Chapter 11: See my son

MELISSA QUIZON

When I left Eugene's hospital, I went straight to Reid's elementary school. It's four o'clock and it’s time. I became more observant around me. I get nervous when there is a vehicle following the tricycle I am riding. I get even more nervous when I think that Wright owns that car. I paid the driver before getting off his tricycle. Then I walked closer to the entrance gate. Parents are not allowed to enter the vicinity and we must wait at certain area. The school I chose for my son is well-known, I am not worried when it comes to his security.

"Mommy!"

I looked at the gate. Reid was accompanied by several students who were also leaving. He went to the guard and pointed at me, and he let him out. I kneel so we could share the same line of sight. He ran closer to me while dragging the bag. He hugged me tightly and kissed me on the cheek.

I felt relieved when I hugged my son. I breathed a sigh of relief when I felt his tiny arms wrapped around my neck.

"Hi, my baby." I took out the handkerchief out of my bag and then wiped his sweaty forehead. "How are you? How’s your day?"

He showed me his star-filled arm. I messed up his hair. My son is a genius!

"We have a family day on Friday, Mommy." He says happily. He took the handkerchief in my hand and wiped the sweat on my forehead. "Uh, Mommy, it's okay that it’s just the two of us, isn't it? It's okay even if I don't have Daddy as long as you're always with me and Uncle Doc."

I stared at him. Was my decision not to let him know his real father wrong? Am I wrong if I just want to protect my son from the pain that his father can cause him? I know, the time will come when he looks for his real father, but this isn’t the right time.

"Reid..." I took a deep breath and smiled sadly. "Aren't you jealous of your classmates who have Daddy?"

He shook his head. "I don't want you to cry, mommy."

I hugged him tightly so he wouldn't see my tears dripping. "My baby's sweet."

I wiped away my tears first before facing him. I nuzzled his nose before standing up, then we looked for a tricycle. Now that I’m with Reid I’m even more nervous that Wright might show up and take my son from me. I took Reid to Jollibee and ordered a chicken joy. It’s his reward for a job well done.

I’m not removing Reid from my side. Whenever he let go of my hand, I will look for him immediately. I don't want him to disappear from my side even in seconds.

When we got home, I arranged the food. Reid, on the other hand, went into his room to get dressed. After we ate, I decided to take a shower. When I came out of my room, I saw Reid in front of the TV while holding the game’s controller.

I sat beside him. "Reid, that's enough. Assignments first."

"Later. It's just multiplication." He said as he continuously pushing the buttons in the cotroller.

"Aren’t you full of yourself?" I mumbled. I know he’s smart, but I still don’t want him to neglect his studies. "Three times Two?"

"Six." He sighed and responded lazily.

"Four times Nine?"

It took quite a while for him to think. "Thirty-Six."

"Six times Three?"

"Eighteen, mommy." He hit pause and then looked at me. "Mom, I'm at the middle of the game."

I came up with a plan for it to do his homework. "If you lose, you'll do your assignments."

"Deal. What game?"

"Street Fighter." I said proudly. That’s the only video game I know. Last time, Reid beat me when we were playing.

One corner of his lip rose. I was out of breath because Wright was the one I saw when he did that. "Guile."

I cleared my throat and then sighed to calm myself. I looked at the TV screen and chose a character.

"Gouken." I spoke. "Game start."

We started the game. I'm not really good at this video game. But because I imagine Wright is Guile I become desperate to hit it and beat it.

Reid stood up when I knocked him with left hook. He groaned when K.O. appeared on the screen. "Woah! Mom! You're superb!"

"What? You think women can't play games like that? Think twice, son." I pointed to her bedroom door. "Do your homework."

"Oh, man!"

He scratched his neck and, exhaustedly walked to his room. I don't want to spoil him even if he is my only child. I want him to have self -discipline.

Reid knew I was leaving. I read Don Quixote to him first until he fell asleep. For a few minutes, I watched his face as he slept. The resemblance between him and Wright is very noticeable. How can I deny that he is not Wright's son if at first glance you already know who his father is?

I kissed him on the forehead and stroked his cheek before slowly closing the bedroom door. I walked over to the living room and I saw Minerva sitting at the sofa.

"Minerva, you'll take care of my son first, okay? I'll pay you back. Don't ever open the door to strangers."

Minerva is the daughter of Mising, my neighbor. She was the eldest of seven siblings. She is the babysitter I hire when I have a gig. She is kind and helpful to her mother, the salary she received from me was given to her mother for their expenses.

With each step I take, I feel more and more anxious. But if I don't do this, Reid and I will have our allowance reduced. He has Family Day on Friday and I know we are required to bring money. I do this so that I can give him everything he needs.

"My order, okay? I'll be home at midnight."

Minerva nodded. "Yes, Miss Mel. Be careful."

"Thank you."

She closed the door when I got out. I checked first if she locked the door. When I was sure, I hailed a taxi to take me to the bar that Crissa mentioned.

