Chapter 3

 

"Finally, you got a good school here, honey."

 

I was helping Adam put on his shoes. He's a sweet kid and he adapts very quickly. The proof, his demeanour at Father's house, seemed very calm. I feel I have succeeded in educating him.

 

"Will all my friends want to be friends with me?"

 

"Of course, honey. Why do you ask like that? No one wants to be your friend. Everyone wants to be your friend because you would be an amazing friend to them."

 

"But grandma said no one accepted me because I didn't have a father. Grandma also said that I was an illegitimate child. Was that an illegitimate child?"

 

Good grief! My hands clenched. With full awareness, I walked out of the room. A maid who passed by me immediately looked down. Maybe my face showed anger or turned into a monster.

 

"Where is she?!" I asked in a high voice to a maid who kept her head down. I've never behaved like this before. My powers returned when I returned to Father's house.

 

"S-sorry. Who do you mean, Mrs., uh, Miss?"

 

The waiter corrected her words. Damn it. Mrs? She thinks I'm married?

 

"The snake. The witch. Mellisa. Where is she?"

 

"Your mother is going to the backyard." The maid said nervously. Her hands were squeezing her skirt continuously.

 

"She's not my mother. That bitch!"

 

I stepped quickly. The woman was still transformed into a witch. When will she stop being such a bitch? It looks like I have to add it to my list again. I have to get rid of her from Father's palace.

 

"Bitch! What did you say to my son, huh?"

 

"Khloe... calm down. I'm having a spring tea party with my friends. Want to join?"

 

Mellisa's voice was very gentle and she seemed very careful. Hoping I want to melt and be kind to her? Tch! Don't expect her to be able to forgive me.

 

Mellisa's friends, who were just as fake with thick makeup and hair that I recognized as expensive wigs, looked at Mellisa and me with question marks. Mellisa turned around briefly and introduced me to them politely. "She's my stepdaughter, her name is Khloe. She's lived abroad for a long time."

 

"You think this way I'll be more lenient?" I asked sarcastically.

 

"What do you mean, Khloe? If you're not satisfied with my motherhood-"

 

"Stop pretending! You just gave my son the illegitimate child title and acted like a fairy godmother in front of your friends. Don't think I'm stupid. I won't stay silent if you dare to bully my child. I was silent when you took my daddy from mommy. Now I won't let you steal what's mine for the second time. Better watch your words, bitch! Or you won't be able to plough through my daddy's treasure any more."

 

Mellisa's face was pale. I opened all the cards in front of all my friends, who must have admired her with her fake attitude so far.

 

"Oops, sorry. I didn't mean to. Just like you said to my son."

 

I gave her a death smile before leaving her. I don't know what the witch will tell her friends. One thing is that the tea party in the back garden to celebrate spring was a mess.

 

***

 

"Are you going to be all right, honey? It's not a competition for your age."

 

I was astonished. It's his first day at school and Adam has asked me to register him for a piano contest.

 

"Mommy ... I'm sure I will win."

 

Ah, this kid is stubborn. He inherited my traits.

 

"Darling... there are still lots of competitions suitable for you. How about a drawing?" I tried to persuade Adam. He must know his capacity. Even though Adam plays the piano and he knows all the numbers on the keys, this is not a random contest. Many professional piano players play and Adam is clearly to be underestimated. Moreover, he is only five years old. I just don't want my son to be a joke.

 

"Come on, Mommy!" Adam kept insisting. I'm speechless.

 

Finally, we quietly all the way home. Adam wouldn't even ask me to open the car door. He often had trouble doing this.

 

 

Dinner went lively because Jack joined. Samantha kept holding her fiancé's hand as if Jack would slip out of her grasp if she let go.

 

Father was the first to notice the change in Adam's demeanour. The child did not finish his food.

 

"What is it?"

 

"Mommy forbade me from participating in piano contests. Mommy said I was too young." Adam complained about everything to Father. As I guessed, Father would have told me to enter Adam into the contest.

 

"But it's a big contest, Dad!"

 

"So what?" asked Father casually. His right-hand cuts the very juicy beef. The smell of fresh meat wafted.

 

"That child has extraordinary abilities. I know because he is my grandson. He inherited what I once had." Father looks proud, especially when he knows that Adam is very good at playing the piano.

 

"You can't limit his skills, Khloe. Sign him up, or Daddy will sign him up."

 

I give up. Adam enters a national piano contest. Is it five years old? What can he do?

 

****

 

Father and I sat beside each other to watch Adam's performance tonight. My son wears a black suit with a bow tie. He looked like a prince that night.

 

Everyone clap. Adam waved his hand. As adorable as he looks, he's still my darling baby.

 

Adam sat down and played the piano. He plays Elvis Presley's songs. The song tells about the romance of love.

 

For I can't help falling in love with you ...

 

Adam looks charming. The instruments he performed were perfect. Adam plays with a tempo that is neither too slow nor too fast. He drugged all the spectators. Father and I clapped loudly. Oh god, the little boy shining on the stage is my son. Until now, I can't believe I gave birth to an extraordinary little angel.

 

Father laughed. This time I saw him laugh loosely, the first time he was like this.

 

"My grandson! You see, Khloe. He's my grandson!"

 

Father is very enthusiastic. Oh, Father, he is indeed your grandson and I gave birth to him.

 

 

****

 

There are many ratings. One by one, the contestants began to fall. Adam still survives. I dare not hope for him to win. He is still five years old.

 

"Wish me a win, Mommy. I'll give this win to you." Adam kissed me on the final night.

 

"Always care."

 

That's right. I have to support him to the end. Who else can a child trust besides his mother?

 

And... Adam won! My baby won!

 

Chalice in hand, Adam gave a broken thank you. Father cried, watching his extraordinary grandson.

 

"Thanks to Mommy for supporting me and to Daddy, who I never knew."

 

The applause stopped. Father's crying next to me also stopped.

 

"I entered a contest to find my Dad. I feared asking Mommy because I didn't want to make her sad."

 

Adam said innocently. Oh, my son. You don't know that now I'm not the only one sad. But everyone who hears.

 

"Does anyone know where my Daddy is?"