Chapter 8

I didn't see her because Lazarus is pulling me, and I didn't mean to bump into her on the side, which is why she spilled her drink on her own clothes.

When we finally step out of the club, I can finally breathe freely. It's not as noisy out here, and the late-night air is chilly. But even so, there are still people fooling around and cuddling outside.

I couldn't see the presence of the night sky with its shining stars and moon since there are thick dark clouds up, blocking its view.

I think it's going to rain. But it was scorching hot just a while ago, right?

The streets were dark, but there are still lively people who used to have a late-night walk.

Lazarus leads us to the parking lot. It's annoying because he's still dragging me.

"Lazarus! Let go of me!" I tried to plant my heels on the ground to stop him from dragging me, but nothing happened. The pain in my feet from earlier just got worse. "Come on! You've done enough to me!" I hissed.

Imagine? I was walking around the city all day? I'm tired but I don't want to give up, I want to give my son a better future even if giving him the life that he deserves might destroy mine.

Even those who were fooling around turned to look in our direction.

For the second time around, he pinned me against the door of his black luxury car that's screaming of supreme and money.

"One last chance, Calista. Call your friend, now," his voice isn't angry, but it's not holding back any anger either. He's calm, as if he knows exactly what he's doing.

Just like the ocean waves, calm but dangerous and there's a big possibility that I'd end up, drowning.

I still have his phone since he didn't accept it when I gave it back earlier.

I bit my lip as I opened his phone and checked the time.

It's almost eleven.

Has Zon fallen asleep? Or maybe he's still crying and looking for me?

I need to decide.

I know that he's longing for his father even if they haven't met. They saw each other at the bank, but it was only for a moment because we left right away.

Entering Irithel's number on his phone. I called my best friend and she immediately answered the phone, knowing that it's me.

"Cal! Your baby boy is still looking for you—"

"Irithel..." I took a deep breath to gather strength for what I needed to say. "Can you please bring Zon here? I'll text you the address using the same number."

Irithel hadn't even spoken on the other line when Lazarus suddenly snatched his phone from me and ended the call.

He pulled me and opened the door of his expensive car, then he pushed me inside.

It's puzzling, why do I have to go with him?

I was silent the whole ride with him. It's a bit cold inside his car because of the air conditioning, but I didn't mind. I was thinking about my son. It's already eleven and he still hasn't fallen asleep because of crying and searching for me.

I'm sitting now on an expensive, soft, white bed while drying my hair using a white clean towel.

I'm in one of Lazarus' rooms in his Babylonian condo unit. He provided me everything that I needed, clean clothes, dinner, personal things like a hairbrush, toothbrush, and etcetera.

I immediately took a bath. I haven't said anything since we were still in his car.

He's outside now. Maybe he's picking up our son.

I still can't believe I agreed to let him come with me. We haven't talked about it. We'll discuss it later. For now, I don't want to make it hard for my son and for myself.

I'm caught in a difficult situation. Lazarus wants to be with Zon, and Zon wants the same. Am I going to deny my son one of his joys? How selfish of me.

Am I just doing this because of the anger that built up inside me since Lazarus left me pregnant?

I was brought back to reality when I heard the door open.

"M-Momma!"

Luzon came rushing to me. I stood up and welcomed him. I hugged my son, and I saw a few tear streaks on his cheeks. He clung to my neck tightly, burying his slightly damp face in my neck.

My heart broke when I heard my baby sobbed.

"Don't cry, baby. Momma's here. Sshh..." I rubbed his baby back, back and forth to calm him. His back was moving because he was crying.

"M-Momma, I thought you left me po. W-Where have you been, Momma?" sadness was still evident in his broken voice.

I shifted my gaze to Lazarus, who was now standing alone by the door. He watched us calmly.

"If I couldn't get my son from you, then I'll just take you." He purposely forced and brought me here because he knew that I can't be away from my son even just for a night."

"I'm sorry, Momma..."

Luzon's soft voice, tinged with remorse, broke through my anger. He was standing there, his big round eyes filled with innocence, gazing up at me. It was hard to stay mad when I looked into those eyes.

