Chapter 47

Kent's POV,
"What news am I looking for from you?" I asked the detective I hired to look for Nikita.
I miss her!
Can he still forgive me?
Will he still be able to accept me for what I did to him?
It's only now that I've realized that that's why I feel a lack of Lauren because my heart is really with Nikita.
I was too stupid to destroy the woman who completed my life when Lauren left me.
I'm a big asshole for thinking that I still love Lauren where in fact, my heart has changed its orbit to someone.
"She's in the U.S. for now Sir." He then handed me an envelope.
"The address is there." He said as he handed me the envelope.
This is it, Nikita! I wish I still have someone to bring back.
Selfish to listen to but I want to pray that he has not been able to move on with me.
I wish you would still accept me!
I reached for it and opened it. I read what was written.
"I guess we're done with this Sir." The detective said so I stood up to shake hands.
"The payment is already in your account, Sir." I am happy to say because I will finally see the woman I truly love.
"Thank you, Sir." He said as well before bowing. He handed over his attache case and then left my office.
Wait me there, Nikita. I promise to bring you back in my life and not to hurt you anymore.
I got up and walked out of my office. I picked up my cellphone and then dialed the number. Strangely enough, he answered immediately.
"Arrange me a flight for tomorrow. I'm going to United States." I told my assistant.
"Copy boss." He said so I dropped the call as well.
I left the building and went straight to my car. I went home to prepare a bag that I will take tomorrow.
"Good afternoon, sir." A maid greeted me when I entered.
"Oh Sir, good afternoon. Will you eat?" Another maid also greeted me.
"Don't. I'm going up." I answered them then went up to my room.
I grabbed my luggage bag then grabbed some clothes that I could take to the U.S. I also put a toothbrush and everything I use for hygienic purposes.
*Kringgg! Kringgg!*
I reached for my cellphone and answered the call.
"Boss, you have your flight tomorrow at 9:00 am." My assistant told me.
"Ok, thanks." I said then the call was dropped and continued to shuffle.
I really miss her. I want to see her now.
But I still can't get over the nervousness that she might have found someone else to love and that I might be left behind for the second time.
I was scared to know that I would never go back, that Nikita might not want me anymore.
After I left, I opened the laptop to finish my work and there was nothing waiting for tomorrow.
It also took me some time to review all the schedules and work for our company.
*Tokk! Tokk!*
I turned to the person who knocked on my bedroom door.
"Sir, let's eat. Your mommy and daddy are already there." Said our assistant. I nodded then closed the laptop and went down.
"Oh son, you're already here." Mommy told me when she saw me.
I went straight to my seat.
"I heard that you'll be leaving to U.S. tomorrow." Dad said so I looked at him. I scooped up some food before I answered him.
"Yes dad, I have important things to settle." I said.
"You're going to him." Suddenly mommy said to me.
"Yes." My short answer.
"Do you still love her?" Mommy asked me.
"Yes mom. Even when we were Lauren again. All I thought was that I still love her, but I keep on searching for what is missing in my heart. I realized late and I am very grateful to Lauren because she is the decided on the thing I should have done before. " I honestly answered her.
"We don't have any reason to stop you. All I want now is to know more about that woman and when we see the thing you loved in her." My mom said.
I smiled at what he said and nodded.
I am happy because they have finally received Nikita.
We just talked while eating.
I'm happy because I'm free of their wishes.
After we ate, I went upstairs to take a shower and go to sleep because I would wake up early tomorrow.
I went straight to the CR and took a shower. After I took a bath, I went out to put on my pajamas. I took my laptop and put it in the pouch so I wouldn"t forget to bring it tomorrow.
I went to bed and slept happily.
Tomorrow!
I woke up and happily walked to the CR. I am excited to see the woman I love again.
After I got ready, around 7:30 am I left. I saw that our driver was also fixing the car. I went inside and drove to the airport.
I called my friend in the U.S.
"Oh bro. Where have you been?" He replied.
I borrowed a car from him because I don't want to buy a car, I won't stay long.
"It's at the airport. The car." I told him.
"Sure, just call me again." He says.
"Ok, thanks bro." I said before dropping the call.
