A Dangerous Man Series 2: MIRKO GONZALES

CHAPTER 4

“Mommy!”

“Mommy! Wake up!”

I was woken by Miko's cheerful voice, my only child. I decided to stay in bed and playfully tease him. Every time he called me "Mommy", I felt complete and restored. I finally felt complete again, even after my past had broken me. For the past six years, I hadn't had to look for love as Miko had filled my life with it.

Six years ago, I gave birth to my son, Miko, and have been raising him as a single parent. On the night I decided to give up my virginity to a man I was not familiar with, he made me feel valued and worthy of love. But that strange man disappeared after that night. But I didn't regret it because Miko made my sad and lonely life meaningful. This was a turning point in my life, and since then, I have placed my sole focus on being a good parent to Miko and making sure he has a colorful and happy life.

I chose to name my son Miko, derived from the name Mirko, in remembrance of a special man I shared an evening with.

I can't seem to forget that man, even though it's been six years since he vanished. I don't know what happened to him or why he left so suddenly. I simply awoke one day in his penthouse, and he was nowhere to be found. I still visit the Cole Club and his penthouse from time to time, but people state that he suddenly disappeared without a trace.

Couldn't he run away from me?

Miko shook me insistently, saying, "Mommy, wake up! I'm going to be late for school!"

I gave him a gentle smile and rose to my feet. "Alright, I'm up," I said to him with a soft chuckle.

"Yes!" Miko was so excited that he exclaimed, "I would love to have pancakes and milk!"

"All right, I will be in the kitchen. Please wait for me there."

"Okay, Mommy," Miko said.

After Miko left my room, I went to the bathroom to take a swift shower. Then, I went downstairs to prepare breakfast for my son, who is off to pre-kindergarten. I work nights at the publishing house I work at, so I am still able to take care of my son in the morning. It is now 10 o'clock in the morning. I stayed up late and got home at 3:00am, but I still managed to have a good night's rest. After I finished making breakfast, we both ate together.

Miko innocently asked, "Mommy, did Uncle Ace and Marga come along with me? Are we all going to the same school? I would like Marga to be my playmate."

"Miko, my boy. Wouldn't you like Mommy to drive you to school?"

"No, Mommy," he spoke quietly, a little pout on his face. "What I'm saying is, I want to play with Marga. Please Mommy?" He begged me.

Marga is the daughter of Ace and Annika. Since I discovered Ace and Annika's relationship the night I left, I have not returned home. Despite their pleas, I refused to go back. Instead, I chose to maintain my independence by working hard to build my own home and business. This decision was not based on pride or hurt, but rather on my desire for a peaceful life for my son and myself.

"After school, baby." I said, and then put the bag on his shoulder.

"Okay." He answered sadly.

Once we stepped away from the gate, there were Ace, Annika, and their daughter Marga. Even though I had been hurt in the past, I still managed to give them a pleasant smile, as if everything was alright. I was relieved to see that they reciprocated my smile and I could tell there was a mutual understanding between us. We all knew that things had been difficult in the past, but we were willing to forgive and move forward.

"Marga!"

"Miko!"

The cousins bumped into one another, and it was pleasing to see they got along. Annika and I used to be close, but now even a smile is enough to show we're alright. Still, it's impossible to go back to the way we were before, given what happened in the past. We still shared memories from our childhood, though, and it was a reminder of the good times we had. I'm sure that we both understood that it was time to move forward and start anew.

Ace calls out to me, "Veronica."

I looked at him and asked, "Do you need anything?"

"We'll take Miko with us. They go to the same school and are in the same class," Ace offered.

"No worries, Ace. Appreciate it." I gave Miko a gentle pat on the head. "Ready to head off, son?"

"It's all right for us to bring Miko to school, since they both attend the same school. Therefore, no need to worry, Sister." Annika's suggestion.

I shook my head and firmly stated, "I shall be the one to take my son. It is my duty as his Mom." Afterward, I smiled at them. "Alright, we're off. Take care, Marga!"

Marga gave us a wave as she said her goodbyes. "Take care Aunt Veronica and Miko! Bye!"

"Goodbye, Marga," Miko said as we got into the car. "Let's play after school!"

"Okay!" Marga responded.

Marga and Miko are only a few months apart in age. Marga is the elder of the two.

After I put the car in a spot across from the pre-school, I got out first and held the door open for Miko.

"Just behave at school, okay?" I reminded him.

"Alright, Mommy!"

I kissed him on the cheek and he did the same to me.

"Goodbye, Mommy! See you later."

I waved goodbye to him. "Take care, son." I gave my son a warm, loving smile.

When Miko walked in, I decided to go. Miko is an incredibly intelligent child. He absorbs information quickly, and I want to ensure he's exposed to positive behavior instead of negative.

I headed directly to the Lala Pillow Bucks.

"Bea!"

I heard Mia's voice as soon as I arrived. We have been close since we were kids. I was frustrated with her because I had already offered her a job, so she could get away from being a dancer at the club, but she had turned me down.

I took a seat in the seat across from her. "What brought you here? Have you changed your mind? Are you now ready to accept my offer?"

Mia shook her head. "No! I'm here because I really miss you!"

I rolled my eyes at her. "Well, I didn't miss you."

I was about to get up from my seat when she stopped me. "I don't want to work at your coffee shop out of pity," she said, her lips forming a pout. "I want to be independent like you. When my Dad was still alive, I experienced a life of luxury. However, upon his disappearance and the sale of our belongings, I have become much more aware of the world around me."

