Fifty-Three

"What are you afraid of? That he won't accept your son?" Geoff asked. "You can see that the billionaire is madly in love with you, and he's still running towards you."

"The situation is complicated by Natasha's pregnancy," I explained.

"What now? We know he's going to pick you," Geoff said.

"Geoff!"

"I'm going to leave you. I don't think I'll end up being your adviser. I'm just a great chaser before we even flirted. I think it's a good relationship that we end up still friends," Geoff said, smiling.

My brow furrowed.

"It's been a long time, Geoff," he says, "but we're still friends."

"Yeah, it's still unusual that I can kiss you on the lips."

"Bastard!"

Geoff chuckles.

"Stop it, you're making your girlfriend angry."



"We're no longer together; we're both separated."

"Why?" 

"Are you still wondering why? Of course, we no longer understand each other."

"Perhaps you're bored, and you don't like to be serious, so she left you."

He smirked.

"Everyone changes, Gianna, even the worst of habits."


"When are you coming home? Can I accompany you? Perhaps that's where I'll find my true love."
"Sure, but that's a long way."
"I'd like to see your son as well."

"All right, it's fine if I'm missing him right now."

Geoff nodded, stood up, and exited the house. And I followed after him.

"Do you want us to leave right away?"

"You want to see my son? Silly, bring your clothes, you might want to linger there," I laughed to him.

Geoff shook his head.

"You're the one who's ecstatic," he said to me.

Because of my rage over Gianna's outing with Geoff, the glass I was holding was about to shatter. Jealousy ate my entire system; I felt like punching someone because my vision had suddenly darkened.

Even if I become enraged repeatedly, I am powerless to act due to the flashy situation I am in.

Whatever I do to avoid destiny, it never agrees with me.

When everything appears to be going well, there is always a problem on the horizon. I  mind the child, but I didn't care for the mother. No matter how hard I try, I can't rekindle my feelings for her.

I'm already in Geoff's car, driving to Camp Saavedra. I'm not sure how long Geoff will stay at our house, but with so many clothes he brought, I think he'll be there for a long time.

"Are we still far away, Gianna? I've been driving for almost seven hours but we haven't arrived at your place yet, and my back is hurting," he complained.

"We're already close, and you're the one who offered to come, so please be patient," I told him.

Winter and Dion have been married for three weeks. I recently discovered that Gianna did not sleep in Darius' mansion. Maybe she spent the entire night with Geoff. I've arrived at the office. After a few years, I still haven't found out who takes money from the company. I didn't hear my phone ring because I was thinking about Gianna.
"Sir, your phone is ringing," my secretary said.

Then I took it and examined it. Mrs. Sora, my cook, called.
I responded.

"Hello, sir, ma'am Natasha, we rushed her to the hospital because she is about to give birth," she said to me.

"All right, I'm leaving."

I abruptly stood up and walked to the parking lot. I didn't say goodbye to my secretary.

I went straight to the delivery room when I arrived at the hospital. Outside the room, I noticed our housemate.
I went up to her.
"Has the child come out yet?" 

"Not yet, sir, "She says.

I leaned against the wall, waiting for the child to appear. However, when I looked at the hospital's entrance, I noticed a man my age walking in. It enquired about the nurses and pointed us in the right direction. He stopped when he saw me.

"Mr. Marcus," he said as he abruptly shook my hand. I was perplexed as to how he knew who I was.
"Can we have a conversation?"
I gave him a nod and followed him out of the hospital.

"What do you require of me?"

"I'm here for Natasha; I'm not going to wander around any longer; she's pregnant with my child, and I'm the true father of your three children," he said directly to me. I couldn't say anything. What exactly is the issue?


"Are you kidding? If Natasha is pregnant with your child, I believe, but my three children, I don't," I said.

"Wait for Natasha to give birth before asking; she's always hiding from me; I was discouraged and almost insane trying to find her. I don't want him to simply walk away and give our child to someone else." They complained.

As he looked at me, the man shook his head. Natasha has been cheating on me for years if this man is correct.

I walked away without saying goodbye and returned home. When I got home, I was surprised to see my three children sitting on the couch as if they were strangers.

"What happened to you three? This house of mine is not lonely," I joked, but they didn't laugh.

"Is there anything else we should know, daddy? We're not sure where we're going to put ourselves," Winter inquired.

"Why?"

"A man came here to your house and looked for you, and he claimed to be our real father," Luca responded.

"I also don't know the truth; the man you're referring to went to the hospital, and he said Natasha is pregnant with his child today," I explained.


"Do you think after all these years she convinced us that you are our father? You gave us a nice life, but you are not our real father; how selfish she is!" Winter exclaimed.

"Will anything change there? I'm still your daddy; I didn't say that if that man was right, I wouldn't consider you a child anymore. And then I'm still your daddy regardless of what happens."


