"My brothers and sisters, let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us mind our sins.”

I almost fell down on my head because of drowsiness that I feel while listening to the homily of the priest in the front. But I was forced to unlock my eyes when I felt a painful pinch on my waist. I saw mom glaring at me.

“That hurts Mommy!” I exclaimed.

“Listen to the homily, Tate!” she hissed lowly, her eyes almost mirrored the eyes of a female wolf.

I simply scratched my hair and pouted my lips. “I can’t take this My, I’m really sleepy.”

“That’s what you get for par-“

“Mommy, the priest called you . He said that you’re so loud.” I said to mom and she hurriedly look at the altar. I had to do it and make her stop from talking. I’m beside Cade and Kuya Tobias. I can’t be revealed that I got to party last night cause the alibi that I told Cade is that I’m in a prayer meeting.

But the priest is still delivering his homily and it got me a death glare from Mommy. I made a peace sign that earned a rolling eyes from her.

It’s a hot Sunday morning. We are all required to go to church, even Cade. He’s already part of the family according to Dad. Both of them like him so much. It’s also Family day and here I ‘am feeling sleepy but I don’t have a choice but to join them. I might lose my seat in heaven if I will not go to church today. That man I had make out with last night isn’t worthy of my absence today.

I heard a deep chuckle beside me. I glanced and saw him smiling while glancing in front. He then looked at me when he felt me staring at him.

“Why is Tita so grumpy?” he whispered softly in my ear.

I pretended to be whispering so that he can lean his ears to me.

“ Nearing Menopause”.

Cade chuckled even more that stole my brother’s attention. His eyes are on me. He raised his thick brow up. When he did that , I can really see the young version of Dad.

Maybe my brother has tantrums. He got it from his parents.

“You really are a bad ass, Tate.” Cade mumbled.

I grinned. “I know. The very reason why you’re so in love with me, right?”

His eyes twinkled as he looked at me. He smiled sweetly at me, the smile that made my heart melt for the past years.

“Hmm, couldn’t agree more. My love for you is still getting stronger.”

The smile on my lips faded. I averted my gaze so that he’ll never notice the change of expression on my face. When he anchored his eyes on the altar, that’s the moment I let the ice of smile melt into the fire of sadness.

I stared at him. His symmetrical face, aristocratic nose, cupid bow lips and almond brown eyes… It’s the same feautures I have loved three years ago. Nothing’s changed. He’s still the same Cade that I loved years ago… but in my part, why are there so many things that changed?

Cade, how did you manage to stay in love with me throughout the long three years we’ve been here in this relationship? Can you teach me ?I want to try to love him again but why can’t I find it in my heart? Can I really take it? Where did my feelings for him go ? Can I find it again ?

After the mass, we went to the nearest hotel to eat. I’m in Cade’s car. Mom is in Dad’s while my brother has his own car.

“Tobias is also grumpy right now. Problem?” Cade asked while driving to the hotel that Uncle Russell and Aunt Sandra owned, they are close friends of Dad.

“I don’t know. Once he got laid, he’ll go back to his normal state.”

He chuckled . “I’ve been also sex-less for the past weeks. But I don’t have tantrums?”

I shot him a glare. He shot me a quick glance that earned a thunderous laughter from him.

“Past weeks? We had sex three days ago, Cade!

“Made love, Tate,” he corrected. Before, Cade. Before. It’s called making love… before. “It’s been just three days? Thought it’s weeks already. Guess, I am missing you too much.”

I sighed. “You’re always busy. Your fault.”

Partly true. But I’m still thankful that he’s always busy and we seldom do it. Every time we do it, I had to force myself to create sensual moans. Don’t get me wrong. Cade is a beast when it comes to that. He can make my bed rock. He knows how to satisfy me. In the past, we do it every day. Eversince he took my virginity, I can’t just get enough of him. I am not regretting that I gave myself to him. Even if my feeling for him is gone, he’s still important to me and I’m not regretting that I met him. I’m staying in this relationship because I believe and I’m hoping that I will still find my way back to him.

“I’m impressed with the performance of the World Bank in the visayas region, Tobias. Good job.” Dad complemented my brother while eating at the hotel.

My brother just responded with a nod, eyes still on his phone.

“What’s wrong, son? Why are you so grumpy?” asked Mom.

Just like you Mom, you can’t tell ?

“I’m fine, Ma.” My brother answered earning laughter from me. All of them turned their heads to my direction. My brother lifts his brows, “What’s funny?”

“You, kuya. You need to get laid tonight-“

“Tatiana Faith!” Mom exclaimed, her face is all red. You can really tell because mom have a white skin. She then shot Dad a piercing gaze. “Flavian! Why is your child like that?!”

Dad grinned and glanced at Mom. “A perfect combination of us, huh?”

“Shut up! I do not talk like that when I’m still on her age. Just you!”

Dad chuckled. “Fine. You’re not brutal. You are just clingy.”

My eyes rolled skyward. They are still very in love. They are still being clingy everywhere, even in front of us. Even after being married for twenty nine years, they are still in love with each other. I wonder how did they maintain that kind of relationship. That strong relationship, even if they are fighting, they wouldn’t go to bed before settling their problem, the other one can’t eat without the other one.

I hope that their love can be passed down to me. I hope that we can be like them, I hope that our relationship will last long. Where we are both in love with each other, not just him

“Aunt Trinity?”

We all look at where the voice is coming from. A smile crept on our faces when we saw Zarina Alexi standing beside the table in her white sleeveless dress.

“Alexi! Hi!” Mommy hugged her. They kissed each other in the cheeks. “How are you? When did you get home?”

Alexi smiled at my mother and then to us. She’s even more beautiful after a month of staying abroad to continue her modeling career. Her soft brown mermaid hair curls were spraying on her back. She’s even more whiter than before. She really has the looks of an angel. Her round brown eyes, heart shaped forehead, narrow nose and thin lips; she all got it from Aunt Zoe .The only trait that she got from Uncle Archer is her height. She’s 5’11. She’s really fitted to be a model.

I waved at her, even Dad and Cade. My brother is the only who has a grumpy face.

“Just last night, Ninang. I just have to meet someone near. How are you all?”

“We’re fine. I hope we can set a dinner just like the old times. Please tell your Mom so that I can prepare.” Mom said excitedly.

“Sure, Ninang. I’ll tell Mom about it. I have to go? The one that I’ll be meeting is already here.”

“Sige, take care of yourself, hija.”

“I will. I’ll be going now Ninong Flavian, Tate, Cade…” Alexi stated with an angelic smile on her face before turning her eyes to my brother. “Tobias…”

My brother lifted his gaze, serious and deadly. “Take care.”

Alexi bit her lips before smiling to my grumpy brother.” Thanks. Bye, I’ll go now.”

“Bye, Lexi!” I waved my hand. She smiled at me sweetly before walking away. I glanced at my brother. “Why are you so grumpy?”

He glanced at me. “What do you want me to say?”

“Just say Hi, it won’t hurt you!” I said.

“Tss…”

“So mean! Does you Mom even love you?”

“Tatiana! What the hell is that kind of question?!” Mommy shouted , she is fusing mad. Good thing that there are only limited people in the restaurant.

Why are you so angry, My? Wanna fight?

Dad and Cade bursted into laughter. I smiled at mom who’s now looking at me with her deadly eyes.

“Hehe. It was just a joke, My.” And showed her my peace sign.