CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
“Are you just going to cry there all night? Because if you do, I’m leaving.” I looked up at Dylan. I thought he left after telling me the truth about my son. “What? You’re not going to do anything and you’re going to sulk again?” he asked.
“I want to see my son,”
“Wise decision, stand there and I’ll send you there.”
“No, I can do it, thanks for the help,” I said and stood up.
“You’re still banned from the subdivision. Only in the office are not. So don’t be shy. It’s just me, the handsome Dylan Damon Dy.”
“Why are you doing this?” I asked as he came down on the table and drank again.
“Over and over? As I said I’m a fan of happy-endings.” Then he picked up the bottle and walked away. “I’ll wait for you outside. Hurry up before I will get bored.” I adjusted myself and followed him.
While on the road, my chest pounding to fast. I don’t know how I feel. The only thing that was clear to me was that I wanted to cry and cry. I was excited to hug my son.
I never thought that Margot would be so angry with me that much and she was able to hide my child from me. I understood her plan to leave, the restriction, the annulment, but to hide my son was dead seemed like too much.
Maybe my wife became bad because of me. But I never became a bad father because I never left Umami even though he was still in her womb and I loved him very much.
Isn’t it? Wouldn’t what I did be called negligence if his mother secretly hurt because of me. But even so, that’s still not enough reason for her to hide my son from me. That’s my child, so I have a right to Umami. Hasn’t she made me think of what kind of mourning I went through thinking I lost my child because of me. Assuming I killed him myself because I chose his mother.
Now do they say they understood me? Now do they say that I am immature in what is happening now? Only Margot’s feelings are important to them and not to me. Only Margot did they sympathize with.
‘Umami, daddy is coming, son, I can hug you.’
“Thank you Dylan.” I said out of nowhere maybe because that’s really what’s in my heart right now.
“Where?”
“By telling me the truth. I’m sure my friends know the truth but they’re also one of those who hid from me.”
“They’re your friends so they did that. They want what’s best for you. Maybe they want you to learn a lesson from your actions.”
“Why, you told me?”
“We’re not friends. That’s why I consented to you so you wouldn’t learn.” Then he was accompanied by laughter and drinking with the other hand while only one hand was used for driving. “But, I believe they have wanted to tell, you just probably don’t get it.”
Because of what he said it came back to me what Dane said I had to discover. Isn’t that what she wanted to say? I just don’t understand because I’m slow. I also suddenly remembered when I visited Margot that Blaze had entered her room. Maybe he went there to watch Umami. That’s why there are two babysitters, the child’s belongings and the one in his office with a crying child but not Joker because it’s even smaller than Joker’s crying, it’s Umami.
Dylan’s car stopped at the subdivision gate. “Cover your face and pretend you’re asleep, but fuck don’t fell asleep and we are close.” I obeyed what he said and pretended to be asleep.
“Sir Dylan, it’s you. Who’s with you?”
“My friend, why?”
“Ah, sir, can I see the face or ID of your friend, just for confirmation.”
“What confirmation? I have a house here and then you will look for an ID?”
“Ah,”
“What is it for?”
“Someone is banned because it’s not allowed in the Gonzales’ house.”
“Why would I bring someone banned with them?”
“Ah,”
“Open that barrier and maybe my friend’s body will stiffen because he’s sitting asleep.”
“Yes, sir.” When I heard Dylan close the windshield I then opened my eyes. The car is tinted and the light is off inside so no one can’t see me here.
“Can I be the best actor at the Oscars?” he asked. “I should just be an actor and I’m sure I already have a lot of actresses in bed.”
“Do you have a house here?” I ask.
“I have a lot of houses. I guess you forgot that I’m in the engineering field.” I no longer answered. I just thought about what he was going to do in the houses, he was alone. All I know is that he is often in his condo. But he also answered what was on my mind that I didn’t know was true. “I will give that to the children from the orphanage who are being helped by mommy to get out of the orphanage because they are old enough and want to live a normal life outside.”
I looked at what him with what he said because I didn’t know if he was fooling me.
“What do you want to care about orphans?”
“What do you also care about my choices in life?”
“Are you adopted?”
