CHAPTER 24

Drive

It took me time to realize that even if I was so scared and frightened inside. My decision is final. . . and that is to go home. I don't know what will happen. I don't know if I'm ready to face my parents again. I feel like I'm not a good daughter to them.

I left without telling them my reason and even after all these years I didn't even tried to contact them. Maybe Mommy is mad at me? Will she even recognize me as her son? I do not know. Hmm what about Daddy? Will he like what I did? Probably not. I ran away from them. I left without saying goodbye.

I didn't consider what they would feel if their only daughter left without them knowing. It's a selfish move for me as their daughter.

But all I can say now is that, I don't regret my decision of leaving. I learned a lot and got to know myself better. I learned that I can stand on my own two feet. I used to think I couldn't be alone.

That without Mommy and Daddy I don't know if I can live because I only depend on them. I'm used to the luxurious life. So I can't really imagine that I actually can. I get to live and stand up on my own without the help of others. I've realized that life is cruel to us. . . because life wants us to teach so many lessons.

Living is not always about happiness. happiness and pain will always be close to each other like a twin.

"Mimi are you excited?"

I smiled at my son's question. He was sitting on my lap and he's facing me. His eyes gleamed while asking me that question. Using his little finges he put a few strands of my hair behind my ear.

"To tell you the truth I'm a little bit scared..." I mumbled while caressing his cheeks.

"When Daddy showed up to me, I was just nervous, but I wasn't scared," Guardian mumbled, causing to get Xane's attention.

He was busy driving his car. While Guardian and I were sitting in the backseat. I saw how Xane looked at us in the rearview mirror, very attentive to listen to his son.

Guardian and I can travel just the two of us. But Xane insisted that he will be the one to drive us and we also have the same place to go home. Because he can't just be calm while thinking about his son's condition. He wants him safe. I'm also thinking about my son's safety but I just don't have a car.

I didn't argue anymore because I understand him and I also feel that he really wants to be with Guardian.

“Hmm. Why? Why are you not scared? Didn't I tell you not to talk or approach strangers?” I asked my son while combing his hair

"I'm not scared 'cause I felt like he won't hurt me. I'm too nervous and my heart is happy at that time." he muttered making me smile a little bit.

Is there really such a thing? Blood leap? Even if you have never been with them or even if they are new to you, you will feel that they will not hurt you. You felt oddly safe with them. Instead of feeling scared you'll feel the longing. As if you have known each other for a long time and you just separated from each other but our hearts know them. Because that's what I also felt when I first met my father.

I don't even know why I suddenly hugged him when I don't even know who he is. My heart is telling me to hug him. So I hugged him without his consent. . . Then I found out that he is my Daddy and he has been looking for us for a long time.

I tilted my head a bit to watch Xane as he wiped some tears away from his eyes. When our eyes met in the rearview mirror, he immediately looked away and focused his eyes on the road.

"Are Lala and Lolo nice?"

Guardian snaked his arms around my waist as he looked at me. Curiosity is etched in his amethyst eyes. I nodded my head while smiling at him.

"I bet they miss you so much," he whispered in a low voice

"Hmm... How can you say that?"

"You're the only daughter they have and I know they miss you a lot."

"Did you miss them too?"

"Yeah, so much..." I mumbled while smiling. I miss them both. I really miss hanging out with the two of them. I miss seeing them flirt in front of me. I miss my overacting Mom and my so sweet Dad.

I can't wait to see them again. I can't wait to feel their warm and comforting hugs. I don't know if Mommy's secretary read my email. I have not received a reply. When I decided to come back to my hometown. I immediately filed a resignation letter. A part of me is sad because I'm going to leave Montarville – the place that became our second home.

I've spent my six years in Montarville so it's also painful for me to say goodbye to the place where Guardian and I have many memories there. Villia also buried there. Xane and I have a plan to move Villia immediately. He can't be far from us.

"Send me a message if you're done meeting your parents." I nodded and gave Xane a small smile

He bent down and searched my son's eyes. My son went to him shyly.

"I'll pick you up later okay? Daddy will just clean the penthouse for you. You're going to come with me, right?Xane carefully held my son's hand while looking at him pleadingly. I saw fear in his eyes.

They really looked alike so much. No matter which angle Guardian captures every part of Xane's face.

Shock was written in my face when suddenly my son wrapped his small arms in Xane's nape. I saw Xane blink in disbelief at what Guardian did. But when he recovered, he hugged his son tightly. My heart twisted while seeing them hugging each other.

"I'll come with you Daddy. Don't worry.” I heard my son whisper those words making Xane smile.

Xane found my eyes. He gave me a most genuine smile and said thank you.

"Thank you Mimi..." a faint gasp came out of my mouth when I heard my son mumble those words.

I can feel the sincerity in his voice while we're busy watching Xane's car disappear from our sight. It's like someone caressed my heart because of what my son said. I can't count how many times he had told me this. Since we talked about his father and I agree that Xane will be his parent. That I won't hold a grudge against him.

I saw how happy my son was. I can see it in his eyes.

