MY TWO DADDY

Runaway

"Omg! I'm doomed." Terrence's reaction when he took out his phone after their dinner.

"Why?" Dexter Garcia asked.

"Sheldon called me but I missed all his calls."

"That would be a big problem if he knows we are together."

Terrence tried to dial Sheldon's number but it's out of reach.

"He switched off his phone." Terrence pouted.

"I'll send you home now. Sorry if I troubled you, Terrence. It's just that I don't have anyone to tell all my drama." They then left the restaurant.

"It's okay, Dex. It's nothing compared to your help when I was alone raising Sheldon. I always treasure those moments." Terrence said when they're already outside, at the carpark.

"It's okay Terrence. I treasured all those moments too from the moment I met you up to now. You're a best friend that is very rare to find." Dexter then hugged him. Terrence hugged him back. As they released the hug, Terrence cupped Dexter's face.

"Enough of that drama, okay? Whatever your Dad's plan might be for your good. Learn to love her. Divert all your attention towards her so you can see her worth. Don't focus on your feelings that marrying her is against your will. Don't let it ruin you. Where is Dexter Garcia? I know that I always think positive things? Isn't it you who always gives me courage when I'm feeling down before? Why don't you apply it to yourself now?"

"That's what they call it, easy to advise anyone but when it comes to you, it's difficult.

Out of their knowledge, someone took a photo of them together at an angle that Terrence looks like kissing Dexter.

At the villa. Denver arrived with James at around nine in the evening.

"Uncle Ben, is Terrence home already?"

"Not yet, young master."

Denver's face darkened, clenching his fists.

"How about Sheldon?"

"He is already sleeping. He is disappointed as young master Saavedra didn't answer his call. He doesn't want to eat his dinner. Luckily, Chris Yap passed by here and he managed to let the kid eat and put him to sleep."

"Okay. Thank you!" Denver was about to go up when they heard a car stopped outside. He then went to check and he saw Terrence come out from Dexter Garcia's car. He waited for him to come inside.

"Hi, babe!" Terrence immediately greeted him and was about to kiss him but he avoided it. "Is there any problem?" Terrence furrowed his brows while following Denver up to their room.

Denver didn't answer him until they're inside their bedroom.

"What you two are doing that you don't even dare to answer my call? Your son, how many missed calls did you receive from him?" Denver tried to control his anger.

"We're having dinner and my phone is inside my laptop bag. That's why I didn't hear it ringing."

"Okay given that it's inside your bag. You know that Sheldon is waiting for us to come home to have dinner with him but you didn't inform him that you're meeting with your best friend. The kid is so upset and doesn't want to eat his dinner made Uncle Ben and helpers so worried."

"Ok I forgot but you could have told him where I am, right?"

"And make him disappointed to know that you're with your best friend?"

"You can explain to him why I'm with Dexter Garcia. Or you don't want to explain because you are the jealous one? How many times do I have to explain to you that he is my best friend."

"Terrence, don't distract me with your negligence this time." Denver brushed his fingers on his hair.

"Okay fine! My fault. But you can't always get jealous of Dexter as he is part of my life too. He has been with me since I got pregnant. He was with me when I raised Sheldon alone....."

Denver cut Terrence's words. "Yes! I'm very jealous. That's all the reason why I can't control my jealousy towards him because he is the one with you when I'm supposed to be there."

"Is it my fault? Isn't it you who told me you don't want any responsibility in the future? Or you regret now for having me and Sheldon here?"

Their argument heated up not knowing that Sheldon is peeping at the small gap of the door. He is not in his deep sleep as he is waiting for his parents to come home. When he heard them he got up but he saw Denver's gloomy face and he was taken aback.

"They're quarreling because of me." He thought as he pouted his lips. He looks very upset slowly walking back to his room.

"Where are you going?" Denver asked Terrence as he took out his pajamas and took his pillows with him.

"Sheldon's room." He responded and went quickly to Sheldon's room and locked the door behind him.

"Baby let Daddy sleep here okay? I'm so sorry if I didn't answer your calls. My phone is in my laptop bag. You know what, I met your uncle Dexter and he is quite sad. I know you don't like him that much but he is getting married. Getting married to a person he doesn't love. You know it's hard for him. Being with the person you don't like is hard. That's why he wanted to meet me to tell me everything, to tell me his burdens. It's my turn to comfort him as before he is always with us since you are still in my tummy. He is already there. He treats you like his own child. Take care of yourself when I'm at work. Wake up at night to feed you as he doesn't want me to get up as I am tired from work. The reason why I can't refuse to at least talk to him. It may help him if somebody close to him will listen to all his burdens right now. Hope you will understand me, baby." Terrence explained thinking that Sheldon is still awake, but unknowingly he is awake.

