1- "The second son."

"IRRYN, isn't this your last week of school and vacation nearly approaching?"

I nodded at my mother's question as I entered our yard and met her on our small terrace.

"Yes, mom," I politely answered after sitting in the chair with my backpack removed.

I just came home from school as classes had been done.

What mom said was true. It is now Wednesday in the last week of March and we have two days left to go to school before summer vacation.

"My dear, we're going to General Santos City next week for a vacation."

"Really, mom?" I exclaimed, full of enthusiasm and excitement, "Are we going to Gensan for a vacation?"

Mom smiled. "Yes, dear but..."

Her next words sounded hesitant. She appeared to have something to say or confess to me, but she was doubtful.

"But what, mom?"

"We will be staying there for good and not be returning in this house anymore."

I was taken aback. "Huh? Why, mother?"

"I have something to tell you..."

I was nervous... but I was ready to listen.

"I am listejning, mom."

"It's been three years since your father passed away, Ryn..." She was treading cautiously and gently as she introduced a sensitive topic.

I nodded slowly. "Yes, mom."

"And you knew how much I missed him when he left, didn't you? Because I love your father, Irryn..." Her voice almost broke into tears.

I was still intrigued. When we talked about dad, I couldn't help but feel sad for her because she was so emotional over him.

"I know that."

"Dear, after three years of suffering and mourning, isn't it time for us to make a change in our lives? I'm not saying we'll ever forget your father. But I believe we have to go on and move forward with our lives..."

"Mom, I've accepted it for quite some time. What I'm concerned about is you and how you feel for the past years since he left us."

"I accepted it too, my dear. Now that I know you have accepted, you probably won't be upset when I tell you that..."

"That what, mom?"

She couldn't seem the right words to say.

"Mom, please tell me directly what you want to say. Get straight to the point and please don't torture me!"

"Ah, sweetheart, the truth is that I intend to remarry..."

I was caught off guard and did not immediately respond. I knew my mother had something to say because of her actions, but I had no idea it was about her getting married again.

She quickly smoothed herself out and said, "Ah, that is if it's alright with you, Ryn, and if you approve it, but if you don't want me to get married again, then I'll accept your decision, my lovely daughter."

I quickly shook my head and held her hand tenderly. "I'm just shocked, mom, but I didn't say that I won't let you."

She stared at me for a long moment. "You mean—"

I cheerfully smiled and nodded. "If that's what makes you happy, why would I even stop you? After all, you've been the best mother to me ever even after dad was gone."

That is true. My mother never abandoned me, even after my father died. Despite her grief and the agony of losing a loved one, mom made me feel that even if she didn't have my father, she would still love and support me. Despite her loneliness, she never made me feel alone.

"Irryn my dear..." She was in tears of joy.

I nodded as I smiled, giving her my wholehearted approval. "It's time for you to be happy again, mom, and I will never deprive you of the happiness of being in love for the second time around."

If remarrying makes her happy, I will never argue against it. After all, mom deserves to be happy again after the sadness of losing my father while still being a wonderful mother to me and doing all of her responsibilities to ensure we are both well.

"My only condition is, tell me now who you intend to marry, mom. Where did you meet him, where did you first meet him, where is he working, and what kind of person he is? I want to make sure that this lucky man is a good person and he's worthy of your love."

Mom affirmed with a smile and a nod. "Don't worry, dear. I'm sure Alanson is a good person..."

"Alanson's his name?"

"Yes, Irryn. Alanson Ciar Lamont. He is also a widower with children from his deceased wife."

As the name sounds, I could conclude that the man may have a high social status.

"Last year, I met him for the first time in the textile factory in Ryn. It was the first time I had ever seen him, and the first time Alanson and I had met..."

I nodded to mom, listening well to her story and wanting her to continue.

She's a tailor. One of the best seamstresses here at a branch of a garment factory in our barrio—Sta. Cruz.

"From that day on, we got to get along with each other so well that we both realized we fell in love. I could always see him and he would always want to make any move to talk to me and be with me."

I chuckled. "So, your workplace was your meeting and at the same time your dating place, huh?"

She grinned, blooming and overwhelmed by the love she was getting from her boyfriend and by the acceptance of her daughter to her newfound relationship. "Exactly. When I visited the factory branch in the city, he was always there to receive export orders for his own clothing business."

