The Prodigal Son

The Prodigal Son
💎Angel💎

"This will look lovely on you," Raul said, holding up a pink floral shirt dress.

I eyed it with mild contemplation. 

"Alright," I agreed, too tired to look for anything else.

Once I was dressed, I stood in front of the mirror and couldn't deny how good it looked on me. 

I let my curls down, added a touch of gloss to my lips, and headed out of the closet. I made sure to fill Astra's bowls with fresh water and food before slipping on a pair of white sandals.

Raul and I walked downstairs together.

"Auntie!" Nikki screamed and ran into my arms.

I smiled and scooped her up, peppering kisses on her neck, making her giggle uncontrollably.

"How's my favorite girl?" I asked.

She flashed a toothy grin. "I had fun today, Auntie, but I wanted to play with you. Where were you?" Her pout was impossibly cute.

"I'm sorry, baby girl. I had something important to do, but I promise we'll play next time, okay?" She nodded, her smile returning.

"Angel!" Mia rushed over, pulling me into a warm hug.

"I'm so happy for you—congratulations! Finally, I'm going to have a niece or nephew to spoil rotten," she gushed.

I laughed, thanking her.

"So, angel," Joana teased, turning to Raul with a sly grin, "how did it happen? You strike me as the freaky type. Was the pregnancy a result of one of your...."

"You brat," Raul growled, tugging her ear.

"Ow! That hurt! Let go, caveman!" she cried, clinging to his waist, but he didn't budge.

"Don't mind her," Mia chimed in. "She's always like this. She did worse when I was pregnant," she added, straightening up. "Better prepare yourself for her teases."

I chuckled, already fond of Joanna's chaos.

We made our way outside. The backyard was already filling up, and the decoration was simple yet elegant—something Jazira would definitely love.

"Angel," Raul whispered beside me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Stay close, alright?"

I nodded, and he laced his fingers with mine.

We mingled, chatting lightly with the others, until the blare of honking and flashing headlights shattered the calm.

The obnoxious display dragged on, earning groans and murmurs from the guests.

There were only two people I knew who could pull something like that—Bianco or Luca.

"That jerk..." Raul muttered under his breath, already knowing this ridiculous stunt was done just to rile people up.

The car door flung open, and Bianco stepped out with his signature smug grin.

"Hello, people!" he announced grandly. "I'm Bianco Montez, and with me is the queen of the night—my newly wedded wife, Mrs. Jasira Montez D'Amano!"

"Fucking idiot," Raul hissed, rising to his feet, clearly ready to pounce.

I grabbed his wrist. "Please... spare him," I said softly.

With a clenched jaw, he sat back down, though still visibly annoyed. As if sensing it, Bianco glanced over his shoulder and winked at him, which only deepened Raul's scowl.

Honestly, Bianco, Luca, and Joanna were the perfect trio to test Raul's patience—they were the only ones who could successfully keep the cold-hearted man on his toes.

Jazira stepped out of the car, radiating elegance in a simple white summer dress. She didn't need makeup—her beauty stood effortlessly. 

Her dark hair was swept into a neat bun, with soft bangs framing her face, and she wore understated diamond jewelry.

Russell D'Amano was one lucky man, I thought.

"Mamá!" Joanna ran into her arms.

"Happy birthday, Mamá!" she chirped, smothering her with kisses.

"Jay,"  Jazira giggled, holding her tightly.

"¡Abuela!" Nikki squealed, clinging to her grandmother's legs.

"Happy birthday, abuela!" she said sweetly.

"Thank you, princess," Jazira replied, kissing her forehead before setting her down gently.

"Happy birthday!" Luca grinned as he walked up to her, pulling her gently into a hug.

She laughed, caught off guard by his enthusiasm, and hugged him back.

"Thank you."

She looked around, her eyes glistening. "You guys didn't have to do this..."

"Come on, Mamá," Mia cut in, wrapping her in a hug from behind. "What kind of children would we be if we didn't throw you a party?"

"Mrs. D'Amano," a familiar voice came from behind me.

She turned, confused at the unfamiliar face.

"That's your... uh, future brother-in-law?" Luca said with a mischievous grin.

Jazira's eyes narrowed, clearly confused.

