When I arrived at the condo, Jam, my son's nanny, rushed towards me. I was worried, but she said Kyle hadn't left his room and was crying. I quickly went upstairs to see what was wrong.

"Anak, are you still awake?" I knocked on his door.

I knocked several times before the door opened, and there was my son, with swollen eyes. I approached him worriedly.

"Why did my baby cry? Are you feeling unwell, anak?" I asked him. He started crying again. I knew the reason, but I wanted him to tell me himself. I'll find a way if he wants to meet his dad.

"Hey, anak. What hurts? Tell Mommy, Mom is here." binuhat ko ito at umupo kami sa kama niya.

"When will I be allowed to meet my Daddy? My classmate is bullying me because I don't have a Daddy. He doesn't pick me up from school, and I want to meet him. I'm jealous of my classmate because he has a dad." garalgal nitong sabi napa labi ako, parang may karayom na tumusok sa dibdib ko.

"Remember, Mommy told you that you'll meet Daddy when you grow up." sumisikip ang dibdib ko dahil nakikita kong umiiyak ang anak ko.

I can't bear seeing him cry, but I am not yet ready to meet his dad.

"But I'm not a baby anymore! Why can't I meet my Daddy? I'm grown up now, see?" Malaki na po ako, Mommy. 'di ba po?" He sniffled and looked at himself.

"You're still a baby, and Daddy had to work for us. Why don't you love Daddy Francisco anymore?" For us, huh. My heart sank. It felt like a cold hand had gripped my chest.

"I'm not a baby anymore, I'm turning five! I love Daddy Francisco, but I want my real Daddy. They're different, but I love them both. Does he not love me because he works so far away? Am I ugly, like my classmates said, that's why my Daddy isn't here?" Tears welled up in my eyes.

"Of course not, baby. You're not ugly, and Daddy loves you. He wants you, you look exactly like him. You're his mini-me, and sooner or later, you'll get to meet Daddy. Come on, stop crying na po." sabi ko sa kaniya. Ngumiti naman siya sa akin.

Is this the right decision I made? My son is being bullied because his father wasn't by our side. I feel like I've robbed him of a father's presence. My heart aches for him.

"Love ako ni Daddy ko?" I nodded.

Maybe... Maybe, Mateo loves our son? I don't know.

"Then why does he have to work so far away? Tell Daddy to come home. I don't need toys, he can work near our house." My throat tightened, and I couldn't find the words.

"Anak, Daddy has to work so we can eat three meals a day. Would you like to see Daddy's face? hmm?" I forced a smile, trying to sound cheerful. His face lit up, and he quickly nodded and grinned.

I took a deep breath and pulled out my phone, showing him a picture of Mateo.

He reached for the phone, eager to see his father's face.

I don't know why I still have this picture. It was taken at a resort, and I practically forced him to take it with me. I've been looking at it ever since I was pregnant with Kyle.

"Look how handsome Daddy is. He looks just like you, doesn't he?" My skin prickled with a strange sensation. Was I lying to him? Was I making things up?

"Yeah, Mommy. I look exactly like him. He's the man I was talking about earlier. I saw him at the park, we already met!" He beamed, but my smile slowly faded.

My heart skipped a beat. Did they meet?

"He's my Dad pala, actually. We just had a little fight earlier." He said it with a thoughtful air, resting his chin on his small hand and staring at the ceiling.

"Did you eat already, baby?" pagiiba ko sa usapan naman ito.

"Yes, Mommy, I ate a lot of food... to grow faster," I nodded, but my mind was racing.

And I realized I wasn't ready for him to grow up. I couldn't face introducing him to his father.

"That's my good little baby. Time for bed, it's 8 pm na po." He nodded and crawled into bed, tucking himself under the covers.

"Have a sweet dream, baby, goodnight." at hinalikan ko ito sa noo.

"Goodnight, Mommy," sabi nito hinalikan ako sa noo at pumikit na ngumiti ako at tumayo na pinatay muna ang ilaw at lumabas na.

"Ma'am?" My hand froze, the coffee cup still in my grasp, as Jam called out to me.

I set down my coffee cup and turned to her. "Why are you still awake? Sit down," I said, gesturing to the chair beside me.

