Chapter 1: Kids

Chapter One

"Are you sure you still want to attend your ex-wife's wake? I don't think it's necessary," Jonathan glanced at Regina, who was now sitting on the sofa in his office. She was playing with her curly hair while crossing her legs, flawlessly presenting herself in front of him.

Last night, Jonathan received news from Colleen's friend about her passing. She was now lying in state at her home in Bulacan. It had been over six years since he last saw his wife, and she was still strong and not suffering from any illness, so he was surprised to hear that she had died of pneumonia, with a heart attack three days prior.

He didn't know how to react to the news. He had loved her, enough to marry her despite their different backgrounds. He was like heaven while Colleen was just the earth. She didn't come from a wealthy or prestigious family. In fact, none of his relatives accepted her; they all labeled her a gold digger. Perhaps that's why she cheated and left him, unable to handle his snobbish family.

He didn't like how they treated his wife, but he couldn't blame them. After his father's death when he was eighteen, all the responsibilities fell on him. As the firstborn child of Nicholas and Jolina Clark, he was groomed to be the perfect son, the future head of the Clark family. He knew he had to marry someone from a wealthy family, someone who could share the responsibilities in their household.

Colleen wasn't that person. She knew nothing about business or their lifestyle. She was an orphan, raised by a low-income family, and didn't even attend college. That's why his family never accepted her. But he loved her and was willing to be with her despite everything.

Unfortunately, Colleen couldn't bear the mistreatment from some people, not just from the Clark family but from everyone in Jonathan's world. So, it was easy for her to fall for someone else, someone who understood her, someone who would accept her no matter her status in life.

Jonathan still remembered that night vividly. They were kissing, but it didn't feel the same anymore. He could sense her unhappiness and lack of love for him.

"You know I love you, Joe, but I can't force myself into your world anymore. I'm not right for you."

She cried that night, expressing how unbearable it was to live in his world.

"I made a mistake entering your world, and you made a mistake loving me. We can't be together, really."

He didn't say anything. He saw his wife's struggle entering his world, and he couldn't stop her if she wanted to leave. A million words ran through his mind, all meaning the same thing. He wanted her to stay, he wanted to beg her not to leave him, which was why he remained silent; he knew he couldn't stop her.

He wanted to shield her from the people around them, from his family and relatives, and he thought he could, but he failed. She lost her happiness in his arms, far from what he had promised her.

A week later, Colleen never came home. When he tried to find her, he discovered she was with someone else, the one she had mentioned, the one who didn't promise her heaven but the life she had always dreamed of.

It's bittersweet to think that everything Jonathan desired was within his reach: wealth and money, but not the life his beloved wanted.

That was the last time he attempted to find his wife, and that was the last time he heard news about her. They never filed for annulment, so he knew she didn't marry anyone else. He hoped Colleen and that man remained together because at least he knew she didn't come back to him because she was truly happy in her new life.

Joe's attention returned to Regina as she stood up and approached him. She sat on his lap and fixed his short hair and curls.

"Well, it's probably better if you go there to confirm that your marriage is indeed over," Regina said sweetly.

Joe pursed his lips and shook his head. He pushed Regina away and stood up.

"I'll be there to pay my respects to my late wife, Regina, not to celebrate her death," he said, offended.

Regina immediately sensed his irritation in his tone and voice, so she held his arm and shoulder.

"I know, of course. I just wanted to know if we'll finally be getting married too."

Joe just looked at her. They had been in a relationship for almost a year now. Regina Lawrence was his mother's choice for him. Well, Joe wasn't in love with her, but what was the point? After Joe and Colleen split up, he never thought he could love anyone else. He had been hurt, and as the days went by and he tried to move on, he became numb. He felt like there was no room for love in his heart. So, when his mother, Jolina, suggested he entertain Regina, who showed interest in him, he agreed. Regina came from a wealthy family, and Jolina was certain she could be his perfect wife, the woman worthy to replace him as the light of their home.

A month ago, when Regina asked him to marry her, he couldn't. He was still legally married to Colleen. He promised to take care of their annulment, but he hesitated after talking to his lawyer. Getting an annulment was very complicated. He never thought about divorcing her when they got married, so he married her in the Philippines. If only he had known that love didn't always last, he would have married her in another country where divorce was easier.

The door opened, and Lorenzo, his butler, entered.

"Mr. Clark, the car is ready."

He just nodded and turned back to Regina.