"I heard you, Daddy. I understand but I'm sad now because you and Daddy CEO had a misunderstanding because of Uncle Dexter. I don't hate him but Daddy CEO is always jealous of him."

Terrence embraced Sheldon and put himself to sleep. "Goodnight baby. Always remember, Daddy loves you!" In his mind, he is thinking about Denver, their argument. He is upset but he doesn't want to think too much about it.

In the study room, Denver is facing his computer.

"Aaahhh..." he did a facepalm as he cannot focus on his work, thinking about his argument an hour ago with Terrence. He knows the latter was quite upset.

"It's his fault, he neglected Sheldon because of his best friend." But on the other side of his mind. "Am I jealous or insecure? s**t! No! I'm not!"

He drank the wine from the glass he put next to his keyboard. After Terrence left for Sheldon's room he asked Benjamin to send him a bottle of wine. He needs to do some work so he wants something to drink.

In the middle of the night, Terrence woke up. He got up to get some water downstairs in the kitchen but he noticed the light from the study room. He gently walked and checked. He saw Denver still up and facing his computer but he is hesitant to go in as he is still upset and he doesn't know if it's the right time to speak to him. He turned his back and went downstairs.

The next day, Terrence woke up with his little fingers tickling his nose.

"Daddy, wake up. I want you to send me to school with uncle Armand."

"Good morning, baby!"

"Daddy, did you cry?"

Terrence squeezed his eyes. "I didn't!"

"Daddy, you cannot fool me."

"You silly muppets!"

"So you cry?" Sheldon just wanted to make sure.

"Okay. I cried. Satisfied?" Terrence cupped his face and planted a kiss on his forehead.

"Why?"

"I just miss someone."

"Is it Daddy CEO?"

Terrence didn't answer.

"Well, you will miss him as he is gone early in the morning. When I woke up to say good morning to him, he was already gone."

"Oh okay. Let's get ready now. I'll send you to school."

They then both prepared themselves to have their breakfast.

"Uncle Ben, what time did Denver go to work?"

"I don't know Master Terrence. When we woke up he was gone for work already."

"Aah. Thank you!" He smiled and continued eating.

"Daddy, are you able to pick me up from school today?"

"I'll let you know baby if I will be able to finish my work earlier today."

"Okay Daddy, I'll wait for your call."

Terrence sent Sheldon to school then he asked Armand to send him to Madrigal Co. . building.

He didn't receive any text or call from Denver or didn't even leave a message to any of his servants. He thinks Denver is really angry towards him and avoiding him. He didn't see James either. So during lunchtime, he will go out with other employees, creating a rumor among them.

"Does our boss and the marketing director have misunderstandings? I didn't see them together today."

"Aiyah, my boss might be very busy. I heard he is not in his office right now."

"Well, it's just strange, you know."

Four days have passed and every morning they will wake up to find that Denver is already gone to work. Four days later, Terrence is sleeping with Sheldon. They will fall asleep without seeing Denver.

"Uncle Ben, did Denver come home last night?"

"I think so young master Terrence. The car outside has been changed. The car he used yesterday is already there."

Terrence pouted his lips. "He didn't even bother to talk to me or just to his son." His heart clenched.

Sheldon just remained quiet as he continued eating. He knows his Dad was upset and sad, just like him.

"I think I need to do something to help them get back to each other. They said I'm acting like a baby but they are acting like kids. Adults need to talk to understand each other, not like these four days didn't see each other nor talk. But good thing though, they can't make my little brother." He laughed at his thoughts.

"Sheldon, is anything funny?" Terrence asked as he heard a gentle laugh from Sheldon.

"Huh! Why Daddy?"

"I heard you laughing."

"No! I'm not. You just miss Daddy CEO, dad that's why you heard things like that." He responded but in his mind. "Silly me. I didn't notice I voiced it out."

Same as three days passed, Terrence sent Sheldon to school with Armand. Then Armand will send him to his workplace. Still no news about Denver. He didn't dare go up to his office either. He just makes himself busy with his work. Scanning a pile of documents.

At Ang Residence. "Do you think Denver will believe you with that photos?" Aaron Ang threw the photos on the coffee table. Photos of Dexter Garcia and Terrence kissing with different angles.

"I think so, Dad. I received a report that since the day Terrence and his best friend met, they didn't see Denver going to Terrence's office, and even at lunchtime they're not together. So I assumed that they had a misunderstanding and it's the right time to enter the scene." Alena Ang said it proudly as she thought she had a great idea.

"Okay do it then."

"You two get ready as two days from now we have to attend the banquet at Madrigal Mansion." Lucy Ang said as she is scanning her computer to find a better outfit to boast at the party.

"So it's not just a rumor that Madrigals will throw a banquet for the comeback of Brian? And he will be the new CEO?" Alena Ang asked.

"We'll see then."

"Hmmm...Brian is a good catch too but I love Denver."

