Shoun's Dei: The Billionaire's Affair

“Mommy..." I heard my baby's voice. What a lovely morning for both of us. I smiled. Hearing his voice every morning fills up my heart with contentment. “Hi, baby. I love you...” I kissed my son on the cheeks. I saw his smile after. “Mommy, I don't wanna be late. We should be eating our breakfast right now,” Deus told me. I almost forgot about his classes. Deus is already in his first grade. I looked at his face. You do look like your father... “Mom?” I came back to reality when I heard his voice. “Yes, yes! You should be downstairs already. I'll just wash my face, okay?” I said, putting my hair into a bun. I went to the bathroom and did my morning routine, which was washing my face and brushing my teeth. I smiled when I saw his excited face. “Dig it up. Then we'll go to school.” He nodded and ate the breakfast meal I had prepared for the both of us. We finished all of it and made our way to go to his school. We don't need to take a cab or ride a vehicle because it's just within walking distance. I could say that it only took us twenty or twenty-one steps to reach the school. “Bye, mom!” Deus kissed me and waved goodbye to me. I also waved my hand at him. “I'll get you later. Bye! Enjoy your day.” I smiled when he responded to me. He gave me an ‘okay’ gesture and left me with flying kisses. Then I went back to our house. I started cleaning up and fixing the things that needed to be fixed. After I got home clean and fresh, I started making our lunch meal later. It was only the two of us in this house for almost five years. We also have visitors sometimes, Deus' friends and classmates. I mean, as a parent, I would much feel at ease when I know that my son is around the house. I'm not strict. I also don't want to deprive my son of the freedom of having friends. It's just that I want him to be by my side as much as possible. But I also allow him to be at his friends' houses or go out for a while. I trust my child, so... “I'm pleased to meet and be with her for the rest of my life. She's my lifesaver.” That voice! I went out of the kitchen and looked at my TV. It was an interview with him together with his soon-to-be wife. I saw his smile. It wasn't fake or genuine. He just smiled at the people and her. I knew he wasn't happy. After all, he's a man who doesn't want to lower his pride. He always thinks highly of himself. I will never forgive you, Shoun... I shut off the TV, obviously, not wanting to hear his voice more. It was making me tremble and angry. I let out a deep breath and continued cooking our meal later. Suddenly, I remembered what happened a few years ago... “Thank you so much! I'm grateful for your generosity, Sir...” I forgot his name. What he–” “It's Shoun Spade,” he said without glancing at me. “I have to go. You can start working now or tomorrow. I guess it's ideal if you start tomorrow because I'll have to talk and discuss these things with my previous personal assistant.” He left. I never knew he would be the one I would work for. I thought I'd be in Spade's mansion or something. But here I am, sitting inside the office of Mr Shoun. I'm glad I already have my workspace. It's near to the door, in the corner. But it's alright. I needed a job in the first place. I was doing my thesis when a man entered the room. “Get me a coffee, please.” Well, it's my job, so I did what he told me. I made him a coffee and immediately went back to his office. It's my first day as a personal assistant of Mr Shoun. “Where do I put this, Si–” I was standing in front of his desk, holding the cup of coffee I had made. It's hot. He put down the papers he was reading and looked at me. “Put it here, on my desk. You can go already after this. I'll have a meeting, and I guess you do not know anything about the plan later.” I just nodded at him. I felt a little offended. I know I'm 19, but that doesn't give him the right to humiliate or say something that will offend me. I went back to my so-called office space inside his office. I continued doing my thesis. I was busy throughout the day that I overlooked the time. I looked at my wristwatch. It was already four in the afternoon. I fixed my things and myself. I was finished when I noticed Mr Shoun looking at me– no! it was like he was already staring at me. I felt nervous. Do I have something in my face? “You, kid. You should go. It's already late.” He looked at his watch. “I'm going to go. Just lock my office when you go home.” “No! I've finished already.” I carried my bag and stood up from my seat. I was standing before him. “Where's the lock?” “Here.” He handed me a key. “I don't have a duplicate of that key. So you better not lose it.” What if I lose this? Will he fire me? “Okay. Let's go.” I was locking up the office when I noticed he was still there. He was just in my back. I felt nervous