Chapter 26

(Frederik's POV)

"Sir, are you alright?" Someone asked me, it was my secretary. I just looked at him and raised an eyebrow. I don't get him.

"Because you were smiling earlier. And did not react about the report, just nodding." He continued.

And there, I get it. Because I am thinking of Leysa and the kiss we shared earlier. I didn't even notice that I was spaced out. So I just smiled at my secretary.

A few moments later I received a message from Diana. Ohh, I was supposed to pick them up at the Franks' mansion.

"You can do that, Jack. I'll leave now. Call me, if something important will come up. I just need to go somewhere else," I said and left my office.

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

I am now here in front of the Franks' mansion.

And when I was about to enter the house, I heard voices, seriously talking... no, they are arguing.

"When are you still fooling us all Diana? Having an affair with our daughter's ex-fiancé? Seriously? All this time, we thought that Leysa was the wrong one... and then here you are, you are having an affair with your sister's boyfriend."

I was shocked by what I heard... I could not move.

And there I saw how Mr. Frank, slapped her dearest daughter, Diana. I can feel the resentment of a father in that slap.

"I even chose you, 6 years ago... than believing and protecting my own daughter that day. I even kicked out my own child, rejected her because I thought she was the one who made the mistake. But we were wrong all this time." Mrs. Frank just cried hard while saying those words.

I can't catch up to their conversation. I do not know where I will start to understand what is happening.

Diana does not speak. She did not defend herself against her parents' accusations. She just bent over and cried. And to understand all of this shit, I approached them... I slowly walked towards them until I reached where they were.

Mr. Frank noticed my presence. And he pointed something that was in the news, which I just noticed now.

It’s a breaking news about Diana Frank-Wilford having an affair with some other guy.

But it's not just some other guy, it’s actually Daniel Apolonio, owner of the biggest furniture factory in the country and Leysa's ex-fiancé.

"What the F*ck?" I just exclaimed as Diana looked in my direction. When she realized who I was, she hurried over to me. She hugged me and murmuring words, which boiled my blood even more.

"It's not true, babe... it's not true. That's not true. Please... believe me." She repeatedly said but I have enough, I pushed her away from hugging me.

"What's not true? Look Diana! ( I pointed to the video playing in the news.) What's not true there, Diana? You even have a s*x scandal and seriously?, in the forest have you really done that? When is that, Diana? WHEN?!" I replied angrily to her. I want to hurt her, but I just want to stop this, because honestly, we are both guilty of this senseless relationship. But I just did not expect that she would done that, having an affair for a long time. Because we heard ... we or everyone who watches it now hear how Daniel and her are discussing their plans to claim the wealth of the Franks by marrying Leysa, and Diana also talks about having rights to own my riches.

"No..." she just said and cried.

I wiped my face. I don't know what to do anymore. Yes, it's actually good for me, because I can leave this marriage right away, to think that our marriage is not legal. But damn. I did not expect this scandal.

I saw Daniel, shit. I mean my son, he was just on the second floor and watching us, with no emotions at all. He’s just looking at us, blankly. And there it hits me. I quickly climbed up and headed to our son.

I hugged him, tight. Because it would have a big impact on him, seeing us in that position and situation, and knowing that his mom is having an affair with someone else. He doesn’t speak, nor does embrace me back. Damn! So I picked him up.

I saw how Diana looked at me while I am holding our child. I don't know if she is sad or happy. She is really crazy!

I just said goodbye to the Franks and left Diana there while I held our child.

I do not know how, how we got home. I'm just here now, holding my son's hand while watching him sleeping soundly. Poor kid.

Now, it's just the two of us. All my plans were ruined. Before I only decided to leave Diana, tell her that we are actually not married and just support our child. And have a good life with the only person I love and then this issue came up that makes me decide to be a responsible father from now on. Because of what is happening, I can no longer face Leysa. I have no courage to choose her over my child in this situation.

I love her... but I need to be responsible enough to my own flesh and blood, to be a good father to my one and only child.

