RDD 4

Chapter 4





December 18, 1999


A woman just finished her part-time job as a dishwasher and heard a cry from the outside. 


"Uwaahh uwaahh, Mama!"


"Hush~ hush~ Mama's here, my sweet little princess. Who's my little princess, hm?"


The woman cuddled her baby girl who had just recently woken up from sleep. The child cried because she could not see her mother when she woke up. 


Penelope carried her child and did her best to pacify 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 as she looked at her child. 


Because no one would look after her child, 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 he drank alcohol most of the time. They fought two days ago and their relationship was a bit sensitive right now. 


Fortunately, her manager was a thoughtful woman and let the child stay. Seeing an adorable child made them relieve tension in this tiring job. The child would sleep most of the time so she was not disturbing them. Furthermore, Penelope could pacify her child quickly. 


"Let's see your brother after this, okay? Let's buy some cake too."


She smiled and the child squealed in happiness. 


"Bwother! Cake!"


It seemed that she was excited to see her brother and eat cake. 


The name of the baby girl was Sophia Castillo, she was an 18-month-old baby and she could speak a little bit but mostly babbling. 


"Fufu, my sweet angel."


Penelope was reluctant to leave her baby girl alone in the house so she brought her here. 


"Let's see if your father is in the house once we returned."


Penelope talked to her manager and left the cafeteria. Her job was done and she could leave now. 


It was only twenty minute walk to reach the kindergarten. Sophia, who was in her mother's arms was joyfully watching the scene. It was exciting for a small child like her to see the outside world. 


Mother Penelope bought four slices of cake and baby Sophia was babbling happily as she looked at the pastries displayed in the shop. 


"Let's eat once we're at home, okay baby girl?"


"Yesh Mama!"


When Penelope reached the kindergarten, adorable children were already exiting the place and Penelope saw her young son standing and waiting for her. 


The kid had black hair and dark blue eyes, he looked handsome. However, his cold gaze could make someone scared. He was used to being alone and he prefers to keep quiet. 


Penelope's smiled when she saw her son and called him. 


"Roman."


The child turned around and saw his mother. He pursed his lips and nodded. 


"Hm."


"How's school?"


"Fine."


Penelope chuckled. She was already used to his son's one-word answer. If this is not her son, perhaps she would think that he is mute. 


"Bwother!"


"Hello, Sophia."


Sophia extended her cute 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 cakes here to eat."


"Cake!"


"Hm."


The family of three walked away from the kindergarten. Sophia was babbling as she looked at the beautiful christmas designs. 


Sadly, it was still 4:30 pm and the christmas lights were not turned on, little Sophia would have to see it next time. 


They didn't take any pause since it was December and it would be cold once the sun was gone. 


"Honey? Are you here?"


When they reached the old apartment, Penelope realized that her husband's shoes were there. She raised her voice and called his name but no one answered. 


"Mama, cake~"


"Okay, let's feed you guys first."


She went to the kitchen and set plates.


"Strange... Why do I feel like something is missing?"


There was something amiss as she looked at the kitchen appliances but she decided to let it go and checked on her husband first. 


"Roman, can you please feed your sister?"


"Yes."


"Thanks sweetheart."


She went to their room and found that her husband was sleeping soundly. 


She sighed and approached him. 


"Honey, we have cake, do you want to eat?"


She asked gently. They had a quarrel last time and she wanted to reconcile with him using food. Yes, she was enticing him using his stomach. 


"Honey?"


However, she realized that her husband was burning when she touched his forehead. She became worried when she found that he has a fever. 


"Hmmm..."


The man groaned and weakly opened his eyes. He was confused at first, as if he saw a stranger. But his clouded vision immediately regained understanding. 


"Honey, are you okay? Do you want to go to the doctor?"


"..."


The man was just quiet. 


"Okay, I'll feed you cold medicine first. Just stay awake a little bit okay?"


"... No."


She tried to stand up but her husband grabbed her arm and pulled her to the bed. 


"H- Honey?"


Penelope was shocked. Her man was not acting like usual, he was not the type who act like a rouge even if he drank alcohol a lot. Perhaps his fever was affecting his mind. 


"I need to stand up, honey."


"Sorry..."


Penelope stiffened when she realized that her husband embraced her waist and pulled her closer. 


His apology was clear even though he was sick. 


Penelope kept her silence when her man started mumbling. Suddenly, she realized that her eyes were a bit hot and blurry. 


Their life was not easy, and both of them were trying their best. 


"From now on, I will work hard to keep you guys happy and healthy."


"En."


She nodded as she wiped her tears. Gosh, she was getting emotional listening to a sick man. 


A few minutes later, she heard him snoring and turned around only to see her man sleeping peacefully as if he found the answer to life. 


"I'm sorry too, I know that you are doing your best for us... But please stop drinking, you are a big spender whenever you're drunk."


She sighed and escaped his embrace. She returned to the kitchen and saw that her children already finished eating. Roman was helping his younger sister burp.


"Is Dad okay?"


"Yes... I think he is fine."


She smiled and stroked her son's hair.