Atticus POV

"Is Marie the mother?" si Mama kay Philip.

They're far from where I stand, and Marie is behind me. I'm holding Arthur, and he feels comfortable in my arms. My jaw tightened while looking at the bastard's face when I heard my mother.

If I hear Gaige's name coming out of his mouth, God forgives me, but I would love to punch his face, and I will not back out.

"Ma. . . I can't tell you yet."

"Really? Not yet? Huh! What the hell is happening to you? Dalawang taon ka nawala at nanirahan sa New York. And now you are coming back, carrying that baby without a mother? What sort of a mother who leaves her child?"

My ears heated, and my blood rose when I heard my mother's harsh words.

Damn it. My mind speaks, and I walk away.

I looked at the two of them and gave a hand sign to Philip, saying that I would take Arthur outside while the two of them talked.

Ayaw kong marinig ang pag-uusapa nila, dahil hindi ko alam kung ano pa ang masasabi ko.

I have the same question once proven that this boy is mine to Gaige. And I believe I have all the right to claim what's mine if Arthur is my son.

Wala akong pakialam kung karga ni Philip ang apelyedo ni Arthur. I could change it and I will make every possible things to get what's mine.

But as of the moment, I have to wait.

Sabay kaming lumabas ni Marie sa kwarto at sa balkonahe nagtungo. Tahimik lang si Arthur at nakayakap sa leeg ko.

Bahagya ang pagtitig ko kay Marie at hiya ang pabalik na titig na ginawa niya sa akin.

I smiled at her and sat comfortably on one of the soft couches.

"Anything you want, Marie?" I asked, and she looked at the menu in front of her.

"Pineapple juice, Sir. Salamat."

Lumapit ang waitress na nakatayo sa gilid at ngumiti sa akin.

"What do you want to eat, bud?" I smile, asking the little one.

"Ice cream."

"Ice cream? Okay. . . Two chocolate vanilla ice cream and pineapple juice for Marie. Oh, make it three vanilla ice cream," tugon ko sa waitress at tumango ito at umalis.

"Let's all eat ice cream," I smiled at Marie, and she nodded.

Arthur's busy playing Rubik's cube, and he seems happy by the look of it. He's a silent type of toddler but can easily talk and understand.

Halatang matalino ang batang ito.

"Hindi ka ba nahirapan na alagan si Arthur, Marie?" kalmadong boses ko.

I have known Marie because she came from the Province where my mother came from. Naalala ko lang ang huling sandali na bumisita ako roon na kasama si Gaige. I love the people there. They're friendly, loving and very accommodating.

Life is hard for them there, but you cannot see that on their faces because their smile and laughter make it all easier each day.

I even saw Marie's mother there, and I noticed they have the most comfortable living there amongst all their neighbours.

"Hindi naman, Sir, madali lang po at saka mahimbing po matulog si Arthur. Hindi po kailanman ako nahirapan sa pag-aalaga ko sa kanya. Parang anak ko na po ang batang iyan."

I can see Marie's genuine love for Arthur, and I'm happy about that.

"Dalawang taon ka na kay Philip 'di ba?" seryosong tanong ko. Nakatitig ang mga mata ko kay Arthur at nakangiti ako.

I don't want to scare Marie the way how I asked. I want to get some information from her.

"Magdadalawang taon na po, Sir. At mabait po si Sir Philip."

I nodded. "That's good. Did he pay you good? I can offer more if you choose to work with me," pagbibiro ko at ngiti sa kanya.

"Sir naman. . ." Bahagyang tawa niya. "Hindi ko pwedeng pabayaan si Arthur. E, ako na po ang kinikilalang ina ng bata," ngiting titig niya kay Arthur na nasa kandungan ko.

"Anak mo yata si Arthur ano?"

I joke again. I want her to be more comfortable with me. He laughs more.

"If Arthur is yours and Philip, then I'm happy to have you as my sister-in-law, Marie. Mas gugustuhin pa yata ni Mama na ikaw nga ang ina ng batang ito. Iyan ay kung anak ni Philip ito?" senyas ng mga mata ko.

