CHAPTER 39

MELISSA QUIZON

One year later...

"Reid, come back here," I called Reid when I saw him outside the resort house again.

"Just a second, Mom," he said while looking up. He was flying the plane that Wright had given him a long time ago.

We were here at a famous resort because I had a meeting to attend. It was good, and Reid was on vacation, so I took him with me.

"Ma'am, you still have three minutes before the meeting starts," my secretary caught my attention.

"Thank you, Miss Clara."

She left after I told her that. I went outside to Reid and leaned over to hug him.

"You are something. You're getting hard-headed."

"Because the view here is beautiful, Mommy. It's nice to fly an airplane," he said while moving the controller. We had a high place, and you could see the beautiful scenery of the place.

"You love your airplane more than me." I pouted.

"Mommy, no." He quickly flew the plane towards us and turned off the plane after it landed in front of us. He hugged me back and kissed me on the cheek. We entered the resort house, holding hands.

We watched as Fritzie rushed inside. She was obviously in a hurry.

"Melissa, you're five minutes late. This meeting is important," she snapped.

"Not as important as my son, Fritzie." I squeezed Reid's hand.

Fritzie took a deep breath and swallowed hard. "Fine. Fine. We need to hurry now."

"Reid, stay in this room, okay? I'll come back after an hour." I crouched down in front of him to keep our eyes level. "If you need anything, just ask Miss Clara, okay?"

"Yes, Mommy." He nodded. "Can I play my PSP? Can I? Can I? Can I, Mommy?"

I laughed softly and stroked his soft hair. "Of course you can."

"Yippee!" He ran to his bedroom.

I stood up and faced Clara. She was kind, and I knew she wouldn't mistreat Reid while I was away. "Don't leave him alone."

"Yes, ma'am," she politely answered.

We entered the conference room and saw a few heavy businessmen. I apologized to them before I sat down in my chair. Fritzie leaned over me and thoroughly explained to me what was going on in the meeting. I immediately understood what she was saying because I was already self-studying business management.

I admit that I was struggling, though. I was nervous and didn't know what to do, but when the wind whispered to me, 'Reid needs you,' I calmed down.

"This project will be successful, Mister Thompson," I told them.

I shook his hand and smiled sweetly at him. I guessed Mister Thompson and I were about the same age. His body was still elegant, and he looked young.

"I know. I know. I trust your company, even though it is under new management, Miss Quizon," he said huskily. My eyes narrowed as he squeezed my hand. "Do you mind if I invite you for dinner?"

"It's a good idea, but I decline." I wryly smiled at him. "You see, I have a son waiting for me."

He nodded and nibbled his lower lip. "Oh. Next time maybe?"

"Uh, yeah. Maybe." I was not excited as I said those words.

When he left, I breathed a sigh of relief. Fritzie and I were the only ones in the office.

"Flirts nowadays." I shook my head.

"He's cute."

I stumbled at what Fritzie said. "Seriously, Fritzie? That guy's married."

"What? I just said he's cute. I didn't say that I would date him be his mistress." She fixed her glasses. "I'm too beautiful to be a mistress."

I laughed softly and walked out of the conference room. I was in front of our resort house when I thought of something, turning to face Fritzie.

"Take a break for the rest of the day, Fritzie," I said calmly.

She tilted her head. "Are you done chasing your happiness, Melissa?"

I smiled broadly. "I'm working on it."

I went inside, and Reid greeted me immediately. Clara politely left to give me a moment with my son. I picked up Reid and pressed a kiss to his cheek and neck.

"Mommy! What took you so long?" He frowned at me.

"You are so impatient. Do you want us to go swimming?"

He nodded continuously. I put him down so we could put on swimwear. After that, we went to the white sand beach. I laid out a blanket and a large umbrella for us to have shade.

"Let's go swimming, Mommy," said Reid.

"Wait. I haven't put sunblock on your other arm yet."

When he felt that I was finished, he immediately ran away. I chased him. I slowed down to pretend I couldn't catch up.

"Mommy!" He laughed while running.

"Reid, I'm close. I'll catch up with you."

I caught him and immediately hugged him. I took him to the sea, and we went down. We were having fun and laughing. When we got tired and out of breath, we decided to go up and lie down on the blanket we had laid out.

"I hope we're always like this, Mommy. Always happy. But..." Reid said as he leaned on his arms and stared at the blue sky.

"But what?" asked.

"I miss Doc Eugene and Daddy." He looked at me. "Do you miss them too, Mommy?"

I sneezed. "Sure."

"I hope they come back." I could hear the sadness in Reid's voice.

Reid and I hugged and watched the beautiful sunset. After that day, we also went home to Manila immediately because of the amount of work I had to take care of. I left Reid at home with his caretaker and Bobbie.

I was looking at the wireless phone on my table when it rang. I picked it up and answered.

"Ma'am, Chef Heena (Hi-Na) Fermin wants to see you. She brought the new dishes you're asking for," my secretary said respectfully.

"Let her in," I immediately said.

"Good day there, Madame. How are you?" Chef Heena greeted me when she entered my office.

Wright had also run a restaurant that served only Visayan recipes. I was supposed to go to Restau today, but because of how much I had to do, I asked the head chef if it was possible for her to come to me so I could taste the new dishes.

"Good morning, Chef Heena. I'm fine too," I said, smiling and standing behind my desk. I only knew basic Visayan words that I often heard when I went to the restaurant. "What're the new dishes?"

The beautiful woman clapped her hands, and her assistants came out one by one holding stainless steel containers containing Visayan recipes. Chef Heena introduced the dishes one by one. She gave me a taste of each one of them.

"This is good," I complimented while chewing on the food in my mouth.

"Thank you, Madame."

After I approved the recipes, they left. I thought of calling Reid to find out what he was doing again.

After only a few rings, he answered.

"Reid, what're you doing?"

"I'm playing my new piano piece, Mommy."

"Have you eaten?" I asked, worrying.

"Yes. Yaya Siling cooked for us."

I leaned back in my swivel chair and blinked for a moment. "Where's Ate Bobbie?"

"She's playing with her Barbies." That was why.

I chuckled. "'Don't fight, will you? Don't give Yaya Siling a hard time."

"What time are you going home? I miss you, Mom." Reid's voice was tinged with impatience.

"I'll be there before you know it, baby. I love you," I said softly.

"I love you too."

Then, I took a deep breath before cutting off the call. I stared at the papers in front of me, and suddenly, my head hurt.

I shuddered when I heard my secretary's voice. "Ma'am Melissa, Mister Andrei Lopez is here."

It was as if water had been poured on me. I sat up straight.

"Let him in," I said quickly.

Moments later, a man in a black V-neck T-shirt entered my office. I pointed to the chair, and he immediately sat there.

"Good morning, Madame," he greeted, smiling.

I folded my hands over the table. "Good morning. What brings you here, Investigator?"

"I have good news for you, Madame," he said. "We already found him."

I smirked. "Good."