CLAUDE
“You’re really persistent, Claude!” Maven exclaimed in annoyance.
I knew that Zeke’s wife was getting really annoyed with me. I had been talking to her since yesterday at the wedding reception until now as they were leaving for their honeymoon. I even deliberately followed them to the airport just to catch up with them.
“Sorry, Maven. But I really need to know the truth. Are you sure that child is Sia’s son from another man?”
If it wasn’t me, why did I feel that connection with that boy? Why did I feel like I had to set aside all my denials about how I really felt about Sia. I knew that Maven would be siding Sia, and I could totally understand if Maven had judged me as the bad guy based on Sia’s story. But I was not buying it, until I get to prove that my feelings were wrong
Maven scowled at me. “I just told you, didn’t I?” Maven replied sharply.
“I can’t believe it,” I muttered. “How old is the child?”
Maven fell silent for a few seconds. It seemed like she was thinking of what to say.
“As far as I can remember, he’s four years old. That’s what Sia told me before.”
I also pondered. Sia and I had been separated for five years. How many months does a woman usually carry a baby? It doesn’t take a genius to know that. Sia was not the type of woman that would just sleep with another man. I just knew that she was different from the other girls that I slept with.
“Can I ask another question?” I pleaded with Maven. The woman rolled her eyes and glanced at Zeke, who was still on his cellphone.
“Okay, what is it?”
“How many months does a woman usually carry her baby?”
Maven furrowed her brow. “Why are you asking that? Don’t you know?”
I scratched my neck. “I just forgot. That’s why I’m asking to make sure.”
“Nine months.”
I nodded. “So, that means, a few weeks after our baby was lost, Sia had a one-night stand with another man?”
“That’s what she told me.”
I still couldn’t believe it. I felt a strange connection while talking to the child who resembled Sia. It’s as if there were emotions coming from him when I held the child’s hand. Besides that, I felt comfortable with the child as if I had known him for a long time. But realistically, I had only seen him yesterday.
“Okay. One last question, Maven.”
Maven gave me a glare. “This better be the last.”
“Last one, I promise,” I appealed.
“What else do you want to ask?” Maven looked at me disapprovingly.
“Where can I find Sia now? Did they go home?”
“I thought that was the last. You asked two questions,” Maven retorted.
“That was the last one. And the two questions are related,” I insisted.
Maven sighed. “Sia and Adrian haven’t gone home yet because she still needs to have Adrian checked up. But I also don’t know where they’re staying now, just that they’re in a motel.”
“Motel?” I couldn’t believe it. Was Sia struggling so much that she couldn’t afford a room in a decent hotel?
“Yes. I offered to stay with us while they look for a doctor for Adrian. But she changed her mind. She said she felt embarrassed in front of Zeke,” Maven explained.
“Why does Adrian need a doctor? Is he sick?” I asked nervously.
“Oops! You said that was your last question earlier. I won’t answer that. You’ll have to find out for yourself. We’re leaving now.” Maven approached Zeke and pulled him away. She glanced back at me and waved. I waved back. When the couple left, I hurriedly headed to my car.
I needed to find my family. I was sure Adrian was my son. I couldn’t be mistaken about my feelings. Even if Sia didn’t want to talk to me, I will find a way to get closer to them, especially to our son who needed my help.
I decided to go back to the Starlight Hotel where Zeke and Maven’s wedding took place. I searched all the motels nearby. The employees didn’t want to speak, so I used my money to bribe them. I would do anything to find my family.
I ended up at a cheap motel not far from the hotel. Just like the previous one I visited, the receptionist was reluctant to admit anything. So, I dropped a hundred of dollars. The receptionist’s eyes widened. She quickly took the money and wrote something on a piece of paper.
“They’re on the second floor, sir,” the woman handed me the paper.
“Thanks. Are they there now?”
“Yes, sir. They just came back,” the receptionist replied.
I hurried to the elevator. I knocked as soon as I reached the door of Sia’s room. I knocked several times before the door opened.
“Who…” Sia’s eyes widened when she saw me.
“Hi! Can we talk?” I said calmly.
Sia frowned and tried to close the door, but I quickly blocked it with my foot. Despite Sia’s efforts, she couldn’t close the door. It hit my foot, but I didn’t mind. It was less painful than what I had felt over the past years since my wife left.
“Mom! Who are you talking to?”
Sia looked towards the source of the voice. I took advantage of that and pushed my head into the room.
“Uncle Claude! You’re here?” Adrian exclaimed in surprise when he saw me.
“Yes. I’m visiting you. Can you please ask your mom to let me in?” I said with a smile.
Adrian approached us. “Mom, please let Uncle Claude in. He’s nice,” Adrian insisted, holding onto Sia’s clothes.
I heard Sia release a heavy sigh. She reluctantly loosened the door.
