"Mm-hmm. But…" He swept his eyes searchingly around the office." Where's Nana, Daddy? I told Miss Gloria I wanted Nana's bear hugs." As he pouted, his head drooped.
Kelvin ruffled his son's silky hair, its richness was identical to his. "I told you your Nana can't be disturbed for now until she gets better."
"I know… But I still miss her."
"How many nights did I say she would be back for?"
"Eight…" He held his little hands up and started counting his fingers while they watched him with a grin slowly growing on their lips. "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, and eight. Eight nights more, Daddy."
"Very good, King!"
Blinking hard, King's cheeks turned red. He glanced at his father towering on his body still laying flat on the examination table. "Can we go now, Daddy?"
"Uhh, not sure about that, son."
"I don't like coming here! It makes me puke all the time!" Scowling at his father, King folded his arms around his chest.
"Hey, little man. How are you feeling now?" Smith gingerly drew closer.
"I'm Good. I'm not… I'm not getting shots, right doctor friend?" His eyes welled with tears..
Smith flashed the little boy a soft smile. "No, little King, not today. Just try to take those colorful things your Daddy gives you, yeah? You do take them like the good boy you are, right?"
"Mm-hmm." While playing with his father's long fingers, he nodded sluggishly. "I do eat them, but… but they aren't sweet like those candies Nana gives me. I don't like them, doctor friend."
"I'm sorry you feel that way, King. I promise to make you all better so you would stop taking them."
"Will you make me stop eating those stinky stinky colorful medicines before my Nana returns after sleeping eight nights?"
The adults glanced at one another, then back at the little boy shifting his eager gaze from his father to Smith, and then the doctor in slip-on shoes. Then back again.
Kelvin cleared his throat then carefully lifted King off the table, putting his feet on the ground. They all watched as his little wobbly feet became stable.
They heaved a huge sigh of relief.
"You can go with your Daddy now. Be good, yeah?"
"Yeah." King tugged at Kelvin's jacket, then craned his neck, searching for his attention. "Pick me up, Daddy! I wanna go up there!"
He glanced down at his son with a straight face. "You should exercise a little, son. You are a big boy, you know..."
"No! Pick me up! Pick me up, Daddy! Put me up there!" He wriggled his body, pulling forcefully at Kelvin's suit jacket.
"Not here, King! You better behave yourself!"
Seeing the little boy scattering his limbs on the carpeted floor, Smith gingerly moved closer to the duo. "It would be good if you scooped him in your arms, sir. He's still a baby, and they like to cling to where they feel safe."
"Why do I always hear that fucking word everywhere I go? This son of mine is way up the chart! Beating me blue black". Kelvin hesitatingly lowered his towering self, then scooped the little boy off the floor and settled him into his arms. "Can you imagine him?" He watched King seize his whining instantly and pressed his cheek on his father's chest. "I still have ten, twenty, thirty… sixty… eighty… oh boy! More years with this brat? Fuck!"
Looking at his son who pulled his coat and covered his head with it, Kelvin shook his head. King wrapped his full arms around his father's neck as they exited the doctor's office.
Right on the road, while they sat at the back seat of their car, Kelvin cradled the little boy who slept peacefully in his arms. Slowly stroking his son's black curly hair, his eyes welled up with tears.
You are my boy… I'll do everything to get you better. Everything within my power, son! Tears streamed down his cheeks. He clenched his fists and drew his son closer to his chest. As his face contorted with grief, he covered his face with his hands and weeped silently into it.
"You never know anyone, not until you get very close to that person. And that's why I can never judge a book by its cover, until I'm sure of at least a free chapter." A silver haired man at the driver's seat watched the father and son through the rearview mirror. "Those people outside my boss's world are not privileged enough to see how soft he is inside." His hands clutched the steering wheel while his gaze shifted from the road to his boss and his adorable son cuddled in his arms.
******
At Syntia's tiny studio apartment, she sluggishly entered her room that was flooded with the full moon's tender glow. She was as naked as the day her first cry was heard.
