Chapter 1

Gabriel's 

"How's Maze?" Crimson asked on the other line as I talked to him while preparing something for Maze to eat. 

I looked at Maze who's sitting quietly at the dining table. I can feel his perturbation to where I'm standing right now and it's obvious that he's been restless for the past few weeks after receiving that call. 

I know that he can hear me talking to his best friend but he's too drawn to his own thoughts to even care. 

He's been like this since last month. I'm afraid that his agitation might go out of hand. And it can't be any good especially to our son, Nathaniel. 

He's used to seeing us happy and easy going but now, the household was overshadowed by deep perturbation brought by that goddamn call from Maze's estranged father.

We all thought that it's over. We haven't talked about him for 11 years now and he didn't bother us during those times so we really thought that he had already let go of the thought of having Maze as his heir. 

But now, he's back. 

And he has threatened to take Maze from me along with our son. 

And I can't let that happen.

Not when we have planned to stay together forever. 

And I refuse to let anyone ruin that plan.

"Gab." I heard Crimson call my name when he didn't get any answer and that's enough to snap me back to reality. 

"Y-yeah." I shook my head a little, hoping it would help me to focus. 

"I asked how Maze is? And also Nathan?" Crimson asked once again and I cleared my throat as I turned off the stove and I can't help but sigh as I looked at my husband once again. I can also feel my eyes welling up.

"H-he's not okay." My voice cracked when I said that and I had to look up just to stop my tears from falling. Thinking that Nattarin would walk in any time and as much as possible, I don't want him to feel that something has changed. I know that Mew wants the same. 

Nathan is too young to carry such a heavy burden. 

"Nate's upstairs with Michael and Mysty." I added. One thing I'm thankful for during this situation is that it's the kids' summer vacation so we don't have to worry about Nathan being out for school. And I can't be more thankful to Mark as he managed our joint business as Maze wasn't really able to focus on his work after that night. 

And as for me, I've been a resigned Geropsychologist for 2 years now right after we welcomed Nathan in our family. 

Maze and I wanted to give him all our attention as much as possible so I decided to just take care of him full time instead of other people. Besides, I've already endorsed my clients to my husband who is equally well off as me so I didn't have to worry that much. 

So far, our family business and partnerships with our friends are doing fine. And we're happy, back then. 

It was supposed to stay that way not until Maze's father had announced his unwanted come back once again. 

And I can't help but to feel frustrated and perturbed as well as I can clearly see the big change in my husband and the whole house as well. 

In no time, I'm sure that our son will notice it and he'll begin asking me and Maze. 

And I'm afraid that I might not give him any acceptable answer. 

Nathan is a smart lad. 

He's curious all the time and he never stops until he gets the answer he wants. 

And what am I supposed to tell him once he notices that his fathers are beginning to grow restless with this sudden ordeal?

"Son, your wicked grandfather just came back out of nowhere and just like before when he tried to take away your father, he's back once again to do it again. And this time, he wants to take you to and be one of his successors?"

Was I supposed to say that to a seven year old innocent boy?

"Gab. Listen to me, okay?" Crimson spoke once again from the other line and I remained silent as I waited for what he's going to say. "Heather and Royce were able to find some help. I'm not sure if you know them but they are one of the most trusted subordinates of your husband before. And they are willing to help you along with Mark's dad." He said and I felt a slight relief upon hearing it and I let out a sigh. 

Mark's dad is a retired Major and he had asked some of his men to keep a keen eye around our home. 

The village and our home is now under police surveillance but Maze knew his father so well. He said he's damn sure that not even the police can stop him if ever he broke into our home.

Which made me ask myself if a famous business tycoon would really go to that extent?

Wouldn't he jeopardize his reputation and image once he dared to do that?

Am I missing something here?

Why does it seem like Maze's father had gone rogue?

As much as I wanted to have all the answers to my questions, I can't pry my husband with such right now as I can clearly see how stressed out he is just by thinking about how to protect us all.

"Gab, are you still there?" Crimson said once again and I can't help but to utter my apology as I kept on spacing out during our conversation. "It's okay, I understand." He said softly and even though we can't see each other, I smiled slightly whilst looking at my husband once again. 

I can see the dark spots under his eyes and the stubbles which he didn't have time to shave because of over-thinking. 

We're both psychologists. We should know how to deal with things logically and coherently but it's obvious that Maze is not even close to thinking rationally when it comes to his dad. He always becomes a nervous-wreck. It feels like he's afraid of something that's beyond my understanding.

It's obvious how big the impact of his Dad's sudden comeback was that it had my husband a big mess.

I looked at the food I cooked for Maze and I realized that it's already getting cold. So I immediately transferred it to a platter.

"Uhm, Crim? Do you have anything more to say?" I asked. "I still have to make sure that Maze will eat the food I made for him. He's been eating like a bird lately and I'm afraid that it might affect his health." I added and I heard him sighed. 

It's obvious that he's also worried about his best friend but couldn't do anything because he knows for a fact that Maze won't listen to any consolation right now.

"Hmm. Thanks for taking care of Maze." He sincerely said and I chuckled softly. 

"Silly, it's my duty. I'm his husband, remember? Of course, we'll take care of each other." I tried jesting and I also heard him chuckling. "I should be the one thanking all of you for not leaving us alone during this trying time." I said and just like before, he sighed once again. 

"It's the least we can do, Gabriel. You're about to face bigger problems in the near future and I really hope that you'll stay resilient when the time comes." He said and I can feel my nervousness creeping my whole system. "Maze needs you and Nathan to survive and be safe. And in order to survive, you need to be strong cause Maze can't handle it without the both of you. You and your son have been Maze's source of strength and I'm afraid he might go mad if ever something bad happens to the both of you so please, protect yourself and your son as well. And you can always count on us to help you." I know that Crimson was just telling the truth and he's just giving me reminders but why does it feel like he's warning me about an unknown danger?

And I can't help but to shiver as I felt the overwhelming fear in my whole system. 

"T-thanks." Was all I could say. I tried to carry the platter which contained the food that I prepared for Maze but stopped immediately when I saw my hands shaking. 

I needed to calm myself first. 

I can't let Mew see me like this. 

"And Gab?" My breathing hitched when Crimson called my name once again. 

I feel like I'm about to hear something controversial from him. 

"W-what is it?" I said before trying to clear my throat. 

"Please promise me that no matter what happens, whatever are the things you find out, you won't ever leave Maze's side." He sounded demanding, it's as if he's not accepting any other answer from me which made me damn curious once again about what's behind his words.  

But I have no courage to ask him right now and I don't know why. 

I just feel like I'm not ready for another bomb drop. 

"The help's on the way. Please hang on." Okay was the only thing I'm able to say before we both bid our goodbyes and ended the call. 

I sighed a couple of times just to calm myself before taking the platter of walking towards Mew.

He's still quietly sitting at the dining table and it's also obvious that his mind was still drifting because he didn't even flinch when I placed the food in front of him even when I kissed his forehead. 

I can feel my tears welling up again as I witness how the situation had affected my husband big time. 

He doesn't deserve any of these. 

Why can't his father just let him be happy with us? With me?

"Maze--"

I was about to say something when I heard the doorbell ringing.

And suddenly, perturbation once again conquered me.