I purposely talk in the Filipino language to the thought that Arthur might understand me when I speak in English.

But when I think about it, he is only two years old. And a two-year-old child will more likely forget his childhood memory.

Hindi rin siguro maalala ni Arthur ang kaibahan ng lahat. Dahil wala siyang maalala sa paglaki niya sa nangyayari ngayon sa kanya.

At kung mapatunayan na anak ko siya ay gagawin ko ang lahat makuha ko lang ang custody ng bata.

"Hindi ko po anak si Arthur, Sir. Kung pwede nga lang na ako na ang ina para wala ng problema ay mas mayasa. Pero hindi po talaga ako ang ina ng bata, Sir," sinsiridad na sagot niya.

"Kilala mo ba ang ina?" igting ng panga ko habang seryosong tinitigan siya.

"Uhm, si Sir Philip na lang po ang kausapin ninyo, Sir. Hindi po ako manghihimasok sa problemang pamilya ninyo. Basta ako, Sir. Ginagawa ko lang po ang trabaho ko, at mahal na mahal ko po ang bata," titig niya kay Arthur.

I nodded and rubbed Arthur's back. He looks happy with me while playing. And when his ice cream arrived, he couldn't wait to taste it.

"Yummy?" I look at him happily while he's busy licking his ice cream.

"Yes. Thank you," he politely said and smiled.

We went quiet while eating our ice cream, and I looked at him as contented. But before we could end this meeting, I asked Marie where Philip was currently residing.

Napag-alaman ko na sa lumang penthouse niya siya nakatira, at ito ang penthouse na binigay sa kanya ni Papa noon sa kanya. Malapit lang ito Sa Monde Corp Casino at mismo sa isang penthouse ko.

I'm wondering if Gaige lives with them, but I didn't ask Marie. I might extend Diezel's services as I need him more this time.

My phone vibrated, and I looked at it. It was Diezel. He's sending me a text message.

Diezel to Me:

Atticus baby, done and dusted, bro. Ranger has sent the sample to the clinic, and the results may take a week.

Anything you need? I will be here for you. I love you!

I smirked and shook my head after reading it, and little Arthur looked at me with a streak of ice cream all over his mouth. And instead of using a tissue to wipe it off from his mouth, I used my hand and licked it.

"Yummy? Does it taste good?"

"Yes!" excited, he responded.

"I have more here." He pouted, pointing his finger on the side of his mouth. Itinuro ang gilid ng labi niya at ngiting-ngiti ito.

"Okay. Let's clean them all up, buddy." I said and licked the side of his mouth. It was like I'm kissing him on the side of his lips. . . my beautiful boy, my handsome bud.

Pumalakpak na siya at natawa si Marie. Siya na mismo ang kumuha ng tissue at pinahiran nang maayos ang labi ni Arthur.

She's that close to us, feeling comfortable and doesn't mind me at all.

"Ayan, malinis na ang baby namin. Uuwi na tayo pagkatapos nito. Naghihintay na si mommy mo," tugon ni Marie kay Arthur.

Mabilis ang ginawang pagtango ni Arthur at tumayo na siya na hawak ko.

"Is Arthur's mother living with you, Marie? I-I mean, in the same residence?"

"Yes, Sir. Dapat sana nandito siya ngayon. Pero sumama raw ang pakiramdam niya. Kaya kami na lang ng bata."

"I see. . . How's Philip towards her? I-I mean, their relationship?"

"Hmm, okay naman po, Sir. Pero nakakapanibago lang. Halata naman kasi na mukhang hindi gusto ni Ma'am si Sir Philip. Dahil kung talagang mahal niya ito ay sumama na sana siya noon sa amin sa Amerika. Pero hindi ko rin siya masisisi, Sir. . . Mahirap kasi ang pinagdaan niya. Mabuti na lang at mabait si Sir Philip sa kanya."

My heart squeezed when I heard it. A part of me is somehow okay with how Gaige dealt with everything, but at the same time, I feel guilty.

I have this feeling, thinking that I am the reason behind all of these.

