2

Alexa

I need to go to New York because there's some problem that I need to settle there. The thing is, I am going for one week and need to leave my children at home with Jared. I know Jared can take care of them but he has been busy nowadays. He always comes home late and sometimes, he didn't come home for two days straight. I am afraid to leave especially Helena and Austin. They are still kids and need lots of attention from us, their parents. For Gabriel and Gabriella, I know they can take care of themselves since they are 17 years old now. "Mom?" I look up from my laptop and see my daughter, Gabriella. "Are you busy?" She asks. 

"Not really, what's up Ella?" I pat the empty seat next to me and she takes a seat. "Is everything alright?" 

"Can I go with you?" 

"Go where?"

"New York," I raise my eyebrows and looking at her. She didn't look into my eyes and keep playing with her fingers. I know exactly my daughter when she playing with her fingers, she must be nervous and something is bothering her. 

"Hey, look at me. Tell me what is wrong? Don't make me feel worried," I said and she let out a sigh before looking into my eyes. Her eyes are watery already. "Hey, why are you crying?" I pull her into a hug and then she burst into tears. I let her cry for a few minutes on my shoulder and let her relax a bit before decided to ask her again what is going on. 

"Mom, please let me go with you. One week is enough for me to run from all this," 

"Sweetie, please tell me from the start because I am so confused right now, hm?"

"At school, my friends decided to play a prank on me or I think it's not a prank. They humiliated me in front of all people. I don't want to face them at the moment. They are so mean and none of them ask for forgiveness or feel guilty for what they did to me. They act like they didn't do anything and move on with their life," I look at her and I can't believe that my daughter is getting humiliated at school. I never like all of this to happen. I know teenagers love to pull a prank or whatever on each other and that's part of the joke but you cannot humiliate someone and act as nothing happens. At least think about the impact of that person that you humiliate.  

"You want me to go to your school and-"

"No! please don't, I don't want my friends to know that I told you and act like a cry baby. They will make fun of me even more." She said. I look at her and I am okay to bring her to New York with me but thing is, I don't want her to skip school because of this matter. "Can I go with you? Please?" She pleaded. 

"Can I know what they did to you?" 

"They... they told everyone that my real dad is a cheater," My eyes widen when I heard that. No one can say that to my daughter. 

"That is not a prank, Ella. This is the biggest humiliation. I don't like when people mention someone's parents and said bad things about them. I don't care if it true or not, but the person that said that needs to apologize to you. I want them to apologize to you as soon as possible. If possible I want it to be done by today! This is unacceptable," I can't believe someone will say that to my daughter. How could they talk like that?

Elijah makes a huge mistake and yes I admit it he is a cheater but that is our personal problem and no one should talk about our personal problem. Elijah made a mistake but I think he realizes that being a cheater just going to make you lose someone that you love. I know he already changed since he and Rebecca are in a healthy relationship now. He seems happy with her and their little family. "Ella, what about Gabriel? Did he knows about this thing?" I ask because they are in the same school and they are twins. Of course, both of them will get the impact. 

"He ... got into a ... fight at school today," WHAT?! "Mom, please don't be mad at him. He is trying to protect me. That's all. Please don't get mad at him," 

"How come I didn't get any call from your school regarding this matter? I supposed to know about this thing, Gabriella. Did he get hurt? It is bad? Where is he now?" 

"He is fine and we don't want to disturb you at work because you seem so busy lately. That's why we decided to call Jared. About Gabriel, he is fine because Jared already helps him with his wounds. Please don't get mad at us?" I let out a big sigh. I don't know what to say anymore. I thought everything at school is fine but the fact that they decided to call Jared instead of me.

"Gabriella, next time, let me know about what happened at school. Don't ever keep it a secret from me. This is serious. What if something bad happens to both of you and you didn't tell me. I will be looking like a bad mom. Don't do this to me, alright?"

"I'm sorry, mom. I never intended to hide this from you but I am afraid that you will get mad at us. By the way, mom, can I go with you to New York? Please?" 

"I don't think so, Ella. You still need to go to school because I will stay there for one week or even longer. I don't want you to skip school because this matters. I know you feel embarrassed that everyone heard about it but things will not going to settle down if you running away. Remember, Most people who humiliate others are actually insecure. They might have a problem then decided to humiliate other people because they thought they will feel good about it. People will keep talking about it and we can't do anything about it. We cannot stop them from talking. So, keeps your head up and be strong. They will stop talking about it soon. Trust me," I said to her. 

"Really? You think so? I am embarrassed to go to school. Can I at least take a day off just one day tomorrow? Please," 

"Fine, but just one day okay? Then you have to go to school," She nods her head and hugs me. 

"Thank you, mom. I love you,"

"I love you too, Gabriella. You need to be strong and don't let those kids bully you and your brother. I will talk to the principal to take any action against them," I said.

"Mom, you promised me not to make a scene at school. They will know I told you," 

"So what? They must think that if they humiliate you like that, they will be just fine. I am not going my children getting more humiliation from them. They need to learn and get what they deserve," 

"C-can I just change school? I will be better in a new school," She said. 

"Honey, it's only a few months before you will be a senior. I don't think you can adapt to a new place that easy,"

"I can, I can, mom. I promise you I will make better friends there and no more humiliation towards me at the new school, at least. Please,"  I sigh. "Please,"

"I will think about it," I said and give her a hug. As long as my children are happy, I am happy too.

***********************************************************************************

That night

"Why didn't you tell me about, the twins?" I ask Jared after we both in the room. "You know that I deserve to know everything about them?" 

"Babe, I am sorry, alright? It's not that I didn't want to tell you but Gabriel told me not to tell you yet. He didn't want you to be worried,"

"If Gabriella didn't come crying at me, I wouldn't know," I said to him. "I feel like a bad mom when I don't even know my son's hurt and they getting humiliated at school," 

"Alexa, hey. Don't say that. You are a good mom to Gabriel, Gabriella, Helana, and Austin. You are irreplaceable. We all love you so much," 

"It's a good thing that you actually know how to make me smile again,"

"Of course, we've been married for twelve years. What do you expect, Babe? I know everything about you," He winks at me. He never fails to make me smile after I feel bad about myself. He is the best. Just then, his phone is ringing. He looks at the caller ID and then walks and goes to the balcony to answer the phone. He usually just answer it in front of me but lately, he keeps getting the late-night call and I know he will go out after this. I sit on the bed and watch him talking to the phone. Looking intense. Maybe it's the hospital, he is a doctor after all. I look away from him and decided to message Thea. It's been a while though. 

"Um, babe, I need to go to the hospital. There is an emergency and they need me there," He said and pack his things. He actually packed his clothes into a small bag. "I might be at the hospital for two days or longer. Do you think Sandy can take care of Helena and Austin?" 

"Sandy is a good nanny. She will be able to take of them but is there anything serious that happened at the hospital? You seem to panic," I look at him.

"I am fine. I need to go now. I might turn off my phone or silence it since I need to focus on my work. I will call you later Alexa. Be safe in New York and I love you," With that, he left the room without giving me a kiss or a hug. He seems so rushing and if I don't trust him, I will be following him to see if he really goes to the hospital. 

I trust him. He won't do anything bad behind me. 

________________________________________________________________________________