again. I thought he had gone out already! “I'm just checking,” he told me. I'm having a hard time locking this key. I felt my sweat building up. I was startled when he snatched the key into my hand and closed it himself. I was nervous. I didn't know I was holding my breath already. “Relax.” He gave me the keys and went out. I was left alone. “Goodbye, Sir and Madam!” The security guard waved at me. “Bye!" I smiled at him. I breathe out. I was not that exhausted. I just felt like my energy was drained by doing my thesis earlier. I have come this far. I thought. I was finished cooking our meal for lunch. I just made mixed vegetables. It's not difficult for me to tell Deus to eat vegetables. I'm happy he's not picky on foods except when he was still inside my womb. I had a harrowing experience during my pregnancy with him. I glanced at the wall clock. It was already 11:45 A.M. I prepared his lunchbox. Yes, I don't eat with him. I usually eat mine after his lunch break, but he sometimes feeds me as well. Deus is an intelligent boy. I think he got both of our intelligence. No! He's smart because he got the brain only in me. I shook my head. I'm arguing myself. It's normal. I thought. I went to Deus. I picked him up, and we went to the school cafeteria. “How was the half of your day here?” I asked him. I always have a smile whenever I'm with him. He always makes my day beautiful and peaceful. He chewed and drank his water before he answered. “It was good, Mommy! I have a new friend. It's a girl! She's beautiful!" He was grinning from ear to ear. I pouted. “Who's more pretty?” I acted feeling hurt. “Mommy, she's not old.” “So I'm not pretty as her. Is she?” I pouted more. I'm just kidding. But I also felt somehow like annoyed. He just indirectly told me that I'm old. “You're pretty on your own, Mom. Both of you are pretty to me.” He smiled at me. How can I resist his adorable face and actions?! I pinched his cheek slightly. “I'm just kidding you, baby. What's her name?” I wiped off some sauce on his mouth. “Her name is Dara. We are the same age, but her birthday is in the early months of the year.” He finished eating. “I'm done, Mommy!” His smile never left. I think he has a crush on Dara. Oh my! My son. “Come here,” I said. He sat next to me. “Where's my hug?” There. He hugged me tightly. These are the times that I will forever cherish. “I love you, baby...” I kissed him on the cheeks and forehead. “I love you, too, Mommy.” He gave me lots of kisses before I went home. Deus' classes would end at 3 P.M. What I do during those hours I'm alone in the house is work. Now, I'm working in my home as a writer for magazines. It's a long story, but I became a writer because I love writing. I think it's better that I choose to do what I want d of looking for companies to make consultations, talk and all. Well, I'd rather sit, listen, and reflect on someone's thoughts than speak and make a consultation with someone. I'm happy with the path that I choose. For the past months, I've been working on a project about billionaires in the country. I didn't know my agency would give me this tremendous opportunity and project. I'm grateful that I work with them. They've been so good to me ever since I joined them. I nearly opened my laptop when I heard my phone ring. I took it and answered the call. “Hello?” “Hi, darling! It's me, Martha,” the woman on the other line said. I wasn't shocked. She's been with me even before Deus came to this world. She never left me. “Hello, Mrs Spade. Why'd you call me on an unknown number?” “That is why I'm calling you. I had changed my number. It's a new one. My prepaid sim was broken as well as my phone. I was furious that I threw it out,” Mrs Spade. I imagined her saying those words. “Why? Did something happen? You should not be feeling like this, Madam. You're getting prone to sickness. You shouldn't be stressed out,” I told her. “I know, I know. Thanks for reminding me, Dei,” she paused for a moment. “How about your lives? Is Deus there? How I wish he would live here in my house. I miss that boy.” I smiled. Mrs Spade was fond of Deus. She was even the one who gave a list of names to be named for him. “He's at school. He will go home later in the afternoon. He was asking me about you, too. I told him you were busy, but he always asks me to go to your place, Madam.” I chuckled, remembering Deus. “No, I'm not busy. You two should be here. You're always welcome here. I will be happy if you come here to my house. Besides, you two are like my daughter and grandson.” I felt like Mrs Spade smiled during the entire conversation, especially when Deus was our topic. “Thanks, Madam. You know I'm grateful that we had you.” “Darling, how often have I told you not to call me that? Just call me by my name or ‘Tita’?” She was not angry, but it sounded like she was a close