From the rear-view mirror, I looked at Greyson. He's staring at the window, his eyes are void of any emotions. He's been reticent the entire ride. I tried to open up a topic, but it's clear as the sun that he doesn't want to converse with me. And I know for a fact that what happened earlier was the reason why he's acting like this. We were fine and happy before those children bullied him. He was genuinely happy while we were taking pictures at the photo booth. He seemed grateful when I told him that I could be his mother. I blew a fuse. He's been on a roller coaster of emotions today. When we arrived home, he opened the door himself and went out of the car. I hastily unfastened my seatbelt and ran after him. "Greyson!" He stopped on his track. "Yes, Cleo?" he asked impassively. I showed him his winnings in the games earlier and smiled, in hopes that it would alleviate the fretful atmosphere between us. "Aren't you going to bring these with you? I'm pretty sure your other toys are waiting for them." He shook his head. "Just bring them into my room, Cleo." He was about to walk away when I called him once again. "You haven't eaten your lunch yet." He looked at him with a creased forehead. "Why are you so stubborn? I said I wanted to rest. I'm not yet hungry. I'll just eat when I feel like it." I was taken aback. He never used that kind of tone with me. Greyson is always soft-spoken. He didn't even wait for my response and went upstairs. My shoulders fell down. Perhaps I just need to wait for him to cool his head. "What really happened to that kid?" I turned around and saw Uncle Oliver looking in the direction where he left. I know he noticed the sudden change in Greyson's behavior back in the car, but he couldn't ask questions because the child was with us. I heaved out a sigh. "His classmates bullied him once again." His face contorted. "What?! Again?!" I nodded somberly. "It's also the same reason as last time." He threw me a questioning look. "They ridiculed him because Garren didn't attend the event today. If you just heard what they told him, uncle, you would be hurt for him." "The parents of those kids are the ones to blame." He hissed. "I already told them off about it. But even so, I know that their words have already hurt Greyson. But what bothers me the most is that, he is bottling his emotions. He doesn't want to talk about what happened." "Garren should take action regarding this as soon as possible. From the way I see it, it seems like this issue has been going on for so long." "I couldn't agree more." "He's also at fault with what his son is going  through. As much as I want to meddle and talk to him, their family matters are out of my business." I guess almost all the people around them are conscious of what that child is experiencing... except for his own father. Apart from being an insolent scumbag, he's also insensitive and dense. After I changed my clothes back to my usual working attire, I went upstairs to check on Greyson. However, when I tried to open the door to his room, it was locked. "Greyson?" I called his name, but I didn't get any response. "Please open the door." I knocked and called for him several times, but all my attempts were futile. "Greyson, if you're still awake and you can hear me, always remember that you can always talk to me, and I'm more than willing to listen." The heavy silence replied to me. I heaved out a deep sigh. I had no choice but to leave him alone in his room. I don't know if he locked the door on purpose because he didn't want to talk to anyone, or if he simply wanted silence. The former is more feasible. The entire afternoon, he didn't come out of his room. He also didn't unlock the door no matter how many times I begged him to. I kept going back upstairs to check on him because I couldn't calm myself. "I'll just put your food here in front of your door. Eat a lot, okay? There's your favorite beef brisket. I helped Aunt Cora cook that." This was already the fifth time that I came back to his room. His last meal was this morning, and it's getting me keyed up already. I once again convince him to open up, but he still didn't let me in. Fortunately, when I came back after an hour, the plates were already empty. When the night falls, Greyson still hasn't come out of his room. So I just put his dinner beside his door, just like I did earlier. "Greyson will be fine, Cleo. I'm certain that tomorrow, he will talk to you." Aunt Esther patted my shoulders. I took a deep breath. "I just can't help it, aunt. The incident at his school really took a toll on him." "I'm just as worried as you. But do you think your paranoia will help make the situation better?" I pressed my lips together. She has a point. We talked for a bit more before she excused herself, leaving me in the kitchen alone. I looked outside. The darkness is already reigning outside, and the deafening silence of the night is serenading me to tranquility. I need this serene atmosphere to clear my mind of any horrible thoughts. After I emptied the cup of coffee, I once again headed to Greyson's room. I was anticipating that his door was still locked, but to my surprise, I was able to open it. His room is dimly lighted, with