Chapter 9: Loser

MELISSA QUIZON

"Reid..." I continued to caress my son's back as he cried on my shoulder.

He could not accept that he had lost. Until we got here to the house he was still crying. As his mother, I can feel my son’s grief. We sat on the sofa and because I was carrying him, he landed on my lap.

I also don't know why Reid lost, but I can't tell him that the winner is really good, because I know he'll be more upset.

"I'm a loser!" He said between sobs.

"Look at me, baby." I said softly.

I wiped the tears from his eyes and cheeks. Then I gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. "It's okay to lose, at least you made someone happy because she won. And She should even be sad, because you cried a lot."

He sniffed. "R-Really?"

I pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yes, baby. Come on. Mommy loves your music."

He hugged me again and buried his face on my neck. "I love you, mommy. I'll be better next time. I promise."

I nodded. I start humming to get Reid to sleep. I knew he did not sleep well last night and tired, he needed to rest so he wouldn't get sick. As I was doing that, I couldn’t get my mind off what had happened earlier.

The first thing I noticed was his stature. His body became more magnificent, power evident in his corded muscles. He has on dark jeans that fit his lean frame perfectly - slouching a bit on his hips but held in place by a worn leather belt. His sleeve polo is black and plain. His hair was unruly and rumpled like he’d been in a fight with his comb. I have the urge to brush the strands out of his face.

When I noticed that he is peeking at the backstage door, to where I’m standing, I hid so he couldn’t see. I don’t want to show myself to him. I'm also very grateful that Reid didn't win because if he won, all my plans would be ruined. I don’t want to deprive Reid of his father. When he is the right age, I will explain everything to him.

I leaned my back on the couch and then looked up the ceiling, then I closed my eyes. I don't want to remember the pain Wright caused. I don't want to see him again. I do not want to be hurt anymore.

The next day, Reid looks fine and energetic once again. He can smile again as if nothing had happened. I took him to his school before I went to work.

"You will take care of my son, Miss Quizon." Mister Cruz said, his smile is flirtatious.

He is the father of one of my students, Cynthia. He kneel and placed both hands on Cynthia's shoulders. "Be a good girl, Cynthia."

He kissed the child on the forehead before leaving.

"Come on, Cynthia. The class is about to start." I tried to hold her hand but she immediately withdrew.

"I don't like you." She said loudly before entering the classroom. I followed her with my gaze until he sat next to her cousin.

I took a deep breath before closing the door and walked towards the front of the blackboard. I really only need patience in my job. Since, this is an exclusive school, bratinellas like Cynthia is very common.

"Good morning, Miss Quizon." My students greeted me warmly.

"Hi, kids! Did you do your assignment?" I tenderly question them.

What we teach is five to twelve years old, so it requires a lot of patience.

"Of course. It's easy." I looked at Cynthia's behavior. She stared at me and then made a face.

Be patient. She’s just a child, Melissa. Yeah, and so does Chuckie.

"Okay. Cynthia, can you recite your poem?"

"Why don't you just read it, don't be lazy. You're not at our level, so don't order us around. Hmp!" She said rudely.

Mister Cruz is very kind, how did this child grew horns? I think Cynthia’s family is facing some problems, so I should be understanding.

Her cousin Terence stood up. "Hey, Cynthia, you're overreacting! Don’t be rude."

Cynthia also stood up and pointed at me. "Really! I don't like her! Don't you notice? He's attracted to my Dad! Gold digger!"

Something pierced my heart when she said that. It was like I saw Wright when she said. Why do they think everyone who belong to a bottom society are gold digger? They have not touched mud, they have not sniffed dust, why are they like this? They have money but they don’t have kind heart.

"You're too imaginative, Cynthia." Terence shouted at Cynthia.

"Kids, calm down. Please. Don't fight.” Terence sat down in obedience to my command but not Cynthia. Courage remains on her face. I softened my expression and looked sadly at her. "Cynthia, I'm not attracted to your Dad."

"Liar."I saw the escape of tears in her eyes, then she immediately wiped it off.

I approached her and then kneel to make our faces line up. I caressed her soft and slippery hair tied with a red ribbon. "I'm telling the truth. Your Dad loves you and he loves your Mom too. Cynthia, your Dad wants you to have a lot of friends here at school, so he told me to keep an eye on you. Me, I'm ready to be your friend, if you want to."