friend's mother. “I'm sorry, I forgot. I'll just call you ‘Martha’ then. But it feels like I'm not respecting you...” I bit my lower lip. “It's great for me, though. I know you wouldn't call me ‘mommy’, right? Don't bother what other people think about you. The important is that I know you respect me as a person and senior.” I smiled. She's generous and kind towards others. I'm lucky enough to be of those whom she helped. “Okay. We'll visit you when I don't have much workload.” “Alright. I'm looking forward to it. Notify me so that I can prepare my house,” she said. “No need to celebrate or renovate the house, Martha. It's just Deus and me.” I laughed. “It's not. You and Deus are important to me,” she said and paused, “it's nice hearing you call me that. I'm happy. Well, I'm going to hang up this call now.” I nodded. “Okay...” “Save my number, darling. I'm glad I talked to you today. Take care, you and your son. Bye!” “Bye!” With that, the call ended. I then received a message from my co-worker that the agency emailed me. I opened my laptop and looked for the email they sent me. When I found it, I opened the file containing the list of billionaires in our country. I was scanning their names when I saw his name. Shoun Spade. No way! I would never write a report about him! Ever! I thought. But it's my job. I let out a deep breath. Then I thought of something. I contacted one of my co-workers and asked if he could be the one to write the part for that devil's report. I silently prayed for him to say 'yes' to me when my phone beeped. From: Mike Sorry, Dei. I'm not part of that project. I can't help you with that. But I hope for your success. :) Fine! I'll do it. I will make him the last billionaire that I will write about. I sent Mike thanks and continued researching the billionaires in my country. They can be counted on fingers. I breathe out. “Let's start this!” I said to myself. As I was browsing, I learned that they were just business partners with each other. They're friends. Well, all of them are in their 20s to 30s. They do not look that old. In fairness! I thought. Some of them are hardworking. It can be seen in their company's growth income. It's huge! I could never make a million in a day. They're lucky and wealthy. I don't envy their wealth, though. But I knew some of them were not the ones that made the company run smoothly. I'm annoyed when I think of it. I cleared up my mind. “Let's not think about bad things, Dei.” With that, I focused on looking up to the people that made me inspired. Brrring! brrring! I shut down my laptop as I heard my alarm clock ringing. It's the time that I will fetch Deus from his school. I went to my closet and changed into a dress. I looked at myself in the mirror, brushed my hair and made it a bun, and put on some powder and gloss on my lips. I also sprayed perfume on myself. “Mommy! Mommy!” Deus ran to me. He was delighted. Then a girl walked to him. She was with her parents. “Mommy, this is Dara! She's the one I told you about earlier.” He turned to the girl and said, “Dara, this is my mom.” “Hi, Deus' mommy!” She waved at me and smiled. She looked like a daughter who everyone would want. She looks charming, too! I lowered myself and looked at her. “I'm her mom. You can call me ‘Tita Dei’.” I smiled at her. She's beautiful. “Okay, Tita Dei. I'm with my parents. I'll ask them to meet you too.” Dara raised her hands to us, signalling us to wait. “She's pretty, right, mom?” Deus was happy. I smiled. As long as you're comfortable and safe, I'm always excited, too. Minutes later, Dara and her parents came to us. I was frozen when I saw them. It was Martha's child. “Dei, it's you! I didn't know you already have a child.” Margaret smiled at me and looked at Deus. My heart was pounding fast. Will she notice it? Probably, no! Maybe? Yes? I came back to reality when I heard my son and Margaret having a conversation. “Your mommy is my friend. She was working with us before,” Margaret told him. She lowered herself to the same level as Deus' height. I was never prepared for this. I'm afraid and nervous. “My mommy told me before she had worked for a big company but never told me the name. Is it the surname of your family?” Deus asked. He was innocent. I admit. I never wanted Deus to know about my past. That's why I never told him the company's name I've worked on for almost four years. “Yes, it's Spade industries corporation.” Margaret was looking at my child intently. It looked like she was looking or thinking of something. Then she stood up and faced me. “Where's his father, Dei?” “I– I don't know...” I glanced at my son. He was unbothered. I didn't know if I should be glad or not. “Oh... okay. I get it.” She nodded at me. Thanks! “Visit us when you have the time, okay?” I nodded. “Yes, we will.” I smiled. “It's nice seeing you again, Dei. I