"Brother-in-law?" she echoed, glancing between him and me.

Luca laughed softly. "Relax, I'm just messing with you. That's our dad."

Recognition dawned on her face, and she smiled warmly. 

"Ah, Mr. Caribello. It's so nice to finally meet you."

"Happy birthday," Dad said, giving her a warm hand shake.

The celebration kicked off in full swing. Jazira was busy accepting hugs, well wishes, and gifts, the smile never leaving her face.

"It's time to cut the cake!" Mia called out.

Everyone gathered as Joanna wheeled in a small table with a beautiful, mouthwatering cake on it.

Raul kept an arm around me as we walked over. Bianco handed her the knife and the birthday song began.

After she blew out the candles and made a wish, she cut a slice and fed Joanna, Mia, Luca, Bianco, Nikki, Raul, and me in turn.

"Happy birthday, Mamá," Raul whispered, hugging her and kissing her head.

Guests presented their gifts, and when Raul handed Jasira the puppy, her eyes welled up. 

She clutched the furry Maltese dog, tears streaming down her face.

So dramatic, I thought, smiling and shaking my head

"Mamá, we have another surprise," Raul announced , glancing at me with happy smile.

Her brows lifted. "What is it?"

"You're getting your second grandchild," he announced.

She blinked in confusion for a moment, then her eyes widened with understanding. A hand flew to her mouth as tears began to well up. 

"Really?"

I nodded with a smile, tears gathering in my own eyes.

She squealed and pulled me into a tight embrace. 

"Thank you for this gift, Angel," she whispered.

I pulled back and gently held her hands. "No, thank you for being a wonderful mother."

She laughed and brushed away a tear. "Please, call me Mamá. You'll be my daughter soon."

She cupped my cheeks, smiling through tears.

"Yes, Mamá."

"Come here." She pulled me into another warm hug.

^^^^

The guests had left, leaving us to nibble on leftover cake and drinks in the backyard's soft glow. 

Raul, the possessive freak, wouldn't let me touch the wine or have more than a single slice of cake, citing my pregnancy.

"Mamá, did you enjoy your birthday?" Raul asked gently. 

"Did you like all your gifts? Is there anything else you want?"

The three of us—Mamá, Raul, and I—were seated slightly apart from the other family members, enjoying the quiet of the night.

Jasira's smile faltered. "I loved it, son, but... I'm still missing the most important gift." Her voice dropped to a whisper, heavy with longing.

Raul's brow furrowed, worry etching his face. He lifted her chin gently. "What is it, Mamá? Tell me, and I'll get it for you."

She shook her head, tears slipping down her cheeks. "You can't give me what I want, son."

"Mamá..." he exhaled deeply, his voice thick.

"I promise, Mamá. Whatever it is—if it's within my power—I'll do it."

She snapped her gaze to him, eyes blazing through her tears. "Don't make promises you can't keep, hijo."

"Have I ever broken a promise to you?" he countered, raising a brow. Her silence answered his question.

"You haven't, son... but this one—it's different. If you do it, it'll make me the happiest woman alive."

"Mamá, stop speaking in riddles," he muttered, visibly frustrated.

"Will you forgive Nikolai?" she asked at last, her voice cracking. 

"I know what he did to you was terrible. I know it's unforgivable. But he's still your brother. I just want my sons to find peace again... to at least be civil. I'm not asking for what you had as children. I just don't want hatred between you two." 

She broke down completely.

Raul stared blankly, not saying a word.

"Mamá..." I whispered, moving closer to her. 

She leaned into me, wrapping her arms around mine and resting her head on my shoulder.

I looked up at him. His eyes betrayed what he tried to suppress—the pain, the anger. The betrayal still lived in him.

I understood both of them—Jazira's desperate wish to mend her sons as a mother, and Raul's pain as a betrayed brother. 

How do you forgive when the wound still bleeds?

"What you're asking for... it's hard, Mamá," he finally mumbled.

She sat up, wiping her tears. 

"I know, hijo," she muttered, pulling away from me. 

"But I'll still wait. I'll always hope that one day you'll let go of all the anger in your heart and forgive him. It would mean everything to me."

