Chapter 1: Moving on and Moving Up
2001 Words
♥ Five Years After Marco Left ♥
TODAY is my son Marcus’ first day of class. I promised to send him to school everyday, but I seem to be more excited than him. We were at the dining table eating breakfast.
Krista: “Honey, eat some fruit.”
Marcus: “Mommy, I think I’m full. I finished my plate already.”
Krista: “Okay, baby. Go brush your teeth.”
I had Marcus’ nanny go to the bathroom with him to help him brush his teeth. I hired a nanny to take care of Marcus while I was at work, but as much as possible, I am a hands on mom. I make sure to have breakfast and dinner with my son everyday. On the weekends, I take him out to the park or we go to the mall so we can spend more fun time together.
When Marcus was ready he was running towards me saying “Mommy, I’m ready! I’m ready!” I smiled widely as I looked at him. He reminds me so much of Miko and Mika. He is now four years old, the same age as the twins the last time I’ve seen them. I fixed his school uniform and gave him a once over. When I was satisfied that he looks near perfect, I took his hand and led him to the car. His nanny will be staying with him in the school until he has to go home at noon.
I was planning on taking a long lunch later if possible so I can hear how my son’s first day of school went. On the drive to school, my son can’t stop asking about what he’ll be doing in school. He seemed more excited about making new friends than actually learning new things. I don’t blame him since he’s a little kid. Other than Uncle Aaron’s son, he hasn’t been exposed to other kids that much. I remember when I went to school, I didn’t really enjoy it until I went to high school. I’ve made some friends, but I’ve lost touch with them when I started hanging out with boys more.
Recently, I’ve reconnected with Nadine and Katrina. I met them during our freshman year in high school. We connected right away, and we were inseparable until our junior year came. I started getting the attention of boys, and I liked it, so I started hanging out with them instead.
One of the boys I was hanging out with was Anthony. Nadine has had a crush on him since we were freshmen. When she caught us kissing torridly, she and Katrina stopped talking to me. He started the kiss but I didn’t stop it because it felt good. He was actually my first kiss, but I never slept with him. I didn’t start sleeping around until I stopped sleeping with my uncle.
Nadine tracked me down and invited me to her wedding to guess who? Anthony. Apparently, they went to the same school in college, and Nadine made the first move, and they ended up dating. When Anthony asked about me, she reacted negatively. When he clarified that he actually made the first move and that I actually rejected him, she felt guilty that she never gave me a chance to explain and just stopped being friends with me. She even got Katrina to stop talking to me too.
When they decided to get married, she decided to invite me as one of her bridesmaids. It was the first time someone asked me to become their bridesmaid, so I was very excited. Nadine, Katrina and I reconnected after that, and we have been meeting each other regularly. I finally have regular friends.
I decided to bring Sean as my date to Nadine’s wedding. After he found out about my pregnancy and Marco and I breaking up, he actually offered to marry me and be my baby’s father, but I declined. It’s not fair to him. Besides, I don’t feel anything but friendship for him.
He stayed and became my friend, until I decided to give him a chance and we started dating. He has always been nice to Marcus, and he has acted as sort of a father figure to him. Well, he and uncle Aaron have. Despite his kindness, I still couldn’t feel any romantic connection towards him, so we talked about it, and decided to just stay friends. I didn’t want him to be stuck in a one-sided love relationship.
We arrived at Marcus’ school with a few minutes to spare, so I got off and went inside the school with him. The other parents were there too, so I didn’t feel out of place. Well, maybe a little since I was wearing a corporate outfit with matching high heels, while the other parents are in casual clothes. Some of the kids even had the mom and dad combo with them.
Marcus has not asked about his dad before, since Sean and Uncle Aaron have been plenty involved in his life. I was worried that once she started school, he might start asking since the other kids have dads. I was hoping that he won’t feel the absence of his father with all the love and attention I have been giving him.
The past year has been the most challenging for me as a single mom yet. My dad passed away, and I officially took over as the President and CEO of the company. I wanted to defer the position to Uncle Aaron, but he declined. He took on the Operations Director position instead, to at least still help me run the company and take over in my absence.