They all wrap their arms around me. I'm not sure what kind of brain Natasha has, but she was able to deny the true father of these three. So by the time we meet again, I can't forgive her.

Geoff remained at Camp Saavedra for three weeks, as if he had no intention of returning to the city. What surprised me the most was Winter's revelation to me that Marcus is not their biological father. What caused that to happen? Natasha does seem to have a bad habit. She hid for several years, even getting to the point where Winter married. What is Marcus's current reaction?


I had planned to go to him and confess about Marky because I don't want to be like Natasha and hide our son again, but it's only been six years and I still haven't done it.
Marky has matured and now resembles Marcus; when the two of them face each other, Marcus will recognize that he has a child with him.
My eyes widened when I noticed a hole in Marky's dress.

"What's wrong with your t-shirt, sweetheart? Why is there such a big hole? And you still have mud on your feet?" I inquired as he entered our living room.

Marky frowned as Steven appeared to be laughing.
"Damn you, Uncle Steven, don't laugh at me," Marky retorted.
"How come, Aunt Gianna, this child is far too mischievous."

"How come this happened?"

"You'd think he climbed in the guava on the side of the road and jumped suddenly because an ant bit him and a branch pulled his clothes."

Marky bit his lower lip and swallowed hard.

"Who told you to go up there? Didn't I tell you not to climb the tree? What if you fall? You can let your uncle Steven go up." I lectured him.

"I'm sorry, mommy, it won't happen again," Marky said.

"Certainly not to be repeated!" I exclaimed.

I undressed her to wipe her body.

"Mommy, stop it. I'm not young enough for you to look after anymore." My brow furrowed.

"Can you tell me your age?"

"Please, six."

"You're still a baby even when you're old."


He's frowning.
Then Geoff emerged from his room, carrying a bag.

"Where are you going?" 

"I'm going to go home to the city first."

"Are you going to leave Hera here?"

Geoff's girlfriend is Hera, the captain's daughter here at Camp Saavedra. The two have been together for three years.

"Of course, I'll take her; she's the one who invited me," he said. "How about you? It's been six years; won't you look for him?" he asked. I remained silent.

"I'll just come with you, Papa, rather than mommy," Marky explained.

"No, you're not going with the city," I said firmly.

"Wait for me, Papa; I'll get a bag first," Marky said as he dashed to his room.

"Geoff, you're spoiling Marky; he's so spoiled that he no longer listens to me," I grumbled.

"I won't abandon your son; I love him too much to ruin him, and Hera is present, so it's all right."

I exhaled a sigh.

"Let's go, Papa. Goodbye, Mommy. It'll be nice there. I love you," I exclaimed as I ran out of the house.

"Steven, please get me some water from the kitchen," I order.

The young man nodded and made his way to the kitchen. Sheena noticed my frown.

"Are you okay?" Sheens joked. "Why does it look like the pot can hang on your snout?"

"Marky's going to town with Geoff and Hera," I explained.

"I know I found them outside the gate; he even told me he'd bring me a greeting when he got home," Sheena laughed.


"Very reprimanding child but I love him dearly," said Sheena.
I cracked a grin.
I am so grateful to this woman for assisting me in caring for Marky.
I first went inside the room and took something from my drawer, but I was surprised to find that Marcus's photo, which I had hidden, had vanished. Then I was hit by a wave of nervousness. Maybe Marky took a photo of her father?

I attempted to contact Geoff but was unable to do so.

I'm now at Lance's house. It's been six years, but my life hasn't changed. It made me even sadder because I had heard nothing about Gianna. Natasha, on the other hand, has not appeared since giving birth. Much has changed and occurred, but I continue to dwell on the past.


"What are you thinking, Marcus? You still can't believe you don't have children?" Lance jokingly asked.

I growl at him, "Shut up!"

"It doesn't appear that you just lost because the three of them are always there for you, even if they didn't come from you."

I gave a nod.

In response, I nodded. Laila and Lance's son are also grown up.


I decided to go home and sleep. I no longer have a housemate because she moved back to their province, so I'm back on my own. When I returned home, I noticed a child leaning against a gate pillar. In my habit, it's tilted so that I can't see the face. I got out of the car and approached the gate, and the boy turned to face me. When he saw me, he smiled, and my heart skipped a beat. It was as if I had reflected on myself as a child. I was suddenly perplexed.
What is this child's name? He approached me and took my hand in his.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Marcus," the boy said before letting go of my hand.

"Won't you let me in? I've been standing in front of your house before," laughed the child.

This child is probably six years old.

I forced him to sit down.


I gave a nod.
"We look alike, and I took the initiative to come here to meet you because it appears unlikely that I will ever meet you if I wait for my mommy," the boy said to me, confusing me even more.

