Daddy, Where Have You Been?

I slightly snarl, twirling around in the most habitable place there is in this whole world-in his arms. My sweet, gentle, and loving prince charming

Snuggling closer to him while still tightly buckled to him, I sample his sweet pheromones as I cruise around his sin-screaming beauty. From the finely refined jaws to this sugar lip that I dream about every single night for the last year, and lastly, the peaceful shut-eyes Even in his embrace like this, I still crave him.

I can clearly deduce the megawatt grin that will bloom on his face when his beautiful dark brown orbs peel and catch my sight. Unless he is pretending to be benumbed, he doesn't know I am here.

Ooh, Yes!

My wild, mischievous brain thought it sweet to welcome the beautiful morning in his arms, the sweetest, safest, and most peaceful place I know. So, I sneaked out of my cubicle in the servant's chamber and tiptoed my way here, to my junior master's bedroom.

We are both intoxicated with love-the great love that we both share. And in case you are wondering, I would have you know that this has been going on for one good year.

I moved in here at the Mazur's palace three years ago when my dad died and my witchy stepmother finally got the opportunity she had so long yearned for to get rid of me. I wasn't even given time to grieve for having turned into an orphan. The heartless witch kicked me out like a useless dog the same day we buried my dad. By sheer chance, after a few nights at my best friend's parent's house, she got me this job as a maid, and I grabbed it without a second thought. What other choice did I have? Absolute Z-e-r-o choice!

The Mazurs are a prominent household whose legacy goes back way into the era of their forebears. They are the kind of family that you can't mention this country without their name popping up. They are like the owners of this country. Wealth should be their middle name. Talk of business, and their Insurance and water companies have been at the top of the list for the longest time since Memorial Day. Despite stiff competition, they have maintained a fair and just badge. Speaking of investments, they practically own the biggest communication network in this country, not to mention the other sources of their wealth. Even as maids, we savor every single minute here as a golden opportunity that will never come again.

Life here is sacred heaven. There is lots of work, yes, but the pay is mind-blowing. To top it all, why wouldn't it be heaven if I charmed the heart of their only son? It wasn't intentional, believe me. Far from it, actually, because never in my life had I dreamt of hitting such a jackpot, or better yet, being favored by the heavens this way.

Reyson Drew Mazur is the firstborn and the only son of this affluent family, his only sibling being Ana Mazur. While Reyson is the brain behind the Mazur Waters and in charge of overseeing the smooth running of the family empire, Ana is a top model. With the kind of brain he has and the beauty she exudes, I would say they both perfectly fit in their careers.

You might be wondering what I am thinking about loving someone who is like heaven on earth-unreachable, right? Well, have you ever heard of the phrase that love knows no bounds, nor pedigree, nor nothing? Love is just love, but I won't blame anyone who doubts me and our love right now.

I was there too, full of qualms and incredulity. I couldn't believe it when I started noticing him steal long and weird glances at me whenever he caught my sight. I fought hard against the urge to submit to the invitation of his bewitching eyes. I battled with myself every single time I felt the tinge of butterflies stroking me whenever I thought of him. I dodged his unnecessary conversations every time he tried to chat with me. I tried averting him like a pandemic until I couldn't anymore.

The inner battle didn't just end with me realizing that I was developing a thing for him, because the echoes of the reverberating slap I served him that particular day he stole the first kiss from me are still so fresh in my mind. I almost spit on his face when he confessed his feelings to me. Because I thought, "The jerk just wants some fun because, heck! He is a certified Mazur, the heir apparent to a multi-billion-dollar empire, and me? I am a pathetic nobody!" Yeah, that was my first impression.

I couldn't give in just yet, despite how much my heart yearned for him. I couldn't let myself be fooled by a lie or a lust that was so obvious, according to my cautious, uptight self back then. I couldn't allow anyone, including a breathtakingly alluring and reeking-to-high-heaven billionaire like him, to use me. I sent him to hell with his supposedly fake feelings, and I tried to tuck mine where they had been lying before our paths crossed.

Unbelievably, he wasn't the spoilt, dominant jerk that I thought he was. You know, those despotic fools who don't understand the word "no"? He was different. So different. He stayed away. He respected my decision, and that moved me a great deal. I dedicated myself to what brought me here and forgot whatever games my heart and body were playing with me.

