Muted Love

"We will!" The children shouted in unison after Lance told them he would be back.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Guevarra." The chairperson, who is managing the orphanage, said.

"It is our pleasure to help them, Mrs. Garcia. We will be back next month. Just call me if there's any problem," He answered back. "Mikaela, let's go back to my office now." he added, referring to his secretary.

When they got back from the orphanage to his office, he silently sat in his swivel chair. Silently staring at the space, he reminisced about the fresh memories he had with the children at the orphanage.

He smiled at the thought of playing with the children. He had fun. He surely had fun today. The children who are living in the orphanage are the ones he loves the most. It has a special place in his heart and he would definitely stop whatever it is. He loves helping them and treats them as his little brothers and sisters.

He took his phone from his pants and stared at the picture. Smiling, caressing the phone gently. Years had passed when he started helping the children, as well as a different orphanage. He will make sure that he is the one who gives the gifts he bought for the children. He finds his joy in helping the kids, playing with them and telling them stories from the books or any funny stories that the children might like or love to see and hear.

He is known as the 'Orphanage Angel', because he will definitely help when he hears that somebody needs his help. He is the superhero of the children in orphanages.

"Hey, Lance! Lance to earth, over. Lance to earth, over. Get back to your senses."

Lance stopped, turning back to reality. He looked at the man who was talking.

It was Bricx, his childhood friend, and he was with Lizzy, his little sister.

"I told you he's out of this world when he looks at that picture. He is always like that when he is looking at her," Lizzy said, complaining, who is also looking at the photo. "Lance! You are back at it again!" Lizzy shouted near his ear when Lance returned his gaze to his phone, looking like he was in a trance again.

"What are you doing here?" Lance asked Bricx, irritated. He turned to his sister, "And you, why are you here? You should go home right away." he added, pertaining to Lizzy, who is still wearing her school uniform.

"Can't I visit you?" Lizzy replied, mad. "After that incident, you became like that. I haven't seen my annoying brother in you since then!" Lizzy added back, starting to get irritated too.

Lance went quiet and looked at Lizzy. She is now sulking in her chair, pouting and glaring at him as if he's the most heinous man on the planet.

He stood up and went to hug her, "I am sorry. I am just preoccupied," he said. "I am very sorry. Do not get mad." Lance said as he ruffled Lizzy's hair.

"Argh! Lance, not my hair! But that's it! That's the brother I know! Stay like that, do not change again." Lizzy yelled, as she emphasized every word that was coming out of her mouth.

Bricx clapped his hands like a seal and said, "You knocked some sense into him, Lizzy. Good job!" he commented, sitting comfortably on the couch.

Lance only rolled his eyes at his friend. "Tss. Next time, if you fetch Lizzy from her school, please bring her home, not here. Instead of going here, send her straight to our home." Lance warned Bricx.

Bricx was the one who was always fetching Lizzy. After fetching her from school, instead of bringing Lizzy home, he will surely go to Lance's office with Lizzy.

His friend only nodded, he even signed a cross on his heart. Lance thought that if making a sign as your promise would make you die if you ever tried to break it, then Bricx would have died long ago. That was how much of a liar his friend was.

Lance sighed, "Did you guys eat it already? I will ask my Mikaela to order us some food to eat since you are already here." He said and called his secretary on the landline.

After eating their lunch, Lance asked his driver to send Lizzy on their way home. Bricx chose to stay in his office.

"Bastard, the company employers thought that I was gay because of you," Lance commented, making his childhood friend laugh loudly. "Stop laughing Bastard! I would like you to explain to them that I am not a f*cking gay!"

"Calm down, Lance," Bricx answered while laughing. He was even holding his tummy because of laughing too much. "That is why you have to find a girlfriend, it's been years since I saw you with girls." he added, emphasizing the word 'girls' to tease his friend more. "And why are you talking as if you are homophobic? That's bad!"

He shook his head, "I do not hate gays, I respect them more than you. But I just hate the thought of being in the gossip with you. I want to puke just by hearing those," he explained his side. "I have been on thousands of blind dates, because you kept on asking my Mom! I will have it in the future, so don't push me to have one now." Lance trying to explain his side to his friend.

