Mr. President: You Are The Daddy Of My Triplets - Chapter 281

Chapter 281: 281- Get Lost, Rafael

(One week later)

“Marissa!” Marissa almost jumped in fright when Sophie placed her hand on her shoulder, “I’m sorry. It’s just me.”

Marissa raised her palm and turned back to the window. Kids were busy playing in the garden while Abi was sitting at the side with Georgie beside her. She was talking to him with wild gestures of her hands.

“She is just like Valerie,” Sophie remarked casually.

“Yeah. But a better human,” Sophia nodded with a smile,

“No doubt in that, buddy!” Sophie walked away from the window and that was when she found the untouched bowl of chicken corn soup placed on the nightstand.

Oh, brother. Marissa isn’t ready to focus on her diet.

Sophie’s smile faded as she turned her attention to Marissa, “Look, Mar. I know this isn’t easy… None of this is. But life keeps moving, even when it feels like it has ended for you.”

Marissa’s hands clenched the windowsill, her knuckles had turned white, “The first time when I left him, I never expected him to come after me. I was sad, and heartbroken, and hopeless. For me, it was one-sided love. Because he loved Val. But this time…” she spun around to face her friend, “This time it’s piling up the pain inside my chest.”

Marissa clenched her lips tightly for a moment, “I don’t know why…but… but deep inside I’m waiting for him to come back.”

Sophie stepped closer, her voice was soft but firm, “You have to be strong, Mar. For kids’ sake. They don’t need a governess or a long lost granny. They need you. Kids easily pick up their parents’ energy.”

Marissa was aware of what she was talking about. The first time, taking care of her babies without Rafael was easier. But this time…

This time it had gotten harder.

He was an active father and tried to catch up with their lives after his long absence.

Her shoulders trembled, but she remained silent. Outside the window, Abi’s laughter floated around, dissipating a little of the heaviness in the room. A small smile crossed Marissa’s face. Abi was whispering something in Georgie’s ear.

“The social services are interested in taking care of him,” Sophie pointed towards the boy who was laughing along with Abi.

“I can understand. Let me handle that. Whatever Delinda did, he doesn’t have a hand in this,” Marissa’s voice broke, “He is innocent.”

Sophie nodded and smacked her friend’s back, “Everything will be alright, Mar.”

“No, Sophie. It won’t,” Marissa shook her head, “With Rafael gone, nothing will be the same ever again.”

***

“Daddy will never come back. Right?” Alex asked her when she got done with the cooking. Lately, she was spending more time in the kitchen despite having chefs at home.

Marissa had already given the talk to her kids about their father, but Alex was the only one who didn’t seem to take it well.

“I wish he could,” Marissa said gently, “But I guess, no. He isn’t coming back,” she tried to pull her son to her chest, but Alex pulled his hand away.

“Mom. No hugs right now, please,” there was something on his face that made Marisa reach out to him again.

“Being a boy doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to cry, Alex,” Alex didn’t say anything. He was mad.

Mad at everyone! Mad at their fate. At his daddy.

Damn. He wasn’t even accepting Rafael initially. He was better off as a heartless boy. At least, he wasn’t attached to his father in the initial days of their meet-up

“Alex. Son!”

“I don’t understand, mom. Why did he come back into our lives when he had to do that?” Alex’s voice broke as he said that.

Marisa crouched down at his eye level, “I know, son. Some things are never in our hands. But…”

“What if something happens to you, mom?” Alex demanded making Marissa shocked.

“Alexander? Honey, come here,” her arms reached out to him, but he stepped back, “Nothing is happening to me, baby.”

“Why?” he got louder, “Georgie’s mom did leave him. Why can’t you? Better do it today than later!”

Marissa gasped. Without giving her any chance to explain herself, he spun around and ran to his room.

There was a deep void that was left by Rafael in their lives. This time it was next to impossible for Marissa to fill it.

Last time, she was all alone, so it was easier. This time the kids knew what a father could be to them and what his presence could mean.

Maybe Sophie was right. She needed to get a grip for her kids’ sake otherwise they would be lost.

Scattered!

***

Nina saw Marissa cleaning the kitchen counter and went to her, “Where do you think we should arrange the meeting?” she pulled one stool to settle on it.

“What meeting?” Marissa kept rubbing the already gleaming counter with a scowl settled on her face.

“It’s a rule. On the tenth day of the death of the deceased soul, the lawyer will read the will. Every immediate family member will be there and I’m sure…” Nina paused a little dramatically as if she was hesitant to say the word.

“Speak freely, Nina,” Marissa said with a humorless chuckle, “nothing surprises me anymore.”

Nina nodded at her, quickly masking her sympathy, “Well! If Valerie wants to join the will-reading ceremony… then we can’t stop her.”

Marissa’s hand got still, and she slowly turned around to look at Nina’s face, “Seriously? Will-reading ceremony? And why would she come here, Nina?”

“Because she thinks that she is the wife and deserves equal share of the property.”

Marissa tossed the washcloth aside and folded her arms, “You were there at the wedding. You know that’s not true.”

Nina shrugged and Marissa didn’t know what to expect from her at this point.

“It’s a trillion-dollar property, Marissa. The court will never take my word for it. They will need proof. You are aware that there were no photographers at the ceremony.”

Marissa chewed her lower lip. As Rafael’s wife, she did deserve the property, but the purpose of her fight won’t be her marital status but her kids.

She wanted to fight for the sake of her kids.

“Fine!” Marissa picked up the cloth and started spraying the cleaner liquid on the giant-sized refrigerator, “Let’s have the meeting in our library.”

It was now or never.

Maybe it was time to tell Valerie who had the brains. Valerie might have better looks but there was nothing inside her head.

It was high time, Marissa reminded her who was smarter.

“Rubbish! You are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen in my life…” Damn. It was again Rafael speaking in her head.

“Get lost, Rafael!”

She started cleaning the surface of the fridge a little brutally. Rafael needed to get off her head.