A Mafia's Obsession

CHAPTER 21

When I arrived at the condo, Jam, my son's nanny, rushed towards me. I was worried, but she said Kyle hadn't left his room and was crying. I quickly went upstairs to see what was wrong.

"Anak, are you still awake?" I knocked on his door.

I knocked several times before the door opened, and there was my son, with swollen eyes. I approached him worriedly.

"Why did my baby cry? Are you feeling unwell, anak?" I asked him. He started crying again. I knew the reason, but I wanted him to tell me himself. I'll find a way if he wants to meet his dad.

"Hey, anak. What hurts? Tell Mommy, Mom is here." binuhat ko ito at umupo kami sa kama niya.

"When will I be allowed to meet my Daddy? My classmate is bullying me because I don't have a Daddy. He doesn't pick me up from school, and I want to meet him. I'm jealous of my classmate because he has a dad." garalgal nitong sabi napa labi ako, parang may karayom na tumusok sa dibdib ko.

"Remember, Mommy told you that you'll meet Daddy when you grow up." sumisikip ang dibdib ko dahil nakikita kong umiiyak ang anak ko.

I can't bear seeing him cry, but I am not yet ready to meet his dad.

"But I'm not a baby anymore! Why can't I meet my Daddy? I'm grown up now, see?" Malaki na po ako, Mommy. 'di ba po?" He sniffled and looked at himself.

"You're still a baby, and Daddy had to work for us. Why don't you love Daddy Francisco anymore?" For us, huh. My heart sank. It felt like a cold hand had gripped my chest.

"I'm not a baby anymore, I'm turning five! I love Daddy Francisco, but I want my real Daddy. They're different, but I love them both. Does he not love me because he works so far away? Am I ugly, like my classmates said, that's why my Daddy isn't here?" Tears welled up in my eyes.

"Of course not, baby. You're not ugly, and Daddy loves you. He wants you, you look exactly like him. You're his mini-me, and sooner or later, you'll get to meet Daddy. Come on, stop crying na po." sabi ko sa kaniya. Ngumiti naman siya sa akin.

Is this the right decision I made? My son is being bullied because his father wasn't by our side. I feel like I've robbed him of a father's presence. My heart aches for him.

"Love ako ni Daddy ko?" I nodded.

Maybe... Maybe, Mateo loves our son? I don't know.

"Then why does he have to work so far away? Tell Daddy to come home. I don't need toys, he can work near our house." My throat tightened, and I couldn't find the words.

"Anak, Daddy has to work so we can eat three meals a day. Would you like to see Daddy's face? hmm?" I forced a smile, trying to sound cheerful. His face lit up, and he quickly nodded and grinned.

I took a deep breath and pulled out my phone, showing him a picture of Mateo.

He reached for the phone, eager to see his father's face.

I don't know why I still have this picture. It was taken at a resort, and I practically forced him to take it with me. I've been looking at it ever since I was pregnant with Kyle.

"Look how handsome Daddy is. He looks just like you, doesn't he?" My skin prickled with a strange sensation. Was I lying to him? Was I making things up?

"Yeah, Mommy. I look exactly like him. He's the man I was talking about earlier. I saw him at the park, we already met!" He beamed, but my smile slowly faded.

My heart skipped a beat. Did they meet?

"He's my Dad pala, actually. We just had a little fight earlier." He said it with a thoughtful air, resting his chin on his small hand and staring at the ceiling.