Chapter 222 Favor For Friend
1990words
I am completely taken aback by Aiden's offer, and before I am able to ask anything the waiter shows up with our food. He places it politely with the same young woman beside him helping him who has her eyes all on Aiden but Aiden hardly glances at her face.
Pity.
"So…" Aiden turns to me with expectant eyes.
"Before accepting your offer, I would like to confess something." I begin while gulping nervously.
I should be honest with him.
"Go ahead," He says in a casual tone as he picks up his cutlery and begins to eat.
"I have a son," I reveal and he chokes on his food immediately.
Cough … Cough … Cough …
I politely offer him a glass of water as he stares at me with wide eyes.
"How… When?" After taking a few sips, he asks me in a hoarse whisper and I take a deep long sigh, I know this truth is difficult to digest.
"I got married secretly and then had a son, because of some unpleasant things.. I left Denver and went to live in Chicago." I explain and he listens to it intently, his face neutral, not giving anything to me.
"Are you still with that man?" He asks and I take a deep pause, well, I am living under his territory but I am definitely not with him.
"No," I reply firmly.
"Do you plan to get back to him?" He asks.
"Uhmm… No, I don't think things would ever settle down between us." I answer him truthfully and he raises his brow at me, "Who is he?"
I froze for a moment, not knowing if I should tell him the truth and take Andrew's name.
I ponder for a while and looking at my hesitation, he speaks out, "If you don't want to share, that's ok."
And I breathe a sigh of relief.
"Thanks, Aiden," I murmur a small thankyou to him and we are again engulfed in our food.
Aiden asks about Cyrus and I tell him all the things in detail, he looks quite excited after knowing about Cyrus and shows his interest in meeting him.
I would be glad to bring him to his office but that is for later, not now.
I don't know if I am doing good by hiding Aaron's existence but Aaron belongs to Andrew in all ways. I don't think I would be able to take him away from him but at least I can try to take both my sons from them.
Should I take help from Ron or Aiden this time?
I ponder and couldn't come out with a better answer.
After our lunch, we head back to his office to sign my official appointment letter and then I show him my designs and he as expected looked pleased with my work, and again I discuss with him about my working hours, it would be difficult for me to attend the office daily and he seems to show no disagreement on it, Thankfully.
I even request him to not reveal my son's identity to anyone or about my marriage he obliges and I sigh in relief. How could Aiden have turned into such a blessing for me?
Huh…
Time changes everything.
I head back home quite late and as soon as I enter the kid's room Cyrus turns his face away unhappily from me showing me his anger.
What have I done? Oh, then the thing clicks in my head.
I left him alone that is why he must be angry at me. After all, before coming here to Denver, I never left Cyrus for a second, he would always stay by my side all the time.
Sigh…
As I have just experienced before, time changes everything.
While Cyrus turns his face away from me unwelcoming me, Aaron, on the other hand, gives me a warm smile and opens his arms demanding for a hug. I happily walk towards him and hug him warmly in my arms, he is such an adorable creature always winning my heart with his sweet caring gestures.
Somehow, Andrew has done a great job in raising him alone.
"How's my little son doing?" I kiss his forehead and ask as he snuggles in my arms, and I wrap my arms around him affectionately.
"I am good, Mommy. I learned to draw the sun today." He tells me excitedly and I pat his head appraisingly, "Good boy."
"And what did Cyrus learn?" I tilt my head to Cyrus, his face still away from us.
"He is angry, Mommy." Aaron pulls my clothes and whispers quietly.
"Oh, I can see that," I whisper slowly in acknowledgment.
"Cyrus," I call him and in return, I get a scuff from him, oh really?
Putting Aaron back to his bed, I walk towards Cyrus's bed and then sit at the corner slowly, "Sorry, Cyrus, Mommy gets busy with something." I start to explain but he moves further away from me not interested in listening to my explanations at all.
I look at him helplessly and then at Aaron, who gives me an encouraging smile.
"Cyrus, Mommy has to work just like she worked before." I tell him and he finally turns, snapping at me angrily, "Before you take me with you, everywhere." He emphasizes the last words and my heart drops.
Things have changed Cyrus if you could understand, dear.
"Because it was Chicago, not Denver, Cyrus." My tone is getting straight in agitation.
"I want to go back to Chicago, then." He complains and I look at him dumbfounded.
"You can't… Not now." I refuse him firmly and he looks at me with hurt in his eyes, "You're no good. I'll talk to Daddy." He shouts and I roll my eyes at his words.
