Chapter 8

• MELISSA QUIZON
• I woke up. I was dreaming— I mean, I had a nightmare. I dreamed about him. Again. "Oh, goodness! What time is it? You have school today!"
• My son looked up at the top of the wall where our watch was located. "Hmm... Short hand's in six... longhand— Oh! Oh! Six fifteen."
• "Good. But we have to hurry, baby. Your first day in class is today." I pinched the bridge of his nose. I hugged him tightly. I felt him hug me too.
• I raised Reid well even without Wright’s support.
• I was able to do everything just for my son and to raise him without fail. I had to stop studying to have a safe pregnancy and to avoid the contempt of my batchmates. Word spread quickly that Wright and I were separated.
• It was also reported that he has also left the country with his new girlfriend Claire. Why is that? When the woman is pregnant in her teen, people will talk about how bad she has done. But when the men get a woman pregnant, he is praised that he isn't impotent, even if other people do not know whether he is responsible or not.
• After I gave birth to Reid, I work as a maid just to make a living. When I saw my bosses, I felt jealous.
• They are a couple, the woman is pregnant and the man is always by her side. I watch Ma'am Tallia when Sir Zander is away in the morning. They paid me enough because the couple earns a lot, and they also want to help me.
• By the time Ma'am Tallia recovered from giving birth, I stopped working and continues my studies as an educator.
• I took scholarships just to reduce my expenses. After I graduated and passed the board exam, for which I still owed the payment, I enrolled in a Music School and I was hired. I now teach Percussion Instruments at school. And the students there mostly belong to a rich family.
• Most are the children of various politicians and businessmen.
• But what saddened me was the death of my Grandmother. Reid was only a year old. I feel like my world has collapsed; I have lost an ally. I have lost the only one I could lean on. Gone is the only person who understands me.
• Every day, I miss her.
• Reid pulled away from me a little. His small hands touched both of my cheeks. "I hope Thunder is still my classmate, mommy."
• He really likes that child, huh?
• The two grew up almost at the same time. Thunder was the son of Ma'am Tallia and Sir Zander, of whom I worked as their maid for a short time. I was also invited when Thunder was baptized, I was one of his godmothers.
• And since then, the two have always been together. Even though Reid is ten months older than Thunder, they still get along so well.
• I smiled. "Thunder is your only friend, don’t you want to get along with your other classmate? You should be friendly with others as well."
• "I'll try, mommy." He said insincerely. He really doesn't want to hang out with other kids. He was so rude that his classmates were afraid of him.
• "Because you're naughty." He didn't answer and looked down. I messed up his hair. "Fine. You'll be late. Take a bath."
• He nodded and left our room. I made the bed and went out to cook breakfast for my son. I stopped slicing the white onion when Reid came out of the bathroom. He was draped in a blue towel with the Iron Man brand. He stopped and looked at me. He raised an eyebrow at me.
• I smiled and shook my head and then went back to slicing the white onion. My son is complaining again. He's always grumpy after he takes a bath.
• Isn’t it often the person is rude when newly awake? My son is not, he is rude after he took a bath.
• After dressing in school uniform, we ate breakfast together.
• When I delivered Reid to his elementary school, I went home immediately, cleaning our house before I went to the market. It's my day off now so I have time to clean up. I stopped sweeping the cement when a familiar voice rang out from the television. I looked at the location of our television.
• “Yes, I am excited that we’re back. And I hope we’ll get to know our fans in the country.” Is that... Wright?!
• 'The leader of the most popular band, Kiss N 'Tell, Wright Agoncillo, is here in the Philippines!' The caption says.
• Did he come back because of his humoured girlfriend, Claire Louise Dela Rosa?! Have they engaged already?
• I immediately turned off the television when Wright’s face was shown while interviewing him at the airport. I despise his face. I don't know who is this.
• "My television might explode because of your face. I paid dearly for it. Tsk!" I said to myself.
• After I cleaned up, I went to the market to buy our dinner and other kitchen utensils.
• "Hey, Melissa! Where's your security guard? Looks like you're not with him, huh?" Choeng told me while putting the chicken meat on a plastic bag.
• I laughed. "He has class. First day."
• "By the way, do you know Wright Alvares?" Wright?
• "Agoncillo, mother." Her daughter groaned as she took care of the other's purchases.
• "Oh! Yeah, him! What a big fish! Do you know him?" Big fish?! He is an animal.
• "I don't know," I whispered and made sure no one heard.
• " Don't you notice? Your son looks like Wright Alvar—"
• "Agoncillo, Mom." Her daughter corrected her once again.
• "That's right. Your son seems to bear a resemblance to Wright Agoncillo." My hair stood on end at what she said. What the?!
• All of Choleng's customers looked at me. I winced. "Oh, Choeng, you're the only one who noticed. How can he look like my son? My son is more handsome. How much is the mussel, Choeng?"
• "Seventy-five per kilo."
• I grabbed some money from my pocket and quickly gave it to her. "Here it is. Thank you."
• I went home and cooked our lunch. Reid will be home in a few hours. He is only half day now. When I heard the car parked in front of my gate, I knew it was Eugene. He picked up my son again. Reid loves Eugene so much. He spoiled my son.
• It's like they're best friends when they treat each other.
• I went out of the kitchen and the moment I opened the door; Reid ran in my direction. He hugged my thigh.
• "I got twelve stars!" He said while showing his arms on me. I kneel for our eyes to line up and then greeted him with congratulations. I noticed the box holding he’s holding. He picked it up and showed it to me. "And Doc has a gift for me. Another robot for my collection!"
• I took a deep breath then wiped the sweat on his forehead. "Get dressed first, my Superman. You're wet with sweat."