But then again, can you cloak love? Can you fight love? Maybe. But has anyone ever won against love? I doubt it, and I didn't break the record by being the first.

I heeded the echoes of my heart; to the cravings of my body, I bowed; and to the desires of my body, I surrendered. I swallowed my pride and took it upon myself to right this, and since then, Ray has been just to me. A ray of light, hope, peace, love, satisfaction, and everything that the word sweet depicts. We are both basking in the glee of love.

But...

"I would give the world to wake up every single day like this." His sweet voice strokes through the walls of my ears, summoning my eyes to him and coercing a smile from me.

The smile, however, doesn't stay for long as our lips find each other, diving into a glorious morning kiss. Who wouldn't want this, huh? I can anticipate what beauty, immense pleasure, and joy married life holds. I mean, I would give the world to have him completely to myself in all senses from this minute on.

"Really?" I implore when we take a break to search each other's eyes.

"Of course, baby! I would give my all to have this." He affirms, stroking my cheeks in a show of assurance as he cups my face.

"And you know that that decision lies solely on you, Ray, right? any time you want. I am ready for us." I state, diving through his dark brown orbs. "We can be..."

"Ssshh!" He crashes his lips gently on mine again. Like always, I get what the memo says.

It's not yet time! I have to be silent about this concern and just enjoy it. This is beginning to stink, honestly!

I cut the kissing off. Not because it's any less sweet than before, nor because I do not want it, but because I do not want to pretend that I am freaking okay with this anymore. He needs to know how I feel about this.

"Why, Ray?" I brat out, fighting with the chunk in my throat. "When will you tell them?" I added, forcing my glare to stay strong on him.

I get it-this will not be juicy news to his distinguished parents. I can't get a clear picture of how they will react to this news. It also won't be easy for him to break this to them. They have much higher expectations of him, and I know I can never be their choice for their beloved son. But he chose me and made me believe that this would work.

So, why delay it any longer? Why do we need to keep hiding it? Why don't we just let them know once and for all? There is no point in keeping our relationship a secret because they are bound to find out sooner or later, right?

"Babe? We've talked about this, right?" His voice echoes, and today, I may be paranoid, but I don't like the look I am seeing on his face.

It's like he is also uncertain as to when or how he will drop this bomb. Worse, I feel like he doesn't want to tell them. Like he is afraid of confessing what we have to his parents.

I push this annoying chunk down my throat, but another one forms right after.

God knows that aside from loving this man with all my heart, I also respect him as much. I do not want an altercation this early in the morning. I can't ruin his day this early. He has a series of important tasks to do and crucial duties to fulfill. I can't be the reason he will lurk in his duties and responsibilities.

I didn't realize I was making my way out of bed, nor was it my intention to disrespect him by leaving him in the middle of a conversation, and my manners are spanked back to me by a strong wave of strange dizziness that leaves me almost collapsing to the floor. If he wasn't quick enough to catch me, I would perhaps be nursing a broken bone from the fall.

"Are you okay?" Worry and care are what I can make out of his voice as I snuggle and cling to him for support.

Jeez! Why the hell do I feel like crap all of a sudden? Where did all the energy in me evaporate?

I muster the little strength left in me, my head still spinning a little with dizziness.

"I... Am... Ooh..." My formulated lie doesn't make it to my lips.

I collapse back into his arms, and darkness invades my world.

The sight of Mazur's family doctor greets my eyes the moment I flicker them open. I can't surmise how long I had been in slumberland, but I can tell for a fact that it wasn't some mere forty winks.

Jerking myself up, I first ignore the doctor and ricochet my eyes around the humongous bedroom of Ray in search of him. I am still tucked in his bed, but I can't seem to find him anywhere. Not even his scent can be sniffed.

"Mr. Mazur Jr. asked me to watch over you. He went down for breakfast." The doctor says that upon realizing my unrest, his eyes scrutinized my face in a manner that didn't sit well with me.

But on a lighter note, I can infer his curiosity. It's very well warranted. What on hell is a maid doing in the little master's bedroom, and on his bed, to be precise? Well, I am not just about to explain myself. If Ray left him in charge, I am sure he left him with clear and concrete instructions.