Naupo naman siya, "Salamat po, may sasabihin ho sana ako.... kung okay lang po?" I nodded, tumikhim siya, "Kasi po may Family Foundation Day po sila Kyle Levi bukas at required po sumama lahat ng estudyante, makakapunta ho ba kayo?" she said. Walang nabanggit sa akin si Kyle.

A knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach. Did he forget to tell me?

"Anong oras ba 'yon?" tanong ko na lang at kinurot ang daliri.

Was that why he hadn't mentioned it? Was it because it was a Family Foundation Day, or had he simply forgotten?

"8 am po, tinanong ko po siya kanina kung gusto niya ho ba sumama kaso ang sabi niya lang po wala naman daw po siyang Daddy... kaya bakit pa raw po siya sasama" She said it, and a pang of guilt shot through my chest.

A wave of self-loathing washed over me. How could I be so cruel? I had kept my son away from his father and made him feel like he didn't have one. I had denied him a father's love. He doesn't deserve this.

hadn't noticed the tears rolling down my face. "Ma'am, okay ka lang po ba?" Jam asked. I nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. You can go to sleep now. Pupunta ako, sasama kami," I said, wiping away my tears.

She nodded and stood up. "Kaya niyo po 'yan, ma'am. Just keep fighting!" she said with a smile. I smiled back and nodded. She said goodbye again and left the kitchen.

I sighed deeply. As Kyle grew older, he was constantly searching for his father, and I didn't know how to explain what had happened between us.

I finished my coffee, washed my face, and went to bed.

~~~

I woke up at 5 AM to get ready for work. I'd wake Kyle up later, since he had to be at daycare by 8 AM. He'll be starting kindergarten next year.

As I had planned, I got ready to attend the Family Foundation Day.

Naka ligo na ako at nakapag almusal. Tinignan ko ang orasan 7:30 na kaya tumaas na ako upang gisingin si Kyle.

He was still fast asleep, and I couldn't help but smile at his peaceful face. I walked over and gently tapped his shoulder

I kissed him on forehead, "Anak, gising na anong oras na po," sabi ko dito minulat naman nito agad ang mata at ngumiti.

He stretched and yawned, his arms reaching above his head. "Good morning po, Mommy"

"Good morning, my love. Come on, let's get you ready for a bath so you can have breakfast later. Mommy's not going to work today because we're going to your Family Foundation Day." sabi ko nawala ang ngiti niya sa labi.

His voice cracked with sadness. "But it's a Family Foundation Day, and I don't have a Daddy. We're not a complete family, are we?"

My heart ached for him.

I quickly looked away, trying to stop the tears from falling. "But... why? Can't we go if you don't have a Daddy?" I asked, swallowing hard.

I forced a smile, trying to be brave. "Mommy can be your Daddy," I said. "I can multi-task!"

His eyes sparkled with joy. "Really?" He exclaimed, and I nodded. "Yes! We're going to the Family Foundation Day. I really want to go, Mommy," he said happily.

"Are you going to take a bath now na po?" I asked. He nodded eagerly and hopped around excitedly.

"Go take a bath now so you can have breakfast." sabi ko dito-dali naman itong tumayo at tumakbo papunta ng cr niya. I couldn't help but chuckle and smile, then I went to his closet to pick out his clothes for him.

I prepared his uniform and got myself ready. I called Kyle's nanny to accompany him since I also had work. I had informed her last night.

The gymnasium thrummed with a vibrant energy. Colorful balloons bobbed overhead, and the air was thick with the scent of freshly popped popcorn and sizzling hot dogs. Families gathered around tables laden with treats, their laughter blending with the cheerful strains of a live band. Children darted about, their excited squeals echoing through the hall as they dragged their parents towards the bouncy castle and face-painting booths.

I stopped at the entrance, my heart sinking as I saw Kyle hesitate. He stood frozen, his eyes scanning the crowd, his small hand nervously tugging at the hem of his shirt. His gaze lingered on a group of children, their faces beaming as they giggled with their parents. I could see the longing in his eyes, the unspoken question hanging in the air.

"It's okay, honey," I whispered, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We're here now. We're a family, too." But even as I spoke, a knot of guilt tightened in my chest.

My son only looked at the crowd as he fidgeted the hem of his shirt. He glanced around, watching other kids with both parents, laughing and having fun.

My son's expression darkens with sadness, He bites his lip and turns away, running.

"Anak! Levi!" I called out, my voice echoing in the stillness. Jam and I hurried after him, our footsteps heavy on the concrete. He was small, a speck of sadness against the backdrop of the gray sky.

Maliliit lang naman ang biyas niya kumpara sa amin kaya naabutan namin siya nandito kami malapit sa parking.

"Anak, why did you run? I thought you wanted to join the event, you were excited earlier. What happened?" I asked him, forcing a smile.

He didn't answer. Instead he answer me with sobs.

"Why did you run, honey?" I asked, reaching out to touch his shoulder. He flinched away, his eyes downcast.

"I don't want to be here, Mom," he mumbled. "Let's go home. Everyone else has both their parents here. It's just you and me... it's not the same, Mommy." His voice was a mere whisper, a fragile echo of the laughter that had filled the gymnasium.

I sighed waiting for him to calm down.

"Mommy, please let's go home. I don't want to stay here." he sobbed pulling me to the exit.

"Alright, sweetie, let's go home na." saad ko at binuhat siya yumakap naman siya sa leeg ko.

We got in the car. He and his nanny were in the back seat. Before heading home, we stopped for a quick bite at the drive-thru.

"Jam, ikaw muna bahala kay Kyle, I have to go, I'm running late for work." sabi ko sa yaya nito at nilapitan ang anak ko upang halikan sa pisngi.

"Opo, Ate." sabi naman ni Jam at ngumiti

"Be good for Jam, okay? Mommy has to go now. Give Mommy a kiss. We'll go to the mall later. Smile, sweetie." ngumuso ako at hinalikan naman ako nito at ngumiti.

"Bye, Mommy!" He waved as I closed the door and got into the car.

As our door shut, I finally broke down. Tears streamed down my face as I thought of Kyle's lonely eyes, his fragile voice echoing the pain of a child yearning for a father he'd never truly known. What had I done? How could I have let this happen? What kind of future awaited my son, a future shadowed by the absence of a father's love?

