1 PROLOGUE

I moved a bit, still closing my eyes after soft kisses planted on my cheeks repeatedly. My eyes are still heavy to open, I feel like it's still early in the morning albeit if I can feel the heat of the sunrays hitting in the skin of my arm.

I got home late last night which is probably the reason why I'm still sleepy to get up today. I don't have work today anyway since yesterday was a blasting schedule.

I opened my eyes, only for me to see the bright sunlight. I quickly closed my eyes as I groaned about how much it hurts. When I feel someone blocks it I slowly opened my eyes. I almost cuss when I forget that I have a son to take care of. I feel like I'm an irresponsible mom!

"Hello, my love!" I caressed his cheek.

"Good morning, mom!" his monolid eyes became smaller as he smiled at me warmly.

I felt my chest overcrowded as his eyes reminded me of his father's. The way the edges of his lips stretched for a smile, the way he burst out into laughter, his beautiful jaw and those monolid eyes. All part of him resembles his dad.

His eyes dilated like he suddenly remembered something. He looks at me and scowled at me.

"Mom, what time did you got home last night?"

Albeit if his expression is mad his voice was still soft. I can't help but smile.

"Twelve," I answered.

"That's late, Mom!"

"I know. I'm sorry, 'kay?"

"My teacher said it's bad for the health, mom. You should take good care of yourself. Or you can even dependent on me. I'm a big boy now and I can work for us!"

"Aw," I chuckled but he just scowled more. "You're just eight years old. No company would accept you here."

"You must be mistaken. Remember when your manager told you that I can be a child star?" he rose his brows. "How old am I that time? Five right? How much more now that I'm eight, mom."

My eyes dilated. "You still remember it?!"

"Uh-huh,"

"But my answer is still no. There's no way I'm letting you work. I'm the mommy here and I should be the one working for us." I sat in my bed and tap the space beside me.

"No, mom." he shook his head before sitting beside me. "It should be a mom and... d-dad."

I gasp at his words and just looked away. I don't like him to see that I'm hurt and about to cry.

"Mom, where's my dad?" he held my hand with both hands like he's begging me to tell him.

"We'll talk about this downstairs. You go downstairs first. I'll follow you once I washed my face."

I stared at the sink, thinking about how should I explain to my son about his dad. For the past years, every time he asks me about it all I answered is that his dad is away and we're not allowed to go to his workplace. I always feel guilty as I answer that on him. I feel like I'm so horrible mom for lying at him. I have no choice.

One of the reasons why I don't want my son to enter the industry where I'm working is that I'm scared his dad might found out that he has a son with me. I'm too scared that I'll lose my son anytime once he found it out. I'm too scared that one day I'll be waking up alone because he'll take my son with him.

"Good morning, Sien." my sister Olivia greeted me once I got in the dining room.

She's just two years younger than me. She's the one who took good care of my son when I'm away. I gave money to her monthly so she can buy something for herself albeit if she always said there's no need.

"Good morning," I smiled at her.

"Creed got the highest score in their exam yesterday, Sien." Olivia glances at me as she took her seat before looking at my son proudly.

My jaw drops. "Really? We should celebrate it then!"

I'm in our living room now with my son. We're sitting on our settee while watching his favorite Disney movies. We just finished our breakfast. Olivia isn't around. She went out for groceries. Before I was the one who went out for grocery and Olivia was the one left with Creed. But since I can't just go out without the paparazzi around, Olivia volunteered to go out for our grocery.

I am looking at our television screen as the second Disney movie he chooses played. I roamed my eyes around and think about what food I'll be ordering for our dinner later for the celebration of my son's intelligence. Pizza? Pasta? I don't know yet. I'll ask Olivia later. Or I can also ask my son what he wants.

"Baby, what do you want for dinner?"

"Anything as long as you're the one who cooks it, mom." he glances at me. "I miss your dishes!"

"Alright then," I chuckled and think of what I'll be cooking.

I was about to reach for my phone above in the center table to call Olivia when it rang for a call. I scowled as I picked it up. It was my manager's phone number. Why did she call? Today is supposedly my rest day as I can remember.

"Hello, Sienna?" Tessa's voice filled the line.

"Oh, yeah?"

"Remember the contract you signed for one of the biggest designer clothes?"

I blinked and roam my eyes around as I tried to recall what she's talking about. When I remembered it, my eyes dilated.

"Yeah, I remembered it. Why? What's wrong? Did they cancel it?" I can't help but start to worry.

"No, no," she repeatedly answered. "They want to meet you."

My worries fade and I breathe heavily.

"Really? When?"

"Today. Precisely seven in the evening."

"Today?!" I startle. "But today is supposedly my rest day, right? My schedule for today is supposedly clear."

"I'm sorry about this, Sienna. This is just so sudden. Even me, I got shocked when I recieve an email from their brand this morning. Are you going?"

I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth and glances at my son. His eyes are still on the TV's screen.

"Yeah," I answered skeptically.

In the end, our supposed dinner celebration for my son changed into lunch. I got busy cooking the whole time before our lunchtime came. I cooked him his favorite dishes. I explained to him that I'll be out for a dinner later. But his question shocked me.

"Dinner? Is it with my dad?" I felt a stab in my chest as his eyes twinkled for hopes.

I looked away and swallowed hard. If only I can do that, Creed, I will. But mom is still wounded. I'm sorry but maybe some other time.

"I love you," I kissed his forehead and pretend I didn't hear his question.

It's still five-thirty P.M but I'm already taking a bath. I wrapped my body with my bathrobe as I stepped out of the bathtub and wrapped my hair with a towel. I sat in my vanity chair and plugged my hair blower into the socket. I heard a knock before my door opens, revealing Olivia holding a box printed with a designer brand's name.

"I'll do it for you." she smiled and gets the hair blower in my hand. "Just got this package earlier after you went inside your room. It's attached with a note saying to wear it tonight."

I wear the deep v-neck red satin bodycon dress from their brand. Olivia tied my hair into a high ponytail and puts on my make-up. Once we're done I slipped on my gold ankle strap heel. I got a text from my manager saying that the van that will fetch me is already in the parking lot of the condo.

I didn't know how did we escape the crowd outside my condo. I even covered my eyes when the paparazzi started to take a picture of me. I'm inside of the van now looking outside. I scowled when we stopped in a hotel. I thought we're heading to a restaurant?

I started to walk on the red carpet at the entrance and smiled at every click of the camera. A man wearing a suit and tie guided me to the table of the board of directors and introduced me to them. I smiled and shake hands with them.

"You look so gorgeous tonight, Miss Sien." the complimented.

"Harry, excuse me," someone suddenly spoke from our back after I got introduced to the board of directors.

"Oh, good evening, Mr. Scott!" the man who guided me said as he turned his head. "I'm with the model who just signed the contract three weeks ago."

A smile plastered on my lips as I turned to him. But I stiffened when I saw who it was. My smile fades and I felt the edges of my eyes heated. I can't any longer hear what Harry is talking about because my eyes are a lock to the man standing in front of me.

"Miss Sien?" Harry held my hand.

"Oh, I'm sorry. What did you just say?"

"This is Mr. Scott the CEO of this brand." he introduces. "Or do you guys know each other?" he rose his brows.

I know him. He's my child's father.

Atticus's lips parted like he's about to say something but I already spoke.

"No. We haven't met before." I smiled warmly and I saw how his jaw clenched. "I have no known a cheater."