Chapter 20

WRIGHT AGONCILLO

"Reid." Melissa left my side and went to Reid. She leaned over and held our son on the shoulder. "Baby, Mommy will explain."

"He's my father?" He sobbed.

Melissa did nothing but nod. She wiped the tears from Reid's cheek. I leaned over them and bowed in front of Reid as well. I knew I was hurting Melissa.

My son looked at me as I took his hand and moved it to my cheek. "I'm sorry, Reid. I miss you a lot. But I'm here now for you and your mommy. You want a complete family, right?"

Reid glanced at Melissa's reaction. His eyes were still wide open.

"Mommy, do you still remember my promise to you?" He wiped away the tears that fled from her mother's eyes. "I hate the people who made you cry and hurt you. I'll protect you, Mommy."

"Reid..." Did that mean he wouldn't accept me?

"Let's go home, Mommy." The smile did not reach his eyes. Melissa stood up. I felt panic when they turned away from me.

I stood up and blocked their way. "Wait. Reid." I knelt in front of him. "Please, son. I'm sorry I wasn't there while you grew up, but I'm here now. I'm your real father."

He stared at me blankly. Blank. Emotionless. Nonthing.

"R-remember, 'No Wright, no Reid'?" I begged. If I had to give up my pride just so they could forgive me, I would. I didn't need it. "Son..."

I swallowed to clear my throat. Melissa told Reid to go to the living room first because we were just going to talk. I saw him hesitate, but he left.

Melissa took a deep breath before facing me. "Just...Just give him—us space, Wright."

My shoulders dropped. "But…Mel…"

"I'll… I'll talk to him," she whispered. "He's still confused. He hasn't accepted the truth yet."

Why was Reid mad at me? Did he know what happened to us? What I did to his mother?

"Does he know the reason why—" I asked nervously.

She shook her head. "No. I don't want to hurt him. Don't worry. I'll explain the situation to him."

"Mommy!" Reid said impatiently. He wanted to leave.

"I'll take both of you home."

"Don't. We'll just take a taxi," Reid answered.

"Taxis are rare here, son. I'll drive you," I insisted. My heart beat faster when I said the word 'son.'

Melissa grabbed Reid's hair and ruffled it. "It's alright, Reid. Give your father a chance. Will you?"

It was enough for me that my son agreed to let me drive them. I knew they needed time to absorb what was happening, but I couldn't afford to be away from them.

Melissa and Reid were riding in the passenger seat. Reid was hugging Melissa and staring blankly outside. If before he was energetic about talking to me, now, he had even beaten the ice in giving me the cold shoulder.

I cleared my throat. "Are...Are you bored, son? What kind of music do you like?"

He did not respond. He couldn't even look at me.

"Do you also like rock music?" I laughed softly even though I looked stupid, knowing that I was only talking to myself. "Ah. I remember. You play the piano, so you prefer mellow music, right?" I was hurt because I was just like air to him.

"Reid, he's asking you a question. Talk to him," I heard Melissa whisper. Reid was unmoved.

"Do you plan to participate in such contests again?" I'd opened up another topic. He nodded. With just a simple response, I felt like I was encouraged. "Really? That's good. I was just as old as you when I started participating in recitals. At first, I didn't win. I even cried because the winner didn't deserve the trophy. But I never lost hope. I was inspired by my defeat. I'll try again until I win. "I began to tell him a story about my childhood. "What's your inspiration?"

"My mom." It was a simple answer.

I sighed. Melissa kissed Reid's luscious hair.

"You love your mom, son. That's good." I was so envious.

"She's all I have." But I was also here.

A few moments of silence prevailed inside the car.

"Help me," I mouthed when Melissa glanced at me.

"Reid, talk to him. Talk to your daddy." Daddy. It felt like I had won the fucking lottery.

"I have nothing to say."

"Tell me a story."

He shook his head and buried his head in Melissa's shoulder. Melissa turned her head to me, saying there was nothing she could do. I just concentrated on driving. I really couldn't force my son to accept me now. Maybe I hurt him so bad that it left a hole in his heart.

