Exes' Baggage And More

CHAPTER NINETY FOUR

Andrew looked at Macy seriously.

He woke up a little late after a nap – almost seven o'clock at night. After showering and changing clothes, he went straight to his lover's unit. They still needed to talk about this afternoon. And maybe the reason why he didn't see Marcus around.

He stared at his kimchi fried rice – because Macy wasn't in the mood to cook a complicated menu. They only talk briefly, making small talk without meaning.

And he couldn't hold himself back anymore. Although he tried not to push Macy, but with all this tension, he was nervous.

"Where's Marcus? I haven't seen him since I came here." He asked.

Macy glanced at him. "He is with his father."

He looked at Macy closely. He could see the look of disappointment on the face of the woman in front of him now. Well, he can understand. On the previous court's decision, the judge gave custody of Marcus to Ken and since then Macy has had difficulty meeting with her son. Then there was the incident when the boy ran away and hurt himself accidentally. And because of that incident, Marcus was able to stay with Macy for a few days.

Andrew didn't mean to want anything bad to happen, but when Marcus was sick and living with his mother, he could see that there was a hope in Macy's eyes. Hope that she can win custody of Marcus on the appeal trial. But today, he saw a look of desperation and doubt.

"Oh, does he miss his father?"

Macy shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe he did. Over and over again, I asked him if he wanted to stay at his dad's apartment, but he always refused. Maybe today, he just dared to say it."

Oh, Andrew felt that there was something that Macy didn't tell him. The reason behind Marcus staying at Ken's apartment.

"Only that?"

Macy looked at Andrew closely. "What do you mean by 'only that'?"

"The reason why Marcus stayed with Ken. Because I feel that there's something you didn't tell me."

Macy put down the spoon and leaned back on the chair. "Do I have to tell you?"

Andrew shook his head. "Certainly not. It is your right if you do not really want to share it. But Macy-"

"Then don't ask about it. My son has the right to choose who he will live with. Whatever the court's decision, in the end, he has the right to choose." Macy said quickly, cutting Andrew's words. "Rather than us talking about my son, shouldn't you explain yourself why you left immediately when you just got to St. Havens?"

"I'm just bored. After I went to the hospital, I asked the driver to go around the streets of Manila. I didn't want to be alone in the studio. But David suddenly texted me, saying that I shouldn't bother other people. It seems that either the driver or the bodyguard who accompanied me told him. So, I decided to go to St. Haven," the man answered.

Macy muttered softly. "Then why did you just leave when you just arrived? Gil even looks... I don't know, he seems to think there's a problem."

Andrew chuckled. "Gil is too worried. He even thought that he might have forgotten the meeting schedule when he saw me coming. I told you, I just don't want to be in the studio. And you're busy too. I just don't want to intrude."

"Are you sure it is not because of Ken?"

"Well, maybe because of that too. When I saw the three of you in the same room, I was like a complete stranger. It doesn't matter if you and Ken are divorced. But your relationship as Marcus' parents can't just be erased."

"Andrew..."

"I'm not jealous about that. Okay, maybe a little, but I can understand. You can't just ignore Ken, because he's the father of your son."

"But you still don't like it when I'm in the same room with Ken."

Andrew smiled softly. "Very childish, isn't it?"

*****

Macy gave some instructions to several editors regarding several meetings this morning that she couldn't attend. She needed to go to court in half an hour, but there was still a lot of work waiting. She probably won't be able to come back before lunchtime and she won't be able to come to St. Haven without having to go to the hospital.

She answered just okay to questions from several editors. St. Haven is in a busy time where in a month they can publish more than twenty books plus a big expo that will be followed by St. Haven at the end of summer. It needs special preparation.

"Okay... for technical questions, you can ask Gil or Jino," said Macy. Then she looked at the two senior editors. "Important emails will be forwarded to me immediately. I might be able to give you some instructions."

"Relax, ma'am. We lasted for two weeks while you were on leave. It's only for a few hours," Gil said. Greeted by head nods from several other editors.

Macy snorted. Well, this was one of those times when she felt irritated with her subordinates. At times like this they are able to manage and take care of everything. But if problems arise, they will immediately contact her for advice – at least.

Then she glanced at the watch on her wrist. She still needed to wait for a reply from the bank to pay for her new car, but the bank manager said the letter would be sent just before lunch. That means she can only send the letter to Hani later this afternoon or tomorrow morning.

Macy looked at Gil again. "The letter from the bank..."

"I understand, ma'am. I'll keep it until you get back from court. If not, I'll send it to your apartment via courier," Gil said.

She nodded slightly. She stared at all the editors – as if she was like a teacher warning her students to be nice. Okay, that's a bad analogy. But the reality is that it is. Although most of the editors of St. Haven were already over twenty years old, but sometimes their attitude was like as if they were still a student.

They only act professional when dealing with writers or during meetings with other departments.

"Watch your attitude," Macy said as she left the editorial department.

*****

Ken glanced at the empty seat next to Hani. Macy didn't come to the trial, but her lawyer had approached him before the trial started and told him that

Macy would still come even though it was nearing the end of today's trial. And even though Hani didn't say anything else, he could see what the lawyer would say.

"He will still come to talk to you."

Ken doesn't understand at all. If Macy can't come to court, can't they arrange another time to meet and talk? Besides, the woman didn't say anything yesterday either. Then Ken turned to the back, where Katy sat on one of the rows of chairs. Well, he was also a little surprised to see that Katy was already in court even though he didn't contact her at all yesterday.

Ken then turned around and focused on the trial. Currently, they are listening to an explanation from the social service regarding Marcus' social observations.

He did not know that the court would need an opinion from the social service regarding this custody. But he can also understand. In this case, Marcus' physical and psychological growth is paramount.

During Ken and Macy's divorce period, Marcus may not show any psychological disorders or anything like that, but they can't ignore it either. Heck, the boy might also need to see a psychiatrist for further observation. Macy hasn't mentioned it yet, but Ken knows that his ex-wife must be worried. They might be able to talk about this too later. Besides the things that he wanted to talk about earlier.

Oh, he hopes that Katy doesn't try to interfere.

*****