22 Don't Say NO

"Mommy?" I heard Twen's voice call me and instantly pushed Robbie away.

I saw a little figure run past Robbie to me and looked at me. I could tell I was a mess as Twen's eyes widen in shock. He held my trouser and asked in a tensed voice,

"Mom...are you okay?"

My voice was broken from all the screaming and bellowing. It was dry too. So, when I spoke, it sounded like I was choking,

"Yes am fine"

Twen didn't bought it. He looked at me with concern and then turned an angry eye towards Robbie.

"Who are you? Why are you making my Mommy cry?" he asked angrily.

Robbie didn't answer. He looked shell shocked. He was staring at Twen like he was seeing a phantom. This is not good. He shouldn't know Robbie's identity. I don't want Twen to suffer from any sadness. He is too young for that. I put my hands on both of Twen's shoulder and turned him towards me. I had to gulped down my saliva few times to clear my voice as I said

"Twen, you ll be late. Quickly take a bath and be ready ok? Mommy will make you breakfast"

"But-" Twen said looking worried

"Twen, Mommy is fine. Don't worry" I said smoothing his frown on his eyebrow and kissing his forehead, "Get ready. I ll make you pancakes, you love it, right?"

Twen nodded but was not excited like he normally gets on hearing about pancakes. Instead, he turned to glare at Robbie as if giving him a warning and trotted past him to his room. Once the door closed, I looked at Robbie who still had that dumbstruck look on his face.

"Leave now. I have work and Twen has school" I said plainly

Robbie looked at me and said something totally unrelated, "He has my eyes"

Eyes? His complete face is like him. He is a carbon copy of his dad. Robbie's genes were strong on him. Being so alike is troublesome as people can make the connection quite easily esp now that he is on forefront because of the Resort. I put my index finger and thumb on my nose

"Yes. What a cruel twist of fate! He got your face. Are you happy now?" I looked at him feeling agitated that he was dragging on this conversations, "But I am glad it's just your face he got and not your personality"

Robbie didn't say anything. He turned to look at the closed door of Twen's room. I was too tired of arguing with him early in the morning. I went past him to the kitchen took out my pancake mix and a pan. I heard Robbie as he moved back into the drawing room. I hoped he would finally leave. I busied myself with cooking.

I was almost done with my pancakes. I took out honey, put two pancakes on the plate and poured honey on them. Twen liked chocolate syrup with his pancake but I don't want him getting cavity and honey was a healthier alternative.

I heard footsteps and turned to see Robbie, his suit back on him. He had smoothed out his bed hair. He came to me and said softly,

"Tony, take care of youself and Twen. I'll come again"

I was about to say, "NO Need" but he stopped me by putting his hand on the back of my head and pulling me to a kiss. I was not expecting it so I froze. It effectively stopped me from speaking. His hand was warm and his lips soft. I could smell the perfume on him which smelt really good. I saw his eyes which were closed and his lashes like a tiny japanese fan. I forgot about struggling, maybe because I exhausted myself by all the yelling, and felt my eyes closing inspite of myself. It was a soft kiss. There were more feelings to it than passion or aggression. I don't remember if he ever kissed me so gently. Most of the time, it was like burst of passion. He moved his lips to my cheek and traced it down to my neck. I felt goosebumps as he planted a soft kiss on my neck and then, rested his head on my shoulder. I opened my eye, my breath heavy and my heart beating fast. I heard him whisper, his voice filled with emotions,

"Don't say NO. I can't hear it. I can't stop myself from seeing you or Twen. If you stop me, then I would have to disappoint you again. I don't wanna do it anymore. I know I am selfish. You could curse me all you want but don't stop me from seeing you"

I couldn't speak. I could hear the sincerity in his voice and it was too new to me. Right now, my thoughts were all jumbled. He raised his head, looked deep into my eyes and pecked me again before turning and leaving. I remained standing in the kitchen with the plate of pancake in my hand slightly tilted. The honey from the pancake was dropping to the floor.

I heard as the door to my house open and closed followed by the door to Twen's room opening and soft footsteps walking towards the kitchen. I felt my simple life had officially turned complicated torn between my son and his dad.