More Than Anything [UNEDITED]

Margaux

I have to spend fifteen minutes in the restroom after the encounter I had with Quinn. I had to keep myself together for fifteen minutes before I go back to my son and answer his questions.

Mula noong ipanganak ko siya, hindi ko naisip na makikita siya ni Quinn. I have always thought that he wouldn't care. And besides, my son and I were fine. Hindi niya kinailangan ng ama. He was fine with me alone. He loved me and I love him with my soul.

Nang makita ko si Quinn na nakatayo at nanonood sa amin ng anak ko, na may gasa sa ulo, hindi ko alam kung anong una kong gagawin. All I know is that I need to hide my son from him. Hindi namin siya kailangan. We don't need a man like him.

I can be both Shawn's mom and dad, that was everything I was thinking all these years. I can be any person Shawn would need. And I was.

For all the years my son has existed in this world, he never looked for a father. He was not asking me where his father is. Kahit alam kong may konting inggit sa kanya kapag nakikita niyang may Daddy ang mga kalaro niya, hindi siya nagtanong sa akin. He'd just keep telling me how much he loves me and everything would be alright.

We were fine. We were alright. We were living good.

I've never thought about Quinn seeing him. Quinn left me for another woman who he says he loves. If he knew he had a son, all his dreams for his beloved would go down the drain. Sino ba namang babae ang tatanggap sa isang lalaking nakabuntis ng iba?

And I was afraid that Quinn would turn out to be a bad father to Shawn. That was the motivation I had para hindi na ipakilala pa si Shawn sa Daddy niya. I was afraid of what he could do to my son.

For that decision I made, I paid a lot of consequences.

Itinakwil ako ng mga magulang ko nang malaman nilang buntis ako. They were even angrier when they knew that I broke up with man who impregnated me. They disowned me, calling me a disgrace to the family line.

Dad holds a huge chain of hotels while Mom holds a group of insurance companies under her slate. Maganda ang reputasyon ng mga magulang ko kaya naman hiyang-hiya sila sa nagawa ko.

They didn't really left me alone because they bought me a condominium unit, provided me with a helper and a driver, and even supported me to continue my schooling. They gave me monetary funds for my son which I used para sa education plan nito.

When I finally got my specialization in Cardiology, I bought my son and I a bigger house. Tuloy pa rin ang sustento ng mga magulang ko sa amin pero iniinvest ko na lang iyon sa ibang kompanya. I can provide for my son but if I'm given more then I wouldn't hesitate to accept it for my son.

Except when it comes from Quinn.

Lahat ng perang ibibigay sa akin ay tatanggapin ko. Huwag lang kay Quinn. I don't want to owe him something. Kahit pa alam kong isa siya sa pinakamayaman sa buong Pilipinas, at barya lang ang ibibigay niya sa amin ay hindi ko pa rin iyon tatanggapin.

I only have my pride when it comes to facing that bastard. He can keep his money while I keep my son.

Nang matapos akong mag-ayos sa rest room ay dumiretso ako sa cubicle ng anak ko. Nadatnan ko siyang nakatulog habang binabantayan ni Mela.

"Napagod po ata, Ma'am?" Ani Mela habang binibigyan ako ng espasyo sa tabi ng anak ko.

I held Shawn's face and smiled. No one can take my son away from me. Kung may balak man si Quinn na kunin ang anak ko mula sa akin ay magkakamatayan muna kami bago niya magawa iyon.

I'd fight for my son. Whatever it takes.

"Margaux, ililipat na natin si Shawn sa suite niya." Ani Deonna na may kasamang mga nurse.