the lampshade as the only source of illumination. I walked towards his bed and saw him snuggling on his pillow. The toys that we won in the arcade the first and last time we went there are also lying on each side of him. The sound of his silent snores can attest to his deep sleep. I sat carefully beside him and brushed his hair. He suddenly made a slight move and wrapped his small arms around me. He nuzzled on my arms and smiled, even though his eyes were still closed. "Mommy," he uttered silently. My lips curled into a smile, thinking that he was dreaming of me. "I miss you, mom. Where are you? Why did you leave us? Why did you abandon me?" The beam on my face vanished. He's dreaming of Celestine, his biological mother, not me. That's when I ascertain that although Greyson genuinely appreciates my efforts, deep within his heart, he's still yearning for that woman's presence. However, instead of dismay and bitterness, I feel sorry for him. It must be hard to miss someone that you barely see but you know has a significant fragment in your life. It's like forgetting a stranger, a person you haven't met. It's like walking through a completely dark alley; there's no assurance of your path. That must be what Greyson feels like. He was just a kid when Celestine left them. He barely knows her, but if the universe allows, I'm certain that he wants to cross paths with her. I was pulled out of my trance when I felt him move again. "Mom, why can't dad be proud of me? I'm doing my best." I felt a tweak in my heart when he asked those words in the most painful tone that I've ever heard. His voice was full of longing, bitterness and indignation. In his dream, he's probably talking to his mother, asking her questions in the hopes that she can give him answers. "All I want is his time. Why c-can't he give it to me?" My heart shattered into pieces when tears started to stream down his cheeks. I look at him with a disheartened expression. I clasped my hand against my mouth, doing my best to not make a sound. I can feel my eyelids heating up. A child's weep is the most melancholic sound to me, and I never wanted to hear it. "Why can't dad love me?" A hand seemed to clench my heart. I know that Garren loves him. He would not bother hiring people to look after Greyson if he didn't. However, it's crystal clear that he's oblivious to the fact that his son is slowly slipping away from him. No matter how much affection we give to him, that will never be enough. He needs his father more than anything else. I tousled Greyson's hair until he stopped crying. This is what I always do every time Archeus cries. He said that it soothes him, and I'm glad that it works on him as well. The sleeves of my shirt are already wet, but I don't mind it. While staring down at him, I came up with a heavy decision. I will talk to Garren and try to put some sense in his head. That will be difficult and a great risk, but I want to fulfill my promise to Greyson... that I will help him get close to his father. I fixed the blanket and wrapped his arms back around the pillow. I placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. I gave him one last glance before I exited his room. ••••• A day flew past. Just like what Aunt Esther told me, Greyson indeed reverted back to his old self. He talked to me again as if nothing had happened. He also apologized for the behavior that he showed me. He's being indifferent and unconcerned, but I know better than that. Those times that he was staring into the emptiness didn't escape my eyes. I decided not to confront him because I know he does not want to. "Is there a celebration?" I asked when I saw Aunt Cora, Cynthia and the other maids busy in the kitchen. They are preparing a lot of ingredients as if there's a special occasion. "Nope. Sir Garren will arrive, so we are preparing a lot of food," Cynthia responded. My blood run cold. A string seemed to bind my body. The day has finally come... and I didn't expect that it would be this early. For the rest of the morning, I was preoccupied. I planned to talk to Garren as soon as he got home, but now that he's here, I don't exactly know what to do! When Garren arrived, I was in my room. Cynthia only relayed the news to me. "Where is he right now?" "Who? Sir Garren?" We're currently in my room right now, and she's shamelessly lying in my bed. "Yes." "He's probably in his office." I thanked her and went upstairs. I brought nothing but a miniscule beacon of courage. I feel uneasy as I stand in front of Garren's office. I promised myself to never step foot here again because those times that I did, I only saw the wrath of hell. My blood is still boiling every time I remember how that man ridiculed and disrespected me. It didn't just happen once, but several times. But now, I need to set aside my wrath at him and swallow my pride. I lost count of how many sighs I heaved before I found the resolve to knock on the door. "Sir Garren, it's me-" Just like the first and last time I went here, the door opened all of a sudden. But the heart attack it gives me is still the same. My gaze got fixated on Garren, who's looking for something in the drawer beside his table. "What brought you here?"