Febuary, 2009, NYU

Chanty was crying when the knock came on her door.

When she did not answer, it opened and Angelica barged in.

"Where is that bastard?"

"Gone," Chanty answered, staring at nothing.

"What do you mean he's gone? He left you?" Angelica looked around the apartment. "His things are gone? That bastard! I am going to kill him!"

"Let it go, Ange, it's over."

"But you told him, right? You told him?"

Chanty nodded and tears started streaming down her face once more. "He said he couldn't face the responsibility. What a bastard, right?"

"I am so going to kill him!"

Chanty cried some more and Angelica cried with her. The two of them spent hours sprawled on the floor, crying and cursing Cameron to hell.

"Are you sure he's the father?" Angelica asked with a hopeful tone when they were finally dry from tears.

Chanty doubted her answer for a second before she said, "Of course, he is, stupid."

"Just wanted to be sure I'll kill the right guy."

"Will the pain go away?"

"Yes, it will. In time. Trust me," her friend reassured her in an embrace.

2013

Chanty couldn't just announce that she and Willie would have to go NOW.

Her son was obviously enjoying his father's company (a big surprise knowing Cameron was never good with children). And she didn't want to spoil their very first meeting.

So she sat back in her chair beside her son and pretended to be listening to the never-ending topic of bugs. Well, honestly, she felt bugs were itching her feet at the moment because she was getting restless. She kept checking her watch. It was still early. Liam would leave this afternoon for the airport.

For a moment she thought this must have been what Philip felt when Angelica called him up and told him that his then-transient wife was flying out of nowhere.

Not knowing where Liam was going was even more unbearable. What if he was going somewhere and he would love it there and would never return? What then would Chanty do?

Knowing Liam, he would not tell a soul as to his whereabouts.

Cameron was listening to Willie's narrative of his recent bug adventure with a smile. When he happened to look at Chanty's direction, he frowned. "Are you going to another appointment?"

She could have lied and said yes, but she shook her head. "I just need to chase someone in about an hour," she honestly said.

A look of confusion crossed Cameron's face. "Chase someone?"

"We kind of have this unfinished business and I want it to be over with once and for all before he goes to his next...business," she explained.

Willie was looking at her with a smile. "Is it Liam?"

Chanty's mouth hung open in surprise. "Yes, honey," she answered when she fully recovered.

"I assume it is important?" Cameron asked, raising an eyebrow. "After all, you are working with him on a project."

Chanty nodded vigorously. "A very important project."

"Liam is very angry with mom," Willie explained to Cameron.

"No, he's not," Chanty lied despite everything. "He's just pissed because of the said unfinished business."

Cameron leaned back against his chair. "Well, if it is very important..."

"We can meet again!" Willie uttered before Chanty could say a word. "Right, mom?"

"Of course. Anytime you want, buddy."

Willie jumped off his seat and walked to where Cameron was and held out his hand. "It is very nice to meet you. Can I call you daddy?"

A look of overwhelming tenderness washed over Cameron as he looked at his son. He shook Willie's hand and said, "Of course, Willie. If you give me a hug, you can call me whatever you want."

Willie beamed and jumped up to hug his father. Chanty couldn't help but smile with tears. She cleared her throat and collected her bag.

"I'll see you soon," Cameron whispered to his son.

Willie turned to Chanty. "Liam is waiting?"

"Yes, honey. Are you sure you are ready to go?"

Willie nodded, giving Cameron one last look. He waved at his father as Chanty guided him out of the restaurant.

*****

"Willie! Buddy! Hey!" Angelica's voice called out from the car.

Chanty rushed to them with Willie in tow. "I thought you said I'll meet you guys at the airport?"

Zach leaned out of window of the driver's seat and said, "Get inside, Chanty. We know where he is at the moment."

Chanty ushered Willie into the backseat and strapped him down beside Angelica.

"Hi, Chanty, how did it go?" Julianne asked from the passenger seat.

"Great," she answered, slamming the door beside her. "Can we go now?"

"Of course," Zach said, maneuvering the car out of the parking lot.

"How about our car, Mommy?" Willie asked.

"It can wait, honey," Chanty answered.

"Can't you go any faster?" Angelica asked Zach.

"I am trying. Stop pestering me, Ange."

"You are not a very good driver," Chanty added. "You are going really slow, Zach."

"If you must know, my fiancée is in the car with us and she is pregnant."

