Chapter 10

MELISSA QUIZON

"Reid..." I continued to caress my son's back as he cried on my shoulder.

He could not accept that he had lost. Even when we arrived home, he was still crying. As his mother, I could feel my son’s grief. We sat on the sofa, and because I was carrying him, he landed on my lap.

I also didn't know why Reid lost, but I couldn't tell him that the winner was really good because I knew he'd be more upset.

"I'm a loser!" he said between sobs.

"Look at me, baby," I said softly.

I wiped the tears from his eyes and cheeks. Then, I gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. "It's okay to lose. At least you made someone happy because she won. And she should even be sad because you cried a lot."

He sniffled. "R-really?"

I pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yes, baby. Come on. Mommy loves your music."

He hugged me again and buried his face against my neck. "I love you, Mommy. I'll be better next time. I promise."

I nodded. I started humming to get Reid to sleep. I knew he did not sleep well last night and was tired. He needed to rest so he wouldn't get sick. As I did that, I couldn’t get my mind off of what had happened earlier.

The first thing I noticed was Wright's stature. His body had become even more magnificent, power evident in his corded muscles. He had on dark jeans that fit his lean frame perfectly, slouching a bit at his hips, and were held in place by a worn leather belt. His long-sleeved polo was black and plain. His hair was unruly and rumpled like he’d been in a fight with his comb. I had the urge to brush the strands out of his face.

When I noticed that he was peeking at the backstage door where I was standing, I hid so he couldn’t see me. I didn’t want to show myself to him. I was also very grateful that Reid didn't win because if he had won, all my plans would have been ruined. I didn’t want to deprive Reid of his father. When he was the right age, I would explain everything to him.

I leaned my back on the couch and then looked up at the ceiling. Then, I closed my eyes. I didn't want to remember the pain Wright had caused. I didn't want to see him again. I did not want to be hurt anymore.

The next day, Reid looked fine and energetic once again. He could smile again as if nothing had happened. I took him to his school before I went to work.

"You best take care of my son, Miss Quizon," Mister Cruz said. His smile was flirtatious. He was the father of one of my students, Cynthia. He kneeled and placed both of his hands on Cynthia's shoulders. "Be a good girl, Cynthia." He kissed her on the forehead before leaving.

"Come on, Cynthia. The class is about to start." I tried to hold her hand, but she immediately withdrew.

"I don't like you," she said loudly before entering the classroom. I followed her with my gaze until she sat next to her cousin.

I took a deep breath before closing the door and walking towards the front of the blackboard. I really only need patience in my job. Since this was an exclusive school, brats like Cynthia were very common.

"Good morning, Miss Quizon," my students greeted me warmly.

"Hi, kids! Did you do your assignment?" I gently questioned them. I taught students who were five to twelve years old, so my job required a lot of patience.

"Of course. I was easy." I looked at Cynthia because of her behavior. She stared at me and then made a face.

Be patient. She’s just a child, Melissa. Yeah, and so is Chuckie.

"Okay. Cynthia, can you recite your poem?"

"Why don't you just read it? Don't be lazy. You're not at our level, so don't order us around. Hmph!" she said rudely.

Mister Cruz was very kind, so how did this child grow devil horns? I remembered Cynthia's family was facing some problems, so I reminded myself that I should be understanding.

Her cousin Terence stood up. "Hey, Cynthia, you're overreacting! Don’t be rude."

Cynthia also stood up and pointed at me. "Really! I don't like her! Don't you notice? She likes my dad! Gold digger!"

Something pierced my heart when she said that. It was like I saw Wright when she said that. Why do these people think that everyone who is lower class is a gold digger? They have not touched mud, and they have not sniffed dust, so why are they like this? They have money, but they don't have a kind heart.

"You're too imaginative, Cynthia," Terence shouted at Cynthia.

"Kids, calm down. Please don't fight.” Terence sat down in obedience to my command, but not Cynthia. Courage remained on her face. I softened my expression and looked sadly at her. "Cynthia, I'm don't like your dad."

"Liar.” I saw some tears escape from her eyes, but she immediately wiped them off.

I approached her and then knelt to make our faces line up. I caressed her soft and slippery hair, which was tied with a red ribbon. "I'm telling the truth. Your dad loves you, and he loves your mom too. Cynthia, your dad wants you to have a lot of friends here at school, so he told me to keep an eye on you. Me—I'm ready to be your friend, if you want to be mine."