Since he broke up with his ex-girlfriend before, when they were still in their first year of college, he did not have any girlfriends after that. That's why Bricx is helping his childhood friend's mom set him up on different blind dates, taking a chance if Lance can find someone he'll be interested in.

Leaning towards Lance, Bricx asked, "Out of a thousand of your blind dates, no one gets your interest?"

Lance shook his head. "None, so stop helping my Mom okay? Mind yourself getting one. You do not have one either, so better find yourself first before me." Lance replied.

Well, if Lance had gotten one ex-girlfriend, his childhood friend had three and after that, he was not able to get one.

He laid back on the chair. "I will, if she can accept Lizzy and if Lizzy likes her." Bricx answered, laughing.

"Huh, you will be single forever. Lizzy's standards are quite high." Lance retorted.

He knows his little sister well.

"Nah, I am fine with it. Lizzy has been one of my favorite little sisters, together with Eunice." Bricx said.

Bricx is treating Lance's sister as his own little sister too. She also reminds him of his long-lost sister. That is why he loves to treat Lizzy.

"And because you already like someone, that's why you can't find them interesting." Bricx commented.

Lance looked at him. "And who is she?" Lance asked, wondering that he himself does not know who he likes.

He knows himself that he does not like someone, so how come his friend knows? What is he, a fortune teller?

"There is only one girl I know that you really like. You change, you become better because of her, and if you have not met her, you are probably still stuck at the university. I know, you know, who I am talking about," Bricx answered, but Lance only looked at him confused. "The reason why you are always preoccupied while looking at the picture on your phone is because it is her." he added, straightening it to the point.

He laughed. "Are you talking about Aera?" Lance asked his friend back.

Bricx clapped. "You got it right! Am I wrong with my claim, Lance?" he replied. "Do not tell me that you really don't. It's been years since you last saw her, but it looks like you can't forget her at all." he added.

"Stop your false deductions, Bricx. I do not like her. It's been years since I started to deny your claim. So do not push it any further, I will answer you the same thing and you will not get the answer you want to hear from me." Lance retorted, denying his childhood friend's claim.

"Oh, it is wrong? Then let me bother you forever." Bricx answered, grinning.

Bricx did nothing but annoy Lance inside his office, acting like a gay whenever Lance employees entered or walked in front of his office.

"Honey! Do not touch me there!" Bricx acted when he heard a footstep going to Lance's office.

"Sir. Lance, this is Mikaela. May I come in?" Mikaela, his secretary, said from the outside.

"Ah yes, come in." Lance answered back.

"Ehh, no fun." Bricx commented.

Mikaela came in. "Good afternoon, Sir. Bricx." she greeted Bricx upon entering the office.

"Hi, Mikaela. I hope I can trick you next time." Bricx said, smiling.

She nodded, "I am looking forward to that, Sir. Bricx," Mikaela replied. "Sir. Lance, here is the file you asked me for a while ago." she added and handed Lance a folder.

"Thank you, did you take your lunch already?" Lance asked, while looking at the folder that Mikaela had given.

"Yes, Sir. I did." Mikaela answered.

"Good then. Let's go home early after my meeting later," Said Lance. "You may now go back, thank you." he added.

Mikaela nodded, "No problem, Sir." she answered before she leave the office.

The moment Mikaela left the office, Bricx leant on the chair to say something to Lance.

"How about Mikaela?" Bricx suggested.

"How about her?" Lance asked back, as he checked the information in the folder.

"I mean, how is she? Are you not interested in her? You have been together in this company for three years. Maybe she is the one." Bricx shared what made Lance stop reading the document.

Lance threw the folder at his friend.

Finally, he was able to hit his friend perfectly.

"What was that?" Bricx asked, after defending himself from the flying folder. "I just suggested things that might help you." he added, feeling offended by what his friend did to him.

"You may now go out of my office. You are not needed and you are just a big nuisance here. Thank you." Lance replied, unbothered.

Bricx stood up, picking up the files that were scattered on the floor. "Come on, Man. We should not be single forever! If you are not yet taken, how can I find one? I need to take care of you before thinking of having my own." he explained.

"Do you really want me to kill you?" Lance warned as he got up from his chair. "I do not care if I die without a girlfriend. Mind your own to have one!" he added as he walked towards his friend, ready to kill him.

