Chapter 8: Eugene

MELISA QUIZON



I was so stupid to give you all my attention. ‘Cause the way you played me. Exposed your true intention. ‘Cause one day I’ll have you beggin’ on your knees for me. Yeah, one day. I’ll have you crawling like a centipede. You mess with me. I’ll mess with her. So, I’ll make sure you get what you deserve. Yeah, one day! You’ll be beggin’ on your knees for me [Song: Beggin’ On Your Knees]

"Victory!" Nadine shouted and then she gave us high-five. "Hello everyone! We are CriMeNaL, we’ve set this stage on fire! Good night!"

We are backstage now because we just finished our gig. I put my drumsticks in my bag and then put on my shoulder. The name CriMeNaL is derived from five female names.

‘Cri’ stands for Crissa, our band leader and vocalist.

‘Me’ stands for Melissa, obviously its me, I’m the drummer.

‘Na’ stands for Nadine, the lead guitarist.

‘L’ stands for Ellyza, the base guitarist and she’s the youngest in our group.

The three of us are Twenty-Six years old, while Ellyza is Twenty-One years old.

How are we formed? They are my co-teachers at the school I attend. And when they found out I was playing drums, and we’ve thought of forming a group. Crissa and Ellyza both have a boyfriend, while Nadine doesn't seem to have any plans to fall in love, because she doesn't want to be tied down.

They also knew about my situation. They knew about Reid but not about his father. I don't want to let them know, it's okay that only Eugene knows. It's not that I don't trust them, it's just that it's better to be careful.

"Oh, here are your payments." Crissa distributed the small envelopes to us. We get five thousand pesos per gig, it’s not much but it’s better than nothing. "Let's party, ladies!"

"I'm going home. Reid still has a piano recital tomorrow."

Ellyza rolled her eyes. "That's why he’s here to picked you up."

I was surprised to see Eugene walking towards our direction. I looked at my wristwatch. It's midnight, but he's still awake. It’s Sunday and I know its his day off, he should be resting today.

I notice how he grabbed the attention of another group of women who would also be performing. I heard a woman say ‘Hi’ and when Eugene said ‘hello’ she blushed profusely.

Her friends also shouted and then jumped. Look at the effect of his charm. So many men are jealous when he is assigned as their wives’ OB.

‘If he didn’t own a lot of hospitals, he would be poor now because no one wants to take him as OB.’ I smiled at what I thought.

"Hi, ladies. Beautiful ladies." He smiled when he stopped in front of us.

"Hello, doctor." Nadine hooked her arm around Eugene's. Then, she leaned her head on Eugene's arm. "Are you here to take your princess home?"

Nadine does this every time he comes to pick me up. I sighed and shook my head.

Eugene chuckled. "Yes. The king gave his command before he slept."

"Bye, girls!" One by one I gave them a kiss on the cheek and then pulled Eugene out.

We walked hand in hand to the car. We talked about my gig earlier and what happened. I asked him why he found out where I did the gig. I also asked him why he was day off today but by midnight he was still not sleeping. But he only answered me with a smile.

When we reached my home, I got out of his car and so did he. I inserted the key into the doorknob then unlock the door.

"Thanks for taking me home, Eugene." I said as I handed him the coffee. I sat down next to him.

"The pleasure is all mine." He said before sipping coffee.

Such a nice guy. I didn’t know anyone would love me like Eugene does. Even though I was devastated, he still accepted me.

Suddenly the door of Reid's room opened, and he ran out then greeted me with a hug. "Mommy! I'm glad you're home!"

"Why aren't you sleeping yet?" I said curiously as I stroked his hair.

He bit my lower lip that made me even more worried.

"I'm nervous, Mom. The judge is said to be a famous person." He mumbled.

He showed me the message of one of his teachers who had a tomato as his couch. I picked up his phone and read what was written there. It just said there was a celebrity judge but didn’t say who.

He turned to the one next to me. "Hi, doc! Thank you for taking my mommy home. You can go now."

I looked up at him. My eyes widened and my hand suddenly covered my mouth. "Did he bother you to pick me up?”