Daddy? Huh, where the hell is he no one knows, and neither he has contacted you.
I shake my head in dismay when Cyrus's next words blow my mind away, "Now, Daddy will talk to you. Daddy has promised me he will talk to you. Now, mommy will get a scolding." He looks like a small man venting his anger on me by taking sides with his father.
I am supposed to get annoyed by his behavior but somehow I am shocked and even at one point my stomach flips in giggling.
To hide my ridiculous smirk, I turn to Aaron, "Did he talk to your Daddy?"
"Yes, we both talk to Daddy, Mommy." Aaron replies and my heart clenches from the disappointment. So, he has called to talk with his sons but not me, Great.
I was also not waiting for him to call me.
Go to hell, Andrew Jack.
So, this is the reason why Cyrus is showing so many tantrums, does he think Andrew has the guts to scold me, really?
Just for a few hours, I am out of his sight and he has become so rebellious of me, Bravo.
I look at Cyrus with extreme disappointment and when I turn to Aaron I realize how strong the bond Andrew has created with him while I have done nothing to keep my bond strong with Cyrus at all.
Sigh.
A deep sigh in my miserable state.
Quietly, I leave their room with no more words exchanged with Cyrus. I then enters the kitchen and quickly made a dessert for Cyrus, apple pie would be able to vanish his anger and soon I would indulge in preparing the apology food.
On this day, I decided to not have dinner with his sister, Anna, around us. I ask Miss Celine to bring the dinner to the kid's room and we all three have dinner together in their room peacefully.
Now, I have no burden or worry on me of violating Anna's rules. Now her rules don't apply to me at all and I am not obliged to all her commands.
Thankfully, my apology is accepted by Cyrus and I slowly start to make him understand that I have to work even when his father has shown up, I still have to stand for myself and him.
I know it will take some time for him to get used to his new surroundings and change but hopefully, he will accept it one day.
At night, I stare at my phone. That man's ignorance towards me still bothers me. It won't lessened his ego if he had texted me once.
And it wouldn't lessen your ego if you text him first.
My subconscious kicks in righteously and I groan unhappily.
It was him begging me to not leave, where did all that care and enthusiasm go, huh?
Or was it all just an act to get me under him?
A sour reality of our broken relationship.
Again, this night too I am not able to sleep peacefully, I keep tossing and turning and there is no sign of Cyrus coming into my room at all.
Seems like now he isn't afraid of sleeping alone in his bed.
Sigh. I should be happy about my son's achievement but I am more than stressed at this moment.
*****
The next day, I was busy with the kids when my phone rang and my heart skips a beat as I think of it as Andrew's call but no, it wasn't. It's Aiden who is calling me.
My smile drops and my thumping heart also starts to calm down gradually as I press the answer button and then bring the phone near to my ear.
"Hello."
"Tessa, I need a favor from you." He sounds anxious and I look around at my kids who are busy playing with their toys. Quietly I exit their room and enter mine, "What kind of favor?" I ask, feeling curious.
What is it he needs from me?
"There has been a social event, I would like you to attend with me as my employee." He talks like business and I hesitate for a moment.
"Uhmm… I have never been to a social event, Aiden." I tell him worriedly.
"That's why it's a favor I am asking, please do it." He says in a sweet polite voice that again brings the weird flips in my stomach. I can't refuse him at all.
"Ok, I guess, then." I agree with reluctance and his cheers overwhelm, "Great, I'll text you the time, then." And just like that, the line goes dead and I stare at my phone blankly.
Beep … Beep … Beep …
What was that?
Aiden texts me after a while, he has sent me an address of a place with time and has mentioned coming in formal clothes.
Formal clothes, I think for a while, what could be formal for a social event. I don't have any suitable clothes for the event, nor any accessories to wear on them. All the clothes that Andrew has bought for me are quite simple.
I take a deep sigh, it's difficult to find a suitable formal dress but still, I manage to select one not forgetting my coat over it, it's freezing outside.
I had a long discussion with the kids about my leaving because this social event won't let me return soon I know. Thankfully, they understand and with a heavy heart, I leave them both to Miss Celine.
I hope I will be able to save a good amount of money and then leave this place forever with my both sons.
When I reach the address sent by Aiden, I realize it wasn't any place for the social function but a boutique and before I am able to call Aiden, a woman approaches me with a welcoming smile on her face.
"Tessa Will? Right?"
I nod my head in "Yes"
"Mr. Maverick has booked your appointment today, please come over. We don't have to be late for the ball." She mentions and my pupils start to get wide.
A ball?
