157 Give Me Another Chance (1/2)

When Anthon and Jian left,Jim thought hard of a way to know the truth.He was silent through the exchanges of ideas among his dad,Kuya Nap and Jia.

” Dear,why are you silent?” Jia asked him while looking tenderly into his eyes.

Jim brushedher hair above the forehead with his fingers. She was lying down on the sofa,with her head on his lap.

”Just thinking about something.” He said while he lifted up his head and took a glance at his dad whose attention was caught by him.

Mr. Wayne met his eyes. It seemed that he was ready to be confronted,just waiting for him toinitiate. He understood. Nobody wanted to talk about a mistake in the past, most especially if it was about infidelity. The scene of that house in the outskirts of El Nido played in his mind. And his conversation with the caretaker was like a music in his ears.

”She lived here but she died many years ago...”

Could she be Anthon's mother? Was she her dad's concubine? Eversince he met Anthon,there was really something in him that he felt at ease with. Though he was his rival but he couldn't help being comfortable with him around. Aside from that,he was someone all of them could trust and call for help. In his heart,he was already a part of the family.

Mr. Wayne's voice broke into his train of thoughts.

”What is it son?” He asked confidently. No sense of guilt at all.

”Yes,dear. Share it with us so we can exchange our ideas.” She agreed while locking her two hands at the back of his neck.

Jim responded with a blank stare at all of them,his thoughts were far away.

”Sweetheart,how will you react if you will find out that one of your parents is cheating? ”

”Hmmmmn..” She paused as she was caught unprepared with this odd question.

”I don't know dear,but initially,I will feel really bad. Who would be happy with that? ” Jia totally forgot about Jim's speculation about that woman who lived in that house where she was supposedly exiled.

Kuya Nap pretended to look focused on the news broadcast through the big,LED TV screen in front of them. He forgot that it was set to mute when they started conversing. He remembered everything Jim said about that woman whom Mr. Wayne kept in that remote area in El Nido.

”You have to know the truth first, son. ” Mr. Wayne was giving him the hint that he was prepared for the confrontation.

”Yes,dad. You're right.” Jim answered softly while turning his head towards him.

Mr. Wayne was amazed at Jim's reaction. He was so kind - hearted. He always approached any problem with an open mind and it seemed too hard to provoke him into anger. If he was another person to be done with such cruelty and wickedness, he would have not lived until now.

”Son,I know I don't deserved to be called your father. But I want you to know that I am so happy that you don't inherit the bad side of me. I am so proud now that I have an unbelievabe, kind - hearted son.” Mr.Wayne said this as he stood beside him,holding one of his shoulders.

”I hope you could forgive me from all my shortcomings and all the evil things I did in the past.” Mr. Wayne instantly cried loud.

Jim was startled as well as Kuya Nap and Jia.Jia sat up right away and Kuya Nap turned off the TV. Who would have thought that his intimidating aura could have such a soft side within.

”Dad, forget it. I never keep any grudge.You know that very well. ” Jim assured him,feeling guilty for his lack of temperance.

”Yes,I know. I don't deserve all your kindness. ” He said in a stuttering manner as he was still loudly crying.