Chapter 136

“My colleague’s kid is at my place, and he’s asleep, so you’d better not go up,” Teresa said a bit sheepishly. She explained further, “The kid was originally supposed to be looked after by Miriam, but she went home for the holiday. Since I don’t have family or celebrate holidays, the kid is here to keep me company.”

A complex emotion flickered in Jonathan’s eyes. “I won’t wake the kid; I’ll just finish those leftover ravioli and then leave.”

Teresa suddenly felt uneasy. Why would a big-shot CEO do this? she wondered.

At home, Teresa reheated the ravioli and served them to Jonathan. There were only a handful left; she was not sure if it would be enough for him. She also poured him a glass of water.

As Jonathan ate, he suddenly spoke up, “About that child…”

“What about him?” Teresa’s heart skipped a beat, her hand unconsciously clutching the table.

“Everyone says he looks like me. When I took him out, strangers assumed he was my son. I did another DNA test yesterday, and he’s not mine.” Jonathan lowered his head and continued eating, missing the flicker of shock in Teresa’s eyes.

He went for another DNA test? But Cheryl didn’t mention it to me? And the results showed Michael wasn’t his child? she thought.

Teresa poured another glass of water for Jonathan and sat across from him. “Why would you go for another DNA test? Where did you get it done?”

“At Donald’s hospital. The child isn’t mine.” Jonathan looked up and half- jokingly said, “I told Mom you would not have my child because you don’t love me.”

Teresa turned away, feeling a bit guilty. “Why bother asking if you already knew that?”

Jonathan chuckled bitterly to himself for overthinking things.

“There are some walnuts left. I’ll grab them for you,” Teresa said as she turned to the kitchen, her heart pounding.

Has the world gone crazy? Jonathan got a DNA test done at Donald’s hospital, and the results came out that Michael wasn’t his child? she thought.

She almost laughed at the absurdity. It even made her doubt if Michael was really Jonathan’s child. But besides him, there was no one else.

Teresa did not know Donald’s co successfully unlocked! Ow about Jonathan doing a DNA test. She certainly did not conspile wau. Sic wondered what exactly went wrong, and if there was a benevolent force shielding her secret.

After finishing the ravioli, Jonathan asked, “What are your plans for tomorrow?”

On New Year’s Day, there should not be much planned. Typically, people would visit their families and relatives, but Jonathan knew Teresa had none.

“I’m going to the movies,” Teresa said.

“What movie are you going to see?” Jonathan asked.

“Paddington. I couldn’t get tickets for other New Year’s films; only the cartoon tickets were left. My colleague’s kid insisted I take him,” Teresa replied.

Jonathan pulled out his phone. “Which movie theater? What time? I’ll join.”

Teresa was stunned. “Aren’t you the busy CEO? Besides, it’s just a cartoon. Shouldn’t you visit your family for the new year?”

Jonathan ignored her protests. “Was it Blallas Theaters? You always go there. I’m guessing it’s the 2:30 p.m. show? You can’t wake up early, so you’ll have to grab lunch before going to watch the movie with popcorn and milkshakes on hand.”

Teresa was taken aback; he guessed everything correctly. She had indeed bought tickets for the 2:30 p.m. show because she could not get up in the morning. She even bought a combo ticket for popcorn and milkshakes.

“I’ll buy the movie tickets then, there’s still plenty of seats left,” Jonathan said. Seeing that Jonathan was about to place his order, Teresa quickly shouted, “Suit yourself, but I’m not going to that one. Anyway, you’ve eaten the ravioli, it’s time for you to go.”

“Happy New Year!” Jonathan said suddenly, pulling something from his pocket. At first, his palm was empty, but with a flick of his wrist, like a magician, he turned his palm to reveal a necklace dangling elegantly from his slender fingers.

It was a dazzling diamond piece that shimmered brightly. It was expensive, far beyond what his salary could have afforded when they were married.

“I don’t want it,” Teresa said and turned her face away, her eyes red.

“Take me off your blacklist. You can’t block me forever just because my mom reached out to you once.” Jonathan placed the necklace in her palm, then turned to leave.