"I know my mommy won't forgive me if she finds out I'm here to see you, just going to the city she won't let me in anymore," the child frowned.

"What do you want to drink and eat?" I asked, looking at him.

"No, thank you; I'm done eating," the child replied.

I nodded.

"Look, kid, if you keep talking without making a point, I won't understand you," I warned.

The youngster laughs.

"I'm sorry, I was just too overwhelmed; I'm your son," the child apologized.

Is this some sort of joke? With whom else did I make a woman pregnant? I'm tired of people cheating on me.

"I'm not interested in your money or fame; all I want to do is meet you," he says.

This child is a genius.

"Why don't you remember who you got pregnant with six years ago?" I laughed because I was even told to remember who I was pregnant with.

"By the way, I became your child with Gianna Moran, and if you don't believe me, I have a picture of you." The boy then placed a photo of me wearing a black long-sleeve polo on the table.

I gaped as I stared at the child. I recall, but only once because I was angry with her. I never imagined she'd become pregnant. Why is it only now? I became enraged with her all of a sudden. I had no idea she was so selfish that she kept my son hidden from me.
"Where is your mother now, and why are you alone?" I inquired of the youngster.

"It's in the mountains, that's where our house is, and I just came here with papa Geoff and Aunt Hera; Mommy had no idea I came here to see you," the child explained.

Another thing that made my blood boil was the fact that she made our son, Geoff, a daddy.
I called Geoff again, and this time he answered.

"Geoff, where is Marky?" I inquired. I was tense.

"I'm sorry, Gianna, but your son was taken by Marcus."

"What are you doing, Geoff? You're leading me!" I exclaimed.



"Gianna, I'm not sure, he didn't say anything, but that's why he insisted on coming because he wanted to find out where his daddy was. Who am I to deny him that? You're the only one who doesn't feel it. You're selfish," Geoff said to me before hanging up the phone.

I was taken aback. I can't hide the truth any longer because my son approached Marcus. In the days that followed, all I could do was deal with his rage.
"What's your name?" I inquired of my son.

I had no idea Gianna became pregnant. I'm relieved because I have something to say to her.

"My name is Marky, and I know mommy got my name from you."
I cracked a grin.

We got up early the next day. I told Geoff that I was going to take Marky to Gianna. I also require his explanations.

We got in the car and left the house.

"Are we still going to your place?" I ask of Marky.

"You're right, daddy."

And we made it past the arc and bend. I've seen a lot of houses. And Marky took me on a tour of their home. We stopped at the red gate. We walked outside, and my son opened the gate. Gianna's gaze met mine as I walked in because she was just outside the house. I noticed she couldn't look me in the eyes.
Marky rushed up to her mother and kissed her.

"Look, Mommy. I have someone with me," the child said as he ran in, leaving Gianna and me behind.

"Won't you greet me?" 

She doesn't say anything. She's arrogant when she has a problem with me.


"Gianna, don't you have anything to say to me after hiding my son for a few years?" I asked.

"Are you here to confront me? Isn't it enough that you know you're so is Marky? We're not kids anymore and we have a lot of words to say to each other," she asked.

"I didn't think you were that cruel; I have reason to claim you again; it's not just you and my son," I explained.

"We don't have a relationship; you're just the father of my child, so you have no right to claim me," she told me. Gianna's tenacity reappeared.


"Really? The only thing that irritates me is that you have ruined my image in your family; what will they say about me being an irresponsible father?"
That you were unaware of your pregnancy because you chose to conceal it rather than tell me. "Don't try me, Gianna, because I'll take Marky away from you if you won't let it be mine," I said quietly in his ear.
I ran into my room, horrified by Marcus's whisper; six years had passed, but my feelings had not changed.

Sheena entered through the open door, and he pinched me on the side.


"Sister Gianna, Marky's daddy is handsome," said Sheena while trembling.
"Stop, you look like you're crazy there." I rebuked her.
"Won't you come out? You're hiding because you're guilty." Share laughs at me.

"He was talking to mommy and daddy, explaining why he didn't show up and heaping all the blame on you."

I don't care if I get all the blame, I'm not getting out of here. I dozed off while hiding.
When the door opened, I assumed it was Sheena, but it was Marcus.

He grinned at me as if he'd won the lottery.

"Won't you look after me? I've been sweating on my clothes for a while," he asked.
His laugh made him even more attractive.
"I was so excited to see you that I forgot to bring clothes with me," he explained.
"It's not my fault; why didn't you bring clothes?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

I stood up and went over to the cabinet, looking for a large t-shirt.
And I noticed he was firmly affixed to my back. I flushed at the thought because I remembered how we had formed Marky when he took me from behind.

"Get behind me, the room is so big, and get out!"

"All right, but I'll sleep next to you later, okay?" he said, snatching the t-shirt and winking at me.