Chapter 22

MELISSA QUIZON

"Goodbye, Miss Quizon," one of my students shouted before he got inside his car. I smiled and waved my hand at him. I was about to leave school when my cellphone rang. I immediately opened the message.

From: Eugene

I'll fetch you. Give me ten minutes. Wait for me, okay?

I hit reply.

To: Eugene

Okay. In the waiting area.

Soon, a black car pulled up in front of me. Eugene got out of it. I immediately stood up and watched him. "Why did you pick me up? Am I bothering you?"

"I haven't been with you for a few days. I miss you." He laughed and opened the car door for me.

"Where will we go?" I said as he entered the driver's seat.

I looked at my wristwatch. "Reid is home at four o'clock. We still have two hours to kill. Wanna go to the mall or something?"

"Okay. Mall."

I was currently listening to Eugene's stories about the hospital when my phone rang. I opened my messages while Eugene continued to tell the story.

From: Wright

Where are you? I'll fetch you.

I pressed reply. I'd explained to Wright a few times that we shouldn't be together, but he kept pestering me.

To: Wright

No need. I'm already in Eugene's car.

In less than a second, my phone vibrated immediately.

From: Wright

What? Why're you with him?

To: Wright

Mind your own business.

From: Wright

Damn, Melissa. You're making me so mad now. Where is he taking you? Please tell him to pull over. I will follow you.

To: Wright

Stop sticking your nose to someone else's business.

From: Wright

Get out of his car!

To: Wright

You ain't the boss of me.

From: Wright

Please. Baby, you're making me so damn crazy.

I did not reply. He tried to call me, but I blocked his number. The only thing I could receive from him now was text messages. He was already annoying me. Did he think he was still my boyfriend?!

"I bet it's the asshole you're texting." I looked at Eugene. His lips formed a thin line, and he glanced at me. "I'm so jealous."

I tsked. "He's just texting to annoy me."

"Well, he's doing a very good job. An annoyed Melissa is very scary." He chuckled.

"That's insulting!" I said, faking that I was offended. "Well, your everyday outbursts make my days worth it."

"That's not insulting. I'm proud that my flaws amaze you." A boyish grin formed on his lips. He touched my hand, which was above my thigh. "Sweet Melissa."

I suddenly felt goosebumps when I heard what he said. Eugene did love me, but why couldn't I love him back? I wanted to love him back. I wished I could.

Catching sight of my favorite store, I told Eugene to pull up immediately. "Very childish, Melissa. Really? Tom's World?" Eugene said incredulously. I knew I would lose my stress if I played here. My blood would sing, and I would forget everything.

"Tom's World is for all ages. No age limit." I rolled my eyes at him and folded my arms across my chest. "I thought you wanted me with you. Why do you seem to be acting out now?"

Eugene put his arms around me. As soon as we entered, the women noticed him. The effect of a handsome doctor on people was unparalleled. "You know I can't resist those little puppy eyes, Mel."

He went to buy tokens while I waited in line for the basketball game. When he returned, we fought. I knew I had no hope of winning this year since I only came up to his chest.

"I can't win. You're good at this! You've been tricking me," I said in disgust because my time was over while he was still in round three. Many of us were already watching because he was doing well.

"Talk to you later, babe. "

I was bored waiting for him to come out, but since Eugene was gifted in basketball, I wanted to join in as well. He took the time left to teach me how to play.

"It's like that." He held my hands, guiding the ball. I felt his hot breath on my ear and missed.

"Aya. It's over."

"It's always worth it." He kissed my forehead. His hands wrapped around my waist. "Melissa."

"Hmm?"

"Let's tell Reid. I want him to know that I'm courting you," he whispered. "I've waited so long, Mel."

I turned to him. I saw someone waiting to play in the back, so I pulled Eugene to a place where there weren't too many people. "A lot is going on in Reid's mind right now, Eugene. It's not time for me to add to that," I explained. I also wanted Reid to know that someone loved him very much, but how could he understand if his mind was confused about what was happening between his father and us? Sadness passed through Eugene's eyes. "I…"

He forced a smile. "We still have one hour to kill. Where do you want to eat?"

"Jollibee?" I felt bad for Eugene. He didn't seem to want me to feel that he was sad.

"Okay."

While Eugene was ordering, I opened my phone. My forehead furrowed when I saw Wright's messages. Wouldn't he stop?

