Exes' Baggage And More

Chapter Twenty

Macy smiled.

For the first time this week. After days of pain and struggle. Yesterday, Ken contacted her and said that Marcus wanted to meet her. That's because Marcus knew that she was sick.

So, this Sunday they met at the playground. Not something that Macy wanted but at least, if they met in a public space like this the atmosphere wouldn't be too awkward. This is the first time for them to go out together after the divorce.

"You look better," Ken commented.

She turned and mumbled softly. Then she looked back at her son who was busy playing in the sandbox area with several other children. "It's much better," she said.

"I heard you haven't been in the office for a week either. Is the pain that bad? But the new neighbor said you just hit your back, but it's not that bad."

Macy was silent for a moment. She then took a deep breath and looked closely at Ken who was sitting next to her. "At first it wasn't so bad. I thought it was enough to just take painkillers, the pain would go away. But it seems I underestimated my condition too much. So, he took me to the doctor."

"Oh."

"He said you came to get Marcus' clothes."

Ken nodded. "I thought you had gone to the office that time, so I came."

She sighed and leaned her back on the chair. "You should have called me if you wanted to pick up Marcus' clothes. I can prepare it. If you come like that..." her words trailed off for a moment.

Oh, she almost misspoke. "I didn't want to stop you from coming. The house was once your home, so you can come anytime. It's just that, with our current status, we also need to respect each other's privacy, right?"

"I understand," Ken said quietly. "Sorry, I won't do it again."

Oh, it feels like now Macy is the bad person.

"There's no need to apologize for that," she muttered.

She and Ken remain silent after that. They just looked at their son who was playing with other children she didn't know. But Marcus has no problem with his social skills. Or maybe it's the nature of small children. They will be easier to interact – even with strangers – just for fun. Unlike adults. Especially her.

"Regarding Marcus' custody..." Ken suddenly said. Macy stiffens. Well, this is one of the reasons Ken asked her to meet. "My lawyer says it's very likely that custody will go to me."

"Lawyer Kim also said the same thing," Macy admitted. Her eyes did not leave Marcus. "She also said that I should ask you to schedule my meeting with Marcus outside the trial. If I follow the judge's decision, I might find it difficult to meet my own son."

Ken winced. He squeezed his hands a little tighter. "In one month, four times on every weekend."

Macy snorted. "Four times in one month. Is it even if I meet him at school, your lawyer can sue me?"

"I do not..."

She looked at Ken closely. "Katy met your lawyer, didn't she?"

"Macy..."

"I'm not surprised. But maybe a little. After what she did before, you can't even stop her from interfering in Marcus' business. Sometimes I feel that what she does is like a mother fighting for the rights of her child."

Ken suddenly looked at her with a frown.

"Of course, that's a low-level thought," Macy continued. "I know for a fact that Marcus is my son. My wish is that he will stay with me for ten days at the end of the month. Compared to only four days. Is my status as a mother only recorded on the family card? I guess it's quite worth it, right? Because he is my son too."

Then she stood up. She will say goodbye to Marcus. Even though this meeting is quite short.

"And I hope you don't consult your lawyer or Kate about my wishes. This is our son's problem; foreigners have no interest whatsoever. Think about it carefully, Ken."

Then Macy walked over to Marcus.

*****

"DONE!" Andrew exclaimed after he saved the draft of the first part which contains about ten chapters for his new novel. After this, he can take a relaxing time of approximately one to two weeks while doing further research. Then he could go back to writing.

David who was arranging several schedules for his novel promotions just glanced at him and spoke again with Jen, the representative of PR St. Haven by telephone. Heck, do they work twenty-four hours for seven days?

He turned off the laptop and put it back in his safe drawer. "David... let's go eat!"

Well, Andrew really can't believe he finished ten chapters in just three weeks. He even had a break for almost a week yesterday because he took care of Macy who was injured. Usually, at the same time, he can only finish seven to eight chapters at most.

Hah... his sacrifice of not sleeping for a few days paid off.

He then stood up from his work chair and approached David who was still talking to Jen. He glanced at what his Agent had written in his notes about his promotions. It still says fan sign with a question mark. Oh, Andrew still hasn't made his decision regarding the event.

He sighed and sat on the chair next to his cousin. He stared intently at the man. "That fan sign event..."

Andrew's words caught David's attention.

"Wait a minute, Miss Jen." David pressed the hold button on his phone screen. "What about that event?"

"St. Haven can do it. But I want it to have only thirty people in attendance. They might be able to figure out how to choose thirty people without causing problems," he said.

One of his Agent's eyebrows rose. "Are you sure? Thirty people is still quite a lot. And even if there is a system that chooses who has the right to participate in the event, we cannot find out the background of the chosen person. What if..."

"Well, I'm sure St. Haven's PR team can think of the safest way. You can tell them."

"Are you certain? You still have until next week, Andrew. Isn't this too fast? Just two days after last Friday's meeting."

He nodded slightly. David, on the other hand, took a deep breath.

"Alright, it's up to you." Then he pressed the button again and spoke to Jen.

Not to forget, David told Jen about Andrew's decision regarding the event. Andrew himself only listens to what his Agent is talking and responds to Jen's words.

Thirty people... is that still too many?

*****