“Congratulations, Attorney Galvez.” I smiled at att Raegan Ignacio. He's one of our contract lawyers here. "You're really a highly skilled lawyer who knows how to make an evidence suppressed in court. You really amazes me."

　　“Thank you, attorney.” I replied. He was also present in the court earlier to watch the final trial of my client. I just got my client acquitted, and by that, I had to overwork myself preparing for trials and cross examinations, motions and too much stress.

　　Dang, I feel so tired. I just want to go home to my son so I excused myself politely for I still have personal things to do.

　　When I got into my old SUV in the parking area, I immediately dialed Yana’s number.

　　“Ciao!” she greeted lively. “So how did the trial goes? did you won? Tell me you did!”

　　I smiled. “I did..”

　　“Gosh! You haven’t lose a trial before! I’m so proud of you!”

　　I felt my heart flattered hearing her voice. She’s been my best friend since then. Though I’m six years older than her, we became really close because I was her tutor in political science when I was in law school.

　　“Thanks, how are you?” I asked. She’s now in Palawan and I haven’t seen her for two years because her parents prohibits her from leaving there.

　　“I am very fine, Celine. Aries is taking care of me so you don’t have to worry. Worry about the father of your son who doesn’t have any idea that you had a child!” She laughed as if she’s finding it funny. Well, it somewhat turns out like that.

　　We talked for some minutes while I drive my way home. We are now staying here at La Cuevas with my son, Cohen. He’s in the apartment that I rented and we’ve been staying there for eight months already.

　　I decided to move here with my son because he’s been bugging me about his father. I actually considered telling him that his father’s dead, but my conscience won’t allow it. Now, we’re here waiting for a good time to introduce them to each other.

　　I’m sure he’s now a successfull surgeon. He’s always been on the top of his class back then. He can even outstand anyone in medschool without even trying. He’s just so good at everything.

　　I heard my phone rang again so I reached for it quickly. I saw Kyo’s name on the screen. He’s a college student and the only one I trust here with my son. He takes care of Cohen when I’m not around, and I pay half of his school expenses in return. He lives next door alone to our home.

　　“Celine! Where are you? Something bad happened to Cohen!” I heard his voice shaking on the other line. I automatically felt shivers all around my body. My grip on the steering wheel tightened as I started to panic.

　　“W-What What happened to Cohen?! Kyo, what happened to my son?!” I exclaimed looking at the hanged rosary on my rearview mirror. God, I have a bad feeling about this.

　　“He was shot! Cohen was shot!--” I suddenly lost it. I mindlessly stepped on the break and my head banged on the steering wheel.

　　“Ah.. shit,” I felt pain all over my head. My temples are throbbing and my heart’s about to explode from too much fear.

　　“--where here at the LCDH.. Celine? Celine what happened?!”

　　I heard the beeping sound of the cars behind me. Thankfully I’m still conscious and nothing worst happened to me, except from blood running out of my forehead, I don’t care. My son was fucking shot. Oh God, Cohen!

　　I immediately pulled around my car and drove my way to LCDH. I prayed and prayed while driving. Lot’s of possibilities went on my mind and for the stress that I’ve got these past few days, I feel like my mind’s about to crash.

　　When I reached the hospital, I asked the nurse. “Is there a gun patient here? H-he’s a child and it just happened a while ago.” I couldn’t even recognize my trembling voice.

　　“Yes ma’am, you just came after him. He’s now being transferred to the OR.” I ran to the elevator and pressed the floor for the OR.

　　”Fuck, please, please baby. Hang on there, mommy’s here-- what the fuck is wrong with this!” I slammed the elevator’s door out of frustration. My heart is pounding so loud that I could lose my mind if I won’t make it there in a second.

　　When it opened, I saw Kyo walking back and forth, gripping his hair and shooking his head.

　　“Kyo!”I called him beside the ER.

　　“C-Celine..” He looked apologetic but I held him for a hug. He cried on my shoulder and I understand how he must be feeling. He’s traumatized for seeing a terrible thing, but I’m in total despair because it’s my son. I held his shoulder and cheek to face me.

　　“Look at me, Kyo.” He obliged. “What did you saw?”

　　“T-there were two men in a motorcycle, the one on the backride shot Cohen on the shoulder.. I was.. I was shocked, I couldn’t protect your son, I’m so--”

　　“I’ll take care of it, for now you’ll need to cooperate with the police. Tell them everything and make sure you always lock your doors when you get home. I’ll ask for your protection so you don’t have to--”

　　“I don’t care about myself, Celine! Your son’s shot right before my eyes! You should resent me!”

　　I inhaled deeply to prevent my tears from falling again, “Calm down, Kyo. I’ll talk to the doctor--”

　　I stopped talking when my eyes caught someone coming out of the emergency room.

　　Dashing in his white lab coat, gray slacks, and a stethoscope on his left hand, he looks different now. His face in general didn’t really changed, but some of his features I remember back then became sharper and more manly.

　　His natural grumpy and serious expression is still there, as if he’s ready to raise hell to anyone who’ll get in his way. His body now looks better and more defined in many ways. And that.. smell. Like me, he’s also taken aback with out sudden interaction after three years.

　　“Are you the guardian?” He asked me in the coldest way I could hear from him.

　　I nodded “H-he’s my son.” He stilled. I saw his adams apple moved.“How is he? Is he critical? Does he need to be operated?” I panicked again.

　　He became more serious and distant. Seeing him like this makes my heart break into pieces. I could even recall myself with him back then, when I could still hold, kiss and tame his beast inside. I can only wish I really did the right decision to leave him back then. But where did my feet took me? Here. In front of him. Again.

　　“He’ll be fine after the operation.” I sighed in relief.

　　“T-thank you, Lore-- doc. Please save my son..” Our son. I added in my mind. He didn’t payed much attention to what I’ve said, but he looked dangerously at Kyo as if he’s some kind of a trash that needs to be disposed. What kind of stare is that?

　　When he shift his gaze again at me, my heart instantly reacted the same way as it does everytime he’ll look at me three years ago. It’s still here. The same feelings I felt for him. The same old thing I had for him. I jus hope he feels the same way too.

　　“For now, come with me.”

　　I almost dropped on bended knees when his familiar scent enveloped my nose once again as he walked pass by me. When I realized what he just said, thousands of voltages came rushing through my veins, sending unbelievable nerves in every bit of my body.

　　He’s now walking away from me, just like what I did to him back then, but unlike him who never looked back at me.. I’ll follow him. I’m gonna chase the biggest star in my sky.

　　———

　　This is the first installment for La Cuevas Series.

　　This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

　　Content warning: This book contains strong language and explicit contents that may not be suitable for young readers. Read at your own risk.