• He nodded. Now Eugene and I are alone in the living room. I faced him as Reid closed the door of his room.
• "Eugene..."
• He shook his head then smiled. "Yep?"
• "Don't spoil my son too much." I sat on the sofa and so he did. I grabbed his hand that rested on his thigh and squeezed it. "When—"
• "When you’re tired of falling in love with me, I won't be able to give what you can give to Reid." He spoke before me and copy the way I talk. He looks into my eyes. "I heard it so many times already, Melissa. You already know the answer."
• I looked down. "You won't get tired even if you wait for hundred years."
• "Good." He grabbed my chin and lifted it so our eyes will meet. "So, the asshole's back. What's your plan?"
• He knows everything about Wright. Eugene was the only one I could vent my resentment on. I feel secure when I am with him.
• I shrugged. "Hide my son."
• "That's cliche. Why don't you slap him with your son's birth certificate? And say, 'Hey, asshole. Welcome back.'" There's a streak of anger in every word it utters.
• "I won't do that." I snapped. I don't even want to see Wright's face on television and then he wants me to meet Wright in person? No way! "Eugene, you know how influential his last name is. When he finds out about Reid, he might my child from me."
• "Melissa, he wanted you to abort Reid. Wake up! He doesn't want the child. So, how can he take Reid from you? Do you think he'll look for Reid? Fucking no! " He covered his face with his hands and then removed it. His voice was tinged with irritation and panic. "Geez. Did I outburst again? Oh, shocks! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring back the pain."
• "I-It's fine. I'm strong."
• "Melissa..." He hugged me tightly. "I'm sorry."
• "Yeah... I know." I caressed his back and even pressed my head against his chest. "I've forgotten how much I was hurt then. It doesn't bother me anymore."
• I still remember how Eugene and I first met. He was the one God sent to me to help me at that time. I am very grateful to him.
• -
• I'm at a shop in Divisoria for my son's things. I heard that it's really cheap here now because the price has dropped. I immediately went and shopped early so that it wouldn't be too crowded. But I must have made a mistake because when I came out of the store I was shopping at, people flocked around.
• "E-Excuse me, please," I said politely while keeping my belly protected.
• I was about to leave that hellish place when someone accidentally pushed me.
• "Aw! Ouch!" I moaned as I felt a pang of pain in my lower back. I felt something coming out of my femininity. I froze when I saw the blood on my hand. "My baby! Help! Ha..."
• An old woman immediately approached me. "You're bleeding! Let's help the young lady! You're bleeding! Everyone, clear the way!"
• A man approached me. There was concern on his face. I could not see him clearly because my eyes were blurred with tears. "I'm a doctor! I can help you. We called an ambulance."
• I held onto his clothes and my other hand covered my womanhood to stop the bleeding. "H-Help me... Please. S-Save my b-baby."
• "Yes. I will— No! No! No! Don't close your eyes! Stay with me."
• That man's voice was the last thing I heard and then my vision darkened.
• When I opened my eyes, I was in a room with white paint. I remembered what had happened, so I immediately stroked my belly. The feeling that my son was still there made me close my eyes.
• "My child..." I said tearfully.
• "She's safe, Miss." The man stood up and approached my bed. "You just need a little rest and eat nutritious food."
• "Who are you?” I asked.
• "Call me, Eugene." He said. "I brought you here. Do you have a husband—"
• “I don’t. I’m… I’m all by myself.” He didn’t utter a word, so I continued. "Thank you. I-I don't know how to thank you for helping."
• "Let me know your name, that's enough."
• "M-Melissa… Melissa Quizon." I hesitated first but when I saw the sincerity in his eyes, I decided to let him know me. I noticed the white coat he was wearing. "Are you a doctor?"
• "Yes. I'm an OB."
• "But you're a man."
• "Is it forbidden for a man to be an OB? Why is it a big deal when an OB is a man? This is a free country. Society is the only one who gives malice to our profession." He stopped for a moment then covered one hand over the eyes. "Oh, geez! I'm sorry. Sometimes I really can't help but outburst. I'm sorry."
• "You're cute— Wait! What ?!" I was also stunned. He smiled. "T-That's a joke!"
• "I'll take it as a compliment." He grinned. I looked at the door when it opened and at the nurse come, insider, while carrying the tray. "By the way, I prepared food for you. To regain your strength."
• "I'll just be going home." I was about to stand up when he stopped me.
• "Get your strength back first, Melissa. Eat, come on." He gave me a spoonful of rice and bacon.
• "I can eat by myself."
• "Fine." He released the spoon then pulled a chair closer to my bed. "Some men choose to throw the gems and pick useless stones. Why?"
• I swallowed a few times to hold back the tears, but it was too late.
• "Because some men are assholes." He added.
• I smiled at his answer. I never felt this comfortable with a man I barely know. I wiped away my tears and then stared at him. "Right."
• "You like slices of bacon?" He asked.
• "I love slices of bacon."
• Eugene and I became friends. He took care of me from the time I was pregnant until I gave birth. He was with me when I gave birth to Reid and not Wright. He was the first one to hold on to Reid and not Wright. He is the one I always have with me when my son’s check-ups and not Wright.
• Eugene became Reid's father when the man I loved left us.
• -
• "Mom!" I stopped thinking when someone touched me.
• I looked at my son. "Yes, baby?"
• He frowned. "You're not listening."
• I took a deep breath and smiled at him. I caressed his cheek. "I'm listening. You have a piano recital on Monday."
• "Yes! And I'm so excited, Mom!" He said happily and all he talked about was his recital while Eugene and I just continued to listen.