Bricx immediately walked to the door, opened it and went out hurriedly, as if he was being chased by the soul eater.

"This is what we call 'What are friends are for', I do not want you to get old without having a girlfriend. I am just concerned," Said Bricx, explaining his side. "I ought to never have one if you do not have one either, so how can I get one?" he added.

"I will put these things down, okay?" He told Lance, slowly crouching down to put the files he picked up on the ground, and he ran after that. "Please help my honey to find his future! I owe you my life. I promise to pay you big time." Bricx yelled as he ran out of his company.

"Do not let me catch you. I will definitely beat you." Lance muttered as he went back to his office.

Lance picked up the papers that Bricx had got and entered his office. He also picked up the folder he threw away and went back to his swivel chair. He got his phone and opened it.

"It's been a while," he greeted. "I wonder if you have changed. I changed a lot. Will I still be able to recognize you if I see you someday?"

"It's been a while," he greeted. "I wonder if you have changed. I changed a lot. Will I still be able to recognize you if I see you someday?"

Talking to the person he set as his wallpaper whenever he does not have any work to do, he will take the time to look at the picture and talk to it. As if he would get an answer back. He likes to talk to the person on his phone; it's like a part of his life. There was no day he would not do it.

"If we meet again, I will make sure to help you and return the favor," he promised. "Just make sure to be alive and let me see you. That is what I am praying and hoping." he added.

Caressing the phone, and said, "I hope you are still alive, that is what all matters. I can help you with all my might if you are still alive... I do not know what I would do if I knew that you were not on this earth anymore." sharing his biggest concern.

The reason he became a businessman is because of the person on his wallpaper. It may not have told him to take the business path, but it made him into a new and useful person that they, his family, and he himself, had not expected at all.

He did not know himself that he would be a business man. That was not part of his plan, and he did not know what to take when he was still in his college year, but somehow, meeting the person in his wallpaper made him study hard.

Studying hard was not his thing, but a miracle hit him, and he studied hard.

"Son! You are here. How is your work?" Lance's mother, Lauren, greeted him as soon as she saw him enter their house.

"It's good, Ma," Lance answered. "How about your work? Is it doing well?" he asked back, hugging and placing a kiss on the top of his mother's head.

"Ah yes! My work and your Dad as well are doing fine." Lauren replied, returning the hug.

Lance's mother is working as a fashion designer and has her own clothing line, while his father is managing a call center company, called PageUp.

"Ah, Son. How about dating Mikaela? I heard she is very close to you?"

Lance could not help but sigh. He guesses his childhood friend, named Bricx, talked about it already. He cannot believe that his mother will be able to know about it in just a few hours! It was like he was a paparazzi, ready to spill the beans anytime and anywhere.

"Ma, please. I don't want to date anymore. "He answered, defeated. "Yes, I know that you are just concerned about my future. But I am still not ready to have one, okay?" said Lance, who was trying to explain himself over and over again.

"We just want you to find your happiness, and I already want to see my granddaughter. I am scared that we might die without seeing it. We are worried." His mother retorted, a worried expression being shown.

"Mom, you are too young to die. What is the point of taking any healthy regimen when you do not trust it at all," he reasoned out. "Stop taking those if you are not even trusting it." he added.

Lance's mother cannot help but pout at his own son. She can't win over him when it comes to something like this, aside from being able to force his son to go to the blind dates she set.

"This is the last time? Try to ask Mikaela," Lauren insisted. "Should I talk to her about it?" she added.

"Ma, please no," he answered quickly. "She might find it uncomfortable and it might affect our work in the future. I won't say no whenever you want me to date someone you talked to, but not her. How awkward it can be after that, I might not be able to communicate with her properly and it's the last thing I would do." he added, almost sounding like he is pleading.

"Then who should you date?" his mother asked.

"Ma, I don't want to date anyone. I just want to work quietly." Lance replied.

His mother stomped her feet. "And I can't just let you overwork yourself and do nothing," his mother retorted. "I prepared you dating than working!" she added.

Instead of answering his mother, he walked out to go to his room.