I raised my eyebrows inquisitively. "You mean to say...?"

Mia sat down beside me and clasped my arm as she said, "Do not depend on other people. Discover how to be independent. I saw that in you. So... Please? Do not feel obligated to make me work at your cafe."

The flower shop I owned has gone bankrupt, so now the only business I have is a coffee shop.

"I earn an income from performing at the Cole club. That's enough for now." Mia added.

I took a deep breath. "Okay, okay. I believe it's against your will, but what else can I do?" I gave Mia a pat on the shoulder. "I'm here whenever you need help, just don't hesitate to ask."

Mia nodded and gave me a half-hearted smile. "Thanks," she said, her voice wavering. "I'll keep that in mind."

I could tell she was trying her best to remain strong, but I could see the fear in her eyes. I gave her a hug and reassured her that things would turn out alright. "Remember," I said, holding her gaze, "you're not alone in this. We'll get through it together."

"Aye, aye, captain!"

"Promise?"

"Promise." Mia responded, lifting her palm to swear.

I knit my brows together as I looked at my best friend. "You act like you're so tough, aren't you?"

"Of course, because my family needs me," Mia stated.

"Yeah. We need to be strong." I agree with Mia. "We need it for our loved ones."

Mia and I chatted for half an hour. She declined my proposal to be employed at my cafe. In short, Mia prefers to put in the effort and doesn't want to take the easy way out.

I NOTICED Miko was not in a good mood and had a frown on his face, so I asked him, "What's wrong? Is there something I should know about?"

I'm here at the gate, ready to take Miko away from school. I'm already wearing my work clothes, so I can go directly to the office after I drop Miko off at my Mom's house. My mom offered to take care of Miko when no one was taking care of my son. Yes, I feel bad for them, but they're still my family and I can't leave Miko alone at home. I don't want him to feel alone.

Miko lowered his head in respect. "Mommy, I punched someone," he confessed to me.

"What?!"

"I regret my actions, Mom. Even though I know it's wrong to hurt others, I still... I'm so sorry, Mom."

I asked Miko in a composed manner, "What was the reason for you to do it in the first place?"

Miko was silent and wouldn't look up until the teacher came up to me to discuss the situation.

"Miss Sedulga, I don't intend to interfere in your personal life, but Miko appears to be having difficulties with his peers as they continuously asked about his Father. It seems to be causing him to become agitated, which leads to him lashing out at his classmates." The teacher smiled kindly. "I just want to clarify, where is Miko's Father?"

I held Miko's hand more firmly when the teacher asked. I am unable to say a word as long as Miko is beside me. "Son, go and get in the car first. Wait for Mommy there, all right?"

Miko nodded. "Okay, Mommy."

I'm at a loss for words. Shall I say that after what happened that night, Miko's Father left me? I don't know what to say! What the heck?

I inhaled deeply and looked the teacher in the eye. "Miko doesn't have a Father. I am all he needs, so can you kindly talk to the students not to ask him regarding his Father?"

The teacher smiled and gave a slight nod of the head. "No problem, Miss Sedulga. I understand. I apologize for what happened."

I gave the teacher a smile in return. "Thanks for being so understanding, I apologize for my son's actions, Ma'am. Excuse me, we have to go." After I said that, I went to the car where Miko, my son, was waiting for me.

"Mom." Miko called me when we arrived home.

I responded in a gentle tone, "Yes, my dear?"

I saw uncertainty in his expression. I sensed he had something he wanted to share with me.

"Speak up, Miko," I implored him.

Miko seated himself on the lengthy couch and gazed directly at me. "Where is my Father?"

I was at a loss for words, since it had never crossed my mind that Miko would be asking about his Father. I could tell that Mia was right. As Miko gets older, he will get curious about who his father is. I knew that I had to tell him the truth, but I was unsure of how to approach the subject. I knew that this would be a difficult conversation for both of us, but it was one that had to be had.

I sat down next to Miko and took a deep breath before making eye contact with him. "Can't I be enough for you?"

Miko slowly and carefully adjusted his seat in order to get a better view of my face, "Mommy, I love you," he said, "but I want to know who my father is?"

"I'm both your mom and dad," I declared.

Miko shook his head in disbelief. "No, all my friends have both a mom and a dad," he said, his voice heavy with sadness. He hung his head, and I could see the sadness in his eyes. "But, unlike them, I don't have a dad."

I ran my fingers through Miko's hair and asked, "Would you like to know what your Daddy's name is?"

Miko's face brightened with joy. "Yes, Mom!"

I gave Miko a gentle glance. "Your Dad's name is Mirko."

He beamed with delight as a smile spread across his face, and he spoke his Father's name with love. "Mirko..." he said, his voice filled with joy. "I'm Miko and my Dad is called Mirko too. We both have the same name, Mommy!"

I can see the smile on Miko's face as he utters his father's name with a hint of happiness. I thought I was capable of filling the role of both his mother and his father, but now he's seeking a father to care for him. I didn't realize how much he needed that kind of care.

Where have you gone, Mirko? What caused your disappearance? Are you like the others? Have you abandoned me as well?

There are many questions that I have left in my mind that have not yet been answered.

The last thing he said to me was something I will never forget.

"Goodnight, honey… This is proof of how important you are. You taste like expensive food and your beauty is like a shining star in the sky, so don't think that you are worthless, and you are not to be underestimated."