Chapter 32: Chapter 32

"Can I have this too?" Erom asked while holding a chess board.

As a typical child, Erom joyfully picked toys once we entered the toy section. Valjerome assured him that he'll give him everything for free or should I say¾a hug in exchange.

I have always been able to give Erom the things he likes, but he never asked for too much. Maybe he also knows how hard I work. Chaos, on the other hand, only brought him a toy whenever he passes by the mall, he has never take Erom for a walk like this because of being busy with work.

"Anything you want," Valjerome answered.

My son smiled at him from ear to ear and then walked again to the row of toys where the medium size robots were. Valjerome immediately followed him, watching while there was a small smile on his lips.

I just averted my eyes because I felt the corners of my eyes would heat up again. I stayed in my place and let them get away from me. Since they are enjoying themselves, they haven't noticed me yet.

I wandered my eyes all over the place and bit my lower lip once my eyes stopped at the dolls section. Out of myself, I walked over there and gently stroked the boxes containing the toy.

I can’t help but think that in case my son’s twin survived. Is she a girl or a boy? Are they fraternal or identical? Will they be allies or enemies?

I let out a wry smile and then sighed as I remembered the past.

I was at my 4th month of pregnancy that time. I can't help but still cry every time I think about what happened when Valjerome and I were together. Even though I want to sleep, I can't do it due to overthinking. No matter what I did to calm myself down, I was still hurt all over again and scared by the situation I was facing at the time.

***

It was past midnight when I felt an excruciating pain on my womb. Fearfully, I forced myself to move out of my condo and ask Chaos for help. I was in front of his unit, constantly pressing his door bell, when a hot liquid streamed down on my leg.

No...no...this can't be...

I closed my eyes tightly and shivered as I focused on the door of Chaos' house. I don't want to look at it. I feel like I'm going to faint once I confirm the fluid is flowing down between my legs.

"Jazzie!" I was completely fainted the moment the door opened.

Even before I fell to the floor, Chaos caught me. There I couldn't help but cry while clinging onto him.

"M-my children...Chaos, my children," that was all I said before I completely lost my consciousness.

The next morning was my worst day. I have had miscarriage. One of the twins that I was carrying died. I want to be happy because not everything is taken from me, I can't prevent myself to feel more pain and frustration. I also blamed myself for what happened. If I had been more stable and stronger, all of these would never happen.

I felt mad in the following days. I had to undergo a therapy after I recovered from the miscarriage to treat my mental health. I tried my best to be okay, fortunately, I did it.

***

"Are you giving someone a present?"

I was out of my reverie when I heard Valjerome's voice from behind. I slowly turned around and saw him and Erom holding hands while also carrying another toy.

"I just find it beautiful," I tried to speak in a cold tone but the sadness couldn’t escape my voice.

Valjerome stared at me for a while then looked back at the dolls. "Which one do you want?" he inquired gently.

I shook my head as a sign of my lack of interest and then walked towards Erom. I carefully snatched him from Valjerome and carried him up.

"Aren't we done yet?" I asked emotionlessly.

Like before, he stared at me for a moment and then heaved a deep breath. "Let's just eat and go home," he replied.

I just nodded and walked out of the toy store while carrying my child. I could feel Valjerome following us, even his stare from behind.

"Where are we going to eat?" I asked while not looking at him.

"Ask our so—I mean..." I heard him cleared his throat. "Ask Erom," he continued.

Instead of paying any more attention to that, I just chose to face my son who was busy looking around.

"Where do you want to eat, my prince?" I tried to smile at him.

"Jabe!" he answered quickly and clapped twice.

There I smiled genuinely and gently squeezed the bridge of his nose. "No too much ice cream, okay? Your tonsils might swell again," I claimed.

Erom obediently nodded and hugged me from my neck. "I love you, Mommy."

I leaned a little and kissed his head. "I love you too."

Erom distanced a little and looked at the person behind our back.

"I love you, Sir."

I stopped walking and could not move immediately, trying to process what my son has said. I also haven’t heard any response from Valjerome,. I’m sure, even he didn’t expect that.

"I-I..." he stuttered. "I-I...l-love you too," he repeated again.

Slowly, I tried to look back. I saw him rooting from his place. He closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath before opening them up again. This time, his eyes met mine.

"I love you too," he said softly, this time it's much clearer.