"Really?"

I nodded. I wiped away the tears on her cheeks. I was surprised when she hugged me tightly. "I'm sorry, Miss Quizon. I'm sorry for what I’ve said."

"I forgive you." I caressed her back. "Stay and we'll continue our class."

I’ve seen the good side of her that no one has seen. It's just that what other people see are just physical character. Cynthia is the kind of person which she wants you to be the first one to approach. She’s shy. It was just misunderstood by other people.

I went back to the front and started class. Cynthia became active in class. Many also admire her musical experiences. I taught them how to use piano and violin.

We turned in the door when we heard a knock. I walked towards it and opened.

"Yes—" I stiffened in my stance when I recognized who was the person standing now in the doorway. Suddenly my heartbeat quickened.

"Are yo—" His eyes widened. "M-Melissa..."

I slammed the door shut and my other students were startled.

Shit! What is he doing here?! I hate the fast and uncontrollable beating of my heart!

Have an abortion.

Have an abortion.

Have an abortion.

The words he left to me back then kept spinning in my mind. That's right, I have no love left for him since the day he wanted to abort our child. He has no space in my heart.

I took a deep breath and then removed any emotion from my face. Then the door opened again.

"Nice reception I got there." There was a sly smile on his face. It was like I wanted to punch him to get rid of that. Annoying! "Is that how you will meet your new student?"

I looked below and saw a girl hiding behind his thigh. I felt a squeezed my heart when I saw that...

Is he… Is that his… wait, no, I don’t care.

I shook my head to clear my mind of the pain I was feeling. Why am I hurting again? Remember, Melissa, he dumped you. You must be angry! I shouldn’t be affected.

Because of those thoughts, the emotion on my face disappeared again.

"Hey, cute girl."

She looked up at Wright and immediately hid behind him as well. "Uncle, I'm scared."

Uncle? It was as if a thorn had pulled my heart out. Why am I feeling relieved?

Wright kneel to make their faces line up. He placed his hand on the child's head. "You don't have to be, Bobbie. Look at your teacher, does she look scary to you?"

Bobbie turned to me and then shyly waved. "H-Hi."

I ignored Wright's deep stare at me. I turned my attention to Bobbie. "Hello. Nice to meet you, Bobbie."

I held out one hand to her, she slowly placed her little hand there. I led him into the classroom, but she stopped and turned around. Only Bobbie turned around, not me.

"Be a good girl, Bobbie. Uncle is just out here."

I saw Bobbie nod and then looked up at me.

"Come on, I'll find you a seat." I said with a smile then pulled the seat next to a boy.

As I teach lessons, I tried not to look at the door. When in class, the door must always be closed to avoid distraction.

I dismissed when the bell rang. Time for lunch. I took all my belongings and walked towards the door. There was no one outside, not even a sign that Wright was there. I took a deep breath then went straight to the faculty. That's where Crissa and I often have lunch. When I opened the door of the faculty, silence fell on me. My friends are not on their seats.

"It’s lunch but why is the faculty empty?" I looked around.

I glanced at the location of my desk. I frowned when I noticed someone sitting in my chair. I immediately walked towards it. I stiffened when I saw Wright sitting comfortably there. He holds a frame. I know that frame, that's the frame that Reid gave me on my birthday last year. It was as if I was drenched in cold water when I realized what picture was posted there.

It was me and Reid. We pictured that with Jollibee.

I ran closer to him and violently grabbed the picture frame. I hid it behind my back. "W-What are you doing here?! Who told you that you come here?"

He stood up. I backed away as he took a step closer to me. "I told your co-teachers not to come here because I want to talk to you."

Talk? He must be joking! After so many years?

"What? Why did you do that?" Now that we are the only one here in the faculty, I can no longer hide the sarcasm and anger I feel for him.

He took a deep breath. "I want us to talk."

Talk my ass! I don’t want to talk to a sinner like him!

"We don't have anything to talk about." I said coldly. I turned around when I felt his hand on my arm to stop me from leaving. I looked at him sharply. "Hands. Off."

His face is serious. "Tell me, the boy in the picture, is he my son?"