Broken Strings novel Chapter 17

MELISSA QUIZON

Thursday came quickly. This is my first day at my new responsibility. Reid still doesn’t know about my new job. I don't want to lie but it's better to keep it a secret from my son. He might think of asking about Wright and I have nothing to answer. Eugene knew about my new job. If I needed him, he would come right away.

"I'll pick you up later. Wait for Mommy." I said softly to Reid as I send him to school.

"Yes." He nodded and kissed me on the cheek before entering the gate of his school.

He stopped walking and faced me again. He waved and I waved too before he disappeared from my eyes sight. I hailed a taxi to go to Wright's address. I had prepared myself for our confrontation. I shouldn’t get over how I feel, the feeling of hatred.

Yes, I still love him. But I can't be with him anymore. I love my son more now. My world revolves to him.

My mind was interrupted when the taxi stopped in front of the big house blocked by huge gates. I handed my fee to the driver before getting off the taxi. I swallowed several times before ringing the doorbell.

My grip tightened on the strap of the bag that hung over my shoulder when an assistant came out.

"Who are you?" She asked politely.

I was about to speak when the door of the house opened, and Wright came out. He is wearing a white V-neck shirt and just khaki shorts.

"Flora... I’ll take it from here." He glanced at me and immediately returned his gaze to the maid. "Thank you.”

Flora turned around and went inside. I was devastated as Wright approached the gate.

Those eyes held me in such a trance I felt dizzy. My body became alert like it had been called by its owner. My senses were heightened, and my entire body prickled. Even from a distance, I knew his eyes were unique. He was tall, broad, but even with his gray cashmere sweater, his muscles were evident.

He came to the gate and opened it for me. "Come in."

"Thank you." I said in a cold voice and stepped into the gate. I walked to the door of his house but was stopped by the feeling of his hand sliding around my waist.

I looked at him sharply and removed his arm that was supporting me. "I don't need your assistance, Mister Agoncillo. I can perfectly walk without your hand supporting my back."

He bit his lower lip. He stared at me. With the extreme intensity of his stare, I was the first to averted. I went ahead of him to walk.

I don't want to be rude. Especially to my employers. But he's different. He's pushing all my buttons. I want to show that I am no longer affected by him.

"Uncle! What took you so long?" I turned to Bobbie. She runs closer to us. When she saw me she immediately stopped! Her hug tightened on the teddy bear she was carrying.

I gave her a sweet smile. "Hi, Bobbie. Remember me?"

I saw the hesitation on his face. She nodded softly and hid behind Wright's thigh. Wright turned to Bobbie and bended his upper body. He picked up the child and she encircled her arms on his neck.

"Let's go inside." Wright went through the beautiful door first.

As soon as I went inside, the white and blue colors of the walls appeared to me. My shoes create sounds because of the wooden flooring tiles. I looked up and marveled at the glowing chandelier.

What else can I expect in an Agoncillo’s house? I didn't know that he had a house built here. I heard then that they had sold all their land here in the Philippines. I saw Wright lower Bobbie to the seat of the White Grand Piano.

He was whispering something to the child, but I couldn’t hear that. Wright said goodbye to us because one of his investors was still on Skype, so Bobbie and I were left in the nice living room.

I started teaching Bobbie basic Piano songs like Happy Birthday, Twinkle Twinkle and Row, Row your boat. I'm starting to wonder because it seems like Bobbie is learning so fast, but I just thought that maybe being a musician is inherent in her blood.

"Can I play a song?" She said timidly.

I nodded. "Yes, s-sure."

She lowered the Teddy Bear and positioned her fingers to the piano keys. All my hair stood on end when he played one of Beethoven's songs.

"Bobbie..." Bobbie stopped when he heard that hard voice.

We both turned to Wright. He holds a tray containing cookies and juice. From my peripheral vision Boobie hugged her Teddy Bear.

"I'm sorry, Uncle." I looked at Bobbie. She crouched down as she hugged the Teddy Bear tightly.

I swallowed. From the looks of the two of them, it looks like something happened that they didn't like. I no longer restrained myself from questioning. "You can play the piano, Bobbie?"

She nodded. "I can play instruments like guitar, violin, and drums."

"Is that why you don't want to go to school? Because you already know everything we taught to you?" I hope my suspicion that Wright manipulated me is incorrect.

She shook her head. "I want to help my uncle."

"What kind of help?" From my peripheral vision Wright set the tray down on the table.

"I won't tell. We pinky-promised."

I knelt in front and smiled. "You know, I can also help you with your problem. Tell me."

"I'm sorry. I won't."

"Bobbie..." Wright approached us. I moved away a bit because our shoulders hit when it knelt. He caressed Bobbie's cheek. "Go to your room. Teacher Melissa and I will just talk, Ok?"

Bobbie nodded and got off the chair. My gaze followed as she ran up the grand stairs. I also stood up and faced the manipulative jerk.

Wright cleared his throat. His eyes are troubled and cannot look at me directly. I'm starting to get bored. "Let’s… Let’s go to the patio."

I followed him. My hands were clasped until we reached the patio. I sat in front of the mahogany table on the edge of the man-made falls. As relaxing as that scenario was, I still didn’t enjoy it because Wright was in front of me.

I folded my arms and looked at him sharply. "This is your plan, no?"

"Y-Yes."

"This is not looking well for you, Wright." I cannot control myself. I'm living in a rage right now.

He gasped. "This is the only way I know to..."

"How many times do I have to say, 'I don't want to'!"

"I'm still entitled to see my child, Melissa."

Damn you! "You lost your right when you said, I have to abort him!"

"I-I have a reason..." His voice trembled and his eyes started to redden.

"Whatever your reason, child abortion is not the solution!" I raised my voice.

Why does he insist on claiming my son, even if he’s the one throw us away?! I know garbage can be recycled or reused, but we are not like that. He has thrown us away, he can no longer pick us up and take us back.

"I don’t care about your reasons. Keep it to yourself, I don't need to hear it."

He approached me but I backed away immediately. "No... Y-You need to hear it."

"I do not want it." I said firmly and turned away.

"Wait a minute… Mel..." I felt like I was burned when he touched my arm. I struggled from his grasp. He went in front of me to block my path. The next thing I didn't expect to happen...

He knelt in front of me and hugged his arms around my waist.

"Shit. What are you doing?!" I shouted. I tried to remove his arms from my waist.

"Please, Melissa. I've changed. I’ll make it right." Tears run down from his eye.

If I was just Melissa back then, I probably would have forgiven Wright. But now, it’s too late for that. I became more stable, and I covered my heart with ice.

"I'm sorry for everything. Forgive me. Have mercy—"

"Mercy?" I laughed heartily even though there was a blockage in my throat. "There's no mercy left in my heart for you, Wright. Honestly speaking, you really have no room in my heart. I despise you! Let me go!"

"Melissa, my family— We're struggling... I can't do anything..." His shoulder shook but I still tried to remove his arms on me. "I'm begging you, listen to me... I have my reasons..."