I waited for our flight and when our plane was mentioned, I got up. I also went in and sat in the seat reserved for me.
I can't wait to see you hon! I promise to do everything I can, just come back to me.
I felt like we were going up and I fell asleep the whole trip. I need to brace for Nikita.
When I heard the pilot speak so I woke up. We went out one by one.
Hello again America!
I picked up my phone again and called Alex.
"Hey bro? Are you in America already?" He ask.
"Yes bro. Where's the car?" I ask.
I don"t want to live with my friend because I"m not used to it. I just want to check in at the hotel so I can concentrate on finding Nikita.
"The car's color black. Manong Elid is there, he's Filipino so you'll recognize him right away." He says. I rolled my eyes and smiled when I saw what he was saying.
"Ok, I saw that. Thanks bro." I said and approached Manong Elid.
"Are you Manong Elid?" I asked mama.
"It's me. Are you Sir Kent?" He ask.
"Yes." My answer.
"Here's the car's key, Sir." He said and hand me the keys.
"How about you?"
"I can take a cab." He said and smiled at me. I nodded and took the keys from him.
He helped me put my stuff inside. I turned to him first before saying goodbye and getting into the car.
I drive to the address written don on the paper given to me by my detective. I know some places here in America because my family and I had a long vacation here. And the address that the detective says I've been to, I'll just ask where exactly the house Nikita lives.
I wish you haven't move on yet Nikita!
As I was traveling something grabbed my attention. I stopped first and stared at the woman I was looking for in a park near the subdivision I was supposed to go to.
There she is, carrying a baby in her arms. I was just as close to him when I saw a man approaching him and kissing his forehead. The man kissed the baby.
My tears start to fall and my legs begin to tremble.
She already has a child?
Is this my karma?
Am I really going back, Nikita?
Nikita's POV,
"Baby Levi ..." Hanz comforted my son.
The dedication of the babies at our church has just ended. We"re not Catholics and we don"t do baptism on babies who don"t yet have an understanding on the concepts of baptism on Christian faith.
"I think I should hire a babysitter for baby Levi. I need to work for us. We can't just rely on you." I said to Hanz. He looked at me.
"You don't need to ---"
"No, Hanz. The help you gave us is enough. I'm so grateful to have you as my best friend." I sincerely said to him. He smiled at me. He accepts his defeat because even if he says it's ok with him, he still won't stop me.
"If that's what you want. I know I won't stop you, especially since you already have a child." He just said to me then look to my son.
I prepare for my work on Hanz's company under the Marketing Department. I did not agree to be his secretary because he had a secretary.
"Ate Marissa, you take care of the baby first. I'm leaving." I told our newly hired babysitter.
I trust him since he just referred us when my friend Mara.
"Yes Ma'am. Enjoy your first day of work Ma'am." She said while carrying my Baby Levi. I kissed him and then I came to kiss my son.
"Mommy is just leaving, son ahh. Mommy will be back too. I have to work to keep you alive." I talk to my son even though I know he doesn't understand me yet. I kissed him on his cheeks and squeezed it slightly.
"Call me sister if I need you." I will leave it to Ate Marissa. He nodded.
I walked to the door. I even heard Ate Marissa say goodbye to me.
I took a cab and then went to Hanz's company.
The guard checked my bag. I rolled my eyes at the loon of the company. I approached the information officer who you will see as soon as you enter the door.
"Excuse me, may I ask if where"s the office ofdfg gGa v vhdddt
Ms. Evans? "I ask the American woman here.
"What do you need from her?" She asked.
"I'm the newly-hired here, under the Marketing Department and I heard she's the head there." I said.
"Ok. She's in the fifth floor Miss. You just have to turn left, you can see her name on the door." She said so I just smiled at her.
I took the elevator and went to Miss Evans' office. I knocked first.
"Come in." I heard him say inside. I have entered.
"Good morning Ma'am, I'm Nikita Arellano." I said while holding my papers and small sling bag.
"Good morning too. I'm Marigold Evans, call me Ms. Evans." She said and make me sit down.
"I just think of reporting first Miss before going to work. May I ask if where you will be assigning me?" I ask.