"Okay, that's it, get the hell out. Stop the car!" Angelica cried out.

"Why is everybody shouting?" Willie asked.

"Sorry, buddy, we are not. We're just making sure everyone hears us," Angelica answered. "Zach, stop the car!"

"I am not--"

"Stop the car, Zachary, or we are going out," Julianne said calmly.

Zach stopped the car and got out with a huff. He exchanged places with Angelica and settled beside Willie. "Hey, buddy. How did it go with your dad?"

"He's great."

There was no comment as Angelica started the car and sped down the road.

"Henry will definitely hear of this, Ange," Zach said as he gripped the driver's seat before him. "Willie's in the car with us."

"Willie loves fast cars," Angelica shot over her shoulder.

"Look at the road!" Everyone except Willie shouted.

"Fine, fine. What the hell is wrong with you? I am not over-speeding!"

"Just drive, Ange," Chanty told her. "You okay, buddy?" she asked her son.

Willie nodded. "Are we going to chase Liam because he is leaving?"

"Yes."

"And you are going to make him forgive you?"

"I will try."

Zach looked at Willie. "You like Liam, don't you?"

"Of course. He is awesome."

"Like your dad?"

Willie frowned. "I don't know him that much yet. Liam is awesomer."

Julianne laughed at Willie's last word. "That's not a word, Willie, but I like it."

"I think I used that once, buddy. See? It works," Zach said as he continued to grip the driver's seat. "Ange, please, slow down a little."

"We're driving just fine," Chanty said, her eyes on the road. "Where are we going again?"

"At Liam's house, of course. Zach called him earlier and he kind of hinted that he is packing up some things before his flight," Angelica said as she turned a corner.

"Are you sure he is there?"

A long silence followed.

"Well, we are quite certain--" Zach answered and Chanty cried, "What? You mean you are not sure?"

"We are pretty sure, okay?" he answered. "I know Liam. He doesn't have anywhere else to go right at the moment."

"You better be sure he is there."

"He will be, don't worry."

*****

Liam knocked on the door and Cassandra's smiling face greeted him.

"Liam! Why are you here?"

"I just need to drop a few things for Philip. He's home, right?"

"Of course," Cassandra answered, stepping aside. "He's upstairs with the baby. Can I get you anything?"

"No, I'll be leaving in a short while. I just need to drop these," he said, holding up the three manila envelopes in his hands.

Cassandra looked at him quizzically. "Are you okay? You don't look okay."

His gaze wavered and he cleared his throat. "Of course. I'll just go upstairs?"

She nodded slowly and he walked away, fully aware of Cassandra's gaze following him.

*****

"Mom, your phone is ringing."

"What?" she asked her son, distracted.

"You phone."

"Ah, yes, it's ringing." She opened her bag and took out her phone. "It's just aunt Cass. Answer her for me, will you?" she said to Willie, handing him the phone. "Ange, I know a shortcut."

"I know, I know. What do you think of me? I know where to go, Chanty. Relax."

"Hello?" Willie said beside her, answering Cassandra's call.

"If you can go a bit slower, we can relax," Zach said beside Willie.

"No, the speed is just right," Chanty uttered, checking her watch.

"Mommy, Aunt Cass says Liam is in their house."

"If you take the next turn, we can cut a few more minutes," Chanty addressed Angelica.

"I hate backseat drivers! Can you just stop--WHAT did you say, Willie?"

"What?!" Chanty and Angelica exclaimed at the same time when Willie's words finally made contact with their brains.

"Aunt Cass said Liam is in their house," Willie repeated.

"You said he's at home!" Chanty accused at Zach.

"Hey! I didn't know about any plans of going to your brother's house!"

"Everyone, just stop!" Julianne cried out. "Ange, stop the car and turn around!"

Chanty snatched the phone from Willie's hand. "Cass? What do you mean Liam's there?"

"He's here," Cassandra said in a whisper. "I think something's wrong with him. He's dropping something for Philip. I just think something is off because he doesn't come here unless it is really important."

"He's leaving in a few hours. Don't let him leave! Do you understand? We are on our way!"

"Wait, what do you mean we?"

"Just don't let him leave. Bar the doors, strap him in a chair, anything! Just don't let him leave!"

"Okay, okay! I'll do what I can!"

"Ange, go faster, please," Chanty said to her friend as she threw her phone back in her bag.

"Oh, God," she heard Zach murmur. "I think we're going to die young, buddy," he said to Willie.

