Chapter 1

"Mom! I have some good news for you!" seven-year-old Yael screamed as he entered the door.

Freya quickly greeted her son, Yael Anderson Gray. She loathed Jacob but still managed to name their son after him. She gave him a warm hug before she kissed him on his cheeks. She held Yael by the shoulder and looked into his eyes. His eyes, it always reminds her of him. Actually, her son is like a carbon copy of his father.

"Did Tita Rian fetch you?" Yael nodded in response. "Wait, what is the good news of my smart boy?" Freya asked with excitement on her face.

"We are going to have a grand vacation, mom!" This time, Yael hugged her mother.

"G-grand vacation? What do you mean, son?"

"I won the regional quiz bee today and my generous teacher rewarded me with these!" Yael took two vouchers and two plane tickets out from his backpack. "Look mom!"

Freya looked at it with a smile on her face and took the plane tickets and vouchers of her son. Her eyes widened when she realized where they are going.

"Escueza Luxury Hotel! Son, it’s too expensive here. Won't your teacher ran out of money when we go here?" Freya asked worriedly.

"Don't you like it mom?" Yael said sadly while looking at the floor.

"It's not like tha–" Freya stopped speaking when Yael suddenly spoke up.

"I put all my efforts into reaching the regional level because of that reward. I ... I want to pamper you, mom. You're my super-daddy-mom. That's still not enough for all the sacrifices and love you have given me. I know we are poor but you managed to get me into a prestigious school. Please mom, I want to go there with you," Yael pleaded.

Freya was touched by her son's words. She didn't realize that her tears were falling. Her mouth dropped open as her only child knelt before her.

"Mom, please. Even if it's just for a week, I would like you to experience the life that I want for the both of us. When I grow up, I will really work hard so that we can become rich. If that happens, I can give you not only your needs but also your wants," Yael uttered while looking down at the floor.

Freya sobbed loudly. She may have been scorned by the man he loved, but she became blessed to have Yael. No matter how much she hates Jacob, she is still grateful to him because he gave her a man who will never leave her, a man who will love her unconditionally and selflessly.

Freya got Yael up from his knees and wiped away his tears. She smiled when Yael also wiped the tears falling from her cheeks. She hugged Yael tightly.

"Thank you, son. You made mommy feel ecstatic today. Thank you for studying hard and thank you for these." She smiled and showed Yael the plane tickets and vouchers.

"Mom, does it mean?" Yael's eyes sparkled because of what he was thinking.

"Yes. I won't waste your efforts son so change your clothes and let's go shopping! We will celebrate your victory!" cried Freya.

They will stay in a five star hotel for a week and they won't even spend a penny. All thanks to Yael's efforts and to his teacher's kindness.

When the mother and son got dressed, they walked to the tricycle parking lot. Yael was excited because he can finally enter the Supermalls. He and his mother often shop at the market because it's walking distance from their house and the commodities there were cheaper compare to the Supermalls.

"Mom, do you really have extra money for this? Maybe in the next few days, you'll be working overtime again. It's okay with me if we just bring our old clothes and bags there. What’s important for me is we are going to Escueza together," Yael said seriously while looking at his mother's nearly worn slippers.

Freya ruffled her son’s hair. She's so blessed to have Yael in her life.

"You really are a child! It's only once in a blue moon and that's the reason why mommy is working overtime. It’s for your future and for me to buy what you want, at least occasionally. You're too young to think about our problems. Just think of it as my reward for you because you are a kind and smart kid. Is that okay?" Freya raised her eyebrows as she waited for Yael's response.

"O-okay, but..." Yael stood up and whispered something on Freya’s ear.

Freya's eyes watered again when Yael said that she should also buy her clothes and new shoes. Her child is so sweet and caring.

"Ma'am, are you going to the Supermall? Is it okay if we leave even if it's not full yet? You might be late when you get home. It's dead time now, there are only few passengers," said the driver of the tricycle that the mother and son were riding.

Freya made a calculation in her mind before she responded, "A-alright man."

After a thirty minutes drive, Freya and Yael finally arrived at the Supermall. First, they went straight to Duyebee to have dinner and then they went to the department store to shop for clothes.