"Really?" I nodded and wiped away the tears on her cheeks. I was surprised when she hugged me tightly. "I'm sorry, Miss Quizon. I'm sorry for what I said."

"I forgive you." I caressed her back. "Stay, and we'll continue our class."

I'd seen the good side of her that no one else had seen. It was just that what other people saw was just her mask. Cynthia was the kind of person who wanted you to be the first one to approach her. She was shy and misunderstood by other people.

I went back to the front and started class. Cynthia became an active participant in class. Many also admired her musical talents. I taught the students how to use the piano and violin.

We turned to the door when we heard a knock. I walked towards it and opened it.

"Yes—" I stiffened when I recognized the person who was now standing in the doorway. Suddenly, my heartbeat quickened.

"Are you—" His eyes widened. "M-Melissa..."

I slammed the door shut, and my students were startled.

Shit! What was Wright doing here?! I hated the fast and uncontrollable beating of my heart!

Have an abortion.

Have an abortion.

Have an abortion.

The words he said to me back then kept spinning in my mind. That was right—I had no love left for him since the day he wanted to abort our child. He had no space in my heart.

I took a deep breath and then removed any emotion from my face. Then, the door opened again.

"Nice reception I got there." There was a sly smile on Wright's face. It was like I wanted to punch it off his face. Annoying! "Is that how you will greet your new student?"

I looked down and saw a girl hiding behind his legs. I felt my heart squeeze when I saw her...

Was he…was that his…wait, no. I didn’t care.

I shook my head to clear my mind of the pain I was feeling. Why was I hurting again? Remember, Melissa—he dumped you. You must be angry! I shouldn’t be affected.

Because of those thoughts, the emotion on my face disappeared again. "Hey, little girl."

She looked up at Wright and immediately hid further behind him. "Uncle, I'm scared."

Uncle? It was as if a thorn was pulled out of my heart. Why was I feeling so relieved?

Wright knelt to line up their faces. He placed his hand on the girl's head. "You don't have to be, Bobbie. Look at your teacher. Does she look scary to you?"

Bobbie turned to me and then shyly waved. "Hi."

I ignored Wright's deep stare at me and turned my attention to Bobbie. "Hello. Nice to meet you, Bobbie."

I held out one hand to her, and she slowly placed her little hand in mine. I led her into the classroom, but she stopped and turned around. I stayed in place, refusing to look at Wright.

"Be a good girl, Bobbie. Uncle is just out here."

I saw Bobbie nod and then look up at me. "Come on, I'll find you a seat," I said with a smile, then pulled out the seat next to a boy.

As I taught my lessons, I tried not to look at the door. During class, the door must always be closed to avoid distractions, but knowing that Wright was out there still distracted me.

I dismissed when the bell rang. Time for lunch. I gathered all my belongings and walked towards the door. There was no one outside—not even a single sign that Wright was there. I took a deep breath, then went straight to the faculty room. That was where Crissa and I often had lunch. When I opened the door to the faculty room, silence greeted me. My friends were not in their seats.

"It’s lunch, but why is the faculty empty?" I looked around. I glanced at the location of my desk. I frowned when I noticed someone sitting in my chair. I immediately walked towards it and stiffened when I saw Wright comfortably sitting there. He was holding a picture frame. I knew that frame—that was the frame that Reid gave me on my birthday last year. It was as if I was drenched in cold water when I realized what picture it contained.

It was Reid and me next to a Jollibee statue.

I ran closer to him and violently grabbed the picture frame from his hands. I hid it behind my back. "What are you doing here?! Who told you that you could come in here?"

Wright stood up. I backed away as he took a step closer to me. "I told your colleagues not to come in here because I wanted to talk to you."

Talk? He must be joking! After so many years?

"What? Why did you do that?" Now that we were the only ones here in the faculty room, I could no longer hide the anger I felt towards him.

He took a deep breath. "I want us to talk."

Talk my ass! I didn’t want to talk to an asshole like him!

"We don't have anything to talk about," I said coldly. I turned around when I felt his hand on my arm, which stopped me from leaving. I looked at him sharply. "Hands. Off."

His face was serious. "Tell me. The boy in the picture—is he my son?"