My Only Exception

Chapter 13

"Raffy," I begged her. "Please tell me, am I Cali's father?"

"My life and Cali's... That's none of your business," she said and closed the door behind me.

I won't stop here, I calmly told myself and went to my own room.

          

        

••

She woke up and found no child beside her. She immediately stood up from the bed and put her jacket on. No one was in the comfort room, his slippers were left on the bedside, and the room was locked from the inside. She took her phone and knocked on Ava's room. He wasn't there. She went to Amanda's room but they just woke up and hasn't seen Cali yet. She knocked on Ethan's room but no one answered. She ran to the elevator and went down. She was so scared as to what happened possibly to her son. Nasa lobby pa lang sya when she saw Cali going in. He was with Ethan.

She ran and embraced him.

"Where have you been? I was so worried," she told him.

"I asked Tito Ethan to go with me. I woke up early and I didn't have anything to do. I was bored so I went to his room," he explained.

"Why didn't you wake me up? I could have went out with you," she told Cali.

"I'm sorry Nanay," he became sad. "I know you're tired taking care of me. I didn't want to disturb your sleep."

It pinched her heart hearing it from Cali. She knew she gave all that she can to make Cali happy and despite being extra protective, she loves Cali too much and tells him regularly.

"Nanay will never get tired taking care of you," she told him and held his cheeks. "You know I love you. It will always be you and me."

"I know. But we're leaving soon. When we go back, you're the only one who will look after me. I don't want you to be tired," he said.

"I'm sorry if we got you worried. You might have not seen the note Cali left you on the table," Ethan told her. "We went inside the room and I looked for his jacket and shoes. We just had a walk outside."

Raffy nodded and carried Cali.

After having breakfast, they headed to Burnham Park amd Mines View where Gavin and Cali had a good time riding the swan boat. Ethan went and paddled it for them while Gavin took a lot of pictures. They also spent hours biking and running around the area before having lunch.

After having their lunch, they headed straight to Wright Park to ride a horse. Ava went with Gavin on one horse and the others on their own. Ethan was left with Raffy and Cali. She was trying to convince him to ride it with her but he declined.

"Are you scared?" Raffy asked him.

He nodded.

"Baby, you are with me. Mom knows how to ride a horse, I promise," she told him. Evetually, she was able to get him say yes. He helped Cali ride on the horse.

"Have fun little boy," he smiled at him and rode on his own. When they were done, Ethan caught Cali as he was getting out of the horse. They decided to visit the strawberry farm  where Gavin and Cali picked a lot of strawberries.

"This is for Dad," Gavin told his cousin.

"This is for Dada," he said and picked another one. "This, for Nanay."

"No one's giving me anything?" Ethan asked the two of them which made them laugh.

"I can get you one," Cali said.