*****

"I don't feel so good about this, Liam," Philip said as he signed the papers.

Liam sighed. "I just need a break."

"You're coming back, right? Zachary is not that ready. The company needs you as badly as before now that the mall is on its way."

"You can always give me a ring," he offered. "You know my number. I won't change it."

"But you're not telling me where you're going."

He nodded as he watched Philip sign the last page.

Philip straightened to full height and gave him the paper. He walked to the crib where his son was and took him in his arms. Liam almost wanted to laugh. Seeing a man like Philip cradling an infant in his arms was just unimaginable in the past.

"How about Chanty?" Philip asked.

"What about her?" he asked nonchalantly, replacing the papers back in the manila envelopes.

"Don't act like you don't know, Liam. I know my sister and she's in love with you. You can't just walk away."

Liam scoffed. "I wonder how you ever came up with that thought. As far as I know, Chanty never said such a thing."

"My wife is probably right."

"About what?"

"That you're stupid and that you are acting like a girl."

Liam smiled despite the bitterness he felt. "This thing between me and your sister has always been complicated."

"You can make it uncomplicated by staying. Just let her sort things out first. She's been through a lot and most of them are because of the wrong choices she has made. But she's dealing with them in the best way she could."

Liam shook his head. "As much as I want to stay, my mind is telling me to get a rest. I guess it is time for me to listen to my brain."

Philip shook his head. "Whatever you want, man. But just so you know, I won't be there to stop Chanty if she happens to meet another guy other than you and settle down."

For a moment, Liam felt threatened. "We'll see then," he said, moving forward to shake Philip's hand. "Just give me a call if Zachary does something stupid."

"You'd get a call from me every day then," Philip said as let go of his son with one hand and shook hands with Liam.

Liam was on his way down the stairs when Cassandra met him with a tray of drinks.

"You're going?" she asked.

"Yes. I need to rush."

"Why don't you have a few drinks first?" she offered.

"I am fine, thanks. See you soon," he said, taking another step down.

"But I need to talk to you," Cassandra said in a whisper, almost conspiratorially.

Liam frowned. "Cass, I really need--"

"This is life and death, Liam."

His frown deepened.

"It's about something I found out lately that I cannot tell Philip."

"Whatever it is, if it is a marital issue, I don't think I want to be involved."

"No, no, it is not a marital issue. It is something about me...my health."

There was something in Cassandra's eyes that told him something else was up. But maybe she really had a problem and she couldn't have anyone else to talk to.

"You may find it is better if you talk to your friends."

"They already know. Plus, you are a friend. And I need a man's opinion. It would be closer to Philip's reaction and I want to be prepared when I tell him the truth."

Liam checked his watch. He still had less than an hour left before he was bound to go to the airport.

"Liam, please."

Cassandra's eyes were already brimming with tears. He sighed. "Okay."

She almost jumped on her feet as she said, "Thank you! Let's go to Philip's office."

*****

"Cass is not answering her phone." Apprehension was apparent in her voice.

"She's probably busy gagging Liam's mouth. Or she's holding him captive in a dark room, holding two knives. You'll never know," Angelica uttered as she stepped on the gas. They were now driving freely down the long, wide road leading out of the city and to Philip's house.

"Why does he have to live in such a far place?" Chanty asked no one in particular.

"I love the neighborhood," Julianne spoke up, changing the topic. "We can get a place near there, Zach."

"What? Out of the city?"

"Or I can get a place there if you don't want to," Julianne added.

"Of course, I would love to live there. Quiet and peaceful."

Chanty was not listening to whatever plans the couple was making. She was trying to calm her nerves and come up with the best possible speech she should say in front of Liam. All crazy plans Angelica made with her in the past few days were now history. She'd have to do this one without any crazy ideas.

You just have to be freaking honest, girl, one part of her mind said.

"Well, if Cass is not very successful, we will surely meet Liam halfway, right? He's going to travel the same road. And then we can chase him to the airport. Don't lose hope yet," Angelica uttered, looking at Chanty through the rearview mirror.

"Just focus on the road," Chanty told her, trying to call Cassandra's number.

*****

Cassandra was crying now and he didn't know what to say.

Hell, he didn't even know what her problem was because she started howling even before she started speaking.

"Cass, you have to tell me what it is about so I can tell you what you need to know," he said in a soothing voice, rubbing her back as she cried.

