A NEW BOND
"You know, Tessa!" Mrs McCall snaps me from my engrossed thoughts about Jerol his temper because of Ellie.
Don't censure my mood swings and upheavals on that whole new revelation. You the law of love, right? Jealousy and possessiveness go hand in hand with . You understand that clingy sense of yearning and even demanding to be the only your loved one cares about? Yes, that!
Plus, I know she is pregnant and all, with a child whose real father is yet to be . I know he has shown no interest whatsoever in her since her return. He has given me any reason to be insecure. But hey! They have a history together - deep however twisted and doubtful it seems. She might have not loved him, but he love her with all his heart. I am a witness to what damage she brought upon him she spit him out. I became a victim of the bitterness he felt for losing her. So, you blame me for feeling this way after learning that he went wild after she got ?
And this Grego guy? Why push a pregnant woman, who is allegedly your lover? Even she was a stranger, why do that?
"I feel like I am to blame for what is happening." I snap to Mother as she speaks.
Huh?
"But, why?" I quiz.
"When I got my first son, I went through a lot with him. As an orphan, and with his denouncing to take responsibility, I really had a rough time. But I did not want son to go through anything I went through growing up. The feeling of lacking, and , I vowed to never at any given moment let my child experience any of that."
She pauses.
My! People are really blessed with incredibly amazing mothers in this world. Except me. Why did I have to have that crap of a woman as my mother? It would have better growing up as an orphan and not knowing anything about her for the rest my life. Sigh!
Mother continues after taking a deep sigh. "When I was able to work, I provided him everything I could afford. I made sure to give him everything he asked for, even it meant starving myself. When I met my husband, it was not so much about how it was to fit in his rich world, but the future of my child. That is what made me to learn everything there was about fitting in this world of the rich. As a young who did not know all families and all, I had a lot to learn and endure, but there no giving up. All for my son, until I adjusted, and achieved security for my son's future."
Beautiful. Touching. I never would have speculated that she was not brought up in lifestyle. She really adjusted well. I should stick close to her for lessons because I need them. I love her story. I am exceptionally moved by what real mothers can for their children. But, wait. Where is the juicy part of her story? I mean, the love ? Was it all for his son and not love?
"I saw how threatened Grego was when Jerol came into the picture. My joy of having watch my two sons play together and help each other was crashed from the day
Jerol was born. Grego was seven then, and he swore never to let his brother take away from him."
Huh? That is, was, harsh!
"We thought it was just his childishness taking a toll on him, but as days turned into , and months into years, Grego's jealousy towards Jerol grew intense. And were his ways pleasing. To soothe Grego's unwarranted jealousy, I showered with more luxury - got him the modern cars and new gadgets in the market that
Jerol was never interested in, brand clothing, and increased allowances every now and . I let him swim in the glee of life the way he pleased. Instead of making him like Jerol, I pushed him into being a lazy irresponsible man with all that I was him. And that was a grave mistake I am paying for now. My son would not turned to this if I did not spoil him too much. He would be like his younger if only I taught him to be responsible." She keeps quiet right there.
Well, she really spoiled him. No wonder the jerk is so arrogant. Then again, I can not her so much. It was her way of being a mother in her own way. Her grave sin loving his son too much.
"And you know what hurts the most, Tessa?" She adds, looking at me. "It is learning that all my efforts did not help. It was not even enough for him, because he kept more and more, and now he wants everything for himself." She wipes the tears.
She knows what Grego might be up to?
I rub her shoulders gently.
"You know about our suspicions?" I implore.
"Yes, we do. Jerol confronted him in front of us. Grego denied it all, of course, but I no fool, neither is my husband. Honestly, I am afraid of what is to become of him . This has completely shuttered any little affection that my husband had left for . I don't know what is going to happen next." She sobs.
Jeez!
I increase the pace of rubbing her shoulders to soothe her as she breaks into sobs.
"Calm down, Mother! Everything will turn out well." I console, not even sure of my words.
