DK packed up his bags and looked around the place where he used to stay. He is not pleased with how the meeting ended a day ago. “I want to send you back to your hotel and have a physical immersion. In that way, I can monitor your business management” his boss in the business association said. He clasped his hands and asked, “Are my credentials still lacking? Do I really need to fly back there just to send a short report?”.
His boss insisted that he should go back to Isla Corale to complete his business portfolio and he could not decline. It’s been more than a year since he went there. He opted to stay more than a year because there he lived more comfortably. He sat back on the plane seat and put on his headphones. It has been a year of investigation as well but not a single lead brought him to a conclusion of whether the prostitute is a bait or a girl he called up as a mistake.
 
Miss Elizaga ordered Carmensita to cook a delicious breakfast for DJ. His grandson stayed with her over the weekend as they have planned when DK left to another country. Joanna entered the Elizaga mansion and joined them for breakfast. King followed her inside to pick up some of DJ’s things. “Joanna, come eat some waffles before you go home” Miss Elizaga offered while pouring a cup of tea on her cup.
Joanna sat down beside DJ and cut the waffles into bite sizes for her son to nibble on. Miss Elizaga sat down and spoke to her in a low voice. “By the way, DK is coming home today” she informed right away. Joanna looked away; she did not know what to say. Mis Elizaga stood up and went near her. She held her shoulders and talked nicely.
“I know you did not end up properly. But, why not take the chance to talk things through?” Miss Elizaga asked but Joanna refused to say anything. King stepped up in the dining area while holding DJ’s things. He placed it in a corner and said goodbye. “Joanna, I’ll ask the driver to send you two back home instead. I have an urgent emergency meeting in the company. I just got a call from Uncle Joel” he said and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Joanna nodded, “Drive safely. I’ll see you tonight,” she said. For the past few months, Joanna became comfortable with King holding her hands, kissing her on the cheek or forehead, staying in their apartment, and sending and picking up her from work to home. The moment King left the Elizagas’ mansion, she turned to Miss Elizaga and replied, “I don’t think that I am ready”.
Miss Elizaga smiled, “It’s okay. I understand what you feel” she said and continued having breakfast without bringing up the same topic again. Her phone kept beeping; DK sent her a lot of messages to update her when he could reach home. Miss Elizaga just glanced at the notifications so that Joanna cannot suspect her.
Miss Elizaga combed DJ’s hair using her fingers. She remembers how she took care of DK when he was young. The moments she missed watching how her son grew up are experienced through DJ’s presence. Every time DJ was with her, she never failed to show him the pictures of his real dad. And even during the times when DK is not busy, they would often do video calls even though DJ still cannot talk properly.
DJ accidentally spilled his water on the floor. “Carmensita, clean this up right away” Miss Elizaga ordered but Joanna volunteered to do it instead. “No, it’s okay. I can do it” she said and went to the kitchen to grab some rags. Miss Elizaga took the chance to read DK’s text messages. Her inbox is full of DK’s complaints. “Where the hell is the driver? The heat is burning here” DK’s last text message stated. Miss Elizaga sent her a message stating, “The driver left fifteen minutes ago. Just wait for it”. She placed down her phone and sighed.
In just a flash, the maids were left in shock. “Too late, maybe you forgot how much patience I have,” DK said while waving his phone. Miss Elizaga’s eyes widened; she did not inform DK that Joanna was there. DK looked at who was sitting next to her mother. The moment he recognized it, his heart skipped a beat. He looked at his mother who is shocked as him.
“I-is that… DJ?” he asked to confirm. Miss Elizaga was about to say something when Joanna came out from the kitchen while holding some pieces of rag. “I’m really sorry… DJ is just not used to using glass cups” she said, not noticing DK who is standing on the dining’s entrance. She kneeled down and wiped the spilled water on the floor.
But she came to her senses when DJ spoke. “Dadadada!” the one-year-old boy uttered. DK’s lips parted open upon hearing the kid’s gibbers. It made Joanna stop for a moment before she looked at where DJ is pointing at. She turned around to see a man who is still in his backpack, looking more mature because of the thin mustache on his face.
“D-did he just call me… dad?” he asked unsurely of what he heard. Miss Elizaga cupped her mouth; she cannot believe what his grandchild just mumbled. She is guilty of teaching the child to say those words while presenting a picture of DK. Joanna cannot help but to eye on DK every inch. Almost two years have passed since they last saw each other.
Her world stopped when DK returned the glance straight to her eyes. Unlike before, Joanna prefers to let her hair touch her shoulders. Not the ones he preferred to be long and wavy. DJ got off of his seat and ran to DK. His height is about DK’s waist already. He removed his backpack and kneeled down to see his son up close.
 “Wake me up. I must be dreaming” he said while his hands are cupping DJ’s soft little cheeks. He pulled the child close and gave it a tight hug. “God, I missed you so much. I’m sorry” DK whispered. Joanna went closer to them and pulled DJ back from DK’s hug. “DJ, finish your food, and let’s go home,” Joanna said. DJ did not understand a single thing.
DK stood up; “You cannot prohibit me from hugging my child,” he said, aiming to hold DJ’s hand, but Joanna carried their child. To their surprise, King returned back to the mansion. “The meeting got canceled. I rushed back here the moment I was notified” King said. He recognized who was the man standing near Joanna and DJ.
“I did not know you were flying back today. Uncle Joel did not inform me and Jash also” King said. DK looked at them; King casually held Joanna’s hand. Joanna turned around and bid goodbye to Miss Elizaga. “I’ll bring DJ here again next week, just the usual” she said and left them in the dining area. Miss Elizaga just nodded and started continuing her meal.  “Mom, did you hear that? DJ called me ‘dad’!” he said with joy. Miss Elizaga smiled, “Thanks to me. I don’t want my grandson to call King his dad” she replied.