I knelt down and pulled him into a gentle hug. "Shh, it's okay, baby. You didn't do anything wrong. You're just a little boy."

He clung to me tightly, his small arms wrapped around my neck. I could feel his tiny heart pounding against my chest.

I looked over at Lazarus, who was watching us with a strangely distant expression. It was as if he was observing us from a distance, detached and emotionless.

"Momma... Is Daddy mad at me?" Luzon's voice wavered with worry.

I glanced back at Lazarus. "No, sweetheart. Daddy's not mad at you. He's just... He's just different, that's all."

I wasn't sure how to explain it to my son, so I kept it simple. I didn't want to burden him with the complexities of adult emotions.

Luzon nodded, but he still looked uncertain. "Okay, Momma."

I gave him a reassuring smile. "You're a good boy, Luzon. Momma loves you so much."

He returned my smile, his eyes lighting up with affection. "I love you too, Momma."

Standing up, I held his hand and looked back at Lazarus. "We should go inside now. It's getting late, and you need to rest."

Lazarus nodded in agreement, and we all walked back into the luxurious room. It felt strange, being in this opulent space with my son and the man I once loved. Everything was so surreal.

As I settled Luzon back onto the bed, I couldn't help but wonder about the complexities of this situation. There was a part of me that still harbored anger and resentment towards Lazarus, but there was also a part of me that couldn't deny the connection between him and our son.

"Are you sleepy, baby?" I asked when my son nuzzled his face against Lazarus' neck.

Feeling really close. Like Laki.

My son didn't respond, slowly closing his eyes. His long and thick eyelashes almost touched the upper part of his cheeks.

Lazarus and I stood there for a few minutes, watching Luzon, who now seemed very comfortable in Lazarus' arms.

He fell asleep, so I took him from Lazarus, and he handed the child over to me. He even helped me pull the comforter and gently laid Zon on the soft bed, then I pulled the comforter up to Luzon's chin.

Silence. We were enveloped by the silence for a minute.

"Calista."

He broke the silence. I bit my lower lip, even biting the insides of my cheek trying to calm myself, just like how calm he is right now.

"Let's talk outside," he said, still looking at me.

Despite the pain I inflicted on him, tearing the DNA test result and smacking him with my resume, he remained calm.

So different from Lazarus back then.

I kissed my son's forehead first and adjusted his shoulder-length hair. Then I looked at Lazarus, who had apparently been watching me. I rolled my eyes at him and walked past him.

I heard him follow me as I opened the door and stepped out first.

Just like when I entered earlier, the opulence of this condo still amazed me. There wasn't an excess of furnishings, but just by looking at the tables, sofas, even the television, I knew they cost more than the house I bought in a subdivision.

The theme of the living room was shades of white, grey, black, maroon, and dark blue. It wasn't harsh on the eyes. It looked simple yet lonely and pallid.

When he finally came out, I hadn't descended yet, waiting to see what he would say or where he planned to talk to me. There were at least five steps leading down to what seemed like a living room.

"To my room."

I swallowed hard when I heard his grim baritone voice close right behind me. "Huh? Why in your room? We could talk in the kitchen, downstairs, or even here," I faced him and stepped back a little.

"Nothing will happen, Calista."

He hit on something from what happened years ago.

I don't know why, but I'm still affected, while he seems unfazed by what happened then. I think the only thing he really wants from me is my son.

He did everything on purpose. I wouldn't be surprised anymore why he wanted to have my son, to be with my son.

Maybe it has something to do with his family.

I heaved a deep breath, trying to contain myself. "Nothing? Why back then? Even in an empty classroom, something happened. Now, inside your room?" I looked away and chose to gaze at the abstract paintings on the wall. "I just don't want that to happen again, Lazarus."

"You know, it could be anywhere," even though he was implying something else, his voice was stern in my ears. "If I can't control myself, something will definitely happen," he said meaningfully, taking a step forward, but he stopped briefly after passing me and turned to face me. "Anywhere."

Just like the abstract paintings, he's so complicated.

With anger, I couldn't help but look at him harshly.

"You're really-"