Resilient Hope

Chapter 10

Astrid wore a wide smile as she gently stroked Zuzu’s soft fur—her Shih Tzu puppy, a gift from Aillard. Zuzu, the one-year-old Shih Tzu, was sound asleep in her lap.

Astrid turned to Aillard, who was beside her, busy fixing his fishing rod. "Aillard..."

He looked up at her. "Yes?"

Astrid glanced at the pup in her lap. "Where did you get Zuzu?"

He stopped what he was doing and gave her a sharp look. "Who the hell is Zuzu?!"

"Her," she said, pointing to the puppy sleeping peacefully in her lap. "And please, don't shout; you might wake her up."

"Oh… Well," she adjusted her coat before sitting beside him. "The first time I saw her was at an animal shelter near my office. She was supposed to be adopted that day, but three days later, I found her still there. Zuzu wagged her tail with pure joy, hoping her owner would take her home soon. Sadly, they showed no interest and ignored her hopeful happiness. Zuzu was left abandoned at the shelter," Aillard explained.

Astrid couldn't help but feel sadness for Zuzu. She hadn't expected that kind of past with her previous owners. The name Zuzu suited her perfectly, meaning 'lily' in Yiddish, a symbol of sweet hope.

"My sweet hope. My sweet Zuzu."

"Why... Why did you decide to give her to me?" she whispered.

Aillard lowered his gaze to Zuzu in her arms. "Well, from the moment I first saw her, you were the one I thought of immediately, although I wasn't sure if you liked dogs."

Once again, Astrid glanced at Aillard. He smiled and looked back at her. It was evident from his face that he was happy with his decision to give Zuzu to her.

"Was that why you asked me the other day?"

Aillard nodded. "Yes. That's why I had Creed fetch Zuzu from my penthouse to bring her here. So, let's treat her like our baby. Our baby."

"I will," she said.

"Great," Aillard replied before returning to her task.

Astrid has long wanted to care for a dog. Dogs are her favorite pets. Why? Because she loves them for their friendly and cute nature.

To her, dogs are the most adorable and affectionate animals on earth. They are not just cute but also incredibly loyal to their owners. When you're away, dogs always behave well, and upon your return, they greet you with boundless excitement.

Who wouldn't love these traits of dogs, right? And who wouldn't be drawn to their beautiful eyes and wagging tails? They are simply adorable.

Even though Astrid has only just started spending time with Zuzu, she already loves her dearly. Zuzu is like her own child, her daughter.

Zuzu's coat is stunning—black and white, soft, and fluffy.

To ensure Astrid cares for Zuzu properly and understands what she should do, especially what is forbidden, Astrid has been reading an article on how to care for a Shih Tzu. Astrid desires to treat Zuzu as part of the family, a best friend, and a companion. She doesn't want Zuzu to experience again what she felt with her previous owner.

"Shih Tzus are bred solely to be companions. They are affectionate, happy, outgoing house dogs who love nothing more than to follow their owners from room to room," Astrid read on her cellphone. Her expression was serious as she studied and absorbed the information.

"What?" Aillard asked in surprise. Astrid was so engrossed in her reading that she didn't notice she had spoken aloud.

"It's nothing," she said, scratching her head.

"What are you doing? I've been watching you for a while now, and you're completely focused on your phone. Care to share what's on your mind?" Aillard inquired.

Astrid raised her cellphone to show him what she was reading.

"Why are you reading that kind of article?" Aillard asked curiously.

"I want to learn more about Zuzu's breed, what food she should eat, and everything..." she replied.

"And what did you read?" Aillard asked again.

Astrid glanced at her phone and read the article. "First, regarding their personality and temperament, the dogs are extremely loving, which I find to be very true and agreeable," she nodded approvingly. "They gladly accept pets from anyone and actively seek attention. While this makes them great lap and family dogs, it also means they excel at guarding your house. Shih Tzu puppies tend to be excited and energetic, loving to play and often seen running around the house. However, the breed does tend to slow down as they age."

"You're right; they are affectionate, loyal, gentle, playful, friendly, and more. You've done well in learning how to care for them," Aillard smiled, tapping her head.

She stopped his hand and gave him a stern look. "Don't do that, it annoys me."

Aillard chuckled softly. "Fine..."

Her brow furrowed as she noticed Aillard's fishing rod move. When she realized what was happening, she quickly caught the man's attention and pointed to the fishing rod.

"Aillard! Look!" She pointed excitedly. "You've caught a fish!" Astrid exclaimed.

Aillard hurried over and carefully lifted his fishing rod. Astrid cradled Zuzu gently and approached the man who looked somber where he stood.

"Did you catch something?" she asked as she approached.

A restrained nod was his response. When he faced her and showed what he caught, her eyes gleamed brightly at the sight.

"Oh, my god! It was so small, so cute," she said, glancing at Aillard's face. "Bakit ganyan ang itsura mo? Para kang natatae na ewan."

"Because I know what you're thinking right now," Aillard murmured, though she heard him clearly.

Her brows rose. "And what is it?"

