"Mother! Amber is here!" He shouted from the door

"Mama!" I immediately hug her tight

Somehow, I feel loved. I can be who I am here... I can run around, get dirty and they will still love me the same no matter what.

"How's my daughter doing?"

"I'm fine, its just that madam is forcing me to be ladylike and those dresses are so itchy! I like Kris' outfit better"

"I wonder how you look like on those clothes" Kris said

"You already saw me wearing one"

"Yeah, the first time I saw you and you look horrible!"

"Hey! Its just because the dress is so dirty from running and all..."

"If you are really pretty, then you will still look good even wearing a garbage bag, but sadly, you aren't"

"Ma! Kris is bullying me again!" 

"When will you stop bickering? You two are like cats and dogs you are always fighting"mama said

" well I'm the cat!" I said

"Dogs are stronger!" He boast

"I said stop! And kris, Of course she looks pretty in dress" mama smiled
when she turned to face me. I returned that smile even if she cant see me, then looked at Kris again.

"I told you!" I stuck my tongue out to him

"Pft. She is just saying that because you are her daughter, no wonder, she is blind" he muttered

"You're saying something my child?"

"Ah... Eh... Nothing ma, I said she's really pretty "

We burst out laughing

"I-I'll just prepare our snack" he said and went out of the room

Haha! Whipped!

"But seriously, Amber, thank you"

I stopped laughing.

"For what ma?"

"For making my son happy"

My heart melted with what she said

"You are the happiness of your son"

"I know. But you bring joy to him. I am a mother so I should know that my son is happy and I am more than happy because of that. So thank you my child"
She said and touch my cheek
I hold her hand.

I feel warmth.

Is this the feeling of being loved? Genuine love?

"I never thought that Kris would enjoy his life after his fathered died. I feel guilty knowing my child is working non stop and go back home and take care of his burden mother."
She said with a cracking voice

"Shhh... Don't say that! You mean the world to him, so you'll never be a burden"

"He always say that, but I can't help feeling that way. I should be the one working while he plays just like normal kids. But I can't amber, I can't!" She starts to cry and I hug her

"Shhhh...."

"I took his childhood away from him! Now its gone because of my sickness. And I would do anything just to see him happy just like the old days. But I can't do anything. I'm a good for nothing mother!" she cried louder

"Ma! Don't say that!" I also starts to cry

"I would exchange everything I have just to have a mother like you" I said with all honesty

"Thank you amber. Thank you for coming into our lives"

We hug each other tightly.

'No. Thank you!' I said in my thoughts

"Ladies, here's your food!"
Kris suddenly walked in with tray of bread and coffee 

We immediately broke the hug and wiped our tears

"What did I miss?" He asks

"Nothing son, we just had a small talk...girl's talk" she explained

After eating, I decided to bid my goodbye because sooner or later, madam will know I'm out and I can't afford to loose everything I work hard for.

Mama is also asleep.

"Ah, Kris, I want you to have this..."

I opened my bag and pull out some groceries for them, just few. Ketchup, sandwich spread...some canned goods and vitamins for mama and him, I know its on the very least on his budget, so I figured I'll bring them here.

"What's this for?" He asked

"Groceries"

"I know, but I don't need it"

"But that's for mama, besides, you are still the one buying your necessities, these, is nothing serious"

"I'm not taking it. We are not a charity work Amber" he sounds angry

"Okay, let's just say, its my payment for lending me your clothes, and washing my used one's, here is the set I wore last time. Where's my new one?" I gave him the set I used, he can't do anything but to take it and give me another set to wear next time I sneak out.

"You are so stubborn amber!"

"You just knew it?"

"Aist! Let me take you home! We don't want to be caught would we?"

He walked me home to the Cabrera's.

"See you after two days Amber"

"Same time okay"

He nodded then help me climb up and down the tall wall. 

I whistled as a sign that I reach the other side of the wall safely.

Then I went to the mansion and climb up on my room. I took a glance on the clock, it says 6:30pm

'Shakes! I'm late!'

'Madam and grandpa should be home any moment now from work'

I immediately do a very very quick shower so Madam wouldn't notice I am very sweaty.

I fixed my bed and took away all the 'evidences'

Then I walk down to go to the living room.

Better be prepared with my acting again.

I peeked in between the staircase and saw madam and grandpa just went in.

"Oh? They're also late?"

They are followed by the maids and servants with luggage on their hands.

'Why are there so many? They went shopping or from a travel?'

I immediately fix myself and walk down to greet them but I was just on my third step when I see a tall figure entering from the door.

That silhouette!

He's back!

I immediately know who he is even without seeing his face.

If I still don't know anything, I might come running down the stairs and hug him but now....?

Its like a box of cold water with bits and pieces of ice was poured on me

I stood frozen.

I'm not yet prepared to see him!

I don't know what I'm gonna do.
Questions run in my mind endlessly.

How could I possibly treat him?

How will I even face him after what I've knew?

Should I tell him I already know?

Should I ask him why?

Or should I pretend I still don't know?

He continued to walk until he saw me standing still.

He greeted me with a big smile.

"Princess! Surprise! I'm home. Do you miss me?" He shouted but I can't respond.

How would I?