Atticus POV

"Kaninong anak iyon, Xav?" I asked bitterly. Gusto ko sanang komprontahin si Gaige kanina pero pinigilan ko ang sarili.

It fucking hurts seeing them together with the little one. I felt like the world is lying to me and playing games with my feelings.

I don't deserve this. I don't fucking deserve any of this!

"Ano ba ako sa' yo, Xav? Why am I the last person to know about Gaige? Fucking dammit!" Malutong na mura ko at napahilamos ako sa sariling palad ko.

"Finally, you saw them," kalmadong boses niya at seryosong titig sa mga mata ko.

My jaw tightened. "Damn you!" I looked at him and didn't know if I had to punch him.

"Did the boys know?"

He nodded, and I smirked. I swore again in my mind and looked away from him. I walk a distance from him and look up at the sky.

I balled my fist, trying to control the anger I felt inside.

"I did not tell you, Art, because I want to ensure something. Gaige suffers memory loss, but the only memory she erased was yours." Hakbang niya palapit sa akin.

"She might do it on purpose or perhaps at a medical resort? Pero sa nakikita ko sa kanya at sa nababasa ko sa lahat ng mga medical records niya sa Japan ay mukhang okay siya. . . Enzo has all the access, and he forwarded it to me a week ago. If Gaige pretends, then she has something that needs to be protected. Who knows? I'm not the right person for this because Gaige is the only one who could give you answers to all your worries."

As we stared, he looked away.

"Think about what was the root of all of this? Ang Mama mo ba? O may iba pa? Did Kara knows? What about Sabine? And why did Philip came into the scene?" igting ng panga niya habang nakatitig sa akin.

"Is he the father of Arthur? If not, then why would Philip try to steal your position on Gaige's heart?"

Napabuntonghininga siya at natahimik kaming pareho. I could not think of anything except of my own mother. Alam kong may ginawa si Mama noon kay Gaige at pera ito dahil gawain naman talaga ito ni Mama sa lahat ng mga babaeng nalilink sa akin na hindi niya gusto.

I never played with girls. That's not me because it's the other way around.

I would not care less if Gaige used that money or not. That will never change my love for her, and I still love her.

Mas matatangap ko ito kay sa makuha ni Philip ang babaeng mahal ko.

"I don't trust Philip, Xav. This is his payback towards me, and I will not back out just because he got the woman that I love. . . I will get what's mine, and I will not give up nor stop this time." I said and turned my back away from him.

"The child's name is Arthur Creed Dela Riarte."

Nahinto ako nang marinig ang pangalan nito at binalik ko ang tingin kay Xavion. Wala pa akong patunay na anak ko ito. Pero malakas ang kutob ko na akin si Arthur at hindi kay Philip.

"He was born early, a little bit premature. And if you want to know more about his details. Here. Take this." Lahad niya sa papelis na hawak niya.

It was hard to take my step toward him; all I could think was the cute smile of that little one.

Hindi maalis sa isip ko ang mukha ni Gaige habang hawak niya ang bata at ang walanghiyang mukha ni Philip sa tabi niya.

I want to rip them all. I want to crush Philip to hell and get what is mine, to begin with.

"You might need it, bro. And if you are ready for a DNA test, just yell out and I will prepare it all for you." Kindat niya at pilyo ang ginawang pagtitig sa akin. Siya na mismo ang lumapit sa akin at binigay ito.

"You're welcome, bro." Tapik niya sa balikat ko at tumalikod na.

"I'm just around the corner, Art. See yah!" Taas nang kamay niya.

I took a deep breath and walk away like he did. I have too many things to do and I want to sort everything. Mas maganda nga ito dahil mukhang hindi na naman ako makakatulog ng maayos sa gabing ito.

___

I looked at it while sitting down and listening to music from the wireless. The night was peaceful, and it seemed like everyone was having a snooze except me. I could no longer sleep after I read the details and the copy of Arthur's birth certificate.

Philip was written as the father, and Gaige was the mother. Honestly? I want to rip this apart and throw it in the bin. But when I saw Arthur's birth reports and images, my heart bleeds for something. . . The baby's blood type doesn't match at Philip nor at Gaige, dahil sa akin ito.