Aillard took a deep breath. "Gusto mo bang pakawalan ko ulit itong isda dahil naaawa ka, right? Katulad ng pinagawa mo sa akin sa limang nahuli ko kanina."

She pouted. "Why? Hindi ka ba naaawa sa isda? Ang liit pa nila para hulihin at lutuin lang," Astrid replied.

Maayos na ibinaba ni Aillard ang isda sa dagat para pakawalan ito bago siya ulit humarap sa kanya. "Pero yung kanina, hindi iyon maliit pero nakita kitang pinakawalan mo. Why did you do that?"

Hindi niya magawang tumingin nang diretso sa kanya. Buong akala niya, hindi siya nito nakita kanina dahil hindi naman ito nagsasalita noon.

"I didn't do that. Mali ka lang ng nakita," mabilis niyang sabi sa binata.

Iiling-iling ito sa kanya habang nakataas ang sulok ng labi. "Really?"

Kinagat niya ang ibabang labi at nahihiyang hinarap ito. "Kawawa kasi sila. The way they looked at me is like they're asking for help, kaya pinakawalan ko." Pahina nang pahina ang boses niya hanggang sa matapos niyang sabihin.

Pumamewang sa harapan niya ang lalaki. Why does he always look so handsome even when he's mad? "Pinakawalan ko na yung huling isda. So... ano kakainin natin?" tanong ni Aillard sa kanya.

Nahihiyang tumingin siya sa kanya. "Ipagluluto na lang kita. Meron naman tayong laman sa ref, di ba?"

"Yes."

It's really embarrassing. She was the one who said they would eat the fish they caught last, but then she released the others, claiming she felt sorry for them.

With one hand, Astrid pulled Aillard towards his yacht's kitchen.

You heard me right? Yes, this yacht belongs to Aillard, not Creed. That's why he had the audacity to dismiss the man—he's the owner. Astrid knew Aillard had his own company and studio, but she hadn't expected him to be so wealthy. And if you're wondering where Creed is, he was sent away earlier using Mang Kanor's boat.

She wanted to pity Creed earlier because of his appearance. It was clear he didn't know how to use an oar, and yet Aillard was the one who paid Mang Kanor for the boat rental.

"Was it really okay to use Mang Kanor's boat for Creed?" she started to say before Aillard interrupted, pulling her to face him.

"He would be fine. He's grown up now. And baby, don't think of anyone else, especially another man, when you're with me. Understand?" He raised an eyebrow as he questioned her.

"Huh?" Was he jealous?

Umiling si Aillard. "Nothing... Tara na, ikaw pa ang magluluto para sa akin, di ba?"

Astrid smiled. "Yes," she said, pulling him along. As they headed towards the kitchen, she asked him, "Ano ang gusto mong lutuin ko?"

"Anything you want."

Astrid pondered what she could cook for him. Suddenly, an idea struck her. Astrid knew what she should cook for Aillard.

Leaning against the kitchen island, he watched quietly, observing her every move. She didn't let him help because she wanted to take care of everything, just as he had taken care of her when she was in the hospital and during her recovery.

She sliced and washed the ingredients, and started sautéing them. She let the mixture simmer while she peeled boiled eggs. She also put rice on to cook so they could eat as soon as the main dish was ready.

After five minutes of slicing, she began to sauté the ingredients. She let it simmer, and then added the peeled boiled eggs. They waited another half-minute before they started eating.

"Is it good?" she nervously asked him as he tasted her cooked chicken adobo with potatoes and eggs, remembering it was one of his favorites, luckily finding all the ingredients in the fridge earlier.

Astrid knew she was a good cook, as she was usually the one who cooked for them, but she still couldn't help feeling nervous cooking for Aillard.

"Is it salty? Bland? Answer me," she asked again.

Aillard put down his spoon, crossed his arms over his chest, and looked at her. "Hmm... it's delicious," he said with a smile. "Come on, baby. Don't be nervous, you're a great cook."

She breathed a sigh of relief at his words. "Thank you. I really thought you wouldn't like it."

"Actually, pwede ka nang mag-asawa," he suddenly remarked.

"What?"

"Isn't that what people say when they really enjoy the food? That you're now eligible for marriage. Right?" Her jaw almost dropped at his comment.

"Are you serious? Do you believe in that?"

He shrugged. "Why not? Especially if you were the one I'd marry."

Her heart pounded loudly. Something twisted and fluttered in her stomach, like butterflies swirling inside. She took quick, successive bites of her food. She couldn't bring herself to look up at him, afraid he might see her blushing intensely from sheer delight.

She heard him chuckle softly. Apparently, her blushing hadn't escaped his notice.

She didn't speak again until they finished eating. His last comment seemed to have etched itself into Astrid's mind.

Damn. Cupid really got her good.

"I'm falling deeper for him, Zuzu," she softly confessed to the dog, gently stroking its fur. She felt silly sitting on the couch, talking to her dog as if it would respond.

When the clock struck six in the afternoon, Aillard suggested they return to his rest house. From afar, Astrid could already see children playing near the shore. She had never ventured outside to play.

