Leave Me If You Dare

“This is my mom!” Holding Arabella’s hand, Adam announced clear and proud to everyone. He was always been proud to have a mom like her.

Seeing everyone’s eyes were on them, Arabella felt shy. The group was composed of the richest in Capital Z. She noticed how well-dressed people inside the activity area even if they were just wearing their sporty attires, still had high-class fashion, especially all the mommies.

Arabella couldn’t help to feel intimidated with the other mothers around.

Most of them were wearing limited-edition bags and clothing from some famous international brands with matching expensive pieces of jewelry while she had only a cheap watch on her wrist. She thought it was a sport’s event so why did she have to wear jewelry?

She didn’t expect that Adam’s school family event was merely showcasing expensive bags, clothing, and accessories, or should she say, showcasing who’s the richest among the crowd?

If she only knew, how she wished to dress extra special for Adam. She could see some eyes were disgusted by the way she looked. It seemed simplicity isn't found in the groups' dictionary. Their stares were telling Arabella that they were disappointed to know that she was Adam’s mother.

A mother of a handsome bubbly prince. They somewhat imagined an elegant outstanding lady for Adam’s mother and Bill’s standard of a woman. They seemed to see her not included in their group unlike Trishia, she was all prepared like she was going to walk in a catwalk for a dazzling fashion show.

Even though she felt unwelcomed in the place, Arabella still managed to give the people a sweet smile. This was her best weapon in this kind of situation rather than picking up a fight with everyone who had judgmental eyes on her. Nahhhh… As the saying goes, you can’t please everyone.

She had a clear goal on going there and that’s for Adam.

“Your mother is beautiful.” Luke, Adam’s genius classmate sounded with a spark in his eyes. He seemed to have a love at first sight with Arabella as his fat cheeks were red as tomatoes when he uttered his words shyly.

Arabella felt relieved with the boy’s comment at least besides Adam, someone in the group appreciated her.

“You are right buddy! You have a very good eye.” In just a quick second, someone sounded. It was not Adam’s classmate anymore. Jayson strode towards Luke and messed up his hair with a wink on him while saying his words then he walked forward to Arabella.

“Jayson, what are you doing here?” Arabella muttered seeing the man was already standing in front of her.

“Just checking on you.” He quickly answered with his sweetest playful smile. Then his eyes caught Adam at her side.

“Oh, this my son, Adam.” Arabella quickly introduced her little boy.

With the two most powerful men in Capital Z in the corner, all eyes were at them not to mention the most gorgeous and handsome CEOs.

“Hi, Adam. Finally, we’ve met.” Jayson leaned forward to shake the boy’s hand with his friendliest smile.

Adam’s face was puzzled.

“Hmmm… Adam, He is…” Seeing her boy’s expression, she uttered but was cut.

“Adam he is not worth knowing.” Bill cut Arabella. He strode closer to them calmly. His voice was calm just enough for them to hear.

Adam’s face was more confused. Arabella turned to see Bill and shot daggers at him. How could this man talk bad to someone in front of a kid?

Even a less educated person knows the value of respect. He should be a model to his son.

“I’m your mom’s friend. I’m your Uncle Jayson. Nice to meet you, Adam.” Unaffected by Bill’s insult, Jayson continued Arabella’s sentence tapping the boy’s shoulder.

Adam didn’t say anything as he didn’t know how to react. He could feel his father was angry with the man in front.

“Dad!” Suddenly, someone called Jayson from behind.

Jayson quickly turned around.

“Clark,” He uttered.

“Dad, mom is looking for you.” Clark strode forward and saw Adam. He immediately smirked at Adam and looked at him like he was already bullying him in his mind.

Adam didn’t mind him and continued his painting.

“I have to go. See you again next time.” Jayson hurriedly hugged Arabella. She was stunned by Jayson’s action. She would not feel this way if they had no issue in the past with the Sky. Without turning around, she knew Kelly was already breathing fire.

Arabella didn’t know what to do but she had seen no wrong with Jayson’s action.

They were friends.

Jayson let go of her and went to his son.

Arabella froze on her spot.

“Shameless! You can’t even hide your itch inside your body. Look at the crowd Arabella. They are all elites in this city and they looked up at us. Don’t be so shameless because you are the mother of Adam. The title doesn’t even fit you. Can you at least behave yourself and do not disgrace us?” After Jayson left, Kelly strode towards her and whispered.

Arabella swallowed to control her emotion. Such insults weren’t acceptable to her but she had to pull herself together. The people there were like CCTV cameras. Kelly was right they were the untouchables among the elites. They were the most famous and noble.

They were the royals.

“You should have not come. I already told the headmaster that Adam’s family is complete. You are needed here.” Kelly had no plan to stop bombarding her.

So, Kelly was the one who announced earlier. Sure enough, she was the one who registered Adam’s family without her name.

“Don’t worry, Aunt Kelly. I don’t intend to ruin your reputation. I am here for my son.” Arabella answered Kelly with her utmost politeness left for her.

“Hmph! You better be. I can’t even rely on your words. You did this before, remember? So don’t give me empty words. Just do it.” Kelly retorted. “Huh!” She added with a disappointment scoff at Arabella’s side. “I just really hope Trishia is the mother of Adam. Not you!” Kelly uttered with a great disappointment on her face then, she went back to sit beside Adam.

Arabella froze trying to smile at Adam but her lips won’t cooperate. She promised herself not to get hurt anymore with people’s painful words and that includes Kelly, Bill, and Trishia but Kelly’s words bulls eyed the center of her heart and dug deeply into the bottom.

Her eyes became teary and she hated it. Living with them, she already briefed herself with the worst possible insults she would go through. She thought she would not be affected but Kelly’s words pained her heart.

