Melissa said nothing. She watched as Damien took out his phone from his pocket and began to punch some buttons.She frowned, even though she had no idea what he was doing. She could see the seriousness in his face. "What are you doing?""I am trying to select a picture of you to post so that the whole world would know that I am yours and that I am off limits." Damien responded, his eyes glued to his phone."To post?""Yeah, I have a verified Instagram account. Just never posted anything on it. But seeing you on my page would shut the world up."Melissa frowned, asking the question that first came to her mind. "Where did you get my picture?"A shy smile crept to Damien's lips. "I have them.""How?" Melissa was curious since she hardly takes pictures of herself."Pictures from our business trip. I took them when you weren't looking.""Can I see?" Damien hesitated for a while but he eventually handed her the phone.Melissa scrolled through and saw about 17 pictures. Most were taken when
"What the hell are you talking about?!" Rhoda found herself getting angrier."What child? Did you all even investigate the right person? Today has been a terrible one already, don't act dumb and set your facts right.""B...but it's true, Ma'am." Doreen stammered. "I've gone through the report the PI gave. I know it's shocking but that's what we found.""Just shut the hell up! I consented to you all digging into the past of that gold digger so I can get my revenge against her but how dare you all drag my husband into this? Why would Damien have a child and I wouldn't know about it? Dam and I may be divorced but that doesn't give you all the right to defame him." Rhoda said at the top of her voice, wondering why everyone was hell bent on bringing out the worst in her today. She already felt threatened enough that Dam blindly picked Melissa over her, hearing of a child being involved was starting to traumatize her."Apologies ma'am but we aren't making things up. I'll forward the report
"And why the hell would I be used as a meme when I am the innocent one? I mean, that bitch drowned me with coffee.""Exactly!!! She drowned you with coffee and you looked ridiculous with your angry face.""So it's my fault for challenging the woman who ruined my home?""No, there is nothing wrong about that. It just happened at the wrong place and at the wrong time.""You are a public figure who has never failed to portray a perfect life before the public so it is normal for your move to be watched and criticized. I understand how you feel and I'm deeply sorry that all of this is happening. I just want you to know that you are way stronger than you think and this phase is going to pass. Please just come home and let me take care of you."Rhoda came to a halt, sniffling, not believing that tears were already welling up in her eyes. "Damien has a son.""A son? What the hell are you talking about?""Yeah, I just found out. A son with that bitch. That's why he was quick to discard me.""D
"Please talk to me. I don't want you keeping me in the dark." Melissa pouted."You're sounding as though I'm about to do something dangerous.""Well, maybe not but I would love to know what's on your mind. I understand that you can't stand anyone saying nasty stuff about me but I still believe there is no need to put any pictures or information out there except it is our will because the truth remains that, no matter what you say, people will believe what they want to."“You have a point but I'm still going to do all I can to protect you."Melissa smiled, she tiptoed and kissed his cheek. "I'm good! I know you wanna do all you can to make me feel safe in this relationship but I've always been a believer of the fact that the truth will always prevail regardless of anything and everything.""As long as you and I, as well as the kids, are cool, I believe nothing else matters."A small smile crept to Damien's lips. "This relationship? I had no idea we were in one already."Melissa blushed
Damien nodded."How? When?""The day after we visited the hospital. Are you mad at me?" He stared at her intently."There's no reason to be. I mean the whole world knows already. It just feels so...""Feels like what?""I don't know. He seemed really polite to me. Well, he had always been. I just don't want people to look at me as though I've got horns on my head."Damien chuckled. "That's not going to happen. They can only stare at you with so much adoration. He still doesn't know you are the mother of my son. But he would know from the interview."Melissa nodded. Her eyes met with the table. "Thank you for the gifts. You spoil me too much."Damien smiled. "This is nothing compared to the plans I've got for you."Mel shook her head, trying to hide her blush at the same time. "This wasn't what we agreed. I have your card so I'm going to get myself whatever it is that I crave."Dam nodded."I mean it." She groaned."Your wish is my command, babe." He kissed her forehead, even though he
"She can go to hell for all I care. It's you and Ryan I care about the most. Are you both okay?" Damien said at a go."Y....yes...we are good.""Get a safe place to park. I'll be with you all shortly." Damien said, ending the call since she already shared her location with him.Melissa did as he said. She drove slowly and parked on the opposite side of the road. She unbuckled her seatbelt, got down from the car, holding her phone, and then went to the back seat to check on her son.Mel took a glance at the opposite side where Rhoda had crashed into a tree. The road wasn't busy. A few cars passed, but Mel saw two strangers rush over to Rhoda."My love." Melissa could see tear stains on Ryan's cheek so she leaned closer and kissed his forehead."I was so scared, mommy. You wouldn't stop and you were saying those bad words.""I'm sorry, my love. Please forgive me." Melissa unbuckled Ryan from the car seat, carried him out of the car, and hugged him tightly.The little boy instantly wrapp
She blushed, grateful that he was by her side at this very crucial moment."What legacy if I may ask?" Damien teased."We are automatically role models, so we need to set good examples. Plus, I got an email from the school that Ryan's bill has been paid upfront till graduation. The least I can do is to work and earn money to support my family.""I understand you, but you are in a very crucial period, so you need not put so much pressure on yourself. You will still get paid regardless of if you want or not.""I know. You spoil me so much, and it's heartwarming, but actually doing the work would give me a sense of responsibility, and I would appreciate it if you respect that."Damien nodded, with a small smile hanging on his lips. "Did you all have breakfast? We can stop somewhere for food before heading to our destination.""Yes, Emily made sure of that cos I got meds to take.""Daddy, why is the car not moving? I think I'm going to be late. I want to see my sister."Melissa chuckled.
Damien wasn't expecting to see any familiar face where he was headed; especially at this time of the night. He reduced his pace, walking slowly, when he saw his mother sitting on a chair outside the ward described to him to be Rhoda's ward.Vicky rose to her feet when she saw her son approach her with worry all over his face."What are you doing here? Where's Rumi?" He said, coming to a stop before Vicky, hoping that she didn't bring his girl along."Rumi is fine. She's home with Betty. Eliana called me to inform me of what happened. I had to rush down here.""Where is she and what did she tell you?" She's inside with Rhoda."I had dinner with Michelle. I was on my way home when I got a call from Eliana. I know you and Rhoda aren't on good terms, but the truth remains that she's the mother of my granddaughter, so I thought it wouldn't hurt to come see how she's fairing. I was close by so it was easier to come here. Eliana only told me Rhoda crashed into a tree. She didn't go into deta