Hindi ko man alam ang dahilan pero masakit na isipin ang buong sakripisyo na ginawa niya.

There's one person that is innocent and most affected by of these, and that is this baby I'm holding. . . si Arthur ito.

"What's her name again?" I looked at Marie, and her eyes twinkled.

"Uhm, G-Gaige po, Sir," she responded.

"Gaige. . . I see. . ." My jaw tightened, and my heart bled for more. I am now staring at little Arthur, and the doubt of him being my son is confirmed. There's no way that this little one is a product of Philip. No fucking way.

Umatras bahagya si Gaige nang marinig ang pag-uusap nina Mama at Philip at papalapit na sila sa kung nasaan kami.

Tumayo na rin ako at nasa bisig ko pa si Arthur. I looked at my mother and Philip. And Mama doesn't seem happy at all. But she smiled when her eyes met at our little Arthur straight away.

"Come to, Mamita." Mabilis niyang kinuha si Arthur sa akin at kinarga ito. Humalik pa ito sa pisngi ng bata.

I looked at Philip, and I couldn't bring myself to smile at him. Everything went up again like I wanted to fucking punch him.

He doesn't want to meet my gaze at him because he's trying not to meet his stare at me.

"Stay tonight at our place, Marie!" si Mama kay Marie at napaigting ang panga ko.

Hindi ko yata mapapayagan na maiwan si Gaige na kasama ang walang hiyang si Philip ngayon gabi.

"P-Po?" tulalang tugon ni Marie kay Mama.

"From now on, I will take Arthur with me," galit na titig ni Mama kay Philip.

"You are staying with my son, Marie? For what reason? Ikaw pa ang nag-aalalaga sa batang hindi naman sa' yo dahil galing ito sa babaeng pabaya! Come on, Marie. I know you like my son, Philip and I'm okay with that. Just stop living with him for the time being and stay with me in the mansion with Arthur."

Dammit! I swore in silence, and my hand fisted. I need to do something to get the hell Gaige out at Philip's penthouse.

"And you! Fix yourself first. Don't brag at me because you have this little one. Go tell your so-called stupid partner that I challenge her to meet me!" tigas na boses ni Mama kay, Philip.

"Mama. . ." si Philip kay Mama.

"It's okay. You have my word. I will keep my apo, okay?" ngiti ni Mama kay Philip at tumabi na siya sa akin.

I looked at Arthur, and he seemed so happy with everything.

"Go with Philip, Marie. Ipapasundo kita mamaya sa driver. Kunin mo ang lahat ng gamit ng bata," si Mama kay Marie.

"O-opo, Madam," si Marie kay Mama.

Napayuko na ako at nag-iisip kung ano ang mas mabilis na pwede kung gawin.

I will never let Gaige with Philip tonight. I will never let it happen.

"Okay. I will see the two of you tomorrow?" si Mama sa akin. At humakbang na siya. Wala na yata siyang plano na pakawalana ng apo niya.

"And if you want to see your son, Philip, stay in the house. You are welcome there, anak," si Mama sa kanya at umalis na siya.

Mama left with Arthur, and I followed her. I don't have any business tonight with Philip because I have something in mind.

I kissed little Arthur before Mama took him with her. Two convoys and a few bodyguards escorted them.

Mabilis din akong pumasok sa kotse. I grabbed my phone and dialled Diezel's number. I guess I have no choice but to trust this mafia lunatic cousin of mine.

"Atticus, baby! I love you, bro!" he chuckled in the line. "May ipapagawa ka pa ba?"

"Abduct Rapunzel and take her to my yacht, down the north. I'll send you where she is. Do it now!"

"Yo? Seriously?"

"Fucking serious, Dez. Name your price. The sky is the limit."

"Beauty! Let's get your Rapunzel, baby!"

Pinatay ko agad ang tawag at pinaadar na ang sasakyan. I will get a few stuff, and I'm off. I will see if I can get my mother on my side for the little one because I don't trust Philip.

My heart is racing with what's happening, and I have no idea if I am doing the right thing. I will do what I think is best for me, for us, my little Arthur baby. 

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C.M. LOUDEN