'Where are you, baby? Please reply to me.'

'Did you block my number, baby? I can't reach you!'

'Melissa! Unblock me!'

'I'll pick up Reid. I want you to enjoy your day with that asshole. Note the sarcasm.'

And much more. I read each message one by one. Yeah, I wanted him mad. I wanted him to be so damn crazy. If Wright wanted to get me again, he would work hard.

"You don't have to read his texts all the time, Mel. You want him here instead of me?" I raised my eyes because of Eugene's angry tone. He dropped our orders onto the table. I slowly hid my phone and reached for the cheeseburger. A few minutes of silence overcame us that seemed to prevent us from speaking because it was so quiet. We were in a public area, so maybe Eugene chose to keep quiet rather than create a commotion.

I smiled. This boy was so cute. "Why do boys always get jealous?"

"Because some boys are possessive, especially when it comes to someone so precious," he said directly. This was what I liked about Eugene. He was straightforward. Whenever he knew he was in the right, he fought back. Eugene chuckled.

"Wright just said he was going to pick up Reid."

"Good. I have more time to be with you."

WRIGHT AGONCILLO

"Wright! Put down your phone immediately! I need your attention."

"What?!" I said to my manager.

"We are at a conference. Where's your attention?" he asked while pointing his finger at the phone I was holding. I looked around and saw there were many flashing cameras. Most of the photographers were for their magazines.

I swallowed and hung up my phone. I was sure they'd have a hard time getting a good interview from me because I was so damn pissed right now. Thanks to Melissa. She freaking blocked me! I know—I looked like a frustrated stalker right now, but if she told me where she was, I wouldn't give a damn about this conference. I'd leave right away! I just wanted to be with her!

"Wright, you're the most enigmatic member of the band. We know you value your privacy very much. I have a question for you. Who's the kid in this picture?" So they knew, huh? Reid and I looked good in that picture; I'd buy it later. "Is he your son? You both have the same facial features."

Yes. Damn right. "No. He isn't."

The reporter did not seem convinced. I knew the attention was on me now. Even my bandmates were confused by the photo.

"Another question, Wright. Between you and Miss Claire—how are you two?" another reporter asked.

"We're good. She's happy with her new love life. If you want further information, ask her yourself," I said honestly.

"Wright," our manager threatened me.

"This girl." My heart pounded when I saw Melissa's eye-catching smile. "What's your relationship with her?"

She was my half. She was mine. I wanted her only for myself. I wanted to shout that, but it wasn't the time yet. "No comment. Please excuse me."

I left the conference room. The manager called me, but I couldn't take it anymore. I wanted to breathe. My heart was starting to pound so hard, it hurt.

I stopped putting on my seatbelt when my phone vibrated. I frowned when I saw Claire's name on the screen. What did she want this time?

"Claire? Why are you calling me? Are you weeping?"

"Wright, I need your help." I heard her sobs. "My boyfriend and I fought again. I don't want to go home first. Can I sleep in your condo?"

I remembered when I found first found her in my condo, sleeping on my sofa. I didn't know how she got in, but the story came out in the media, so they got even more obsessed with getting information on Claire and me. Her relationship with her latest boyfriend was also private. Because she was a model in the well-known brassiere industry, she had also made a name for herself in the industry.

I sighed. "Claire. I told you—"

"This will be the last time. That's why I slept there without your permission—it was because I couldn't reach your phone. I need a friend, Wright. You're my only friend." I bit my lower lip when I heard her weep. "You know, I'm not a bitch. I won't destroy you and your family. I already accepted the fact that you love her and not me." I remembered when I told her what had happened to Melissa and me. She had been angry with herself, but because of her, Melissa and I were fine now. She still didn't know that Melissa and I had a child, which I wanted the whole world to know. "And I don't love you anymore. I have Scott. We fight a lot, but I love him so much."

I leaned over and squeezed my aching temples. "Okay. I'll just sleep at home. You know what to do. Don't let the media know."

"Thank you, Wright. Can I drink some of your expensive brandy?"

"Do what you want, Claire. But don't defile Sassa. It was Melissa's gift during our first months." Sassa was a big tiger stuffed toy.

"Yeah. Yeah, I know." I bet she was rolling her eyes now. Being friends with your exes was a choice. "By the way, good luck on taming the love of your life. Sorry for making the situation more complicated when I returned, Wright."

