19 Midnight

As Anthon pulled into a stop in front of Jia's house, later on, he immediately alighted from his seat and walked over to the other door. As he opened the door for Jia to come down,  he paused for a moment,  then looked at her.

"Jia,  may I see him?"

She nodded as she gestured for him to follow her inside the house. The woman who accompanied Jian in the coffee shop opened the door for them. She gave them a polite nod and greeted them in a low voice.

Anthon looked around the living room. A few paintings and elegant furniture in contemporary designs greeted his eyes. He then wondered what Jia had been doing with her life all these years and who was her lucky man. This was such a big contrast to the kind of life she had many years ago.  He knew better than anyone else about all those financial struggles she had endured during high school. 

The whole interior of the house spoke of elegance but was all feminine,  no trace of a masculine presence. Could it be because she is still single? 

He also wondered why Jia allowed him inside. He knew that his presence would cause a misunderstanding between her and her husband if she's married. However, Jia called him up and led their way upstairs.

She opened up a room, and he could easily tell that it was hers. Across the far end of the room was a queen-sized bed,  and he immediately saw his son tucked up in a sound sleep. Beside him was an empty pillow,  perhaps,  hers. So,  it meant that there were only two of them inside that room. Or else, she would rather not allow him inside if her husband was there. 

He recalled what she said a while ago that she was already committed to someone else.  Yet,  no matter how curious he was and no matter how many questions he still had in his mind,  he was in no position to hurry things out.  Or else, she might push him out of the way and would get nothing.  Everything would fall out naturally from where it came in its perfect time.

He gathered his wits back in a snap as his eyes fell again on his son. Anyone could tell that he was indeed a little Anthon.

He slowly came over to his side and sat silently. Then he caressed his head and bent down to kiss his forehead.

"I'll leave the two of you. Take your time. I will be downstairs when you're done."

His heart sank again as he watched his son in deep slumber. Then, finally, he picked him up and carried him back into his arms. If only he knew that he already became a daddy five years ago, his life would have had a better meaning.

Who knew then that he, who believed in the sacredness of building a beautiful home, had a broken one. Not only that, someone else took his place in raising his own family. This was such a big and unexpected failure in his life that all started with his cowardice many years ago.

If only he had told Jia earlier about his feelings,  she would not have gone to such length of destroying her emotions with her unnecessary insecurities. She would not have run away,  hiding her pregnancy from him. Instead, she could have fought for her right against her best friend.

"Baby,  I am so sorry.  Daddy was not there for you for five long years. How I wish your mommy will give me the chance to make it up to you."

However,  his son would not wake up.  So, after staying there for a long while, he got up and left the room. 

Jia was already on the couch in home clothes when he went down.  Her eyes were shut, but she opened it right away the moment he came in.

"A glass of cold water? " she asked.

. 

"No, thanks. You must be tired now.  I'll be getting off. Thanks for the time. "

With this,  Jia stood up and walked him to the door.

"Good night, Ton. Be safe on your way." She reached out to hold his arm while her right arm was holding the doorknob.

He stared at her for a moment. Then, unable to hold himself any longer,  he reached out his arms and held both of her shoulders as he gently pulled her weight against his body. He hugged her so fiercely that both of them could hear the wild pounding of their hearts. Then, after what seemed like an eternity,  he finally released her. 

She turned to the door right away, but when she looked up to lead him out,  he already towered above her. Before she could say anything,  he swiftly held the back of her neck and plunged his mouth over hers in a deep, savage, and hungry kiss.