missed you a lot. Can I get your number?” She took out her phone inside her bag and handed it to me. I saved my number on her phone and gave it to her immediately when I saw the incoming message from her brother. “Here.” “We'll be going now, Dei and Deus. I'll call you later.” Margaret and her daughter started walking away from us. We were about to walk also when I heard Margaret calling me. I turned to look at her. She was already inside the passenger seat of the car. She said, “You have a lot of things to tell me when we talk, Dei. See you around!” She smiled at me. Margaret has always been full of energy. She was friendly and talkative to people she knew she would build good relationships with. I waved at them. “Bye!” We walked our way to our home. I continued my work while I let him do his homework. I always ask him from time to time if he needs any help in doing his assignment. Sometimes he would go to me and ask if he didn't understand something. At 5 P.M., Deus told me he had finished his assignment. He went to the bathroom and washed. Aside from his intelligence, Deus is an independent boy. I don't need to say to him what to do. “Mommy, Lola Mommy and Dara's mom have the same surname. Are they family?” Deus asked, which made me a bit panic again. I was checking his notebooks when I heard him inside his bathroom talking about his unknown family. “Yes. That makes Dara's grandmother Martha.” He just finished bathing himself and went out of the bathroom. He was covered with a bathrobe. He does look like him a lot. I thought. I shook my head, trying to shove off my thoughts. “Your clothes are on your bed. Tell me if you don't like it,” I said. I was reviewing his notes. Ever since he could talk and walk, he always wanted clothes. Clothes that he loved so much. He's really into fashion. I knew he didn't get it from my family's side. It came from his grandmother, Martha. I remember she went shopping with me. She told me to accompany her but ended up that I was the one who went home with lots of paper bags. She bought me a lot of dresses. Thank God the dresses still fit me even though I gained some weight after I conceived Deus. Take note that it all went from the high classes and expensive brands. I wanted to pay for them, but Martha said I should enjoy myself and wear the clothes she bought. She was very good to me. After I checked his notes and assignment, I went to him. “It looks good on you, baby!” Deus was fixing his hair in front of the mirror. “Mommy, I heard what you said to Tita Margaret. You said you didn't know my dad...” “It's because the topic was personal. Do you hate mommy for that?” I asked him. “I'm not mad, Mommy. It's okay. I'm willing to wait until you forgive Daddy...” He put the hairbrush in the nightstand drawer and went to me. “I'm sorry, Mommy. I made you feel sad.” He hugged me. I embraced him as well. “Mommy won't be sad as long as you're with me, baby. Always remember that. I will not be mad as long as we know that we don't lie to each other.” I kissed him on the forehead. “I love you, Mommy... I won't lie to you because you don't deserve to be betrayed and sad.” I smiled at him. His words touched me. He knew it all. I would never doubt him because he knew how much it would cost if someone lied to a person. “What do you want for dinner?” I looked at him. He was thinking. “I want meat today, Mommy, but it's for tomorrow, so... a fish with vegetables would do,” he said and paused. He was thinking of something. “Mommy...” I smiled at him. He was pouting. He makes this every time he wants to request something. “What is it? Tell me.” “Can we eat meat tomorrow at a restaurant and go to Lola Mommy's house?” I knew it! I laughed. He doesn't want the month to end without visiting Martha. “Sure! We'll get her a gift before we go to her house. Do you want that?” I asked him. “Yes, yes, Mommy! I will buy her something tomorrow. I already had one in my mind.” He was smiling widely. I cannot see his eyes anymore. “I'll be cooking now. Do you want to watch a movie, or do you want to take a nap?” I asked him. “I'll use the TV, Mommy.” I nodded as a response. We both went to the living room and turned on the TV. Then I went to the kitchen. I started gathering the ingredients that I would use. I'll fry fish and make some fish soup. It took me an hour to finish cooking it. “Mommy, I'll get the plates and utensils,” Deus told me. He was thoughtful to others. I was blessed that I had him in my life. “Thank you, baby.” I transferred the fish soup to a bowl and put it on our table. I was going back to the kitchen when I saw Deus holding the plate of fried fish with both of his hands. “Let's eat, Mommy!” He sat on the chair across from me. “Oh! I almost forgot to thank God.” “Okay. You lead the prayer, baby.” I closed my eyes as he started to speak. “Dear God, Mommy