Chapter 2 1

Irithel complained while playing with my son's long hair, 'When are you going to cut Zon's hair? People mistake him for a girl.'

The length of his hair now reaches beyond his shoulders, so I wouldn't be surprised if he's mistaken for a girl, even though he wears boy's clothes.

'You know why I've kept his hair long, Rith,' I glanced at her, and she just rolled her eyes at me.

I'm attempting to tie my hair into a neat bun, but it ends up looking messy. They're behind me, on the bed, my son engrossed in playing with his toy cars and robots.

'You know why I've kept his hair long, Rith,' she copied, exaggerating her expression. 'Psh! Like duh? No matter what you do, your son still looks like a Cavanaugh! The blood of the Cavanaughs runs in his veins, Calista,' her frustration evident on her face. 'You're really trying to hide your child-'

'I'm not, he rejected us,' I cut her off. It's useless because I'm not hiding my son; if I were, I would have gone to a different country.

'How would he know he has a child with you if you didn't tell him? What "rejected" are you talking about? Because you didn't tell him! That's why he pushed you away!' my sharp-witted friend argued. She really won't back down when it comes to this topic.

'What if I did tell him, Irithel? What if he had the child aborted?' I pouted and applied a light lip gloss, checking the mirror to make sure I didn't mess up. I moved the lip gloss away from my lips for a moment to speak. 'And besides, he's been with other girls. We don't know, right? He might have gotten other girls pregnant besides me. He doesn't want his cherished surname to be tainted,' and I continued applying a little lip gloss.

I'm not really into cosmetics, but it's necessary for a woman going out to a bar, so I have to bear with it.

'I don't know about you, but it won't be long before he finds out about Zon. His magnate brother, Laki Cavanaugh, found out about this. What about him?' she insisted, determined to get what she wanted.

'Even if he finds out or already knows, I swear he won't do anything. Why? Because if he really cared, he wouldn't have left me in the first place,' I emphasized, explaining why she looked annoyed. 'Hello? Earth to Irithel! We're not in a movie or a novel; this is reality. Boys run away from the girls they've accidentally impregnated. It's different from movies and novels where the guy chases after the pregnant girl who's hiding.'

My fantasy-driven friend just gave me an annoyed look. She's been my best friend since high school. I really thought she'd be disgusted or distance herself from me because I got pregnant early, but she didn't.

She was actually excited when she heard I was pregnant, but she also got angry when she found out I didn't tell the guy who impregnated me.

Maybe Lazarus knew about this all along? It's impossible that he didn't know. He has a lot of connections, and the reason I suddenly stopped going to school was all over the university, but I continued my studies online.

I'm homeschooled. I only go out for exams. It turns out it's more expensive when I study online, but there are universities that accept online schooling, so continuing my education wasn't a problem.

'Momma, can I come too?'

I turned to see my son. He clumsily stood up from sitting on the huge bed, and Irithel helped him stand properly on the bed. With just one movement, the bed started moving because of the string underneath.

I shot Irithel a dirty look, and she responded with her teasing smile.

I really don't want to talk about Lazarus while Zon is here.

I approached them and picked up my son, who immediately clung to my neck. 'No, baby. You have to sleep; it's late.'

He nodded and pouted. My son got his father's rosy, thin lips, and even his cute pointed nose. I can't deny that my son has a wealthy complexion.

My family isn't that rich, just comfortably well-off. We have a business, but it's not that big. Unlike Lazarus' family, they have their own company. Mom and Dad migrated to Canada because of their work, and I was supposed to follow because they were my only connection to go to another country. But it all fell apart when the embassy found out about my situation here.

My migration didn't push through.

My parents support me by sending money for me and Zon, so here I am, alone with my son in a simple two-story house in a subdivision.

I have a job though. I just graduated this year with a degree in business administration and immediately started looking for work.

'Don't cry, baby. Momma will be home soon,' Irithel's voice was gentle when she saw the sadness on my son's face, as if he might cry any minute or throw a tantrum.

'I'm not crying, Tita...' he tried to slip in the word 'po.'

I taught him that. When he's talking to someone older, he should always use 'po' or 'opo.' He's a fast learner.

Sometimes when he's in a sulk, which he probably inherited from Lazarus, he doesn't pay attention to anyone else around him except me.

'Let's go to sleep, okay? I promise, when you wake up, Momma will be right beside you, hmm?' I persuaded my stubborn son. He really won't stay put.

He's just five years old, turning six in the next seven months.

He's obedient, but often he doesn't listen to me. He's very stubborn and fidgety when I try to give him a bath.

I sighed as he tightened his grip on my neck.

'No, Momma, I want to come!' my son's voice was a bit angry.

He really doesn't want to be left behind.

"Oh, if Lazarus used to almost push you away, this child of his almost doesn't want to be apart from you," Irithel whispered to herself, but it was obvious and I still heard it.

I don't want anyone to mention Luzon's father.

It's almost ten in the evening. I usually put my son to bed by 8 pm.

Irithel is behind this. I don't need to go to bars or anything to enjoy my life, she says. I'm happy and contented with my son; I don't need a man.

