Chapter 18

"Mommy?" My forehead furrowed when a child approached me while smiling innocently and then called me Mommy.

"Sorry? Are you missing out?" His smile faded then tears started to reside at the corner of his eyes.

My chest tightened at the sight, something inside me snapped that made me hug and hushed him from tearing up.

"Have you forgotten me?" He asked politely while holding back tears.

His eyes are bloodshot and yet he rewarded me with a smile.

I caressed his hair, "Hmmm. Let's go? Let's find your Mommy?" I change the subject because I do not understand what he is saying.

The young boy looked up to me then flashed an endearing smile. He hugged my waist too tight that I couldn't move.

"I'm glad you visited here even if you don't remember me. Daddy never fails to visit me and make me feel loved" I felt sorry for him when I saw a droplet of tears in his eyes until his tears poured heavily out of his eyes.

He sniffed that made his nose glowed in red.

"I love you, Mommy. I always do. Aire loves you so much" then he started fading away right in front of me.

I gasped for air when I opened my eyes and saw Mommy quickly getting up on the couch and immediately ran to my side and pressed the alarm.

Mommy paced back and forth 'til the door opened and Dr. Santiago appeared smiling at me but her smile looks pretentious.

She asked some questions at me then recorded it on the chart she's holding and asked Mommy to follow her and with that, I was left all alone.

My mind started to wander around. I remember my dream again. I can still remember our conversation but now I can't remember his face clearly, suddenly it was vague the actual opposite of what I've seen in my dreams.

Why did he call me Mommy? He even mentioned that his Dad is always visiting him, then they are not together?

What was his name again?

A-aire?

I tried remembering who he is when my head started to ache.

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"Her memory is slowly showing up" I sat down on the chair and leaned against the wall behind it.

Can she?

Dr. Santiago sat next to me, "Once she remembered everything, you have to stay strong for her"

I shook my head. No, it isn't the right time for her to remember, she should not remember anything.

I looked at her pleading, "Can't we do anything about it? Just don't let her remember things right now?"

She heaved a sigh.

"You can prescribe her some drugs like sleeping pills or anything that will delay her memories from coming back" I added.

She bit her lip then look at Ishi's chart before looking at me again.

"I'm afraid I can't do that. She's taking those a couple of years since then and I'm afraid of its possible impact on her"

She bade goodbye then leave me helplessly.

I have to do something so that her memory won't return for now. I went back to her room to pick up my phone when I saw her ogling in front of the window, she gazed at me then smiled a little.

She sat on the edge of her bed and seemed to be looking at me critically.

"Mom, can I ask something?" I uncomfortably smile at her then nod my head.

She tapped the space beside her and waited for me until I was seated.

She holds my hand then threw me a scrutinizing look.

"Hmm, do you ... do you know a child ..." My heart throbbed painfully and I was sweating coldly.

"A child named, Aire"

I smiled at her trying to conceal my nervousness and overflowing emotions, "N-none" I mentally crossed my fingers when I stuttered.

Oh, God. Forgive me.

I could see the disappointment and maybe pain in her eyes as she averted her gaze and when she looked at me again she was smiling again.

She's not just a spitting image of me but she's also a great pretender just like me.

She shrugged, "Hmm ... Okay, I thought you knew someone ... 'cause she's calling me Mom on my dreams" she whispered the last part that I was able to hear.

I made her lie down on the bed before I picked up the phone and left her room.

I walked towards the garden and sat at the vacant bench my eyes saw first.

I scrolled through my contacts and dialed his number when I found it.

After three rings, he picked it up.

"Alexxander Vargas, speaking. How can I help you?" I wanted to roll my eyes at the tone he uses but I am running out of time.

"It's Alessia Bella. I'll ask a favor, can I?"

I heard his chuckle in the background, "The great Alessia, what kind of favor you'll be asking from me?"

"I need drugs that can be a temporary cause of memory loss" I heard him clicked his tongue.

"I'll think about it, first. The last time you asked for some kind of drugs it resulted in a total mess" he muttered.

"I need it tonight" he whistled first then the call had been dropped.

I quickly deleted his number from my call logs. I can't take any additional problem now.

I closed my eyes and let my tears fall.

Forgive me, if I have to do this. There is a right time for you to remember and today is not the right time yet. I will be the first person to tell you the things you forgot when the right time comes.

But that time isn't right now.

I calmed myself first before returning to her room.

"Auntie" I wasn't shocked anymore to see him here but seeing him made me lose my facade.

I kneeled, "Please, spare her from the pain and additional damage" I never begged anyone but for my daughter I will.

"She was very hurt then, I don't want her to experience pain now because I know she will be hurt more in the future" I am sobbing while muttering those words.

For the second time, I looked at someone like I am asking for pity, not for myself but for my daughter, for my baby Mischia Alexxis Bella. I want to shout at them to make them see my point but I can not risk the possibility that she might hear us.

"Please, spare her" I cried even more as he just shook his head and walked out of the door.

"That pain is still not enough. She has to suffer more" I turned to the door where he came out.

"Stop blaming her, she's also a victim" I whispered that I wish he could hear.

My phone rang and flashed Inspector Alvarez's name.

"He escaped" two words but it broke my whole system, I gazed at my daughter sleeping soundly and silently promised that no one's gonna hurt her again.

Not on my watch.