“Did you see what my dad’s face? Amongst of us, I am more my father’s look a like and you will tell me I am adopted?” Yeah, his siblings look even more adopted because he looks like a clone of his daddy. Like the younger version, his father is serious, but Dylan knows all about bullshit.
“You’re kind, Dylan.”
“No! I just like to interrupt in everyone’s business. Oh here we are. I’m just out here and I’ll be waiting for you.” He drank again. Isn’t he drunk yet? I lost my dizziness due to alcohol when I found out that Umami was alive. Anyway, I hear Dylan’s high alcohol tolerance and even a bucket he doesn’t get drunk.
“Thanks again.” My chest was pounding hard as I walked. The small gate was open so I entered. I wondered if I would knock or if the door would open suddenly. My knees are shaking and I feel like I will lose strength at any moment.
I pushed the door to open and saw Margot, Maggie, and Blaze in the living room sitting while holding a mug. It seems to be warming the stomach. They were surprised and stood up one by one when they saw me. I’m just a little tipsy because I’ve lost my drunkenness.
“Jace.” Blaze was the first to approach me. Maggie and Margot were just standing in their seats. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to see Margot’s ADOPTED.” I looked at Margot when I said that. I also emphasized the word adopted.
“Jace, this is not —”
“I don’t want to talk to you, Blaze.”
“Get out.” Margot approached me followed by Maggie.
“I want to see your adopted.”
“Jace, you’re here at my house so don’t scandalize here.”
“Call the police, Maggie, if you like.”
“Jace, you’re drunk, go home and I’ll drop you.”
“I’m not leaving here, until I see the child, Blaze.”
“What do you need from the boy? He’s not doing anything wrong to you. Go home and I’ll take you.” Blaze was about to hold me but I pushed him away.
“Don’t touch me! Where is the child?”
“Jace, I don’t want to hit you, but when you overdo it you can—-” He threatens.
“Do it, but I’m not leaving here.”
“What do you want?” Maggie said softly.
“All of you is an ass! Fuck you all! Where is the child?! Where is Umami ?!” They stood while looking at me. I saw the shock in their eyes as well as Blaze’s. Even Margot was surprised.
“What do you know?” I laughed at Margot’s question and burst into tears. I also couldn’t control myself. My emotions are mixed and I don’t know what I have now. Pain because of the lie, anger because they hide from me, regret because I didn’t immediately discover it, and joy because my son was alive.
“Why, Margot? Am I that sinner to you to tell that my son is dead? I know I’ve been a sinful husband but I don’t deserve this. Hiding my son from me” I wiped away my tears and tried to calm myself.
“Jace.” I stepped back and raised one hand so Blaze wouldn’t touch me.
“I thought we were friends, Blaze. I thought you were my friend? I thought, brother’s code. One for all, all for one. But why are you too? Why did you also lied on me? Why did you also hide me with a painful lie?”
“They didn’t know at first. Only Maggie and I knew. They found out late so don’t blame Blaze.”
“You’re not the one I’m talking to!” I shouted at Margot and faced Blaze again. “You saw me mourn, didn’t you? You saw how I blamed myself? You saw how I was guilty because I let him go and I did nothing. You saw how I had a hard time choosing them. How I repented because of what I did. How I was as a father who lost a child. But why didn’t you tell me when you found out the truth. Why, Blaze? Why did you let me mourn the lie and almost die of the pain?”
“Jace, we’re not in a position to do that. That’s you and your wife’s problem with that so why should we interfere? We gave you a hint, but you don’t understand it. I’m sorry, man. But only Margot has the right to tell everything to you.”
“Fuck you, you already said that I’m stupid, slow, stupid, brainless, then you want me to get it right away? You’re more stupid than me.”
“Don’t blame them for what happened because we wouldn’t have reached this point if it wasn’t for you.” I turned to Margot and approached.
“I know, and you also have no right to hide my child from me even if I was stupid. Yes, I hurt you and I accept that. Whatever punishment you want I will accept. But not to hide my child from me. Don’t worry I have no intention of revoking the annulment if you are happy. I can be a father to my child even if you are no longer my wife. Now, where is my child? ”
He didn’t answer me and they just looked at each other.
“Where’s my Umami?!” Simultaneously with my scream was the cry of a baby from the room that Margot had previously left where Blaze had entered then. So I ran over there.