CIARA
The compound and the big house in it had not changed a bit. The maids were still dunned in their usual black silk uniforms, and the guards were just three as always, but they handle heavy riffles now.
I don't know why they had to go for such big guns that scared my guts, but I had to man up and act fearless. By the way, I came for my kid, not for their lives.
The maids greeted me when they saw me approaching, but I ignored them. I didn't come here to take greetings and pleasantries. I came for one thing, picking up my son, and that's all.
I made into the big house, and there, I saw Herzl washing Anime movies, and smiling at the current scene on display.
"Herzl." I called on him and he turned to me.
I stretched out my hands towards him, and he ran to me and tossed his body into my hands, sparing me the grace to carry him the way infants are carried around by their parents.
I kissed his cheek as I took him into my arms, and rubbed his hair with my warm palms. His head was warm, too.
"How are you, sweet heart?" I posed, giving him more kisses.
"I'm fine, mom." He said and kissed my lips.
I knew he missed me so much, but today, he would have me at every corner of his life, as I would get him ferried back to my house this very day.
"Good morning, wifey, you are here."
That voice came without concern and respect, but it wasn't disgusting. That's the voice I could have heard in a more romantic manner, had we not had a problem last night.
I looked and saw Ryan standing by the staircase, looking down on us.
Gosh, he looked so hot in the jacket and shots he was dunning over there, but I have no intention to get him back to my life.
If only I would have my son by my side without him visiting at all to remind me that he is the father of my kid, I would be damn okay.
"Good morning, Ryan."
I had to return the greeting because I didn't want to get Herzl into our mess. He does not deserve such madness and headache.
"Same to you babe, how was your night?"
Ryan knew I didn't want our son to know we have an underlying issue, and we had always been on each other's neck for quite a long time, so, he was just ready to take advantage of that.
I forced a smile to my face, just to keep the game going as fair as was necessary here. I wasn't going to create a scene in the presence of my son who is too young to witness such.
"Great, sweet heart. I'm here to take my son home." I said, making my smile go really mockery on him.
My son spurned to Ryan, and returned his gaze to me.
"Mom, you are supposed to spend the whole day here with us." Herzl said with his childhood innocence lying right there on his forehead and in his eyes.
He was a kid, but he had grown big enough to be told lies, and made to take sides. There are a lot of people in this goddamned house who wouldn't mind getting him to take sides with their trickish words.
Ryan's mother is there, the maids are there, and Ryan himself is really good with the art of talking so much of his deceitful piece without biting his lips.
"No son, we are going home right away. Yourstay here is over." I said, with the strict intention to make it clearto whosoever was listening from anywhere that I am taking my kid home, and I don't care what anyone would say about that move of mine.
Herzl frowned.
This is the first time he ever got this rebellious. He had never frowned at me, but he had been with his father and granny for two years, while I was cooling off in the rehab facility all this while like a criminal locked up in jail.
"Herzl." I said with eyebrows raised to send the message home in his little head and make it clear enough to him that I am his mother and I am in charge of him.
I'm taking him home whether he agrees to go with me or not.
"Mom, you don't have to take me out of here. I'm okay with granny, just pack in with us, and make the family bigger."
I wonder who wrote the lines he just recited and had him memorize them till I came to pick him and take him home.
He was as stubborn as I had ever been, so, I wasn't shocked to see my side of the gene coming to life in his response.
"Yes, we would make a big family, but mom has a lot of goodies to show you at mom's place." I wanted to win back his heart, and if I do, I would make sure he never set his feet in this house again until he is old enough to know that his father is a goddamn flop for crying out loud.
"Bring the goodies here, I would add them to the ones I have here, making it big goodies, just the same way we would be a big family if you join us."
Good lord, for the first time in my dear life, I am losing right in the presence of my adversary. It had never happened like this; with the most precious thing I have; my son.
"Come on, Wifey, listen to the boy, and come back home if you want Herzl."
That was the devil speaking from his corner.
I guess he had no clue how much I wished to approach him and strangle him till he learns to keep away from my business till I call him in.