But maybe I can ask what caused that blackout? I still feel a bit weak, but that is normal given the tons of chores we do here.

"Okay. So, why did I black out all of a sudden?" I implore the doctor, who seemingly seems to be in an exam room,

Why the hell is he scrutinizing me as if I am an alien? I get that this must be confusing to him, as it would be to anyone, but can he at least try and cloak his confusion even just a little? His gaze and scrutiny are freaking annoying!

"Has this happened before, miss?" He stops, letting me know that he doesn't know my name.

"Irma, and no. It's the first time I've experienced it. Anything I should be worried about?" I ask, springing to my feet because duties and chores are howling at me. I am sure people are wondering where I am.

And on that note, I cross my heart in the hope that the madam hasn't noticed my absence. She is totally gross, especially if you mess with her. I can't afford to piss her off. One thing she doesn't tolerate is someone lurking in their work or crossing the boundaries. As soon as now, I should sprint outside like a rocket. Hopefully, just hopefully, she hasn't noticed my absence.

"Um, it's pretty normal, Miss Irma. And from now on, you will experience similar episodes more often."

Huh?

I snap at this doctor, who presumably doesn't know what he is ranting about. Is it normal to black out like that? Since when? And what the hell does he mean it will be frequent shit from now on?

"I don't get you, doc. Since when did a blackout become a normal thing?" I query, glaring at the doctor, who is returning the glare with equal intensity as mine. "And I scorn the way you are glaring at me!" I almost yelled, but I gritted my teeth to curb the howls from getting out of this room.

It will be a total disaster if anyone gets to know that I am here. If it weren't for that, I would have howled my lungs out at this annoying weirdo. I have always termed him a cool professional those times I have seen him in this palace, but today I vouch that I was wrong. I might end up slapping the snot out of him if he doesn't quit glaring at me as if I am an alien. or some weird creature.

He breaks eye contact after my warning, blinking a couple of times as he peruses a clear page of his diary or whatever.

"Forgive me, Miss Irma. I meant no offense. By any chance, do you remember when you last had your menses?" He asks, after composing himself, with the pen hugged between his fingers, to pen down my riposte.

"Umh..." I shut my mouth as soon as I opened it.

Well, when was that?

My mind takes a long cruise through my mental calendar, scrambling through it to see when that was, and yes. I remember. That was last month, not two. And well, irregularities are so normal in my case. I normally don't worry about it unless it goes past the third month. So, yeah! There is absolutely nothing to fuss about.

"Two months ago." I shoot, and he shoots a glare back at me. "It happens so often." I clarify to soothe his curiosity or whatever is going through his mind.

He writes that down.

"In that duration, have you felt any kind of somnolence, mood swings, or anything out of the ordinary?" He queries.

Well, we all get tired here. Every single day is a work day. We spend the whole day running up and down with endless chores, so, yes, weariness is common. Mood swings; hang on...

"It's always crazy busy here, doc. It's normal to feel all sorts of things, and it's also understandable to not pay attention to what your body feels. I haven't had time to track anything." I sincerely respond.

"Well, in that case, may I suggest you come down to the clinic so we can run a few tests? Just to be sure." He asks, and I furrow my eyebrows.

Tests? For what?

"What kind of tests?" I implore.

"My assessment indicates that there is a high possibility that you are pregnant!"

Bewilderment and nausea catch me off guard. I am thunderstruck, and I find my feeble self slamming on the bed with my buttocks.

Turmoil and despair, skepticism and denial, all surge in me like savage explosions, erupting an indestructible internal catastrophe.

Pregnant?

Pregnant!?

Dear heavens, dear heavenly Father who sits at the throne of mercy, don't do this to me. This has got to be a joke. I can't afford this for now. Not when Ray still doesn't have the guts to tell his family about us. Not when there is still this vagueness in our relationship.

As if the heavens had their doors shut when I was making that short prayer, the door flows ajar, and Ray strides in, his sweet scents stroking that familiar adrenaline rush and sparking all over me.

