Chapter 30: Chapter 30

The sunlight was hitting my face when I woke up from my deep sleep. I immediately groped Erom beside me to hug him but I turned around immediately, the moment I did not felt his presence.

"Erom?" I panicked as I rolled my eyes.

I stood away from the bed and then wandered around the room. When I can’t find him, I went out of the room.

"Erom?" I called again as I strolled down the stairs.

I feel like I will cry because of the different situations that come to my mind. My nervousness doubled when I can’t see even a single guard around Valjerome’s house.

Did he abduct my son?

Did he hurt him?

Did he...kill him?

"Ero—" I stopped calling when I saw my son sitting in the high chair, smiling as he watched Valjerome cook.

"Oh, dear. You are awake. You’re on timing, Sir Valjerome is cooking right now," said Manang who had just come out of nowhere.

Valjerome then turned to my direction.

"Good morning. Erom got hungry so—"

I didn’t listen to him and just kept on walking towards my son. I quickly carried him and sharply glared at Valjerome.

"Don't ever come near my son, Mr. Montevardo," I said coldly with my warning tone.

He just looked away with guilty eyes. He gulped twice and then looked at me again.

"I just cooked for him," he said softly.

I gritted my teeth and tried to control my anger. "You don't have to cook for him. You don’t have any relationship with each other," I claimed.

His previously flat shoulder gradually collapsed as the pain passed through his eyes.

Instead of talking to him, I started to turn my back on him while carrying my son.

"Mom, I am hungry," Erom murmured.

I slowed down and simply looked at my watch. I shut my eyes when I saw the time. It's already 10 o’clock in the morning. No wonder my son is hungry because he is so used to us, eating early.

"You seem mad, Mom," he continued.

I bit my lower lip and finally stopped walking when we were at the first step of the stairs. I let out a sigh then looked at my son.

"Why did you leave the room?" I asked, trying to calm.

He pouted and averted his eyes. "I've been waiting for you to wake up, but you seemed like you are lacking of sleep, Mom."

I was stunned and remembered why I woke up late. I closed my eyes tightly as I remembered the lines Valjerome had said last night before he left the room.

'I miss you...'

Because of those words, I can’t fall asleep right away. I tried to think deeply, what was that for. Did he know I was just pretending to be asleep so he was trying to turn me on for my son?

Whatever the truth may be, I just ignored it in the end. I can't trust him anymore. He once asked for my son to disappear so it was difficult for me to trust him again despite of what he showed.

"My dear," said Manang who followed us.

She was carrying a tray with pancakes in it. There is also a glass of milk which I think is for my son. Behind Manang was another maid who was also carrying food. The only difference is that contained a light meal.

"Señior sends the food he has cooked into your room. Come before they cool down," she smiled as she spoke to me, seemingly in that way, telling me that we should eat first before everything else.

I could do nothing but nod and walk ahead. My son is hungry. If I continued to be arrogant, nothing will happen.

Erom ate the pancakes happily that Valjerome cooked while I just am switching to look at my son and my food. The food seems good, but my pride telling me not to eat it. I would rather suffer from hunger than eat what he has prepared.

Why is he doing this anyway?

I get it. My son is hungry and looking for food. But why does he still have to cook? He has a number of maids who he can order to. There is a part of me that says he wants to win my son’s heart, but I don’t want to believe that. I don’t want to trust anyone especially it is my son we are talking about.

I was out of my reverie when I heard a knock. I turned my gaze to the door and saw the gentle glance of Valjerome's right hand, Jaime.

"Señior is asking you in his office," he formally said.

I couldn't help but stare at the food that the maid had brought. "I'm still eating. Tell him to wait,” I replied.

"You are not eating it, you're destroying the food," a familiar voice spoke.

I stopped and slowly looked back.

I saw Valjerome smirk as he stood behind Jaime with his hands on his pocket. He looked at me seriously and then shifted his attention to the food that...yeah, I crushed.

'Why do you care? This is how I eat. Why? You should care about yourself!  I wanted to say it but I just kept it in my mind because my son is now watching us.

"Come to my office later," he said and started walking away.

I just sighed deeply then smiled at my son who was innocently looking at me. Seemed like he wass waiting for me to tell a story or whatever.

"Go on, continue eating. Mommy's just going to see your boss, okay?" I claimed.

Erom just nodded and then tore the pancake on his plate again.

I just smiled and stroked his hair.

I will do everything to protect you.

"WHAT do you want?" I seriously asked the moment I entered Valjerome's office.

Just like yesterday, I caught him sitting in his swivel chair. He stared at me for a second then stood up from his seat.

"Don't come near me," I immediately said in a cold way.

He stopped walking and let out a sigh.

"I will no longer let this pass. I want to spend time with my child, Jazzie. Please, don't take him away from me," he pleaded.

I laughed sarcastically. "I should have hit you in head. Maybe you’ll realize things somehow."

"I know I made a mistake before regarding with our son. But please, let me give another chance. It will be fine if I can just be with him. Even if he doesn't know that I am his father. Just please, let me know him more, "he hoarsely pleaded then walked towards me again.

"I SAY NOT TO COME CLOSER!" I yelled, but he didn't bother to stop.

The next thing he did, stun me.

"Please... only for a moment. Let me, please," he said weakly as he knelt in front of me.

He glanced at me with his teary eyes. "Let me be with our child, Jazzie. I-I promise, I won't do anything bad. You don't have to protect him from me because I will kill myself if I hurt him. Please...let me hold him, take care of him, love him." A lone tear escaped from his eyes. "I won't ask for more, if you don't want our child to know that I'm his father, i-it’s fine. Just, please...let me be with him and make things up to him the way I can, "he continued in a raspy voice.

He submerged his head to my knee and hugged there weakly.

"I am begging you, Jazzie. Please."