Greyson and I joined most of the games, but what I really enjoyed the most was the sack race. Unfortunately, we didn't win that game. Nevertheless, we still had a whale of a time. And now, we are playing the famous and old chestnut "bring me" game. Greyson is smiling from ear to ear while looking at the rubik's cube he won as a prize after he successfully brought a comb to the emcee. The game carried on. But we didn't win anything more, and it's either because someone brought the required objects first or we didn't have them. "Cleo, I'm thirsty," Greyson muttered in the middle of the game. "I'll go buy you some water at the cafeteria. Behave, alright?" "Okie dokie!" I turned to Madelyn. "Can you please look after him for a while? I need to go to the cafeteria and buy him a bottle of water." "Sure, Cleo. Take your time." I excused myself and proceeded to walk through the crowd sitting on the benches. When I noticed their curious stares, I internally frowned. "Isn't that Greyson's nanny?" "Yes. That kid is with a maid again, just like last year. I feel sorry for him." "Really?! That's outrageous! I would not be surprised if he rebelled on his parents. Where are they anyway?" "From what I heard, his mother was already dead. I don't know who his father is, though. I haven't seen him once at any school events." "What kind of a father he is?! He should be taking care of his child!" Those words from the two women sitting on a bench didn't escape my ears. I usually hate it when these tale-bearers gossip about other people's lives. But this time, I agree with their sentiments. "Garren should be really ashamed of himself," I uttered. After I bought water and a toasted cheese sandwich to the cafeteria, I went back to the gymnasium. "Thank you, Cleo!" "You're welcome." I tousled his hair. The event continued for half an hour more. Greyson joined the last game, which was the Trip to Jerusalem. At first, I was really hesitant to let him participate because I was worried that he might get pushed hurt himself, but he assured me that he would be fine. I couldn't bear to ruin the gleam of exuberance in his eyes, so I let him. Luckily, he wasn't hurt. What's even better was, he won that game. The event ended with the closing remark from their head teacher. "Thank you." I bowed a little to the school staff as she handed me the food for me and Greyson. "Do you want to eat already?" I asked Greyson. He shook his head. "I just ate bread, so I'm not yet hungry." "If you say so. Let's just bring this home, then. " I wandered my eyes around and saw that some children, along with their parents, were going into the photo booth section on the side. There are various props that they can wear, and there's a photographer taking pictures of them. My lips curled into a smile when I saw Arthur and Madelyn fighting over a certain costume while their daughter was glaring at them. I looked at Greyson, and I couldn't help but notice the envy in his eyes. The faint smile plastered on his face can't hide the resentment in those pair of orbs. "Greyson," I called his name. He averted his gaze from them and looked at me. "Hmmm?" "Do you want to take a picture in the photo booth?" I smiled at him. He was reticent for a couple of seconds, but after a while, he nodded his head. So I pulled him to the booth. "What do you want to wear?" He squinted at the box where all the masks, headbands, gloves, and other costumes are placed. At the end, he chose the sunflower mask. "Does it suit me, Cleo?" My heart melts while looking at him. "You look so adorable!" He grinned from ear to ear. Meanwhile, I picked up the huge Mickey Mouse eyeglasses that have no lenses. "Are you guys ready?" We smiled at the photographer and posed in front of his camera. We wore other costumes and made different poses too. The photographer gave us a Polaroid copy of our photos, which is a great thing because we can keep these as memories. "We look adorable here, Cleo! Look!" He showed me our candid photos as we walked outside the gymnasium. "We really are," I replied, smiling genuinely. "I wish you're my real mother," he blurted out of a sudden. I was rendered speechless. He may not say it directly, but I know that for the longest time, he's been yearning for the love of a mother. He needs and wants to feel the solace of a mother's warm embrace. I stopped in my tracks. "I'd like to extend our contract." He frowned in bewilderment. "What do you mean?" "Didn't I tell you that I could be your mother for this day?" He nodded. "Well, let's modify our agreement. I can be your mother whenever you want me to." "T-That's possible?" I pulled him onto a bench nearby and held his hands. It's a good thing that only a few people are passing by. "Of course. We may not be related in blood..." I put my hand on his chest. "But I