Chapter 11
The minute Auntie entered the room, she was surprised to see Brylle holding onto Zeke possessively.
“You got him to stop crying.” She stated. I turned to look at the both of them before running out of the house.
“Nassandra!” I heard Zeke call.
I walked down the streets as the tears kept falling from my eyes. My mind wouldn’t erase what just happened a few moments ago.
Is Brylle still going to treat me as his mother? Will he ever forgive me? Am I still going to be with him?
Those are few of the many questions that swarm in my head. I can’t help but overthink all the possibilities about Brylle.
I also can’t help but blame myself for what just happened to him.
When I saw a bench, I stopped walking and sat on it, my eyes staring at a distance.
I kept thinking and thinking. All of the same thoughts consistent in my head.
After a long time I decided to go back home. It’s getting chilly here outside and it’s almost getting dark, too.
The minute I arrived at Auntie’s door, I heard Zeke’s voice.
“Brylle?” I hid behind a wall and listened.
“Papa?” The child muttered sleepily. I heard Zeke heaved out a sigh.
“Look, I’m not your real papa, okay?”
“Tito Zeke?” He says with disappointment. I can’t help but touch my chest in pain.
“What happened, Brylle?” I peeked over a bit and saw Zeke and Brylle sitting beside each other.
“I just miss them a lot.” Brylle said to which Zeke tried to nod.
“I miss my family, too, but what you did to your mother is…” He trailed off, hoping to find the right words to say.
“Where is mama? I think I hurt her.” I stepped out from where I was hiding and showed myself with teary eyes. The minute Brylle saw me, his eyes teared up. He started running towards me, almost tripping but good thing Zeke was there to assist him.
“Mamaaa! I’m so sorry mama!” He cried. He’s been crying all day and he just stopped when he slept. I rubbed his back while tears are still running down from my eyes.
“It’s not your fault, baby. It’s okay. I’m sorry, too.” Brylle tightened his embrace.
“I didn’t mean to say the words I said. I just missed you.” I smiled upon hearing his statement and wiped its wet cheeks.
“I know, Brylle.” I looked at his face and kissed his cheek before hugging him in my arms again.
“I also missed you, Brylle. I’m sorry.” He kissed my cheek as well.
“It’s not your fault, mama.” He smiled at me.
“I love you!” I smiled and also wiped my wet cheeks.
“I love you too!” We enveloped each other once again. This made Brylle look at Zeke.
“Can you be my papa?” He stopped for a moment but smiled eventually.
“Of course, Brylle.” The child pulled Zeke in the arm so he could join our little hugging session.
“I’m with papa and mama.” I smiled at his words.
“I’m always here with you, Brylle.” I immediately threw Zeke a glare as he was about to cuddle me too.
“Don’t you dare.” I whispered. But he just smirked and continue on hugging me.
I didn’t notice Brylle getting away from our embrace and the result leads to Zeke and I wrapped up in each other’s arms.
I pushed him hardly and avoided eye contact. I don’t know why but for some reason I could feel my cheeks burning.
We had just finished eating dinner as Zeke and I went to Tiya’s backyard.
“Why are you giving my Auntie some money?” I asked with furrowed eyebrows.
“I just want to help, Nassandra. You have no salary so what are you going to give Brylle?” My fist clenched.
“You don’t care about that anymore.” I can’t help but feel irritated. This made me turn to his face and then flashed him a sincere smile.
His body stiffened as I went over to him and hugged him.
“Thank you,” He didn’t return the hug, instead, he was confused as to why I just did that.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.
“For everything, for what you did for Brylle.” I was about to break the the embrace when suddenly Zeke pulled me back to his body.
“I will not refuse a beautiful girl wanting to have me near her.” I pushed him away once again.
“Don’t me.” He just laughed mischievously. Then there was silence.
“Uuhmm.” I didn’t bother looking back at Zeke so I just shifted my eyes at the night sky.
“Hmm?”
“So I didn’t make a good impression on you.” This was enough to make me turn back to him.
“Obviously.” He scratched the back of his nape.