In my situation, would any man accept me? My body has returned to normal after almost two years of taking care of my son. I take care of myself too. I go to the gym to fill my free time, and I bring my son with me since the gym is owned by Irithel's older brother. It's fine because I can watch my son while I'm at the gym.

"Momma, please? Let me come with you..." my little boy lowered his voice, as if trying to be endearing to get me to allow him to come along. "Promise, Momma. I won't bother the boys who come here," he still pronounced the letter 'r' with a flourish. He even pressed his cute face against my neck.

I really don't know why he scowls at or even fights with the boys who visit here. They're just my friends or colleagues.

There are only two guys he really vibes with.

Laki and Domino. Domino is Irithel's older brother.

"But baby, you have to go to sleep now," I stroked his back since he really likes it whenever he's in my arms.

"No! I'm not sleepy yet!" He moved his face away from my neck and faced me. He widened his brown eyes in front of me. "See? Momma, I'm not sleepy yet!"

"But babies aren't allowed where I'm going."

"I'm not a baby anymore! I can walk!" he stomped his foot while I held him. It means he wants to get down, so I gently placed him on the cool floor since he's wearing his white socks anyway. He marched back and forth in front of me, laughing heartily, while Irithel watched in amusement. "I can walk, Momma! I'm not a baby anymore! I can... Hmm-" he pretended to think. "I can also protect you from bad guys, Momma! Uncle Laki taught me how!" his little hand reached for my clothes. He wanted to be carried again.

"Whatever Laki teaches your son, Cal, he's insane," Irithel said, barely holding back her laughter.

I carried my proud son. I carried him for almost half an hour, and he kept boasting about the things Uncle Laki and Uncle Domino taught him until sleep finally overtook him.

I gently laid him on the soft bed to avoid waking him up. His long, soft hair spread over the baby blue pillows beneath his little head and on both sides. I placed pillows on either side of him.

I kissed my son's little forehead before getting dressed and leaving the room with Irithel.

"Rith, watch over him, okay? Just call me if he wakes up and looks for me. I probably won't be too long-"

"Even if you take a while, that's perfectly fine with me. I'll take care of your adorable son!" she cheerfully interrupted me.

Maybe what I'm doing isn't right. I have a son, and I'm going to enjoy myself at a bar? Irithel told me to loosen up and just enjoy my life.

I'll do it, just this once.

I left the house and got into my car, which was parked in the one-car parking lot beside the house. The houses here don't have fences, except for a few very large ones. This is a subdivision, after all, so the houses have similar designs.

My car isn't that expensive; it's a middle-class car.

The drive to the expensive bar isn't that long. I didn't know this bar was for wealthy people only. It turns out this was the location and suggested bar Irithel mentioned.

Oh, that woman.

I have no choice. I don't know any other bars around here. I'm not really into this kind of thing, and luckily, it's the last day of the month tomorrow, which means I'll be receiving my salary from work.

after finding a space here in the parking lot on the side of the bar, I immediately got out of the car.

I'm wearing a skintight maroon tube dress, thigh length with a five inches nude pumps.

The DJ's pounding music from inside the bar gives me chills. my heart beats together with the noise.

I was in the middle of walking here in the parking lot going to the entrance of the bar when I saw someone kissing on the side and someone was fighting in front, I also saw a man cornering the woman in an expensive car.

it's dark but I can still manage to feel or see what's happening in my surroundings. There are also a few standing lampposts here so it's not too dark either.

I was even outside the bar when something terrible happened, what else if I was actually inside?

I was about to enter the bar but I was stopped when a bouncer guarding its spacious entrance blocked me. There are neon lights in every corner of the entrance.

"ID miss?"

I frowned because of his request.

Why didn't the other girl who came in here check your IDs? Do I look underage?

I pulled the zipper of my rectangular shaped black shiny wallet and took out my ID. I presented my ID in front of the oversized bouncer.

he took my ID and looked at it.

"Twenty-two years old? Sorry, Miss. I thought you're underage 'coz you look like seventeen," frowned when the bouncer handed me back my ID and stepped back to let me in.

Seventeen huh? I was sixteen years old when Lazarus accidentally got me pregnant. What did I look like when I was sixteen years old? Do I look eleven years old?

I continued walking until the inside of the bar opened up to me.

sweat bodies grinding each of here, actively dancing on the dance floor, flickering lights are all over the place that might make me blind, the smell of the smoke irritates my nose mixed with some strong scent of alcohol and unaffordable perfumes. some group of people just stayed in their place, a round sofa with a glass center table where the bucket of alcoholic beverages was put up.

There are many expensive sofas on the edge of the dance floor. I looked up at the metal rails on the second floor when I saw people there, looking down at it.

I think it's the VIP floor and rooms.

I haven't even had a drink yet, I feel dizzy from what I smell.

I came here alone because I don't really want to drink, I told Irithel that I will also meet someone here so I don't need someone to come with me here. Just going to stay an hour here and go home. Nothing caught my interest here at the bar.

This is dangerous, yeah, I know. I don't get drunk so no one can take advantage of me. I don't have anyone to take me back home, I might get sick.

I don't want my baby to get worried about me. He cried once when one day I got sick, just a fever.