I handed the taxi driver my payment before I got off. CherryPop Bar is an exclusive bar. Their members are well-known. They do not accept those who are not a member. We will be performing today. We will make a lot of money here.

I told Bouncer that I was one of the performers. He checked my belongings and ID before letting me in. The loud music greeted me, there were already many people, and some are dancing on the dance floor. In my few years of performing in bars I haven’t used to the smell of smoke and alcohol.

The only thing I didn't feel comfortable with was the feeling that someone was looking at me. I looked around.

"Melissa!" Ellyza runs towards me and hugs me tightly. "It's good, you don’t look pale anymore!"

Nadine was behind her, Nadine and I high-five.

"Uh, I'm already rested. I’m fine."

I'm still not comfortable. It was as if someone was really staring at me. I continued to look around, my eyes reached the different sides of the bar. My heartbeat quickened when I saw a familiar figure leaning on the tool bar while holding the glass in his right hand. I couldn’t see what he looked like because of the darkness but I knew he was looking at me. My eyes narrowed.

"You know, you are the talk of the faculty earlier. Why did you treat Wright like that? He's so handsome in person!" Ellyza caught my attention because of what she said.

"Uh, I-I'm shocked by his handsome face.” I want to throw up!

"If that's the look that's going to appear in front of you, why shouldn't you be surprised." She beamed. "He left right away. I didn’t get an autograph."

"We're ready in two minutes." Crissa announced.

"What will we play?" I asked, but she only winked at me.

We got in the stage and they started to string their guitars. When I heard the intro, I pounced the drums.

‘Disrespect, it's all that you do to me, so messed up, the way that you're treating me. Brace yourself, there is something I want you to know, you should know! Replaceable is one way you're saying it! You've made your bed, now you can lay in it! 'Cause one day soon, I'll have a brand new you!

With each of its lyrics my heart cries out. It was as if this was exactly what I wanted to say to Wright when we met. I couldn't help but keep up with the song. I bowed when I felt tears dripping down my cheeks.

Does it make you mad! When you're thinking back to the starting line? Back when I was yours and you were mine? You took me for granted so I found a brand new you! And when you see me around this time! Well, I hope you see that I'm doing fine1 It's never been better since I found a brand new you!

After the last beat I immediately wiped the tears from my cheeks. I bit my lower lip to avoid sobbing. Crissa and I played five more songs. I watched people go crazy with our music while head banging. I also saw a few personalities dancing in the middle of the dancefloor. I also looked at the place earlier where the man who was staring at me, but it was no longer there.

The curtain went down on stage and some performer replaced us. I put my drumsticks in my bag. Nadine and Crissa, on the other hand, put their electric guitars in the case and slung it over their shoulders. I know they won't be partying anymore because we still have school tomorrow morning.

"Hey, I’ll just go to the toilet." I said goodbye to them and walked towards the comfort room.

I entered but before I could close the door someone stopped me. He opened the door again and entered. My eyes widened when I saw who the daring man was.

"What the—"

I backed away. He closed the door. I’ve even seen how Wright turned the lock. My chest throbbed even more. With each step he takes, I will take a step back. He quickly reached for my arm and leaned against the wall.

Why did destiny continuously hurt me? He raised both my hands to my side. I can’t get it back with the tightness of his grip.

"Melissa." I could smell the alcohol on his breath. "I missed you."

I could no longer speak when he suddenly took over my lips. I sighed. He took advantage of the slight opening of my lips to insert his daring tongue. There, I tasted the alcohol he drank. I struggled but nothing happened. His kiss becomes even more daring when I struggle.

I tilted my head to avoid him, but his lips also chased after mine. I gathered all my strength and withdrew my hands. I pushed him hard and gave him a loud slap.

"What the hell do you think you’re doing?!" I shouted and rubbed my lips hard.

"I want to see my son." There was a streak of misery in his voice. He come closer to me but I pushed him again. He almost fell on the ground because of what I did. I saw the heaviness of the lids of his eyes. He is drunk.

"Get the hell away from me!" I took a step back. "Don't be pathetic, Wright. Don't claim what's not yours!"

His face hardened. I hurriedly unlocked the door and exited. I don't want to see his face! Have mercy on me! Why doesn't he want me to stop?! Damn it!

In my haste I bumped into something hard. I rubbed my nose which hurt from being hit.

I looked up to apologize. "I'm sor—"

My apology stopped when I saw Eugene's gentle face. One of his hands touched my cheek. His forehead furrowed. "Hey, I’ve been looking around—"

"Melissa..." I looked at Wright who was just coming out of the bathroom. He was shocked to see me hugging Eugene. He met Eugene's gaze. They both give each other sharp looks.

I can't take it anymore. "Take me home, Eugene."

"Let's go." Eugene's hand wrapped around my waist and pulled me toward the near exit door. I even heard Wright calling my name, but I didn’t look back. "You had one fucked up day, sweetheart."