“I’m sorry about that.” Wait, am I hearing it right? Mr. Arrogant is apologizing?! I smiled at him and rolled my eyes at the same time.
“It’s okay.” I noticed his face lightened up.
“Really? You’re not annoyed at me anymore?” He happily asked. I hit his nape playfully.
“You’re annoying in general, that wouldn’t change the fact.” He pouted which made me laugh.
“You know that we are a member of a mafia.” He stated. I discreetly nodded.
“Are you scared?” He asked to which I shook my head in response.
“As long as my family won’t be involved, I won’t be scared.” He flashed a grin at me.
“I promise we will not.” I returned his friendly grin.
There was a text on my phone and I noticed it’s manang. She asking as to when we’ll be back. This made me sigh.
“We should head back.” He nodded and stood up, walking towards his car.
“I’ll wait for you here.” I nodded and went back inside the house.
I immediately went to Brylle.
“Baby, I’m going back to my work now.” He seems sad upon the news but smiled in the end.
“Okay mama, let’s just video call everyday, okay?” He cheerfully said. I held him by the cheeks and kissed him on the forehead.
“Of course, baby.” Then I turned to Tiya.
“I need to go back…” I said. She envelopes me in a motherly hug.
“I’m sorry for the disturbance, Nassandra. Just do your best, I’ll handle Brylle.” I smiled at her.
They both escorted me outside the house.
“Bye papa!” Brylle waved a hand at Zeke to which the latter waved back.
“Bye Brylle.” I hopped on back to the car as Zeke drived back.
We are already in front of the gate while waiting for the guards to open up the gates. My instinct told me to look at my side and I noticed movement by the trees surrounding the area. I furrowed my eyebrows. Could it be just the wind?
“Nassandra? What’s the problem?” I turned to Zeke and shook my head.
“Nothing.” He glanced at me for a second before driving back inside the mansion.
We went out of the car where Dale was waiting for us outside the house.
“Where have you been, Zeke?” Irritance was evident on his voice. I bowed at him before walking back inside the house.
“Why?”
“We’ve been discussing about Megicula.” Those are the only words I heard before heading back towards the kitchen.
“Hi!” I greeted everyone in there. Manang faced me from her current task. She smiled.
“Nassandra, since you just arrived, you’ll be the one to wash the dishes.” She says. I was about to open my mouth to say something as I saw the sink full of dishes and utensils to wash. I scratched my nape before starting to work.
I looked at the clock.
2:15 am.
The lights are off and everybody in this room are fast asleep. I feel nervous and I can’t explain where it’s coming from. Two days have passed since I visited Brylle who kept crying that day.
Maybe I couldn’t sleep because of that. Yeah, right, maybe that’s it. But I can’t shake off the feeling that someone is watching this place. Ever since I saw something by the trees. I just ignored it.
As I was looking by the window, I noticed movement and heard muffled noises. I sat in my position and looked carefully outside the dark surroundings.
An injured man in black is desperately trying to get away as if he was being chased by someone.
My hands found itself on my chest as I control my heart from beating frantically. Part of me wants to go outside and check what’s going on or should I just stay inside and mind my own business. I sighed as I got out of bed and left the room.
I quickly went to the kitchen and went out the backdoor. When I arrived at the backyard, there was no one in sight. Could it be just my imagination?
I looked to my side as I noticed a figure was standing in my peripheral vision. I went closer and my eyes widened as I saw a guard unconscious on the ground.
I checked his pulse and sighed a relief for he’s still alive. He has a bruise on his neck which made me conclude that it might be the reason why he passed out.
“Guards!” I jumped upon hearing someone shouted which gave me the goosebumps. His word was so full of emotion and he’s clearly mad.
I immediately went back inside the house and went to the living room that isn’t near the front door.
It was dark but I could see a figure of a man near a woman who’s on the floor.
The man looked at me and despite the darkness, I saw him throw me a deathly glare.
“Call the damn guards now!” He commanded. I froze on my spot as I just stood there, looking at the woman on the ground.