Chapter 55: Chapter 55

"Papa!" Erom happily called Chaos as we entered his office.

He ran into Chaos and gave him a hug. Chaos laughed and hugged Erom back. I just smiled and then slowly walked closer to them.

Damn, it hurts.

That insatiable Mafia Boss!

"Did you miss me?" Chaos asked while putting Erom on his lap.

Erom nodded quickly in response and then gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"How are you, Papa?" my son greeted.

I sat on the visitor's chair and watched them talked. I couldn't help but stare at Chaos when I remembered what Valjerome had said earlier.

He is an illegitimate child?

In the six years Chaos and I have been together, he never mentioned anything about it. Even about his family, he does not always tell me stories related to it. I once met them when there was a party at Chaos’ condo, and when we first met I could feel the objection in their eyes. I understand that because Chaos stands as my son's father, maybe they think I am ruining their son's future.

"You okay?"

Chaos grabbed my attention when he spoke in front of me. I tried to smile and then nodded.

"You look busy," I commented once looking at the stack of papers on the side of his desk.

He sighed. "Yeah, obviously. It's been a bit crowded these past few days," he said.

I hummed and awkwardly tapped my fingers on his desk. "Hmm. Chaos?" I uttered, a little bit nervous.

His eyes quickly focused on me, waiting for me to speak the next words.

I swallowed and then hemmed to clear my throat. "Can we talk?" I asked casually.

He stared at me for a moment and nodded. He turned his gaze to Erom and then gently ruffled his hair.

"You stay here first, okay? Your Mommy and I are just going to talk," he said to my son.

"Okay, Papa. Take your time," Erom replied.

Chaos smiled sparingly and then kissed Erom on the forehead. After that he stood up from his swivel chair and there, my son sat alone.

"Let's go," he said to me. “Let’s talk in the pantry area,” he added.

I just nodded my head and carefully stood up from my seat. I even secretly winced when I felt the slight pain of my genital area.

"Are you okay?" Chaos asked worryingly.

I could feel the heat on my cheek. Even though Chaos didn’t know the reason for my careful movement, I couldn’t help but be embarrassed.

"I am fine, my body is just a little sore. Maybe because of my awkward sleep position in bed," I lied.

"Can you walk?" he inquired.

"Yes. I can walk. Don't worry. Let's go?" I invited and glanced at Erom, I gave him a small smile. "Just stay here, son. Mommy and Papa will not take long," I said.

"All right, Mommy," he said politely.

Chaos walked first which I immediately followed as well. As we made our way to the pantry area, I started to feel nervous. I also felt guilty because I already gave myself to Valjerome before stopping him from flirting with me. Unintentionally, I looked like a cheater and made someone expects for nothing.

"What do you want? Coffee?" Chaos asked when we reached the place.

I slowly shook my head. "Just water for me. I'll have a shoot later," I claimed.

Chaos just nodded and then mixed his coffee. He also took a mineral water before we sat down at a table.

We sat silently and started to drink our beverages. I don’t know how to speak, where to start telling him. I want to be careful. Chaos is my friend and I don’t want to lose our friendship just because of what will I do.

The silence between us was broken by his sudden laugh. I looked up at him. He slowly shook his head in amazement on his face.

"Have I been basted yet?" he asked playfully.

I sat up straight and sweated as I put the water I was holding on the table.

"C-Chaos ..." I stammered, still unable to find the right word.

"Hmmm?" he responded and sipped his coffee.

I gulped and took a deep breath to calm myself. "I am sorry," I said sincerely.

"For?" he asked.

I didn't say anything right away.

"Valjerome and I... we're together again," I whispered softly and bowed in great embarrassment.

"Congratulations," I heard him speak.

I looked up quickly. "A-aren't you angry? I mean...shouldn't you be angry? I...made you expect that we can work it out," I stated, eyes widened slightly.

Chaos slowly lowered the coffee he was holding and then reached for my hand. He smiled at me as he stroked it gently.

"I know I have lost since the beginning. I just tried my luck," he said. "So don't be sorry, Jazzie. I understand you, and know that I am happy for you."

