Chapter 0009

(Allison's POV)

"Is he your ex, the one you told me about?" Stefan asked as he drove me to Aunt Hilda's house. Aunt Hilda was the one who picked up Liam from school, so he was at her place.

"Allison?" He called my name when I didn't respond. I slowly looked at him and nodded. Though I had once told Stefan about Scott and how he had shattered me, this was the first time they've met.

I met Stefan when I was still in New York, and he has been a wonderful friend to me. He is an author of children's books and loves children a lot. We became friends after Liam, who was two years old at the time, became captivated by his book. Liam didn't know how to read, but as long as there were lots of pictures, he'd love it. I still remember how Liam cried, saying he wanted to take one of Stefan's storybooks home, and Stefan offered it to him. He has always been kind and loves Liam like his own son.

"Is he giving you a hard time?" Stefan asked, his eyes fixed on me.

I shook my head again, resting my head properly on the headrest of his car. "I guess he’s always the reason for that sad look on your face," Stefan said. "You had that same expression when you told me about him."

"Stefan, can we please stop talking about Scott?" I pleaded, my eyes begging. I didn’t want to hear his name. Stefan was right—Scott always brought sadness to my face. He used to be my source of joy, but now, he only reminded me of pain.

"I'm sorry, Allison," Stefan apologized.

"You don't have to apologize, Stefan."

Stefan smiled and continued driving. We got to Aunt Hilda's house, and Liam jumped on me immediately.

"Mummy!" he said, hugging me tightly.

"I'm sorry, Mummy couldn't pick you up from school. Work was hectic," I said, making a cute face, and he laughed.

"It's fine, Mummy. I had fun with Aunt Hilda. She prepared my favorite food, and we watched SpongeBob together," Liam said excitedly.

SpongeBob has always been his favorite TV series; he can watch it for days. "Thanks, Aunt, for taking care of my son."

"Don't thank me, Allison. Liam is my grandson; it's my responsibility to look after him while you're at work," Aunt Hilda said, and I smiled. When I suggested having a nanny for Liam, she was against it, saying she could take care of him while I was busy at work.

Stefan stepped inside after parking his car. "Uncle Stefan!" Liam said, rushing to him. Stefan, on the other hand, welcomed him into his arms with a smile before scooping him up.

"How are you, Liam?" he asked.

"I'm fine. This isn't New York," Liam said, and Stefan ruffled his head with a smile. He was always fond of doing that.

"I have something to do in California, that's why I'm here."

"Does that mean you brought lots of storybooks for me?" Liam asked, and Stefan chuckled while I stood watching them. Since Liam didn't have a father—or should I say, since I deprived him of having a father—he was always so excited to meet Stefan. Though I knew deep down, he wanted his own biological father, sadly, I couldn't give him that.

"Yes, Liam. It'd be a crime on my part to come to California without bringing lots of storybooks for you. I wrote a new storybook recently, and you'd be the first to see it."

"Yay! When am I going to have it?" Liam asked excitedly, as if he were a pro at reading. But I don't blame him. He inherited his love for chocolates and storybooks from Scott.

Scott is a chocolate lover, and he would spend all day reading a book. Sometimes I would get mad at him when he dedicated his entire attention to a book, and he would always beg me, saying he had just one chapter left.

"Allison, heat up the food, so we can all eat before you leave," Aunt Hilda's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. It's crazy how everything reminds me of Scott. It wasn't like this for four years, but maybe it's because I met him again, and we share some good memories together.

"Okay, Aunt," I answered, heading for the kitchen. I could hear Aunt Hilda asking about Stefan's well-being. It was so obvious she loved Stefan and wanted something more than just friendship to happen between us.

Dinner was set, and we all sat at the dining table to eat. Stefan, who is always fond of complimenting others, didn't hesitate to compliment Aunt Hilda's cooking.

After dinner, Stefan drove us home because my car was still where I left it earlier. Liam was already asleep before we got home, so with Stefan's help, we laid him on the bed.

"Thanks, Stefan."

"It's nothing, Allison. Nice apartment you got here," he said with a smile. I returned the smile, and we both sat on the sofa in the living room.

"How many days will you be here?" I asked.

"Why? You want me to leave quickly?" Stefan teased. I frowned, and it made him laugh.

"I don't know yet. It depends on how long the conference meeting lasts... maybe a week or more. I don't know yet," he explained, and I nodded.

My mind shifted to how I had introduced him as my fiancé in front of Scott, and I sighed. "Stefan, about..."

"You introducing me as your fiancé in front of your ex," Stefan interrupted me, and I nodded, guilt on my face.

"I'm sorry, Stefan. I shouldn't have done that. It's just that -- I lied to him, saying I was engaged, and you were the only one available to make him believe that I am really engaged."

Stefan smiled and brushed my nose playfully. "It's fine, Allison. I clearly understand why you did that, and that's why I decided to play along."

"I'm sorry," I apologized again, and he chuckled.

"I already said it's fine,"

I exhaled deeply, grateful that he understood me. Stefan has always been like that, doing his best to understand me. "So now that you're in California, are you staying in a hotel?" I asked, trying to shift the conversation to another topic.

"Yes, unless you want me to stay here," he teased.

"Stefan!" I called his name, laughing. He always likes teasing me, and I would be a liar if I said I don't enjoy it. I could see him smiling too.

"How about your car?"

"I'll have it fixed tomorrow. Thanks for driving me home. You showed up at the right time," I said, and Stefan only smiled.

"Now I'm curious—how did you know I was stranded there? Did you, by chance, insert a tracker on me?" I asked, teasing him back, and he laughed briefly. It was always so nice and entertaining talking to Stefan.

"No, I didn't," he replied, and I furrowed my eyebrows, waiting for an answer. "I called Bonnie, and she was the one who told me where to find you. It was hard locating you, but I did my best."

"You should've called me instead. It must've been tiring."

"I wanted to surprise you. Besides, when it comes to you, nothing feels like too much effort. You know I love you, right?" Stefan asked, his eyes sincere.

"Would you like to watch a movie?" I asked, avoiding his question, as I normally do. Stefan, as usual, nodded with a smile, not pushing further.

I felt bad about it, but I just wasn’t ready to love again. The last time I opened my heart, it was shattered into pieces.

"Just know I’m willing to wait for you, no matter how long it takes," he said softly, smiling at me.