Thrive

"Hoy! We'll eat already," Mild shouted from the kitchen.

I told Deimos that we're going to it already so we prepared the plates, spoon, and fork while Mild is preparing the food.

We're in the middle of eating when I remembered something.

"Baby, Dada has something to tell you," I called for Deim's attention causing him to look at me.

"Dada needs to work tomorrow so that I could buy you a toy. Is that okay?"

This is one of the hardest things for me. He's used to be with me since then.

When he started to have knowledge about me going to work, be gone for several hours, he'll be sad. He didn't want me to leave.

"You're leaving again, Dada?" He said with a sad face.

"No, baby. I'm not leaving... But, I'll be gone for a few hours then come back."

"How many hours, Dada?" He asked.

"Just for a couple of hours," I said and smiled.

I'm working as a secretary so sometimes I can't help but extend my working hours. Most especially if there's a new project.

I'm sure there's a lot of adjustments too since there will be a new CEO.

"Can I come?"

He's not going to the office tomorrow, right?

"I'll see what I can do, hm?" I said then we continued eating.

I can't always bring him to my workplace, it's not proper. I can't just let him in and out of the office just because I'm Tong's friend.

I'll just ask Tong.

Few hours had passed, we just enjoyed the remaining hours we have. Playing, watching movies, and eat.

Here's the thing, Deimos' always come every 8th of the month and stay for about 2 days.

Sometimes, he'll just be here for a day.

Since the day we knew about Deim's condition, we became extra careful, and ever since that day, Mama was the one taking care of him. Besides, he'll have all the care and attention he needs if he's with Mama.

On the other hand, Mild is a freelance model.

He said that he'd be okay to drive Deim and Mama here and there, but in return, I'll let him stay in my condo.

Who am I to disagree, right?

Besides, Mild and I have been friends since Elementary days. This has been our routine for the past years. They're even teasing me sometimes. Said that I'm a father already.

About Mew and I, I've already accepted what happened. That he left me. How ironic.

I met him in high school. Then, we had a relationship after we graduated high school. He was my first in everything.

The man I've been dreaming to be with.

We all know that the same gender relationship was never easy, not everyone can accept it. But he changed that.

He said,

"If it fits for them, then it could also fit us. It's not your gender that I loved, it's the feeling we have for each other and no one could ever beat a person who's in love. I can't live my life waiting for their approval, Love. I hate it when people can't accept the facts. I mean, how could they make mistakes over and over again but if it's us making mistakes, they can't even look at us. If they don't really like what we have, then it's up to them. You're precious to me. I can't lose you just because of a person saying that we're not bound to be in a relationship with the same gender."

And that's how I fell for him. Maybe I just got tired of everything that has happened so we have come to an end.

Hays, how dramatic.

"Dada, can we sleep now?" A cute little kiddo came to hug me. He's been watching and I bet he's sleepy already.

I wasn't watching though, I was just having a sentimental moment.

I pinched his cheeks and lift him up so that we could go inside the room already.

"Dada, where's Uncle Mild?" He asked while leaning his head on my shoulder.

"He went to work, baby. He'll come back soon." I said.

"Okay, tell him I said good night," Cutie.

And that's how we ended the day.

When Deimos is asleep already, I grabbed my phone and messaged Tong.

I didn't wait for his reply because he's probably busy so I just slept.

“Inhaler?"

"Here, Dada.”

"Your handkerchief?”

"Here,"

"Extra clothes?"

“Here,"

"Are we all set?" I asked and took a sign of my watch.

It's already 7:34 AM. Half an hour before going to work.

I examined Deimos as he was looking at me, smiling with his small bag over his shoulder.

He really resembles his father.

Inhaler, handkerchief, and extra clothes were Deim's daily necessities.

Inhaler, if he ever had an attack.

Yes, even though Deim looks jolly and happy all the time, he can still experience an asthma attack especially when he's in the city.

That's why he rarely comes to the city, he might have an attack because of the factors that trigger his asthma. And believe me, it's not that easy when he's having one.

It's hard for me to see him in pain that is why I insist to keep him in our hometown.

It's safer when he's there. Of course, his handkerchief and extra clothes. It's always better to be prepared.

"Oh, wait! My mask!" Deimos exclaimed that's why we stopped abruptly from walking.

"Baby, always wear your mask, okay?" I reminded him and he nodded in response.

It's 7:55 AM when we arrived at the company. Hmm, 5 minutes early.

When we entered the building, Deim immediately waved his hands and greeted the staff with a smile.

It's been a year since he last came here that's why he is a bit shy and also I've noticed that there are interns.

They look so kind to me, seems that they didn't gossip about me.

I just gave them a small smile and directly went to Tong's office.

"Dada, look!" Deim said and pointed somewhere.

Oh, it's Tong.

Both of his hands are extended, welcoming Deimos for a hug. The kiddo ran towards him and Tong immediately lifted him.

"Uncle Tong! Can I stay first? Uncle Mild is fitting clothes again." He said with a cute tone.

He doesn't know that Mild is a model, and when Mild took Deim to his photoshoot, the innocent kid told me that,

"Uncle Mild is only changing clothes there, is he not tired yet? I thought we only change after we bathe."

Mild and I both laughed at his statement. We did explain it to him though, but he said he likes Uncle Mild fitting clothes so we kept it that way.

"Hey, Gulf. Can you tell her to give you my schedule? I'll take Deim with me." He said and pointed a new girl behind him.

Oh, I didn't notice her though.

Anyway, I followed his order and started working already.

The girl was explaining everything that happened for a week while I was gone.

She was okay at first not until she kept on doing that cute face while talking to me.

It bothers me!

"Hey, can we just focus on our work? And have you seen that kid? That's my son. Please know that I am not straight, so kindly stop making cute faces." I said when I can't take it anymore.

She just nodded and I saw how her face turned red from embarrassment.

"Uhm, is he your son with sir Tong?" She asked.

I didn't know that she's one of the gossip girls.

"No, of course not! Jesus Christ!" I said as I felt goosebumps on my body.

This girl, really.