[1: Family Reunion]
-5 years later-
"Alisha, I'm leaving!" my best friend Kristy said.
"Okay, thanks for taking care of Alas!" I replied, seeing her off to the door.
I glanced at my son, who was almost glued to his laptop. Kristy usually takes care of him whenever I have shootings.
I got pregnant because of what happened five years ago, so I didn't finish college. I decided to pursue acting instead, and I managed to get in. But I'm not famous yet; sometimes I just do commercials.
"Alas, say goodbye to Aunt Kristy!" I said to him, but he remained focused on his laptop.
Oh, this kid.
"You really hit the jackpot with Alas. He's even better than me at using a laptop and computer! Maybe he's a computer genius!" Kristy teased, and I laughed.
"I don't know what's up with Alas. He'd rather tinker with the computer than play with kids his age. You'd think he's not five years old by the way he acts," I chuckled.
"Okay, I might be late for work. Bye!" she bid farewell and left our apartment.
Since I'm not that famous yet, my talent fee is low, and I still need to rent an apartment. I'm not complaining; it's just right for me and my son.
I sat beside Alas and looked at what he was doing on his laptop.
Goodness, it's all codes and numbers! Is my kid a hacker?
"Alas, why can't I understand this?" I asked him.
"Mommy, only computer geniuses can understand and decode these computer codes," he replied, raising my eyebrows.
Computer geniuses? Is my son saying I'm dumb? Where did you inherit your arrogance, Alas?
"I don't know. I'm not good at computers. I don't know where you got that from!" I retorted.
"If not from you, probably from Daddy," he replied, lowering his laptop.
Really! He's already answering back at his young age! I used to be a computer genius too, but I kept it hidden. Now, I don't even know where I hid it.
"Come on, Mommy, let's eat! I cooked earlier while you were gone, and I asked Aunt Kristy for help," he said, pulling me to the kitchen.
He prepared a plate and filled it with food for me. I couldn't help but smile watching Alas. He's so advanced in his thinking and actions compared to his peers. Many people have told me to have Alas checked because he might be a genius. But for now, I'll let my son enjoy what he wants to do.
Sometimes, I feel sorry for my son. I always leave him alone, so he learned to do household chores at a young age. I can't even remember the last time I cooked for him.
"Wow, adobo!"
"Tita Kristy said it's your favorite!" Alas said, and I hugged him.
"I love you, my dear!" I exclaimed, hugging him tightly.
As unlucky as I am with my family, I'm just as lucky with my son.
I admit, it was difficult when I was pregnant with him because I had no money. The Arcenas disowned me. But when I found a job, things became stable.
But never once did it cross my mind to abort Alas. He's my only treasure. I can lose everything, but not my son.
"You should eat faster; we're going to pick up your Uncle Dustin!" I reminded him, and he nodded.
Dustin Samonte is an A-list celebrity. We've known each other since college. We're friends, and it's been like that until now.
I stopped eating when I received a text.
From Dustin:
I'm at the airport...lots of reporters so I'm wearing a hat and a mask. I hope you recognize me! :(
I just sighed when I saw Dustin's message.
That troublesome guy.
After we finished eating, Alas and I went straight to the airport. Fortunately, it's near our place.
"Mommy, I want ice cream!" Alas said, pointing to an ice cream stall.
Despite his mature mind, my Alas is still a kid. He still enjoys things that other kids enjoy.
I was about to take him there, but he suddenly stopped.
"Mommy, I'll buy it myself. You go find Uncle Dustin; just come back here for me," he said, and I smiled.
My baby is so independent!
"Okay, I'll go find Uncle Dustin. Don't wander too far!" I reminded him.
Alas is a smart kid, so he knows what to do. And I won't go too far; I'll keep looking back at him.
I looked around and searched for Dustin, but I couldn't find him. There are too many people wearing hats and masks now.
Should I go back to Alas first? He might be getting impatient.
I went back to the ice cream stall and witnessed a scene.
"Where's your mom, huh? Are you even capable of paying for my bag? That's a high-end brand; could you afford it?" the woman yelled at my son.
My heart raced, and I hurriedly ran to where my son was.
"Alas, what's happening?" I asked him.
"Mommy, I accidentally spilled ice cream on that lady's bag, and then she pushed me and said mean things," Alas replied.
I looked at the woman, who was clinging to an old man who clearly had money and power. You could tell by the jewelry he was wearing.
"Miss, I'm sorry for what my son did. I'll pay for it. But it's not right to push my son and be mean to him, he is just a kid," I said to her, and she raised her eyebrows.
Oh, if only I couldn't be thrown in jail, I would've slapped that woman. She's bullying my son, then she's going to make me pay. Annoying!
"Is that it? Do you even know how expensive this is? This is a limited edition bag from Han! Can you afford it?" the woman shouted.
Han? As in the company with the most expensive bag? We're in trouble, Alas.
Crowd gathered around us because of her loud voice.
"You're a liar! That's not true. The print on the bag isn't clear, and there's something wrong with its font. That bag is fake," Alas said, and the woman turned red with anger.
Oh, my son's big mouth will get us into trouble.
"How dare you?! This is authentic! Y--"
"The kid is right; that bag is fake..."
We looked back to whoever intervene and saw a handsome man wearing a black suit.
"Isn't he Aushi Han? The owner of Han Company?"
"Oh yeah! Wait...why does he look like the kid? Is that his son?"
"No way! As far as I know, he is still single."
Whispers spread among the people around us. I looked at 'Aushi,' and indeed, he looks like Alas!
He's the President of Han Company?! Oh my... why does he look familiar to me? Have we met before? Or maybe I've seen him on television before?
Handsome, with a sharp nose, bright eyes, fair skin, and a well-built physique. The type of person you know you should fear just by looking at him.
A serious aura envelops him.
"I'm the one who said it, don't you believe me?" Aushi asked.
I was surprised when the man suddenly slapped the woman.
"Apologize to Mr. Han!" he shouted at the woman, who started to cry.
I winced at the sight of the marks on her face left by the man's hand.
"S-sorry, Mr. Han," she said, glaring at me before they left with the man.
Serves you right for being so dramatic.
I was surprised when Alas suddenly ran towards President Han.
"Alas!" I called out to him.
Alas just looked up at Mr. Han, and Mr. Han looked back at Alas.
Oh, they look so cute, they could pass as father and son, HAHAHAHA.
"Hey, are you my daddy?!"