Ayinah

Days came and went so fast.

It didn't take off. 

Now is already one month after her mom's surgery, and so is the insemination.

She's glad that her mom recovered quickly. In fact, she's healthier than she could see. But as per the agreement, she needs to fly to Boracay, not in Greece, but she doesn't need to tell her mom about that. When the right time comes, she will tell her everything. but not right now. She is recovering, and she doesn't want to give her mom a problem.

She hired a helper to look after her mom while she's away.

"Mom, look after yourself, okay? Take your medicine regularly. No skipping. And you have to eat only healthy foods. I need to start my work now, and I must work so we can pay our debt to my boss," she told her mom.

"I'll keep that in mind. I know we owe him a lot, and I don't want your sacrifice to be in vain," her mom replied.

"Thanks, Mom. I'll call you from time to time, okay? Milly will look after you while I'm gone." She said, looking at the helper she hired.

"I'll take care of her, Ayinah," said the middle-aged woman, almost the same age as her mom.

She chooses her so that her mom will have a companion, not just a help in household chores but also a friend of her mom that she can talk to. She likes Milly, and she knows her mom likes her too.

A moment later they heard the doorbell ringing.

"I think that's my boss. I'll go now, Mom. You two take care, okay?" She said and kissed her mom on her cheeks before she turned to open the door. Milly opened it already.

"Hello Mrs. Lorenzana, how are you?" Mr. Muller greeted her mother.

"I'm good, Mr. Muller. Thank you! I'm back to life now," her mom replied, smiling.

"That's good news; just don't forget to take your medicine regularly so that your wound will heal faster, especially on the inside," he told her mom.

"I will, and thank you once again," her mother replied.

"I'm afraid that we have to go now, Mrs. Lorenzana; we have our flight to catch," he told her mom.

"Okay, you two take care. Have a safe trip," her mom said.

She pulls her suitcase and walks out the door. 

He followed her.

"We will go to LaGuardia," he said when they were standing by his car.

"Okay," she just said.

"Give me your suitcase so I can put it in the trunk," he said, picking up her suitcase.

When he was done putting her suitcase in, he closed the trunk, moved to her side, and opened a door for her.

"Get in," he commanded her. 

She slid herself in. 

Then he walked over to the driver's side, got in, and turned on the engine.

"We will stay in Manila for a week before we go to Boracay. We have to shop for your things, such as your clothing; I'm sure you don't have your maternity dress." He said the moment the car moves.

"Why can't we buy in Boracay?" she asked.

"Can, but the prices are triple or more. And I'm not sure if there are many choices in there. In Manila, there are many department stores with many selections," he replied.

"Okay, I haven't been to the Philippines, so I have no idea what it's like," she said.

"We will get the vitamins from Alden first," he said.

No wonder why the route they are taking is to the doctor's clinic. But she didn't say anything.

He parks the car outside the clinic.

"Just stay; I'll just get it," he said and came out from the car.

Only a few seconds later, he was back and handed her the bag of vitamins. It's too much, she thought. Maybe it's for the duration of nine months.

"Did you take your vitamins today?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied. She took it before she went downstairs to join her mom for breakfast. She's thankful that she doesn't have any morning sickness. But the doctor said it usually occurs six weeks onwards. And that is why they have to go to the Philippines before the symptoms showed up. At least if she's alone in his villa, no one will question it.

"Good. That vitamin in your hand is only enough for six months. I'll bring the rest when I come in the seventh month," he said.

"I see; I thought it would cover until the ninth month," she said, chuckling.

He glanced at her but didn't say anything. They reached LaGuardia Airport. He takes out their suitcase in the compartment and gives a key to the valet for parking.

He gives her his briefcase, and he pulls the two suitcases. She only had her handbag.

"Just give me your passport and sit here and wait for me," he said.

She takes out her passport and gives it to him. She sits down at the vacant seat in the waiting area. She could see him queuing up for their boarding pass and to check in their suitcase.

Sometimes he's nice, but most of the time his arrogance stood out. Maybe because he's wealthy. She only discovered who he really is when she was watching a late-night news program. He's the CEO of their 3rd generation T. Muller Group of Companies. Then she tried to do some research about him through the Internet. She felt small. She discovered more and more about him. But sometimes the media are exaggerated too, so she doesn't know if they are really telling the truth.

She saw his photos with a different woman in his arms from every shot. She wonders why he didn't choose one of them to carry his baby. But she answered it too. He doesn't want to ruin their figure. At least with her, she's nothing to him; she's only a baby maker. A baby carrier.

She holds back her tears; she doesn't want to feel so down. This is her sacrifice for her mother's life. And it's worthy. Her mom is recovering. She has her.

She averted her thoughts about how she felt for herself. She closed her eyes, visualizing how she would look having a big stomach walking alone at the beach. Her dream before was to marry a man she loves, and they will build a family. A family built on love and trust but, most of all, a God-centered home.

Maybe after this, she will find one. There is always hope while she's breathing.