Thus, my prediction was right. That the man she has her eye on right now has a good social standing. I have never had any issue with a wealthy person and I'm not even interested in their wealth. What makes me worry is the thought that we have a different life status from them. We only make a living from mom's small income in sewing and that's just enough to finance my public secondary school education and our daily living expenses.

I don't want to pass judgment because I haven't met this family yet, but I can't help but worry that our social and economic differences will be a huge obstacle in the relationship between Mom and Alanson.

"Forgive me, Irryn, if I did not tell you right away."

"I understand, mom," I answered immediately. I'm not mad or anything.

I understood that she was just afraid that I might get mad so she couldn't tell me about it right away. She thought I couldn't accept it and wouldn't let her love another man after my late father. I knew that she would always consider what I feel about her choices and decisions.

Being a kind mother is another reason I have why I also want her to be happy even if it means having her marry another man in her life.

"I admit that Alanson is somehow rich, my dear. He has three different big businesses but my love for him hasn't anything to do with his wealth, businesses, or properties. I want to be with him because I always care about you. I want someone who can help me take good care of you more and provide for your needs, especially two years from now when you are about to attend college."

"Oh, mom!" I hugged my mother. How she loves me so that even if she decides for her happiness, she still thinks of me. "Don't worry about me. I'll be alright. I'll be in grade 11 this coming June and I can manage myself. All you have to worry about is yourself, mom. Are you really sure of this new love of yours and you promise you will be happy with Alanson, mom? "

She nodded. "Yes, dear. I'm sure that I love Alanson and he loves me too. It's with him that I have found love after the love your late father gave me."

I couldn't deny how beautiful my mother is. She has the same pale skin tone as mine, and even in her early forties, there are still some men out there trying to hit her after my father passed away, but no one among them ever looked her in the eyes the way she looked at my father before. Alanson is blessed to be one of the million suitors to whom she has recommitted her love. He must be exceptionally lucky.

"You mentioned that they somehow have a high status in Alta Sociedad. My only concern is, maybe, his family won't easily accept us because our poor living is way different from theirs?"

"Don't worry, honey." My mother gave my hand a comforting squeeze, assuring me that my fears would never come true. "Alanson has a good heart. His children must be just like him. If he solely cared about money, he never would have paid any attention to me. If he is simply concerned about money, he will not make the effort to learn more about me and pursue a relationship with me."

I nodded. Mom had a point. If Alanson exclusively dates women who are at the same social level as them, he would never lay eyes on her.

My last two days of school were over and as discussed, the next week after it, my mom and I went to General Santos City.

After we arrived at the bus terminal, there was immediately a red car that came to fetch us.

The car's driver enquired, "Are you Fidelia Rosabelle and Irryn Rosabell?"

Maybe he is Alanson's family's designated driver. He looks elderly enough to have served the family for a long time.

Mom nodded. "Yes, we are."

"Good day to you, both. I am Pako, the family driver of sir Alanson Lamont. I have been tasked to fetch you today to drive you to sir Alanson's resort. Let's go and they're waiting for you two."

Mom nodded and let the old man carry our items of baggage.

The trip was quiet. An hour later, I could see the seasides with the remote roads we were passing by and the vast expanse of seas as well as various beautiful resorts.

I couldn't help but be amazed and delighted. I hadn't been to the beach in quite some time. I was in kindergarten at the time and went with my parents. If I recall correctly, that was our school field trip. That was my first and only visit to a beach resort. It has always been preferable to save for my schooling rather than to use the money for travel.

I couldn't believe we could go to the beach today. I couldn't stop myself from becoming excited by the touch of seawater on my skin!

"Since when did Alanson and his children arrive here, Pako?" mom asked the driver.

"It was just last Saturday, ma'am when summer break from Miss Rhian and Sir Zack's school began."

"Rhian and Zack? Are they Mr. Alanson's children?" I asked, out of curiosity.

"Yes, ma'am. They are."

"So, he has two children?" I continued.

"There are three, actually. Miss Rhian, sir Zack, and sir Ryle. But the latter is now in charge of managing their family resort. The two are still studying."

"Ah, two sons and one daughter?"

"Yes. Sir Rylan is the eldest son or better known as Ryle, then sir Zack is the second and Miss Rhian is the youngest."

"Are they kind?"

I could see from the mirror that the aged driver smiled. "Yes, they are, especially sir Ryle and miss Rhian."

"How about the second son?"

I could sense hesitation on his face with my last question. So, the second one isn't kindhearted?