Chapter 87 SPECIAL CHAPTER 10

Chapter 87 SPECIAL CHAPTER 10
"Is it right to let him play the role of a father to Spade? What if he's only doing this because he was cornered by those reporters at the conference?"
Samantha paced in front of her vanity mirror, already dressed but hesitant to leave the safety of her room.
"Why did I have to get so drunk that night? I shouldn't have walked into the wrong room. And based on what he said yesterday, I was the one who initiated it... I was the one who led us to that point. But regret won't change anything now. At least I have Spade." She sighed, looking toward the door as her friend Vladi peeked in.
"Aren't you ready yet? Your 'family' is waiting for you downstairs."
"Family? It’s so strange that Spade’s father finally has a face. If I had just caught a glimpse of him that morning, I could have avoided all of this."
"There you go with the negative thoughts again. You’re being a bit selfish, don't you think?" Vladi walked in and stood beside her. "No matter how much you want to deny it, the fact remains: the man you slept with and the Prime Minister are the same person. You can't run from the truth. Besides, what are you so worried about? Didn't he say he wouldn't take Spadey away? He even wants to take you both back to his country."
"That’s exactly what scares me. What if he’s lying? What if he's just saying that to lower my guard before he steals my son? I’d lose my mind if I were separated from Spade."
"Girl, you're overthinking. He doesn't seem like that kind of man. Think about it: you’re giving Spadey a real family. Who knows, maybe you and the Prime Minister will actually fall for each other and—"
"Stop right there," Samantha interrupted firmly. "Just because we share a child doesn't mean we’re going to fall in love. This isn't a movie; it's reality. What if he has a girlfriend or a fiancée back in Romania? We’d just be intruders in his life."
"You're not just negative; you're catastrophizing. If you want to be sure, why don't you just ask him? From what I’ve seen, your baby daddy looks very much single."
"And what will his parents say if he brings us home—"
"Hush! You’re creating problems that don't even exist yet." Vladi smoothed her hair one last time. "Just go downstairs. Spadey is having the time of his life sitting on his daddy's lap. You can't deny the resemblance; they’re identical. No DNA test needed. Now go, don't keep them waiting."
Taking a deep breath, Samantha followed Vladi out. They reached the top of the stairs and paused when they heard Cedric and Spade talking below.
"You should say sorry to me, Daddy."
"And why is that?"
"Because you were mean to me and said you weren't my daddy. You knew Mommy, but you pretended you didn't. Why?"
Samantha’s heart hammered against her ribs, wondering how Cedric would handle the innocent interrogation.
"First, I was 'mean' because I truly had no idea you were my son," Cedric replied, sticking to the story they had agreed upon. "Second, I apologize for acting like a stranger toward your mother. We... shared a difficult history, and I was completely unaware she was carrying you when I departed for Romania."
"Why did you and Mommy break up? Did you fight?" Spade asked.
"He definitely got the 'twenty questions' habit from you," Vladi whispered, nudging Samantha.
"We just had to go our separate ways for a while," Cedric explained gently. "But our paths crossed again. I never imagined that during this visit, I would find my son."
Spade threw his arms around Cedric. "I'm happy, Daddy. I told Mommy that when I found you, I’d ask why you left us. Hearing your reason is enough. But you're my daddy now, right? You won't leave us again?"
The silence that followed was heavy. Samantha took it as her cue to descend, quickly moving to scoop Spade into her arms. Cedric watched her, his expression unreadable.
"Mommy, Daddy won't leave us anymore, right?" Spade asked, looking up at her. Samantha could only stroke his cheek, unable to find the words.
Cedric stood up and smoothly took Spade from her arms, carrying him instead.
"I-I can carry him, Mr. Prime Minister," Samantha stammered.
"Even without a DNA result, I know he is mine. I will do my duty as his father," Cedric said, ignoring her protest. He then looked her directly in the eye. "And you should stop calling me 'Mr. Prime Minister.' I have a name. It’s Cedric."
"Daddy, I'm Cedric too! We have the same name!" Spade cheered, hugging his father's neck.
"Is it a coincidence that you named him after me?" Cedric asked, a brow raised.
"Of course! It was just a coincidence. I named him after the cartoon Cedie, the Little Prince. I didn't even know your—I mean, it’s just a coincidence that it's his second name," Samantha babbled defensively.
"It was just a question. You don't need to be so defensive."
