Mr. CEO, I Cannot Be Hidden Anymore

Chapter 2

Amaka:

"Maureen, you know that I cannot put Jason in school now. He is only a baby, and I do not want to force books into his head," I said, looking back at my best friend and her "small husband" in her arms.

"Do not mind your mother. I will put you in school, okay? There is a small children's school here, so I will go there with you now," Maureen said to Jason, and he smiled at her.

"Thanks, Aunt," he said.

"You're welcome, sweetie." She told him to wait while she prepared his bath for his new school.

"Maureen, you cannot be serious. Jason is my son, and I get to decide for him," I told her. Her mother had another room. Maureen and I shared her room, although I could move out and get an apartment of my own. But I did not want to become selfish.

I went for part-time training in business class with Maureen's mother's help. She looked after Jason for me until he could walk. My family wanted nothing to do with me. Well, maybe now that they saw I was well off on my own. My mother phoned me last week and claimed she wanted to know how I was and if I still had the baby.

Unbelievable. I gritted my teeth and ended the call on her. Mom did not need to know about her grandchild. I was twenty-two years old now, and I did not need such parents as grandparents for Jason. They would never welcome him or love him like Maureen's mother did. She encouraged Maureen not to fall pregnant like I did, as Maureen and I were agemates and fair in complexion.

Good heavens. Maureen was in a relationship with a good man from around here. He owned a small business that had gone globally recognized, and he was set to get married to Maureen and take her to the city.

As her wedding was still pending, her groom had arrived with his family, and I watched with teary eyes how my best friend got engaged to the love of her life. But I remembered Joseph Ericson and the silly promises he made to me. After that night he slept with me, he never contacted me again. I searched for his home address after my parents threw me out. But the harsh reality hit me.

Joseph and his family had truly packed out, and none of their neighbors knew where the wealthy family had left.

"You should not worry, Amaka. Jason is my son too. I was there the day he was born and watched him grow up. So I am his big aunt and mommy too. While my mom is his godmother," Maureen said with a smile.

"Fine. I have to hurry for this business interview I told you about. You know I want another job to support us now that you will be getting married. I plan to pack out too and get a new apartment so that you can go to your new house with your mom," I told Maureen. She had finished folding Jason's clothes as she intended to take him to a new school.

I knew my son wanted to go to school. He saw other kids around going to school, but I wanted him to grow up smarter first before taking him to school.

"My mom would not send you away, even if I am going with my husband tomorrow, Amaka. Why do you worry about irrelevant things? Anyway, you are running late, and Jason will be late for school. So I have to hurry and take him. You know, as a new student, he will need to do a lot of registration. What surname should I file for him?" Maureen asked me as I finished applying a little pink gloss on my lips.

I donned a red top and black skirt, understanding that the company did not approve of trousers.

Although I did not want to discuss my son's dad with him, I knew Joseph would meet him one day, so long as he was still alive and in the city. It was not far from where Maureen's mother lived.

After my parents sent me away from home, I called Maureen on the phone, knowing she was the only friend I had before her mother relocated to the city. But they had billionaires living on one side of the city, while industrial people like us lived on another busy area. So that was why I wanted my son to grow up before putting him in school. It was busy around here.

"Just his name, Jason," I said, not wanting to mention my father's last name. My father said my child was not his, so I should take my baby to his father. But Joseph had blocked me online, even though I had his younger brother's profile page. We had not chatted since the last time I introduced myself to him as Joseph's girlfriend.

I did not want to ask Aaron about Joseph. I was heartbroken that Joseph blocked me online and told me to get rid of his sperm. So traumatic.

"You must be joking, Amaka. You are Amaka Richard. I think your son has a full birth name. That reminds me: Jason Ericson. Deal with the fact that you got pregnant by someone, and your child has to bear his father's name in case of tomorrow," Maureen said as she stripped off Jason's pajama to help him have his bath.

"Fine. Just name Jason whatever you want as his surname, but know that I have nothing to do with his dad again," I said.

Maureen replied, "I know. You should get going. I heard that new company, J. E Global, is strict. You should not get late and miss your chances of securing a job with them. It will help with your studies and online job too."

"Fine." I put on my black shoes beside the bed and waved goodbye to my son as I clutched my black handbag.

Once I got out of the room, I came across Mrs. Ann Austin. She was a good woman and Maureen's mother too.

"Good morning, Ma." I greeted her, and she smiled at me. "Morning, my dear. Are you going out?"

"Yes, ma," I replied, and she asked, "Wouldn't you have breakfast first? There is still time. Or is it not school that you are going?"

"No, ma. I am going for a new job interview, but quite far from here. So I have to get a bus to take me to the area," I said.

"Will you get on the Island?" she asked.

"No, I am not going there. Still on this mainland. It is a new branch office," I said.

"Okay. But still have your breakfast so that you appear smart at work," she advised.

"Okay, Ma." I agreed and went to prepare my tea in the kitchen.

"What of Maureen? Has she left the house?" Mrs. Ann asked, walking into the kitchen to meet me.

"No, Ma. Maureen is in her room, preparing Jason for school."

"Oh!" Mrs. Ann smiled and nodded her head. "Maureen loves Jason, and now she will soon be going to her husband's house. I wonder how she will cope. Maybe she'll take Jason along with her."

I smiled and drank my tea. "Maybe." I did not know. Maureen might want to take my son with her.