One More Chance by Jaycelle Rodriguez

Chapter 34: Breakfast Together

~~~Everything I know about love, I learned from you and everything I know about pain, I learned from you. But the most important thing you ever gave me was the one that hurt the most. So thank you for the broken heart and thank you for the permanent scar, 'cause if it wasn't from you, I might forget how it feels to let go and how it feels to get a brand new start...~~~

-J Rice-

"Good morning, mommy."

I opened my eyes only to see my daughter who had the brightest smile on her face.

"Good morning." I got up and kissed her on the cheeks. I also checked the time from the mango-shaped wall clock that's hanging above the television set and I couldn't help but sigh and smile at the same time. It's only 7:30 am... San Francisco time.

My mom told Jack and me to stay and sleep in the house last night and she'll just ask the driver to get our things from Jack's apartment. And as usual, Jack initially refused as she thought of seeing my brother would lose her insanity... but when mom told her that he no longer stays in the mansion, she excitedly agreed. She used the guest room which was right next to my room while Cali slept with me.

"Breakfast is ready, mom and we're all just waiting for you."

"Ohh... yeah."

I slapped my forehead. I almost forgot that in this house, we should all get up by 7:00 and eat breakfast before 8:00.

"Uhm... why don't you go first and I'll follow you when I'm done changing my sleepwear?"

"Okay." She nodded. And I noticed her hair was already wet.

"Honey, have you already bathed?"

"Yes, mommy." Her smile almost reached her ears as she tried to curl up her hair using her tiny fingers. "And daddy helped me find this dress earlier."

That made me frown.

"W-What? Who helped you to find that dress?" I asked her again as I wasn't sure what I had heard.

"Daddy." She shrugged. "He does it every day before going to work and sometimes he let me go with him to his office and play games on his computer." She beamed upon mentioning the word 'games'.

But that's not what made me stop.

"If your daddy helped you find your dress, does that mean he came here early?"

he just woke

"But that's the same."

mommy, because he slept here. He used the other

to what my daughter said. Luke is Cali's father and he still has good communication with our family, well, of course, apart from the fact that our

something comfortable. And when I say 'comfortable', of course, it's based on my taste preference... white maong shorts and beige spaghetti-strap for the top. "Good morning." I smiled when I found mom placing the tray of

took you so long?" She asked

too, Sam," I said rolling

laughed at me and I didn't wait for any second

"I missed you, mom."

too." She hugged me back. "We

ready? Cali told me that I was the

asked her to tell you because knowing you, you always having a hard

I've changed, mom." I said taking the glass of juice from her hands and winked to

minutes later, I heard my daughter's voice and I turned around only to be surprised

the wooden chair, but since it's too heavy

my mother with furrowed eyebrows. I thought he was already gone after helping her daughter change her dress. "Oh,

know, Cali told me this morning, but I thought

breakfast with us today, including your brother."

before my mom could answer, Dale came out from

loud kiss on the forehead. "And of course, to you, weirdo." He winked at Jack who had just returned it

about to take a seat when Cali pulled me to sit next to her father. I wanted to ask her or say something, but when I

noticed the way he tightened his jaws, but instead of being

wrong

wore pants and pajamas and he never saw me wears shorts like this. Well, time has changed as well as my lifestyle. I am no longer the old fashioned Samantha who always listened to whatever he dictates me. I am now the new version of me... Samantha Soriano

eat." I smiled when I heard mom and we

Jack was watching us. She was sitting across my seat and her eyes have the looks that silently telling me 'huh! let's see if you can prove your words that you're no longer affected with him, Samantha Soriano version 2.0.' I held my chin

***

when my phone vibrated on the table and everyone turned

as she squealed excitedly and she asked if she could instead answer the call.

front of her, but I didn't know

sweetheart." David's voice was somewhat surprised as

lip as everyone suddenly stopped

if I could answer your