutes stuck in this damn traffic.

I never once drove as fast as I can until the cars started moving again. This is the very first time I drove exceeding the limits because I wanted to see my daughter play. My mind wandering over the idea of seeing my baby girl playing, leading that entire stage for her own spotlight. I couldn't be much happier thinking that my baby girl will show the world what she can do.

When I arrived at the school their musical play is held, the hallways are empty. Only a few people can be found. Approaching the stadium, I can already hear screams and cheers of support from each audience. My heart thumping loud in my chest. I hope i'm not late. Once I pushed the big door opened, all that elided my ear is a beautiful voice of an angel pouring her heart out on each lines of the songs she played. My baby.

My Fin.

Her fingers traced gracefully on each chords, eyes shut open, her make up highlights the very beauty she possess. In short her make up compliments and highlights each inheritance she gotten from me.

"Sarocha!" I heard Richie's voice. I gazed around trying to find the voice finally seeing him on the front row. Charlotte and Irin sitting on his left and Becky on her right. The only vacant sit available is beside Becky.

"Fuck!" I mumbled. I made my way over them, Charlotte smiled widely at me then to Becky while both of the Armstrong's gaved me a lame face. Becky didn't even glance at me.

"Hi." I cooed. Becky remained stoic, her attention a hundred percent on our daughter.

"Hi Freen!" It was Charlotte who replied, Richie only nodded in anticipation while Irin look like she's gonna beat my ass up any minute by now.

I still have the letter you wrote when you told me
That I was the only girl you'd ever want in your life
I guess my friends were right

Each day goes by and each night I cry
Somebody saw you with her last night
You gave me your word, "Don't worry 'bout her"
You might love her now, but you loved me first
Said you'd never hurt me, but here we are
Oh you swore on every star
How could you be so reckless with my heart?

Fin sang the chorus perfectly. Her choice of song define the mistake I did. I use to pay no attention on lyrics of the songs before but right now those line somehow it's hard. I glance at Becky, she was looking proudly at our daughter. Her mouth uttering each lines of the lyrics as tears streamed down her cheeks.

You check in and out
Of my heart like a hotel
And she must be perfect, oh well
I hope you both go to hell

I still have the letter you wrote when you told me
That I was the only girl you'd ever want in your life
I guess my friends were right

Each day goes by and each night I cry
Somebody saw you with her last night
You gave me your word, "Don't worry 'bout her"
You might love her now, but you loved me first
Said you'd never hurt me, but here we are
Oh you swore on every star
How could you be so reckless with my heart?

Becky notice my gaze, she looked back at me, no words were spoken as our eyes lock into a deep silent conversation. Her brown orbs watching mine as if it's analyzing what is on my mind while mine pierce into hers in a silent plea of happiness and satisfaction. Our gaze lock, and both of us find it hard to look away.

"Aw! " I winced when the guy who walked past us suddenly step on my foot. I held my foot easing the pain not knowing that my hand grasp for Becky's. " I-i'm sorry!" I exclaimed pulling my hand back the moment I realized I was squeezing her hand.

"It's fine." She replied turning back her attention to Fin, suddenly her handkerchief fell off  the ground. Before I knew it, both of us bent down to pick it up, hands touching each other before our gazes lock again.

"Damn it! Why are you so beautiful Armstrong!" I murmured, not enough for her to hear. Becky gaved me the same intensity of gaze like what I gaved to her, then my eyes landed on her lips. It was so kissable, it looks smooth and plump. I wonder how it would feel if I press mine against hers— SHIT! Shut up Sarocha!

"A-ahem." She cleared her throat and that's only when I realized we were still looking at each other. I smiled awkwardly rubbing my nape with my hand before both of us looked away, her brother and the other two woman looked at us with a different state of emotions.

We watched how Fin sang so gracefully, her heart is under her sleeve as she stood confidently on that very stage. The love and passion for music radiates in her body as she bowed a little when she finished the song. Once she made a proper farewell, she ran towards our direction wearing a very huge smile, her guitar dangling across her chest.

