"Don't leave me!" Marga desperately hugged his son. "Please, don't leave me." She started sobbing. Xavier gently pushed his mother and stood. He held both of her elbows. 

"I won't leave you," Xavier said softly with teary eyes. "But you have to let me be with her. Let me pay for your sins." 

​​

"No! I didn't do anything. You didn't do anything!" 

"You did something already!" 

"Don't go to her, I begged you." 

"If I did, you are going to kill yourself. Just like when dad left or is he even my father?" 

Marga sighed. "I'm sorry." It's the first time that she said it. 

"Forgive yourself. Then, I will forgive you." He gently pushed her and he went upstairs to drown his feelings. 

 Marga felt weak as she sat on the staircase and burst into more tears. She didn't know how much her son hated her. Xavier is the only one she had. She can't lose him too. She didn't want him to be with Athena and her family. But what can she do? It felt like his son was already pushing her away. She sniffled and went up to her room. She crawled on her Queen Bed and hugged the pillows. She felt so cold. No one ever loves her more than his son does. Back when he was a little, he would say sorry to her and that he loves her. Xavier is the reason why she was forced to work. Even though she only gets a minimum amount. But Xavier will come and give her money. He would claim that he worked for an old man after his class and earn that much by cleaning the store. 

 She's indeed selfish and she hurt his son so much. Her plan on hurting Athena is a success but her son is hurt too. She ignored it until now. She sat up and opened the drawer. She took out a calling card from a psychiatrist. She wiped her tears and cleared her throat. She reached for her phone and typed the number. After a few rings, the woman answered. 

"This is Doctor James, how may I help you?" 

"Hi, Doctor James. This is Marga Martin." 

"Oh, Xavier's mom?" 

"Yes?" 

"I am glad that you called. I have been waiting." 

"Thank you for not hanging up. I'm sorry for interrupting your New Year Celebration." 

"No," The woman sounds so friendly. "New Year is just another new year. What is more important are the people. So, when can we schedule?" 

"It's about your availability, Doctor James. I just did something bad to my son." She said and the woman was quiet and hummed telling her to go on. "I break him up with her girlfriend. So, I could hurt her girlfriend and her mother." 

"Oh, I'm sorry about that. But now that you called. We can set up something?" 

"Yes, please." 

"Just call me anytime. How about on Monday at ten in the morning? You'll be my priority." 

"Oh," Marga sighed. "Thank you so much, Doctor James." 

"You are so welcome, Miss Martin." 

"Happy New Year," 

"Happy New Year, Miss Martin." The doctor said softly and Marga hung up. She sniffled and wiped her tears. She went downstairs and took the basket that Sabrina gave. She put the wines on her collection. It's been decades since she last drank the same wine and champagne. She took out a small box. She opened it. A master key? She took out the card. 

Marga,

This is the property that you always wanted. You are still welcome home.

-Dad

 Her lips wobbled as she thought of Ferdinand who spoiled her. Even though he knew that she wasn't his real father. Even though she hurt Athena. She covered her mouth. 

<><><><> 

 Xavier looked at the last box from Athena's parents. He took it and opened it finally. He smiled at the beautiful portrait of Athena playing the piano. Then, he took out the table and opened it. He charged it first while he's checking for other stuff. They got him a limited edition Lawson bag and a fountain pen with his name. Dr. Xavier. Just when he was admiring everything, Xavier's phone started ringing. He quickly took it from his bed and answered Doctor Izza James's call. 

"Izza?" 

"Hey, Xavier. You can't believe it. Your mom just called and we have a session on Monday!" 

"Oh," Xavier is indeed shocked. 

"I am happy for you." 

"Thank you, Doctor James." 

"Don't be silly. We are friends. Anyway, I need to go. My boyfriends kept complaining."

"Boyfriends?" Xavier chuckled. Izza laughed on the other line. 

"My dad and brothers and my real boyfriend." 

"Got it." Xavier chuckled. 

