Broken Strings
Chapter 34

MELISSA QUIZON

Two days after Wright and I had a conversation in front of the grave of my Grandma before he becomes so busy with his work. He always comes home at night. We also treat each other casually.

We still haven’t left Wright’s house Because Reid, Wright and I are already fixed some of our misunderstandings so there’s no need. I don’t want Reid to suspect anything.

“Mommy, Daddy isn’t here yet?” I looked at him. Reid is running down the stair while rubbing his eyes. He seemed just woken up.

I stood up and lifted him. I slowly rocked him, put his head between my neck.

“Not yet, Baby. Go to sleep again.”

“I can’t, Mommy. I miss Daddy’s bedtime stories.” He murmured.

“I’ll just tell you a story.” I sighed. “What bedtime story do you want?”

“It’s about the King and Queen. The King left his Queen in the war so the enemy got the Queen.” What the hell.

“Baby, why-“

I stopped speaking when the door opened. He was surprised to see us. Reid dropped from my grasp and ran towards Wright.

“Daddy!”

Wright smiled and carries Reid. “Oh? Why is my Baby still awake?”

I cleared my throat. “He was jolt awake.”

“Ah.” He looked at me for a moment and turned his gaze back to Reid. “What does my Baby want?”

“Bedtime story!” Reid said. He tilted his head. “Wait, Daddy, why are you late?”

“Daddy just takes care of a lot.” Wright’s right hand combed Reid’s messy hair.

“If you’re tired, you don’t have to tell me a story.” Reid pouted.

“No. For my Baby, I can handle it. Let’s tuck you in.” Wright said softly.

He walked up to the stairs without noticing me. He didn’t even look at me, he just kept on walking. This what I want.

I took a deep breath and followed them. I peeked at the little space at the door. Reid was already lying down and Wright was sitting on his side. He was leaning against the headboard while his legs were above Reid’s bed with his socks still on. He was no longer wearing a necktie and grey suit. His long sleeve is now tucked to his elbow.

“Where did we end up?” Wright said calmly.

“The enemy has captured the Queen.”

He took a deep breath. He gently stroked Reid’s hair. “Ah. So, that’s right, when King realized what he had done, he repented. He went back to the enemy’s palace to take Queen. He fought. He did everything. King was wounded when he entered the enemy’s palace. “

“Then?”

I felt cold when I saw the sadness in Wright’s smile again. “She found out that the Queen already liked the enemy. She fell in love with someone else.”

Wait, what ?!

“What happened to the King?” Reid asked innocently.

He gulped. “He let go. Because he saw that the Queen was happy with his new love. He left the enemy’s palace and returned to his palace. He locked himself inside. And no one can enter that palace but the Queen. . “

What is he saying?

“King loves the Queen.” Smiling Reid said. “Are they gonna lived happily ever after?”

“The Queen lived happily ever after with her new King.” He sighed. “The end.”

“Why is it a sad ending?” Reid said.

He kissed Reid on the forehead. He grabbed Reid’s small hand and brought it to his lips.

“Sad for King but, at least the Queen is happy. As long as Queen is happy, the King is happy too.”

Reid thought for a moment. Wright stared at him with loving eyes.

I’m sorry, Reid. I know my decision was unfair to you. I want to protect myself from pain. I’m deeply sorry, Baby.

Reid sat up and hugged Wright. Wright was momentarily startled but recovered immediately.

“Good night, Daddy.”

He wrapped Reid in his arms and hugged him tightly. “Good night, Baby. I love you so much.”

I leaned against the side of the wall and looked up at the white ceiling of the house. I was devastated when Reid’s door opened.

I turned around and Wright’s eyes opened up to me. We both averted our eyes.

“Why are you still awake? Go to sleep. You’ll have a lack of sleep.” He said softly.

“I just want to check if Reid’s sleeping already,” I said.

“Yeah. He’s already asleep so go to sleep.” I flinched when I felt his hand on my hair. He took his hand away, smiled and dropped it to his side. “You’re probably tired of your work.”

