November, 2007, NYU

“Hey, where are you okay?” Liam asked the moment he saw Chanty briskly walking by, her eyes puffy. Something inside him stirred, knowing she had been crying.

“I am fine,” she answered as she walked on.

He followed, concerned. “You don’t look fine.”

“I am fine! Just leave me alone, Liam. I don’t have time for your jokes right now.”

“Why do you think I always have a joke up my sleeve?”

“Just leave me alone,” she snapped and continued walking, this time faster.

“Chanty--” and then he gave up and watched her walk away.

2013

“Busy,” she finished in a whisper.

Liam didn’t say a word so she stood up and straightened to full height.

Willie turned around to see what distracted his mother and his eyes lit up when he saw Liam. “Liam! Mommy said you are--”

“He’s busy, Willie,” she cut in. “Let’s just go find another place for our game, shall we?” she asked, bending down to grab her son’s hand.

“But I want to stay here--”

“Willie, I don’t have time for--”

“He can stay here,” Liam interrupted, his voice flat and unreadable as he stared at her but when he transferred his gaze at Willie, his smiling fun, smiling face returned. “What to play some games while you’re waiting for your mom?”

Willie nodded his head vigorously.

Chanty felt confused. She didn’t know what to do. Cameron must probably be inside her office right now and she shouldn’t make him wait. The longer he stayed, the longer she had to suffer.

“Fine. I will be right back,” she uttered. “Willie, remember our agreement, okay? Don’t go out unless mommy returns, okay?”

Willie smiled at her. “Sure!”

Chanty looked at Liam but he was already giving Willie his full attention. “I’ll be back,” she addressed him, but did not get a response.

Slowly, she walked to the door and walked out. Willie would be fine with Liam. Now, she had to face Cameron alone.

*****

“I hope you know you are disrupting my work,” she said strongly as she rushed inside her office.

Sitting calmly in one of the chairs in front of her table like he owned the whole room himself was Cameron. He raised his brows in question. “Oh, well, I just thought I should drop by to check if you got my message.”

Yeah, that message. The one that ruined her perfect plan. The one that drove Liam away.

“I told you, Cameron, we don’t have anything to talk about. Willie is my son, not yours. You were never his father.”

“I find that hard to believe, Chanty,” he said, fixing her one of his serious looks.

Years ago, she had found herself mesmerized and amazed by his gaze. They had that intense power in them that would hold you to your spot. And maybe it was one of his best weapons as a lawyer. But right now, they were not working. Chanty couldn’t feel a tinge of emotion as she stared at him except anger and irritation.

“Let’s assume Willie is your son,” she started as she sat down in her chair facing him. “Why do you want to see him all of a sudden? Why do you want to take him away from me after all these years? Is it for your campaign? I know you are soon running for Senator. Having a son and a new wife will give you the perfect picture.”

Cameron didn’t seem shocked that she knew about his political plans. Instead, he was looking at her with confusion. “Is that what you think of me? That I only want my son for such petty things? Come on, Chanty, we’ve been together for years in the past. You know I separate my personal life from my work.”

“Oh, really?” she said, giving an exaggerated shocked face. “I didn’t think that, actually. I think I remember feeling like some kind of medal you hang around your neck whenever you need to impress people.”

Irritation flashed across his features. “Do you always think I have some sort of plans whenever I do something? Is that what you have always felt?”

“As a matter of fact, yes. I had always thought that everything you do was well-calculated. Every step, every move you made and still make always has a hidden agenda. Don’t think I wasted years being with you not knowing who you really are, Cameron.”

“But this is our child we are talking about, Chanty. I am not that heartless to use my child for my own personal success!”

“I don’t think I can believe you right now, Cameron.”

“I admit I didn’t know what to do when you told me you were pregnant four years ago. I had bigger dreams for my career and taking care of an unplanned child was not part of it. It was a stupid move walking out on you when you needed me the most, Chanty, but I have regretted that for years. And I understand if you cannot forgive me for doing that. As I can see, we have both moved on in terms of our feelings. But I want to know my child, take care of him and be a father to him before it is too late. Don’t take that away from me.”

Chanty gave a sarcastic laugh as she leaned against her swivel chair. “But Willie is not your son, Cameron. He never was and never will be.”

“I don’t believe you. And you are saying Liam Heaton is the father? Come on, you hated that man for years, Chanty. Every time we were together, you would always have something bad to say against him and Astor. How could you even make me believe you had had an affair with the man?”

Chanty fixed him an unwavering gaze. “You really think you knew me that much, do you? How could you be so sure you didn’t neglect me that much to make me stay loyal? Liam had been there when I needed someone the most. You weren’t. I guess that answers the question.”

“I don’t have time for this,” Cameron said, standing up and checking his watch. “I have an appointment in fifteen minutes. I came here thinking I could have a nice, sensible conversation with you. Let’s reschedule.”

He started for the door and Chanty didn’t say a word.

Before he walked out, he said over his shoulder, “I hate to say this, Chanty, but I would like to push with the DNA test.”

