CHAPTER 34

MELISSA QUIZON

Two days after Wright and I had that conversation in front of my grandma's grave, he became busy with his work. He always came home at night. We also treated each other casually.

Reid and I still hadn't left Wright's house because Reid, Wright, and I had already fixed some of our misunderstandings, so there was no need to leave. I didn't want Reid to suspect anything.

"Mommy, Daddy isn't here yet?" I looked at him. Reid was running down the stairs while rubbing his eyes. He seemed to have just woken up.

I stood and lifted him up. I slowly rocked him, putting his head against my neck.

"Not yet, baby. Go to sleep again."

"I can't, Mommy. I miss Daddy's bedtime stories," he murmured.

"I'll just tell you a story." I sighed. "What bedtime story do you want?"

"It's about the King and Queen. The King left his Queen in the war, so the enemy got the Queen." What the hell?

"Baby, why—"

I stopped speaking when the door opened. Wright was surprised to see us. Reid dropped from my grasp and ran towards Wright.

"Daddy!"

Wright smiled and carried Reid. "Oh? Why is my baby still awake?"

I cleared my throat. "He jolted awake."

"Ah." Wright looked at me for a moment and then turned his gaze back to Reid. "What does my baby want?"

"Bedtime story!" Reid said. He tilted his head. "Wait, Daddy, why are you late?"

"Daddy just needed to take care of a lot." Wright's right hand combed Reid's messy hair.

"If you're tired, you don't have to tell me a story." Reid pouted.

"No. For my baby, I can handle it. Let's tuck you in," Wright said softly.

He walked up to the stairs without saying anything else to me. He didn't even look at me; he just kept on walking. This was what I wanted.

I took a deep breath and followed them. I peeked through the little space at the door. Reid was already lying down, and Wright was sitting at his side. He was leaning against the headboard while his legs were above Reid's bed with his socks still on. He was no longer wearing a necktie and grey suit. His long sleeves were now tucked up to his elbow.

"Where did we end?" Wright said calmly.

"The enemy has captured the Queen."

He took a deep breath. He gently stroked Reid's hair. "Ah. So, that's right. When King realized what he had done, he repented. He went back to the enemy's palace to take the Queen back. He fought. He did everything. The King was wounded when he entered the enemy's palace. "

"Then?"

I felt cold when I saw the sadness in Wright's smile again. "He found out that the Queen had already fallen in love with the enemy. She fell in love with someone else."

Wait, what?!

"What happened to the King?" Reid asked innocently.

He gulped. "He let go of her. Because he saw that the Queen was happy with her new love. He left the enemy's palace and returned to his palace. He locked himself inside. And no one could enter that palace but the Queen.."

What was he saying?

"The King loves the Queen," Reid said smilingly. "Are they gonna lived happily ever after?"

"The Queen lived happily ever after with her new King." Wright sighed. "The end."

"Why is it a sad ending?" Reid said.

Wright kissed Reid on the forehead and grabbed his small hand, bringing it to his lips.

"Sad for the King, but at least the Queen is happy. As long as Queen is happy, the King is happy too."

Reid thought for a moment. Wright stared at him with loving eyes.

I'm sorry, Reid. I know my decision is unfair to you. I want to protect myself from pain. I'm deeply sorry, baby.

Reid sat up and hugged Wright. Wright was momentarily startled but recovered immediately. "Good night, Daddy."

Wright wrapped Reid into his arms and hugged him tightly. "Good night, baby. I love you so much."

I leaned against the side of the wall and looked up at the white ceiling of the house. I was devastated when Reid's door opened. I turned around, and Wright's eyes opened up to me. We both averted our eyes.

"Why are you still awake? Go to sleep, or else you won't get enough," he said softly.

"I just want to check if Reid's sleeping already," I said.

"Yeah. He's already asleep, so go to sleep." I flinched when I felt his hand on my hair. Wright took his hand away, smiled, and dropped it to his side. "You're probably tired from your work."

I nodded. "Good night."