That's probably why Gaige was having trouble during her pregnancy and ended up having premature labour.

Dammit.

I stood up, looking confident with a clearer vision. DNA is the proof that will claim that Arthur is mine. And by hook or crook, I will do it. No one can stop me with this.

"Hello, Ranger?"

"Atticus baby? Yo? T'sup, bro? May ipapatumba ka na ba?" He asked in the line, and I smirked. Rinig ko agad ang ginawang pag-agaw ni Diezel sa cellphone niya. Halata kasi ang boses niya nang sinagot ni Ranger ang tawag ko.

"Art Atticus baby. I love you, bro! Sino ba? Madali akong kausap. Trip to Barcelona lang ang katapat ko."

"Gorilla! That's my job, not yours!" Sigaw ni Ranger sa kabilang linya at rinig ko na lang ang pagsarado ng pinto.

Huh, nagiging aso at pusa na naman ang dalawa.

"Don't worry, Ranger. I will take you with me to Barcelona. I need to deal with a legal amount with this!" si Diezel sa kanya.

Face down, I shake my head and laughs a little bit. Kahit papaano ay nagawa akong mapangiti ni Diezel ngayon.

Mas maganda yata na siya ang kausapin ko dahil hindi naman kilala ni Philip si Diezel. Wala siyang alam sa iilang baliw na mafia na pinsan ko.

"So what's the story, Art? Ano? Sisimulan ko na agad bukas," excited na boses niya. Baliw nga naman ang gorillang ito.

"I will give you an assignment and take note of it. Ranger is a big asset to this. So, I hope the two of you will work as a team. Ako na muna ang bahala sa kapatid kong si Philip. Basta gawin mo lang ang ipapagawa ko."

"No sweat, Atticus, baby! Woohoo!" He whistled in the line.

"Do it tomorrow. I will give you the details and time." I said and ended the call. I will forward the rest of what I need to Ranger, and they can work from it. I will leave it all up to them.

.

THE MORNING comes. . . I rang Mama and found that today she will be meeting Philip. Not at home, but somewhere a little bit further from the city. It's a hotel resort owned by the Del Santa Maria, Kara's parents.

I have contacted Diezel and Ranger and both of them are way ahead. Mala-agent nga naman ang galaw ng dalawa. Iba ito sa nakasanayang mundo ko. I could have hired an agent, but I almost forgot that these two half-mafias Mondragon are the illegal agent.

I need to pretend today as I want to see all of them. Luckily, Papa wasn't around because he was still out of the country.

.

I feel the heavy gust of winds as it welcomes me when my feet touch the ground. I saw Mama's car and two of her bodyguards. They looked at me, bent like a vow, and I smiled.

I hate coming here because everyone knows what business I have. But I have no choice, and I have to do this.

"Art!" Lawak na ngiti niya, si Kara.

"How are you? I'm glad that you are visiting today?" Mahigpit na hawak niya sa braso ko.

"You don't look happy?" She pouted.

"Kara, I am here for Mama and Philip." Sabay hakbang namin dalawa.

"I know. . . But I will be helpful. You will see," kampanting tugon niya at hinayaan ko na siya.

"Is Philip around?"

"Hmm, I don't think so. Pero nandito na si Tita. Nasa VVIP. She's still talking to Mama as she came here early. I already had a talk to her, and she told me that you are coming so I managed to stay. . . Ang daya mo kasi. Iniiwasan mo ako."

I went quiet and just listen to her. Napatingin na din ako sa buong lobby at mula rito ay nakikita ko si Diezel. Nahinto akong saglit at kunot-noong tinitigan siya. Iba kasi ang pananamit niya.

The hell? What are they planning? Bloody Gorilla.

"Oh, that's Strav, bagong bellboy ng hotel. Ang cool niya ano? Type na type ko ang dating niya. Nakakatawa siya kaya."

Couldn't understand what he was trying to do? Bellboy? What a load of crap!

Itinaas ni Diezel ang kamay niya sa ere at ngiting-ngiti ito na parang baliw. I never give me a smile but Kara did and she even waved back at him.

"Tayo na. Mamaya ko na kakausapin si Strav. Prioridad kita." Hila sa akin ni Kara.

I looked at Diezel, and the dimwit waved at me like a pro. Okay. . . I know this is a damn thing, but this is how it goes.

