He contemplates while driving home. The three months, according to his agreement with Kith, seemed like a long period.
He is uncertain about who will temporarily accompany and care for Don Warren, his father.
There will be many needs for the old man while he is away. He also has no intention of disclosing the new job he was offered because it would only cause confusion for his father, and there would be a lack of understanding.
He knows that his father cannot comprehend such a job. What responsible father would approve of a ludicrous job like the one Kith offered? For now, he needs to find someone to help take care of his father while he's away.
As he turned and traversed the road towards their home, he saw the black Fortuner running ahead of him. To his surprise, it stopped in front of their gate. It wasn't Sense, as the vehicle was unfamiliar to him.
He wonders who owns that black Fortuner. He also parked his car behind that unfamiliar vehicle.
He honked softly enough to grab the attention of whoever was inside. The owner had not come out yet, so it was better to get the attention of the owner.
From the driver's side of the car, a man in a leather jacket and denim emerged.
He thought he recognized him. It was Jade, his cousin from Sultan Kudarat. He immediately approached him. "Long time no see, ey! How are you?" he asked.
His cousin already had a wife and child. He peeked inside the car and saw his cousin's wife.
The woman was beautiful, and cradled in her arms was a beautiful baby. It was Jade and his wife. "Hey, glad you decided to visit," he happily said and faced Jade again. The woman also emerged from the passenger side of the car.
"Where's uncle?" Jade asked, referring to Theron's father.
"He's inside," he replied. "You must be hungry now," he added.
"We brought our things, Ther," Jade said.
"Oh, that's good. Come to Tito baby—"
"William," Lavelle, Jade's wife, interrupted. "Baby William, here's Tito," she added, slowly handing him the baby, and he gently held him in his large welcoming arms.
His hands trembled slightly as he observed eight-month-old William. He wasn't crying; he's cute. Holding a baby in his arms felt different; it felt good.
"He looks like you, Velle," he said as he gazed at the innocent face, peacefully sleeping. "He's cute."
He gently touched the baby's smooth cheeks. "Let's go, let's call your grandpa," he said as he spoke to the child and then turned to Velle and Jade. "Just bring your things inside."
He felt a unique joy as he cradled the baby and called his father. It seemed like he also wanted to have his own child and give his father a grandchild.
Perhaps, that's where he would end up in a few years, becoming a complete father.
"Dad, baby William is here," he happily exclaimed as he saw his father coming down the stairs. The formerly grumpy and dull face of his father suddenly brightened upon seeing the baby.
Jade and Lavelle also entered, greeting Mr. Warren warmly, and he did the same. Mr. Warren wasn't surprised by his nephew's arrival; he already knew about it, and Theron was the only one not updated.
"Jade and Lavelle will stay here, and Jade will also find work here," the old man explained.
"Yes, Ther. It's difficult in SK, and the land is under the care of Mang Romano," Jade explained as he sat on the single sofa.
He placed baby William in Don Warren's large welcoming arms, facing the couple and looking at what they brought.
There were a lot, as if they were evacuating. He smiled; that was not a problem for him. In fact, he was pleased because he no longer needed to find help to take care of Don Warren and spend money.
"Okay, I'll help Jade get into PPB," Theron turned to his dad to observe his reaction.
Mr. Warren's attention, however, was focused on the baby, and he didn't inquire whether his father agreed with his suggestion or not. He turned to Jade again and asked him if he would be willing to work for the said company.
"Why not," he said.
Suddenly, his cellphone rang, and he checked who was calling. Kith was registered on his cellphone's caller ID. He excused himself to answer that call.
He went outside and headed to the backyard. "Why?" he immediately asked. His tone was stern, indicating that he was not interested in having a conversation at that time.
"I-I just want to talk — I want someone to talk to," he heard Kith's breath.
He sat on an empty chair, giving in to what he wanted to talk about.
He needed to be kind to Kith. Although he wasn't used to it, he needed to, especially since he was offered billions of pesos.
He didn't want to be aggressive and arrogant. He needed to be a gentleman, even if it was only for a month with Kith. Because after that month, Kith would no longer bother him.
"I don't know what to say," he stuttered.
"So, why did you call if you don't know what to say?" Theron suddenly covered his mouth with his palm. He shouldn't have said that. He even retracted what he said. "Okay, what is it? Don't hesitate to tell me. I'm listening." He smiled.
"That I'm falling for you. I was so stupid with this feeling," Theron felt the sincerity in Kith's words. "I tried to forget you. I tried to love someone else, but God knows you're still in my heart," he added from the other line.
What shall I tell him? His mind was blank, and he didn't know what to say. He didn't want to add to Kith's pain. Besides, he already knew about that matter.
"Don't think too much, Kith," that was all that came out of his mouth.
"I'm thinking of you always. You're always present in my thought. I couldn't ignore you. That's why I thought of an offer, to be kidnapped by you—"
"We've talked about that, how many times?" he interrupted him.
"I'm sorry. But I want you to know my side. I want to be kidnapped by you because I want to be with you—"
"Fake boyfriend?" he asked.
"Yeah."
"Fuck."
"I'm sorry. But I want you to know my side. I want to experience being with you, to hug you, and be with you every night," he heard Kith sobbing.
"You lost your mind," he mocked.
"I guess. But please, I'm asking you not to object. Give me your 'yes' today."
He shook his head. "Okay, but I worry when the month is over, and we're apart. I worry about you."
"No, it's okay. You are not obliged for the pain to come after. I'll bear it alone," he said on the other line.
"Okay, that's cool. I'll hang up now. They'll call me inside. My cousin and his wife are here," he said and remembered something to ask. "Wait, Kith, who will manage PPB when—"
"Kuya Noam," he cut off what he was saying.
P.S. Continuation will be on book 2. Thank you!