“Thank you,” I said.
Sia didn’t say a word, but her sharp eyes were fixed on me.
Once I entered, I immediately knelt in front of Adrian.
“How are you, Adrian?”
“I’m good. Mom and I went to the doctor earlier. The doctor will make me better,” the child recounted.
As if a heavy stone had been dropped on my chest, I felt when I heard the child’s words. He indeed was sick. At the back of my head, I was already processing the thoughts that I would do everything to ensure my son’ health.
“Adrian, you shouldn’t be telling that to other people,” Sia, who was just standing beside me, said.
“It’s okay. It’s good that he’s telling the truth,” I interjected.
Sia fell silent. She approached the bed and started to tidy up the clutter.
I also stood up and led Adrian to the couch. I sat down and took the child into my lap. Adrian happily leaned against my chest.
“I wish you were my dad,” he said, looking up at me.
The corner of my eyes warmed up. My chest tightened. It felt like something was stuck in my throat. For the first time in my life I felt my heart was filled with joy.
“It’s possible, if your mom allows it,” was all I managed to say before glancing at Sia. She glared at me. Her eyes seemed to blaze while staring sharply at me.
“Mom, can Uncle Claude be my dad?” Adrian asked.
“Adrian, don’t say things like that!” Sia reprimanded.
The child lowered his head and fell silent.
I turned Adrian’s face to me. “It’s okay, Adrian. You can still call me Dad if you want.”
“Really?” Adrian nodded. I leaned him against my chest and hugged him. It felt like all my problems just vanished. Everything just felt right within me. We stayed like that for a few minutes. If only all our problems with Sia could end this way, I would hug this child forever.
Even if Sia didn’t admit the truth, I knew in my heart that Adrian was my son. My instincts couldn’t be wrong. Instincts were never wrong, especially when I was still in the SEALs. That’s why I survived many times. I faced war several times, and I almost died several times, but because of my instincts, I always survived. I would be dead by now if I hadn’t followed my unusual feelings back then. That’s why I couldn’t be wrong this time.
“Adrian needs to rest,” Sia said.
I looked at Sia. She was staring at me seriously.
I woke Adrian up. “I have to go now, Adrian. I’ll come back another day. Would you like that?”
The child gave me a sweet smile and nodded.
I took out my wallet and pulled out my calling card.
“If you need anything, tell your mom to call me.” I placed the card in the child’s hand.
“What’s this?” Adrian asked.
“It’s a calling card. It has my personal number and my office phone number as well. You can call me anytime,” I replied with a smile. I knew Sia wouldn’t accept anything from me, so I waited for Adrian to tell her himself.
I hugged the child again and kissed him on the forehead, and then I put him down.
“Bye, Adrian.” I waved at the child.
He waved back.
“I’m leaving, Sia,” I said. “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry,” I added. But she ignored me. She just kept folding clothes with her head bowed.
For the first time I had the courage to apologize. I wish I could apologize more for everything that I caused her. Nevertheless, I still felt light as I left the room. Upon reaching the lobby, I approached the receptionist.
“Miss, I’ll settle Alessia Harris’s bill,” I said.
“It’s already paid, sir. Ma’am settled the three-day bill,” the receptionist replied.
“Is that so? If they extend, I’ll take care of it,” I said. I handed my calling card to the receptionist. “Call me if they check out. I’ll give you a tip.”
“Sure, sir,” the receptionist replied with a wide smile.
I said my goodbyes and headed towards the parking area, dialing Elio’s number as I walked. I needed his assistance.
Elio was my brother in law. He’s Charlie’s husband and he worked as a private investigator.
“Hey, Claude! You called?”
“I need your people to watch over my family.”
“Huh? You mean you have finally found your wife?”
“Yeah. Just yesterday. They’re at a motel now. Here at Silver Inn near the main branch of Starlight Hotel. I’ll send you a picture of them. I want someone to keep an eye on them at all times.”
“Sure. No problem. I’ll send two people there now. Are they in danger?”
“Not really. I just want to keep my family in sight. Tell them to report to me daily.”
“Alright. I’ll talk to them later.”
“Thank you.”
“Your wife is back, by the way. Why are they at Silver Inn? Don’t they like Starlight Hotel? Or your mansion?”
“So many questions, Elio. Just focus on your work.”
“I am working. It’s part of my job to get to the bottom of the problem.”
“Okay. I’ll confess. Maybe you can help me.”
I felt compelled to confide in Elio about me and Sia. I didn’t have anyone else to talk to, not even my close friends. Only my parents knew the real story.
Five years of searching had already caused so much pain in me. I could not afford to lose Sia again, especially now that I met my son. I could not also skip the thought that Adrian was sick, and I knew that the universe had taken its part in bringing them back to me, just in time when my son needed me the most.