Thorne III

Whether he admitted it or not. 

He is lost. 

He is supposed to be happy that he has a baby he wished for. But his heart is longing for something. 

For someone. 

For her. 

He could feel the emptiness inside him.

That morning Andreas came and took her things. 

He didn't take all the things that Ayinah had put so much effort into making. 

The framed photos on the wall. 

All the baby stuff that she carefully knit. 

Even those handicrafts inside the villa. 

He asked Andreas why. He told him that it will only break her heart seeing them. And the things she made for the baby belong to the baby.

Since that day he never heard of them. Even Nanay Sol doesn't have any news about them if they have flown to Italy or not. He asked Nanay Sol to pack all the things that Ayinah had left. The arrogant man, other women have labeled him, was no longer residing in him. He could feel that he is a changed man. 

He never thought that becoming a father would change his looks at life.

He decided to bring all of Ayinah's stuff upon leaving the place. This is the only thing he could show to his son when he asked about his mother someday.

He booked their flight after two weeks. Two weeks after his son was born. Even the doctor said, and some airlines approved, that he can fly his son in two days. He chooses to wait a little longer. He won't take a risk. His baby loved by his mother so much, and he will never put him at risk. He may fail more than once, but this time he wants to make sure that he will make all things right.

All things are ready. They will be on time for his grandfather's 105th birthday. He stares at his sleeping son.

"I wonder if we can live without your mom. You need her; I need her. I'm such an idiot. I didn't realize it. I guess I'm falling for your mom the moment I first saw her." He's like a crazy person talking to a sleeping child.

He stands up and looks at the things they are going to bring. It's all ready for their flight tomorrow. He asked the niece of Nanay Sol to accompany them to the airport. It only had one suitcase with Ayinah's stuff, the framed photos, and the baby stuff. The rest, he decided to leave in the villa. Plus the maternity bag with his son's things inside. He's thankful that Ayinah bought a baby basket for his son.

He will do the right thing this time. For his son.

---

Thankful that his son cooperates in the entire flight. He only cried when he was hungry or when he was wet. But other than that, he is fine. He just calls for a taxi that will bring them to their ancestral home.

His father runs towards him as he comes out from a taxi.

But he stops in his tracks when he sees a little bundle in his arms.

"Whose child is that?" His father asked.

He ignores him and walks past him. The two helpers come and take the baby basket and the other things from the taxi, and they followed him inside.

"Please bring them to my room," he told the two women.

The two maids bring up his things to his room.

"Thirdy, I'm talking to you. Whose child is that?" His father asked once again, walking up to catch him.

"I think I better go home rather than being here. Bring back our things down, ladies." He called the two helpers.

The two bring out his things again.

"No need to go home, not just yet. I want to see my great-grandchild," his grandpa said when he came out in his room.

"He's exactly like you," his grandpa said, staring at his son, who was also staring at his grandpa.

"Grandpa." Trying to suppress his emotion.

"Hmm, this is what I expected to happen. I sensed that already. You're just in denial, my boy," his grandpa said with understanding.

"Dad, you knew all of this?" His father suddenly spoke. He didn't notice how he came closer to them.

"Of course, who else in this house has noticed things? When was the day that the two of you stayed here and talked to us? You are both busy partying. Your concerns are outside this home. Outside the family," his grandpa barked at his dad.

"Let's go, Thirdy." His grandpa walked past him down to the entrance; he followed him holding his son.

"Can you please call the chauffeur. and bring down his things right now?" His grandpa ordered the helper he saw.

When his grandpa's chauffeur arrived. They hop in the car with the things he brought with him when he arrived.

"Where to, sir?" The driver asked.

His grandpa looks at him, asking.

"Hollies Hills," he said.

He could see his father standing at the door. His grandpa was right; his parent's concerns are outside the family. And he doesn't want to follow their footsteps. 

Now he made a firm decision. He will do his best to take her back. Back to him and his son.

When they arrived, he came out from the car, and his grandpa followed. He presses the doorbell, and the door opened.

"Mr. Muller?" said the surprised woman.

"Mrs. Lorenzana," he said in a low voice. It's really hard to speak with a heavy heart. When you're trying to suppress your emotion.

"Is it a boy or a girl?" she asked, crying, looking at the baby in his arms.

"Boy," he replied.

"Come inside," the woman invited them.

"This is my grandpa, the first Thorne; this is my child, Tyrone," he said, giving her the baby.

"Mrs. Lorenzana, when is she coming back?" he asked.

"It's supposed to be today, but I don't know what time. Just call me Diana," Diana replied.

"He's adorable," Diana commented to the baby in her lap. They are all seated in the living room.

"I agree, he's like his daddy, but his eyes are like Mommy's," his grandpa commented.

He knows that. Because when his son is staring at him, he could see her. They may not have been together long, but her face, everything about her, imprinted in his brain.

"I think that's them," Diana said when they heard a car stop in front of the house.

"Them?" he asked.

"Andreas wants to explore here also. I know he only protected Ayinah," the woman said.

He felt a sudden pain in his chest. He's jealous of him. But he will do his best to win her. 

No more denying it.

"Mom!" He heard her calling her mom from outside.

He stands up to open the door for the newcomers. She is staring at him in shock that she dropped the thing she is holding. Her eyes flew to her mother holding their son.

"What? Why? I mean—what are you doing here?" She asked him, stuttering.

"Tyrone needs you; I need you. We need you." He replied, choking.

He hugs her when she cries. 

He too can't hold back his tears. He too can feel how painful it is. He felt it watching his son. He put himself in her situation, thinking that he would not be going to see the life she carried for nine months. He has only held his son for two weeks, but thinking of losing him, it will kill him.