Hiding The CEO's Son

Chapter 1Llilieth’s POVSix Years Later“Mommy! Mommy, look at this! I did a drawing of Daddy Eros, me and you!”Narinig ko ang sigaw ng anak ko mula sa sala habang ako’y nagluluto sa kusina. Lumingon ako agad. Nakita ko si Kaze, bitbit ang kanyang drawing pad, patakbong lumapit sa akin na parang excited na ibalita ang panalo niya sa buong mundo. Hawak-hawak niya ang isang makulay na larawang iginuhit gamit ang krayola—isang lalaking nakangiti, may hawak na bulaklak at ilang regalo. Iginuhit niya rin ang isang babae at isang batang mukhang masaya sa gitna nila.Maganda ang pagkakaguhit niya. Kahit sa edad na anim ay kitang-kita ko ng namana niya ang talento sa pagguhit ng kanyang ama.Napangiti ako, kahit may konting kirot sa puso. Pinunasan ko ang kamay ko sa apron at lumuhod sa harap niya. “Wow, ang galing-galing naman ng anak ko! Ang gwapo ni Daddy Eros dito, ah!” Sinubukan kong panatilihin ang sigla sa boses ko, pero may bahagi sa akin na napipilitan pa rin. Hindi dahil hindi ak

Chapter 3Adrian’s POV I don’t usually talk to random kids. Actually, I avoid them. They’re noisy. They ask too many questions. They get too close too fast—messy little creatures with sticky hands and wandering eyes. I’ve built a life around silence and distance. I prefer it that way. Cold, detached, simple. But this one… this curious little boy who came stumbling into my shadow with wide, observant eyes—he was different. “Mister, can you help me wash my hands?” He asked politely. I hesitated but his pleading eyes took a toll on me. “Sure.” While washing both our hands, he stared at mine. “Mister, why do you have a tattoo on your hand?” His voice was soft but sure, unafraid. He pointed at my wrist, his gaze focused and steady. There was no hesitation, no filter. Just wonder. I stared back at him. Most kids would’ve been intimidated. Most adults, even. But not him. Napangiti ako ng bahagya—halos hindi ko namalayan. “Just a design,” sagot ko. “So I won't forget something that w

Adrian's POV The city lights outside my office window blurred into one continuous stream of anxiety.My hands were clenched on the desk. I wasn’t even touching my tablet, but I kept staring at the blank screen as if it would suddenly fill with the DNA results I’d been waiting for.“Boss sir.”Ni hindi ko gaanong napansin ang pagpasok ni Blaster sa office ko, he was holding a white envelope in his hand. His voice was calm but firm.“They’re here. Iiwan ko na lang sa table mo,”"No, stay," pigil ko sa kanya nang akma na siyang aalis. "I don't think I can do it by myself."Bahagya siyang ngumiti at huminga ng malalim. "I didn't know the great Adrian Raugh Lanes has something that can make him nervous." He joked but I didn't say anything.I’ve stared at this envelope for twenty-seven minutes. I counted.It’s sitting on my desk, unopened, like a bomb waiting to go off.Across from me, Blaster started eating his bag of banana chips like it’s just another day."Open it. You won't know unles

Llilieth’s POV It was a usual morning. Ang araw ay malumanay na sumisilip sa mga bintana ng Lily’s Table, kasabay ng mainit na amoy ng kape at bagong lutong sinangag. Tahimik ang paligid. Walang masyadong tao—ganoon talaga tuwing weekdays. Nasa school si Kaze, kaya for once, it was quiet inside the restaurant. Thursday ngayon kaya malamang bukas na naman magdadagsaan ang mga customer.At sa harap ko, si Vience—he was sipping his coffee calmly pero alam kong naghihintay lang siyang magsimula akong magsalita."Vien, magiging masama ba akong ina kung ilalayo ko si Kaze kay Adrian?" I asked, hoping he'd give me the answer I want.Ngumiti siya at inilapag sa mesa ang tasa. "Lily, you're the purest person I know. Kung ano man ang magiging desisyon mo, alam kong para iyon sa ikabubuti ng anak mo." Aniya.Bumuntong-hinga ako. "I told him he can spend time with Kaze."Ngumiti siya at muling kinuha ang tasa. “Mabuti na lang at napag-

Vience's POVI’ve always believed that family isn’t just about blood. It’s who shows up, stays, and protects you even when things get messy.And right now, Llilieth and Kaze were at the center of one big, incoming mess. At kailangan kong siguraduhin na hindi sila mata-trap sa loob ng nagbabadyang buhawi.Now, he's back. Adrian Raugh Lanes—CEO, absent father, and now suddenly, a man trying to play “Daddy’s back.” Cute. But no.If he was the prince charming every girl dream about, it should have been fine but he wasn't near anywhere that, not even a knight in shining armor. Kahit sabihin ko kay Lily na hindi masamang bigyan niya ng pagkakataon na makasama ni Adrian ang anak nila, nag-aalala pa rin ako. Alam kong kahit pilit itago ni Lily, mayroon at mayroon pa rin siyang nararamdaman para sa dating asawa, kahit na katiting lang."Not everyone who shows up deserves to stay...”I’ve lived by that belief since I was old enough to unde