She gritted her teeth but didn’t say a word, afraid he’d find an evidence of her lie.

When he was finally gone, Chanty swung her chair around and faced the wide window.

Maybe Cameron was telling the truth. Maybe he really just wanted to be a father to Willie, she thought.

But how could she be so sure?

How could she be certain that he wouldn’t hurt her child like he did her four years ago?

Willie was fine without a father.

“Oh God, how many times do I have to say that?” she asked herself. Of course, Willie needed a father! She could see that every time his son was with Liam.

But she was not willing to put his son’s feelings in his own father’s hands. Cameron had the tendency to run away.

And no one was running away from Willie.

*****

Liam guessed why Chanty was keeping Willie in his office. It only meant one thing: Cameron, Cameron was here for another visit.

“My mom said we are going on a trip if I stay here,” Willie informed him.

Liam raised his brows and focused on Willie instead of thinking about what might be happening in Chanty’s office at the very moment. “Is that the game you are playing right now?”

Willie nodded. “But we can play another one while I wait.”

He couldn’t help but smile. “Sure, buddy. What do you want to play?”

“I will stay standing there,” the child said, pointing at one corner of the room, right beside a plotted plant. “And I won’t move.”

Liam frowned. Was that even a game? “And what do I have to do?”

“Nothing. I will just stay there until mommy comes.”

Liam didn’t know where the game was leading. “And what do you get out of it?”

“If I stay there without moving until mommy returns, you come with us!”

“Come with you? Where?”

“The trip!”

“Buddy, I don’t think--” Liam stopped himself from saying no. Even though Willie was not his son after all, the kid already gained a place in his heart. “Okay, deal,” he ended up saying.

Willie jumped to his feet and ran to the corner he was talking about. “I won’t move at all even if a fly comes by.”

Liam chuckled. “If you say so. But I hate to say this, buddy, you might just lose. Your mom may not come for you sooner than you expect,” he said, walking back to his desk.

“She will. She always does. And she promised. She doesn’t break her promise.”

Liam just nodded. Chanty had never promised him anything so he was not sure about that.

“Okay, then. Are you sure you are okay standing there?” he asked.

Willie just nodded, leaning against the wall.

Ten minutes passed and no Chanty arrived.

“You’re not tired? You can sit on that chair,” Liam asked Willie but the child just shook his head.

He was starting to feel the old feeling of pity toward the child. Willie really wanted him to go to that trip.

“I will go to that trip even if you don’t play this game, Willie,” he said after fifteen more minutes passed.

“I am not tired,” the child answered with a smile.

Liam was about to stand up and check where the hell Chanty was when the door opened. She came in looking stressed. The look on her eyes told him she had been crying and his heart almost went out for her. He stopped himself from asking if she was okay. He had been doing that for years and she had never told him what she was really feeling except that one night four years ago.

Chanty averted her eyes when their gazes met and pretended to look for Willie.

“Where is he?” she asked in panic when she didn’t see her son who was standing behind her in one corner. Willie was covering his mouth with his hands to muffle his laughter, stepping right behind the plotted plant to hide.

Liam shrugged, giving Willie a wink as Chanty searched the place in panic.

“Where did he go? Why did you let him leave?” she demanded, glaring at him.

“I didn’t. I’m sure you can find him easily if you just search the place,” he said in a flat tone. He sent Willie another wink as Chanty bent down to look under his desk.

“Liam, don’t play any games with me. I don’t have time for this. I have to take him home right now and--” she stopped when she saw Willie hysterically laughing behind the plant. “Oh God, Willie, that was not a fun game,” she sighed as she walked to her son.

Liam watched as she hugged Willie close.

“I won!” Willie screamed over her shoulder.

“Yes you did,” Chanty answered.

“Two games!”

“What?” she asked.

“Two games! I won two games!”

“What do you mean?”

“Liam is coming with us!”

Chanty’s frown deepened. She looked over her shoulder to look at him. “What does he mean?”

Liam shrugged, keeping his face neutral now that he was talking to her. “He said I will have to come to the trip if he stays in that corner without moving. I guess he won.”

“Yes! I won! Liam is coming!”

“Willie, it’s only you and I--”

“That’s okay. I made a deal with him. I can’t break it,” he found himself saying. He saw how Willie’s eyes lit up with joy and how Chanty’s widened with surprise.

“It would be a weekend-long trip. You’re busy.”

“I am, yes, but I made a promise, right buddy?” he asked Willie.

Willie nodded, obviously not aware of the tension between him and Chanty.

*****

Chanty swallowed. “Fine,” she said before she could stop herself.

Willie squealed in excitement. “Yes!”

“We’re leaving Friday afternoon.”

Liam nodded, fixing her a look that did not even register any form of excitement. “Fine. I’ll do the driving.”

“Fine,” she agreed, guiding the oblivious Willie to the door.

When they finally walked out, Chanty wondered how she could endure a weekend with a cold Liam. Oh lord, it seemed like that date on the hill was just a distant memory. She knew it was not happening anytime soon. Or maybe ever. And that was the most difficult to deal with at the moment.

