Chapter 35 - Dean’s POV

Her silence is deafening. I wanted to ask what she was thinking, but I felt scared. It scared me to know what’s going on in her mind.

What if she tells me she’s thinking about Jared? What do I do then? The irony of the situation did not escape me. It looks like the person whom I love the most could not love me back.

“Do you still love him?” I couldn’t help but ask her. Hearing her say what I dreaded the most would be better than to speculate her answer forever.

“I’m not that stupid, Dean. After what he did, I’ve already removed him from my life. I loved him, yes, but he threw it away. It would be foolish of me to continue loving him.”

How could that asshole hurt somebody like Sky? Anyone who saw the pain in her eyes could see how much she loved Jared. I couldn’t stop myself from feeling hurt and jealous of him. Although he and Sky happened before me, I still felt jealous. I’m jealous of the love she received from her. It’s the love I could only dream about.

I’d bet my life on it. If I met Sky earlier, Jared would not have a chance with her. He would not have the chance to hurt her and shatter her world because I would stop him.

Malta. I was not supposed to be there three years ago had it not been for the fight between me and my girlfriend, Thalia. She had a shoot in Greece, and I paid her a surprise visit. But she surprised me instead.

It turned out she did not have a shoot in Greece, but she met with her ex-boyfriend who wanted her back. I broke up with her on the spot. I flew to Malta to ease my anger.

The island had been my sanctuary since the first time Mom brought me there. I didn’t know why it had a calming effect on me. I’ve been to a lot of beautiful countries in the world but only Malta brought me peace.

The country grew more in my heart because that’s where I first saw Sky. I remember how she looked lonely while she drank her cocktail in silence. Her sexy ass calling my attention from when I walked into the bar. Unlike most women I knew, she did not throw herself at me. She even tried to ignore me, and I had to keep pushing myself to her. Had it not been for the men who blocked her way in the bar, for sure, we wouldn’t have had the chance to spend the night together. There wouldn’t be Jax.

It took me three years to see her again. She looked different from when I saw her in Malta. She was alluring then with her sexy sequined dress while the woman I saw in the Philippines could pass as an underage.

I saw her lower the partition and gave instructions to the driver to drop her off at the supermarket. “Sir, please drop me off at the supermarket.”

Me. Not us. Was it so difficult to include me in the picture? Why am I always excluded? She didn’t want me in our son’s life, and now, she doesn’t want me to be with her when she shops? Fuck it.

I got out of the car when it stopped by the supermarket entrance. Let’s see who’s more stubborn, Sky? I’ll stick to you like a magnet. There’s no way I’d let you shake me off in your life. Because no matter how much you push me away, I would insert myself into your and Jax’s life.

Jax. My god. When I saw that child, I felt like a bucket of ice got poured on me. His wide, innocent, and surprised eyes pierced my soul. There’s no way I am living my life without him. A single look from that child filled all the gaps in my life.

I’m thankful Via’s parents did not call the police on me when I showed up at their front door and introduced myself as Jax’s father. I readied myself for the possibility that they’d shoo me away, but it did not happen. They let me experience the joy of being with my child.

I want to see Sky try to deny again that Jax is my son. Shit, his hair alone screamed he’s mine. I’d like to see her convince a stranger she’s Jax’s mother. There’s no trace of her in that boy’s body.

I promised myself I would do everything to make that child happy. Anything. And top of my list is to give him a complete and happy family. How? I do not know.

Via stopped from walking when she bumped into an acquaintance.

“OMG Via! Is that you? Wow, you have not changed one bit. You’re still as beautiful as ever.” said the girl. She looked at me then gave Via a knowing smile, “Boyfriend?”

“Oh, no. He’s not my boyfriend. He’s my boss,” Sky explained. She looked so embarrassed her friend mistook me as her boyfriend.

What’s wrong with being my girlfriend? Boss. I don’t why that word sliced my heart. She isn’t wrong. Why did she say I’m not her boyfriend?

Was it not reason enough that we have made love with each other? What about having a child together? Was that also not reason enough?

I pushed the shopping cart and followed her in silence. She didn’t want me to push the cart, but I stood my ground.

She checked the things she needed from her phone and when she’s happy with her haul; we lined up to pay. It must be because of the holidays but the queues are kilometric.

I readied my card so when it’s paying time, I’d race her to it. I know there’s no way in hell she’d readily agree to me paying her bill. But the hell, I’d let her take a cent out of her pocket. What am I here for then?

And heck, how right I was. We argued in front of the cashier about which card would pay for the bill. In the end, I won because I had my card ready and she’s still rummaging for it from her purse.

We were already back in the car and were driving back to her parents’ home, but I still did not feel settled with how she introduced me earlier.

“Why didn’t you tell her I’m your boyfriend?” I asked, not hiding my irritation.

“Because you’re not.”

“Then what am I to you, Sky?”

“My Boss?”

I glared at her. I wanted to tell her our relationship is more than employer-employee because first and foremost, we have a son. But she’s already out of the car and did not bother waiting for me to get out.