Exes' Baggage And More

Chapter Twenty Four

David opened the studio door. The man smiled at Macy politely. "Hello, Editor Cruz," he greeted.

"Hello, Agent Lee." Macy greeted back.

The Agent then invited her in. The Editor stepped in and saw Andrew's figure focused on his desk, his fingers moving non-stop over his laptop keyboard. David stood by his side.

"He's doing some research for the latest novel he's working on," The Agent explained.

Macy just mumbled softly.

"Andrew, Editor Cruz is here!" David exclaimed in a loud voice. Then the man asked Macy to sit down. "Editor Cruz, please have a seat."

Macy nodded and then walked towards the table in the middle of the studio. She put her bag on the table and sat down on one of the chairs. Meanwhile, David approached the Writer who was still too focused on his research so he didn't notice the Editor's arrival.

"Hey, Andrew! Editor Cruz has arrived," David repeated.

Andrew then pauses for a while then raises his head. He saw Macy who was sitting and smiled faintly. He quickly saved his research results before he turned his laptop off. David just sighed as he prepared a drink for the Editor.

After Andrew put his laptop in his safe drawer, he hurriedly approached the woman.

"You came."

Macy looked at him from where the woman was seated. "You asked me to come here, didn't you?" Macy answered. She also thanked the Agent who brought her a drink.

Andrew smiled. "I guess the meeting went well?"

"Yeah, it was. Once again, let me apologize for what happened earlier, Writer Coangco." Macy then turned to David. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience my team caused, Agent Lee."

David waved his hand dismissively. "That's fine. Mistakes can happen at any time even when you think you prepared well." Then he turned to his cousin. "Hey, did you really give me the permission to take the car with me?"

Andrew nodded. "Just use it. As long as you make sure the gas is always full."

David snorted and left the studio. Meanwhile, Macy frowned when she saw that the Agent left. She then looked at Andrew again.

"Agent Lee is leaving?"

The man mumbled inaudibly before he answered. "He said he had another business to attend to. So, it's just the two of us."

"Eh? But... isn't it... I mean," Macy became silent; not knowing what the right words to put together.

Andrew was still watching the woman carefully. With the atmosphere of the studio being so quiet, the Editor started to become awkward and uncomfortable with the fact that they were alone inside his studio. This is indeed a meeting between the Editor and the Writer. Macy had experienced it many times. But it still feels so weird for her. Maybe because usually every meeting with Writer Coangco, Agent Lee is always with them.

Macy then took a deep breath before she opened her bag and took out some documents about the things they had to discuss tonight.

"Alright, Writer Coangco-"

"Andrew," said the man quickly. She glared at him so he hurriedly added, "We're not in St. Haven tonight, Macy. So, it's Andrew."

Macy sighed in resignation. "Okay, Andrew."

*****

Marcus peeks at his dad who was now talking to his Aunt Katy by the kitchen table. They sounded so serious, but Marcus could barely hear much. But at least he could hear their voices, as the two of them spoke so quietly. And Marcus also knows that his dad and Aunt Katy are talking about his mommy.

"Think about it again, Ken."

Ken sighed. "Oh, I shouldn't have told you about that matter."

"It is because she asked, right? I know it's her right as Marcus' mother, but-" Katy wasn't able to finish what she was saying because Ken interrupted her quickly.

"Katy, I guess this is the limit of where you can interfere in our family matters. Marcus is our son, how we manage the custody about him is our prerogative," said Ken.

Katy took a deep breath. She walked over to the man and touched his arm. She then rubs it slowly. Ken looked at her intently.

"I know." She coaxed. "You have the right to decide anything regarding your son. Both of you have. But I only want the best for you and Marcus," Katy said carefully, doing her best not to trigger the man any further. "Divorce is not something that is easy to accept and understand. Marcus might be small, but as he got older, he would ask. And... honestly, I think Marcus would be much better off if he stayed with you. At least until he's old enough to take care of himself."

Ken was about to protest, but Katy beat him by resuming her speech.

"Of course, I'm not saying that Macy can't meet him. However, a child needs more love and guidance from his mother. But with Macy's work..." Katy hangs in what she was about to say for a moment before she continued. "She's been busy lately, hasn't she? If Marcus stayed with her for example for ten days and then suddenly, she got a call from her office, what do you think she would do it? Would she call you to fetch Marcus or would she leave your son alone in their apartment?"

Katy exhaled slowly then pulled her hand from the man's arm. "Think again, Ken. The four meetings at the end of the week made a lot of sense. Well... you might be able to add days, but not ten days. Definitely not more than that."

Ken didn't say anything about the woman's argument at all.

Meanwhile, Marcus decided to go back to his room. He closed the door slowly and walked over to his bed.

The little boy thinks back to what his Aunt Katy said earlier.

*****