Hiding the Alpha's Heir (Desmond and Seraphina)

Chapter 16: River Bank

As soon as I agreed that I would personally make Desmond's another tuxedo, Sir Elron told me the conditions I must do.

"First, we will fetch you at the public park at six in the morning using the provided carriage by Lord Verlice. Second, you are going to work from six in the morning and five in the afternoon. You are going to work seven days a week so you can finish the tuxedo. We will provide your meal allowance or if you want to stay where Lord Verlice is staying, we will provide you accommodation."

"I thought he is rushing to have it finished? Shouldn't I take another seamstress with me? I cannot possibly do all the work since I need an assistant to do that."

Sir Elron smiled. "There is no need for you to take someone with you. Yours is enough. I shall be your helper and Lord Verlice has people to help you as well." That made me silent from what he said. "So, are we agreeing on the terms now?"

"I want your master to stay away from me," I added. "I do not want him to keep on harassing me," I said through gritted teeth.

Even if our bond was severed now, my heart was still reacting to Desmond's presence. That was why I need to take precautions whenever Desmond was around. I was certain that he would do anything to make me suffer from severing our mate bond and our marriage.

Knowing him, his vengeance was unimaginable which was why he was the only person that I was frightened of.

In the end, Sir Elron did not bestow me assurance about my last request but he would surely tell it to Desmond.

Madam Ibanez dismissed us early so I got the chance to go back to our home just before dusk arrived. I really had no choice but to agree with it. Sighing, I looked for Sander but he wasn't there.

"Sander?" I creased my forehead as I checked every corner of our flat to look for him. He wasn't here when I roamed around. I didn't panic as I thought of something where Sander could have gone.

I remembered that there was a nearby river here. He was also fascinated by the bodies of water so it could possibly be that he was there all day. Sniffing his scent, I looked for him and left the establishment of the flat where we were staying.

I could tell that he was just nearby. That made me feel at ease. It meant that my son never got to go to a far place. As long as he spotted some bodies of water, he would be there and enjoyed his stay.

"Mama likes orchids, too!"Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

I smiled when I could faintly hear my son's voice. Now, I was sure now that he was here on the river bank. I took my time as I saw people passing by. This reminded me back in the past as this time when I used to walk with... Desmond. I got a chance to appreciate it while I kept hearing my son's beaming voice like he was talking to someone.

"I want you to meet my mama, sire."

"Sander?" I called when I saw him soaking his feet in the water. I creased my forehead when I saw a man wearing a trenchcoat and a hat who was beside him before he stood up and tipped his hat as a sign that he would be leaving.

"Mama!"

I snapped back and turned my head to see Sander running towards me. I smiled and knelt on the ground before I opened my arms. He quickly dashed inside and hugged me so tight.

"You came home early, Mama..." He sniffed when I stood up and gathered him in my arms.

"I missed you, too, sweetheart..." I rained some kisses because how I missed Sander so much. I didn't get a chance to have fun with him because I was always busy with my work. Also, I always went home so late and left the flat so early which was why I always felt bad leaving my son alone.

Sander giggled before he showed me a small bouquet of orchids. "Mama, this is for you. Sire helped me to purchase them in the flower boutique we saw earlier."

I creased my forehead. "Sire?" I glanced up at the man who was with him earlier. I was surprised that he was already out of our sight. "The man sitting beside you," I paused and glanced back at Sander. "Is the one helping you?"

"Hmm!" Sander beamed.

"I see." I caressed his cheek when I lifted him down. "But Sander... I told you that you must not speak with strangers, didn't I?" I caressed his head as we started to walk side by side.

"Don't worry, Mama. He is kind. I swear," he said, beaming. "We always talked about you."

"Why would you two talk about me?" I arched my eyebrow, smiling. I already had the feeling that Sander was the one initiating the conversation. "Because..." He hummed and looked up at me. "Because I am proud that my mama is a hardworking mama who always thinks about my welfare. That is why we always talked about you."

I pursed my lips into a thin line as I felt my heart leap out of my ribcage. The words he just said were making me shudder as I couldn't help adoring this little man. "Oh, Sander... I really don't deserve you..."

I got teary-eyed. As his mother, I always thought of his welfare. I didn't get a chance to speak with him. Somehow, when he was being like this, felt like I didn't deserve to be his mother at all. I felt like I always took him for granted which was why I felt bad for him that I always had to go home so late and didn't get a chance to ponder some time with him.

"Mama is my Mama. I deserve to have you, Mama."

Sighing, I hugged him one more time before I wiped my eyes. "Thank you for the orchids, little man. Shall we go home now or would you like us to visit the night market since I go home early now?" I asked, smiling.

His face brightened up. "Yes, Mama! I would love to!"

Later that night, we went to the night market to try some dishes in the food stalls we saw. I made sure that Sander enjoyed his night. Perhaps, I would get to appreciate now that I could go home early starting tomorrow.

And I told Sander about the arrangement I have right now.

"Really?" I nodded. "Does this mean that I can be with you after your work, Mama?" he asked as he laid his head to my thighs when I was leaning to the headboard of our bed.

"Yes, little man." I gently combed his hair and kissed his forehead.

Sander smiled and purred under my touch. "Sire is right, Mama. He told me that you will start going home early soon' so I can be with you. more do not need to stay in the river for the whole day," he said before he hugged me so tight.

What he said suddenly picked my curiosity. "Who is this good sire that you always talk to, sweetheart? Is he one of our neighbors here?"

I only got to hear about this that Sander was talking to a stranger that he didn't know. At first, I felt alarmed because he was talking to a stranger but later on, what he said earlier, my suspicion grew low.

It seemed the man he was talking to was a good person.

He shook his head. "He said before that he is from a far away place. He just came here because he wants to settle something."

"Settle his business?" I asked, tilting my head a little.

"Hmm..." He hummed softly as if he was trying to think if he was going to say or not. "Sire said that he is looking after for his son because his mamais at work." He shrugged. "I like talking to him, Mama. He is so fun to be with." He giggled.

I smiled seeing how happy Sander was. It really looked like he was having fun to be with him. But that made me at ease since Sander was distracted somehow and didn't think of something to run away to play with other neighbors' kids.

Perhaps, one day, I must thank that man for trying to entertain my son even though he also had another agenda as to why he was here.

Somehow, there was this feeling if ever that Desmond and I were still together, would Sander and him be able to have fun as father and son?

I shook my head. Seraphina, this wasn't the right time to think about that. Remember that Desmond betrayed you so many times. Halt from thinking this kind of madness.