I know Mr McCall is a no-nonsense man. If his wife is this worried, then I even I don't know him that much well. Maybe he should have come here and left to watch over that impossible jerk. God knows what is happening back there. He have decide to kick Grego out in his half-dead state.
I sympathize with this poor woman! She must be concealing a lot of pain inside.
Watching your only two sons at each other's throats every single day of your life must the worst feeling for a mother ever. And now this... The uncertainty of the fate of family is shredding her heart into the tiniest bits.
This worries me to the core too. If their father decides to do anything to Grego, then
Grego will not forgive Jerol. As I have seen it, he is blaming Jerol for all his which is not right at all. He will take it all out on Jerol. This battle will until only God knows when.
Something needs to be done. That too, very fast!
"I don't know, Tessa! This does not feel like it's gonna end well." Mother says, worried.
"Just have trust, mother." I urge again.
"Having faith is not a problem, Tessa. But what I am banking on is what matters."
Riddles! Riddles! What does she mean?
"What do you mean?" I implore, staring at her as she speaks.
"The only savior who can stop this family from being wrecked is only the person who speak some sense into Grego to reform. But there is no..."
"I will try!" I cut her off, shocking her.
If that idiot needs a piece of mind, I am gonna slap it real hard into his empty brain.
That is if his skull is not empty.
"No! I will not let my son disrespect you. God forbid what will happen if he does stupid to you. Jerol will kill him this time around for sure." She says, up.
"After what happened today, I think Grego will think twice before messing with
Jerol." I say, but deep inside, I doubt my words.
The arrogance that brat got is of the highest level. I doubt if he will even listen to me.
Nevertheless, it does not hurt to give it a chance, right?
"You do not know my son, Tessa! The word defeat does not exist in his dictionary it comes to his brother. He can never bow nor back down from this." She insists.
"But he will lose, mother, and in the most worst way possible that will even put a on this family's reputable name. Are you just going to stand and watch that ?" I know that sounds like emotional blackmail but, I have to try all the tactics woe her into letting me do this.
"You know I would do anything to try and stop that for the sake of everyone, Tessa.
But not at the expense of risking your life. Leave alone Jerol, but I would not take it if son does something to you. He is enraged with Jerol after what happened. And me, his brain works in reverse gear. He thinks after acting. You see what to Ellie?" She explains calmly, but I have no intentions of backing down.
"I know, but still, Mother. Give me just one chance to try and talk to him. Just like , I also want this to be over soon. Let me do this, if not for anything, then let me it for the mother who has ever made me feel like a daughter for once in my life, ." Another emotional blackmail.
She cocks an eyebrow at that. "Is that a blackmail? You know I still know nothing you and I am still itching for that." She says.
"I know. You will know soon. Let's first take care of this? Please, Mother?" I plead.
"How can I toss someone I deem my child into a lion's den?" She implores.
"Trust me, I grew up in a real den of a lioness and it was far much more dreadful than son. If I was able to stay alive all my years, then a few minutes with your son are . And I promise you, if I sense any kind of danger, I will leave from there right ." I say.
"You win. I will be waiting to hear your interesting story. You've outgrown my now." She says.
"Thank you. I will go see him in the morning." I say.
"Okay. In the meantime..."
"My story?" I cut her off. Her curiosity is so evident.
"I can not help it and since we have the whole night together, why don't we make a use of it? Unless..." She keeps quiet for a sec, and then she snaps. "Ooh me!
Sorry." She drags me to the seat making me settle down while I stare at her in awe.
Huh? What now?
"What's...the matter?" I implore.
"Sorry, I had totally forgotten you are pregnant, Tessa. Are you okay? Do you need to checked too?" She says nonstop in apprehension.
Huh? Get checked?
"No, come on Mother! I am totally fine. Relax!" I assure her.
"Are you sure? No! We should get you checked to be sure." She says, starting to the as she adds. "I will go get the doctor. You can be checked right here."
I would love to stop her because I am certain nothing is wrong with me at all, but a motherly care for the first time, I can't help but be lost in this feeling. I do want to cut it short.