(Leysa's POV)

[BREAKING NEWS]

"Diana Frank-Wilford, the wife of the hottest and famous CEO of WilCo. Group, Frederik Wilford, was having an affair with Daniel Apolonio, CEO of the big Furniture Factory in the Philippines... and the ex-fiancé of Leysa Frank, the famous lyrical dancer around the globe. What's the real story behind this? Is this also connected to the Frederik-Leysa scandal, six years ago? Who's the real and fake lovers to this love affair?"

I am now reading the headlines in the tabloids, even when you turned on the television and radio, this is the talk. Seriously? I am again involved to this, what the f*ck! Now that my life was fine and quiet, and I just got back here in the Philippines this will suddenly came up. I haven't even been here for a week. Gosh!

Just last night the scandal of Diana and Daniel came out, which is taken the night before my wedding day. And the one I took... yes, I was the one holding the copy of it. Because I was the only one who witnessed that incident. But then, here it goes... just came out in the media and I promised to myself and to all of you… I did not release that. Because I want a happy and quiet life in this world now, especially that I have my children to protect and then this shit happens. Who's behind this? As far as I know I didn’t told someone about the video tape I was holding, so I was very surprised that it spread like a virus last night, and I have no idea how my parents reacted about this and especially my sister and Fred.

And not just that more things are coming out on social media... like, that the scandal happened between me and Frederik Wilford was only a way to get revenge, etc etc. Which is true and the former pure negative accusations against me have been pointed back at Diana. Everyone who used to mock me, throwing hurtful and heart breaking words to me now sympathizes with me.

There are also people who support for the Frederik and Leysa tandem. People also made up a combined name for us, FreYsa... yes! " FreYsa, are they the real couple? Did we misunderstand them?" --that's the article that spreads.

So I was very frustrated. Although I do not want to read the news about the explosion of that scandal, I have to, especially and it is possible to have a press conference when the media finds out that I am here in the Philippines. I have many questions to prepare for, especially why and how my last name just changed after 6 years of being away.

Especially since my parents are ignorant about my whereabouts that period of time, especially my Mom, she doesn’t know that I am now in the side of my grandfather, who is her father... all this time and the worst case is... maybe there is a chance that my children will be exposed too, and that's the most avoided thing I will avoid happening. I don't want them to be involved, especially since their father does not know that they exist in this world. And it will become another story to tell --i mean another explanation to the people around us.

I was just scrolling... when something pops up on my MacBook screen, another breaking news...

"FREDERIK WILFORD and DIANA FRANK: a void marriage?"

And I am shocked... yes, Don Rafael mentioned this before. But I did not expect it to be true. I clicked the article and then I read the whole write up.

"The once perfect and envied couple in the country are not actually married. How true is this?

Thursday night, April 2, 2020

We have received an email through an unknown sender saying that "The truth will set you free" and with attached documents. And when we downloaded and opened those docs. It's a copy of a void marriage contract of Mr. Wilford and Ms. Diana Frank. No seal and proof that it was legally filed in the marriage registrar, and to further investigate this matter... we conducted a research through the PSA and with the consent of the persons involved --to really find out the truth about their marriage, if it was really not filed, void or let say... non-existent. And we discovered that legally, Mr. Frederik Wilford was still the hottest bachelor in town, in short... still single and ready to mingle --that made all his female supporters giggled with happiness about the news."

I read it... and it’s really true with attached documents, proof that he is still single. But who cares? Damn, Leysa... you can’t just throw yourself to him and live happily ever after. It's not that easy. So think and decide wisely. Especially that you have children who will be affected by the decisions you will make by chance.

I'm just so depressed here at my table in my home office, because of this scandal. If only I could just leave again and get away from all this shits. But I can't do that again, not now... not this time. If then I was like a coward who ran away and hid. Now, I need to face this... it's now or never, for the peace of my life, and for my children.

I am about to close my eyes, I am tired and sleepy and also exhausted... when suddenly a small soft palm touches my face, that’s why I looked at who it was and there I saw... my two little babies, staring at me with a smile fixed to their faces.

