Chapter 49: Chapter 49

"Mommy, Daddy? Why are you lying on the floor? It's dirty."

My mouth parted when I heard my son. I quickly stood up from Valjerome’s chest and fixed myself. I could even feel my cheeks burning due to the embarrassment. Unlike before when the mall was exclusive to us, now went to the mall in normal days with other people around. I could feel the stare of others who saw us in that position, there were those who were thinking as if it was a romantic scene, and there were also those who were judgmental.

"Oh my! I'm sorry, Miss. My child was so excited to push the cart, you almost crashed," said a lady while caressing a child's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Ma’am" he apologized and firmly grasped the large cart, perhaps in fear.

It was only then that I realized what had happened. I immediately smiled to reassure them.

"It's fine, I'm not hurt, I guess. Let's just be careful next time," I calmly said.

"Thank you, Miss. I'm sorry again," the woman said.

I just nodded and faced Erom as they walked away. "Have you found the toy you want, son?" I change the subject, simply observing Valjerome who is now by my side again.

Erom shook his head in response. A trace of sadness can be seen on his face because of the toy he cannot find. Valjerome must have noticed that too so he knelt down to face my son.

"Can you tell Daddy what toy you're looking for?" he affectionately spoke to the child.

My son slowly lifted his eyes to his father. His lips twitched slightly, wondering if he should answer Valjerome. In the end, he still chose to tell it.

"I want a car, Daddy," he stated.

"Then pick it. Which one is it?" said Valjerome as he looked at the row of toys.

"I want a toy car like the one you gave me before," he pointed out.

"Oh? A limo?" Valjerome mumbled.

Erom nodded and looked around, hoping he could see one.

"Son," I said calmly.

Like Valjerome I also knelt down to level his face. I gently stroked his face and smiled.

"Don't you like others? Look, here." I pointed the toy cars around us. "There’s a lot of beautiful ones. They're even better than what you're looking for, why don't you pick them instead?" I insisted.

He slowly shook his head and lowered his gaze. "I want to collect...Daddy's things," he whispered and looked at me. "So even if we leave Daddy's house, I still have his memories with me."

My heart was pinched as I saw the tears forming at the corners of Erom's eyes. I could feel the pain, regret, and frustration in his eyes. I couldn't speak anymore. I feel that no matter what I say, it will not take away the pain my child is feeling.

"Hey, baby," Valjerome called tenderly and then carry him. "Don't worry. Daddy will find of find the toy car you want. Don't be sad, okay?" he assured.

"Really?" Erom said softly and hopefully.

Valjerome smiled at him then nodded his head. "Don't even think about it. Before this day ends, you'll get your limo," he promised.

Gradually the energy returned to Erom's face and then he hugged Valjerome around his neck. "I love you, Daddy," he said. "I wish...we can always stay together," Erom added in a whisper.

Valjerome and I looked at each other. Like my son’s eyes, I can also see the sadness as his gaze met mine.

"I love you too, son, you and your Mommy. How I hope too, baby," he said softly, still staring at me.

I looked away and secretly pinched my fingers. I slowly stood up and hemmed to clear the air in my throat. Suddenly, I felt sad too. My chest became heavy, it’s like I would cry at any moment.

Why am I like this?

Why is he able to affect me like this?

Do I..still love him?

I stiffened thinking about that. Slowly, I tried to glance at him. I bit my lower lip when our eyes met again.

Gone with the cold and ruthless mafia boss I'd known, Valjerome was now showing emotions and care.

Like the old him whom I used to love before.

"L-Let's go home," I just said out of nowhere.

He stared at me for a while then licked his lower lip. "Yeah, let's go ... home," he said hoarsely.

WE silently got into the car when went out of the building. As what I have been doing since earlier, I have tried to avoid looking at or talking to Valjerome.

"Daddy? Why did you buy a doll?" Erom's curiously asked.

In my peripheral vision, I saw Valjerome gave out a soft smile. "This is for your—"

"Is Manang at home?" I cut him off.

He looked at me, confused. "Is she going somewhere?" he asked again.

I bit my lower lip and stared at him.

I tried to say 'Don't tell him' by just looking at him. He quickly understood it even though there was puzzlement on his face.

He cleared his throat and put the paperbag on his opposite side. "It's for your Mom," he said.

My mouth parted. I blinked a few times then looked at him badly. He just shrugged, as if he's telling me that it's my fault for not telling him beforehand.

I just stared and leaned back in the chair. The car started moving. Erom chattered with us from time to time until I noticed the heaviness of Valjerome's expression.

"Jaime, pass me the headphones," he ordered the driver.

It quickly followed him. From the car compartment he pulled out a headphone and handed it to Valjerome. I just watched them in confusion.

"Erom," he called my son's attention.

"Yes, Daddy?" Erom replied.

Valjerome smiled sparingly and then gently put the headphones on my son's head. "Can you wear this and shut your eyes until I remove it later?"

Full of questions, yet Erom nodded obediently. He wore the headphone and shut his eyes. Valjerome started pressing his phone, maybe he was choosing a song to play, after that he looked at me seriously.

"What's going on?" I asked, a little bit nervous this time.

"Someone followed us," he replied then peeked in the rear view mirror.

I followed that with a look, as what he said, I noticed a black car tailing us.

I was immediately frightened, not for me but for my son.

"V-Val," I rasped.

From a small distance, he touched my cold hand causing me to stare at him.

"Calm down. I won't let them hurt you, especially our child," he said softly while staring at me. "Trust me."

Trust me.

Those two words echoed repeatedly in my ears. While staring at him, I nodded softly.

"I trust you."