A Night to Regret

Chapter 8: The CEO & President of C&D Enterprises

Chapter 8: The CEO & President of C&D Enterprises

"Mommy, please allow me to go with you."

I gave Oasis a half-smile and knelt in front of him. I placed my hands in his shoulders. "Oasis, dear, Mommy is going to the construction site. Kids are not allowed there to just play and roam around. The place where I'm going to is dangerous. That's why you can't come with me," I explained carefully.

It was almost midnight and I really need to go. I wouldn't expect that Oasis would wake up so early and want to come along with me. I really thought he was in deep sleep. Then now, I was explaining to him that he couldn't go with me because the construction site is very dangerous for kids.

I knew Oasis. He loves to play around whenever he sees something that caught his attention. I don't want any jeopardy that will be happening to him once I bring him there.

Oasis pouted and was about to cry. "But Mommy, I want to go with you." Then he cried.

I hugged my son. "Hush, honey. Hush." I cooed my son. I glanced at my parents and stood up. "What should I do, 'Ma, Father?" I asked, asking for help as to what I should do to my son.

"I think you should let him, Mina. Let your son go with you."

I glared at my father in disbelief. With what he said, Oasis stopped crying.

"Father! Are you in Oasis' side?" I asked, frowning as I could visibly see that he was taking my son's side. He was spoiling his grandson.

"Grandpa, please convince Mommy. Pretty pleasssseeeee!" He ran to my father. "Grandpa!"

"Oasis!" I scolded him causing him to stop from pleasing his grandpa. Then he started to cry.

I knelt down again and hushed him. "Oasis, please stop crying. Mommy didn't mean that. Honey." Father took Oasis and carried him on his arms when Oasis couldn't stop crying and throwing tantrums. He consoled my son. I sighed in frustration. How will I deal with this stuff?

I felt Mama's hand on my shoulder. I stood up and gaped at her. She gently squeezed her hand on my shoulder and smiled faintly. "Mina, you are always in your work, and sometimes you have no time to ponder for your son. Don't you think it's unfair to him? Never in your life, we experienced to you when you were like him that we left you alone in our house. We spent the time with you, Mina. Even though your father and I were very busy with our own work, we can really manage how we should spend time with you. We always manage our time. I hope you do the same. You always take care of the work first before your son. Please don't let that you and your son will set a gap and that he will start to distance himself from you. You didn't want that to happen, right?"

I released a sigh after a moment and nodded. Of course, I don't want that to happen. I don't want to let it happen again. My father and I had been through that. And it was hellish, I must say. Our gap became distant when I disobeyed them. I don't want that to happen between my son.

He's my angel and my lucky charm.

Since he came to my life, I became so blessed and lucky.

I sighed again and approached my father and stopped right in front of them. Oasis hasn't stopped crying. He really wanted to come with me. He had been trying to insist to come with me but I won't allow him. Maybe this time, I might try to bring him with me. What I need to do is put on guard and be more of a watcher to him. That's all.

I c****d my head from side to side. "Oasis." He turned at me, tears rolling down in his cute face. I suppressed a big smile at him. "Let's go? You'll go with me. We're going to Manila."

"Really, Mommy?" He stopped crying as he snorted then he showed his cute smile. I nodded my head to prove that I am serious that I'll bring him with me.

I raised my hands and wiped his tears. "Hush now, okay? I'm sorry if Mommy made you cry. Am I forgiven, honey?" He nodded and jumped at me to hug me. I chuckled. I sighed in relief. His tantrums have ended. Good thing! That is a mission accomplished!

"I'll pack his clothes," Mom said and left us.

I put down Oasis to follow his grandmother. "Grandma, I'll help you." Then he giggled when he approached his grandma. They both held their hands as they made their way to Oasis's room.

My gaze flew to my father who was looking at me intently. I drew out a smile at him and he smiled back.

"Do you think I'm a good mother at him, Father?" I asked all of a sudden.

