CHAPTER 37

MELISSA QUIZON

"Reid, where are you? I sewed your pants," I said as I looked for Reid in his room.

I walked out of Reid's room. I heard a noise from somewhere, so I followed it. The noise was coming from Wright's room. I frowned when I saw Reid and Wright talking seriously. I hid by the side of the door and listened in on their conversation.

"But, Daddy, are you and Mommy okay? Why aren't you talking?" Reid asked innocently.

Wright stopped tying his tie. "There are things you don't understand yet, son."

"Daddy, are you going to spend the night at work again? We won't eat together again?" Reid's voice seemed to be tinged with sadness.

Wright knelt in front of Reid so their faces were level. "I'll be home early because I'll miss you. I love you so much."

Reid's face lit up, and he hugged Wright's neck. They hadn't heard me yet. I took a deep breath and dared to knock on the door.

They parted and looked at me. I lifted Reid's pants, which I had sewn. Reid ran closer to me. "Thank you, Mommy! You're the best!"

He left for his room and closed the door.

"Does he already know?" I asked.

"I don't think so."

"Okay. That's all I want to hear."

"You only listen to what you want to hear, Melissa," Wright said earnestly.

"I won't deny that fact, Wright," I answered directly.

I turned around and was about to open the door when his arms wrapped around my waist. I sighed as he buried his face between my shoulder and neck.

"Wright!" I tried to get out of his arms.

"I love your scent, baby. It's peaceful having you in my arms," he murmured.

"Wright, p-please—"

"I wish I could melt into your frozen heart." Wright turned me around to face him. His eyes were sad. "But let's face the reality that I can't. Fucking life." I swallowed a few times. I bit my lower lip to keep it from shivering. Wright touched both my cheeks. "I love you so much that I could die, baby."

"Stop—"

"I can't stop loving you, baby. And I won't. My heart's aching for you. You're all I need." My knees trembled at the kind of look he had on his face.

"Wright, it's okay that we're just like this," I managed to say.

"Is it going to end here?"

I averted my gaze. "A lot has happened, Wright."

"And you can't afford to forget all that?" There was resentment in his voice.

I swallowed. "Let's go. Reid'll be late for class."

"Melissa, this is my last straw." His face dropped, and our lips met.

His lips moved slowly. I felt his love. I tried not to close my eyes and savor his sweet lips.

"Stop it, Wright," I murmured.

He moved away and sighed as he opened his eyes. He took a deep breath and stared at me. "Guess I need to accept the fact that I made you look like that, Melissa. Cold and heartless," he said seriously and left the room.

I closed my eyes when he slammed the door shut. That was probably how he poured out all his annoyance. I took a deep breath and wiped the tears that were flowing down my cheeks. After I organized myself, I went out and down the stairs.

"Mommy's already there. Come on, Daddy," I heard Reid's voice say.

"Let's go." Wright held Reid's hand, and one of his hands was carrying Reid's bag.

On the ride to Reid's school, neither Wright nor I spoke while Reid was busy playing with the new toy car that Wright had given him. Wright turned on the stereo to make a little noise inside the car.

I let Wright hold my hand. I didn't have the strength to pull away anymore. I looked outside and observed every scene we passed.

I did nothing today but teach my students. My feet felt like they were floating as I walked to our faculty room to get ready to go home.

"Mel." I looked at Ellyza. She bit her lower lip. "Can we talk?"

I couldn't control myself anymore and hugged her. "I missed you."

I heard her laugh softly. "I missed you, too. Silly."

I confronted her. "I'm sorry. I—"

"Let's not talk about what happened, Melissa. It's all in the past," she said softly. "So, everything's fine?"

I hesitated to nod. "Yes."

"You don't seem to be on your own like before. You seem so bothered," she said worriedly. "Anyway, we're here, Melissa. We're ready to help all the time."

Ellyza and I talked for a few hours. I told her and my other friends everything that had happened. They listened to every word I spoke. And as I recounted everything, I couldn't help but feel even more hurt. I went home early, texting Wright that I couldn't wait for him anymore.

I came out of the kitchen when I heard the door open. Reid ran over to me, and I leaned over so he could reach my cheek.

"Mommy, you're home early. Are you okay?" He touched my forehead. "You don't have a fever."

I took his hand and placed it on my cheek. "I'm fine. 'Don't worry."

"I'll show you something, Mommy!" He ran to where his bag was and took something out. He turned to face me and showed me a tooth.

"Did you pull it out?" I was shocked.

He opened his mouth and showed me the location of the tooth that had been removed. The tooth next to the 'fang,' as it was called, had been removed.

"Earlier. It was suddenly removed. There's a lot of blood, Mommy. But I'm strong. I didn't cry!"

I messed up his hair. "Put it under your pillow. You know a tooth fairy might visit you."

"Can't we just have Bumblebee? The fairy is too feminine."

I laughed. "What has Bumblebee got to do with your teeth? Maybe he's still rusty because of that."

"Mommy." He pouted.

Over Reid's shoulder, I saw Wright standing with his hands in his pants. I averted my gaze and quickly returned my attention to Reid.

After we ate dinner, we watched a movie that Reid chose. He was so happy while he and Wright goofed around. After a while, Reid fell asleep in my lap, maybe because he was really tired from all of his schoolwork.

"I'll carry him," Wright said.

He carried Reid upstairs. I turned off the television and followed Wright up to Reid's room. He carefully lowered my son onto the middle of the bed and hugged him. He stroked Reid's hair and kissed his forehead.

"I love you so much, my child. I love you so much," Wright said passionately.

I entered my room because I didn't want to see Wright's expression again. I hated his expressive eyes, his warm voice, and his caring hands. I hated him.

I closed the door behind me and lay down on my bed. I was shocked when I felt someone caressing my hair. I didn't stare. I knew who it was.

"Baby," Wright said weakly. Moments later, I heard him sob. My chest tightened. "Damn, this is the last time I'll hold you. I want to ravish you, but I don't want you to hate me." What do you mean, Wright? "I love you so much, baby. You are my home. And it's painful to see you cry every freaking time. I'm lifeless without you." I felt his tears dripping down onto my cheek. I swallowed a few times to keep the sob I was holding back from coming out. "I did everything you wanted. I did everything, baby. I'm sorry if I wasn't enough and will never be enough for you."

Moments later, he got up from my bed. I also heard his footsteps fade away. Once the door slammed closed, I let out the sob I had been suppressing.

My tears flowed like they were released from a dam. I almost couldn't catch my breath because of the tightness in my chest.

Oh, Wright.

Even so, this was enough for the two of us.