Chapter 69: Father Figure


    3 yearster


    "Ma''am Lyka, where should we put these?" one of my employees asked as they carried supplies


    into the coffee shop.


    I turned my back to them and pointed out the area where they could ce the items. It has been


    three years since I started this coffee shop. Back then, I was a naive and financially struggling


    woman, but now, though not wealthy, I managed to build a sessful coffee shop that has gained


    poprity in our city.


    "Okay, Ma''am. Noted," they acknowledged, and I smiled in response.


    The coffee shop''s fame came from my secret recipe for coffee, which I kept well-guarded.


    Customers loved the unique taste, and it kept theming back for more.


    As I was about to head to my personal office, a sweet child''s voice reached my ears, calling out,


    "Mom!"


    I turned back to see my son, Zachiyohan, being carried by Kurt. A smile spread across my face as I


    weed them.


    "One coffee and one chocte cake for my kid, please," Kurt ordered yfully, pretending to be a


    customer. I chuckled and guided them to a table.


    "Come to Mommy, Zach..." I opened my arms, and my son giggled as Kurt gently ced him in my


    embrace.


    "Mommy!" he said, making meugh at his adorable voice.


    "How was your day with Uncle Kurt?" I asked, ncing at Kurt. Zach was quite a mischievous little


    boy, so I was curious to know what they had been up to.


    "I-it was fine, Mom," Zach replied. At the age of three, Zach already knew how to speak. I hired a


    personal tutor to help him with hisnguage skills.


    "Are you sure? You didn''t do anything clever, right?" I prodded.


    "Oh,e on, Lyka. Zach is a good boy, just like his uncle. Right, baby Zach?" Kurt yfully


    interacted with him, and they exchanged a high five, making my heart swell with happiness.


    Just then, the sound of the door opening indicated that a new customer had entered the coffee


    shop.


    My journey from a struggling girl to a coffee shop owner and a mother felt surreal, but it was a path


    filled with love, hard work, and determination. I looked forward to the future, cherishing every


    moment with my son and embracing whatever surprises life had in store for us.


    "Oh my! You three look like a family!" Datdat eximed, looking beautiful in her sweater and skirt. I


    was d to see her recover.


    "Tss, shut up, sis! Bro Kiro is still the best!" Dodong yfully retorted while on her back. These two


    always acted like cats and dogs whenever they were together.


    "Gonna buy you some make-up, Dodong," Kurt teased, making Dodong''s eyes widen.


    "Bro Kiro is the best, but my bro Kurt is the best-est!" Dodong dered, changing his mind with


    lightning speed.


    I asked about Mother''s whereabouts, and Datdat informed us that she was meeting someone close


    to her, perhaps a ssmate or colleague.


    While ying with Zach, I realized I had something to attend to, so I stood up to give him to Kurt.


    But just as I was about to do so, the door shut, and when I turned to see who it was, I was


    bbergasted.


    It was Mother, but she was not alone. With her was none other than Kiro. My heart raced, and I felt


    frozen to the spot.


    "Hello, my children! Guess who''s with me?" Mother said cheerfully.


    I was speechless, as were the others. Kiro had changed a lot, but my keen observation skills


    couldn''t stop me from noticing his broad shoulders and presence that still affected me deeply.


    What was he doing here? It had been three long years since I left him, three years since I saw him,


    and three years since I broke a promise.


    "Oh, Lyka! You''re here, my daughter! This young man here has something to do with you..." Mother


    continued, and my heart skipped a beat.


    "To m-me!? What is that?" I managed to stammer out, handing Zach to Kurt while feeling Kiro''s


    eyes on me, sharp as ever.


    "He''s interested in expanding this coffee shop of yours. He''s interested, Lyka. That''s good news,


    right? I heard he''s well-known in the business field now," Mother said with a smile, seemingly


    oblivious to theplicated history between Kiro and me.


    Inside, I was torn and conflicted. So much had happened, and the wounds of the past had not


    healedpletely. But now, fate has brought us face to face again. I wondered what Kiro had to


    say, and I prepared myself for the unexpected turn that my life might take once more.


    My emotions were in turmoil as Kiro expressed his interest in my business and Dodong teased us


    yfully. Despite wanting to shout that I missed him too, I reminded myself to stay professional.


    "Okay then, but I guess this is not the right ce to discuss this matter, Mr...?" I inquired, acting as if


    I didn''t know who he was.