"Yes." Eugene said, laughing.

I slowly turned my head. "Reid Mikhail Cordova-Quizon."

He loose his hands on my shoulders then run away from me. I sat up straight. I also heard Eugene laughed.

"I regret nothing! Nothing!" He closed the door of his room when he entered. But he immediately opened it and poked his head. "Good night, Mom. I love you. Peace."

After he said that he closed the door again. I took a deep breath before turning to Eugene.

"I’m sorry. He’s being too naughty these past few days." He spoiled my son, so even if he was tired or have a day off when Reid asked for something, he would definitely give it. He really loves my son. "I'm sorry, Eugene. We still bothered you even if it’s your day off."

"It's alright." He lowered the empty cup onto the table. He combed my hair that covered my face and then ran his thumb over my cheek. His eyes dropped to my lips. But he also immediately averted his eyes there and then took a deep breath. "All right, I'm going home. I still have duty tomorrow."

The two of us got up and went to the door. I know what Eugene wants to do, he’s a man. He loves me, I know how much he hurts himself. But what can I do? I can no longer give myself to others because I hate who I am.

"Bye. Be careful, okay?"

"You said so." I grabbed his arm which surprised him. He faced me again. I leaned close to him then gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. I straightened up and stared at him, when he met my eyes his face lit up.

"Thank you for everything, Doctor Eugene Fuertes." I said, smiling.

"Good night." He stroked my cheek before turning to go to his car. I waited for his car to disappear before going inside.

Why can’t I love Eugene more than a friend? He is kind. He was kind so I felt more guilty. I feel guilty because no matter what I do, I can’t give him my whole being. I am ruined. Wright has already destroyed me. What else can I give Eugene? Nothing.

He deserves someone better.

"Mom, I... I'm scared."

Reid gripped my hands tightly. Here we are inside the Theater Room. For the first time, Reid will participate in such contests. Different schools will compete so he's even more nervous. I always told him to think that we were the only two in the Theater Room.

"No. Don't be." I kneel so we our line of sight will be the same. I caressed his cheek. "Just think that Mommy is the only one watching you."

"B-But... What if they don't like me?"

I messed up his hair. "They'll like you. I'm just here, baby. If you're nervous, just look at me. Mommy will cheer you up."

He hugged me and kissed me on the cheek. "Thank you, Mommy."

"Good luck, baby." I whispered.

We settled down and I started to fix his suit as well as his hair. We watched the emcee speak on the large television attached to the backstage wall.

"Let us acknowledge the presence of our beloved judge, Mister Wright Agoncillo! The leader of the most popular band in every continent, Kiss N 'Tell."

It was as if all my hair had stood up when the emcee mentioned the name. I looked at the television. It was as if I wanted to kill it by showing Wright's face as he climbed the stairs. There are a lot of people who are nervous. "Yes! We are so lucky to have you here, Mr. Agoncillo."

"Shit." I mumbled.

I turned to Reid who was now also staring at the screen. I also saw some parents stop by just to watch the actor arrive on television. Wright took the mike from the emcee. I also saw how Wright winked at the emcee, and the woman blushed. The only thing I was nervous about was that he might meet Reid. He can't see my son!

But what right does he have to take Reid from me?! He had no idea what hell I went through while giving birth to Reid and raising him on my own. He just gave color to my world; I won't let Wright even take that.

"Thank you, beautiful! And good morning, everyone!" People lost it when Wright spoke. "This is my first time to be a judge in this event, so, to our contestants, good luck and give your best shots!"

"What a co-fucking-incident." I whispered.

"Mom, what are you mumbling?"

I squeezed his hand. "Nothing, baby."

The contest has already begun. Reid gets even more nervous when he watches other kids. He is the last contestant; however, I always encourage him that he will give his best.

"Next and last contestant is, Reid Mikhail Quizon." The emcee introduces Reid. He mentioned my last name, the more fear I felt. "Instrument: Piano."

I was left at the backstage door while watching my son walk to the grand piano. I hid in the dark so Wright could not see me.