Chapter 18
NOW IT was Chaya’s turn to take him to the airport. Roxanne and Rian joined them because the latter insisted. Rian wanted to see an airplane.
“I’ll call you tonight,” he said.
“I’ll be waiting.”
Kyrie dipped his head and claimed her lips.
“We can make this work,” he said. “I’ll find a way.”
“We’ll find a way.” Chaya stroked his cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you.” And he kissed her once again.
Chaya tried to fight back the tears that welled up in her eyes. She took a deep breath and smiled. “See you soon,” she said.
“See you soon.”
“Be safe.”
“You, too.”
Kyrie caught her hand as he took a step back. A sad smile curved her lips.
“What?” she asked.
Kyrie laughed. He looked at their intertwined hands.
“You can let go now,” Chaya said.
“No, you pull your hand.”
Chaya frowned as she pulled her hand back.
“Go.”
He nodded. But before he turned his back, he closed their distance once again and shared another kiss with her.
***
Kyrie let out an exhausted sigh as soon as he entered the mansion. The maids were quick to welcome him and took his luggage from him.
“How was your vacation, my boy?” asked Rosenda. She had been their housekeeper ever since they moved in.
“It was too short,” he replied.
“I’ll take your luggage upstairs. They’re waiting for you in the dining hall, by the way.”
“They’re still up?” he asked, a little surprised.
Rosenda smiled and nodded.
“Family matters.” Then, she walked toward the stairs.
Kyrie pulled out his phone from his jacket and dialed Chaya’s number as he sauntered toward the dining hall. She wasn’t answering.
Then, he halted when a toddler appeared from the entrance to the dining hall and bumped into his legs. It was a boy with curly locks and eyes the same color as his. His heart skipped a beat as the child stared at him.
Kyrie found himself hunkering down so he could gaze at the child’s face clearly.
“Daddy?” he uttered.
***
Chaya opened her eyes. When she realized that it was morning already, she sat up in a panic and grabbed her phone beside her.
Her eyes widened. She promised him that she would wait for his call. And he did. But she fell asleep!
Chaya opened her chats.
- I GUESS YOU’RE ALREADY ASLEEP. THAT’S GREAT. PLEASE HIT ME UP WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING. I LOVE YOU.
She grabbed her hair with a groan. How could she sleep on him?
“Hi, I’m sorry I fell asleep last night. I swear I was waiting for your call,” she said when he picked up his phone.
She heard him chuckle.
“I know you did,” he said. “Did you just wake up?”
“Yeah.” She was on her way to the kitchen. She grabbed a glass and filled it up with water. “How long have you been awake?”
“About an hour ago.”
Chaya took a large gulp. “It felt different waking up without you,” she said.
“Yeah. Same here.” He chuckled and sighed. “There’s something I need to tell you, but we can talk about it later. After breakfast, perhaps?”
“Is there a problem?” Her chest began to pound for some reason.
“Um, not really. But I just feel like I should tell you this soon. And I want to see your face.”
“All right. Then, call me again later. I’ll be awake, I promise.”
Kyrie laughed heartily.
“I miss you already, Chaya. Let’s talk later.”
***
“Mama Ya, how is Uncle Kyrie after the plane swallowed him?” Rian asked.
Chaya almost choked on her coffee. Roxanne came to bring her breakfast because she woke up late and couldn’t join them. She was grateful, of course, since she only had to make coffee.
“I keep telling her that Uncle Kyrie rode the plane. He wasn’t swallowed,” Roxanne said.
“Your Uncle Kyrie is back home already. We just talked this morning,” Chaya replied with a smile.
“Oh, so when is he coming back?”
“I’m not sure. I actually miss him already.”
“Me, too. He was very sweet,” Rian said matter-of-factly.
“So, I guess we have to go now,” Roxanne told Rian afterward. “Mama Ya still has work to do, and your friends are waiting for you at the daycare center.”
“See you later, Mama Ya!” Rian said and beamed.
“See you later.” Chaya bent down and kissed Rianon the cheek. “I’ll tell Uncle Kyrie that you miss him already.”
Rian giggled.
“Okay!”
***
“Why aren't you dressed yet? Aren’t you going to work?”
Kyrie was only wearing his shirt, and he looked like he was still in his room. “I am, but I called in and told them I’d be late.” He looked serious.
Chaya could not help but feel anxious.
“If I had known over the phone the other day, I would have told you already,” he began.
“Told me what?” Her chest began to pound once again.
“Chaya, do you trust me?”
“O-of course. But what is it about?”
Kyrie looked away for a moment as he took a deep breath. “My ex-girlfriend’s name is Avery. After five years of no communication, she suddenly reappeared. She’s here, Chaya. And I’m telling you this because I want you to trust me, to trust what we have.”
Chaya felt a lump in her throat.
“We have a son. He’s four. His name is Kiel. I didn’t know. I only found out last night.”
Chaya froze. It was as if a bomb had exploded in front of her. Kyrie had a son with his ex-girlfriend, and she was back. In his life. Or whatsoever.
“And I wanted to make up for the years I wasn’t there for him. I wanted to give him everything.”
“W-why… why did she show up just now?”
“Because something happened, and she said she could not raise him alone anymore. Avery isn’t telling me everything yet, but I believe Kiel is mine. He looked just like me. He’s a smart kid and sweet.”
Chaya could see the happiness on his face. Kyrie looked like there was nothing to worry about.
“I can’t wait for you to meet him,” he said.
Chaya swallowed. “W-where is your son right now?”
“He’s in the other room. I’m going to take him to the mall later. I’ll get him new toys. Come to think of it. He’s the same age as Rian. I’m sure they’ll make good friends.”
“I guess so.” Chaya shrugged. “Rian loves making new friends.”
“Kiel will live with me from now on. I don’t know how to be a father, Chaya. All I know is that I will give him everything I have.” He looked anxious but excited at the same time.
“Kyrie,” Chaya said softly. “I’m still shocked by this news, but I know you’ll be a great father. I’m rooting for you.”
“You think so?” He sighed nervously.
She smiled and nodded.
“And you told me I have nothing to worry about. I’ll hold on to that.”
“Thank you, Chaya.” He reached for the screen. “I can’t believe I was just kissing you yesterday.”
Chaya laughed softly. “You know, I was a little sad when I woke up this morning.” She shifted in her seat. “Did you know that Rian actually thought that you were swallowed by the plane yesterday?”
“What?” Kyrie laughed.