Chapter 83 SPECIAL CHAPTER 06

Chapter 83 SPECIAL CHAPTER 06
Cedric was already en route to the hotel for the final Summit Conference, where the day’s agenda focused on the critical political issues of their respective nations.
He sat silently in the backseat, eyes fixed on the tablet in his hands, while Mihai remained focused on the road.
"I’m hungry."
Cedric let out a heavy sigh and glanced at the boy sitting beside him. Spade was staring back at him expectantly.
"You already ate at my Baba's house before we left, didn't you?"
"But I’m still hungry, sir," Spade insisted. Cedric looked away, rubbing his temples.
"Should we hit a drive-thru, Prime Minister?" Mihai suggested, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Fine. Let’s just make it quick."
Cedric leaned his head back, wondering how his grandmother had managed to talk him into this.

FLASHBACK
"What?! You want me to take this kid with me today, Baba?"
"Tagalog, apo."
"Why do I have to bring him?" Cedric asked in Tagalog, looking down at Spade, who was clinging to his grandmother’s hand. "And why is he here again? Where is his mother?"
"Samantha has something important to attend to today. She had no one to leave Spade with, and her friend wasn't available either. She was hesitant and embarrassed to ask, but she had no choice. It’s fine with me, but my back has been acting up, and I can't keep up with him today. So, you take him."
"Baba, I’m going to a Summit conference. Children aren't allowed."
"Is it really impossible, apo?" His grandmother gave him a look of such profound disappointment that Cedric knew he had already lost.
"Fine. I’ll take him. Mihai will watch over him."
END OF FLASHBACK

"What kind of mother is she, unable to look after her own child?" Cedric muttered, clearly directed at Samantha.
"Prime Minister," Mihai said softly, "once the results are out, are you going to take responsibility for both of them?"
Cedric glanced at Spade, who was sitting quietly now. "I’ll think about that once the results are in."
"If she really is that woman, are you going to introduce him as your son?"
Cedric caught Mihai’s eye in the rearview mirror. "Why do I get the feeling you’re already confident the results will be positive?"
"My apologies, Prime Minister."
Cedric huffed and returned to his tablet. When they reached a fast-food drive-thru, Mihai pulled up to the intercom. Cedric rolled down his window to order.
"Good day, sir. May I take your order?"
"Fries!" both Cedric and Spade blurted out at the exact same time. They glanced at each other in surprise.
"Anything else, sir?"
"A burger!" Spade added with a grin. Cedric shook his head and turned back to the intercom.
"Give us chicken with rice and a hot coffee."
"Coffee? Me too!" Spade chimed in.
"No. You’re too young for coffee," Cedric scolded, ordering a juice for the boy instead.
"But I'm eight!"
"Still too young. No coffee for you. Wait... does your mother let you drink coffee?"
"No, sir. Only Ninang Vladi does."
"Ninang Vladi?" Cedric muttered, confused.
"That will be 465 pesos, sir," the staff member said. Cedric handed over a thousand-pesos bill. After picking up the food, they continued their drive to the hotel.
"Eat all of this. No leftovers," Cedric instructed, placing the food in the console between them.
"Thank you, Mr. Uncle!" Spade said happily, digging in.
"Mr. Uncle? Tsk. I’m not your uncle." Cedric tried to focus on his tablet, but within a minute, he set it down and snatched the spoon and fork from Spade’s hands.
"You’re making a mess. You shouldn't waste a single grain of rice. Learn to eat properly." Cedric began feeding the boy himself, his movements efficient yet surprisingly gentle.
Mihai watched through the mirror, a smile tugging at his lips. He could see Cedric slipping into the role of a father unconsciously. If little Spade turns out to be his, will he take him? Will he fight for custody or make a deal with the mother?
By the time they reached the hotel, Cedric had thirty minutes before the conference. Reporters were already swarming the entrance, and hotel staff stood ready to escort him.
"I'll look after Little Spade, Prime Minister," Mihai said.
"Are you leaving? Are you leaving me here?" Spade asked, looking worriedly at the crowd outside.
"Prime Minister?" Mihai prompted.
Cedric adjusted his suit. "You’re confident about the results, Mihai. If this kid is truly mine, there’s no reason for me to hide him."
"What? You’re bringing him into the conference? What if he isn’t yours?"
"I'll cross that bridge when the results arrive," Cedric said, unbuckling Spade’s seatbelt. "You're coming with me, kiddo."
"Where are we going?" Spade asked innocently.
Cedric didn't answer. He stepped out of the car, and the air was immediately filled with the flash of cameras and a barrage of questions. Spade hopped out and immediately hid behind Cedric’s legs, overwhelmed by the noise.
"Mr. Prime Minister! Who is the child hiding behind you?" a reporter shouted. Cedric ignored them.
"Mihai, carry him."
Mihai scooped Spade up, and they marched into the hotel lobby, leaving the shouting press behind.
"Mihai, ensure no media outlet in this country publishes his face," Cedric ordered as they walked.
"Yes, sir."
"What are we doing here, Uncle?" Spade whispered.
"The Prime Minister is attending his final Summit. Since Lola Granny couldn't watch you, he brought you along," Mihai explained.
"Thank you, Uncle. Sorry for being a burden. When my mommy finds my daddy, then someone else will—"
Cedric stopped abruptly and looked back at Spade. "Why did you stop? Your mother is looking for your father?"
"Yes. She promised she’d help me find him. But she said I shouldn't expect him to want me. I just... I just want to know who he is." Spade’s voice was small and laced with sadness.
"You just want to know him? You aren't looking for him to do his 'duty'?"
"I just want to ask him why he left us. My mommy is more than enough to take care of me," Spade said.
Cedric’s expression remained stony, but his eyes softened for a fraction of a second. He turned and continued walking. Upon entering the conference hall, he went straight to his designated seat, ignoring the curious stares of the other diplomats.
Mihai stood behind Cedric’s chair, still holding Spade.
"Mihai, give me the kid," Cedric said. Mihai placed Spade on Cedric’s lap just as his phone buzzed. He stepped away to take the call.
"Mr. Prime Minister," a female diplomat at the next table whispered, leaning in. "Who is the boy on your lap?"
Spade tucked his head shyly against Cedric’s chest. Mihai returned, leaning down to whisper something into Cedric’s ear that made his eyes widen.
"Mr. Prime Minister?" the woman asked again. "Is he your nephew?"
Cedric looked down at Spade, then looked the woman dead in the eye.
"No. He's my son."