"I just can't imagine what Philip's reaction would be," she said in between sobs. "I cannot just tell him outright. I don't know where to start. I just...I just can't have the courage."

"Are you ill? Is that what you are talking about? You look fine and healthy."

"I don't know where to start," she said, shaking her head. "I came to the doctor last week because...I...because I started to notice some symptoms and..."

"What symptoms?"

She looked at him for a second before she bent down and started crying once more.

Liam took a deep breath, trying hard to be patient. He checked his watch again. He really had to go.

"Cass, if you can't talk about it right now, we can talk about it some other day."

"No, no, no! I need you to hear this from me. Or else I might change my mind. I have the tendency to do that, you know. I always change my mind in matters like this. Oh, God, how do I tell Philip?"

"You can tell him now. He's just upstairs."

"No! I don't think I can do that!"

Liam sighed. If this is what it meant to have a wife, he was not sure he was ready. Cassandra stood up and started pacing, sobbing louder by the second. "So I went to the doctor last week and did some tests. I didn't tell Philip. I told him I was going shopping for some hams and eggs and he didn't like it, by the way. You know I can't cook, right? So I went anyway. And...and the doctor said..."

Liam was nodding his head to urge her to continue but she started crying once again.

"Cass, I have a flight to catch. I know you are having a bad time, but we can surely talk about this some other day if you are not up to it."

"Wait, what? You're going away today?" she asked, her face now full of shock. Gone was the crying face. "Oh my gosh, is this why...Okay, wait, let me calm down a bit," she said, walking to the window. She looked out the lawn and she said, "I will be fast. Just don't leave yet. I really need your help."

"I am in a rush here, Cass," he said, now having a feeling that something was definitely not right with her. "Are you sure you really have a problem?" He was getting suspicious.

"Of course! I do! I do!" She turned around to face him and then jumped on her feet when a noise erupted the silence outside. Cassandra walked back to the window and she faced him. "I am so sorry, Liam, but I just did it for the best."

"What do you mean? What's going on?" he asked, standing up.

"Nothing. Just stay here one second and I'll go get something, okay?" And before he could say anything, she rushed out of the office and closed the door.

Curious and impatient, Liam stood up and went to the window. There, just behind his own car was Zachary's. He saw his friend climbing out with Angelica, Julianne and Willie. He craned his neck to look at the front door which was now being opened by Cassandra and saw Chanty rush in.

"I'll be damned," he cursed under his breath and walked to the door. Whatever his friends were planning, he was not up to any of it. He reached for the knob but it didn't turn. Cassandra locked him in!

*****

Chanty stood outside her brother's office, her heart pumping loudly.

"He said he's going away in a few hours," Cassandra whispered behind her.

"No one's going away today," Angelica said, standing beside Cassandra.

"I don't want to witness this," Zachary said, walking to the living room. "I need a drink."

"Cass, open the door!" Liam was saying from inside the office. "I have a flight to catch and I am not going to be a part of this game you have planned. I am serious. I will break this door down if you don't open it at once."

Chanty whirled around and faced Angelica, Cassandra and Julianne.

"I can't do it."

"You can. Just get the hell inside. I didn't cry just so you could let the man get away," Cassandra said, pushing her to the door. "Here's the key. We'll be waiting here."

Chanty took the key from her with shaking hand.

"You can do it, Mommy," Willie said, looking up at her.

She nodded. "Okay, sure, I will. Go find JP, will you? Mommy needs to be alone with Liam for a while."

Willie obliged and walked away to find JP.

Without further encouragement from her friends, Chanty worked with the key and turned the knob. She hastily opened the door, got in and slammed it shut behind her.

Liam was taken aback for he stepped back looking angry.

"What is this all about, Chanty?" His voice was cold and flat.

"I just need to talk to you, that's all."

"I don't have time to talk. I really need to go now."

"Just listen to me, Liam, damn it!" she shouted and she thought she heard her friends gasp behind the door.

But Liam did not falter. He took another step back though and looked at her without hinting any emotion.

"You are not getting out of this door unless you listen to what I have to say."

A long silence lingered between them before Liam finally nodded and walked to the nearest chair across Philip's desk. "Fine. Say what you need to say so I could get the hell out of here."

Chanty flinched at the coldness of his voice.

"I don't blame you for being so bipolar right now because I know exactly how you feel. You hate me and you hate yourself for being in love with me for many years. No, you have to listen to me," she said when she saw him open his mouth. "You have loved me for years and you hate yourself for that. You have been in love with me since NYU, right?"

