THREE First Encounter

Maximus POV.

The business conference was boring Maximus to death. The person he’s wanting to talk hasn’t arrived yet and it’s been an hour since the conference started. He sat in the corner where it’s dark and no one will notice his presence. He’s near the banquet service area. He just grabbed the whiskey that the servers have added there and he can’t remember how much he consumed already.

“Maximus, I think Mr. Jones will not come tonight,” Brent said when he approached him.

He heaved out a heavy sigh. “Get the car. I know where we’ll find him,” he commanded and drank the last drop of whiskey left in his glass. Brent just nodded and left.

He stood up to leave but he felt like the place was spinning. He was about to lose his balance when a child suddenly come to him and cling to his legs. “Mister, are you okay?” the little guy asked and helped him get back on his seat.

He was taken aback when he saw his eyes. It’s dark and his vision is a bit blurry but he can see him with the help of the dim light. He stared at him for a few minutes. His ocean blue eyes resembles so much like him when he was a child. But his hair was a little different. It’s curly and a little bit long that he looks like a girl. The only thing that distinguish him from looking like a girl is his clothes. Though it looked cheap it still gave him a handsome look.

Maximus roamed his sight around to see if he’s with someone but everyone was busy with their own agenda. Additionally, since the gathering was exclusive and children were not permitted, he was sure that he’s not a child of one of the businessmen there. If that’s the case maybe, he’s a child of one of the servers there.

“Mister, are you okay?” the child asked again this time he tried to reach for his face. But then, someone came and called the child’s name.

“Mason, come here. Your mom is looking for you,” the middle-aged woman said and gently pulled him away. Maximus just sat there without saying anything. “Mister, I’m really sorry for bothering you. Please, don’t report us to the manager?” the woman pleaded.

“What’s happening here?” Brent asked and hurriedly went beside him.

He raised his hand to silence him and stood up. He looked away from the child. “Just don’t let him running around next time,” he said with a poker faced. He put both his hands in his pocket and walked away.

Winona’s POV.

“Hey, where did you found him?” Winona asked worriedly and ran towars Marti and Mason who’s just coming back from the function hall. 

“I just saw hin talking to one of the guests. My God, my heart is racing because of the man he was talking with. He looks scary though he’s good looking—but still he’s scary,” Marti replied with a sly smile on her face.

She bowed down to her son’s level and gently stroked his curly hair. “Don’t you ever do that again, hmm? You are scaring mommy. I don’t know what I would do if you get lost,” she said softly.

“It’s daddy, mommy,” he said out of nowhere.

Marti and her exchanged a confused look—while her heart is racing. It couldn’t be him. She shook her head. “It’s not him, alright. Let’s go back in the kitchen,” she stood up and turned her back on them. She started walking while pulling Mason’s hand.

Winona fell silent the whole time. She just made sure she did the job right while checking at her son every minute. She does not want him to leave her sight again. She also kept on looking at the entrance of the kitchen. She can see the colorful lights coming from the function hall.

“Hey, are you done?” Marti asked when she approached her. She just finished taking out the trash.

“Yeah, where’s Mason?” she asked. Before Marti could answer her, they heard Mason shouting happily. He’s running towards them while holding a big toy action figure. 

“Mommy, mommy, look!?” he showed her the toy. That’s the first time she saw him smile widely.

Winona swallowed hard and took the toy from him. “W-who gave this to you?” she stuttered.

Mason’s smile vanished. Suddenly his eyes become clouded. “Give it back to him, Win. You are scaring him,” Marti grabbed the toy from her and returned it to Mason.

“W-we should leave now,” she said in a panic state. “C-can you get our things, please? W-we will just wait for you in the back,” she added and pulled Mason’s hand.

After a few minutes Marti arrived with their belongings and the money they have earned. Marti handed her the backpack while giving her a strange look. She didn’t give much attention to it and act like nothing happened. Her mind was fixed on the toy. It’s expensive and she knew that no matter how she worked her ass off she won’t be able to buy it. So, who gave it to him?

When they got home, Mason was already asleep. But he was still hugging the toy. Winona tried to get it from him but he just tightened his grip onto it. She sat in front of him feeling hopeless. No matter how hard she tried to convince herself that their path would never cross again, she couldn’t stop worrying. She gently stroked her son’s hair. If he discovered that they have a child, he would take him away from her and she won’t be able to handle it when that happens. She can give him the love and care that he needs but she can’t give him an abundant life.

“Mommy, why are you crying?” she snapped out of her reverie when she heard Mason spoke. He touched her cheek and that’s when she felt the cold tears streaming down her cheeks. “Are you mad at me, mommy?” he asked while his eyes were slightly open. Sleepiness still reflected on his innocent angelic face.

“I-I’m not mad at you, baby. I-I’ll never be… Mommy’s not crying. I just got dirt in my eye,” she lied and smiled at him. “Go back to sleep, alright? Good night, baby,” she added and kissed him on the forehead.