Lahat ng Kabanata ng Defying the Norm (English) : Kabanata 81 - Kabanata 90

Five years. Five years of agony and anger. I didn’t even imagine that I would still be able to be happy with my parents. I was ready to cut them off from my life because I was so hurt. I didn’t think that I could still have my parents back after what they did to me. But destiny has its own plan, huh. Five years later, here I am with my daughter and my parents. “And then I always eat ice cream there, grandma! As in hmm every after school! And I have a lot of friends!” my daughter talked her heart out to my mom. “Wow! Really? That’s very nice, Flannel! Maybe you can introduce me to your friends next time, huh,” Mommy answered. Flannel nodded excitedly. Mom laughed again and gave her a pinch on the cheek. I shook my head and just got another magazine to read. We were already in the living room and they were playing again. Maia wasn’t here, she got Flannel some clothes from the condo. Supposed to be, we will be going back to my unit now, but then, Flannel begged me to let her stay here

“Where is she?” I asked Maia the moment she went down. I was on my head down. Mommy was still sitting beside me. “My gosh, Felice, that guy is stressing me out!” Mommy groaned. I bit my lip and didn’t speak. Maia went to us. “Flannel fell asleep,” she said. I heaved a sigh and nodded at her. “Did she ask questions?” She shook her head. “No. I think she understands what her grandmother said,” she said. I closed my eyes and nodded at her. “So, what now, Felice? What’s your plan now, huh?” Mom asked. I let out a big sigh before resting my back on the backrest of the chair. I crossed my arms together and stared at the air blankly. Until now, I still couldn’t believe that encounter earlier happened. Fuck. “I don’t know, Mom, I’m honestly so scared right now.” I felt their stares at me. I didn’t move nor meet their gazes. Damn it. Should we just run away already? I mean, that was my first plan, to run away with my daughter. And that’s the most feasible thing to do now, to be honest

"Maia, I'm sorry but I'll just call you again, okay?""Huh? Why, what-"I didn't let her finish what she was talking about and just ended the call again. I was panting as I slid my phone in my pocket. I immediately went to where the commotion was. I couldn’t count how many times I have been cursing in my head already. “What the hell is this commotion all about?” I firmed my voice as I stormed to them. All of the employees turned to me immediately. I saw Karrie’s shocked face as she faced me. Greg couldn’t look at me in the eyes. “You bitch,” Karrie whispered angrily. I creased my forehead. My heart was beating so fast already but I didn’t want emotion to get the best of me so I tried my best not to match her aggressiveness. I remained calm and just stared at her intently. "What is it this time, huh, Karrie?" I raised a brow on her. I saw how she clenched her fist as she went closer to me. I stepped back, getting myself ready for an attack or something. "Karrie, what the hell!" Gre

Ever since the incident five years ago, I have always taught myself to be very careful of the decisions that I will be making in the future. Being careful means choosing whom to be with. When I gave birth to Flannel, I vowed to myself that I will never be near my relatives again and I will never introduce her to Greg. But really, life is just so unpredictable, huh. I mean, just when I didn't want to come back to the Philippines when my father got sick leaving me with no choice but to come back anyway. Then, I was able to fix my family which I thought to be so impossible already. Now, I am just not sure if I am willing to let destiny decide whether I should let Flannel meet her father. I don't know. I am just so confused right now. "Felice…" Maia called. I closed my eyes and covered my face with both my arms. I bit my lip and looked down. I was on my bed in an indian-sitting position. My head was aching and my mind was haywire. I couldn't think straight, honestly. Flannel was with

“Shall we talk about our setup, then?” I asked Greg as I watched him looking at Flannel who was enjoying her ice cream. He has been silent for the last few minutes that we were here. I sighed again and just looked at him. I saw him gulp and then he cleared his throat. "Uhh, yeah…" he said and looked away. I raised a brow on him. I don't know why he couldn't look at me, to be honest. I just didn't dwell on it and started talking. "We will be going back to the States," I started. That's when I got his attention. His eyes widened and looked at me confusingly. "What?" he asked unbelievably. I sighed. "You know that Flannel's school is in there and my decision in managing the company remotely is final, so we will really need to go home, Gregory. Plus, my parents are going with us, too."I saw how his lips parted when I said that. He gasped hard. "But what about me, Felice? How can I be with my daughter?"I let out a sigh again. "That is why we need to talk about it. We can have an a