He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Good night...my Queen."

I looked up at him. Was what I heard correct? "What did you say?"

"Good night?"

I shook. "No. The other one."

"You're sleepy. I didn't say anything." I was shocked when he touched both my cheeks and kissed me on the forehead. "Good night, Melissa."

He turned his back on me and walked towards his room. I watched him until he closed the door. What the heck? I took a deep breath and entered my room as well.

Everything was fine. Just fine. Right?

"Mommy! Mommy!" I woke up because someone was shaking my bed.

"Hmm?" I moaned.

"Mommy, wake up. Let's go to church." Reid had woken up early.

"Is it Sunday today?" I asked.

Reid lay on top of me and hugged his arms around my neck. "Yes. Mommy, get up. Father won't wait for you."

"Hmm…" Ugh!

"If you don't get up, we'll leave you."

"Will you leave me?" I murmured. I stroked his hair. "Don't you want Mommy?"

"Mommy, I'm just kidding. Don't get upset. You know I love you more than Daddy."

I smiled. "Really?"

He nodded. "Get up, Mommy. You stink. Take a bath now."

I chuckled. "When Mommy stinks, you won't love me anymore?"

He left on top of me and sat on my side. His small hands grabbed my arm and pulled me to my feet.

"Of course, I still love you. You are the best Mommy, even if you stink. So, get up."

"Alright. Here we go."

By the time I sat down again, Reid had jumped down from my bed. He ran out the door while calling for his daddy.

I sighed.

After doing my morning routine, I went downstairs. I heard a noise from the kitchen and saw my son and his father cooking breakfast.

"Daddy, I'll mix." Reid sighed as he stepped onto the highchair. At his side was Wright holding a Teflon. They both wore black aprons with branded cat footprints.

I sneezed to get their attention.

"Hi. Good morning," Wright said casually. He smiled sparingly and looked back at the bowl, which eld the mixture.

"What are you cooking?" I asked.

"Pancakes, Mommy! Just sit back and relax. Daddy and I will cook." I nodded. I sat in the chair and watched them cook together. I felt hungry when I smelled the margarine they were using.

"Breakfast is served." Reid dropped a plate of pancakes on the table.

He sat down next to me, and he put the pancakes on my plate. He also reached for the syrup and topped my pancakes.

I kissed him on the cheeks. "Thank you, baby."

We ate with only Reid and Wright speaking. I only answered when Reid asked a question. Sometimes, I caught Wright glancing at me and then averting his gaze.

After breakfast, we went to church, where we attended mass.

"Let us begin the holy mass in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen," the priest said softly.

When the choir sang "Our Father," I held Reid's hand, but he let go of my hand and made me and Wright hold hands. Reid moved to my side and held my other hand instead.

Wright's grip tightened as I attempted to release his hand. I looked up at him, but he was just looking straight at the altar. It was a long time before Wright let go of my hand—long after the song finished. I felt cold without the heat of his palm biting into me.

I shook my head to get rid of that thought and just focused on the mass.

"Peace be with you," said the priest.

"And with you too," we answered.

"Give peace to each other. Peace be with you," the priest said smilingly.

I supported Reid when he climbed over the chair. Wright and I tried Reid on each cheek, but he avoided us. Wright and I widened our eyes as our lips touched.

It felt like I was burning away. I pressed the back of my hand to my lips. Wright stared at me. He bit his lower lip as his eyes widened. He took a deep breath and took something from his pocket. He pulled out a white handkerchief and handed it to me. His head lowered, and he put his mouth to my ear. "I'm not sorry," he whispered.

My knees trembled as he smelled my hair.

I reached for his handkerchief. He walked away and looked back at the altar.

I stared at Wright without him knowing, and I was only pulled out my thoughts when Reid stabbed my side.

His eyebrows went up and down. "Mommy, you're giggling."

I smiled at him sparingly and kissed his forehead. I was no longer in the mood to speak again. I took a deep breath to calm myself and then turned my attention back to the mass.