I was nervous and restless in my seat but when I saw Guardian's little smile my nervousness subsided. His smile tells me not to be nervous and just be calm. I looked at my cellphone and checked what time it was. It's already 11 am but my parents are still not here. maybe they're busy? I can't go home without saying anything. Besides, I'm ashamed to go home.

In case Mommy doesn't come today. I might just look for a small apartment. I have savings here. when I find an apartment I will also find where Keegan lives. With his stance and the strength of his form, he definitely lives in a big house and not in a small apartment.

Will Mommy and Daddy come? You're so stupid Angel! You went to this restaurant as if you're sure that you will going to meet your parents. What if they are busy now? There is no reply to your email so it is impossible that they will come.

My thin hope is slowly vanishing. But my negative thoughts fly away when I see the two persons who made me. My lips tremble as I felt my knees weakening when I saw my Dad with his ruthless stance. His arms wrapped possessively around my Mom's waist. Mommy wore a simple red dress that hugged her body perfectly. The way she walked towards our direction screams elegance.

I miss you Mom. . . Dad. . .

I can feel my tears pooling in the corner of my eyes. My heart beats nervously when my Mom's eyes find my hazel eyes. I thought I could see anger and disgust in her eyes but I saw the opposite. I see longing and sadness in her eyes.

I stood up from my seat when I saw that she was walking faster. Even though my knees were shaking, I still managed to stand up and wait for my Mom. Her walked fastened as I saw my Dad clenching his jaw while looking at me.

My tears suddenly fell when Mommy spread her arms wide. I didn't waste time and eat our remaining distance.

"My daughter..." my mother's voice broke as she wrapped her arms tightly on my shoulder.

"Mommy..." my voice trembled and I buried my face on the crook of my mother's neck.

My tears fell one after the other when I felt Mommy's many kisses on my head. I'm like a child who got lost in the mall and is now found in my arms. I couldn't stop the sobs that spontaneously escaped my lips.

"Hush... Mommy's here. Welcome home, pretty...” Mommy softly whispered in my ears making me cry harder.

I bit my lower lip to stop my sobs when I felt my Dad's arms hugging us both. I felt Daddy kiss the top of my head. My heart is clenching with so much happiness as I felt their welcoming hugs.

"Welcome home, sweetie... Daddy missed you so much." Daddy whispered

"I'm sorry..." these two words came out of my mouth

I went up and looked at Mommy and Daddy. My eyes were pleading while looking at them.

New tears flowed again when Mommy kissed my eyes full of tears. She then wiped my tears away.

"You don't have to say sorry. I understand you." she uttered with her voice shaking a bit.

"Thank you for coming back. Mommy missed her Angel. Mommy's so proud of her." his voice trembled as he looked into my eyes.

Angel missed her Mommy too...

She then cried harder and pulled me again for a tight embrace.

“You're so strong. I'm so proud of you. You're one of the best things that happened to me. Always remember that. . .”

Her words are like a medicine that took all my worries away. how can both of them welcome me with open arms after I abandoned them? After I left like I don't have them. . .

"Is that our grandson?" I blinked at my mom's question. Her voice laced with excitement.

He looked in the direction of our seat. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I nodded my head. Mommy dramatically gasped and went to our table. I was left stunned and looking at him as he approached Guardian.

My son looks so shocked and nervous while he's staring at my Mom. I felt someone walk beside me causing me to wonder. Daddy pulled me closer to his body making me smile. I wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him tightly.

"Your son is so cute and handsome. You really raised him well. We're so proud of you sweetie. . .” it was as if someone caressed my heart because of what Dad said

I watched how Mommy talked to my son in a soft voice. My heart felt like floating when I saw my son smiling at my Mom. He then suddenly hugged her making my Mom gasp a bit.

"We thought you had no plans to return. We saw how happy you are with your son. Even if I wanted you so bad to take you home. Your Mom said no. She said she can't afford to see your smile fade away from your lips...”

"Even though it hurts for us to see you struggle and stand up for yourself. we just looked at you from afar. We are the proudest parents when we see our daughter raising a kid alone and treat him like her own. We have an angel like you. Daddy's so proud of you Angel Kate. . . We love you and your Mommy very much."

I felt my body stiffen after hearing my Dad. What? they know where I was? They're watching us?! But why didn't I feel that? That someone is looking at me from afar? I can imagine their pain when they saw me struggling on my own. Watching their child standing on her own. Not wanting to call them 'cause she thinks she can do it.

Just thinking that they are hurting for me makes me cry. Just thinking about myself at their feet while looking at my son in the distance makes me go crazy.

"I'm so sorry... Daddy..." I croaked

Daddy tapped my head and kissed my temple making me close my eyes..

"You don't have to. We understand you. Thank you for thinking of coming home to me. Because if we're not really going to hire you, you can just be returned to us."

The explanations I prepared for them would be useless. I thought it would take us until tomorrow for all my reasons and explanations. I never thought my comeback would be this good.

My heart was so happy to see how they accepted Guardian as their grandson. I can see how happy they are while talking to my son. I can see how they welcome my son to be part of our family.

After our meeting in the restaurant garden. Xane picks up Guardian. I introduced him to Daddy and Mommy. I would like to bring Guardian here at home but I can't. Xane and I made a schedule that we both agreed to.