REVENGE ON MY CHILD’S FATHER

"RAYA, look! Luther Myles is on the cover of Bachelor’s Magazine as one of the most eligible bachelors in the country!" Kannah exclaimed over the video call.

Luther Myles, besides his good looks, also received his broker’s license this year and works for a real estate startup called Myles’ Homes.

She had seen him once at the restaurant where she used to work, and she had been starstruck by his physical appearance. He even defended her from a rude customer who insulted her before.

Since then, she had started collecting magazines and newspapers where he was featured. But Luther Myles already had a girlfriend. Nevertheless, she continued to admire him.

“My gosh, KC! Did you spend your money on another magazine again?”

“Hey! This is not just a magazine. Can’t you see? It’s Luther Myles! He’s my knight in shining armor.”

Soraya shook her head on the video call. “What's so special about him that you’re so obsessed with him?”

Kannah composed herself while talking to Soraya because they needed to open the cafe early where she worked, as it was a holiday. “Aside from his good looks, he’s also a gentleman, hardworking, and kind.”

“But he’s taken, right?”

“I know! I’m just admiring him, okay? I know that he will never like someone like me.”

“Hey! Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re beautiful inside and out, okay?”

“Yeah. Yeah. I’m off to work. I’ll see you later, okay? Bye!” Kannah said as she ended the video call upon realizing she was running out of time for work.

And she didn’t want to hear any negative comments about Luther from her friend. She also placed the magazine in her bag so she could read it during her break later. She looked at herself in the mirror one last time and decided to leave her rented apartment after ensuring everything was in order.

“KC! Table 2, please!” one of her co-workers instructed as he handed her the tray. She works as a waitress at a coffee shop.

“Right away, Richard!” she said and was about to deliver the order when her attention was caught by a suspicious man. The man was wearing a black hoodie and a black cap. She also noticed that he was glaring at the old man at table 2, where she was supposed to deliver the orders. Her eyes widened when she saw the man pulling out a knife and slowly approaching their customer. Without hesitation, Kannah acted swiftly, positioning herself to protect their customer, and the next thing she knew, she woke up in the hospital.

“How are you feeling, Ms. KC?” the old man asked the moment she opened her eyes.

“S-Sir? Y-you were one of our customers a while ago, right?” she asked, despite her situation.

“Yes, indeed.”

“A-are you okay, Sir? Did the culprit—”

“You have nothing to worry about because the culprit is now in jail.”

“Ouch!” Kannah groaned, feeling a sudden pain in her belly when she was about to get up, remembering she still had work at the cafe; she knew she wouldn’t be paid if she stayed longer in the hospital.

“Hey, don’t move. You should rest. The stab wound was quite deep,” the old man said.

“But—”

“If you’re worried about your work, I've taken care of everything. I asked my secretary to collect your belongings from the restaurant so you can rest. Don’t worry about your salary; I’ll cover it until your wound heals. I owe you my life, so let me help you.”

“T-thank you, Sir.” Kannah smiled gratefully.

“At least, even though she was hurt, something good still happened on that day.”

“It’s nothing compared to what you did for me.”

A moment of silence enveloped them until Kannah noticed the old man’s peculiar gaze directed at her. It wasn’t romantic, but it seemed like he was amazed or recalling a happy memory from his past.

“What’s wrong, Sir? Is there something on my face?” she asked.

“Oh, sorry! Did I make you uncomfortable?”

She shook her head. “No! I’m just curious. You look happy.”

“Oh, am I that obvious?”

Kannah nodded.

“Well, ahmm... Do you happen to know Elizabeth Jones?” he finally asked.

She frowned. “No, Chairman. Actually, I don’t know who my parents are. I grew up in an orphanage.”

The old man’s expression changed abruptly after hearing her answer. “Oh, I thought you were related to her because you’re quite similar to her.”

“Really? Was she your wife, Sir?”

“No. My first love. We didn’t end up together because her parents wanted someone else.” Kannah could sense the regret in his voice.

She was about to say something when the Chairman’s personal assistant entered.

“Chairman, here are Ms. Kannah’s belongings that you asked for,” the aide said.

“Thank you, Walter. You may wait outside,” the Chairman replied.

The man bowed his head and left.

The old man was about to hand Kannah her bag when suddenly the magazine fell out of it. The old man picked it up and saw the man on the front page.

“Are you admiring this guy in the magazine? Is that why you bought it?” the old man asked.

Kannah nodded. “He’s my inspiration. He’s the reason why I wake up every day. He became my knight in shining armor when one of my customers insulted me back then. Why do you ask, Sir? Do you know him?”

“Well, he’s my grandson.”

Kannah’s eyes widened in surprise. “C-Chairman Myles?”

The old man smiled and nodded, while Kannah’s face turned red. So that’s why he seemed familiar to her. She had also read about Chairman Myles in one of the magazines she collected.

She covered her face with her hand. “My gosh! This is so embarrassing, Chairman Myles.”

Chairman Myles laughed. “It’s okay, KC. Would you like to meet him? I can arrange a candlelight dinner for both of you if you want.”