.

HUMALIK ako kay Mama at pati na rin sa ina ni Kara. The two of them look happy looking at Kara and me. We all know these two mothers wish Kara and I might tie a knot someday. Well. . . that will never happen.

"I can't wait to see Philip. Maybe we will join you later, mare?" ang Mama ni Kara kay Mama.

"Sure, mare. I couldn't wait. I don't know what's this all about. Although, I have a bad feeling about this. But I can get over quick when it comes to Philip. Si Atticus naman kasi ang prioridad ko. Alam mo na, nag-iisang anak ko at nag-iisang tagapagmana sa lahat ng ito," si Mama kay Tita Ingrid. Tumabi na si Mama sa akin at pasimpli ang ginawang pagbitaw ni Kara sa akin. Pumwesto na rin siya sa tabi ng Mama niya.

"I will see you later, Art. Let's have lunch together?" si Kara sa akin.

"Yeah, sure," wala sa sariling tugon ko, at ngumiti na siya.

"Sige, mare. Maiwan ko na kayo," ang Mama ni Kara at sabay silang dalawa na umalis dito.

I felt uneasy, and my heart started to race. Mama was the same, and I could sense it. It's either she will become hysterical later or be calm.

Sa ganitong reaksyon lang nakikita kong mangyayari sa Mama ko. I walked back and forth until the footstep was heard. And both of us look at the elegant door of this room.

Si Philip agad ang unang pumasok na bitbit ang isang bata sa bisig niya at sa likod niya ay si Marie. Hinihintay ko si Gaige na makita pero wala ito at napakunot-noo ako.

What is Philip plotting this time? My mind speaks while staring at him.

"Mama." He formally approached Mama and kissed her on the cheek.

"Oh my goodness? Who's?" tulalang titig ni Mama sa bata at ngumiti ito sa kanya.

I was venting so much anger before that I wanted to punch Philip in the face as soon as he entered the room. But when I saw the infectious smile of little Arthur, it vanished away. . . That beautiful boy.

"Nanna?" His cute little voice and arms open wide, ready to embrace Mama.

"Oh my baby. . ." si Mama sa bata at agad niyang niyakap ito. Kinuha sa bisig ni Philip at hinalikan ang pisngi.

"My apo. . . My God! You look like your Tito. Look at you?" si Mama sa bata. "Ang gwapo-gwapo ng apo ko. Dios ko. . ." Ulit na halik ni Mama at yakap sa kanya.

"My goodness, Philip. Who's the mother? Sino ang ina?" Galit na titig ni Mama kay Philip. Pero nawala ang konsentrasyon ni Mama dahil panay ang titig ni Arthur sa kanya at hinaplos na ang mukha niya.

"Oh, look at that? Ang cute-cute. I love you, baby. What's your name?" si Mama sa bata. Nalimutan na yata ni Mama ang galit niya.

Philip didn't say a word and just smiled, looking at them, and I did the same. But my hand fists when Mama asks about the toddler's name.

I feel the pang against my chest and my heart screams to touch him. . . Hanggang sa hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili at humakbang na ako palapit sa bata.

"Hi, bud. How are you?" I smiled and stared at him. Touching his little tiny hands.

"My God, he looks like you, Atticus when you were a baby." Bahagyang tawa ni Mama at mas ngumiti ako.

It feels so good touching his tiny little fingers, and how he looks at me with his infectious smile warms my heart melted my soul.

"Can I have a hug? Can Tito Art hug our little Arthur?" I smile, and my arms are ready to embrace him. He never said a word, but he nodded, and that's more than enough happiness for me.

"Arthur?" si Mama sa akin. Karga ko na si Arthur at hindi maalis ang titig niya sa mukha ko.

It feels foreign, the of feeling that you're holding the most precious one on hand. Kakaibang lukso ng dugo na parang ayaw ko na siyang pakawalan pa sa bisig ko.

"Is his name Arthur?" si Mama kay Philip.

I didn't look at Philip nor to my mother. I don't care about the two. Hindi ko na sila pinansin at bahagya ang ginawa kong pagtalikod at nakangiting karga si Arthur sa bisig ko. 

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C.M. LOUDEN

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