“CHANCE FOR A FAMILY”

Marius didn't hear any further response from Patrick after he said that. Perhaps Patrick didn't want to argue with him anymore because, in reality, he was the only one who truly understood himself.

The days passed quickly. For Marius, he had two reasons to eagerly anticipate his son's birthday. First of all, he would finally see MJ, who according to Lana was a boy.

He smiled and gently caressed Sam's beautiful face on his cellphone.

"You look like him, Marius. Like a mini version of you!"

That's what Lana once told him during one of their phone conversations, and it intensified his anticipation to see and hold his son even more.

"Why did you do this to me, Sam?" he whispered and sighed.

He had been feeling distracted for days because of everything that was happening. But he couldn't remain like that. Especially since they had a new project that had just started. And more than ever, he now had a sufficient reason to fix his life. Because he had a child now who needed to be provided for financially. With that thought, Marius smiled while also gently touching the warm emotions in his heart.

Now she knows that there's at least a chance their family might come together. Because Sam has returned, and most importantly, their child carries his surname.

*****

"HEY," Calum caught my attention as he peeked into the door of my room.

It was MJ's birthday party that day, and I was busy in front of the mirror.

"Hi," I replied, briefly giving him a glance before returning my focus to what I was doing.

"You've been there for quite a while. But we both know that even without makeup, you still have the ability to hypnotize that man," Calum commented as he approached me.

I rolled my eyes at what he said. "Just a moment. I need to make myself presentable. You know, I have to show that man that I'm the woman he hurt tremendously a year ago!" I replied, followed by a soft chuckle.

Calum didn't respond. Instead, he just left me and went back to carrying MJ.

"Can I ask you something?" he said.

"Yeah?" I glanced at him from the mirror in front of me. I was done with what I was doing and currently organizing the things inside the handbag I would be taking.

"Are you planning to hire a nanny for MJ?" Calum asked me.

"Yeah," was my straightforward reply. "Why?"

"Just wondering," Calum shrugged. "I was just suggesting that maybe you should consider hiring someone you already know to take care of this child. Nowadays, it's really hard to trust just anyone." He explained in a tone that sought to clarify his point.

I nodded in agreement with what he said. "I want to consult Marius about that," I replied, which was indeed true.

Calum just shrugged in response after I said that. A few moments later, we left the room together. My newly purchased SUV was waiting for us in the parking lot. Since I had the license to drive here in the Philippines, I took the driver's seat.

"Are you ready?" Calum asked me before I started the car.

I didn't know if he noticed that I was nervous during those moments. But because I saw concern on his handsome face, I thought maybe I was right in my assumption.

I don't have any secrets from Calum because he's my best friend. That's why I decided to admit the truth to him.

"Yeah, but I'm nervous," I said truthfully, and he smiled hesitantly.

Calum nodded understandingly and gently tapped my cheek with a reassuring smile. Then, he looked at MJ, who was peacefully asleep in the baby seat at that moment.

"Do what you know is right for your child," he advised me.

I bit my lower lip and then started the car. Remembering what Lana told me the other day, I spoke again with a smile.

"Later, when we face Marius, I won't tell him that you're gay, okay?" I said.

Calum raised his thick eyebrows, his eyes twinkling as he spoke with a broad smile, "Do you have plans you're not telling me about?"

A soft laugh escaped my throat. "Lana gave me an idea. She said Marius wouldn't approve of the idea of being beside you. So I thought maybe you could agree, you know," I said meaningfully.

I knew Calum would understand what I meant by what I said, so I didn't look back at him. I was also busy driving.

"Do you want me to pretend to be your boyfriend?" Calum asked, wanting clarification.

"No," I said, shaking my head in succession. At that moment, I glanced at him briefly. "I just won't admit to him that you're gay. I know he'll get jealous if that's the case, the thought of me always being with you. That's what Lana said too. So that's what I'll do," I said, chuckling.

"Are you doing this because you want him back?" Calum asked.

At that moment, I let out a sigh. "Because I love Marius," I replied instead. "But I'm not sure if I can trust him again," there was no point or reason to hide the truth from my friend.

"Why don't you give it a try? Who knows, you might forgive him. You might trust him again. Isn't that what you really need to do? Because you guys have MJ," Calum reasoned with understanding in his tone, and his words touched my heart deeply.

"You know, it's not easy to do that. But I want to try because aside from the fact that I want to give our child a complete family, Marius is the only man my heart can truly love," I admitted.

As I was focused on the road, I didn't see Calum reach out and hold my hand. I glanced at him briefly and then returned my gaze to the front of the car.

"I really admire you. That's why I wouldn't be surprised if Marius goes crazy trying to win you back. Because you're not just beautiful, you have a point of view in life that he'll truly regret losing," Calum said, his tone full of admiration.

"Thanks," I replied with a smile.

What I said was true and resonated deep within me.

At this moment, due to many unpleasant events in our past, it's difficult for me to trust Marius again. It's hard for me to rekindle my feelings for him. But despite all of that, I know deep down that I still love him. And as I mentioned earlier, there's no other man my heart wants to love besides him.

I need to figure out how I can trust him again. But before that, I want to see how jealous he can get. As I thought about it, a meaningful smile curved my lips.

I knew Calum noticed that smile. However, like he often did, and one of the many wonderful qualities I liked about my friend, he didn't ask.