CHAPTER 6

Celine's POV

I drop the phone and puff out air, refusing to turn my head to look at Paxton and see the look of disappointment he will give me. 

I expected this. I know Bryan so well and I know how hard, difficult and stubborn he can be. I just thought I should give it a try and here I am, sitting still and ignoring Paxton.

He has no idea why I am stopping him from helping me. If he gets involved, his life will be at stake and I can't risk it. I will rather let Jason leave there than lose Paxton, he is another important person in my life. 

He is the only friend I have in this vicinity, ever since Brianna left for Cape Verde. I don't know what happened and why people treat me like an outcast since I came back here with Jason. 

Sometimes, when I think about it, I conclude that it is because I left this apartment empty for almost 4 years and I came back with a baby.

"Is this how you want to get your son back?" He queries me. 

I breathe out again and finally turn to face him squarely. We are both sitting on the sofa his brother and his friends were sitting on earlier. I could see the look of disappointment on their faces after Paxton told them what I said. 

Before the one he calls his brother left, he turn to stare at me with a look of pity but I didn't feel like someone who needed pity. 

I am not being selfish. If I was selfish, I would have given them the go-ahead to bring back my child, without giving a damn about the consequences or whether they will make it out alive or not.

I wonder what Paxton thinks of Bryan for him to assume he can defeat him. Jason is his son and I know he will do all he can to protect him, even if it means going back to his former life.

"Paxton, you don't understand what is going on....."

"Then make me understand", a flash of anger sway past his expression. I have never seen him angry and it amazes me to know that Jason is the reason for his anger towards me.

I remain quiet, thinking of how best to present everything to him. I don't know how to tell him that Bryan is the son of the mafia leader. I don't know why I don't want him to think bad of Bryan because he is my son's father. 

I guess I just need to tell him so he can understand what is happening and then I can do things my way. I will have to pay Bryan a visit to his house or the company. 

We need to see and talk things out. I am still Jason's mother and I will always be his mother. I want to have a say in his life. I have always been there for him before Bryan got a wind of his existence. He can't just take him away like I am not important to my son.

"It seems you have no idea what kind of humiliation...."

"I'm sorry", I apologize, cutting him short. Now I realize the reason for his anger. He is angry that I embarrassed him in front of his brother and friends by rejecting their offer to help me get my son back. I am doing this in their best interest, not because I don't want their help.

"I am doing this in your best interest", I voice out my thoughts.

He stares at me for a while before chuckling. "My best interest."

"Bryan is a dangerous man. He will do all he can to make sure that Jason doesn't come out again so I don't get to see him. I am trying to think of a way out to appease him so he can at least let me see my son. You don't know Bryan." I explain and touch his knees.

"That is what you keep saying since yesterday. Tell me who he is already", he stands up and flaps his hands angrily. He twirls back to face me with hands akimbo.

"I'm all ears, Celine. Is he the governor or the President?"

"Don't you get it already?" I yell, getting pissed that he isn't getting my point. 

Is he pretending to be dumb or what? I can't tell him everything I know about Bryan, that will add to my punishment and Bryan will have me in his black book for life.

He blinks in surprise that I just yelled at him. He shakes his head and turns to go out of my house. I rise and run to block him from going, realizing the gravity of what I have just done. 

He is just trying to help and I have no right to yell at him or transfer my aggression to him. I doubt if I can survive this lonely life without Paxton, now that Jason is gone. Paxton is the only person I have close to me now.

"I'm sorry", I plead with him, glancing at him as my back hits the door. He remains silent as he examines me before sighing. 

"I am not supposed to yell at you. I am just trying to protect you from falling into his traps. He is not someone you can deal with. He has the financial power and the right connections to fight whosoever stands in his way. Please understand."

He nods as if he understands and I heave a sigh of relief. 

"I get it now", he folds his arms and I keep staring at him, wondering what is going through his mind. "You are trying to protect me, right?"

I want to answer but I can't open my mouth because I can see he isn't convinced by my explanations. 

"Can you protect me?" He asks and I furrow my brows. "The one who is supposed to be protecting someone here is me. You have no idea who I am."

His last statement catches my attention and I open my mouth unconsciously. "Who are you?"