"It's also my fault, Claire."

I hung up and tried to call Melissa, but it automatically rejected me.

"Damnit, woman." I hit the steering wheel. "You're driving me so damn jealous!"

It was close to four o'clock, so I stopped calling. Maybe Eugene and Melissa were busy right now. Damn it! When I arrived at Reid's school, the guard let me in right away. I had my ways. I saw Reid sitting in the waiting shed and looking around. His classmates were waving at him and calling out to him, but he ignored them.

"Hey, little boy."

His forehead immediately wrinkled. "Why are you here? Where's my mom?"

"You don't want to see me?" I hid the resentment in my voice.

He did not speak and just bowed. It seemed like his ear was bothering him. I'd ask Mel later what was wrong.

I sat down next to Reid and took off my shades. Very few went through this place, so it was okay for me to show my face. "Want to eat somewhere? What do you like?"

He nodded and pointed to a food stall. "Fishball?" I winced. "Can we eat that?" I slowly nodded. "Let's go?"

In front of the stall, Reid grabbed my hand and jumped to get onto the slightly elevated chair. I felt so happy that I could hold my son's hand. He was already giving me space in his life. "Excuse me, please give us ten of those."

The woman gasped as she looked at me. I winced. Not again.

"W...Wright! Oh my gosh!" She jumped up and approached me. "Picture! Picture!"

"Okay." I wanted to run, but my son liked fish ball now. The woman had also attracted attention, so my fans had multiplied. I couldn't control anything; at least my son was already covered.

"Ouch!" I heard Reid shout.

"Reid!" I immediately picked him up and ran to the car. Damn! I had made the wrong decision again. I should have just bought a bag of fish balls and then eaten them at home. I sat him on my lap. "Are you alright?"

I saw a bleeding wound on his knee and turned pale. I had hurt him. I had hurt my son because of my foolishness!

There were many knocks on my car, but all the doors were locked, and my car windows were tinted. Nobody could see what was going on inside.

"M-Mommy!" Reid started to cry. Oh, no.

"Shh... I'm here. Daddy's here. Stop crying, baby. We'll heal your wound." I kissed him on the forehead. God, I couldn't stand my son cry. I tried to wipe his tears with a tissue, but I was surprised when he slapped my hand away.

"My mommy! I don't like you!" he shouted at me. That hurt. "Don't touch me!'

I couldn't breathe. "Reid...Son. All right. Let's treat it so it doesn't get infected."

He tried to leave my lap, but I hugged him to me tightly. I wouldn't let go again. Never again.

"I don't want to be with you!" Tears flowed down Reid's cheeks. "I want my mommy!"

I put his head against my neck. I had a hard time controlling him because he was beating and kicking me. Yeah, I deserved it. All of it.

"Let me go! I don't like you! Mommy!"

"I'm sorry, baby. I'm doing everything I can to make you forgive me." My voice started to quiver.

"Mommy!"

"I'm sorry I've hurt you." I was so close to having a bond with him, but I blew it.

He cried for a few minutes until he fell asleep. I reclined the passenger seat and slowly placed him on it. I wiped the tears from his cheeks and kissed his forehead. "I'm sorry, son."

I turned off the car engine when we reached Melissa's house. I wore my cap and shades, got out of the car, and turned toward the passenger seat. I picked up the sleeping Reid. When we got to the front door, I used the key that hung around his neck.

I laid him down on the sofa and went to the kitchen to get the first aid kit. His wounds needed to be cleaned. I sat down next to him and gently touched the towel to his knee. He blinked, and his eyes slowly widened. My heart skipped a beat when his gaze landed on me.

He immediately got up and ran to his room. He closed his door on my face. I took a deep breath and leaned back on the sofa. My temples ached again.

I was startled when I heard the sound of a car in the front yard. I peeked out the window. The car wasn't very tinted, so I could see Melissa and Eugene's happy faces. The two were talking, but since they were inside the car, I couldn't hear them. I noticed that when something Eugene said, Melissa nodded.

Seconds later, I watched them kiss. At that moment, my brain stopped functioning. The only thing I saw was black. The only thing I felt was pain. There she was, my piece, my half, fading. Bit by bit.

What should I do?

Nobody had ever told me there'd be days like this.