The Bride Under Her Facade

06

Chapter 6

I didn't know what time it was when I woke up. I got up from lying next to France and looked at the little boy sleeping soundly.

I glanced at the table and saw the alarm clock with a penguin design. It was already four in the morning. I yawned as I put my feet on the floor and stood up.

That night, I didn't wake up during France's sleepwalking. It seems like our nightly walks before bed were effective.

I first made sure the child was lying comfortably before leaving, but a small hand grabbed my finger. When I turned around, I saw France awake.

"Mommy," France said sleepily. I covered my mouth because France was just too cute.

France didn't want me to leave, so I took him to the kitchen while I prepared breakfast. I carried him while getting breakfast ready.

"Manager, lower your voice. People are sleeping here."

I paused when I heard the door open and voices in the living room.

France came down and called for daddy. I let him go because I knew Fabian would be arriving soon. Like Fabian mentioned yesterday, he would be coming home late, and France and I would be asleep by then.

It seemed like Fabian had someone else with him, so I didn't attempt to go out and greet my boss.

I continued cooking bacon. After a while, I heard a faint knock.

I turned around and saw Fabian. There was a paper bag on the table.

"Sir Fabian," I said, feeling embarrassed as I wiped my hands on my apron.

"I'm sorry, Sir Fabian. I was cooking, and I didn't know we had a visitor, and—"

"What?"

I stopped because Fabian clearly had no idea what I was talking about. I felt even more embarrassed. He just laughed and said it seemed like I misunderstood him.

"I'll continue cooking. Don't worry about my manager. I already told him about you, and he actually wants to see you, which is why he's here. I came to inform you and apologize for not asking your permission. He always likes to be informed beforehand because he might be shocked to see a woman here and to hear France calling you mommy," Fabian explained. I didn't know what to say or how to react. I just nodded.

"Anyway, my sponsor agency gave me some clothes to give away. I modeled for them, and they let me choose clothes. Here, I think these will suit you," Fabian said, handing me the paper bags.

"A—Are these for me?"

I took them and peeked inside. They were dresses and some famous designs. The man laughed.

"Did you see the dresses? Do they look good on me or on France?"

I blushed at Fabian's question. What was I thinking asking again?

"I'll go upstairs now. I'll just shower. After that, talk to my manager. He's nice, and he's happy that you're here. If he offends you or something—don't hesitate to leave him and report to me," Fabian said after straightening up. He gave me a reassuring look before walking out of the kitchen. I followed him with my gaze.

"Oh!"

Fabian turned to me and requested coffee. He said even though it's late, he wants it because he'll still shower.

"Okay, sir."

I'm still curious as to why Fabian is so kind to me when we're alone, but so indifferent at events. I shrugged. What was I thinking? Fabian is just a good person— I shouldn't think about it further.

I continued cooking breakfast for France, Fabian's guest, and Fabian himself.

I decorated France's pancake with cute designs before putting it on a plate and calling France to eat.

"France," I called. I immediately heard small footsteps approaching the kitchen. France peeked in, and I smiled.

"Mommy!"

I laughed as I approached and lifted him up. I instructed him to eat there first. I would bring food for his daddy's manager and talk to him as well.

"I also want to eat in the living room. Let's eat together, mommy!"

I couldn't refuse. Fabian didn't say we couldn't eat in the living room, so I allowed France. He behaved, so I was sure he wouldn't distract Fabian and his manager or—

I sighed as I watched France play with the jam I gave him to put on his pancake earlier.

"France," I called. The child stopped and looked at me.

"Can mommy make a request?" I asked. He immediately stopped playing with the jam and nodded like a puppy.

I felt the manager's gaze. We had been there since earlier, unable to talk because of France.

"Come here, baby. Eat here and stop playing with the jam."

I said calmly. France approached and climbed onto my lap. I hugged him and wiped his hands with a tissue. At this age, children are usually naughty, so I couldn't scold France if he became mischievous at times.

France became quiet, and I fed him.

I heard the manager clear his throat, so I looked at him. It seemed like he was about to speak. I felt a bit worried— I learned from Fabian that he once tried to recruit me as an artist with Fabian and I apparently rejected it. If that was true, it's impossible for me to refuse, especially since— that's a huge opportunity for me.

"I was surprised when I found out from Fabian what happened to you after you disappeared for a few years. I was more surprised about that than hearing the news that you're here," the manager said. I lowered my gaze. My sudden disappearance from the entertainment industry was unexpected. He had no idea how the Valencias handled my sudden disappearance and the accident that happened.

"Anyway, I'm not here to dig into your past since Fabian told me not to because you're sensitive about that topic, although I'm a little curious," the manager said, chuckling. I scratched my cheek, feeling awkward about to something. They both had almost the same personality as Fabian, but even so, I felt that they were kind and trustworthy.

"I just really wanted to see you and confirm. Don't worry, nothing will leak about you. If something does, I'm responsible as Fabian's manager and your employee to keep your identity," the manager said. I breathed a sigh of relief after that. Actually, I was a bit worried that I might tarnish Fabian's image and his careers. It's impossible not to be a hit once many find out that I'm here with Fabian.

"Thank you very much," I whispered. The manager of Fabian just smiled and formally introduced himself.

"I'm Jomari Tuazon. You can call me Manager Jomar," the man said. Feeling embarrassed, I repeated Manager Jomar and introduced myself as Sonia Salazar.

"It sounds good. It's just a shame you didn't recruit me before. I really like it when you call me manager," Jomar said, holding his cheek and grinning.

"Anyway, do you plan on returning to the industry? Say yes! I'll take care of them. You'll have a position in my agency right away!"

He held my hand. I was somewhat surprised, but I was even more surprised when France hit the manager's hand with a spoon.

"Don't touch my Mommy!"

"France," I exclaimed in shock, hugging the child. The manager chuckled and said it was okay. He seemed like a real uncle to France.

I didn't answer Jomar's question because I had something else I wanted to know. I had a question.

"About what you said about offering me a contract? When was that and who did you talk to?"