Chapter 5

FIVE YEARS LATER

STEVENSON

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Philippines. We are at Manila Airport. Local time is 7:30 a.m, and the temperature is 27'c."

"I'd like to thank you for joining us on this trip, and we are looking forward to seeing you onboard again. Have a great day ahead."

I keep calling Draeden. I told him to pick me up today. What is it that makes it a wonder? I hope he doesn't hear what I say again. He later answered my call.

"Hello, buddy, what time is it? Why did you call so early." the question is obviously still drowsy.

When I was annoyed, I just ended the call. Damn it! you really have a headache Draeden. I tried to call Alhea to fetch me at the airport. In a few hours Alhea is here. She kissed my lips. And I imitated him in her car.

Alhea is my childhood friend and I know she loves me. But I can’t really see myself loving it. I love her as a sister, nothing more. She was wearing short shorts again how many times I told her not to wear that. There seems to be a shortage of fabric in the Philippines. I scolded him. She rolled her eyes at me.

"It's like I'm the kid you're scolding again. I'm a virgin Steve." its language is disgusting.

W-what do you call me? Steve? You have no respect for me anymore. My forehead is furrowed.

"How many times I confess my feelings to you, but you'll always reject me. What's wrong with me? Tell me Steve. I love you, you know that." he said and stopped the car for a moment.

I respect you Alhea, you know I only consider you like a younger sister. I love you as my younger sister. Nothing else.

"Damn it! Steve what's missing, why can't you make me fall in love." he said once kissing me.

Annoyed, I suddenly pushed him. What are you going to do? I unbuckled that seatbelt and got out of his car. I left him alone and quickly took the taxi that was coming, because I had no choice and no one came after me. My best friend is close to rejecting me because I can't really rely on urgent matters.

I got to my house and flopped on the bed. And because I was tired from the trip, I didn't realize that I had fallen asleep.

The next morning I left the house early. When I entered the hotel, I saw one boy, who I estimated was about five years old. I was so relieved when I watched him from a distance, he was having an affair with one of my staff. I laughed at their conversation, because it was just my staff flirting.

I caught his attention and motioned to come closer. It quickly approached where I was. I suddenly realized when I saw the child up close. I can't be wrong, I was like that when I was young and the same age. I suddenly felt what they call a leap of blood. I'll ask him about his name.

"My name is Axel VillaRuiz, I Am five years old." bibong its reply.

Really, your pogi looks like maybe your daddy. The child would still speak when someone hit his eyes with an acquaintance. I was surprised when he called--

"Daddy Draeden." once hug it.

W-what! It has ever had children and I don't know why. Asshole, what is this again? I whispered to my best friend. He just laughed at me. And she picked up her son.

I still can’t believe Dreaeden has a child. Miraculously it took her life seriously. I just followed them with my gaze before I walked into my office.

I sat in my swivel chair and thought about that boy. Draeden doesn't look like a child like his son. I browse the paper in front of me. I read it all and signed. When I finished what I was doing I thought of going out and catching some clean air. I climbed the rooftop of this hotel. I put a cigarette into my mouth and enjoyed blowing and blowing. Cigarettes are one of my stress relievers. When it ran out I lit another one.

I still can't forget that boy.

I quickly took my cell phone out of my pocket. I log in my social media account and find my picture from when I was a child. While browsing I could almost cover my tongue when I saw a picture of me playing in the park the same age as the boy in the picture. And exactly alike. But somehow, I don't even remember that I touched anything without protection. I always use something and how it gets through. And why didn't her mommy even look for me.

Don't give me a child. Maybe you look like him but don't assume. Draeden is the father of the child. My mind screamed.

Before I went crazy talking to myself, I hid my cell phone and turned it off because I read Alhea's text, chatted and missed calls again. I'm running out of patience with that boy. I went down to the rooftop. When I met a beautiful woman she was probably one of my staff here because she was wearing the uniform that was only exclusive to my hotel.

I would have approached the woman but the father and son came back and my jaw almost dropped from what I heard.

"Mommy, daddy bought me this toy car. I love it mommy." child's language.

"Baby, how many times have I been told that your Ninong is not your dad." said the girl who was the child's mommy.

So Draeden is not the father. I just kept listening to the two.

"But mom! If you want me to say that I can't call Ninong Draeden my daddy, just tell me about my biological father. Who is he mom, tell me." the child said directly to its mommy.

"I told you about it, that your dad is ..."

Her mommy hadn't even finished speaking what the child had said.

"He's dead. But I won't believe you mom. I know my daddy is still alive" the child replied.

"Andrea, don't bother yourself. I really enjoyed playing with your son. I'm telling him to call me dad." said Draeden.

"But sir, you've helped my mother and me too much. I'm embarrassed sir." language of the child's mommy.

I'm not a gossip so I just thought of going back to my office. I know that Draeden is not the boy's father.