Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

"You were a blessing from God,” I said.”

"Magic?" His lip pushed out. He wasn't buying it.

"Yes, Baby."

"But science says there's no such thing as magic."

"There is, Baby Sevi."

"You're lying, Mommy. Why?"

"He's dead but  I'm here, right? I'm your mommy and your daddy. And you have Auntie Steph, Auntie Heath, Grandma and Grandpa. We all love you."

He didn't push it after that, even though I knew he had a hundred more questions sitting behind those green eyes. He just turned his attention back to the video.

His lip poked out again when the video got interrupted by an incoming call.

"Thank you," I mouthed at him and answered.

"Mijares.”

I didn't respond right away because Sevi's eyes were starting to droop. "You sleepy? Goodnight, baby. Give me a kiss."

He leaned into me and wrapped his arms around my neck, and kissed my cheek twice. Loud ones.

"Love you," I whispered, pressing my lips to his forehead.

“Mijares!" Sebastian's voice exploded through the phone. I yanked it away from my ear. My eyebrows were knitting together as I stepped out of our bedroom.

"What do you want, Boss?" 

"I am talking to you and you're ignoring me."

"Boss, it's the middle of the night.”  I reasoned out. 

"Who are you with?" he asked, which made my brows furrowed. 

‘Your son. The one you wanted to kill, you psycho’. That's what I wanted to say but if I did, he'd probably show up at my door and strangle Sevi in his sleep.

"I don't think that's your concern, Sir."

"I don't want problems, Mijares. If something happens to you and I lose my secretary, that's another headache for me. So just go home."

I rolled my eyes so hard I almost pulled a muscle. "I am home, Sir."

"Damn it!"

What was this man's problem? I told him I was home and he was still swearing. Make it make sense.

"Is your boyfriend there? That Arnaiz guy?"

"Are you drunk?" I couldn't help it. The questions coming out of his mouth were getting ridiculous.

"Answer my damn question, Mijares. I heard you saying I love you to some—"

I hung up. It was rude, I know but if he was going to call me in the middle of the night just to throw a tantrum like a toddler, he didn't deserve the courtesy of a goodbye. Sevi was easier to reason with than this man.

When he called again I turned my phone off.

The next morning, I took Sevi to the mall to buy him the new violin he'd been telling me. I let him wander around the music store and look at other instruments. After paying and chatting with the cashier for a minute, I went to find him. I spotted him easily and  was about to call his name when I noticed the familiar faces of who he was talking to. 

"My Mommy just bought me a violin. Thank you though." Sevi said politely.

"Honey, look at his eyes," Mrs. Rocc said to her husband.

She was alive. Very much alive. The woman who fell down those stairs was standing right there in front of my son. Some of the guilt I'd been carrying in my chest loosened.

"Are you sure you don't want anything? You're a good boy. You deserve a reward."

. "My Mommy says if it's not mine, I shouldn't take it. That's not my wallet."

Sebastian's father smiled and ruffled my son’s hair. 

"Sevi," I called out, walking over.

He waved at me. "Mommy!"

I smiled at him and took his hand. I didn't look at the Roccs. They were both staring at me like they'd just seen a ghost

 "Let's go. We're getting your favorite food, remember?"

He nodded fast, practically bouncing, and pulled me away by the hand. I heard Mrs. Rocc called my name behind us but I didn’t bother to look back. 

"Mommy, you didn't even say hi to Mister and Mrs. Rocc earlier.  That's rude." Sevi pouted at me the second I sat him down inside the restaurant.

"Mommy's just hungry, baby. Do you like the violin?"

"Yes, Mommy." But he wasn't done talking about the old couple. "I picked up Mrs. Rocc’s wallet for her. She said I'm kind and she wanted to buy me a reward. I said no, thank you."

I smiled at him but inside, my stomach was turning because the Roccs had just walked into the restaurant. Both of them. And they were staring at our table. At Sevi.

I wanted to hide my son. Grab his hand, get up, and leave the mall before they could follow us. But doing that would only make it look like I had something to hide. They were the ones who wronged me so why should I be the one running?

"Hi!" Sevi waved happily at Florence Rocc. I was seething but I couldn't exactly tell them to get lost. Not in front of my son.

They actually walked right up to our table. The audacity of these people!

"Hello." Florence's voice was soft while smiling at my son "Your name is Sevi?"

"Yes. My name is Sevirious Mijares. I'm five. And this is my mommy, Neshara Mijares."

I gave the couple the coldest look I could manage. "Can I help you?"

Roman answered. "We just wanted to talk to the boy."

I saw Florence grip her husband's arm.

I only half-relaxed when our food arrived and the waiter guided the couple to another table across the room. I forgot about them the moment Sevi started being sweet. Leaning into me, talking softly, letting me feed him.

I lived for moments like this. He was usually so mature for his age that he didn't act cuddly very often. 

"Here, Ma'am."

I paused mid-bite when a waiter set an ice cream cake on our table.

"We didn't order this." It cost more than what I'd spent on our entire meal. Sevi always wanted it, but I'd steer him toward something else every time.

"The couple you were speaking with earlier paid for it, Ma’am.”

"Yay!" Sevi grabbed a fork and dug in before I could stop him. He even turned around and waved a thank-you at Sebastian's parents.

After we finished eating, I walked him to the restroom.

"I'll come inside with you," I said.

He stopped me at the door. "Wait here. I'm a big boy."

"No, you're not."

He gave me the most adorable pout, and I laughed. "Fine. Just call me if you need help, okay?"

He gave me a thumbs up and went in.

"Is he Sebastian's?"

My smile vanished. I turned to find Mrs. Rocc standing there. She'd probably been watching us the entire time.

"No."

I thought that was enough but Florence insisted. “He’s five years old and his green eyes were like mine and Sebastian’s.” 

"Your son isn't the only man in the world with green eyes. He's not the only one with money, either."

Anger flashed across her face but I continued. 

"Sebastian left me. I didn't get a cent from him. So why would I sit around waiting? I found someone else. Someone rich, just like your family."