Father nodded and came near me to hug me. "Of course, Mina. Your son is so kind and energetic. One more thing, I can't go along with my grandchild's energetic and active attitude. He's so playful!" He chuckled.

"Just go with the flow, Father. You must at least forget that you are old and experience to be a kid again." I chuckled from my joke at him.

Father shrugged. "Is that advice that I should take offense or not?" He joked.

"Depends on you as to how you will accept it." I grinned.

We talked as I waited for Oasis to come out of the house with his luggage. After a few minutes, Oasis brought his not so big bag. I helped him then put his bag in the trunk. I told Oasis to say goodbye at his grandparents and before I drove off.

After an hour and twenty-one minutes, we reached Manila. I drove my car straight from my condo. It was new and Father bought it for me. This was his gift for my birthday last year. I woke up Oasis in the back seat. He fell asleep while I was driving. When he woke up and saw the building where my condo was located, his eyes widened in amazement and awe.

I got our bags and we entered the building straight to the elevator. When we arrived at my condo, Oasis couldn't be awed to his surroundings. I was smiling and shaking my head when he said so many nice adjectives in describing my condo.

"Mommy, this is bigger than my room! Why is it so big?" Oasis said, awed. Then he ran directly to my bed and took off his shoes. He dove in my bed and jumped into it.

I just chuckled as an answer while I placed his clothes in my closet together with mine. When I was done, I approached Oasis to stop him from jumping in my bed.

"We should rest, Oasis. I have work later. And I..." I paused for a while. He gave me a puzzled look, anticipating what I would say next. I smiled. "And I will bring you to the construction site, okay?"

"Yipee!" He jumped again in my bed. I attacked him with my hug and kisses all over his face then we both fell asleep.

Morning came. Oasis and I both dressed up and ready to leave. We hop in my car and I drove off to the construction site. When we arrived there, we were already hearing how noisy the place is. I walked towards the tent in which my teammates were already there. I found my team and looks like they are busy to notice me.

I took the hard hat that was in the table then I put in my son's head. "Wear this, honey. To protect your head. Wearing a hard hat is proper to wear whenever you are on the construction site. Honey, don't buzz around okay? Every place is very dangerous. Always follow Mommy, okay?" I said and wore my hard hat too.

"Okay, Mommy. Promise!" He raised his hand as if he was really promising at me. I smiled.

"Ms. Hitherway!" I looked at who called my name. It was from Charlie. One of the members of the design team.

"Charlie!" We approached her.

She walked towards us and glanced at Oasis. "Your kid, Sky?" I answered her 'yes'. Charlie knelt before my son and smiled. "Hi, what's your name?"

"I'm Frederick John Oasis Hitherway. But you can call me Oasis." Oasis showed his perfect set of white teeth.

"I'm Charlie. Or just call me Tita Charlie. Would that be okay?"

"Yup. Fine for me," said Oasis politely.

Charlie stood up and walked towards where our team is located. In the table, I saw lots of blueprints placed in it.  Surveyors, civil engineers, cost engineers (or quantity surveyors), mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, structural engineers, fire protection engineers, planning consultants, architectural consultants, and archaeological consultants were here. We were the ones who planned the blueprints for our current project named Josiemarie project.

"Can we stroll around and check all the progress?" I asked Charlie and with some of our comrades. They all nodded. I remembered that my blueprints were on the seventh floor of the construction building. That floor has finished but there were no interior designs. That's where I placed some of my blueprints on the table.

I was holding Oasis's hand when we get on the lift. I could hear my comrades laughing because of the silliness of my son. Well, that's my son. That was his attitude. He knew how to please people under his hands.

I glanced at Charlie. "You texted me last night that we will meet the CEO & President of C&D Enterprises at nine o'clock?" I glanced at my wristwatch. "It's already nine, why isn't he here?"