Becky bent down waiting for Fin to enter her embrace when she suddenly dodge it over running towards me engulfing me into a tight hug. "Auntie Freen! Auntie Freen! You came!" She exclaimed giddily. I am so happy and contented, I was the first person when ran to after she performed. And my heart swelled with that fact.

"I'm sorry baby I was late. But I wouldn't miss your performance for the world." I exclaimed planting a soft kiss in her head.  Fin nuzzled her head on my neck, sniffing my scent that sent tingles down my spine.

"I'm so happy you came auntie Freen!" She prompted hugging me tighter. " I wish momma Freen was here too." My heart ached at the sudden request.

"I'm here baby. I'm your mom." Despite of the strong urge to tell her that, I hold myself together waiting for the right moment to reveal that to her.

"But i'm glad you're here auntie Freen." She retorted. " Wait! Mama Freen and auntie Freen?" She held her hand on her head thinking of the possibility but before she can even ask further questions, Becky dismiss the curiosity.

"Fin, your coach is calling for you."

"Wait! I got you something!" I interrupted preventing Fin to walk away, not just yet. I took the gift I brought earlier handing it to her. It was a necklace.

It was  gorgeous golden necklace featuring a sun pendant with a shimmering opal stone. It was made with gold vermeil as material, the pendant necklace is durable, hypoallergenic, and water-resistant. The dainty cable chain is equipped with a slidable clasp so that its length can be fully adjusted. The elegant and unique design is sophisticated yet draws attention from whoever look at it.

The beautiful solar symbol pendant has a realistic, man-made opal gemstone as the focal point. Opal is a translucent shimmering stone with a distinctive opalescence glow that truly catches the eye. Its color is milky white with light shades of blue, green, red, and yellow. Opal stone looks mesmerizing in sunlight as it brings out the play of color in its full glory. The stone symbolizes creativity, hope, joy, and clarity and is associated with good luck, magic, and royalty.

I unlocked it, Fin's face conveys happiness and it didn't fail to bring a smile on my face. She moved closer to me letting me hook it in her neck.  I wanted her to have it. This symbolizes clarity, abundance, new beginnings, healing, life and strength. I wanted her to have this and let her know that these symbols are now the reigning things circulating around me now. She is my life, my strength, and I wanted to form new beginnings with her and to everyone around her.

I wanted her to feel how I love her.  I wanted her to know that like the sun she serves as my guiding light, revealing what I couldn’t see in the darkness and shadows.  The sun is all about new beginnings. The sun embraces the beauty of life and encourages us to accept happiness and peace instead of resisting them.The sun rising indicates the start of a new day filled with unique opportunities and endless possibilities. It encourages us to embrace change–just as the sun and moon rise and set, our lives are ever-changing. And lastly the sun embodies healing, the sun's radiant power promises safety, comfort, and healing, reminding us that we will get through tough times and heal from whatever pain we are experiencing.

And this time I wanna make it right, this time i'm gonna try to be better.

"There." I rubbed her cheeks as Fin traced the pendant resting on her chest.

"Thank you auntie Freen!" She hugged me again planting a soft kiss on my cheeks before letting me go. Before she want back to the stage she give her mother and aunt's a peck before leaving. All of us were left on the front row, Richie then turned her gaze towards me pursing his lips and said. " Why were you late?" He asked.

I gulped, paused a little and replied. "I-i'm so sorry things just came up." I replied. I don't wanna tell them my girlfriend suddenly showed up and mess things up but Becky's and Irin's gaze are murderous.

"What things Chankimha?" Becky asked. Damn it! Why is she so scary?

"M-my girlfriend uh—came." I replied fidgeting with my fingers as I waited for Becky's response. Her face turned sore, her eyebrows creased before glaring at me.

"Oh that's it?" She asked. " Then go back to your damn girlfriend!" She walked away leaving me dumbfounded. Her hips swaying sexily on each side yet the gnawing turmoil in my heart still lingers. Why was she suddenly mad?