“Ahm... I-I don’t think it’s a good idea, Chairman. He’s taken, and others might misinterpret it. Just being in a photo with him would be enough.”

“Okay! If that’s what you want.

One week later...

“RAYA, you wouldn’t believe this! Chairman Myles gave me a VIP ticket for the Cosmo Fashion Show next week. I will finally meet Luther!”

Soraya snatched the ticket. “Really?!”

“I used to dream about attending the Cosmo Fashion Show, and now it’s finally happening. Plus, I get to watch it with Luther,” Kannah said, daydreaming.

“I think you better not go,” Soraya said, looking concerned.

Kannah’s mood changed abruptly. “Why not? Aren’t you happy for me?”

Soraya returned the ticket to her. “Of course, I’m happy for you, but I have a bad feeling about this.”

“I can’t miss this, okay? This has been my dream. I can’t just watch it online.”

“I know! But I'm not worried about the fashion show itself; I'm more concerned about Luther. You know he’s in a relationship right now. What if he ignores you? What if his girlfriend gets jealous? Do you want to get into trouble?”

“Amira? Jealous of me? No way! She is undoubtedly more beautiful than me. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

Soraya rolled her eyes. “Alright! Just text me if something unusual happens, okay?”

Kannah nodded and gave her a thumbs up.

Another week passed, and the Cosmo Fashion Show arrived. Kannah didn’t expect to be seated next to Luther in the VIP section. She was surprised when he suddenly struck up a conversation with her.

“Kannah, right?”

“Y-yes!” Kannah’s hands were sweating for pete’s sake.

“I heard about what you did for Grandfather, and I’m extremely grateful. I hope you enjoy the Fashion Show.”

“I will, t-thanks!” she said shyly.

“Luther Myles? Oh my gosh! Is that really you? Can I have a photo with you?” a woman sitting behind them asked.

“Sure! Come on,” Luther agreed as he stood up.

The woman glared at Kannah. “Can you move?”

Kannah stood up, but the woman rudely pushed her shoulder, causing her to lose her balance.

“KC, are you alright?” Luther asked as he helped her stand up.

“Y-yes, I’m fine. Go ahead, have a photo with her.”

“She’s right, Luther.” The woman prepared her phone and began counting. “One. Two. Three. Smile—”

“No!” Luther interjected, moving away from the woman.

“You don’t deserve a photo with me,” he added firmly.

The woman crossed her arms. “Why not?!”

“Because you’re being rude to my friend.”

The woman scoffed. “This girl is your friend?” She looked at Kannah from head to toe. “I thought she was just a fan.”

“Well, she’s not just a fan. Her name is KC, and she’s a very special friend. So you better stay away from us!”

The woman rolled her eyes and walked away.

At that moment, Kannah felt like she was floating on cloud nine. She never expected that Luther would come to defend her for the second time.

“Hey! Why are you crying? Are you sure you’re okay?” Luther asked after the fashion show.

“S-sorry. I just couldn’t help but get emotional. I still can’t believe I got to watch the live Cosmo Fashion Show.”

Kannah wiped her tears with her hands. “This has been my dream. I’ve always dreamed of being here. And now, it’s come true. You know that feeling? I’m so happy.”

“Yes! I can see it in your eyes that you’re happy.” Luther took out his handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. “Here, wipe your tears.”

“T-thank you,” Kannah said, taking the handkerchief. Before wiping her tears, she smelled it first. God! The scent was so manly.

“I’ll just return your handkerchief once I’ve washed it.”

“No need. It’s yours now.”

“Thank you!” she said, glancing around.

“People are starting to leave. I need to head back as well. Thank you for accompanying me here. I thought I would feel out of place, but I didn’t because of you.”

“Actually, I’m heading home too. Would you like to ride with me? It’s late, and it’s difficult to find a cab now.”

“Really? Won’t I be bothering you?”

“No, I told you, didn’t I? This is the least I can do for what you did for Grandpa.”

Kannah smiled. “Okay.”

“What happened? You seemed upset,” Kannah asked as they got stuck in a traffic jam.

“It’s Amira. We had a fight. She saw me on TV with you and felt embarrassed in front of her friends. She’s blaming me for inviting you instead of her.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had a fight because of me.”

Luther held her hand. “You didn’t do anything wrong, KC. Don’t feel guilty. I invited you as a way to thank you for saving my Grandpa.”

“It’s not a big deal.”

“But it means a lot to me. You didn’t hesitate to sacrifice yourself for someone you’re not even related to,” Luther said, maintaining eye contact.

Kannah smiled, her heart pounding. It felt like a dream. Amira was so lucky to have this man in her life. Kannah hoped she would find a man who loved her like Luther.

“Thank you for coming with me again, KC. I hope you enjoyed the show earlier,” Luther said after opening the passenger door for her.

“Yes! I really enjoyed it. Thank you!”

“You’re welcome. I have to go.”

Kannah nodded. “Drive safely.”

Luther waved before starting the engine.