She rose to her feet, quietly walking away.

"Mamá—"

As if on cue, fate intervened.

Nikolai stepped out from the shadows.

"Niko?" she gasped, spinning around as she recognized the voice.

"Niko!" she cried, running to him and throwing her arms around his neck.

He held her tightly, burying his face into her shoulder as tears streamed down his face.

He looked nothing like the man I had met six months ago. His stubble was thicker, his eyes sunken with fatigue, his hair unkempt.

Raul gave him a fleeting glance, his jaw tight, before turning to leave. 

"Raul—" I called out, trying to grab his hand, but he was already too far.

Mamá stepped back from Nickolai and watched Raul's retreating back, her face filled with anguish.

"Niko," I said, offering a small smile as I hugged him.

"How are you, angel?" he asked, voice low and hoarse.

"I'm fine, but you..." I studied his face. "You don't look okay."

Nikolai's done a lot of unforgivable things—but that doesn't erase the fact that deep down, he's a good man. He just... lost himself along the way.

All I can do now is hope he finds his way back. He can't change the past, but he can choose to make things right.

He smiled sadly and shook his head. "Just my past catching up to me. But I'm here now—to make things right."

"Niko? Is that really you?" Joanna's voice rang out as she and Mia approached from the table.

"Jay!" He called softly upon seeing her.

She cried, running into his arms. They hugged each other tightly, both in tears.

"Hermano... what happened to you?" Mia asked gently, giving him a side hug—careful not to wake Nikki, who was asleep in her arms.

"You look like you just came back from a mission in the desert," Joanna added, as blunt as ever.

A faint smile tugged at Nikolai's lips.

"I've been working nonstop the past few months. And... taking responsibility for my children," he said softly.

Mamá turned to him sharply. "Children?"

He nodded. "Yes, Mamá. Claretta and Catalina are both pregnant... with my children."

Her face fell, the color draining from her cheeks.

"You were seeing Catalina while she was married?" she whispered, each word laced with disbelief.

Her voice trembled, like it could barely carry the weight of what she'd just heard.

Hurt flickered in her eyes, quickly eclipsed by a storm of disappointment.

She took a step back, as if distance might soften the blow.

"Tell me it's not true," she said, almost to herself. "Please... just tell me I heard wrong."

"It wasn't intentional," he rushed to explain. "The first time—it happened because I was drunk. She mistook me for Raul. That's what she told me."

I caught Joana and Mia exchange glances but stayed silent.

"I didn't say anything because I was scared. Raul already hated me. I didn't want to make it worse... but Catalina kept showing up."

"And you gave in?" Joanna asked.

"She lied to me, Jay," Nikolai said, his voice heavy. "She took advantage of the distance between Raul and me."

Jazira's face crumpled.

"We were in Paris for months—she for some agenda, me for a project. We stayed in the same hotel. She came to my room, and I tried to keep my distance, respecting that she was Raul's wife. But she claimed they were divorced, showed me papers with their signatures. I had no reason to doubt her."

He took a deep breath, then he continued.

"Believe me, I wanted to call Raul and confirm, but I couldn't do it. I was too scared. Eventually, they got back together, and she apologized for using me. But by then... she was already pregnant."

Mamá said nothing, her heart clearly breaking.

"I'm sorry, Mamá. I know I've been a handful my whole life. A disappointment. But I'm here now... to make things right." He knelt before her.

"Get up, son," Jazira urged, tears streaming as she tried to pull him up. He stayed, clinging to her waist, head resting on her stomach.

"Not until you forgive me, Mamá."

She wiped her face with the back of her hand. 

"Nikolai, I've always forgiven you," she said, more tears streaking down her cheeks. 

"No matter what you do, you'll never be my regret. You break my heart with your recklessness, but I'll always love you. You're my son."

He finally stood, and they held each other tightly.

In that moment, I wished every child could have a mother like Jasira, a family like this. I glanced at Joanna and Mia, their faces soft with sympathy and compassion for their brother.

No judgment. No hate.

Just love—raw and unwavering. It was the kind of warmth that could mend Nikolai's wounds, the therapy he needed to heal and grow.

"I'm going to talk to Raul," I whispered, slipping away from the group.