"Bye," 

"Bye." Xavier hung up and put away his phone. 

 He sighed feeling a little frustrated and surprised at the same time. His mother just did that? He looked at the time eleven-fifty-five. He went downstairs. Her mother is preparing the table like nothing happened. He looked at the wine that Sabrina probably brought with her and his mother set the wine on the table. He hugged her mother from behind. 

"I'm sorry, mom." 

 Marga froze and tears started streaming down her cheeks again. She faced him and hugged him. 

"I'm sorry, too…" 

 They hugged each other for a long time and Xavier finally felt like the next New Year will be something better. However, he didn't if Athena would forgive him for being a coward. He needed to apologize to them but his schedule will be full for the whole month. He needed to work during Saturdays too. But since he's eager to see Athena, he can see her after work. Marga calmed down and wiped her tears. He pulled a chair for her and took the tissue and gave it to her as she wiped her snots. 

"I'm sorry, son." She said softly. 

"Mom, you know that I will forgive you if you forgive yourself. Now, I think you already forgive yourself." 

"I don't know." She shook her head. "I had done lots of bad things. I don't know where to start." 

 Xavier nodded. She stood and threw away the tissue. She pressed her lips to smile. 

"Let's eat first. It'll be New Year soon." She said softly as she told him to sit. He obeyed his mother and she put the pasta on his plate. She also sliced a ham. He looked at the round fruits on the beautiful glass fruit basket. Her mother always bought round fruits as a symbolize of more money to come. She said that it's a Filipino tradition that the Filipinos adopted from the Chinese. 

 They ate together and went to their bungalow and watched the fireworks from afar. 

<><><><> 

 Gabriel tucked his wife in the bed. She fell asleep after their love-making. His heart aches for his wife. Her pain is his pain too. Seeing her worried and sad for their daughter makes him sad too. Athena is their only precious Princess. Gabriel will do everything for her and his boys. He bent down and kissed her forehead. He went to the window and closed the curtains. He pulled out his phone to call his Princess. After a few rings, she answered in a low voice. 

"Hello?" 

"Hey, honey. How's the party last night?" 

"Well, we just drink and dance…" Athena mumbled. "When are you coming home?" 

"Your mom and I will stay for auction. Don't worry, we'll be there in no time." 

"I know… Dad, I think I have to go to Madagascar in two days with Zendaya." 

"Why?" Gabriel creased his brows. Madagascar has lots of history. They said that there's a paradise in a paradise where Lions and Zebra could only exist in Africa and other tropical places. 

"Well, we are just up to some adventure with others." 

"Adventure… isn't it dangerous?"

"How can it be dangerous? Dad, I'm twenty-five…" 

"I know…" 

"And I can go there." 

"Yes, you can." Gabriel sighed. "Who else?" 

"The triplets are coming too." 

"Oh, that's great." 

"Don't worry. It's just a little trip." 

"Okay, make sure that you are safe, and you have to call me every hour or like, every day just to check on you guys. Or else, I will send someone there." 

"There's no need. Zendaya has her ways." 

"Great, I will sleep now." 

"Okay, bye. I love you." 

"I love you too, Princess." Gabriel hung up and turned to his wife. He put away his phone and climbed up on the bed and cuddled to his wife to warm her. She hummed and hugged him back. 

"Gabby?" 

"Yes, wifey?" 

"Can we always do this even though we are old and have gray hair…." 

"Yes, of course." His smile grew wider and he kissed her lips. "You know what?" 

"Hmm, what?" 

"I think I am in love," Gabriel said. She opened her eyes and looked up at him. 

"To someone else?" 

"To you, again. I mean, it felt like I am in love every day… and I could sleep well beside you." 

"Yeah," She chuckled. "You mentioned me as your pillow." 

 Gabriel chuckled and kissed her lips. 

"You are the best pillow in the whole world." 

"Okay, stop ridiculing me, handsome. Go and sleep."