[5]

BEATRICE:

Five years later…

“Who is Mommy’s favorite?” I asked Grayson, my five-year-old son and I was about to go home after dining in a nearby restaurant. After knowing I was pregnant, in the long run, I was forced to sell my ex-husband’s house and move into a smaller apartment. For my siblings not to be dragged into my problems, I cut my contact with them. I could not afford that they would also lose everything because they sided with me. 

Grayson raised his hand. “Me! Me!” he said excitedly while bouncing up and down. “Who is Grayson’s favorite?” he asked in return. 

I acted as if I was thinking. "Hmm. I wonder who Grayson's favorite is."

"It's you, Mommy! You're my favorite of all. I love you so much, Mommy! You're the best thing in the world."

My heart fell at his sweetness. "I love you, too, Grayson. Did you have a good time with Mommy, today?"

We just came from his school and after seeing the restraint, he dragged me inside while saying he was hungry. 

Grayson was my male version. And the only thing that he took after my ex-husband was the color of his hair, which was light blonde as well as his intelligence.

Five years had passed since the last time I had dinner with my family. True to Mom's words, she had forbidden my sibling to see me. However, sometimes, my siblings would try to contact me at first but I blocked all of them and no longer used any social media apps so that I could not be traced. 

Mom was right. 

I was a disgrace to the family.

"I did, Mommy."

"I did, too, Son."

"Mommy, do you know what our activity was earlier?"

"Hmmm? What is it?" I asked and inhaled deeply. The air was fresh as we were surrounded by trees. On my left side was also the children's park where Grayson would sometimes play.

"It's about introducing our Mom and Dad. Why don't I have a dad, Mommy?" he asked.

My steps faltered for a moment.

I never told him the truth about his dad. The only thing that I said was that his dad was busy working far away. 

I forced a laugh as my grip on his hand tightened. "You have a dad, Grayson."

"My classmates have pictures of their dad. What about me, Mommy?"

All the pictures I had of Drake were already burned a long time ago. The only memories that I will have with him are of Grayson. Nothing else. That was also another reason why I sold everything he had given me, thinking there was no longer a need to keep them. They gave it to me not out of love, but out of obligation. He was only forced.

"I-I also have his pictures."

He stopped and stared at me with wide eyes. "May I see them? What did he look like?"

He was handsome, intelligent, and tall. Your Dad, whenever he walked, grabbed everyone's attention just like your Uncle Everette.

"You will see them later."

"Is that a promise, Mommy?" he asked.

I hesitated but was forced to answer yes.

"Yehey!" he exclaimed and let go of my hand.

"Grayson! You don't have to run. You walk, okay! Grayson, watch out!" I screamed seeing that there was an incoming car running towards my son.

Adrenaline kicked in, I rushed towards my son and grabbed his hand out of harm's way.

The car pulled over and then the driver's seat opened.

"Grayson. Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere? You're not hurt are you?" I asked while my heart hammered against my chest.

His eyes simmered with tears. "I'm sorry, Mommy."

I engulfed him with a hug seeing he was shivering too.

"It’s fine. It’s fine. Next time, you have to stay beside Mommy, okay?”

Grayson nodded. “Yes, Mommy. I won’t do it again.”

I found a pair of shoes standing beside my son. 

Right. That jerk. He needed a good scolding after scaring me and my son like that. 

Lifting my gaze, I was preparing all the things I would tell him in my mind, but then everything was forgotten upon seeing who he was— Drake, my ex-husband.

He became even more handsome as he aged as the frame of his sunglasses suited him well.

Out of all the people whom I would meet, why did it have to be this bastard?

“B-Beatrice….”

“Mister knows you, Mommy,” Grayson expressed. 

My insides churned.

Why did I have to face Drake now? 

I shook my head. So what? You signed the divorce paper like what he needed. 

I was planning to pretend that I did not know him and leave him alone. That was why I grabbed Grayson’s hand and was about to walk away, but he too pulled me back as his gaze fixated on Grayson.

“You have a child.”

“I am her son, Mister.”

Drake’s eyes darted from Grayson to me.

“You give birth?”

I scoffed and folded my arms in front of my chest. “Yes. Why does it surprise you? My uterus is intact. I have two fallopian tubes, so I can give birth.”

“But five years ago…you never said anything.”

Lifting my chin, I asked, “Do I owe you any explanation? I don’t.”

“How old are you, Buddy?” Drake asked.

I put Grayson at my back, shielding him from Drake’s questioning gaze.

“Beatrice. I’m only trying to ask him a question.”

“I’m five years old, Mister.”

“Grayson. What did I tell you about talking to strangers?” 

He hid back. “I’m sorry, Mommy. I won’t do it again.”

“That child…is he…is he…”

“Your son?” I completed it for him.