and I are grateful to have these meals today, tomorrow, and in the future. I hope you won't get tired of giving us blessings. Thank you. Amen.” “Amen.” I opened my eyes, and so did Deus. We started eating. “Mommy, how'd you do this soup? It's delicious; I want more of this in the future.” My heart melted. “It's a fish soup, baby. I'll buy more of the ingredients for this. It's very nutritious if it has more vegetables.” I continued eating. It took three cups of rice for me to complete. I know it's evening, and I shouldn't be eating more rice. But it's good to eat, especially if it's the food that I cook. “I'm going to watch a movie again, Mommy.” Deus left me in the dining area and went to the living room. To digest the food that I eat, I wash the plates, utensils, as well as pots that I used earlier. I also cleaned up the table before I left the dining area. “I'll take a bath, baby,” I said. I then went to the bathroom. I just took a half bath and changed into comfortable clothes. I always wear oversized shirts and pajamas. Then I went to Deus. “Mommy, his surname is also Spade. Does that make him also Lola Mommy's child?” My son asked me, pointing to the man on the TV. It was the devil. “Maybe? Yes?” I sat down and hugged him. Deus nodded, still looking at the man on the TV. I felt guilty somehow. I wanted to tell Deus who his father was. But I felt like something was pulling me not to say to him. Maybe it's not the right time. I promised myself I would tell him everything when he was already in his last year as a primary grade student. “Do you think he would accept me as his child, Mommy?” he asked and looked at me. I smiled. “I think, yes. He loves children, baby,” I told him. Yes. You've read that. That devil loves children. “But you're mad at him, Mommy. Is he bad that much that's why you're not forgiving him?” Deus asked again. “He did wrong things to me. That's why I hate him. But don't be mad at him just because I am, okay?” I cupped his face and kissed him on the forehead. I knew how happy he could be if he had a father by his side. Who wouldn't? I thought. Maybe I should tell him who his father is before his birthday? “Mommy, I'm sleepy.” Deus yawned. His eyes were already closing. I turned off the TV and carried Deus to his bedroom. I put him on his bed. He was breathing deeply. “Good night, baby.” I kissed him on his forehead. “I love you.” Thank you for always understanding me. I covered his half body with the blanket. I looked at him. If only you knew how much you look like him, Deus. I will never forget him because you're like him. You're like a little Shoun. I let out a breath. “You saw some of your family and father earlier, Deus. I hope you won't stop understanding me when you know everything about them, us.” With that, I went to my bedroom. It's already 10 in the evening, but I'm still working on my project. I'm now reading about the backgrounds of the billionaires in New York. There were eight billionaire people in here. “Is he bad that much that's why you're not forgiving him?” Deus' question was still in my head. Now, I lost my focus completely. I should call the day off. I shut down my laptop. I stood up and looked at myself in the mirror. “I'm quitting my job.” I was trying to hold my tears. “And then? What will you do?“ He smirked. “It's none of your business,” I said. I was controlling myself not to raise my voice at my boss– my former boss instead. “If you're going to quit. Make sure not to come back here.” He looked at me. It felt like I was pierced by how he looked at me. “Sure! It's not difficult to leave this damn job.” I couldn't control my emotion anymore. I burst into tears. “Sign my paper already.” “I don't want to see your face ever again.” With that, he signed my resignation letter and threw it at me. “Get out!” I was picking up my paper when Shoun shouted. My eyes were full of tears. My vision was already blurry. I immediately went out of the office. I wiped my tears. People were looking at me as if they already knew the whole story. I walked out of the building as fast as I could. I found myself in the park. I still have the resignation letter with me. I lowered my head. I was crying again. I never knew that submitting a resignation letter would hurt more than I expected. I wiped my tears. I looked around at my surroundings. There were some couples, families, and children. I was looking at the sky above me when I heard a child's voice. “Mommy said I give you this.” The little girl handed me a handkerchief. “Why are you crying? Did someone fight with you? You should call the police then.” I chuckled. How I wish the fight were easy. “No. I didn't fight with someone. I just quit the job that I loved so much.” “If you love your work, why do you stop it?” My voice broke.“I'm carrying a baby inside me.” I'm carrying a devil's son.