"Oh, Mr. Presto can assist you first since he's a Filipino like you." She said.
It's good that I'm Filipino, I'm crazy about English.
"Thank you Miss." I smiled at her.
"You're beautiful and you look hardworking. I'm expecting from you." She said so I just smiled at her.
I was under pressure from him.
I got out and walked over to the Marketing Department Office.
"Oh, are you Nikita Arellano?" A man asked me as soon as I entered.
"Yes." I politely said.
"Don't say yes to me. I'm only a little older than you." He said and chuckled. "By the way, I'm Presto Ignacio. It's been my three years working here so it's been quite a while as well." He said then started walking. I also follow him and once again look at the people at work.
Some are typing on a laptop, some are writing, some are watching, as long as they do a lot.
"Anyway, this would be your seat or mini-office. This is your laptop and if you need something, you can ask anyone here." He said.
I put my bag on the side of my laptop and then sat down.
"So how is that, can I leave you because Ma'am Evans has assigned something to me?" He said so I just smiled and nodded.
He left so I faced my laptop.
"Hey!" I turned to the person who spoke next to me.
"Are you new here?" I frowned when he spoke Tagalog.
"Ahh, sorry. I'm Alyana Smith. I'm half Filipino and half American. I lived in the Philippines for 10 years so I can speak Tagalog." He would explain even though I didn't ask him.
"I'm Nikita Arellano. Nice meeting you." When I introduced myself, I held out my hand to him. He handed it to us so we shook hands.
"Excuse me, Mr. Ignacio wants you to see this." I turned to the American hurting by my side. He handed me a piece of paper.
I reached for it and looked at it. I turned to the man and he smiled so I just smiled at him before he walked away.
"What is that?" Alyana asked me. He handed it to me and took the paper from me.
"Ah, you're going to be a market segment. You have to make a study on the market size and market interest in this place since I heard that a hotel will be built in this area again." Alyana said while looking at the paper. He scans it.
"Ahh, ok I get it." I just said.
"All right, we'll meet later. It's only for lunch break. Let's go together." Alyana added that we seem to be close.
"Okay, okay." I just said then opened my laptop to start my work.
I just searched for what I searched and then I put in excel and word to show to Sir Ignacio.
I had to fix my job so that I could make up for Hanz for helping me when I was pregnant.
Lunch break so Alyana pulled me to the mezzanine. We just talked about things and I can say that I'm happy because I found a new friend at work, so I won't have a hard time working here. I am no longer a loner.
We went back to work after lunch break. It was late at night when I was pretty done with what I was doing so we decided to go home.
We timed out to go home.
I took a cab again and when I got home I immediately looked for Levi.
"Where's baby Levi, Ate Marissa?" I was born to my sister Marissa.
"Ayy she's in her room Ma'am, already asleep." He said so I went to his room to kiss him.
"Oh, how's your first day?" I heard Hanz question me after I left Levi's room.
"Okay, it's fun. It's really exciting even though I have a job right away." I said and laughed slightly.
"Don't forget about being a mother to your son ah." He reminded me and laughed onti as well.
"Of course. That's why I'm working hard for my son." I said and walked to my room.
Nikita's POV,
"Where's my baby Levi?" Alyana greeted me and kissed me once. He handed me his gift for my son.
It's my baby's 1st birthday. The party I made was simple. Only my parents, Hanz, and my co-workers were invited.
They would have wanted Mama grandehan because they said Levi was their first grandchild, in case I refused because it would cost me again. Besides, I also save for the clothing business I do.
They want a five-star hotel in Manila so that more people can attend. But, I refused because I still didn"t have the courage to go back.
We are here at a famous restaurant in the U.S. near the sea.
I've made a reservation on this whole restaurant because somehow, I still want to give my son a nice birthday celebration.
"Ayun oh, Mommy's load." I taught my son who is now mommy's load.
"Hey Niks, where's baby Levi?" My American co -worker asked me.
"She's with Alyana." I said at once reaching for the gift he would give to Levi.
I've invited 30 guests only including Mara.
"NIKSSSSSS!" I turned to the screaming woman.
