Chapter 16 - The Agreement

As a child of a separated couple, his role was to bind them together as a model family.

At midnight, General Cardo Dimagiba arrived at home who immediately directly went to Joshclar's bedroom to check on him and kissed his forehead. She was so guilty keeping him away from his father. Speaking of his father, his memory of him came rushing like a cascading big wave. She remembered how he secretly connive with her father and mother to financially support her once her parents would be short with their financial budget. She also recalled the day when she discarded the flowers in the vase he secretly placed outside the door of her bedroom in her boarding house. She likewise reminisce his reaction when he saw her on stage in a tuxedo like a real man. But she was unable to see his reaction when he found the unopened gifts she hoarded with the purpose of returning to the sender... and.. On the day when Joshclar was pro created, she discovered that he was the sender and her secret admirer. Her mother told her, too, that behind her back, she was his girlfriend as they, being her parents, agreed into it.

She had run away from him without expecting that he could have impregnated her. His son was unknown to him, as his father. Her fear of losing him to him was so domineering. She was afraid that her son might have left her for him. And that fear that hibernated for a long time was awakened. He was now looking for his father. He made her promise even to the extent of asking a lawyer to seal the agreement that they would have to make... And that was all because he was longing for his real father... Not her who pretended to be his dad.. Yes, he loved her ... as a mother... Not as a father.

Would he be able to get outstanding grades? That remained to be waited and seen after this coming school year.

She was able to sleep at once beside her son.

In the morning, when Joshclar woke up he felt that he was not alone in his bed. He opened his eyes, there his mother was deep in her slumber. What he did was to hug her tightly, kissed her on her cheeks and went to his bathroom for sanitation. When he was done changing his clothes he went to the kitchen to tell their cook to prepare her mother's favorite meal. He knew that whenever her mom had her field work, she seldom ate well. His mother went to the dining room just on time. They discussed while eating regarding the written agreement that should be done after their meal as his mother asked an appointment from a lawyer who was her friend and she had to report on duty.

The affidavit of their agreement was done at no time at all. These mother and son separated from the law office. The general mother reported on duty, the son went to the studio because he had a recording session to do. In the studio his father who pretended to be his additional new bodyguard was already waiting for him. He was always alert in keeping important papers that was why he gave the affidavit of agreement to his father to keep it for him. To practice precautionary measure, it should not be taken for granted, according to his Mother. He thought to let his father kept it for him because he was afraid that her mother might secretly snatched it from him since she had the master keys for every door, and drawers. He was really determined to keep the agreement be realized not that he was assured by his father a tutor but because of his dream for a model family and two siblings.

The one month vacation leave filed by Joshua was not a waste of effort, time and money. The length of his vacation leave gave them time some bonding moments especially if they were talking about the person they loved so much no other than Richclar. The topic that Joshua would share with his son was how he secretly admired and loved her. Whereas, Joshclar shared the strictness of his mother that sometimes she would be able to be outwitted by him. The man presumably assured himself that the woman had feelings for him, too, as she had his name and her's mixed to be their son's name. About his son's surname, it was also taken from him. At this time, Joshua claimed Joshclar to be his legitimate child as he had already acknowledged him. The request of his son for the DNA test was positive, resulting to the confirmation that they were really father and son. They did it behind Richclar's knowledge as she was very busy with her work.

Vacation leave of Joshua was over that was why he went back home to his birth place called Seventh City. He hired a tutor for his son, afraid that he might not be able to win over the agreement he had with his mother. Determined with his goal in life, he burned his midnight oil with the help of his tutor and as for his career, his manager helped him had a schedule that would not be a conflict to his studies. Joshua talked to his team intensively explaining to them the intention of his child.

"Sir, Why should Sir Cardo look for you when you are with your son already?" One of his bodyguards joked.

"We would like her to look for me and introduce my son on her own accord." He told him. Then he added,

"What Sir Cardo? Between the two of us, I am the 'Sir', you call her Mam Richclar."

"We don't want to be fired, sir."

"At least, when you talk to us, you address her Mam Richclar, not Sir Cardo."

"Got it, Sir"

Joshclar teased his personal team by making face at them.

What Richclar said, "Time flies so fast." was true. Recognition to the achievers here and there were done in every school, private or public. Joshclar received the highest honours as his grades in all subjects were outstanding. During the recognition day, Dr. Joshua de la Cruz was also present as he was fetched by one of Richclar's men to be able to attend it. For him to believe, she let his man bring her letter of invitation. The letter was so formal that sounded like they were strangers. Anyway, it was not the time to be over sensitive since he knew that his son would be overjoyed once he saw his presence.

When it was time for Joshclar's achievement to be recognized, his father's name was called. From the middle of the stage, Joshclar went to the master of ceremony and whispered. As soon as he was done, he went back at the middle while the host was requesting his mother to help his father put his medals at his neck like a necklace. The nanny was alert in photo shooting when both Joshua and Richclar were letting Joshclar wear the medals around his neck. The recognition rite was over after recognizing all the achievers from grade one up to grade six. Immediately they went to the restaurant of the LA Vida Hotel per instruction and reservation of Joshua.

While waiting for the foods they ordered, Joshclar gave the photo copied affidavit of their agreement. Then and there, a formal introduction from the son to the father and vice versa, was done by Richclar as stated in the affidavit of agreement.

They were still eating when Richclar was done. She politely excused herself to leave ahead of them as she was still on duty. Naturally, both father and son, nodded even though in their thought they wanted to stop her from leaving them. Their eyes followed where Richclar went. It was in the washroom. By and by, the lovely Richclar was gone but the authoritative General Cardo Dimagiba went out of the washroom waving at them and signalling that she was leaving. Dr. Joshua de la Cruz was in daze looking at the lobby where his beloved walked towards the parking lot.

"Dad.... Dad... Dad!" Joshclar called him while shaking his arm. That was the only time that his consciousness returned.

"Yes, honey? What is it?"

"Are we free being together now? Am I going to stay with you upstairs tonight?"

I, too, analyze it that way. You can stay with me tonight. Remember, it 's our first meeting, today? And they laughed hilariously.

That evening, the team was dismissed to leave Joshclar to his father' s care. When they were inside the suite on the top floor of the hotel, Joshclar called his mother.

"Mom, I am with my father. I want to know him better. I hope you understand."

"No problem with me, dear. He is your father, anyway. Where are your personal team members. Are they also with your daddy?"

"No, mommy. Daddy told them to relax tonight and would just contact them to fetch me."

"He could not bring you at home, could he? I would be going home tomorrow midnight, anyway."

"Is it okay for you that he brings me at home tomorrow afternoon?"

"As long as I am not at home, it's alright for me, darling."