Chapter 79 SPECIAL CHAPTER 02

Chapter 79 SPECIAL CHAPTER 02
When Cedric arrived at the home of his grandmother—his mother’s mother—she greeted him with a joyful embrace. It had been eight long years since he last visited her house, and every time he was in the Philippines, there was no other food he craved more than her cooking.
"I'm back, Baba," he said warmly.
"What did I tell you before, hijo?" his grandmother teased with a smile. "If you visit me here, you must speak to me in Tagalog. You know your grandmother isn't very good at English."
Cedric offered a rare, genuine smile. "I remember. How are you, Baba?"
His mother had taught him Tagalog, but he only used it with her or his grandmother, as they both insisted on hearing their native tongue.
"I’m doing well, except for the fact that I’m getting quite old," she replied as he helped her walk into the house. Mihai followed closely behind, carrying a large basket of fresh fruit for the elderly woman.
"I’ll only be here for a week, Baba. I have to head back to Romania as soon as the summit is over," Cedric explained, noticing the immediate flash of sadness in her eyes. "I’d love to stay longer, but I have a mountain of work waiting at the office. Why don't you just come back with me instead?"
He assisted her into a seat before sitting beside her.
"I’m too old for such long travels, apo. Besides, I prefer it here. This is where your grandfather is buried," she said softly. Cedric let out a small sigh.
"Mihai."
"Yes, Prime Minister?"
"Change the flight schedule. I’m taking my vacation here to stay with Baba for an extra two weeks," Cedric commanded. Mihai nodded with a knowing smile.
"I'll reschedule it immediately, Prime Minister," Mihai said, bowing before stepping outside to make the call.
"Is it alright if I stay here for two weeks, Baba?" Cedric asked. His grandmother’s eyes lit up with delight.
"Of course! Stay for as many weeks as you like, my grandson."
"Then it’s settled. As soon as my official business is done, I'm coming straight back here."
She took both of his hands in hers. "Thank you, apo. I’m happy to have you for two weeks. But... I would be even happier if you finally introduced me to the woman you want to marry."
"Baba..." Cedric groaned.
"You're getting older. How old are you now?"
"Thirty-six."
"Thirty-six and still no girlfriend to introduce to your parents or to me?" she chided.
"I’m far too busy for that. I don't need to start a family yet."
"Nonsense. Every man needs a partner by his side."
Desperate to change the subject, Cedric leaned in. "I’m hungry, Baba. Could you cook my favorite dish for me?"
"Perfect timing! I have all the ingredients for the Kare-Kare you love. Wait here while I get started," she said, standing up with Cedric's help and heading toward the kitchen.
"I really have no time for marriage," Cedric muttered to himself. He sat back on the sofa, but a movement by the door caught his eye. A young boy was peeking inside.
"Who are you? What are you peeking at?" Cedric asked sternly.
The boy walked straight in, carrying a paper bag. As he approached, Cedric’s brow furrowed. The face was hauntingly familiar.
"I'm here to visit Lola Granny and give her this pasalubong my mom bought. I wanted to share it because Lola Granny is my friend. I live in the house nearby," the boy said innocently.
Cedric stared at him. Something about the boy's features nagged at his memory, though he couldn't place why. Suddenly, the boy reached out and poked Cedric’s cheek with his index finger.
"What are you doing, kid? Don't you know it's disrespectful to do that to a stranger?" Cedric scolded.
"We look exactly alike, Mister. I think you're my father," the boy stated matter-of-factly. Cedric froze.
"Prime Minister, I've already re—" Mihai stopped mid-sentence as he walked in and saw the two of them.
"What did you just say?" Cedric asked, his voice low.
"You're my father."
"I am not," Cedric replied coldly.
"You are! We look the same."
"We don't. And just because there's a resemblance doesn't mean I'm your father. Because I’m not. Got it, kid?"
"I’m sure I’m your son, and you’re my father," the boy insisted.
"I said I'm not!"
"You are!"
"I'm not!"
"You are!"
"You're incredibly annoying! I said I'm not your freaking father!" Cedric snapped. Watching from the sidelines, Mihai couldn't help but see a "mini-version" of his boss in the stubborn child.
"But you look just like me! Why are you denying it?"
"Because I'm not your father, okay?" Cedric’s voice rose, prompting Mihai to step in.
"Prime Minister, please don't get angry. He's just a child," Mihai said gently, before turning to the boy. "You're the kid who was lost at the hotel earlier."
"And you're the Mister who told me where the bathroom was!"
"You know this kid, Mihai?" Cedric asked, exasperated.
"Yes, he’s the one I told you about."
Cedric turned back to the boy. "What’s your name?"
"My name is Spade. I'm eight years old and in grad—"
"I only asked for your name, not your life story. And just to be clear, kiddo: I am not your father."
"You are. I’ve met different men and none of them look like me. But you—"
"For the last time, I am NOT your father!"
"You ar—" Spade started, but Cedric quickly covered the boy's mouth with his hand.
"Stop insisting. I am freaking not!"
"Who are you arguing with, apo?"
Cedric’s grandmother walked out of the kitchen, looking confused.
"Lola Granny!" Spade muffled through Cedric's hand. Once released, he ran to her. "My mom bought cookies and I wanted to give you some!"
"For me? What a good boy. Thank you, Spade," she said with a smile.
"You know this child, Baba?" Cedric asked.
"Of course. He lives right across from me. He comes over all the time to play or chat. It’s funny, I don't miss you as much because of him—he looks so much like you did when you were small. He could pass for your son; people might even mistake you for father and son."
Spade pointed a triumphant finger at Cedric. "He is my father, Lola Granny! I found my daddy!"

Across the street, Vladi was lounging on the sofa, eating snacks they had picked up on the way home. He spent so much time at Samantha’s place that the neighbors often assumed they were married—a rumor they never bothered to correct since Vladi’s flamboyant personality usually gave him away eventually.
"Are you sure it’s okay for Spadey to keep going to that house across the way?" Vladi asked. Samantha was glued to her laptop, coordinating with suppliers.
"Of course. Aling Jacinta is very kind, and she’s quite lonely with just her helpers. Spade has grown fond of her, and I know he misses having a grandmother figure."
"Why don't you just take him to your parents? Maybe they’ve softened up?"
Samantha looked up, a shadow crossing her face. "That’s impossible, Vladi. I tried, and they still won’t accept what happened to me."
"Your father is so stubborn," Vladi sighed, taking a bite of a rice cake. "He can really ignore his only daughter like that?"
"I’m still giving them time to forgive me," she said with a bittersweet smile.
"Fine, change of topic. Let’s talk about Spadey’s father..."
"Why? I don't even know the man. Spade and I are doing fine," Samantha countered.
"I know, but a boy needs a father. So, what’s the plan? Are you ever going to look for the man you had that one-night stand with?"
"And do what? I don't even know what he looks like! I ran out of that hotel room so fast."
"That was your mistake. You should have at least checked if he was handsome. But looking at Spadey, the guy must have been a ten. The kid didn't get any of his looks from you."
Samantha scoffed. She had carried him for nine months, yet he looked nothing like her. "It doesn't matter. Even if Spade is looking for him, I have to manage his expectations. It would only hurt him to know the truth of how he was conceived."
Suddenly, the front door burst open. Spade marched in, dragging a very reluctant, very frustrated man behind him.
"I told you to stop dragging me!" Cedric hissed, before his eyes locked onto Samantha’s.
"Mom, I found Daddy!" Spade shouted joyfully. Samantha froze, her heart stopping as she stared at the man in her living room.
"Daddy is finally here!"