Xavier~
"Alan..." She ran inside her house with tears in her eyes. After hearing her housemaid's news, she completely lost control of her senses. She threw her mobile and bag on the street, rushing into the house to check on her son.
I couldn't hold myself back from following her inside, concerned about what had happened. I picked up her mobile and purse from the roadside and entered her house without her permission. I knew she didn't want me here; she didn't want me to see where she lived, but I couldn't just stand by while she was this distraught. Her son's condition and the fact that she had left him alone because of my case weighed on me heavily.
I hesitated before entering her hallway, fully aware that no one would welcome me, but my worry overshadowed everything else. The beautifully decorated house made me feel like a trespasser for a moment. Bella had always been precise in everything she did, and this house was no exception. It was full of memories I didn't know—reflections of a life she'd built apart from me.
A housemaid came out of a room on the first floor, and for a second, my throat tightened. Would she call Bella and let her know I was inside? Luckily, she was in such a rush that she didn't even notice me.
I quietly made my way toward the room the maid had come from, drawn by Bella's voice.
"Alan, please open your eyes. Mama is here." Her desperate sobs echoed in the room. She was kneeling by the bed, holding her son's small hand in hers. The sight of her crying over her son ripped through me. I had never seen Bella like this before—so raw and vulnerable.
Alan lay still on the bed, his eyes closed. I could feel her anguish and her deep love for her son. It hit me hard in the chest, tightening something inside me.
But then the boy's eyes fluttered open, and with a mischievous grin, he jumped up.
"Mama, see, I fooled you!" His voice was full of excitement.
Bella let out a sob of relief, pulling him into a tight embrace.
"Alan, are you all right?" She kissed his head repeatedly, her relief palpable. "You scared me so much. Don't ever do that again."
"Mama, I'm a strong boy; nothing can happen to me." His innocent voice was full of pride.
Watching them, I felt a deep stirring of emotions. It was almost impossible to tear my eyes away from their bond. I could see the depth of love she had for him. For a brief moment, I felt like an outsider, longing to belong to this family—to be a part of this warmth. But that was a foolish thought. This was not my place, and Bella made it clear every time she looked at me.
"I only did it because you broke your promise," Alan said with a pout, his tone playful but determined. His maturity for his age surprised me. I smiled despite myself—this kid had his mother's fierce spirit.
Bella cupped his face gently. "I promise I'll never break my promise again. But you have to promise me you won't scare me like that ever again." She kissed his forehead as if sealing the promise between them.
"Sorry, Mama." Alan's voice softened as he grabbed his ears in apology.
The tender moment between them tugged at something deep within me. Watching them interact was heartwarming, but it also filled me with a longing I hadn't felt in years.
As I started to leave the room quietly, I suddenly heard Alan's small voice again.
"Who are you?" His innocent question made me freeze mid-step.
I didn't dare turn around, afraid of Bella's reaction. She had already been clear about the boundaries I shouldn't cross. And yet, here I was, in her home, uninvited.
"Answer me, or I'll shoot you!" Alan's high-pitched voice sounded serious. I felt something poke into my back—his toy gun, no doubt.
I raised my hands in mock surrender and turned around, kneeling in front of the boy with a playful smile.
"Please don't shoot me, Officer," I said, glancing at the toy gun in his hand. "I'm Xavier Thompson, your mama's friend."
"Is he your friend, Mama?" Alan looked at Bella, seeking her confirmation.
"No, Alan," she stated with a firm tone. "He's one of my clients, not a friend."
The coldness in her voice didn't surprise me, but it stung all the same.
"You know I'm a big boy, Mama. It's my job to protect you from strangers." Alan's proud stance made me smile, admiring his sense of responsibility.
Bella, however, was far less amused.
"Alan, take your medicine." She handed the bottle to him, ignoring my presence like I wasn't even in the room.
"Okay, Mama," Alan said, obediently taking the medicine from her hand. The bond they shared and their effortless communication struck me again.
"Bella—no, I mean Miss Luis." I stumbled over my words, trying to explain why I had followed her inside. "I didn't mean to, but I was worried about you." My voice trailed off awkwardly as I saw the fierce look in her eyes.
"Uncle, why are you afraid of my Mama?" Alan asked innocently. Alan said it innocently. "She's nice, and she never gets mad."
He removed his police cap and motioned for me to come closer.
I kneeled to meet his level, realizing how much he looked like me—the same blue eyes. It was as if I was gazing at a smaller version of myself, a realization that deeply disturbed me.
"You've always told me to invite guests in, Mama. So why aren't you inviting your friend to sit with us?" Alan's wide-eyed innocence broke through Bella's icy exterior, but only for a second.
Her forced smile didn't hide her irritation.
"Mr. Thompson, please join us." Her politeness was all for Alan's sake, not mine. She didn't want me here, but she wouldn't show that in front of her son.
I sat down on the bed beside Alan, unsure of what else to do.
"How old are you?" I inquired, attempting to alleviate the awkward tension that pervaded the room.
Alan proudly counted five and a half, then looked back at me with a smile. His voice was pure joy.
For a moment, I couldn't help but glance at Bella. She had her eyes fixed on the floor. She avoided looking at me, her discomfort palpable.
The pieces were falling into place. My mind whirled with questions, but I didn't dare ask them—not in front of the boy.
"How old are you, Uncle?" Alan's question snapped me out of my thoughts.
I laughed, "I'm a lot older than five, that's for sure."
Alan giggled before asking, "Will you play with me? I'm bored, and my dad isn't here." His voice cracked with a hint of sadness.
"Alan, behave," Bella cut in quickly.
"Mr. Thompson came for work, not to play. You need to rest now."
"But Mama…" Alan's eyes filled with tears. He looked between me and Bella, his disappointment clear.
"Little master, don't cry. I'll play with you," I said, reaching out to comfort him. As I held him in my arms, a strange sense of peace washed over me. For a moment, it felt like this was where I belonged.
"Xavier." Bella's voice was cold, snapping me back to reality.
"I'll play with you later, Alan," I promised, gently laying him down on the bed as he finally drifted off to sleep.
I turned to leave, only to find Bella standing there, her expression furious.
"What are you doing here?" Her eyes were ablaze with anger.
I met her gaze, not backing down this time.
"First, you answer me. Whose son is he?"