He"s still really shameless to this day.
"MARAAAAA!" I shouted a little at my best friend who had just arrived.
"You're a bad girl, you should have told me that it's not my daughter's birthday yet so that I don't have to worry about booking a flight right away to get here." He complained.
I only told him yesterday because yesterday I settled all the preparations for today's occasion.
"I'm sorry sis." I said and slipped out of his hug very tightly. "Oh, remember that day ah." I added more.
"Where is he sis? I miss you guys so much!" He was happy to say and hug me again.
I broke up with him again because I was trapped again.
"That's Alyana." I said. His forehead furrowed.
"Who's that? Your new friend? Maybe you changed me sis?" He raised an eyebrow at me.
"Ah yes by the way, lika first, let's introduce him." I said and pulled her towards Alyana.
"Yana!" I called Alyana who is now picking up my child. He turned to us.
"Yana, this is my best friend, Mara. She just came from the Philippines." I will introduce Mara to Alyana. Alyana smiled at Mara, and Mara smiled at Alyana.
"Hello Mara, I'm Alyana. I've heard a lot about you?" Alyana introduced herself and held out her hand. Mara accepted it.
"I'm Mara. She's one of my fan." Mara's pangjojoke time while pointing at me. I looked at him. Alyana just laughed.
"I know how to speak in tagalog." Alyana said suddenly.
"Ow really? You're not hard to talk to." Mara added. "Ah, can I touch Baby Levi?" He asked Alyana.
"Sure." Alyana said then handed Mara baby Levi.
"Take it easy on my son sis. You still don't have a replacement when you have an accident." I told him as I imagined I was knocking on a tree, so as not to continue what I was saying.
"You just have to first, hmp!" Mara said.
"I don't think there's anything to wait for, I'll serve." I told them.
"That's right Niks, I've been hungry here before." Alyana said artfully.
I called the waiter and I served the food ready for this party.
We also sang a birthday song for my son and then I spoke in front of him for a while.
"You're also on vacation in the Philippines sis, so Baby Levi can smell the fresh air." Mara said.
"How is your business in the Philippines?" I divert the matter.
I don't want to talk about going home to the Philippines first because I'm not ready yet.
How are they don?
Can they have a child too?
Lauren may be pregnant now.
"Ayown sis, stress is too much. I really want to find a wife for the house." He was joking. "You? Don't you also have a business in the Philippines? Will you manage that?" He added.
"Not yet." I just said.
I want to work here for I think 10 years for that well experience. I also want to be able to save first for the clothing business I will build.
"Are you going to pursue that clothing business?" He asked further.
"Are you going to build a clothing business?" Alyana suddenly groaned.
"Yeah." I said while sipping my champagne.
I also want to separate from Hanz because I'm really ashamed. I am a familiar person but I still make a living.
I want to practice being an independent mother. I want to raise my child on my own sweat.
We just talk about things while eating.
I am carrying my child now. I first took it to a secluded area to breastfeed. Mara accompanied me.
"I'm happy for you Niks." I turned to Mara because of what she said. She smiled as she looked at Baby Levi.
"I know you'll be a good mother to Levi." He added.
"Don't you have any plans to find his daddy?" He asked me a serious question. I bowed down.
I stared at my son's face which looked exactly like his father's.
If only I still have the right to see him ... them!
"Is that why you and Kent broke up?" I was dumbfounded by her question but I still manage to glance at her.
"No. He has nothing to do with our relationship before. He doesn't know about my son." Seriously but you feel the sadness in the words I left out.
"You're my friend Nikita and I'll do everything I think is right for you. I'll do everything to make you happy and I'll force you away from the people who hurt you. I know baby Levi doesn't want to see you hurt." He said meaningfully so I just smiled at him.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked him.
"Are you planning to find a partner?" He asked suddenly.
I looked at him because of what he said.
Will someone still accept someone who already has a child? To the person who is no longer whole?
"I-I don't know." I just said.
I don"t know if I can even open my heart to men. I am afraid of being hurt again.
And ... I don't know if I can love anyone else, besides him.
I-I still love your father baby, even though I know we can't be anymore.