"We are still talking, Kevin Lance Guevarra. Is this how you ignore what your lovable Mom had suggested?" his mother added, following him to his room. "I just want you to meet your future. How can I work silently if you are still single? You are―"

"Yes, Mom. I am in my 26 years already, if you are worried about my future wife, it is still early for that. You don't have to worry about it too much. I will find one at the right time." Lance interrupted, trying to catch his mother's mood.

"But I want you to have one right this instant." his mother retorted.

He is not tired of his work in his office, but talking with his mother about marriage or dating really exhausts him. Big time.

"Ma, let's talk about it next time. I want to rest for a while, please." he said. He opened his drawer to find a change of clothes.

"Do you like someone else?" his mother asked again. "I will make her date you. Name her." she added.

Pulling out a white shirt and black pants, he faced her mother and said, "I still don't have one, Ma. I will tell you right away if I find one." he answered.

"Just tell me if you found her, okay? Do not hesitate to tell me, whoever she is, I will make her say yes to dating you. I will make you guys marry right away," Lauren said excitedly. "Please, do not let your little sister date earlier than you. Are we clear?"

Lance's forehead creased. "No one will let her date. She is still early for that thing." he answered.

"If he is the one for her, If she likes someone, we should make some moves. I don't want her to―"

"I won't let you let her date this early, Ma," he interrupted his mother again. "Why are you thinking of dating already? Lizzy is still young. She should enjoy her youth and study to have a better future." he added.

"If she ends up studying like you? I don't want that to happen." Lauren can't help but worry.

"Ma, you are insulting me indirectly. I did study hard. I would not be like this if I hadn't. Before, you were mad at me for not studying hard and just playing computer games with Bricx. Now that I studied hard, why are you still complaining? "

"That is not what I meant, Son," said Lauren, appeasing her son. "I am happy and proud that you studied hard. Now that you have your own company and it is doing fine, I am really happy! I will always brag about my friends to you. I know you went down a hard path and it made you too serious. I am just worried that you might not think about your happiness and just work." she explained her side.

Lance approached his mother and embraced her with a warm hug. "Ma, I have a plan. I want to get married and have my own family. I really do. But not now. The someone who is meant for me is not yet here. While she's not here, I will just work to secure our financial matters," he said. "If she is here already, I won't let it slide or let her slip away." he added, assuring his mother.

His mother sighed in defeat. "Okay, I understand you. I will go out now, so that you can rest." His mother gave up.

Lance felt relieved after what his mother had said. He thought that her mother had a lot of bullets to shoot back at his answers. That is why he was trying to cut the talk down. Before his mother could leave his room, she looked back.

"Will you still let me set up some blind dates? Once a month? Can I?" his mother retorted.

Lance thought he had made himself free from blind dates. But it looks like it is not done yet.

"Okay, Ma." he answered unwillingly.

Lauren jumped out of happiness as she went out of his room excitedly.

"At least it ended up being once a month," he muttered. "It is much better than the last time." he explained.

When Lauren finds someone who is a good match for Lance, she will definitely set them up. It's like his mother has so many aces in her hands that Lance can date every day. If Lance does not complain about it, there is a big possibility that he will end up going on a blind date every day.

That is how his mother is so eager to get him a girlfriend. She will do everything for Lance to have one.

Because of the blind dates, all of his business partners or people he knows, they will ask about his status, whether he has a girlfriend already. If not, they will help his mother set some blind dates. It's not like his own mother is thirsty about his love life, even the people around him want to know about his relationship status.

They are more worried about him, thinking he will get old and still single.

Lance lay on his bed after changing his clothes. He feels tired after talking with his mother. As much as he wanted to avoid it, his mother would definitely bring it up whenever they talked. He wants it to end, but he does not know how.

He only has one way to make it stop, and that is to find a girlfriend.

Looking at the ceiling, thinking about whether he should hire or ask some people to be his fake girlfriend. He badly wants to stop this dating thing, but what can he do? It was his mother's plan all along, and he does not want to hurt her.

He picked up his phone and looked again at his wallpaper.

Vivid memories flashed into his mind.

He has memories where he is still able to see the person he is looking for.

Where he is still able to touch and talk to it. Stare at the person and teach it some important things.