~~~

"Liana!" The sharp sound of Jake's voice pierced the morning quiet, making me flinch and cover my ears. I saw Ella's hand snap out, her palm connecting with Jake's shoulder.

The sound of the slap echoed through the office, followed by Jake's yelp of surprise.

"Aga aga, Jake. Ang ingay mo!" Ella hissed, her eyes narrowed as she glared at him.

"Truth, ano na naman ba ang meron at ang ingay mo?" I asked, my voice laced with curiosity. Jake was usually more subdued, especially in the mornings.

Dissapointed siyang tumingin sa akin. "Ay, hindi pa nasabi ni Boss Panot saiyo?" Jake teased, his voice dripping with mischief.

"Ano nga kase 'yon?" I pressed, growing impatient. We were getting closer to my desk, and I was eager to get started on my work.

Jake's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing me. "Umiyak ka ba?" he asked, his voice low and husky. I shook my head, my gaze dropping to the floor. "Sinungaling. Anong problema mo, loves?" he said, his voice softening. Even Ella, who had been engrossed in her phone, looked up and peered at me with a curious tilt of her head.

"Ay, mugto ang mata niya. Umiyak siya," Ella said, her voice laced with amusement.

I shook my head again, refusing to engage. I cleared my throat, trying to regain my composure. "Ano bang chismis?" I asked, hoping to divert their attention.

They seemed to pick up on my reluctance to share. Ella, with a knowing smile, swatted Jake on the arm. He winced, but his eyes remained fixed on me.

Umubo si Jake. "Kasi nga... si Boss Panot... may bagong kasosyo... A big company from all over the world. And... the CEO... is... fafang Mon... Okay, okay. Enough of that! Here comes Boss Panot... I mean, Panit! You're gonna get in trouble if he hears us gossiping." hindi natapos nito ang sasabihin ng umepal ang isa naming katrabaho, ito yung babaeng bida bida nung unang pasok ko inutos-utusan ako.

Cheska, who had been hovering nearby, interrupted. "Epal naman nito, kahit kailan talaga Cheska pabida ka," Ella grumbled, her voice laced with annoyance.