“Wait,” Teresa called. She darted into her room and quickly returned with a scarf. It was part of a buy-one-get-one deal when she purchased the scarf for Michael earlier. It was one black and one white.

“Happy New Year,” Teresa said and tossed the scarf to Jonathan. “Let’s have a good year. Drive safely.” With that, she closed the door.

Jonathan felt like it was the best New Year’s gift he had ever received in years.

When Michael woke up the next day, he found the new clothes and socks neatly placed at the bedside. The socks were a creamy white, matching the white scarf laid out for him.

Teresa helped him get dressed, and Michael kissed her on the cheek. “Mommy, thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Teresa said.

Her phone buzzed endlessly with New Year’s greetings from all sorts of people. Some messages were mass-sent, so she only replied to a few close friends.

After finishing their lunch, Teresa and Michael went to the movie theater. Driving there, Teresa assumed the parking lot would be relatively empty on New Year’s Day. To her surprise, the upper-level spots were full.

Just as a car pulled out, opening up a spot, another vehicle, a black sedan, rudely swerved in, trying to take the space. Teresa refused to reverse, and their cars ended up scraping each other.

Furious, she unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of the car. The other driver, a burly man, stepped out as well. “Why would a man like you fight for a parking spot? There’s plenty of it at the underground!”

“And why can’t a woman like you park at the underground carpark instead? Don’t think I’ll let this slide just because you’re pretty. Your car scratched mine. Pay up,” the man retorted.

“Let’s call the police.” On such a festive day, Teresa was not in the mood to argue. She pulled out her phone, wanting to make the call. Seeing that, the man hesitated, but his pride made him insist on going ahead.

Soon, the traffic police arrived and sorted everything. Teresa did not have to pay a dime, leaving the man frustrated as he called his insurance company. “Lucky you!”

By the time everything was settled, it was already past 3 p.m.

Teresa wanted to watch the next show of “Paddington,” but both the upcoming and following screenings were fully booked. She remembered checking at noon and there were still seats available, but now all the sessions were sold out.

Teresa glanced at Michael, who had been sleeping the entire trip in the back seat, woke up and yawned. “Mommy, can we go watch ‘Paddington’ now?”

Teresa felt a little guilty, thinking that if they went home now, Michael would be disappointed. “Let’s check with the ticket counter.” She hoped there would be cancellations.

At the ticket counter, the ticket clerk shook her head. “I’m sorry, but all the ‘Paddington’ shows today are fully booked. Perhaps you can try again tomorrow?”

Michael pouted. “Mommy, we can’t watch ‘Paddington’ today?”

“No,” Teresa said, holding Michael’s hand as they prepared to leave.

As they were waiting for the elevator, a man’s voice called out, “Teresa!”

Teresa and Michael turned, seeing Truman approaching with a smile. He had seen her outside earlier and wanted to help with the traffic incident, but Teresa had it under control.

“It was just a small accident,” Teresa said. She patted Michael’s head and urged, “Say hi to Mr. Garcia.”

“Hi, Mr. Garcia,” Michael greeted. He was still upset about not being able to watch the movie. “Mommy, we really can’t watch ‘Paddington’ today?”

Teresa felt both helpless and guilty. She assured Michael that they would watch it tomorrow.

With a soft ding, the elevator doors opened.

Inside stood Jonathan in a dark coat, his posture straight and imposing. Around his neck was a black scarf.

Michael released Teresa’s hand and quickly ran toward him. “Mr. Daddy Lime!”

Chapter 137

Watching how happily Michael hugged Jonathan’s neck when the latter stepped out of the elevator and picked him up, Teresa felt a pang of deep sorrow. A love as unique from a father, she realized, could never be replaced, no matter how hard she tried.

“Mr. Daddy Lime, what are you doing here?” Michael asked.

“I came to watch a movie,” Jonathan replied.

“What movie are you going to see?” Michael asked again.

“I’m here to watch ‘Paddington,” Jonathan said.

Michael lowered his head sadly. “The tickets are sold out today. Ms. Johnston and I wanted to watch it too, but we could not get any tickets.”