"Where are you?" he asked, longing evident in his eyes. "Can you just find me?" he added. "I want to know if you are doing fine. I want to know if you are able to eat properly or have your meals three times a day."

"How I wish I had taken many pictures of you. It was a bad thing that I only took one and did not bother taking more pictures of you. Look what happened. The most not so photogenic photo was being used on my phone, and it's really my bad."

"How I wish I had not run away. In that way, I know where you are. I can still reach and talk to you. I was able to tell you stories you might find interesting and more. I should have done everything with you, but I was too stupid at that time. I was not able to think of anything that was better and safer for you."

"Do you even still remember me right now? Do you hate me or what? Is that why I can't see you? It's been years, but still I can't see any signs of you."

"I am also losing hope. That... that... you are not here anymore... that is why... I could not... see you."

"Would you mind letting me help you again next time? Will I be able to recuperate and make you smile like you always give me?"

Lance

"Our marketing strategy is good, so we do not have to change it. We just have to work hard and improve more. I want to hear a new business plan for our meeting next time. Is that okay?" I asked my employee.

"Okay, Sir!" They answered in unison, nodding their heads.

I nodded back at them, "Good then. You can now go back to your work," I said, and I headed out first in the meeting room. "Mikaela, did you look into the orphanage I asked you about last time?" I asked my secretary while we were walking towards my office.

"Yes, Sir. I have the documents prepared already. Sir, I will just get the documents from my table. Please excuse me." She answered and went to her table.

I entered my office and sat on the couch, getting a glass of water to drink. It's been two days since I asked her to look for it. Now that I am done with our meeting, I can look for other things to do.

After a short while, someone knocked at the door. "Mr. Guevarra, I will enter now." she said before opening the door.

Mikaela is one of the best secretaries I ever had. She knows what to do and what she should not do. I have never once scolded her because she makes her work neat and clean. You do not have to tell her, she will do it on her own and I am thankful for that.

"Take your seat and explain to me what you have learned." I told her.

She sat on the opposite couch and handed me a folder.

"Saint Angel Orphanage. They are really facing difficulties when it comes to sponsorship. They will always have a sponsor, but it will not last longer. After a few years, the sponsors will stop. Their longest sponsor is in a state of bankruptcy. It looks like it will not last for months from now on. Unlike the other orphanage we are helping, this orphanage has a lot of children." She explained.

I looked at the photos that were inside the folder. They showed children who were playing and smiling widely. A genuine smile. "What do you think about it?" I asked her.

Mikaela smiled, "I think we can help them, Sir. They need your help, and I do not see any problem with their management. I also heard that some of them were using their own money to help and sustain the needs of the children." she answered.

I nodded. "Okay," I said as I rose from the seat. "I wanted to check it myself today. We will go now. I want to explore their place. I also wanted to talk to the sister who gave you this letter." I added, putting the folder on my table.

"All right, Sir, I will get ready and wait for you outside." she replied before exiting the office.

"Just wait for me downstairs. Thank you." I said while fixing myself.

I removed my coat and brought my handbag. I will go home early and finish everything in our house.

After fixing myself, I went downstairs to meet Mikaela.

When we reached the Saint Angel Orphanage after half an hour of travel, I could already hear the children playing inside the moment we got out of the car. It seems like they were playing, because the noises they were making were full of playing language and giggles.

I pressed the doorbell once, making the children inside fall silent. After a few seconds, a man opened the door for us.

"Good afternoon, Ma'am and Sir. Welcome to Saint Angel Orphanage! Come in. May I know the reason for your visit?" The man asked while smiling happily, opening the door gate wide for us to enter.

As soon as we entered the orphanage, the children were standing side by side. Smiling widely, excitement was evident on their faces.

"Welcome to Saint Angel Orphanage!" They all said it in unison.

"Thank you." I answered back, while Mikaela just smiled and waved at them.

This orphanage is the most lively one I went to. The ambiance is too light. I do not feel any awkwardness here.

"Mr. Guevarra?" A sister called while walking towards us hurriedly.

Mikaela politely pointed out to the sister, "She was the one who sent the letter, Sir." she said.

"Good afternoon. I am Kevin Lance Guevarra." I said, introducing myself.