"Astrid?"

Those kids appeared very happy. She didn't know what they were playing, but she wanted to join in. They were enjoying themselves without any gadgets. Nowadays, it's rare to see children playing; most prefer laptops, cellphones, or tablets.

She was jolted from her spot when someone grabbed her hand. "Hey, are you okay?" Aillard asked, concerned.

"Yes, I'm fine. What were you saying again?"

"We're here." He indicated, helping her disembark.

She hadn't noticed that his yacht had already stopped, waiting only for her. When she looked over at the children, they had paused their game, all eyes fixed on Aillard's yacht, admiration evident on their faces.

"Hi," greeted a young girl. "Pwede ko po ba hawakan?" she asked, her appearance dusty from playing in the sand.

Astrid straightened the girl to properly pet Zuzu. "Yes, of course."

She guided the girl's hand to Zuzu's back. Both laughed warmly as Zuzu wagged its tail. Their laughter quickly attracted the attention of the others.

The five kids ran over. They delighted in Zuzu's playfulness, and it was clear Zuzu enjoyed the children's company.

Well, what can I say? Dogs can make great family pets, getting along with other animals and kids alike. If you're looking for a small companion who's happy in an apartment, loves couch cuddles, and gives unconditional love, this could be the dog for you.

"Kaye, Anne, Sevie, Chris, Kit, let's play again!" called a boy.

The children ran off, leaving the first girl who had approached her.

Extending her hand, the girl introduced herself. "I'm Kaye."

Astrid shook it. "I'm Astrid."

"Nice to meet you, Ate Astrid," she smiled. "Come on, let me introduce you to Kit."

Astrid nodded and followed. Kaye introduced her one by one to the other children.

"This is Anne, Sevie, Chris, Kit, and Ken," she pointed out. "Anne, Sevie, Chris, Kit, Ken, this is Ate Astrid and Kuya..." She paused, scratching her head and softly asking the quiet boy next to her what his name was.

"He's Kuya Aillard," Astrid filled in for them.

The children waved at him; Aillard nodded back politely. Astrid remained where she was, watching the children play happily in front of her.

When Kaye noticed her, she furrowed her brow, glancing back and forth between Astrid and what she was watching. Unable to resist, she approached her.

"Gusto mo po ba sumali sa amin, Ate Astrid?" tanong nito sa kanya.

"Pwede ba?" Kaye nodded. "Ano ang tawag sa nilalaro ninyo?"

"Patintero po."

"Patin- what?" takang tanong ni Aillard. He glanced at her. "Are you sure Astrid, you want to join them?"

Astrid smiled and nodded. "Yes."

Anne and Chris explained to her how to play "patintero." Her teammates were Kit and Chris, while Aillard teamed up with Anne and Sevie. Kaye and Ken did not join them; they opted to rest and watch over Zuzu instead.

"What will be the punishment for the losers?" Sevie asked them.

Astrid pondered. "Maybe treat us?"

"But Ate Astrid, we don't have money," Chris quickly replied, which the three children agreed to.

"Your Ate Astrid and I will cover it," Aillard said.

"Really?" They all asked excitedly, joy evident on their faces.

Astrid nodded. "Yes."

They cheered with delight even before the game began, with Sevie and Chris already teasing each other about who would win.

Thirty minutes into the game, Aillard's team had already won. For the past half hour, all they did was laugh and play around with the children. Astrid didn't realize playing this kind of game could be this much fun. It was her first time experiencing such joy in her entire life.

"Chris, step up your game, we're going to lose!" Kit teased his teammate.

"Hey Sevie! You're laughing there, too. You're always betting," Chris retorted to his friend.

"Oh, why am I being dragged into this? Just because your crush scolded you, you're taking it out on me," Sevie teased back.

They laughed even louder as Chris chased Sevie for teasing him about his crush. Astrid just shook her head at the boys' antics.

"Hon!!!"

Everyone stopped laughing as a beautiful woman arrived. She looked like a model with her fair skin and tall stature, dressed in an expensive outfit. Astrid didn't recognize her.

Astrid glanced around to see who this "Hon" was being called, but apart from them and Mang Kanor, who was fixing his boat nearby, there was no one else around. It couldn't have been Mang Kanor who was called "Hon."

Astrid furrowed her brow, noticing that the woman was heading towards where Aillard was standing. Was Aillard the one being called "Hon"? Who is she? Why did she call Aillard "Hon"? What is her relationship with him?

Many questions raced through her mind, but they were soon answered as the woman approached Aillard and greeted him with a kiss. A kiss that shook Astrid's world. She hadn't expected that. She waited for him to push her away, but a minute passed, and he didn't move from his spot.

Astrid gritted her teeth.

She clenched her fist, feeling as though a weight had crushed her heart and shattered her chest.

Damn it.

Astrid wanted to grab the woman who kissed Aillard by the hair. Her emotions boiled. She wasn't hurt and jealous.

She left them in that position, no longer bothering to draw their attention, fearing she might ruin the moment.

Fuck you, Aillard! f**k you!