Chapter 90 SPECIAL CHAPTER 13

Chapter 90 SPECIAL CHAPTER 13
In the living room of his grandmother’s home, Cedric sat with his laptop balanced on his lap. He was deep in his duties, meticulously answering a flood of emails sent by his staff from the Prime Minister’s office in Romania.

The night was growing late. Since returning from the bus station with Samantha and Spade, Cedric hadn't moved from the sofa, buried under a mountain of documents and urgent correspondence.

His focus was broken only when his grandmother placed a warm glass of milk on the side table and sat beside him.

"Why aren't you in bed yet, Baba?" Cedric asked, glancing at her.

"I’m not sleepy yet, apo. To be honest, my heart is still overflowing with joy knowing that Spade is your son. I never imagined I’d have a great-grandson from you," she said with a beam.

"Staying up late isn't good for your health, Baba."

"Oh, stop. Your grandmother is still strong. But what about you? Why aren't you resting?" she countered.

Cedric sighed, closing his laptop and setting it on the center table. "I have a lot to settle while I’m here for the next two weeks, even while I spend time with you."

"You don't need to worry about me. I'm happy just having you here. What you should be doing is bonding with your son. You’ve been absent for eight years; you need to make up for that lost time, apo," she urged, her eyes drifting toward the open door that led to Samantha’s house across the street.

"I can do that once we’re back in Romania. Besides, this responsibility is still very new to me," Cedric replied.

His grandmother reached out and took his hands. "You’ll learn, Cedric. Just remember: being a leader of a country is very different from being a father to a child. I know you'll be a good father to Spade because you’ve always been a good son and grandson."

"Don't have too much faith in me, Baba. I might disappoint you," he said quietly.

"On another note," she said, shifting the topic, "since you’re taking the two of them back to Romania, what is your plan for Samantha? Are you going to marry her?"

"Marriage is out of the question," Cedric answered firmly. "I don’t want us to tie the knot simply because we share a child. I see Ms. Camnice as my son's mother and nothing more. She’s coming to Romania for Spade’s sake, because he needs his mother."

"But it’s not impossible for you to fall for her. She’s a good woman and a wonderful mother. You two suit each other. Watching you two bicker earlier reminded me of how your grandfather and I used to be."

"We are different, Baba. The only thing connecting us is Spade. Please don't hope for something that isn't going to happen."

His grandmother patted his shoulder with a knowing smile. "There’s a saying, apo: never say never."

"Baba—"

"I’m going to bed. Don’t stay up too late; you promised Spade you’d take him to the park tomorrow." She stood up and kissed his forehead. "Drink your milk. Goodnight, apo."

Left alone, Cedric leaned back and sighed. "I have no time for romance. I have too many responsibilities as Prime Minister, and now the role of a father." He looked out the door again. "She’s just the mother of my son. That’s all."

Mihai walked in just then. "Good evening, Prime Minister."

"Did you handle it?"

"Everything is settled. I’ve spoken with the major media outlets to take down all reports regarding Young Master Spade and Lady Samantha."

Cedric sat up straighter. "Good. It’s better to stop the news before it spreads further and reaches Romania. I want my parents to hear about Spade directly from me."

"I also have the DNA results," Mihai added, placing a brown envelope on the table.

"With all the evidence—the allergies, the features—this will just make the connection formal," Cedric said, opening the envelope without hesitation. After confirming the results, he tossed it back onto the table. "My father won’t like this, and my mother especially... but this is a responsibility I must uphold."

"Honestly, sir, I am more worried for Lady Samantha. Your mother will not be kind to her," Mihai noted.

"You’ve reminded me of that already. Since I live on my own, they won't have to interact daily, but I expect a difficult reaction."

Cedric stood up, but stopped abruptly when he saw Samantha standing in the doorway.

"Ms. Camnice? What on earth are you doing here this late? You should be resting."

Mihai checked the clock; it was nearly ten.

"I couldn't sleep," Samantha admitted, stepping into the room. "I actually overheard your conversation with Mihai. Since the door was open, I decided to come in and ask. Taking Spade and me to Romania... it will have a huge impact on your reputation. Are you absolutely sure about this?"

She walked closer, standing directly in front of him. "People will talk. What will they say when their Prime Minister returns from the Philippines with a secret child? And your parents... how will they accept Spade? I don't care how they treat me, but what if they reject my son?"

"That is my problem to handle, Ms. Camnice."

"But I can't help but worry! It affects our son, Cedric. I'm a mother; I'm thinking of Spade."

Cedric felt a strange jolt when she said 'our son.' It was the first time she had used those words.

"What are you suggesting, then?" he asked, his voice low.

"Let’s settle this once and for all," she sighed. "We’ve accepted that you’re the father. You can still be a father to him without taking us away. You can visit him when you have time. You can treat him as a... a little secret, so—"

"—A little secret?" Cedric interrupted, his jaw tightening. "So your 'settlement' is for me to leave this country without my son?"

Samantha nodded. "It would benefit everyone. Your parents won't be angry, and my son won't be the subject of gossip or rejection in a foreign land."

Cedric went silent. Logically, she had a point. He could keep Spade a secret; Mihai had already scrubbed the media. He could return to Romania as if nothing had changed.

Yet, the idea irritated him. He didn't like the thought of leaving them behind, even if it was the most 'convenient' path for his career.

"It’s a good plan, right?" Samantha pressed. "You can be his father without anyone knowing."

Cedric turned to Mihai. "What’s the status of their papers and visas?"

"They’re nearly finished, sir. Do you want me to cancel them?" Mihai asked. Samantha’s heart leaped with hope.

"Let them finish," Cedric commanded. "Once the passports and visas are ready, we leave for Romania."

Samantha’s jaw dropped. "Wait... you're still taking us?"

"Yes. I’m not changing my plans just because you’re worried about my parents' reactions. That is my problem to solve. Now, if you personally don't want to come, I won't force you. But Spade is coming."

"What? No! I won't let you separate us!" she cried.

Cedric stepped into her personal space, his face inches from hers. Her heart raced as his gaze bore into hers. "Then this conversation is over. Go home and rest, Ms. Camnice. Mihai, escort her back."

He stepped away, his tone dismissing her. "I’ll fetch you and Spade early tomorrow. I promised him the park."

"I... I can't go," Samantha stammered, trying to regain her composure. "I have a wedding rehearsal with a client. Just... take care of my son while you're out."

She hurried out of the house, with Mihai following close behind.

Once they were gone, Cedric cursed under his breath. "That woman is incredibly stubborn. Does she really think I’d agree to keep my own son a secret?"

He paced the room, his thoughts a tangled mess. "If I wanted to, I could take Spade alone. I have the power to do it. So why am I so insistent on taking her, too? Because she’s the mother? So what? Ah, fuck!" He slammed his hand against the table, frustrated by the argument he was having with his own heart.