"They said that they canceled it due to the small problem in their company," Charlie answered. I nodded my head as an answer. I didn't know why but I felt a relief because of that. I felt so nervous about meeting the CEO.

I haven't met him before since we were employed in a contract with them. They said that he was a bachelor or an old man. I couldn't guess who is right if he was a bachelor or an old man.

We reached the seventh floor and I walked directly at my table as to where my blueprints located about the Josiemarie project. I carefully placed Oasis in the chair to let him see my work—the blueprints that I spent sleepless nights just to finish them.

He touched and observed the blueprint. "Mommy, is it nice to build a building?" he asked without looking at me. He was staring at it with awe in his eyes.

I hummed and smiled. "Hmm... yes."

Then he turned his head at me. "Someday I want to be an engineer just like you, Mommy."

I smiled from what he said and hugged his frail, little body. I kissed his hair. "Of course, boss. Someday it will come true." He giggled and pinched both of my cheeks then he suppressed a big smile.

Then I became busy, I was polishing about my draft blueprints in the building and land project. I am the head engineer that's why I have to check every detail of the blueprint.

My drafts were already in good condition I have to make sure there were no flaws just in case the other team would check this out too. I glanced at my side where Oasis was busy playing with my phone. I sighed in relief, knowing that my son is not gone out of my sight.

While I was busy gathering all the blueprints, I felt somebody tugged my shirt that's why I turned to Oasis. "What is it, Oasis? 'You need something, son?"

"Mom, can I stroll around here?"

I shook my head. "No, honey. Not here. Let's go. We have to go down. I need to take the other blueprints on the first floor." We made our way to the lift and rode to go down. After we went down and went out of the building, I let him stroll around and let him stay where I could see him.

I approached Charlie who was talking to the other engineers. I joined with them and talked with them with some matters about the project. As a head engineer, some questions were being asked from me about some matters regarding this project. We were busy chatting when I realized that I am with a kid. And that was my son.

My eyes roamed around and looked for my son. Nervous attacked me when I couldn't see Oasis.

"I'm going to find my son, Charlie. Take care of some things for me, okay?" She nodded and I left her, looking for my son. While I looked for my son, I felt like this was a déjà vu. I just hope nothing happens towards my son this time. What if something happens at him? And what if he got lost and got hurt? And I wasn't there to help my son?

I passed by at the wielders and they greeted me 'good morning'. I greeted them back at them. I was about to enter the building when someone called me. I instantly looked at my behind.

My forehead creased like an old man I think around the age of '50s went towards me. He was accompanied by three masculine bodyguards and was wearing an office suit. He smiled at me when he stopped in front of me.

"You're Skelemina Hitherway, right? The head engineer of this project?"

As much as I want to leave the old man just to find my son, I chose to stay and smiled at him. "Yes, I am, sir. How may I help you?" I asked politely.

He laid his hand to me. "The CEO and President of C&D Enterprises is here to see you about the building and land project. And, by the way, I'm the chairman of the board of C&D Enterprises. I'm—"

"Mommy!"

We all turned our heads to the direction of the voice  Oasis. I heard a clicking sounds of the steels and it sounds like it was falling. I found Oasis near the crane.

"DAMN IT, OASIS! STAY AWAY FROM THAT PLACE!" I shouted as my eyes widened when I saw a heavy, huge box was about to fall in his direction.

Oasis glanced up and his eyes widened. Then he looked at me, his eyes pleading. "MOMMY!"

I immediately ran towards their direction as I screamed his name, horrified. Tears flowed in my eyes. "OASIS!" I have to save my son. "OASIS!" I closed my eyes tightly as it fell and I heard the loud clacking clash of the steels hitting the ground. I don't want to see my son being dead.

"Sir, are you okay?"

I slowly opened my eyes and found a well-built guy who was lying in the ground and he was hugging my son. I was in a state of shock, couldn't move from what just happened.

That guy was hugging my son. Meaning he saved my son. My son was saved!