"You have to do it, Alena, he is not married yet to Terrence. Same sëx marriage has been approved so Denver might have plans to marry him. You have to move faster."

"Well, I did my first move Dad, Mom just wait and see." Alena Ang laughed as he already won his own stupid game.

6 PM at Madrigal Academy

Terrence panicked as he didn't find Sheldon. All the kids were almost gone home, picked up by their guardians but Sheldon was still nowhere to be seen. His class was already dismissed almost an hour ago.

"Where does my son go? How can you release him without his guardian?" He is so disappointed and angry with the teachers in charge of the kids.

"We're sorry Sir but all I know is he is with us just now."

"But where is he?" Terrence felt like he would go crazy thinking of his son. He started crying. What he was afraid of the most was to lose his son.

"What is happening here?" Sebastian came to them.

"Sir, Sheldon is missing." One of the teachers responded.

"What? How did it happen?"

"We also don't know Sir." The teachers are with mixed emotions, worried and scared. Scared that from that day on they will lose their jobs. Sheldon is the son of the owner of the school they're working with and they know that Denver won't give mercy to those who did a big mistake for their company.

"Check all the CCTV." He said to the staff in charge.

Terrence continued sobbing back and forth in front of them. He looks miserable.

"Does Denver know about it already?" Sebastian asked Terrence.

"Not yet, Uncle."

"I'll call him." Terrence just nodded.

In less than thirty minutes, Denver came with a dark aura.

"Why did it happen? Who was in charge of the gate?" He immediately asked the teachers who were trembling as he saw him coming.

"Mr. Madrigal, we are in charge of releasing the kids. We saw a young master with other kids but then suddenly he was gone."

"You mean he is gone like magic? Are you making fun of me? You all better find him if you still need your job."

"Forgive us, young master."

"Go now. Find him!" His voice echoed at the lobby and made all the staff startled but then quickly left to find Sheldon but they didn't know where to start.

Denver then saw Terrence sitting on the bench sobbing while hands on his face. He came to him and embraced him.

"I'm so sorry, Sweetie. This should not happen to him." Terrence's sobs became louder as he cried on Denver's shoulder.

They both forgot that they had a misunderstanding that took four days.

"What if we cannot find him?"

"Where is Armand?"

"He is at the car park. I asked him to wait there if ever Sheldon will go there to find him."

"Keep an eye on your phone. If he was kidnapped, the kidnappers might call you. Have you tried calling his number?"

"I did, but cannot be reached."

"Let's go home for now. We will wait for twenty-four hours before reporting it to the police. I will let my men check everywhere here in school."

"But I want to wait for him." Terrence's mind is in a daze. He cannot think properly about what to do.

"Sweetie, listen. We have to go home. Sheldon might be home already waiting for us.

"Yeah, he might be waiting for me." Terrence then got up and walked away.

"Not that way. We have to go by the carpark. James is waiting there." He then led Terrence to the car park.

They then went home. Armand is following their car.

When they reached home Benjamin hurriedly met them at the entrance. He knows already that Sheldon is missing as Armand called him if Sheldon goes back home.

"We'll all go inside." He carried Terrence as he collapsed and fell asleep thinking too much about his son. He put him down on the couch and sat beside him.

"James, do everything to trace where Sheldon is."

"I'm doing it, Mr. Madrigal."

"Uncle Ben, can you prepare a glass of water for Terrence please." He said it to the butler without releasing Terrence's hand.

"I lost track of his phone." James suddenly said.

"Check that area."

"There's a seaport close to that area and there is one private port for yachts."

"Tell our men to check there."

"It's done already, Mr. Madrigal."

Terrence stirred in his sleep.

"Sheldon!"

He was about to get up when his phone started to vibrate. That means he received a new message.

"Daddy, I'm very sorry! I did this because I want you and Daddy CEO to get back to each other. I saw how you two quarrel because of me. Don't worry I'm safe. I'm in good hands."

Terrence's tears flow while reading Sheldon's message. Denver held his hand tightly staring at him.

"I'm so sorry, Sweetie. I didn't know this would lead him to run away." Denver hugged him.

James, Benjamin, and Armand slowly leave as they wanted the two of them to spend time together.

"I'll be back in two days." The last message they received from Sheldon. They tried to call his phone but it's again unreachable.

"I'm still worried as we don't know who is with him."

"We'll just trust him. Sheldon is a smart kid. I think he won't trust those people if he doesn't know them." Denver said but he too is so worried and wondering who are those people that Sheldon goes with.

"I just hope he is safe. Or I will blame myself if something bad happens to him."

Denver hugged him as he started crying again.

"I'm sorry, Sweetie. I'm so sorry! It's all my fault."

Denver said as he caressed Terrence's back to help him calm down. He felt guilty about what happened to Sheldon. If not because of his jealousy of Dexter, they didn't end up arguing that made their son decided to run away.