Without missing a beat, Jonathan pulled three tickets out of his pocket. “Do you want to watch? I’ve got some here.” It seemed like he was a Santa Claus, effortlessly conjuring up anything he desired.

Michael’s eyes lit up instantly. “Mr. Daddy Lime, where did you get these? The ticket seller said they were all sold out!”

Jonathan did not answer. His gaze flickered briefly to Truman before settling on Teresa. “Do you want to join us? Or am I interrupting your date?”

“Mr. Daddy Lime, they’re not on a date. We just bumped into Mr. Garcia,” Michael said.

“Is that so?” Jonathan’s frown eased slightly.

Teresa sighed, relenting at last. She took a deep breath and said softly, “Sell me one ticket, I want to watch it too.”

“Follow me.” Jonathan had already walked ahead with Michael in his arms. Teresa looked back at Truman and said, “I’ll catch up with you later.” Then, she hurried after the two.

Truman clenched his palm, and his smile tightened. As he turned to leave, he took out his phone to make a call.

At the movie theater, after finding their seats, Teresa wanted to pay Jonathan for the tickets. “12 dollars per ticket,” Jonathan said with a smile.

Teresa was about to transfer the money to Jonathan, but she suddenly realized that she had blocked him on both calls and WhatsApp. She did not have any cash on her either.

Resigned, she removed Jonathan from the blacklist.

She transferred 30 dollars to Jonathan. “It’s for 2 tickets, keep the change.”

“I’ll accept it after the movie,” Jonathan said as he sat down.

Teresa was seated in the middle with Michael on one side and Jonathan on the other.

When Michael asked to swap seats, Teresa was stopped by Jonathan. “You’re blocking the people behind us, don’t switch.”

Realizing that, Teresa did not change her seat.

“How did you even get the tickets? All the showtimes were sold out today,” Teresa asked curiously.

Jonathan slowly explained, “I came at 2 p.m. and didn’t see you, so I figured you overslept. I went downstairs and talked to the mall manager, who got me three tickets for all the showtimes today.”

Teresa explained quickly, “I didn’t oversleep. My car got scratched while parking, so I had to sort things out with the other driver and wait for the police. That’s what delayed me.”

Jonathan raised an eyebrow. “And? Did you manage to solve it?”

“I’m not that weak! Of course, I handled it,” Teresa retorted.

Jonathan pressed his lips together and did not say anything more.

The movie started, and the theater fell silent. Neither of them continued to talk. Out of the corner of her eye, Teresa glanced at the larger and smaller figures next to her. At that moment, she suddenly felt a strong urge to tell Jonathan the truth that Michael was his son. But deep down, there was a profound fear. Watching Michael’s unwavering trust and admiration for Jonathan only deepened her apprehension.

She was afraid that Michael would leave her once he and Jonathan reunited. Without Michael, she would be all alone–no family, no love, just a lonely person.

The movie flickered on the screen, and Michael was enjoying himself. He munched on popcorn while occasionally pointing things out to Teresa. The latter only nodded absentmindedly in response. She had not really come for the movie; she was just there to keep Michael’s company.

Suddenly, she felt a weight on her shoulder.

Beside her, she saw Jonathan had fallen asleep, his head leaning on her shoulder with one hand propped up his cheek. Somehow, he had dozed off in such a position. Teresa considered waking him, but seeing how tired he looked, she wondered if he had not slept well these past few days.

In the end, she left him be.

It was a rare two-hour fleeting hour for the family of three.

When the movie ended, an extra scene played after the credits. People began shuffling out of the theater, but Jonathan remained asleep. Finally, Teresa nudged his head gently. “Wake up, come on, wake up.”

Jonathan woke up in a daze, momentarily confused. He straightened slightly and glanced at the movie screen. “It is over?”

“Yeah, it’s over,” Teresa said.

Jonathan naturally took Teresa’s hand and said, “Let’s go home now, Honey.”

“Oh my god!” Hearing his words, Michael got shocked and dropped his popcorn, spilling it all over the floor.