"Mama, are you tired? Com'on let's go to your bed. Leyley and I will sleep together with you. We miss you, Mom," my Freda sweetly and softly said, while holding my hand --caressing it like saying, "It's okay Mama, everything will be fine... soon!"

"Okay, babies. Mama missed you too, both of you. And I love you two so much, so much!" I said and kissed them both in their foreheads and we walked our way to my room.

We are already positioned in the bed; I am in the middle while they are in my both sides, hugging me tightly... while they are huddled in my arms.

Freda was already sleeping soundly, when I heard my boy talk.

"Mama, is Frederik Wilford, our dad? I actually saw his photos flashed on the TV screens and even posted on Facebook and I saw your picture too... together with him, and he is the man, I met in the supermarket." I looked at Leyson. He is staring at me, blankly. I mean no emotions at all. He is not happy or mad about me keeping the real identity of their father to them.

I just caressed his cheek, and I don't want to add to my mistake in this world, so... "Hmm. He is," I blurted out. There is no reason to lie and hide the truth, especially since the issue has been exposed to Leyson. He is already smart enough to blurted out his father's name even if I deny it, I know, Leyson already knows what he should know. He just asked me for formality and respect, because I am still their mom.

I could do nothing but hug them both. And whispered I love you's to them, I want them to feel how much I love them. And I will give my life just to protect my children to any harm they could encounter in this life.

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

"Gosh. I hate this!" I exclaimed when I reached Frederik's office. So irritating! I removed my cap, sunglasses and coat. Damn, it's so hot, I still have to wear this disguise thingy.

And instead of wearing a formal corporate suit, I am just wearing white t-shirt, jagger pants, and rubber shoes. Gosh! What is this just going to jog in a Sunday morning?

"I am here for a business meeting then I looked like shit. I should look like a business woman than like a celebrity who disguised to escape the paparazzi's!" I still complain. Yes, I was talking here nonstop while Mr. Wilford was just watching my every move. The issues are really spreading widely. And yes, the media people already know that I am in the Philippines. So annoying. I sat on the opposite side where Frederik was sitting. And I looked at him, he was looking at me, it's been a week, when we last met and yes, I was the only one who visited the site in Pampanga last time. Because he can not be contacted and I have no time to his MIA dilemma. So I pushed on my own, well I can handle it, as I said to him in the first place.

"So how's life?" he simply asked. He looked so tired and exhausted, problematic and sad. His eyes were lifeless. I felt pity on him; he had a lot of problems, in his personal life to be exact. Over the past week, I have also been watching the press-cons he attends - to answer the questions about his void marriage, his cheating wife, the placement of Diana in the psychiatric ward because she went crazy... I don't know! And what will happen to their child but the worse thing that added to his problem was when he was asked if he really owned the child, and he proudly said yes. There is no doubt which slightly broke my heart; I hope he is the same with them. I hope. I snapped it out, the idea of my children meeting their father.

"Here... so once again a messy life. Why are there so many issues that I get involved with? Anyway, what's new, I was also involved in the scandal before. So there is nothing new, tsk!" I answered. And I even managed to joke, seriously, Leysa? What gotten into you? Do you smoke herb?

"Sorry." I frowned at what he said.

"Ah... sorry because you didn't accompany me to Pampanga? It’s okay, I handled it well, like how you handled your issues with your family," I replied, is it bitter? Just damn it, I felt jealous --I feel jealousy for how he protects Diana's son. I am jealous on behalf of my children.

"No, sorry for being a jerk -then until now. Sorry for having no courage to choose you over my child. Sor--" And it hurts me like hell, it damn hurts if you heard it coming from him, face to face. He already did this... twice. Before, he can't choose me over his wife and now, he had no courage to choose me over his child. Seriously? Need to repeat it all over again? Doesn't he feel that I'm also hurting? Especially now that the pain I feel is triple? Not choosing me means not letting my children in his life, damn!

Wherein...

"Stop it." I cut off his speech.

"Let's get this done. I am just here for the expansion of GUEST., Nothing more, nothing less. Just business, so don't talk shits to me. I hate it." And I looked at him without emotion after I said that.

Actually, I am just here for the contract signing. And I am done.