The company has grown exponentially over the past four years, and we’ve opened more than 50 branches all over the country. I went back to work as soon as I was physically ready four years ago, and took a break a few months before and a few months after I gave birth to Marcus. My dad and uncle were very helpful in making sure my pregnancy went smoothly and that I had everything I needed.
Despite their presence though, I still couldn’t stop thinking about the only man I’ve ever loved: Marco. I keep thinking about where he is, or how he is doing. I can’t help but wonder how the twins, Conchita and the boys are doing as well. Despite the short time that I was with them, I have treated them as my family.
After I gave birth, I started a foundation that offers scholarships to the company employees’ children and to other deserving kids. I tracked down Mikhail and Mateo, and offered them scholarships anonymously. I made it look like they were selected by the foundation randomly. None of them knew that I ran the foundation, and I made sure that no one from my team told them.
The kids were already lining up and the parents were asked to stay on the side. The kids were escorted to their classrooms, and I kept smiling as Marcus kept waving at me. I saw him talking to one of the kids earlier, and they seem to have hit it off. This made me smile and my heart is overflowing with joy as I suddenly imagined him going off on dates and going to college. I know it’s still a long way off, but my heart felt sad at the concept of my child not needing me too much anymore in the future.
I was taken out of my reverie when I heard a baritone voice suddenly say, “You’re imagining your kid getting married, aren’t you?”
I was taken aback, but was a little amused that someone else is actually feeling the same way I am.
Krista: “I was just imagining him going on dates and going off to college. But now I can’t help imagining him getting married too!”
Baritone Voice: “Well, hopefully that doesn’t happen in the next 10 years.”
Krista: “My kid is not getting married until he’s 35. He’s not dating until he’s 30.”
Baritone Voice: “Wow, you’re one strict mama. Does your husband feel the same way?”
Krista: “Uhm, I’m not married.”
I was surprised at his question, but I answered him impulsively. He suddenly turned to me and introduced himself.
Baritone Voice: “Oh. I’m Eric. I’m a single parent too.”
I can sense where this is going, so I decided to just lay it straight and tell him I’m not interested in dating in case he asks me out. When I turned to look at him though, I saw the most gorgeous set of eyes I have even seen on anyone. He is quite tall and muscular as well. What’s more is that he smells amazing. My resolve suddenly melted and I almost stuttered as I took his hand to shake it.
Krista: “Uhm, I’m Krista.”
Eric: “It’s nice to meet you Krista.”
I just smiled as he held my hand longer than I expected. I didn’t take it back. His big hands felt good on mine. When he let go of my hand, he kept chatting and looking at me.
Eric: “So, will I be seeing you at school every morning?”
Krista: “I will probably be here every morning. I promised Marcus I’ll be sending him to school everyday.”
Eric: “Oh, okay. In that case, I will probably be driving my son to school myself.”
Krista: “Well, in that case, we’ll probably be seeing each other every morning.”
Eric: “Looks like it. So, you’re heading off to work?”
Krista: “Yeah, how about you?”
Eric: “Yeah, but not for another hour.”
At this moment, the principal got the parents’ attention and gave some information on what to expect and how we can help the kids. Starting tomorrow, the parents will not be allowed to go inside the school anymore, and that we can drop off our kids at the school gate. They will be issued an ID that they will have to scan at the gates. This will send a message to the parents that will inform us whenever our kids have gone in and out of the school. It’s a good tracking system in my opinion.
After a little more information, the principal thanked us for our time, and said that we can go. I turned to walk towards the gate and before I got to the car, I turned around and saw Eri walking behind me.
Krista: “I guess I’ll see you around?”
Eric: “I’ll see you around, Krista. It was really nice to meet you.”
I turned around and got inside the car to head to work. I was a little disappointed that Eric didn’t ask for my number. I haven't thought of dating in a while since I have been so focused on work and taking care of Marcus. I haven’t found the time, nor have I met anyone who met my fancy. Until Eric.
I realized I’ll probably be running into him in the next few days. This gave more motivation to actually send Marcus to school everyday more.
- Writer