It would be heaven to have a mini-him, the fruit of our love, but how would he take the news? How would a pregnancy compromise his life? What would it mean to him?

"Doc? What's wrong with her?" He implores after taking his stand beside me, his rightful place, his loving arm possessing my waist.

"She is..."

"I am fine, Ray!" I hijacked the doctor's statement, earning questioning glares from them both. "The doctor asked that I go down to have a few tests, but I was just telling him that it's not necessary. I feel okay now." I lie. It stings to lie with this boldness to the man I love, but I have to.

"But Miss Irma, like I said,

"Doc," I cut him off again, and this time he seals his lips, perhaps getting my memo, "if this happens again, I promise I will come to see you. But for now, I don't see the point." I emphasize.

The doctor lazily nods his head.

"If you say so," he says.

Great! I was about to release a sigh of relief, but I had forgotten I have a smartass for a secret boyfriend. He doesn't get fooled easily, and this wasn't just about to be his first time.

"I think it's necessary. We are doing the tests, doc!" Ray speaks.

My breath gets hooked somewhere in my throat as I snap my face at him. I am struggling to breathe as our eyes meet. I know the look in his eyes. It speaks of bold dominance. Something that you wouldn't want to defy, but I have always found a way to soothe him. This won't be my first time failing, right?

"But, Ray, I..."

"My decision is final, Irma." He cuts me off. "You are not okay. We need to know what the problem is." His despotic voice echoes with power.

"Come on, Ray! I said I was fine. There is no need for this, honestly." I plead, but who am I fooling?

"We will see you in your clinic tomorrow, doc. I will personally accompany her." He says this to the doctor, ignoring my plea.

"Very well, Mr. Rayson. I should leave now. See you tomorrow." The doctor says this, grabbing his bag.

"Sure, doc. Remember, no single word about any of this should be said to anyone. Can I count on you?" Ray asks.

"You have nothing to worry about, Mr. Rayson. My mouth is sealed." The doctor replies, not forgetting to throw a quick glance at me.

I would like to know what's going on in this doctor's head, but I think I will have no way of finding out.

After they shake hands, the doctor marches out of the room, leaving me and Ray alone, staring at each other. I don't know what he is thinking, but I am wondering what his reaction would be if the doctor's assumptions were correct. What would happen? Will he finally grab the bull by its horn and acknowledge me as the love of his life to his parents? Then we get married and start our family? Would his parents accept me? Or what would he do?

"It's best if you rest today." Ray breaks the stare challenge, and now I feel like bursting into bitter outbursts of laughter.

Rest, he said?

"Are you mocking me right now?" I snap. "The Madam will kill me if she learns that I haven't reported to my duties until now and you are talking of resting for a whole day?" I am fuming inside with unwarranted rage. I feel so angry, but I can't tell with what. Maybe the thought that he isn't contemplating breaking this secret out soon is taking a toll on me.

"Leave my mother to me. I will talk to her." He says it calmly.

Ooh, he will? Great, right?

"What will you tell her, Ray? Will you tell her who I really am to you?" I ask, and his face drops.

He isn't ready.

"Come one, Irma. It's not..."

"Not the right time?" I cut him off, and he raised his face to confront mine.

"You know why that is." He pleads.

"You know, Ray. I love you so much, and you know it. But I don't want this secret relationship anymore. There is nothing like the right moment for anything in this world. It's all about grabbing the opportunity and making the moment right for what we want. What we love Until you are brave enough to let your people know about me, don't come near me!" I stare at him, and I feel his hand leave my waist, his eyes scanning the layers of my eyes one by one.

I thought I was bold enough to make my demands. I deserve it. It's my right to ask this, right? Why do I feel like I am about to break down now? Why am I feeling hurt even before he says anything?

Or maybe it's because he seems dry of words. It's clear on his face. I can't even decipher the look he is giving me, nor can I understand his facial idioms. One second he seems so pregnant with a zillion things to say, perhaps excuses. The next second, he is just flat, like he has absolutely nothing to say about this.

Well, I am neither a magician nor an angel, so I cannot understand what he is thinking about. And before I break down in front of him, before the pain I'm concealing inside bursts out, I leave him to ponder my demands. With a very heavy heart and a weary self, I stride out of his room.