"Mom, let's go to the women's apparel first. Let me help you choose clothes that will suit you," Yael suggested.

Freya was about to object but Yael already pulled her towards the women's apparel section. Freya couldn't help but smile at the clothes her son chose for her. He knows what her mom's style is. Freya's smile faded when she heard a familiar voice of a man who was also shopping for clothes across from them.

"Miss, give me the most expensive red dress you have here," Jacob ordered the sales lady.

Freya froze when she saw the father of her child. He hasn't changed at all. How she sees Jacob in her memory is still the same! His appearance and posture didn’t change. She couldn't stop those questions roaming in her mind. Does Jacob know that they both have a child? Did he try to find them? Did he regret what he did so he is now in the province to look for her and their son?

"Babe, I'll be late tonight. I have some important matters to attend to. Please enjoy yourself there, while I'm gone. Thank you for joining me here in Monte Carlos.”

When Freya heard that, she already knew the answers to her questions. Jacob's eyes and hers met when he suddenly turned in her direction.

"Freya?" he whispered.

"Mom, I think this one suits you more! Look at the desi—"

Freya swiftly covered Yael's mouth. She bowed and walked away. She held one of Yael's hands and motioned him not to speak. Her only son followed her with a frown on his face.

Jacob rubbed his eyes and closed them. He couldn't believe that after seven years, he would see Freya again. He slowly opened his eyes.

"There's no one here. Why did I think about that girl's appearance? Am I still guilty of what I did to her seven years ago?" He shook his head and walked to the cashier. "I shouldn't be thinking about her right now. I'm going to propose to Ivana later. I should focus on making her happy instead of thinking weird things."

The mother and son stopped panting in the kid's apparel section. Freya wiped the sweat dripping down from her face. There’s an air-condition inside the mall but here she is, sweating.

"Mom, what's wrong? Why are we running and hiding like a wanted person?" Yael asked.

"Son, mommy just tested if we can still run fast. Fortunately, our stamina is still strong," Freya blurted out.

"Why did you cover my mouth earlier?"

Freya smiled. Her son is really smart.

"It doesn't matter, son. Come on, let's pick out your new clothes! Mommy is excited about our vacation! Fortunately, my boss allowed me to have a leave from work tonight."

Yael didn't ask more questions. Freya watched him as he happily chose new clothes, shorts and pants.

"Your son, right?"

Freya turned to the woman who suddenly appeared beside her.

"Yes, he's my son and you are?" Freya frowned. That woman looks familiar. She just couldn't remember where she saw her.

The woman did not answer Freya's question.

"Your son looks exactly like someone who's close to my heart. Here." The woman handed a white envelope to Freya. "Give it to him and let him buy what he wants."

"Maám, I'm sorry but I can't accept this. I don't even know you. Thank you but I really can’t accept tha ---"

The woman took Freya's hand and handed her the white envelope, again.

"Take it. Don't worry, I'm not asking for something in return. I'm just really happy with your son. I must say, you raised him well," said the woman while looking at Yael. "Anyway, I have to go. Regarding my name, I'll tell it to you when we meet again."

"Thank you for this. Thank you very much," Freya said hesitantly. She really wanted to return whatever was in the envelope to the woman but she didn't seem to agree that she wouldn't accept it.

"You're welcome," the woman said with a beautiful smile on her face.

When the woman left, Freya immediately opened the white envelope. She covered her mouth with one hand. Her eyes widened when she saw the check amounting to one hundred thousand pesos.

"Who are you? Whoever you are, may God bless you even more! I can't believe this!" Freya ran in Yael's direction and tearfully showed the envelope to her son.

"Mom, why are you crying?" Yael wiped the tears from her mommy's cheeks.

"I will open a bank account for you son. Mommy will start saving for your college education."

"Mom, it's too early for that. Don't cry because I am going to study really hard so I can be a full scholar until college. I love you, mom." Yael hugged Freya tightly. "I'm so blessed to have you, mom and I'll never get tired of saying that."

"I love you too, son."

From a distant, the woman who gave the check to Freya watched them while smiling.

"She's a good mother. She earned my respect," the woman said before leaving the department store.