can be your mother by heart." Silence rose between us for a couple of moments. I panicked when I saw tears brimming at the corner of his eyes. "Hey, is there something wrong?" I worriedly asked. He shook his head. I was caught off-guard when he suddenly hugged me, burying his face in my chest. "I love you.... m-mom," he uttered in between his sobs. A warm hand seems to gently caress my heart. I wrapped my arms around Greyson and stroked his hair. "I love you too... Greyson." We stayed in that position for almost five minutes, not minding that some people were giving us weird stares. I don't give a damn about them or what they are thinking. All I want is to make this child in my arms happy. I know that the commitment I uttered was a heavy responsibility. But I just want Greyson to feel that he has me, someone whom he can run to every time he feels alone and sad. He doesn't have his mother anymore, and his father is a huge scumbag who is unconsciously neglecting him. I don't want those two women's foreboding to come into my life. I don't want this child to grow up to be rebellious and at odds with everyone. I fear that one day, because of the neglect and resentment that he always feels, he will distance himself from the rest of the world and embrace darkness and loneliness as his mere companions. Greyson broke the hug and wiped his own tears. "Mom?" I hummed. "I have to pee." I chuckled. "You just ruined the moment!" He pouted. "But my gall bladder is about to explode. I can't hold it any longer." "Fine, fine. Should I accompany you?" "Nope. I can handle myself. Just wait for me here. Besides, the comfort room is just near." "Are you sure?" "Yep! I'll be quick." He broke free and ran towards the left direction. I reclined on the seat and took a deep breath. The soft breath of the wind fondles my face. I smiled. There's a strange yet overwhelming warmth stirring in my heart. Mom... That word sounds so euphonious. It has a lovely ring on it. I waited for Greyson to come back. But when I noticed that it has been five minutes since he left, I started to worry. So I took my bag and walked over to the bathroom where he went to. I was about to open the door when I heard something that made me stop. "Your worthless father didn't come again. I wonder why." "Probably because he doesn't love Greyson at all." "Or perhaps, he's just an orphan!" I heard a series of jeering laughter. "Stop saying that! My dad loves me!" "Really? He would be here if he really loved you. You looked really pathetic earlier." "I have Cleo with me! She's also my mom!" That's Greyson's furious voice. "She is just your nanny! Your mom is already dead, you liar!" I couldn't hold it anymore. I opened the door furiously. My gaze narrowed at the kids ganging up against Greyson. I recognized them as his classmates. Their faces are now blanched while looking at me. "Who and where are your parents?" I remained calm and composed. I need to remind myself that they are children — bratty children to be specific. They didn't respond. I let out a deep and heavy sigh. "Don't you know how horrible and awful those things that you told him?" They exchanged glances and bowed their heads. "You have no right to call him pathetic or pitiful because he has people who genuinely love and care for him. He is surrounded by people who teach him values and morals and how to treat others with kindness, something that your parents seemed to fail to instill in your hearts." I don't care if their parents hear me chastising their sons. That will actually be in my favor. They must be aware of how terrible their parenting is. They raise disrespectful kids. "I don't want any of you bullying and saying mean things to Greyson. I will bring you to the guidance counselor if I see you making him cry again." They apologized to him before hastily rushing out. I shook my head. "Some parents really don't deserve to be called one." I turned my attention to Greyson, and the anger surging in my chest was instantly replaced with sorrow. He's sitting on the floor. There are no tears cascading down his cheeks nor cries falling from his lips, but his silence can attest to his pain. I walked towards him and crouched down. I gently cupped his cheeks and kissed his forehead. "Please don't let their words get inside your head. You are loved. You are important." He didn't respond and was just looking at me with a blank expression. I was taken aback when he slowly fended off my hands and stood up. "Let's go home now, Cleo. I'm quite tired already and I want to sleep." He stormed off to the bathroom without waiting for me. I was left dumbfounded. I was expecting him to cry... but he didn't. And to be honest, it bothers me. His silence and the way he walked out so casually, as if what happened didn't hurt him at all... it's concerning.