"We'll talk about it when I get back."

He didn't wait for her response. He kissed her and left. Besides not wanting to hear what she had to say, he also didn't want Regina to see that he wasn't interested in talking about marriage.

He didn't want to marry again, but he knew he had to have a child to continue the Clark name, his heir, the one who would carry on his legacy. There were five of them siblings; the second one was a girl, five years younger than him, Annabeth. He was 30, and Annabeth was 25. The next was Javier, 23, then Logan, and he was 20, and the youngest was 19, Farrah. As the eldest, it was important that his child would carry on the Clark name, and that was the only reason he was willing to marry Regina even though he didn't love her. He needed an heir.

Now he didn't know if he should be happy that he could marry again because his wife had passed away, and he was now a widower.

***

Upon entering Colleen's small home, Jonathan immediately garnered attention from those present for the wake. Some were drinking, having coffee, and some were gambling. None of the faces there were familiar to Jonathan. What to expect? Colleen no longer had parents or close relatives he needed to acquaint himself with. He only knew a few of his wife's friends, and they lived in Manila. So, it wasn't surprising that he didn't recognize anyone there now.

But the people at the wake seemed to be eyeing him with some understanding. They began whispering among themselves as if he wouldn't hear them because they were just whispering. But no, it was clear to him that they knew Colleen had a husband, and that was him.

Colleen, although deceased, still seemed enviable to the women there. He was tall, his shoulders broad, handsome, and his aura exuded nobility. He's a young billionaire in the country; it's hard to believe how Colleen left him and replaced him with a simple and poor man. He's the kind of man every woman would wish for, and now they wanted to question Colleen for her choice of leaving him.

Lorenzo carefully placed the large and fancy white flower he ordered from a renowned flower shop in Manila beside Colleen's coffin. He paused briefly to pay his respects to the deceased and stepped away to give way to Jonathan. He sighed before approaching his wife. He couldn't take his eyes off the photo beside her. She looked beautiful there, with a lovely smile. It only now dawned on him how much he missed his former wife. He hadn't seen that smile for more than six years, and it's sad to think that he cannot see that ever again, not tonight, never again.

He touched the white coffin as if he were touching his wife. He didn't know what to feel. For the whole six years of living numb, he couldn't name any emotions anymore. Everything inside of him was just plain, with no colors, no pain, but also no happiness.

He's disappointed, to be honest. He came here to pay respect to his late wife, but also he's expecting to feel something again. He thought he would feel something again upon seeing his wife, but nothing changed. Something inside of him is still missing. He still can't find whatever it is.

An elderly woman approached him. She was in her late 40s, and like the other guests, she was wearing black. Jonathan's attire was too formal, as he was still wearing his black suit which he always wore at his office. So, the woman quickly deduced that he was wealthy and respectable, so she stood up formally in front of him and cleared her throat.

"Good evening. Are you acquainted with Colleen? It's the first time I've seen you in this place, son."

Jonathan didn't know if she was just feigning ignorance or had no idea who he was, while people around him were whispering. Regardless of the answer, he didn't bother to inquire further.

"Good evening as well," he greeted in a low but baritone voice. "I'm Jonathan Clark. I'm her ex-husband, Ma'am."

The old woman was surprised. She knew Colleen had a husband, but she didn't expect him to arrive now, and she didn't realize how handsome Colleen's deceased husband was.

"I'm a neighbor of Colleen's. Come, have a seat for a moment."

She gestured towards an unoccupied table. Jonathan hadn't planned to stay long, but out of respect, he accepted the lady's invitation. When they sat down, she offered him coffee, which she brewed. It was coffee in a sachet, a kind Jonathan didn't usually drink, but he kept it to himself and pretended he would drink it.

"By the way, I'm Lucille. I'm sorry if people are staring at you here. Our village is small, and almost everyone knows each other, so they all know that it's rare for a man to visit Colleen," she said as she poured coffee for both of them. Unlike him, Lorenzo seemed to enjoy the coffee.

"How did you find out about Colleen's passing?"

"From a friend. A mutual friend of Colleen and me before we separated. I'm not sure how she found out either. She just told me that Colleen died of pneumonia and gave me the address so I could pay my visit."

Lucille nodded. "It's good that you came. It's pitiful that she doesn't have any family to accompany her to her final resting place. We, her friends and neighbors, are the ones helping Simone arrange her wake."

