62
MYKEL
Jade’s eyes filled with tears.
I held her arms, giving her assurance that I would never do such horrible things to her. “I swear that no one can take Jax away from you. I know you don’t trust me, but you eventually have to work on that.”
She relaxed as she drew a deep breath. “Okay. I’ve been saving money to get a good apartment near the school, but my job as a clerk—”
“I’m giving you another job.”
She looked as if she wanted to burst out laughing. “You’re kidding, right?”
“I’m a billionaire, Jade.”
She rolled her eyes. “I sometimes forgot you’re a dick billionaire, and you just waltzed in with two bodyguards. But I’m doing it for my son.”
“Pack up, and you’re staying at the hotel tonight.”
She was about to disagree with a loud crash erupted from her neighbor.
I had no idea how long she endured with this kind of neighborhood, but it had to end tonight.
She waltzed away, calling our son. “Jax, honey, wear your shoes, and we’re going for a ride and stay in a nice room for the night.”
I texted Kye to come up.
A few minutes later, he knocked on the door. “Is her neighbor fighting?”
“Yeah. That’s why I asked you to come. How long does it take for you to search for an apartment?”
“Everything is on the internet, boss. Give me an hour.”
“I told them to pack. They’re staying at the hotel starting tonight.”
“Good idea. Your kid—”
“Zhaer Jax. He prefers Jax.” I smiled proudly.
Kye smiled too. “Cute. I was just saying that he’s not safe in here.”
Jade picked up two bags. I took them from her so that she could have our son. Outside the apartment, she walked into her beat-up car.
“Jade, give your car key to Kye. He will drive you to the hotel.”
“Are you sure?” She was hesitant.
“Yes, Miss Scout.”
The King Hotel was just fifteen minutes from their neighborhood. I rented three rooms for us.
“You’re staying here.” I opened the door for them.
When she saw the room, she was still surprised at what I was capable of. “We can stay in a cheaper room.”
Jax was already in the bed before she could protest. “I like it, Mommy.”
I genuinely smiled as I walked to the bed. “You’ll get a room just like this, buddy.”
“Really? I want a car bed.”
“Honey, we talked about it.”
“You got it.” We did a fist bump.
“Thank you.” Jade came to me.
“Get some rest.”
I walked to my room, sad and lost. I had found my kid, but I was on the verge of losing my wife if I would not make it right.
I lay in bed. My mind went back to my father’s words that I should not turn my back on the people I loved.
A knock interrupted my thoughts. When I opened the door, it was Jade.
“Sorry to disturb you. I don’t have your number,” she said shyly. “Jax is hungry.”
“Order room service, anything you both like.”
“Thanks.”
“Jade, give me your phone. Let me save my number.”
She gave me an old iPhone model. Life was really tough on her, but she seemed strong and capable that she raised our kid well by herself.
I typed my number and saved it. “Do you have a man in your life? I mean, it’s none of my business, but I wanna make sure my kid is safe.”
Color flushed on her cheeks. “I haven’t started dating until my office mate asked me, but there’s a guy. He’s kind to me. He’s living a few blocks from the apartment. His name is Aiden.”
“He’s okay with you having a kid?” I asked quietly.
“I only went out with him twice.”
“Where did you leave Jax?”
“Jax was with us. It was a dry picnic in the park, and Jax enjoyed it a lot.”
I nodded. “Aiden?”
“Mies. Aiden Mies. Are you planning on something?”
I shook my head, smiling. “I just wanna make sure he has a clean track record.”
“Seriously? He’s a good guy.”
“Then you have nothing to worry about it. Anyway, order room service. Jax is waiting.” When she turned around, I called her.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
***
I woke up to an empty bed and a hollow heart. I missed my wife, but I knew she was safe with Lex. I wanted to get Jax a good apartment before I planned on going home, then tell Adley that I found my son.
We started apartment hunting after breakfast.
The first apartment we found was okay, but the room was too small. The next we checked out, the entrance didn’t look secure.
“This looks way out of my reach. Two rooms are okay, and this—”
“Has three rooms, three baths, kitchen, spacious living room, and there’s a pool for kids, and a playground at the back,” the tenant said.
“Jax, how do you like this apartment?”
Jax was seemingly asking for his mother’s approval.
“You can play outside, and if you want to learn how to swim, you and your mom can practice at the swimming pool.”
“I like it.” I could barely hear his words.
“Do you like it here? You can stay here, you know. You can bring your action figures here and have your own room with a car bed.”
“Okay.”
“Sounds fun, right?”
He nodded excitedly. His eyes were sparkling.
“You got it, buddy.” I raised my hand for a high five. He did a fist bump instead.
“I wanna settle the papers today so they can transfer immediately,” I told the tenant.
“Are you sure about this?” Jade asked me.
“Yes.”
I had dinner with them at the local restaurant near the apartment.
“I fully paid the apartment, so you don’t have to worry about the rent. I’m gonna transfer to Jax’s name once I get back to New York. I’m also opening an account in his name for my monthly financial support.”
“You don’t have to do that.” She was hesitant, but I would do anything to compensate for something I missed, even if it would never suffice.
“You both have been okay for the past years, but I want you and Jax’s life to be better. I’m not doing this by bribing you in to your approval—”
She looked at our son’s stabbing pasta. Apparently, he loved it.
“I gave you my word. I won’t do anything without your permission.”
“Just give me time to let it all sink in.”
“Take all the time you need. I already ordered a custom-made bed for him. It will be delivered to your apartment in a week. Will you call me if you need anything?”
She nodded in hesitation.
“I mean anything, Jade. Can I count on you?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you for allowing me to do this.”
“You’re leaving tonight?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s April 27.”
“What?”
“His birthday.”
