Chapter Sixteen

“Jihan, sit down. There are a lot of people behind you,” I whispered to my son, who had been looking around for a while and seemed to be looking for someone while still listening carefully to their principal speaking on stage. Now is my child’s moving up, and he got the highest grade in their entire batch.

Like me, Faye was also very excited, especially since that woman called me at five in the morning. I could not tell her what happened yesterday, and Andrei was also vague about it, so it is possible that he still does not know today.

Rod Antonio is back!

Well, unfortunately, that. How many times have I even wished I was just dreaming again, but that is vague now.

I was about to scream at the child when his cellphone suddenly rang. It was Andrei, and it looked like early in the morning, he would be a tourist again.

Dr. Andrei Sager

8:36 am

Dr. Andrei Sager

Watch your heart

Jewel

Am I stupid?

Dr. Andrei Sager

Seriously, if the problem is only in the head, then there is a way out. But that heart

Jewel

You’re corny

Dr. Andrei Sager

Je, I’m dead serious. I hope you better prepare yourself now.

“Is anyone sitting here?” I almost jumped at the sudden voice I heard. I would like to regret raising my gaze again. Rod smiled at me.

My head automatically heats up if you look at him again, oh! Why did he come here?!

“Papa! You came!”

My nose and ears almost smoked with excessive tremors. Not just because he is here but because of the situation.

Jihan’s very happy! There is no place for his joy, and he looks very proud because only now has he been with his father on such occasions.

It was obvious how the two hugged, how they laughed and talked.

My hands were shaking when I started to fiddle with my phone. I need to call Faye!

“Jihan!” The three of us looked at the woman who had just arrived. Faye’s big eyes were clearly visible from where I was sitting. The panic was quickly replaced by a flaming rage at her sight.

I tried to meet a friend. I kissed her cheeks and then whispered.

“Please. . . the event’s very important to Jihan. I don’t want us to make trouble here, Faye. Let this pass,” I convinced my friend a few times as I rolled my eyes.

“When. . . Did he come back?” I let go of my hug with her and then faced the woman. Its face is calmer now. It seems that I understand what I said.

“Jihan saw him at the mall last night than this, and he even invited him.”

I saw my friend shake her head. Later, she turned to Jihan with a big smile.

Jihan quickly went down to his father’s lap and then went straight to hug Faye.

“‘Don’t argue when it comes to Jihan’s attention. Only you have the right,” he said as if I had forgotten that thing.

In an instant, the man there seemed to be forgotten because Faye was the one Jihan was always talking to.

Whatever she was probably doing, she was definitely doing it on purpose.

There is no clutter in the adjacent seats. Even Faye didn’t touch me, especially since she was busy with Jihan. But despite that, time was easily consumed. I suddenly realized that Jihan was pulling me up to the stage because he was the one going up there. He will be the recipient of the award.

I easily prepared myself while showing a wide smile to a few people who were also looking at us, but you also quickly disappeared when I saw the man Jihan was holding in the other hand - Rod.

The three of us were together on that stage.

I was quickly confused. For a moment, I did not know how to feel. This is our dream. . . before.

Because I did not act immediately, Rod hung a few medals on Jihan. My son was so happy, and it was so obvious. But the time will come when he will have to face the truth.

We are Jihan’s family, and Rod is not included in that—not even considered a father.

I tried to smile and show real joy when the photographer continued to capture the moments. This is for Jihan. . . even here, even in pure pretense, I need to do it.

When we got off the stage, Faye greeted me full of concern. Trembling, I forced her to hug me.

Why so? I adjusted myself for a few years, but I feel wrong again. I feel something is wrong again.

Jihan walked ahead while pulling his dad, but I saw Rod turn to me before following his son.

“Je. . . Je, look at me. You need to look at me, okay? You are okay. You are good. Whatever you are thinking will not happen. Don’t be afraid because we are here, Jewel, we are here for you. . .”

Embarrassingly, I did not realize everything I could see.

Fortunately, even before I could cry, Faye pulled me into the comfort room nearby.

An emotional breakdown is a bitch.

I tried to wipe away the tears, but there seemed to be no end to it.

“Why did that man come back? What is he really planning? We’re okay, oh!”

I wanted to agree with what Faye was saying and give sympathy, but even with my voice, I could not do it. I just nodded repeatedly while sobbing.

“Listen to me, Jewel.” She touched my cheek, and she tried to catch my eye. “We are your real family. We are the only ones. You will not push yourself into a worthless man. You will not bet. You will not gamble again. You do not need that person. Je, you did. Five years, Jewel. We can do it. Let’s just go. But, please. . . hold your heart. “

Even if I am confused, it was entering my system one by one. Faye is right. Everything she said was right. I’m stronger now. I did not waste a few years of my life returning from that hell.

I will be stable, not only for me but for Jihan. If all this is a game for that man, there is no doubt. . I will play.

I quickly wiped the tears that almost hardened on my face and then stood up. I looked at Faye hard, and it looked like I got it right away, I was saying.

We went out of the comfort room together. There I immediately saw Jihan with a big smile as he and Rod walked closer to the comfort room where we came from.

“Mom! Are you okay?” Jihan said to me as he finally approached. He hugged me tightly, and gently patted him on the shoulder.

“Mama is very proud of you, okay? Thank you for studying hard. I love you so much,” I said while smiling. I felt Faye draw closer to me so we could look at the man who was still opposite us.

“I love you too, Mama.” Jihan quickly let go of the hug and approached his father. “Papa will give you something!”

Faye and I looked at each other automatically. When I put my gaze back to the front, I saw Rod. He’s holding a bouquet of flowers while flashing his smile— idiot.

Instead of shivering as the “former” Jewel would do, I burst out laughing.

“Mama, why?”

I was no longer able to notice the child. I just look straight at Rod, whose smile has disappeared.

“Jihan, let’s go first. Picture us with a mascot!”

When Faye left, I just smiled at Rod again. He looked even more scared because his sudden retreat did not escape me.

“If I accept that, it would be like a payment for all the flowers we put in your tomb,” I said with a smile. “You’re dead, aren’t you?”

I patted his shoulder lightly before leaving and following my son and friend. I tightened my grip on the strap of the bag on the side.

I will never cry again because of you, Rod.