"We're here," I announced.

I frowned when I saw a red car parked in front of Melissa's house.

"It's Eugene," Melissa said softly. I felt annoyed in an instant.

MELISSA QUIZON

Reid raised his head from my shoulder and looked at the car in front.

"Uncle Doc," Reid said with a smile.

Eugene frowned as he got out of the car. He was looking at Wright's car. Wright's windows were heavily tinted, so I think Eugene didn't know who was inside.

"Don't move," Wright's commanded toughly. He wore Ray-Bans and a cap before getting out of the car. He spun around and opened the passenger seat door. He lifted Reid out of the car.

Reid struggled because Wright didn't seem to want to let him down. He did nothing but lower my son. After his feet hit the ground, Reid immediately ran into Eugene's arms. I could see the envy in Wright's eyes as he stared at Reid, who was now hugged by Eugene.

"He hates me so damn much. It hurts," he whispered.

I felt sorry for him. I knew he was having a hard time. But his suffering now was not the same as the suffering I had experienced. "I told you he needs time. I'll explain everything to him, but the decision is still up to him, Wright."

I stepped out of the car. From the height of Wright's car, I couldn't control my balance, so I was very close to his shoulder.

"Careful," he said as he helped me. I immediately let go of him as if I were burned. I cleared my throat and averted my eyes. Because we were so close, I could feel his breath hitting my hair. "Uh, I want to be the one to deliver and pick up Reid at his school."

"Okay. I'll tell him later."

"Thank you." I was surprised when he kissed my forehead. "I love you," he murmured.

"I... I'm sorry. Could you…Uhm, could you let go of me?" I stammered. I pushed him away and slipped out of his arms.

"Why are your eyes swollen?" I heard Eugene ask Reid. "Did you cry?"

"No." Reid's eyebrow twitched. He came down from Eugene's arms and entered our house. He had the key to it, so he entered immediately.

Eugene approached us. The annoyance was obvious in his appearance when he saw Wright.

"Eugene Fuertes." He offered a handshake to Wright.

Wright gladly accepted his hand. I could feel the tension between them. "Wright Agoncillo. The real father of Reid."

"I know. I know a lot, Agoncillo. More than you know," Eugene said with pride.

When they let go of each other, Wright put his hands inside his pants pocket. He nodded. "That's good. You know your place."

"Yes. Here. I won't walk away from her."

Wright's facial expression changed after Eugene said that. I was surprised when Wright grabbed Eugene's collar. The two of them clenched their fists, and the silly smile stayed on Eugene's lips.

"Wright, what?! Let him go!"

"Stay away from my whole family," Wright said sternly.

Eugene chuckled, making Wright even madder. "Whole? Do you hear yourself? Your son doesn't even want you."

"Wright, Eugene, stop! You're only making the situation worse! If you want to make a mess, get out of my yard," I said in disgust. They looked at me. I just kicked my foot in great annoyance. "You're gone!"

I turned my back on them before they could even speak. I quickly closed the door to my house. Just a few minutes later, I heard the sound of a car engine until it disappeared.

I breathed a sigh of relief and found Reid inside his room. He was already dressed in his favorite pajamas, Lightning McQueen print, and was sleeping soundly on his bed. I sat down next to him and touched his sweaty forehead. I stood up and pointed the electric fan at him.

The fatigue was obvious in his form. I knew he was shocked by what he knew, but I could do nothing. He already knew in the most unexpected way and through the most unexpected situation.

I noticed a paper under his bed. I knelt and reached for the wrinkled paper.

I was shocked. No. I was surprised. It wasn't just a simple piece of paper but a very big poster of his father.

Wright Agoncillo.

His face was marked as if it had been drawn by a pencil.

It was a photo of Wright playing the guitar while facing the microphone and closing his eyes. At the bottom of it was written, 'Idol.' want to be like you when I grow up.'

My tears flowed when I read that. Reid had been idolizing Wright without him knowing that Wright was his real father.