"Who's Simone?" he asked, wondering who Simone was.

"Simone is Colleen's former partner's sister, and even though she and Samuel have separated, their friendship remains. They're very close friends."

Jonathan's lips tightened. It's the first time after a long time he heard the name of the man who took his wife away.

"Ah," the lady suddenly said. "I'm sorry. Didn't you know that your wife had someone before? I shouldn't have mentioned it."

Jonathan shook his head. "No, I was aware. No need to worry. What I didn't expect was that they were no longer together?"

Lucille nodded. "Samuel is abroad. They couldn't handle the long-distance relationship, so they broke up. It's been three years."

He nodded and glanced at the photo beside Colleen's coffin. Now he was wondering, they were already separated from the man, why didn't she come back to him?

"Son, my condolences to you," she said, sensing the sadness and regret in him.

He shrugged, denying the sadness visible in his eyes. But the lady could read his feelings better than he could. He still felt numb.

"Her burial will be on Saturday. Will you come? I hope you do, so that at least there's one relative who will accompany her. We also need to discuss what to do with Colleen's belongings, especially..."

"Lucille?"

Lucille stood up when she heard a gentle voice of a young lady. Jonathan also looked, but he didn't stand up. But he couldn't see her because Lucille blocked the view of the girl.

"Oh, Simone. Why did you get up? I told you I'll go first; you haven't slept for three nights."

" I just put Lindsay to sleep, but I'm planning to stay up tonight. I'll make up for sleep tomorrow morning," she said. "And Carol said a man arrived with a car?"

Lucille smiled and moved her hair away from her shoulder. Jonathan couldn't help but notice how beautiful her shoulder and neck were, with a uniform color all the way to her face. She smiled at him, and she seemed kind.

"By the way, what's your relationship with Colleen?" she suddenly asked, wondering who this handsome man was in front of her.

"I'm Jonathan Rex Clark, her husband."

Simone was taken aback, and her previously gentle expression turned to annoyance.

"Ex-husband, to be exact, Sir," she said, furrowing her brow, mimicking Jonathan's expression.

"We parted our ways but we're still legally married, Miss Simone. In fact, I'm sure you saw that because you're supposedly arranging her wake, so I assume that you will also fix her papers, death certificate, I guess."

He shrugged, for some unknown reason suddenly feeling defiant towards Simone. Maybe it was because of her attitude towards him, and how quickly she changed her mood the moment she knew he was Colleen's husband.

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Why are you here?"

"To pay my respects-"

"You did, you paid your respects, now you can leave," Simone said firmly, matching her manners.

"Why so sudden?"

"Why not?"

He glanced down at Simone's hand. She clenched her fist while Lucille soothed her, rubbing her shoulder and arm to calm her. He lifted his gaze to Simone's face again. She looked determined to shoo him away, and he thought it was his cue to leave.

"Lorenzo will be back tomorrow; he'll take care of all the expenses for the wake until Colleen is buried."

"I can handle it, no need."

"I thought Colleen and your brother were separated, uh, three years ago?" he asked Lucille, confirming if he was right.

Simone also complained while looking at Lucille, unable to believe she disclosed information to Jonathan. The old woman didn't know who to respond to or side with.

Jonathan raised an eyebrow and turned to Simone again. "Nevermind, just let me pay every bill."

"No need, leave now and don't show up again."

"Aunt Sisi..."

He was about to reply when a young boy suddenly spoke up. Everyone looked at him, and Jonathan felt something as he looked at the boy.

"Lohan!" Simone quickly responded to the boy, kneeling in front of him to be at eye level, then she smoothed his messy black hair. "Why did you come down? You left Lindsay in the room?"

"I want to be with Mommy," the boy said sadly, looking lonely and on the verge of tears, and Simone seemed to be feeling the same way.

"Sir Jonathan, I apologize, but you might need to leave," said a woman who hadn't introduced herself, but she seemed to have been there all along and knew what was happening. Some men from the table with drinks stood up, and they didn't need to speak for everyone to know if they were drunk or not.

"Mr. Clark, we're being stared at," Lorenzo whispered to him.

Jonathan just nodded and decided to leave. But it seemed he couldn't tear his gaze away from the child Simone was now comforting. One last glance before he turned his back, and he saw Simone looking at him with eyes that spoke volumes.

There are strange feelings inside of him that he couldn't name. But one thing is for sure: he wants to see them again...

Them.