"Mommy... why are you sad?" Luke asked when he found Charmaine sulking in her room. She was sitting on her bed with her back leaning on the headboard and her face buried on a pillow. "I know you're sulking when your hugging a pillow like that." he remarked.
Charmaine throw away the pillow in her arms and beckoned for Luke to come closer. The little boy climbed her bed and hugged her waist.
"I'm not sulking. I was just thinking about something that your grandma mentioned." she told him as she combed his hair with her fingers. "She said, if Leo marries someone else one day, he might take you with them and... his wife would then be your new mommy."
Charmaine's voice was laced with sadness. She knew that the idea wasn't far fetched. In her dreams, after Charmaine and Leo got married, he took Luke to live with them, making Charmaine-the stepmother, the little boy's new mom. In this life, the same thing might happen again if Leo marries another. Although Luke isn't biologically hers, she has been standing by his side since the day he was born. She was even there with Jienna while she was giving birth; holding her hand to show her much needed support. When the doctor gave her the little infant he was to hold, she was too happy.... as if she was the one who just gave birth to him. He's the most precious treasure her sister ever left her. How could she bear to lose him?
Luke furrowed his brows. His father... is going to marry another? He didn't like the idea! He raised his little hand and cupped his mother's cheek. "Don't worry mommy! I won't go with him! I promised to always stay with you, so I will only acknowledge him as my dad if he marries you!" he declared.
The corner of Charmaine's lips twitched. That was just too sweet of him but... that's not the point alright? She doesn't want to marry him either! Well, that's the problem. She's now torn between taking back her boys or letting go of them!
***
Voltaire placed two big brown envelopes on Leo Ji's office table. Instantly, his boss who was sitting calmy behind his desk turned to him with his questioning eyes. "These are the results." the assistant declared.
Leo turned to the envelopes. On the right side was the one labeled 'Luke Song' and on the left side has a written name of 'Charmaine Song.' He took a deep breath first before picking up the one on his left.
Voltaire remained standing in front of Leo's desk. He was also very curious as to what those envelopes contained. He watched as Leo opened one of them. That one has Charmaine's name on it, and he could see the man frowning as he read it's contents. Could it be that something was wrong? He doesn't seemed please with the result!
Leo Ji put the papers back on the envelope with a sullen face. He then reached for the other one but paused just when he was about to open it. Was he hesitating? But after a while, his boss also opened it and checked the results.
Leo Ji froze. Volt clearly saw his boss froze as he stared at the paper in his hand. His frown disappeared as he put the paper down and he covered his face with his palm. "He's mine." he mumbled. "He's really my son!"
Voltaire was startled. Did he just say 'son'? Did he just requested for a paternity test because he knocked someone up? The result is positive, so is that a good thing or a bad thing? He couldn't tell since his hands were covering his face but... it's very likely that he's very frustrated right now. Should he find somewhere to hide now? Is this the part where the boss starts hysterically thrashing his office?
Voltaire stepped back preparing to flee when Leo's phone suddenly starts ringing. He got distracted for a moment and answered the call.
***
"Uncle Leo, it's me." The sound of a child's voice resonated from the other end of the line.
Leo was surprised to hear his voice. For a while, he was quiet until Luke called his name once more. "You're Luke? What's the matter?" he managed to ask.
"I want to talk to you. Can you spare some time for me? I know you're busy but I just need to ask you something." the boy replied.
Leo nodded as if the boy could see him. "Alright. I'll pick you up right now. Get ready." he said before hanging up.
The next thing Voltaire knew, Leo was grabbing his coat from the rack behind and his car key from the table. He quickly dashed out of the office as if he was responding to something urgent.
***
When Charmaine saw Leo in the living room, she was both baffled and scared. Somehow, she always felt uncomfortable when Leo was around. Just when Charmaine was about to ask what he came for, she suddenly heard hurried footsteps running down the stairs.
"I came for Luke. Can I take him out for lunch?" Leo told her.
Charmaine was stunned. They exchanged numbers? Who called who? Luke was specially dressed up and he didn't even tell her anything! They were so close that they were making plans just by themselves?
"Can I go with Uncle? I promise we won't take long!" the little boy pleaded.
Charmaine sighed. "Okay." she answered. What can she do? He's the child's father. He has every right to take him out. But she wondered what those two were up to! Just this morning, Luke told her he will always stay with her, and then suddenly he's going out with Leo. Somehow, Charmaine felt betrayed... and anxious.
***
"Go ahead... tell me what you wanted to say." Leo said right after they finished their lunch. Leo took the boy to a small fast food restaurant just as he requested. He insisted that he finish his meal first before discussing business and Luke obeyed without a word. Now that they're done with the food, it's already time for the talk.
"Uncle, mommy told me you're going to marry someone else. Is that true?" the boy asked.