I stared at him softly. "Still, I'm sorry. I know my fault. Whatever else you say, I still did something wrong," I insisted.

He let out a sigh and nodded. "If that makes you feel better, fine, I accept your apology," he said.

I bit my lower lip and stared at the hand he was holding. "We're still friends, right?" I asked, hoping that nothing will change between us.

"Of course. I'm not that bad to keep resentment in you," he said. "Besides, I am still Erom's father," he reminded.

Father...

Somehow, it made me thought why he loved my son so dearly. Maybe because of being an illegitimate child, so he also didn’t let my son lose his father.

"Are you planning to change his last name?" Chaos garabbed my attention.

I shifted on my seat and slowly pulled off my hand. I feel like I am suddenly stuck in a situation.

"I haven't thought of that yet," I replied simply.

He sparingly smiled at me and nodded. "I understand if you change Erom's last name to his real father’s surname."

I felt even guiltier for the kindness he showed. I would be even more reassured if he was angry with me, if he spoke ill of me than caring about me with all of his heart.

“No matter what Erom’s last name is, you will always be his Papa,” I stated.

"I know, Jazzie. So it's okay with me even if you change it because I know nothing will change between Erom and I. So you can start again, also." He held his coffee again and took a sip.

"Why are you like this, Chaos? I asked incredulously. "You should be mad at me. You should be holding a grudge against me and not supporting my decision."

"Because I want you to be happy?" he wasn't sure of the language. "I don't know either, Jazzie," he admitted as he recovered and sighed. "Maybe because from the very beginning I knew that he was still the one you loved. That even though anger and resentment enveloped your chest, he was still in your heart and mind. Maybe I was like this because I have already prepared myself that this moment will come that I have to give up hoping on you. "

It seemed to touch my heart with the lines he released.

"I have nothing to say but thank you, Chaos. Thank you for understanding, thank you for sheltering us during the times we needed help," I whispered.

He smiled at me again. "Can I borrow Erom today? I just want to spend time with him. Maybe I won't be able to do it next time when his real father finally gets him."

I nodded quickly then looked at my wristwatch. "My shoot has been moved earlier. I need to leave, I'll just pick him up this afternoon," I said.

"Thank you," he said.

I shook my head. "I'm the one to thank, Chaos." Slowly, I stood up from my seat. "Let's just meet again later. I might not be able to go back to your office, just let Erom know. I just noticed that I'm late for my sched."

"I'll take care of it. Please say hello to Erom's father for me," he said.

I was stunned by the look and tone of his voice at the last point. It was cold and lifeless. Worried for a moment, I just dismissed it in my brain thinking that he and Valjerome were not doing well because of their family situation. I tried to smile at Chaos then nodded.

"I'll go," I said goodbye and turned my back on him completely.

While in the middle of the trip to my shoot I couldn’t help but feel nervous. I don't know where it's coming from, I don't know for whom. I was in that situation when Jaime's phone suddenly rang. He is with me now because Valjerome sent his car to Erom and me when we left the mansion.

"He is not with us, Señior," he said to the other line, I was sure it was Valjerome.

"Copy, my Lord," he said next after a few seconds and dropped the call.

My forehead furrowed as Jaime started to turn the car around. "Where are we going? What's going on?" I asked in succession.

The nervousness I felt earlier has doubled this time.

"Señior wants to take you back to the mansion," he politely replied in a serious tone.

"Why? I have a shoot," I said.

He didn't answer right away, he seemed confused whether he would spill it out or not.

"Did something happen to Valjerome, Jaime?" I asked sharply.

He shook his head.

"Then why are we going back?!" I couldn’t help but raise his voice out of frustration.

"My lady, it’s… Erom..." he trailed off.

My heart pounded as soon as I heard my son's name.

As if on cue, my phone vibrated. I quickly picked it up and tremblingly let it go once I have the opened a message.

It was Erom...

My son was bound, blindfolded while inside a familiar vehicle.

"Your son was abducted by Mr. Hevion, Ma'am," Jaime stated.