I sat on a stool near the male bartender who was busy mixing drinks. Behind the bartender are lined up different kinds of drinks such as whiskey, vodka, rum and more.

I looked around bored and my eyes widened when I didn't think I would see him here.

He's on the second floor while holding a glass of alcoholic beverage. he was watching from below, everywhere his deadly gaze landed so it was possible that he could see me too.

I nervously faced the bartender who had just poured a drink that he had mixed with any drink.

Without saying a word, I took the glass and sipped, nonstop.

the bartender's eyes widened and the man next to me got angry because the drink was meant for him.

I blinked twice when the alcohol immediately hit me. What kind of wine is that? But it hasn't swallowed my whole sanity yet. It's just that my eyes are getting a little blurry and the alcohol hurts my throat a lot.

It felt cold in my throat at the same time the alcohol was burning my system.

"M-Ma'am, it's uhm-hard liquor. I suggest-"

"I don't need your suggestion."

the bartender kept his mouth shut and just made a new drink for the angry man.

I glanced again at his location on the second floor and instead of being surprised to see him staring at the side where I was sitting, I just stared.

I am not bitter. I just don't really like him and I don't want to see his face like he told me six years ago.

He doesn't want to see my face, so I do. Our feelings are mutual.

We don't have a past or anything. We never had a relationship or anything. we didn't even become friends, I just hate his guts.

I really can't believe that I begged him to give me even a little time to talk to him and I was about to tell him about the baby but he didn't give me time.

after I saved him then that's all he did to me? Is that his way to say thank you?

Gosh. It's depressing.

Looks like I need some wine. It's okay, I'll just call Domino to pick me up here. I can't go with Irithel because she's watching over my son right now. Laki can't either, because Lazarus is here.

"I ordered the hardest liquor you have here," I commanded the bartender, who seemed hesitant about whether to give me what I wanted or not.

What? Do I look seventeen again? Sure, I'm not that tall or a long-legged girl, but the bouncer earlier was clearly overreacting, thinking I looked like a seventeen-year-old.

Tss. Maybe he was just trying to be overprotective.

I crossed my legs and rested my elbow on the counter.

I've consumed almost five glasses of hard liquor in the past half hour. My vision is getting blurry, and the drinks I've had are making my throat incredibly dry.

"O-One more, please."

"B-But Ma'am, you seem quite intoxicated."

"Oh shut it, I want more," I retorted sharply at the bartender to get him to comply. If I begged here, I'm sure he wouldn't serve me.

Annoying. He's really stressing me out. Every time I glance at the second floor where he is, I catch him still staring at me. He's not avoiding eye contact at all.

I thought he didn't want to see my face?

I can also feel a few guys stealing glances at me from the side, whispering. Probably because they think I look underage. Maybe that's how I caught his attention?

What I'm wearing is not childish. Why do I look underage to them?

I don't care.

When I glanced at the second floor, I was surprised not to see him there anymore.

Where is he? Maybe my vision is really getting blurry. I don't want to see his face anyway.

"H-Here Ma'am."

The bartender caught my attention and handed me a glass of alcohol.

I tilted my head and was about to drink it straight when a strong, large hand gripped my wrist and pulled my hands away, almost causing me to spill the alcohol on my own clothes.

"What the-" I turned to my side, quickly covering my mouth when I saw who it was.

I followed his tightly gripping hand to my pulse. He removed the glass of hard liquor from my grasp and gave it back to the bartender.

The bartender accepted it, looking unsettled.

I turned my gaze back to the man who ruined my evening.

His disheveled brown hair had a bit of sweat, he was wearing simple black clothes and pants with a black leather jacket. His eyes, nose, and lips reminded me of my son.

"Let me go!"

"Get down," he ordered in a gruff tone.

I tried to pull my hand back, but he wouldn't release it.

I'm just sitting quietly here, and he wants to pull me off the stool? Who is he again, and why did he decide to approach me or even just look at me? He must be looking for trouble.

It reminded me of what happened last month at the bank.

Luzon was tailing him, and my son also claimed that he is his father. The child even had a picture, and I didn't know who he got it from.

It's either Laki or Irithel.

Maybe that's why he approached me? Who wouldn't be curious, right?

Does he even care at all?

He really hasn't changed even though I haven't seen him in years. I only see him in new magazines, and who would've thought he'd become one of the youngest chief executive officers in the world? In just a month since he claimed his position in their company, they earned billions of dollars. In just a month.

He keeps his background information hidden on social media. No one knows except for his CEO position at the age of twenty-one. Three years have passed, and now he's twenty-four.

I didn't get off my seat. I sat on the stool like my backside was rooted to it.

His face is still grumpy, like someone is always bothering him.

"N-Need something from me?" I ask, avoiding looking at him. I look at the people dancing on the dance floor, then to the bartender, and finally to the people who are comfortably sitting on their seats. "Sir?" Lastly, I looked at Lazarus Cavanaugh's snobbish yet handsome face.

"Yes, Miss Belmonte. We have business to deal with," he stated in a businesslike manner, as if we were in a press conference.

"You're with the wrong person, Mr. Cavanaugh," I formally stated.