17: All Because Of A Baby Boy.

Eve

Throughout the flight, Flavian and Christopher were asleep... Christopher fell asleep watching a cartoon, Flavian fell asleep watching me work. I couldn't be bothered to engage in small talks with him when he tried striking a conversation. Unfortunately I wasn't interested in him anymore. I swear it.

I shut down my laptop as soon as the pilot announced landing.

Ten minutes later, I woke Christopher up. Since I gave Crandon a day off, no one was here to handle my things and Christopher’s nanny was not present.

So yeah, I ordered Flavian to carry Christopher while I held my handbag.

"Today you'll be my secretary, Flavian. Keep up."

I told him before descending down the stairs majestically because, of course, I'm the heir of this empire. Every word I say is an order, not a request.

"Hmmm, Mommy walks really heavy. She's mad! What did you do to her, Granduncle?"  

I heard Christopher say to Flavian.

There was a line of eight cars waiting to receive us.

"Mommy's angry that I haven't reached out to her in seven years, you see..."

That cheeky reply. Christopher doesn't need to know that and I didn't want to hear it.

I glared at the two trailing me from behind over my shoulder before stopping right in front of a black SUV.

"Sweetheart, come here."

My words were directed to Christopher, but Flavian marched forth still holding him.

"He can walk. Put him down."

Instantly, Christopher slipped out of his embrace and ran to me.  

"Mommy, where are we going now?"

"When we reach, you'll know. I need you to stick to me or Granduncle today, okay?"

Otherwise vultures will kidnap you when you're out of sight. This child doesn't just understand how highly dangerous this world is, and because he's my son, he's more of a target than me.

I had thought of making a stop somewhere but that can happen some other time. No drama today.

"Mommy, come down here. I have something to tell you," Christopher chimed, beckoning me to lower my knees as always when he had something to whisper into my ear.

I almost found myself blushing, trying to contain my laughter when he whispered the little gossip he had.

I raised my gaze to Flavian, shaking my head and giggling along with Christopher when Flavian narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

Christopher is never wrong about his judgment in people.

"Anything the problem?"

"No."  

I proceeded to slam the car door shut, letting the smile that had been tickling my lips finally surface.

He hadn't changed one bit.  

Not sure if that's a good thing though.

.............

 The church service had concluded by the time we arrived. Now family members crowded at the ancestral graveyard that was close to the Catholic church.

There, I recognised the priest, Isaac was giving a long eulogy since he knew my mother.

Who wouldn't keep tabs on their major investor? Mother was a dedicated Catholic Christian. I know how much time she spent in this very church, not only a devoted follower but a big charity giver. Now she's dead, I wonder who is going to assume her role. Danielle maybe?

Speak of the devil, she wasn't even present. I wonder why. I searched around until my eyes met dad seated in a wheelchair, he was far from the crowd, under the shades of an apple tree, he looked so stiff and lonely.

"The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost."

"Amen," I chorused with the crowd, looking behind me, sure enough, Christopher was still standing beside Flavian.

I made my way forward since dad wasn't strong enough to give the final speech.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we all gather here for one reason: to mourn the dead. While we do that, let's celebrate the living..."

What was I even saying.

"My mother, I never knew her as much as she never knew me, but there's one thing we have in common: we love the taste of gin."  

I brought out a small bottle containing gin. "Mom loved it maybe even more than me. Yeah, would you believe she adds it into her tea too?"

Everyone was disturbed. Yes, it was offsetting to be talking about alcohol at the grave of my christian mom.

I sipped some of the alcohol, spilling the rest into her grave until everything had emptied out. This is for you... mom

Burying my eyes to the floor as the tears I didn't summon tried to swell in my eyes, I can't... I am not weak. I'm not—

My ear twitched at the screeching sound of a cry.

Something was crying. I raised my gaze once again, sweeping my eyes across the crowd of black silhouettes to see a baby wrapped in white, held by Danielle.

The tears dried up before they could see the sunlight. There was a certain person I couldn't take my eyes off now.

When my eyes finally swept across the crowd, they landed on dad again. The truth is his helplessness right now was nothing emotional but an act, I believed so.

I moved to him, helping him up to his feet just to circle my arms around him and rub his back in a warm embrace. A warm embrace, what the onlookers would think, yes.  

Resting my head on his shoulder, I spotted Uncle Flavian slightly slouching into his wooden cane while carrying Chris in his free arm, letting his head rest on his shoulder. Naturally, he was spectacular from this side view. He was perfect, carelessly letting his demeanour emphasize every inch the man he was: dangerous, cold, nonchalant, arrogant.  

I didn't fall in love with Flavian. I admired the parts of me he embodies most... With that being said, I couldn't take my eyes off him.

I inhaled deeply, my air filled with my father's rich cologne. He didn't want to let go since the grave diggers had started shoveling in the dirt.

A tear left my eyes...I didn't cry because my mother was getting buried. I cried because her replacement was standing in the distance, all clothed in bright colors, pitching like the birds as usual.

Danielle’s humming exceeded the raucous sound of the shoveling. But the thing is I rather listen to the noisy shovelings then her throaty hums. She wouldn't stop because the child wouldn't stop crying, testing my patience levels.

"All because you wanted a baby boy, Father."

That statement broke our hug but on a deeper level it shattered something far worse. Me and him.