"Thank you very much for visiting us, Mr. Guevarra. I am Sister Ailee. I am the one who is managing this orphanage. You should have told us so that we would be able to prepare some foods for you as our welcome gift." Sister Ailee said.

I waved my hands, politely declining the offer. "You do not have to do that, Sister Aileen. Thank you for your concern." I replied. "I have read the letter you sent me a few days ago. Can we talk about it in private?" I asked.

Sister Ailee slowly nodded her head, "Yes, we can. Let's head to our office then, this way please." She replied and guided us to her office.

Before we began, one of their employees quickly prepared a juice and a piece of bread for us.

"How are the children? Are they all well and doing well?" I started asking.

Sister Ailee answered, "The kids are all good, they behave well and we are still able to overcome our problems." she said. "Although we have a big problem, we do not want the children to be affected by it." she explained sadly.

I smiled at her. "I can see how well you manage them. I am happy that you are entrusting the orphanage to us. I am glad to help the orphanage, Sister Ailee." I said that made her shock from her chair.

"Really? Thank you very much, Mr. Guevarra. You are a big help to us!" Sister Ailee happily said.

"Mikaela, I will leave and explore first. Sister Ailee, you can talk about the process with her. I want to explore the orphanage myself first." I said, and received a nod from her.

I went outside and started exploring the orphanage. The place is not shabby and the children are too lively. I can still hear the children playing at the front.

"Hello, Sir!" A young kid greeted me, waving his hands excitedly.

I waved back at him, "Hello, how old are you?" I greeted him and asked for his age.

"I am nine years old. How about you?" he asked back. "And what is your name? What are you doing here at Saint Angels Orphanage? Are you planning to adopt one of us?" The kid asked me continuously, dropping all his questions like a bomb. He was not giving me a chance to absorb his questions.

How cute. Kids tend to be curious about everything, and it makes them more cute.

I sat long enough to be at his eye level. "I am twenty-five years old. I am Lance, you can call me Brother Lance if you want to. And I am also not here to adopt. I hope I answered all your questions." I told him. "I am here to help the orphanage, and you will see me every month here." I explained.

"Really? Are we going to play like what we are always doing with Sister?" He asked excitedly. "Sister is still at school; that is why we cannot still play. We are waiting for her to come." He shared as he looked around his surroundings.

"Ahh, your sister is still at school. Do not worry, while your sister is still at school, we will play later." I said, and patted his head.

"Really?! Okay, I will tell the others now. Bye!" He suddenly said and ran to his playmates.

So, they have a student. It may be really hard for them, especially if no one is going to sponsor the orphanage. It's a good thing that Sister Ailee found me. I don't want them to suffer like she did.

I went on a tour of the orphanage and took notes so that I can go over what I saw and what I can do later. After that, I played with the children. Playing different games and asking them some things about themselves.

Our playing lasted for an hour. It was tiring, but it was fun.

"Wait for me next time. I will be back and we will play again." I told the kids.

They all nodded their heads happily. "We will, brother Lance!" they said in unison.

"Visit us again, brother Lance!"

"We will wait for you!"

"Do not forget us!"

"I will. Be good to your sisters and brothers. Do not make trouble for them, okay?" I told them and then turned to face Sister. "Sister Ailee, we will head now. Message me at the phone number I gave you. We will process everything, so you do not have to worry." I reminded her.

Sister Ailee nodded her head in relief, "Thank you very much, Mr. Guevarra. I know God has sent you to us to help us overcome this problem. Take care on your way home." She said this and sent us outside the orphanage.

"Mikaela, where should we drop you? I have to buy something for Lizzy." I told my secretary.

"You can just send me to the bus stop, Sir." She answered,

"Okay, rest when you get home. We have many meetings to finish tomorrow." I said and checked my phone to see if Lizzy had sent her wishes for what I should buy.

I texted her an hour ago and the last message she sent was 'Wait...', so I am thinking that the list is long because of her reply. I hope it's not, though. She is using this opportunity because I asked her, right?

Lizandrea shouldn't take Bricx's attitude. Please, no. It would be my hell.

She is slowly turning into my friend. They already have the same attitude, and it is their way of annoying me.

Should I just stop them from seeing each other?