Second Chance with the Billionaire

04. A Missing Presence

MY BROTHER’S VOICE ECHOES LOUDLY as I stand there facing Ezekiel who mirrors the same expression as I am.

For the first time, I have felt the slight fear in his eyes that turns into a playful one within a second. He is not Ezekiel if he isn’t this kind of person in the first place.

“What are you two talking about here secretly?” RJ, my brother, asks, approaching us with curiosity filling his eyes.

I opened my mouth, only to not say a single word, earning a confusing gaze from RJ instead. He eyes Ezekiel for a moment before his attention went back to me in full curiosity still. He wouldn’t let this go.

“What is this? Are you both doing something behind my back?” He pointed out, squinting his eyes on me and his best friend then turned to the latter as if he was judging his whole existence. “You still remember your promise, right?”

Ezekiel rolls his eyes and scoffs in disbelief. “You think of me so little, my friend.” He drapes his arm into my brother’s shoulder despite his judging gaze. “I made my choice already, didn’t I?”

My gaze went to Ezekiel as he spoke those words. He did… he did make his choice… and it was a choice that I will never forget he ever had. No matter how many years pass by it will remain in my memory as one of the biggest turning points that turn my life into how it is now.

Since the very night when I caught my own husband cheating on me and Ezekiel showed up in front of my face the same night that affair happened, it never left my mind already the possibility of how different things could be if I didn’t end up marrying Gael. However, whenever that thought comes, I also question my worth of being fought for despite knowing why it happened in the very first place.

It was chaotic, but it surely is one thing that I managed to regret now.

“You better keep your word until the end, especially now,” RJ draped his arm on my shoulder. “That this woman is already married. So, I’d rather see you play around with others than mess with my sister.”

“You have my word, bro, even how messed up one’s situation could be.” Ezekiel looks at me, putting a smirk on. “Just like always.”

It really is friendship over me, huh?

As these two reminiscences promise that they made to keep their friendship, I keep myself in silence and walk to the dining room where my parents are already waiting with my daughter. I watch as they cuddle my daughter, gently and longing as if they didn’t get to meet her for years when it has only been a few months since the last time we have been here… and during that time, we were with Gael too.

I couldn’t help but let out a sigh as I watched Kathleen show off the teddy bear she has on hand, gifted by her father. It still baffles me how Gael still managed to have an affair with a woman who he shouldn’t be with considering his status. Did the thought of our daughter crying endlessly because the possibility of her having a broken family never cross his mind? He could have just set me aside and I wouldn’t mind it at all, but he could just think of Kathleen, even if just her… but he still didn’t.

“Mommy!”

I almost jumped in my spot when I heard my daughter’s loud voice, calling out for my attention. As I look at her direction, she waves the gifted bear from her father to show it off as I can only smile awkwardly. My dear daughter, you don’t know how much I want to give you a smile throughout this whole mess. But I know that it is impossible… not unless your own father can bring back time and fix what he messed up.

In a swift, I open my arms wide to welcome her in it like I always do.

“Are you having fun, my dearest?” I gently said, soothing her hair with my fingers. “Do you like it here?”

“Yes, Mommy! Papu said that we will swim later, is that true?” She said in her small voice.

I glanced at my father as he gave me a nod right away, earning a small chuckle from me. He probably had no choice. Once Kathleen asks them about something, they usually obliged without any complaints. It is the reason why I do scold them, even if they are my parents. The least that I want is for Kathleen to grow up being spoiled and that is exactly what they are doing right now.

“Sure, baby. Just make sure you will have your things prepared, okay?” I said, making her cheer and go back to her grandparents.

They play along for a while as I head to the backyard just to get some fresh air. I stood there with my eyes closed, thinking of what had happened in my life within just a week. It truly has been a roller coaster ride and I don’t even know when it will end.

“You should have told us that you were coming back home so we could have prepared the guest room properly.” I heard Mom’s voice from behind as I opened my eyes to see her standing there with a warm smile plastered on her lips.

My only safety.

“It’s alright, Mom. You can have the maids prepare the room while we’re down here anyway. It’s not like we will be going anywhere any time soon.” I said as she stood next to me, allowing me to feel like that kid again, fragile next to her.

“Are you just going to stay here until the new year? How about your husband?” She curiously asked.

It is just as I expected. Even without Gael, they are already looking for him. What more if he is here and they will notice the distance between us no matter how much we hide it?

“He’s… out of the country for some… business. That is why I decided to come here with your grandchild to spend the holidays with all of you.” I covered up for him. “He was sorry though. It's just… he really has some important business to attend to and he can’t miss it.”

“That’s too bad. Your father was really looking forward to having some talk with him about business. Besides,” She gave me a side hug, making me smile. “What can be more fun than spending the holidays with your complete family. Just tell him to drop by here once he is done with his business.”

I smiled awkwardly and nodded. “I will.”

And I wish that I could tell you now that a happy family won’t be possible for us anymore… since everything was messed up by that missing presence.