As Kannah was about to enter her apartment, she saw a familiar girl making out with a guy in a car parked across the road.

“A-Amira...”

“I REALLY should tell Luther that Amira is cheating on him before it’s too late,” Kannah said after showing Raya the video she took the night she saw Amira in front of her apartment.

“Stay out of it, KC! I know he’s important to you, but it’s their problem. You’ll be the bad guy if you tell him the truth,” Raya explained between bites of pizza.

“I understand your concern for me, but Luther is also my friend.”

“So, are you saying your concern for him now outweighs my concern for you?”

Kannah placed her arm around Soraya’s shoulder. “Raya, you know you’re more important to me, but this is about Luther’s happiness. It’s not right for him to live in deceit.”

She poured herself a glass of juice. “My conscience will haunt me if I don’t tell him something that could affect his life. I can’t sit idly by and do nothing, especially now that I know the kind of person Amira is. Luther deserves to know the truth,” she reasoned.

Soraya rolled her eyes. “Whatever, KC! Do whatever you want. What’s the point of my advice if you won’t listen anyway?”

Kannah hugged her. “Just try to understand, okay?”

Soraya didn’t respond. She just finished her drink instead.

Chairman’s Birthday Party...

“Happy birthday, Chairman! Sorry I didn’t bring any gift for you,” Kannah greeted as she hugged Chairman Myles.

“KC, your presence is more important than any present. Come inside and enjoy the party. Make yourself feel at home.”

“Tha—”

Kannah didn’t finish expressing her gratitude when their attention was drawn to a commotion inside Myles’s mansion.

“What’s happening here?” Chairman Myles asked as they saw Luther and Amira having a fight.

“Is there something you want to tell me, Mira?” Luther asked his girlfriend, ignoring his grandfather’s question.

Amira rolled her eyes. “Oh my god, Luther, I’m not a psychic!”

“Who’s the man you were kissing last night?”

Amira was stunned, while Kannah covered her mouth in shock. Luther was already aware of the scandal?

“Oh my gosh! Amira was making out with someone last night?” whispered some of the guests.

“So embarrassing!”

Luther pointed a finger at her. “Someone saw you last night, so don’t try to deny it.”

“Luther, I was with my friends the whole night. Whoever told you that is lying!”

“Oh, really? Then how do you explain this?” Luther showed the video from his phone.

"That’s not me, okay?" Amira denied.

"Maybe it’s just edited or something," she added.

"Stop fooling me, Amira! How could you do this to me?!"

"Lut—"

"Two years! I’ve been faithful to you for two years! And for what?! I thought you were serious with me?"

Amira stayed silent.

"Do you know that I was supposed to propose to you now? In front of Grandpa?"

Amira tried to hold Luther’s hand, but he didn’t allow her. "Babe... Babe... I-I will marry you. Let’s just forget about the video. That’s nothing, okay?"

"No! You’re nothing to me now, Amira. No proposal will happen because I’m already done with you!"

"I’m sorry, babe! I’m s-so sorry..." Amira sobbed.

"Liar!"

“I’m sorry, okay?”

“No! Because we're done! I’m breaking up with you!”

Amira held onto his arm and pleaded. “N-no, babe! Please, don’t do this to me... I’m begging you... I don’t want to break up!”

Luther didn’t listen to Amira and just walked out.

Kannah chased after him.

“Luther, wait!”

Luther looked back at her. “I want to be alone, KC.”

“O-okay. But if you need someone to talk to, I’m right here.”

Luther was about to go when he came back and dragged Kannah to his car. “I changed my mind. Come with me.”

Luther brought her to the nearest beach resort.

“I’d been blind for the longest time,” Luther said while having a drink with her by the seaside.

“Actually, I don’t understand Amira at all. You’re good-looking, and you love her so much. I don’t know why she’s not contented with it.”

Luther bought a can of beer and drank it. “I don’t know where I went wrong.”

“Hey! You didn’t do anything wrong, okay? You’re giving her love more than you should. If she didn’t see it, then something was wrong with her.”

Luther looked back at her, and the familiar feeling was there again. The way he looked at her was like a knife, piercing through her heart. Until their lips touched.

The night where everything began.

Kannah just woke up one day, and he was already her boyfriend.

“SERIOUSLY?! Are you out of your mind, KC? You’ve only known him for six months, and you’re already getting married?!” Soraya, Kannah’s best friend, exclaimed when she received the wedding invitation.

“Raya, you can’t blame us if we don’t want to let go of each other,” Kannah replied.

“But don’t you think you’re rushing things too much?!”

Kannah smiled and looked at the sky. “Timing doesn’t matter when it comes to love. Besides, he’s really a great guy. He accepted me even though I didn’t have anything to offer.”

“And that’s what I’m worried about! I feel like something is wrong.”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“In dramas, when a rich man falls in love with a poor woman, the whole family of the guy is against it,” Soraya explained.

“Then stop watching dramas from now on because this is reality. And my reality turned out like this! The total opposite of the dramas you’ve watched,” she proudly said.

“Raya, his mother is very kind to me