Sighing sharply with her head hung low, Syntia plopped on a small sofa sitting next to a heap of dirty laundry. As the raw stench oozed out from the pile of clothes, Syntia's nostrils flared as she sniffed the air. Twisting her face, she picked a cotton gown from the heap then slowly brought it to her nose, and gagged, tossing it away.
"You really must clear all of this mess, Syntia." Curled up in a ball, her eyes swept the room as she scolded herself. "You can't live like pigs because your life is shit... You better buckle up, or the buckle will lock you up forever!"
Still deep in thought, Syntia jerked up at the sharp ring of her phone held together with a rubber band. She frowned at it, then walked past the coffee table to a stool, picked up a large shirt and cladded her bare skin with it.
"Gee, could you stop calling already!" She grabbed the phone from a stool at the foot of the bed. "Who the hell is this?!"
"Oh boy…"
"You better speak now or I'm dropping the call!"
The caller who seemed to be a male, cleared his throat. "Am I on to Syntia?"
"Who wants to know?"
''You're being invited for a job interview at Clearview. Please come with your portfolio as early as first light."
"What interview?" She knotted her brow. "When did I apply? And where the heck is Clearview in this city?"
Silence rained down on them.
In King's classroom at Elite Kiddies Lounge, colorful balloons filled the large space. The atmosphere reeked of giggles and laughter from the lively kids and their parents. At one corner of the classroom, Hanord followed the lustful eyes of Kelvin as they fixed on a young woman's backside, all the way out the open double doors. "Did you see that girl?" "We're here for father and parents time with their kids, not to haunt for girls!" Hanord muttered through gritted teeth. "Doing some window shopping isn't that bad. I should–" He leaned next to Kelvin's ear, shutting him up. "Look around you, Kelvin, you are in your son's classroom for fuck's sake. Jeez! Control your libido for just a moment." Eyeing Hanord, Kelvin grunted deeply. "Today, no chasing of skirts, yeah? Don't disgrace the little guy." He glanced at little King pouting as though ready to cry any minute. King shared a sad glance with Hanord, his eyes wet and shaky. A little girl wearing pigtails held a plate of cookies
In that candle lit room, bare chested and in his boxers, Hanord sat cross legged on a rug at the foot of his bed, staring into space. The hard beat of his heart could crack and even damage a wall. As he sank deeper into his thoughts, that fresh after shower smell wafted through his nostrils, stiffening his body. "You look lost, baby. What is it this time, uh?" That soft voice showered on him like sprinkles from the heavy turned-on shower. The slender woman's hand waving in his face was blurry to his sight, until that tap on his shoulder. Reaching for his face, with a start, Hanord's head snapped. Orange glow from the flickering candles danced across the young woman's face. Realizing it was his wife, as he stared hard at her, his face contorted. Wearing a short nightgown with her bare nipples looking straight at Hanord, she crouched down in front of his face. "Is it a woman, Hanord? Did you cheat on me again this time?" "What?" Confusion washed over his face. Natasha, Hanord's wif
In the cozy room, her moans filled the room as she twitched. When she thought bathing herself in that honey state in front of the public would be the end, it was only but the beginning of her troubles. That mystery man tormenting her mind, was hard to push away. With that view, on a large couch, the soft but smooth muscular figure lifted Syntia's legs above his broad shoulders, then spread them apart. Swallowing hard, she watched him settle between her thighs. "I'm starting to get addicted to pink, Syntia. Fuck!" Syntia's cheeks flushed when he lowered his head, studying her exposed pussy entrance. The hungry grin playing on his lips made her melt into liquid. With great struggles, she tried to put his blurry face together but it seemed like a heavy task each time he tampered with her body. "I don't think we should. We--" "Shh!" Shushing, Syntia's shuddering naked body pinned beneath him, with his finger pressed against her lips, she felt his hand caressing hidden parts of her b