    Dodong couldn''t help but tease again, but I shot him a sharp look, hoping he would keep quiet.


    Kiro introduced himself as Mr. Gustavo, and I led him to my personal office to discuss matters


    privately.


    As we entered the room, I sat on my swivel chair, avoiding eye contact, and focused on myptop


    to appearposed. I wanted to maintain professionalism and not let my emotions take control.


    "Good morning, can you discuss further information about what you want?" I asked formally, trying


    to keep my emotions in check.


    "I want you back," Kiro said with frank honesty.


    My eyes widened, and I was taken aback by his straightforwardness. How could he say that so


    easily?


    "W-what?" I stuttered in surprise.


    "Don''t ''what'' me, Lyka... For three years, how could you... You hid my son from me?" His voice


    carried sadness, and I could feel the weight of his words on my heart.


    His usation hit me hard, and my heart raced with guilt. I averted my eyes from him, unable to


    face him directly. Memories of those painful moments resurfaced, and I knew I had to exin.


    "W-we need to fix and find ourselvesst—" I tried to exin, but Kiro didn''t let me finish.


    "Don''t give me such a reason, Lyka... How could you leave when you knew you were pregnant! I


    could still remember how you cried that day! How you left with nopanion and rode on a bus!


    What if... What if something happened to you that day?" He scolded me, his words filled with worry.


    I was shocked. I had expected him to be angry and resentful, but it seemed he was more concerned


    about my well-being. His emotions were genuine, and I could feel his hurt and frustration.


    "It''s been years... now, what do you want with my business—"


    "Don''t stay out of my business. I want you back, Lyka," he dered firmly, leaving no room for


    misunderstanding.


    I hesitated for a moment, contemting his intentions. "If you want me back because of Zach, then


    we can discuss a schedule for him to spend time with you—"


    But he interrupted me again. "H-how could you think that I only want my son back? Seriously?


    When I say I want you back, I mean I want you," he emphasized, his tone bing more


    aggressive and determined.


    I remained silent, not knowing how to respond to his strong emotions. It was overwhelming to hear


    him express his desire for me so directly.


    "Well, if something happened... Are you in a rtionship with that snake?" he inquired, using a


    figure of speech.


    I recalled Kurt, who cheated on him with Lily. So, Kiro was referring to him as the ‘snake’.


    I couldn''t help but secretlyugh at his choice of words. "You''re calling your best friend a snake?


    Well..."


    I averted my eyes, not wanting to delve into that topic.


    "Well, what?" he prompted, seemingly expecting a response.


    I couldn''t help but smile like a fool. "That''s not your business, Mr. Gustavo," I confidently replied.


    His reaction surprised me. "Okay," he simply said.


    Wait, that''s it? He''s giving up just like that?


    "I''m tired, Ms. Montefranca... Can I have an appointment with you another time? I will let my


    secretary know. Thank you," he said, abruptly standing up.


    I was left dumbfounded by his sudden decision to leave. How could he change tactics so quickly?


    My emotions were in turmoil, not knowing what to make of the situation. The encounter with Kiro


    had stirred up old feelings and brought back memories of our past together. I was torn between


    wanting to resist and wanting to give in to the possibility of a second chance. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    He left my personal office, and I couldn''t help but feel a mix of emotions. Part of me was frustrated


    by his abrupt departure, while another part was longing for the connection we once had.


    As I reyed the encounter in my mind, I realized that I had been unfair. I had left him without


    proper closure, without giving him an exnation for my actions. My heart ached at the thought of


    the pain I might have caused him.


    Unable to let the moment pass, I followed him outside. When I saw him looking at Zach, who was


    being carried by Kurt, my heart sank. I could see the longing in his eyes, the desire to be closer to


    our son.


    I approached him and offered, "You want me to introduce him to you?" My voice trembled with both


    nervousness and anticipation. He looked at me in shock, probably not expecting me to initiate such


    a conversation. His eyes seemed empty as he nced back at Kurt and Zach, realizing the bond


    they had formed in his absence.


    He nodded, and I sensed the longing in his response. "Kurt has been the father figure Zach looked


    up to?" he asked, seeking rification.


    I couldn''t help but pout slightly, "No, he was the uncle figure," I rified, wanting him to understand


    the dynamics of Zach''s rtionships.


    “Because I secretly waited for the father figure, his father…” I added.


    He smiled, and I could see a glimmer of hope in his eyes.