ALESSIA
How could Claude love Adrian if he despised me? Even if his parents accepted their grandchild, I couldn’t bear to live in the mansion where Claude made my life a living hell. So it was better for just the two of us, mother and son, to be together to avoid complications. Adrian didn’t need a lot of money to be happy.
“Yes, we’ll temporarily stay here, son. But this isn’t Aunt Maven’s house. It’s not a house, son. This is a hotel. Aunt Maven’s house is still far from here.”
“Hotel?” Adrian’s eyebrows furrowed.
I grinned widely. “A hotel is a building with many rooms. We can stay here for a few days. But this isn’t a house,” I explained, hoping to curb my son’s curiosity. Adrian tends to ask a lot of questions.
Adrian still looked puzzled. It seemed like he was still pondering. Perhaps he had more questions for me.
“Let’s change clothes first, son. Then we’ll visit your Aunt Maven in her room.” I took out Adrian’s clothes, hoping it would divert his attention.
My son didn’t ask any more questions. After we both changed, we headed out to Maven’s room. I was about to knock on the door when it suddenly opened, and a waiter with a cart came out.
Maven’s eyes lit up with excitement when she saw me. She pulled me in for a tight hug. Then, she turned her attention to my son.
“Hey, baby! I’m Aunt Maven,” Maven said cheerfully.
“My name isn’t baby. My name is Adrian,” my son corrected her seriously.
We all laughed together.
“Oh, sorry. Your name is indeed Adrian. You’re so smart! That’s why I love you so much!” Maven hugged Adrian, who returned the hug. Then she lifted him up.
“Put me down, auntie. I’m getting squeezed!”
Adrian squirmed, so Maven immediately put him down.
“Oops! Sorry again.”
I approached Maven and whispered to her.
“I’m sorry. My son just really doesn’t like being carried by other people. He only wants me and his grandma to carry him.”
“It’s okay. Now I know. Let’s eat before we go to the rehearsal.”
“What rehearsal are you talking about?” I asked as I seated Adrian at the dining table.
“My wedding rehearsal. Your son hasn’t attended yet, so I requested a last rehearsal today so Adrian won’t be confused tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
I put some food on my son’s plate and handed him the spoon and fork.
“Aren’t you going to feed him, best friend? Your son might have a hard time.”
I smiled. “No. Adrian can handle it. He can eat on his own.”
Maven seemed skeptical, so she watched my son eat.
“Amazing. Unbelievable. He’s still so young, but he acts like an adult. How do you raise a child like that, best friend?” Maven’s curious eyes sparkled.
“Get pregnant first, and then I’ll teach you,” I joked, trying to lighten the mood.
Maven clapped her hands in amusement. “Sure. I’ll tell Zeke later that we’ll start making our baby tomorrow night.”
I almost choked on my food at her words, grateful that my son wasn’t paying attention and was still quietly eating.
After we finished our meal, Maven led us to the elevator. “Where are we going?” I asked as we stepped inside.
“To the grand ballroom. That’s where Zeke and I will get married tomorrow. So that’s where the rehearsal will be.”
“So you’re getting married here at the hotel?” I confirmed.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I thought you were getting married in a church.”
“No, not anymore. This is fine. Zeke said even the hotel owner got married here. The grand ballroom is also the wedding venue for the married couple.”
I nodded in understanding.
My eyes widened in disbelief when we arrived at the grand ballroom. The entire venue was adorned with different colors of roses. The tables, chairs, everything was decorated with flowers. It looked like a beautiful garden. Envy almost crept up in my chest, but I pushed the feeling away. Dwelling on my past life would only bring pain.
“Z! We’re here!” Maven exclaimed excitedly as we entered the ballroom.
Some young men glanced our way. A handsome man approached Maven, and they hugged. I quickly looked away, feeling a pang in my heart at the sight of them together.
“Hey, best friend! This is Ezekiel, my husband. Z, this is my best friend, Alessia,” Maven introduced when she returned with the man.
“Nice to meet you, Alessia. Finally, we meet,” Zeke greeted, shaking my hand.
“Just call me Sia. It’s a pleasure to meet you, too,” I replied.
“Z, this is Adrian, my best friend’s son. He’s so handsome, isn’t he?” Maven said, gesturing towards my son.
“Oh, yes! This kid is indeed handsome. Hello, handsome!” Zeke ruffled Adrian’s hair playfully.
“My name is Adrian. Could you please not mess up my hair? It makes me look ugly,” my son said bluntly.
Maven and Zeke burst into laughter at Adrian’s remark, while I felt my face flush red. I never expected him to say something like that.
“I’m sorry. My son is just so frank,” I apologized, feeling a bit embarrassed.
“Nah! It’s okay. I understand. He’s just a kid,” Zeke reassured me with a laugh.
“Yeah. But that’s cute. Z, maybe we can have a baby like that, too,” Maven teased.
“Sure, why not? Shall we start tonight?” Zeke joked, winking at Maven.
Maven playfully hit his arm. “Don’t joke like that. There’s a kid here,” she said, looking at me.
Zeke chuckled. “Sorry, Adrian. My apologies, Sia.”
I just smiled faintly, feeling a mix of amusement and embarrassment.
After the rehearsal, we headed to the hotel restaurant for dinner. Afterwards, Zeke and Maven escorted us back to our room. I let Adrian take a bath first, and then I followed suit. When I came out, we watched TV for a while. When I noticed my son yawning, I tucked him into bed.
While Adrian slept, I observed him, tracing the familiar contours of his face. He had inherited almost all his physical features from me. Only the shape of his nose, eye color, skin tone, and hair were reminiscent of Claude. It was a relief knowing that he wouldn’t be easily recognized as the son of my ex-husband. I wanted to keep him far away from that part of my past, away from any connection with Claude’s family. I had moved on from that life long ago.
If I meet my sister again, I was planning to sell my shares in Artisan Paper Corporation to her. The money would be better used for Adrian’s medical treatment. I didn’t want to rely on anyone, especially not on Claude and his parents. The thought of them discovering Adrian’s true identity filled me with fear. I couldn’t bear the idea of being separated from my son. I was prepared to raise him alone.