"Let's go," Cedric continued. "I’m sure my Baba has many questions. Since you're so good at storytelling, you'll be the one to explain everything to her. I’ll only speak when necessary." He began walking toward the door with Spade in his arms.
"Wait, just me? You're leaving the explaining to me?!" Samantha complained, turning to Vladi.
"Don't look at me, beshy. I've got my own plans today. Just stick to the story I told Spadey earlier. Enjoy your family day!" Vladi waved and headed for the exit.
"Great," Samantha muttered to herself. "I'm already losing points with heaven for hiding the truth, and now I have to keep lying. I’m never getting into paradise at this rate."
She followed them across the street to Aling Jacinta’s house. As she stood at the threshold, her anxiety spiked. They had been simple neighbors for so long; she feared how the old woman would judge her now.
"Think positive, Samantha," she whispered to herself. She peaked through the door and saw Spade sitting happily on Aling Jacinta’s lap, while Cedric sat nearby and Mihai stood at attention.
"Who would have thought you were my great-grandson, Spade? You look exactly like your daddy," the old woman said, beaming.
"Do you like me as your grandson, Lola Granny?" Spade asked.
"Of course! Who wouldn't be happy to have such a handsome great-grandson? I'm so glad your father's blood flows through you." She looked up. "Where is Samantha?"
Hearing her name, Samantha pulled back from the door. "Be brave, Samantha. She’s kind. She won’t judge—"
Suddenly, Cedric appeared beside her, startling her.
"What is wrong with you?! You’re going to give me a heart attack, Mr. Prime Minister!"
"What are you doing? Why aren't you coming inside?" Cedric asked. "If passersby see you lurking, they’ll call the police thinking you're a thief."
"I’m nervous! I don't know how to talk to your grandmother about this."
"Just tell her what she needs to know. Or would you rather tell her the truth? And stop calling me that. You're the mother of my child now; you're not a stranger."
"Hijo, is that Samantha you're talking to? Bring her in!" Aling Jacinta called out.
Cedric took Samantha’s hand and led her inside. She kept her head down, blushing with embarrassment, while Mihai watched silently.
"Samantha."
Aling Jacinta’s voice was warm. Samantha looked up and saw a kind smile. "Come, sit beside me."
Samantha sat down next to her, where Spade was still perched.
"I’ll leave you three for a moment. I need to discuss something with Mihai," Cedric announced before stepping out onto the terrace with his assistant.
Left alone with the old woman and her son, Samantha felt the weight of the lie she had to tell.
"Honestly, I was shocked by the news," Aling Jacinta began. "But I was more shocked when Cedric admitted Spade was his. I asked him how it happened, but he wouldn't say. I want to hear it from you."
Forgive me, Lord, for lying to her and my son. This is the last time, I promise, Samantha prayed silently.
"It’s a long story, Aling Jacinta. Cedric and I... we met eight years ago. We had a brief relationship, and things happened. But we lost touch when he returned to Romania. He never knew I was pregnant, and since he never came back, I took full responsibility for our son. I had no idea you were his grandmother, and I never thought I’d see him again."
"So you both pretended not to know each other because of your past?"
"Something like that."
Aling Jacinta took Samantha’s hand. "When you saw him again, did you have any intention of telling him about Spade?"
"I'm sorry... I was just so afraid that if he knew, he would take my son away from me," Samantha admitted, and for once, that part was the absolute truth.
"I understand. I'm just happy that despite your fear, you told him the truth in the end. And I’m glad you didn't try to hide Spade once you found out I was Cedric’s grandmother."
"I'm sorry for keeping it a secret, Aling Jacinta."
"Lola. Call me Lola."
"She's my real Lola Granny, Mommy! I have a real grandma now!" Spade cheered.
"I... I’ll just go check on Cedric. I have something to tell him," Samantha said, standing up quickly.
She walked toward the terrace, but stopped short when she heard Cedric and Mihai speaking.
"What's your plan, Prime Minister?" Mihai asked.
"I will take him alone," Cedric’s voice was cold and decisive. "I’ll make sure she never sees him again."
Samantha’s world tilted. Her knees felt weak as the words echoed in her mind. He’s going to take my son. He lied to me.
She looked back at Spade, who was laughing with his great-grandmother. A fierce resolve replaced her fear. I won't let him take Spade. No way...
A desperate plan began to form in her mind. She would do whatever it took to keep her son.