Inirapan niya kami. "E totoo naman na anjan na si sir pasalamat nga kayo, e. sinabihan ko kayo," Cheska retorted with a smug smirk.

"Thank you," Jake said with a sarcastic smile. He looked Cheska up and down, his gaze lingering on her. "I'm so grateful for your... helpful... information."

Cheska rolled her eyes, her gaze meeting Jake's with a defiant glint.

"Aba itong babaeng ito, ano ngayon, ha?!" susugodin nasana ni Ella pero hinila ko ito at tinabi ko sa akin.

"Nagmamagandang loob na nga ako, mga shit kayo!" inis na sabi ni Cheska, sinasagad talaga ako nitong babaeng 'to.

"Go get her, sis! Pull her hair! Hoy, baklita, don't stop it! You're going to get it!" saad ni Ella habang may hawak na cellphone.

"Ano? deserve naman ni Cheska 'yon e pabida kase feeling niya siya si Jollibee" irap na sabi nito napahinga na lang ako ng malalim.

"Hayaan niyo na anong oras naman na" hinarap ko si Cheska at ngumiti sabay sinampal.

"You're pushing your luck. You need to watch your step. Next time, it might be something worse than a slap."

I saw the shock on both Jake and Ella's faces, but then they started clapping. Cheska glared at me, clutching her cheek. She was about to lunge at me, but I glared back, stopping her in her tracks.

Buti na lang at nasa huling row kami kundi malalaman na nila kung gaano kami kagulo na para bang estudyante.

"Kakaiba ka, sis. You were trying to stop us, but then you're the one who hits her." iling iling na sabi ni Ella.

"Truth lakas ng pagkakasampal. The girl didn't even get a chance to fight back. natulala si Mema" nag flip hair si baklita imaginary hair hayop.

"Tse! doon na kayong dalawa mamaya na 'yang chika mo may trabaho pa tayo" pinag tutulak ko ang dalawa.

I chuckled, shaking my head at Jake and Ella's antics. "Ito na ito na, kailangan ba manulak?"

As if on cue, the office door swung open, and Mr. Panit's voice boomed, "Miss Cartier, come to my office." I quickly gathered my belongings and headed toward his office.

His office was a testament to his wealth and status. Sunlight streamed through the expansive windows, illuminating the polished mahogany desk and the leather chairs. A collection of expensive art hung on the walls, and the air was thick with the scent of expensive cologne.

He looked up as I entered. "Bakit po, Mr. Panit. Ano po maitutulong ko sainyo?" I asked politely.

"I have something to discuss. Set a meeting for later. We need to talk about my business partner. And... tell the janitorial staff to work overtime. My blood pressure is high today, so I need the office to be spotless," he said, his voice tight.

Nafefeel ko babagsak 'tong companya niya. Hindi siya marunong mag handle, kung palitan ko kaya siya?

I nodded, suppressing a sigh. I knew better than to question his instructions. As I began to set up the meeting on my tablet, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. What was it about this meeting that had Mr. Panit so on edge?

"Wala na. You may now leave," Mr. Panit said, his voice flat as he signed a stack of papers. I nodded curtly and turned to leave, my heart heavy with a mixture of frustration and resignation.

The office seemed to sigh with relief as I closed the door behind me. The hum of computers and the murmur of conversations seemed louder now, almost as if the office had been holding its breath while I was with Mr. Panit.

"Kahit kailan nakakainis ang Panot na iyon," I muttered to myself, shaking my head. "Trabaho ko 'yon pero kahit hindi ko trabaho sa akin niya e utos."

I informed the board members about the meeting and reminded the cleaning staff about the overtime, a task that felt more like a chore than a job.

I glanced at the clock. It was 11:30 am. I had 20 minutes to finish encoding before lunch and heading home. I had already submitted my excuse letter to Mr. Panit, who, to my surprise, had accepted it. But the price of my absence was overtime tomorrow.

As I finished up my work, the clock struck noon. I gathered my things and headed out.

"Aalis na ako," I said to Jake and Ella, who were both engrossed in their work. They nodded without looking up.

I was grateful to have my car today, as it meant I wouldn't have to wait for a taxi. As I pulled into the parking lot, I spotted a familiar car. I shrugged it off, my mind already focused on picking up my son.