She waited for him to answer but all she got was a scoff.

"That's your problem, Liam. You never found the courage to really tell the truth until it is too late and you never got to chance to admit it. You are a coward."

"A coward?" he asked so sharply that Chanty almost stepped back and ran out the door. "I have done a lot of things for you, Chanty. You may have been blind for them since NYU, but I did a lot of crazy things. I did what I thought I could have years ago. And I did what I could have these past months only to end up the same way I did after that night in the cabin. It was you who chose to lie to everyone to protect yourself. Who is the coward now?"

"Oh, yeah? Well, let me tell you one thing you so cowardly never told me for years, Liam: I love you. See? Who's the coward now? I may lie about a lot of things, but I never lie about what I feel. Years ago, I never lied about how I felt toward Cameron and you and Zach, how I found the two of you so annoying. I never lied about how miserable I was when Cameron left me. You said you want to go away. Fine! Go the hell away! But get this: it would really be too late for you and me if you walk out that door." She took a few deep breaths before she continued. "I have made up lies to keep my son, I know that. I have used you, I know. But haven't you wondered if I would have done the same thing if it was not YOU?" Chanty couldn't see his face clearly now because tears were pooling her eyes and streaming down her cheeks. She hastily wiped them away and continued, "You don't want to hear any more lies from me, right? Well, then, hear this, you coward! I love you! I don't know if I loved you way back in NYU. Heck, I don't know if I could have loved you back then, but I love you now. And I hate it that I didn't know what you felt for me back then. And I hate you for not telling me ten years ago! We could have worked, you know." A whimper escaped her lips. "We could have worked."

Chanty thought she should say more, but it seemed like all the words were cramped at the doorway of her mouth that none could get out. And Liam was so silent that she felt she had been speaking to a portrait hanging on her brother's wall office. A sudden gush of embarrassment and panic overwhelmed her as he continued to just sit there and stare at her with those same expressionless eyes.

Chanty angrily wiped the tears from her cheeks and stepped back.

"Okay, I guess I am done talking," she said, lifting her chin. "You can go now. Well, I should probably go first because I just can't make myself watch you walk out the door. I watched you walk away from me twice and that is enough," she added as she turned around to leave. Her hands were shaking and she was not sure if she could open the door in one try, but she had to go now or else she'd die. The ache in her chest was getting stronger and she was finding it hard to breath.

Liam didn't say a word. He just looked at her with the same expressionless eyes.

"Is that the truth?" Liam's voice asked, breaking the aching silence.

Chanty stopped. "Yes."

"The full truth?"

"Yes," she choked, not turning around.

"Nothing but the truth?" Now she noted amusement in his voice and she almost choked in her tears.

A half-cry, half-laugh escaped her mouth as she said, "Yes." But she didn't dare turn to face him. Not yet. She was not ready to see the same coldness in his eyes.

"Then will you honestly tell me what you want for yourself, Chanty? What you want right now?"

"You," she said without taking a second to think. She whirled around to face him, taking all the courage she had left in her to tell him what she desperately wanted at that very moment. "I just want you back," she added in a whisper.

Before she knew it, Liam was standing before her and she was facing his chest.

"I don't know what's wrong with me lately, but I guess that's just what I really needed to hear from you," he said, his voice hoarse above her. Chanty tilted her head and smiled at him, new tears streaming down her eyes.

"Good, because you wouldn't like whatever plans Angelica had in mind for me to get you."

"I have one question though," he said.

"Ask away."

"The last time we talked, you said you would have done what you should have done years ago if I turned out to be Willie's father."

Chanty nodded but did not say anything.

"What should you have done years ago, Chanty?"

Chanty smiled. "I should have stopped you from getting into that cab. I should have asked if you wanted to stay for a cup of coffee."

Liam beamed down at her. "Well, unlucky me, I guess. But you still have a lot to make up to, you know," he said, narrowing his eyes down at her. He raised his hands and cupped her face, wiping her tears with his thumb. "You can't watch me go, can you?"

"No, of course not. I watched you get into a cab five years ago. I watched you drive away weeks ago. I can't let you go again. Not for the third time."

"If the two of you are done with whatever it is you're doing there," Philip's amused voice rang from outside, "Can I have my office back?"

Chanty and Liam chuckled before they dismissed Philip's request with a kiss.