I nodded. “Good night.”

He smiled but that didn’t reach his eye. “Good night… My Queen.”

I looked up at him. Is what I heard correct? “What did you say?”

“Good night?”

I shook. “No. The other one.”

“You’re sleepy. I didn’t say anything.” I was shocked when he touched both my cheeks and kissed me on the forehead. “Good night, Melissa.”

He turned his back on me and walked towards his room. I watched him until he closed the door. What the heck. I took a deep breath and entered my room as well.

Everything’s fine. Just fine. Right?

“Mommy! Mommy!” I woke up because someone shaking my bed

“Hmm?” I m****d.

“Mommy, wake up. Let’s go to church.” Reid woke up early.

“Is it Sunday today?” I asked.

Reid lay on top of me and hugged his arms around my neck. “Yes. Mommy, get up. Father won’t wait for you.”

“Hmm ..” Ugh!

“If you don’t get up, we’ll leave you.”

“Will you leave me?” I murmured. I stroked his hair. “Don’t you want Mommy?”

“Mommy. I’m just kidding. Don’t get upset. You know I love you more than Daddy.”

I smiled. “Really?”

He nodded. “Get up, Mommy. You stink. Take a bath now.”

I chuckled. “When Mommy stinks, you won’t love me anymore?”

He left on top of me and sat on my side. His small hands grabbed my arm and pulled me to my feet.

“Of course I still love you. You are the best mommy even if you stink. So get up.”

“Alright, Here we go.”

By the time I sat down he jumped down from my bed. He ran out the door while calling his daddy.

I sighed.

After doing my morning rituals I went downstairs. I heard a noise from the kitchen and saw my son and his father cooking breakfast.

“Daddy, I’ll mix.” Reid sighed as he stepped into the high chair. On its side was Wright holding a Teflon. They both wore black aprons with branded cat footprints.

I sneezed to get their attention.

“Hi. Good morning.” Wright said casually. He smiled sparingly and looked back at the bowl with just the mixture.

“What are you cooking?” I asked.

“Pancakes, Mommy! Just sit back and relax. Daddy and I will cook.” I nodded. I sat in the chair and watched them curl up. I felt hungry when I smelled the margarine they were using.

“Breakfast is served.” Reid dropped a plate of pancakes on the table.

He sat down next to me and he put the pancakes on my plate. He also reached for the syrup and topped my pancakes.

I kissed him on the cheeks. “Thank you, Baby.”

We ate with only Reid and Wright speaking. I only answer when Reid asks. Sometimes I catch Wright glancing at me and then avert his gaze.

“Let us begin the holy mass in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.” The Priest said softly.

When the choir sings “Our Father”, I held Reid’s hand but he let go of my hand and made me and Wright hold or hand. He moved to my side and hold my other hand he held.

Wright’s grip tightened as I attempted to release. I looked up at him but he was just looking straight at the Altar. It was a long time before Wright let go of my hand when the song finished. I felt cold without the heat of his palm biting into me.

I shook my head to get rid of that thought and just focused on the mass.

“Peace be with you.” Said the Priest.

“And with you too.” We answer.

“Give peace to each other. Peace be with you.” Smiling said the Priest.

I support Reid when he climbs over the chair. We once kissed Reid on the cheek but he avoided it. Wright and I widened our eyes as our lips touched.

It’s like I’m burning away. I pressed the back of my hand to my l*p. Wright stared at me. He bites his lower l*p as his eyes widen.

He took a deep breath and took something from his pocket. He pulled out a white handkerchief and handed it to me. His face dropped and he put his mouth on my ear.

“I’m not sorry.” He whispered.

My knee trembled as he smelled my hair.

I reached for his handkerchief. He walked away and looked back at the altar.

I stared at it without me knowing.

I woke up when Reid stabbed my side.

His eyebrows go up and down. “Mommy you’re giggling.”

I smiled at him sparingly and kissed his forehead. I am no longer in the mood to speak again. I took a deep breath to calm myself and then turned my attention back to the mass.