Chapter 3

I stayed quiet when we arrived at the restaurant they had reserved for us. Mommy seemed like she would never run out of things to say. She kept telling me all sorts of stories.

When the food arrived, I quietly ate as well. I had no energy to talk to them. I would go home after eating. It was up to them if they wanted to stay here.

While I was busy eating, I received a message from Ayc, one of my classmates.

"You're in the Philippines now, right?" she texted. I immediately replied with a yes. "Reunion tomorrow, with Sir Knoxx. Are you coming?"

I froze and looked at Knoxx, who was happily talking to Mommy. He must have noticed me staring because he turned toward me, and so did Mommy.

"What's wrong, honey?" Mommy asked dramatically. "Is there a problem?"

I held Knoxx's gaze for a moment before shifting my attention to my phone when it rang. It was Ayc calling.

"It's our school reunion. I'll just take this outside," I excused myself. I didn't wait for their answer and walked out of the restaurant.

"What time is the reunion, Ayc?" I immediately asked after answering the call.

"9AM. The assembly is at the school gym, then apparently Professor Knoxx reserved a resort for us to party. You're coming, right?" she asked, sounding unsure.

"Yes, I'll come," I answered lazily. "Where are you now? Let's talk."

Ayc had been my trusted friend since college, and she knew what happened between Knoxx and me back then, including our child, but she didn't know about Mommy and Knoxx.

"Favorite place to gossip," she said. "I'm alone, so don't worry. Come here."

"Okay, I'm on my way." I ended the call and went back inside to say goodbye to Mommy.

"I'm going somewhere, Mommy," I said, picking up my bag. "Save the story. I might get home late."

"Where are you going?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

"To meet my college friends." I briefly glanced at Knoxx, who didn't seem to care about what we were talking about. "We're going to talk about the reunion. We have a nice professor who booked a resort for the party, so we have to wear our best bikinis, and there will surely be a lot of handsome guys there. Maybe I'll catch someone."

I saw Knoxx freeze. His grip on his fork tightened as if he were about to bend it.

I smirked. That's right, Knoxx, feel the pressure! You picked the wrong family! Break up with her!

Mommy laughed softly. "Sure, honey. I thought it was something serious. Come home tonight, okay?"

"Yes, Mommy," I replied and kissed her cheek.

I turned to Knoxx, who was looking at me now, and I didn't let the opportunity pass. I kissed him on the cheek too, close to the corner of his lips. "I'm leaving, Daddy."

I drank some water first before waving at them with a smile on my lips, then turned around.

The moment I stepped out of the restaurant, I cursed myself for what I had done. I grabbed my chest as my heart pounded wildly, then fanned my face because of how hot I suddenly felt.

"God," I breathed, but before I could even hail a taxi, I froze when someone grabbed my elbow.

I immediately turned around in surprise. "K-Knoxx? What are you—"

"Here." He held out a card, a platinum card, to me. I went cold when he placed it in my hand and squeezed my fingers around it. I swallowed repeatedly as he stared into my eyes. I felt like he could hear how fast my heart was beating. "Spend it with your friends."

"I have money—"

"Use it, Kath," he said firmly. "Use it until you get tired of it."

"I said—"

I stopped breathing when he leaned his face closer to mine, near my ear. "Use it, darling. I know you love shopping."

I covered my lips with my hand, stunned when he kissed me... right on the lips. "Enjoy, darling."

And even the way he caressed my hand before leaving was electrifying. For those few minutes, I forgot how to breathe as I watched his retreating figure.

He knew how to play, damn it! He got back at me immediately!

I quickly hailed a taxi and went straight to my friend. When I arrived, we ordered some food, and I told her everything.

"Wait, Kath, wait!" she stopped me, seemingly unable to process my story. "Knoxx? Like our actual college professor? Your mother's boyfriend?! Didn't you two have a child?" Her voice rose, so I immediately covered her mouth.

"Sssh," I warned her. "Lower your voice. What if someone hears you? Yes, you can come to my house if you want to see him yourself," I said, so she would believe me.

She seemed excited by what I said and straightened in her seat. "Really? Okay, I'll sleep over at your place. We need evidence. But does your Mommy know? That he was our college professor?"

"Maybe? She never asked, so I don't know if Mommy told her." I just shrugged and took a sip of my coffee.

"That's such a crazy plot twist in your life, girl. And what was that part again about you having a fling with his son?"

"Ah, Tristan? Yes, in London," I answered casually and winced when she slapped my arm. "What? The guy kept coming to me. What was I supposed to do?"

She laughed softly. "You're such a flirt. But is he handsome?"

"Of course," I answered mischievously.

"Did you have sèx?" she asked curiously.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Crazy, no! I'm scared of getting pregnant again."

"Girl, what's the use of protection?" she teased.

"I don't trust all that protection stuff. We only kissed, and I was busy with my work there and my child," I quickly explained.

"So, what's your plan now?" she asked.

I raised an eyebrow at her. "Plan? For what?"

"Are you going to tell Knoxx that you already have a child together? Or are you really going to keep it a secret?" I fell silent at her question. "You can't hide it from him forever. That's his child."

"He didn't find out back then. What makes you think he'll find out now?"

"Are you sure he doesn't know?"

"Unless you told him," I continued. "I'll strangle you."

"Crazy, why would I tell him? What kind of friend would I be?" She rolled her eyes at me and crossed her arms as she leaned back in her chair. "I'm already excited to see our professor."

I smirked. "I'm actually planning to flirt with him so he won't marry Mommy."

"Oh, I like that, girl! Go for it! Seduce him again!" We both burst out laughing at what she said. "But I kind of miss Prof's oral recitations. You're so lucky, girl."

I gave her a forced smile. "Ha! Lucky? He always called on me during oral recitations! What are you talking about!"

"Because you were his favorite, that's why he got you pregnant!" she laughed loudly.

"Crazy!"

When we got home, we found Knoxx in the living room. Mommy was nowhere to be seen, probably already asleep since it was past 10PM. We had stopped by a bar and then the mall to go shopping. We really did spend Knoxx's money.

"Good evening... Sir Knoxx?" I rolled my eyes at the way Ayc greeted Knoxx.

We weren't in college anymore, and she was still calling him Sir!

Knoxx lowered the book he was reading and looked toward us. After taking off my shoes, I went straight to the sofa across from him.

"Break up with my Mommy," I started without beating around the bush and tossed the card at Knoxx, which he quickly caught between his fingers. "I don't want you to be my stepfather."