“Mom, Dad, look!” Adam broke Arabella’s thoughts. Trying her best to put up a smile even her lips shivered, Arabella strode closer to Adam. She composed herself and tried to hide her pain. Kelly was sitting beside Adam. Bill and Trishia went closer too.

“Mom, do you like it?” Adam asked with a smile up to his ear. He was holding his canvass with his family painting on it. It was a task by the headmaster of the activity.

Adam’s painting instantly healed her pain inside. He painted himself in the middle and he was holding Bill’s hand on the right side and Arabella’s hand on the left side.

His grandma Kelly was beside his father and his grandma Jaime was on the side of his mother. They were at the park and Adam titled it as ‘MY LOVELY FAMILY’.

Arabella then remembered her mother. How sweet of Adam to remember her grandmother in the hospital. Jaime would probably be thinking of her grandson right now while lying on her bed. How Arabella wished, Jaime could also attend Adam’s family day.

Maybe someday.

Maybe soon.

Maybe in the future.

There’s another pain in Arabella’s heart thinking about her mom in the hospital but knowing that Adam remembered his other grandmother, she was full of gratitude for him.

“It’s beautiful my son.” Arabella quickly kissed Adam’s forehead.

“Dad, do you like it?” Adam looked at Bill waiting for his comment.

“Hmmm… Good.” Bill simply muttered with a strict expression on his face. Arabella felt he was just forced to attend the event. Other fathers went to him for some business approaches. He seemed to have a bad day.

“How about you Granny, do you like it?” Adam asked facing Kelly.

“Of course, Adam,” Kelly answered with her eyes secretly rolling at Arabella. Arabella was sure that Kelly was agitated with Adam’s painting. She would probably like to see Trishia in her place and without Jaime of course.

“Adam, what about me?” Trishia suddenly sounded pitiful. The presence of Arabella made her difficult to breathe. Arabella was always the attention-getter while she had all efforts to get everyone’s attention.

“Don’t worry Aunt Trishia, I will paint you in my next canvass,” Adam answered with a smile.

‘Grrr… bastard!’ Trishia was screaming her annoyance with Adam inside but she smiled at everyone.

“How nice of you,” Trishia remarked without any trace of annoyance. She had to or she would lose the battle of her position in the Sky family.

“Adam, who is she in your family?” Suddenly, Ben, Adam’s genius classmate pointed at Trishia.

Trishia smiled at the little boy.

“She is my aunt,” Adam answered plainly.

“But my parents said, she’s your next mother. Is she really your father’s girlfriend?” In the group, no one could ask this kind of question in front of Bill Sky but the kid would not honor his status. Ben’s parents were startled as they dragged him to their side and blocked his mouth with their hands.

Trishia smiled proudly at the little boy’s words.

“That’s not true Ben. She’s just a friend of my father. My mother is irreplaceable.” Adam held Arabella’s hand. Arabella squeezed Adam’s hand a little sending him warm.

Before Ben could say anything again, his parents dragged him away. Even if they had a high status in the city, still they could not afford to mess up with the Sky.

“Are you sure? If it’s not true then why your aunt is always on your father’s side?” This time, another boy sounded.

They turned around to see a taller boy with two boys on his side.

Clark Hansen.

Adam frowned. He looked at his mother, his father, and Trishia. Adam didn’t answer.

“Admit it, Adam, your family is screwed,” Clark added seeing Adam’s confused expression.

“Whose boy is this?” Kelly exploded on the side. Her shout got the attention of the crowd.

“Clark? What are you doing here?” Margaret strode towards her son.

“Nothing mom. Just greeting the new star student.” Clark smirked mockingly.

“Is this your son?” Kelly strode towards Margaret enraged.

“Yes, Mrs. Sky.” Margaret sounded confused.

“No wonder,” Kelly remarked.

“That’s enough mom,” Bill ordered.

“What happened here?” Jayson appeared. He seemed to take a call from his phone and just ended it with a phone in his hand.

“Dad, I’m just stating what I observed in their family. Adam’s dad has a girlfriend.” Clark defended himself.

Jayson looked at Bill with judgments in his eyes. Trishia still played sweet beside Bill. Deep inside, she was happy that she was getting the attention of the crowd. Linking her name to Bill's was music to her ears.

Thanks to the fearless boy, Clark.

“Jayson Hansen? How shameful! Teach your kid a good manner.” Remembering his pictures with Arabella in the past, Kelly was enraged.

Jayson looked at Arabella. He could bombard Kelly with bad words but he refused after seeing Arabella’s worried expression.

“I apologize for my child’s behavior…..” Jayson was about to retreat.

“No! How dare you talk to my son like that?” Margaret on Jayson’s side exploded. “Manners? Then tell your son to be a good example here. We are not all adults here. As you can see there are kids. He was not showing a good example to the kids here. My son is just a kid and he has the freedom to speak what he observed.” Margaret roared with no fear.

“ Then, what about your husband, Mrs. Hansen?” A simple question from Bill made Margaret froze. She got the answer to his question but she had nothing to say. Earlier, Margaret saw Jayson talk to Arabella and he hugged her. She never saw Jayson hug his friends.

Jayson mockingly looked at Bill. It seemed they were mockingly talking by their stares while Margaret was already muted on the side.

Just when Arabella’s phone rang. The iceberg in the air shattered to pieces.

“Hello.” Arabella quickly answered seeing it was from her mom’s doctor. She could feel the air had become cold and for an inexplicable reason, her heart was trembling.

“Ms. Jones, we are sorry to inform you.” The doctor sounded low.

“Your mother had passed away.”