I gulped and averted my eyes. I turned around again and continued walking. Erom giggled and gave him a flying kiss. Once again, I stopped from walking when I heard Valjerome chuckled.

"Mom, are you okay?" Erom asked in astonishment as he stared at me.

I faked a smile and walked again. “Mommy’s stomach just hurt,” I said.

Erom pouted and hugged me again with his tiny arms. "I think we should already eat," he claimed.

"Yeah," I sparingly answer.

I am just hungry.

Like what Valjerome planned, we went outside and ready to go back home when we finally finished our meal. From then on I never heard him speak except when Erom was asking him. I also often catch him watching me, as if he wants to know something based on my actions or emotions.

"Wait for me," he told Jaime, who's currently our driver at this moment.

I secretly watched him get out of the car and walk back towards the mall. I was a little bit confused but I just ignored it. We were waiting for him when my phone rang. I immediately dug it from my bag and looked at it.

"Is that Dad, Mommy?" my son asked.

I was slowly shaken when I saw Azy's name on the screen.

"It's your Uncle Azy. Stay here, okay? I'll just talk to him," I said to my son with tiring eyes.

I know he misses Chaos but at least I have no choice but to lie because I also don't know how to talk to him.

"Okay, Mom. Be fast," he said.

I just smiled and then kissed him on the forehead before getting out of the car. I'm sure Azy's question will bombard me and my son shouldn’t be able to hear that, so I just chose to go out of the car.

"Hello," I answered the call.

"Girl! It's good that you're still alive. Your ex-husband is crazy? What does he want in life?" annoyingly he ranted on the line.

I just faked a smile and sighed. “He already knows about Erom,” I claimed.

He dramatically gasped. "Seriously?!"

"No, Azy. I was just kidding, it's a praaaaank!" I said sarcastically.

"You are so killjoy, Jazzie," he muttered.

I rolled my eyes and leaned on the car. We were both silent in a moment in line.

"Did he hurt you? How is Erom?" there was concern in his tone.

Even though he can’t see me, I shook my head. "Actually...he begged for a time with his child."

"You allowed him?"

I bit my lower lip and stared at nowhere. "I just want to escape. That's the only way for him to let us go."

"Was that really the reason? Not because...you feel sorry?"

I was caught off guard by his question. I did not immediately answer and wondered why I agreed.

"That's all," I assured.

Azy sighed deeply. "So if your ex-husband already knows about Erom. You can go now back to modeling. I mean, that's the only reason why you don't want to go back, isn't it? For him to know the truth."

I brushed my hair using my fingers and accidentally looked at the mall entrance. I saw Valjerome walking by, carrying a paper bag. My forehead furrowed when I noticed the brand of the toy store we had entered earlier.

Did they forget to bring anything?

"Hello, Jazzie."

My attention returned to the phone when Azy spoke again.

"I'll think about it, Azy. I can't promise, but don't worry. I am looking forward on it," I assured.

He squealed sharply at the line that made me wince.

"Oh my God! I'll prepare the contract for you to sign."

I just slapped on my forehead and without any goodbyes, I turned off the call. I was about to put my phone back in my bag when a strong arm tried to pull it.

A thief!

"Give me your things!" shouted the man with a cover on his face.

Even though I was shocked by what was happening, I still couldn't let go of my bag.

"I said let it go!"

The next thing happened, stunned me. A force suddenly pulled me while hugging his body.

"Arghh!" Valjerome silently groaned.

The snatcher ran fast while carrying the bag I had dropped. I, on the other hand, remained a straight in my position.

"V-Val," I rattled calling.

"Sshhh. Act normal, our son is watching," he whispered.

"B-But ... you've been stabbed," I said panicky.

Slowly, he pulled himself away. I immediately looked to his side. He was wearing a black suit so his bleeding side was not so noticeable.

"I'm okay. You go to the mansion first, our son can't see me like this," he said as if he got no wound.

"B-But—"

"Here. Bring this. Go home, I'll be right after." He handed me the paper bag he was carrying.

My mouth parted in disbelief when I saw what's inside. That was one of the dolls I was looking at earlier.

"Alright, go home now. Don't think about your bag. My men will chase him." His eyes darkened when he talked about the snatcher.

I didn't do anything when he deliberately opened the car door for me.

"You didn't fight," I lowly uttered when I was about to get in and glanced at him.

He forced a smile.

“I don't want our child to see my world in his young age, Jazzie."