I ran as fast as I could towards their direction and all people also ran to help the guy and my son. "Oasis!"

"Excuse me! That's my son. May I excuse?" They made me a way. I approached the guy who was still hugging my son, protecting him.

"Oasis. My son!" I immediately knelt before them.

"Mommy!" Oasis was crying and hugged me. I hugged him so tight and even closed my eyes. I cried so hard and thanked God for saving Oasis.

I cupped my son's face and wiped his tears. "Are you okay, Oasis? Are you hurt?" I hugged him again. "God, you made your mommy cry and worried at you, Oasis. I told you not to stay away from me!" I couldn't help the strong feeling I felt towards this happening

"Mommy... I'm... I'm sorry. I'm so... willful," he said, crying. He hid his face in the crook of my neck and I heard him sniffed. I just chuckled at the same time thankful because my son was safe now in my arms.

"Son, are you alright?"

I glanced as I heard an old man's voice who just approached the man who saved my son's life. My eyes broadened in shock when I met Mr. Stefopolous's eyes. My heart automatically pounded so fast. What... the... heck...

Mr. Stefopolous glanced at the old man and smiled a bit. "I'm fine, Dad." Then he looked at me and I saw a speck of dirt in his handsome, gorgeous face. He laid his hand at me. "Come!"

I accepted his hand and helped to stand up by supporting my back. I felt a jolt of electricity flowed in my skin when our hands touched. Chills ran down my spine. Also, I couldn't contain my happiness knowing that he saved my son.

"Thank you, Mr. Stefopolous," I cried. "Thank you for saving my son. It means so much to me. I owe you my life," I said, breathless

"Go back to work!" Mr. Stefopolous instantly said to the construction workers who were encircling us. They instantly conformed and left us.

We were left with my son, Mr. Stefopolous, the old man who introduced himself to me and his three bodyguards. Oasis was glaring at Mr. Stefopolous.

Mr. Stefopolous gazed at me and showed me his half-smile. "Don't mention it, Ms. Hitherway. It's so nice meeting you again." I didn't know why but shudder squirmed at me. Then he came closer to us. As in super close and I couldn't breathe. He looked at Oasis. "Are you alright, buddy?"

Oasis nodded and flashed his cute smile. "Opo, I am fine." I was surprised when his little hands reached Mr. Stefopolous's face and he was the one who removed the dirt in his face. "You have dirt in your face, mister. I wiped it off for you." Then he giggled.

I couldn't help but chuckle. Despite what happened, he could manage to smile and to giggle. I glanced at Mr. Stefopolous. He has a surprise expression but then he smiled afterward.

Oasis was about to remove his hands from Mr. Stefopolous' cheeks but Mr. Stefopolous cupped his little hands and just placed it in his cheeks. I was surprised when he closed his eyes to feel my son's pair of his hands. I stepped closer so that he could properly reach my son.

"What's your name, buddy? And how old are you?" Mr. Stefopolous asked all of a sudden but his eyes were still close.

Oasis looked at me. I nodded my head and suppressed a smile. "I'm Frederick John Oasis Hitherway. But Mommy used to call me 'Oasis'. And I'm five years old."

Instantly, Mr. Stefopolous opened his eyes to look at Oasis. "Five years old?" I was shocked when he flew out his eyes at me. Why is he looking at me like that? Is he shocked that my son is just five years old? I was as if I haven't said something at him. Huh?

"Is there any problem, Mr. Stefopolous?" I asked worriedly.

He looked at Oasis and smile then shook his head. Then he stepped backward but not enough to distance himself from us. He cleared his throat. "You must be the head engineer, am I right?"

I nodded my head. "Yes, I am." This has been repeated, huh?

He flashed a megawatt smile and I felt like I'm going to melt. "I'm Eros Stefopolous, the CEO and President of C&D Enterprises."

My eyes widened. "What?!"