*****

Philip called her that afternoon and she knew what her brother wanted to talk about.

“Have you told mom?” he asked.

“No, not yet. I was planning to do that this weekend but something came up. I will go on a trip with Willie. I will talk to them when I get back.”

“Where are you going?”

“Just somewhere. I need some break, Philip.”

“It’s just going to be the two of you?”

She wondered if she should lie to her brother, but she had already been lying too much. “Liam is coming.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You don’t have to. I am even surprised he is coming alone. Willie made sure he does.”

“I am not going to meddle in your affairs with Liam. I just want you to clear things up with the family. They still think he is Willie’s father, Chanty.”

“I know, and I am sorry about leading you guys on. I promise to talk to them when I get back.”

“Please do that.”

“And Philip, thank you.”

“For what?”

“For not meddling.”

Her brother was silent for a few seconds. “Be careful this weekend. Patch things up with the guy, Chanty. He didn’t deserve what you did.”

“I know.”

She stared at her phone after her brother disconnected. She wanted to call her friends and ask them to come with her, but she knew they all had their own lives to deal with, men to tame and careers to take care of.

She had to face this one alone.

*****

Liam stopped the car right outside Chanty’s house.

And before he could even climb out of his car, Willie came bounding out the door with a backpack behind his back.

Chanty followed with two large bags. He walked to the trunk and opened it just in time for Chanty to load everything inside.

“Are we going now?” Willie asked excitedly.

“After we take care of your car seat,” Chanty told her son. “Wait right here.” She walked to her car and grabbed Willie’s car seat. Liam met her halfway and took it from her without saying a word.

Hell, he was not sure what to say to her. Sure, he wanted to be friendly and all, but things had been different for the two of them since that day he found out about the lie.

Civil was the perfect word, he thought.

For the rest of the week, he never spoke to her unless they were in a meeting or if he needed to discuss some important matters about work. Other than that, he didn’t do other stupid things such as plan for a date night or even drop by for a cup of coffee in her office.

If people in the office noticed anything different between them, no one said a word.

Liam knew Chanty was having a hard time because he was not acting like himself anymore.

Well, she better get used to it because he was not ready to go back to being the old Liam just yet.

It was hard enough to go on this trip with just her and Willie.

It would take a lot of control on his part not to do something stupid again.

He promised to stay away from Chanty as much as he could.

He just hoped Willie was enough distraction.

****

What are you doing now?

Angelica’s text came through as they were driving out of the city.

Nothing. Willie had been doing all the talking, she replied.

He’s not talking to you? I mean Liam.

Chanty didn’t even have to think about the answer. No.

Then try talking to him, moron.

She stole a glance at Liam’s direction. What should I say?

Anything. Just not the weather. That’s so old school.

I’ll try. Not promising though.

Good luck. Just text me if you need a getaway car.

Chanty cleared her throat as she replaced her phone back in her bag. She cleared it again as she stared out the window and focused on the rushing view outside. After a minute, she did it again.

God, this is difficult, she thought. The tension between her and Liam was very palpable and the only person in the car that could have helped them had fallen fast asleep, oblivious of adult problems.

“Do you need anything for your throat?” Liam finally asked when she did it again for the fourth time.

“What?” she asked, pretending not to hear.

“Your throat. Do you need anything for it?” he asked, his voice flat. There was not a tinge of concern.

“It is fine,” she answered. “I just thought this ride is awkward, that’s all,” she blurted out. She wanted to spank her stupid mouth for saying that.

“Well, it is bound to be awkward,” Liam said as he leaned forward to look at a road sign. “We’re supposed to make a turn here, right?”

Chanty almost wanted to cry. He obviously didn’t want to talk about it. “Yes. And I guess we don’t have to talk about the awkwardness. You are obviously comfortable with it.”

“I have always been comfortable being ignored so I learned how to deal with it. I think we’re going to reach the place before it gets dark.” He said the first sentence without a trace of sarcasm, but she felt it. She knew what he meant when he said it.

Chanty didn’t answer. She just turned her head to hide her struggle to keep the tears from falling. She was riding the car with a Liam she was not used to. Was he doing it on purpose to make her suffer or to protect himself?

She hoped it was not the latter because she didn’t want him to think he had to protect himself because she was bound to hurt him again. She had no intention of doing that.

Telling that to his face right now may not be a good thing because he would not believe her. How could he, right? She had never given him any reason to believe every word she would say with what she had done.

Chanty closed her eyes and a tear ran down her right cheek. She carefully raised her hand to wipe it away, pretending to scratch on her cheek. She then pretended to fall sleep.

Her mind was working full blast though.

She knew she had to do something.

This was not going to work if she wouldn’t make an effort.

She did this to herself. And if she wanted Liam back, she’d have to be witty and strong.

Finally, Chanty admitted one thing: maybe the table had turned after all.

Maybe this time, she should do the waiting and wooing.

If Liam had been doing it for years, so could she, she thought with determination.