Just Go With The Act


    IT WAS two o’clock in the morning when Zoe regained consciousness. She was surprised when she


    saw who was holding her hand. Seeing his face brought back the pain she feltst night. She pulled


    off her hand from Helios’s grip.


    Helios then sat straight when he felt her move.


    “You’re awake,” he said in a hoarse voice.


    “No… you’re just dreaming,” she replied sarcastically.


    “Look, baby... that kid is not my son. Amanda is just using the young boy to ruin us,” he exined.


    She averted her eyes. She doesn’t like the emotion she sees in Helios’s eyes.


    Helios grabbed her left hand, but she just hid her hand at her back.


    “I want to be alone. If… if you don’t mind,” she said in a low voice.


    “I won’t leave you, not until you hear me out,” he pleaded.


    “What else do I need to know?” she looked at him. “Does the truth I heard wasn’t enough?”


    She wants to cry. She fucking wants to cry. But it seemed like her eyes were tired of letting go of the


    tears.


    “That’s why I’m sitting here, beside you. If you are going to listen to me, baby, I will tell you


    everything. Just... just don’t push me away... again. I waited for you for almost a year, and that was


    long enough. Please stop driving me away every time that I want to confess everything to you.”


    Helios pinched the bridge of his nose and held her hand again. This time, she didn’t take her hand


    away from his grip.


    “If that kid was not your child, then who?”


    Helios could not answer immediately.


    Zoe raised her left eyebrow. “What? Don’t just look at me. Answer it.”


    “As much as possible, I don’t want you to get involved with my fight—”


    “I’m already involved, Helios! I’m in the game from the start. If only you had told me everything


    before, then I shouldn’t force myself to stay away. I’m not getting younger, Helios. I can handle


    myself if that bothers you.”


    “I’m afraid something might happen to you. You fall in love with me... was a big mistake—”


    “Damn! Is it my fault?”


    Helios’s grip tightened.


    “No, it wasn’t your fault, baby. It’s mine. If only I didn’t get closer to you... if only I had kept my


    promise to myself that I won’t fall for you, we would not be in this tough situation. I love you, and I


    can’t just hold myself loving you from afar. I know, we agreed about no strings attached, but... I’m


    sorry, I’m not ready to confess all of it. Not until I finished the mess I started. Can... can you wait for


    it?”


    “You know what… fuck you! You already said—you confess that you’re already in love with me, then


    you left me hanging on a cliff?”


    “Please, baby, I promise I will tell you every detail. But I have a mess to clean up. I don’t want to tell


    you everything not until I fix my problem with the org. I want to fix my mess, get back to you, and


    hold your hand in front of the altar—exchanging vows.”


    She looked away. She pursed her lips to stop herself from smiling. Her heart is fluttering. Her


    cheeks seem burning.


    “Baby...”


    ‘Damn that callsign,’ she thought.


    “Fine!”


    “Are you mad?”


    ‘Shit! Shit! Shit! What’s with the husky voice?’ She thought.


    “Okay, fine. I agree with your decision. What does the witch want to ruin my family… us?”


    “Because it’s their n.”


    “Their—wait, where’s H?”


    “She’s with your mom, and she’s asleep. I checked her about an hour ago.”


    She nodded.


    “They want to kill me, and they’re using you against you. But I won’t let that happen.”


    “Why do they want to kill you? Why don’t they just kill your leader?”


    “You’re good at remembering.”


    “I wasn’t born yesterday, Helios. I remember everything. And you have secrets that I need toContentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    unfold,” she said. She pulled her hand away and crossed her arms.


    “Being in a dangerous organization like the mafia thing, it’s risky. You don’t know what will happen


    next. Maybe you were shot, or your head was thrown away from your body. I want you out of it. But


    you said that you are already involved. That’s why I tightened the security inside your property.


    Even when you were in PH, I’ve been watching you, twenty-four-seven.”


    An O formed in her mouth.


    Zoe picked up the pillow and beat Helios. “Crazy beast. Get me some milk.”


    The man stood up. “Roger, Ma’am,” he said and gave a two-finger salute.


    She smiled. “Does your woman leave already?”


    “No, she owns the house. Why does she need to leave? Not unless she wants toe and live with


    me at my house,” he said and smirked.


    “Stupid. I’m referring to your Amanda.”


    “She’s not my woman. I’m all yours, babe,” he said and winked at her.


    She then threw the pillow because of romantic excitement.


    Just get me some milk, please… Get out!” she said and pointed in the direction of the door.


    Helios let out a soft chuckle and shook his head. Before he stepped out, he gave a quick kiss on


    Zoe’s lips. And she didn’t see thating. She was left dumbfounded.


    …


    WHEN HELIOS entered the kitchen, he caught with Mr. Rojas, who was sipping on his coffee.


    “Good morning, aunt,” he greeted.


    “How’s Zoe?” Millie asked.


    “She’s awake.” He looked at the olddy.


    Millie nodded. “Amanda keeps on bbering about this certain person she works for. She said they


    ordered her to approach us because of you. Can you exin that to me, son?”


    “So, what is it, Helios?”


    “I’m a part of a mafia,” he said.


    The olddy didn’t seem surprised anymore because he was already expecting it.


    “And you’re dragging Zoe into it? why didn’t you tell us about it from the start?”


    “Our mafia consents legal and illegal terms, but we are more in legal things.”


    “Why do you say so?”


    “I investigated, aunt. But this certain person Amanda’s been talking to, he’s the real culprit.”


    “Do you know him?” asked Millie.


    “Yes, and I need your cooperation in this, aunt.”


    “How?”


    “I’ll tell you how and when. For now, just go with the act. I will not let something happen to you and


    your family. I will proceed to my ns if it’s already final,” he replied.


    “Just make sure of that, young man. If you failed to protect us—especially our Zoe… I want you to


    stay away from her at any cost—even if I’m just her mother’s best friend. I’ve known them for so


    long. So, be aware.”


    “Yes, Ma’am,” he said and gave the olddy a salute that made themugh.


    “Hmm... how about Amanda? Is she telling the truth?”


    “No. Because I’m not the father of that kid. I’m hundred percent sure. But the things she said about


    the certain person… did she tell you the name?”


    “No. She just said that if she did not do his n, his son’s life would be in danger. Even if Amanda


    did something in the past, she’s still Zoe’s cousin, and I also knew the word ‘care.’ That child is


    Zoe’s nephew, and I will do everything to protect him. But if Amanda will put Zoe to danger, I guess


    we will never wee her… ever again. And I’ve been wondering, why does she was involved with


    dangerous people? Does this mean she is into syndicate… does this man she was talking to a part


    of mafias like you or what?”


    “He’s a part of a mafia, Uncle. He’s a part of the organization where I work,” he replied.


    “What? So, why do they want you dead?”


    Helios stood up. “I can’t tell you. It’s my battle. I don’t want something bad to happen to all of you.


    The less you know, the safer you are. I will just check Zoe upstairs. And please, don’t get fooled by


    Amanda. Make her stay here with you until I’m done with my ns. I guarantee your safety. Just like


    what I’ve said, just go with the act.”


    Aunt Millie nodded.


    Millie is not innocent of Mafia things because her baker is part of those dangerous organizations


    too. But she’s keeping it a secret… in the meantime.