The whistling of the wind outside was almost deafening as it swept through the empty space, rustling Adam's hair. He unstrapped King's car seat, and then scooped him into his arms. King's head rested on his chest, but his legs flailed wildly. "I want--I want popsicles, uncle Adam. Get me one, please. Daddy isn't being nice to me today." "King, I know you want it now, but you need to listen to your Daddy. Your doctor friend wants you to--" "No! I want it now! Nana will–will--" Sighing deeply, Adam stroked the little boy's back as he watched his face crumpled like a handkerchief. Facing the sturdy skyscraper, his phone rang. With one hand firmly holding little King, Adam shoved the other into his pocket, rooting his phone out. From the other end, a grey haired woman in an elegant white gown idly sat in a rocking chair, her legs crossed, facing a huge fireplace with a wide mantle. She watched intently as the fire crackled. The glowing flame illuminates the dimly lit room. Behind her,
Right outside Diamond mall, thunder rumbled as lightning crackled down, illuminating the tarred road, with rain pattering furiously. At the parking lot, Adam unfastened King from his car seat. The happy little boy skipped as they entered the well lit mall. Shoppers turned and stared lovingly at the cute and adorable little boy gripping Adam's hand as they found their way in. "What flavor would you like to have, King? They have lots here." With a smile, Adam playfully stroked King's chubby cheek. "Hmm…" Little King pinched his chin and tilted his head back slightly, deep in thought. Adam chuckled lightly, noticing the loving eyes on the boy. Everyone stopped and stared at the adorable child laughing ecstatically and doing a happy dance as he gazed at the popsicles displayed in front of them. "I want that… that… that…" King licked his lips. Leaning against a shelf, Adam stood beside the little boy. Then his phone rang. He quickly shoved his hand in his pocket, he froze, staring at
Right in an elegant, modern suite, on the highest floor of the hotel, Kelvin stripped himself bare, then strolled into an exquisite bathroom seeping sweet smell. He stood under a showerhead, lather his body and let the lukewarm water cascade down his glass skin. The steam rose, dimming the view as he showered. Now, all done. He slipped into a bathrobe, dialed a number and poured his thunderous voice through. His face contorted with fury. "I'm gonna fucking kill you with my bare hands! How dare--" A soft knock on the door, trailed his voice. Kelvin gazed at the door, furrowing his brow. His jaw clenched. Out in the hallway, a quivering figure, drenched from head down, stood by the door. When they turned their faces toward their view; it was Adam. He chewed his nails nervously. Inside the suite, Kelvin pressed a button on the smooth wooden nightstand beside the neatly made bed covered with a comforter. Beside the bed, a red toy train and other colourful toys were neatly placed in a
"Mom, I've got no time for this. Please." "Let me speak with my grandson. What's this joke?!" "King has gone to bed, he said his goodnight early because–" "You can't fool your mother, Kelvin! I'm gonna take the first flight back home to see my grandson!" "Stay and get better for fuck's sake, Mom. He's fine! Christ!" Still on the screaming call with his mother, Kelvin paced around his suite. His hand constantly ran through his hair. His bare chest flashed every now and then at the uniformed cops standing by the door. Beside them was the cowering Adam still drenched in his wet clothes. The night had moved too fast, and every minute spent awake, the hole in between, stretched wider in their hearts. "Take your rest, Mom, I'm gonna call back when it's dawn." "You know I speak with that boy every night." "Please rest, Mom. My son misses you too, and you know it." "Ok." With a soft tap on his lit screen, the call was cut off. Furrowing his forehead, Kelvin's head snapped towards th
"Who are you, and how did you get into my home?" Natasha stepped into her home and was startled by the figure munching on an apple. The bunch of keys slipped out of her hand slapping hard on the carpeted floor. "I'm here for Mr. Hanord. I'm carrying his baby." "Could you repeat that?" Locking eyes with Natasha, the young woman put her hands on her waist. "You heard me, ma'am. He should take responsibility for what he did." "Oh really?" "Yes. Since he forced himself on me, he should be able to force himself to fend for the baby. I don't have any money." Natasha bent down and grabbed her keys. Her knuckles whitened. "Come on, let me take you to him." "You will do that? Why?" "Do you want to meet him or not? He doesn't live here anymore." "Oh…" The young woman dragged her feet behind as Natasha led them out of the apartment. ****** At Elite Kiddies Lounge Is this a joke or what? How is she here, with my son? Squinting his eyes at Syntia, Kelvin crossed his arms around his ch