Chapter 21
It was finally J's birthday.
His schoolmates were there, all his friends, and the whole family. The atmosphere was warm, full, and pleasant. For once, everything felt right.
When it was time to present our gifts, I went first.
As his mother, I knelt in front of him and placed my hand gently on his cheek.
"This is the first time in my whole life celebrating your birthday with you… I've waited for this day for so long, to be here with you, to tell you how much you mean to me. And now it's finally here."
My voice softened.
"May your life be filled with nothing but light, and may the good Lord always keep you under His wing. Happy birthday, my love."
His eyes filled with tears. He wrapped his arms around me, and I held him tightly.
I couldn't stop the tears that followed. Every mother dreams of being part of her child's life like this—every step, every moment—and mine had finally come true.
One by one, the ladies gave their gifts, each accompanied by warm words and blessings.
Jordan cut the cake and fed the first bite to me.
"You will always come first in everything I do," he said, kissing my hand.
Then he fed the rest of the ladies.
For a while, I even forgot about everything else.
Until Marissa spoke.
"Kora… I thought you said we were meeting Felipe today," she said, glancing at her watch.
"I was wondering when you'd ask," Kora replied, smiling. "Let me go get him."
She left.
After some time, she returned.
My expression changed the moment I saw the man behind her.
They walked in together.
He didn't look surprised to see me.
In fact… it felt like he expected it.
Kora introduced him.
"Everyone, meet Felipe. The man of my dreams. And Felipe, meet my sisters—Indira, Marissa, Lupita, and Brandi."
"Pleasure to meet you, ladies," he said, shaking each of their hands calmly.
When he reached me, I watched him carefully.
No reaction.
Nothing.
But I knew that face.
That was the man who had claimed to be a journalist.
The one who followed me after the beauty salon.
The one who said he lived in the UK.
Violet wasn't around when he was introduced—she was by the pool.
I tried to observe him quietly, but he avoided my gaze every time.
I couldn't relax.
So I told Lupita to keep an eye on Jordan and stepped inside.
Why is he here?
A man who followed me suddenly shows up in my house?
This doesn't make sense.
The party continued for hours before people started leaving.
I slightly opened the curtain, just enough to see outside.
Kora was kissing him goodbye.
Felipe.
I already didn't trust him.
Later, I sat on the sofa alone.
Violet came in first, then the others, and Jordan soon after.
It was time for gifts.
He unwrapped them one by one.
From Violet—Nike shoes.
From Lupita—a guitar. I didn't understand it at first, but his face lit up immediately.
From Marissa—a laptop.
From Kora—a portrait of himself.
From Indira—a new phone.
From me—a bow and arrow.
I had seen him looking at it before in my room, so I thought he might like it.
He smiled brightly.
"Thank you so much for all the gifts. I love them. I'll open the rest tomorrow—I'm tired. I have to sleep."
He yawned and went upstairs.
I turned to the ladies.
"Can we talk?"
They sat.
I looked at Violet first.
"Violet… please don't get me wrong, but I need you to stop visiting for now. Unless I tell you to come."
Her expression changed instantly.
"Why, Brandi? Did I do something wrong?"
"No," I said quickly, holding her hand. "Not at all. It's for your safety."
Her eyes softened, slightly teary.
"I don't know what it is… but I feel like something is coming. And I don't want you involved in it. Please understand."
Violet stood up and walked out.
The room went quiet.
The ladies were stunned.
Then I turned to Kora.
"Where did you meet that man?"
"At a club," she shrugged. "Why are you asking?"
"Where did he say he was from?"
"What's with all the questions?"
"Just answer me. Where is he from?"
She looked away.
"I'm not saying anything."
My patience snapped slightly.
"I'm asking you again. Where is he from?"
Indira stepped in.
"Brandi, what is this about?"
"Remember when we were followed?"
They all nodded.
"The man you introduced today… is the same man who followed me that day."
Silence.
Everyone exchanged looks.
"That can't be right," Marissa said.
"There must be a mistake," Indira added.
Even Lupita looked at me.
"Brandi… are you sure it was Felipe?"
I pulled away from her hand.
That hurt more than I expected.
"I don't like repeating myself."
And I walked out.
That night, I couldn't sleep.
I stayed with Jordan in his room for a while, watching him sleep, then lay on the sofa nearby.
The next morning, I went straight to Marissa.
"I need your help."
"Shoot."
"I need you to look someone up."
I asked her to check every entry of anyone named Felipe who entered Singapore that year.
After an hour…
Nothing.
No record.
No trace.
We went downstairs and told the others.
Kora wasn't there.
"She's at Felipe's," Indira said quietly.
"But how is that possible?" she added. "How did he even get in?"
"I don't know," I said. "But I'm more worried about my son."
Lupita spoke softly.
"You should take him somewhere safe."
I turned to her.
"I'm not done raising my son, Lupita. I just started."
"It's not about raising him," Indira replied. "It's about protecting him."
Silence.
Then she added, "You could take him to Violet. I'm sure she wouldn't mind."
I hesitated.
"I know she won't… but how will Jordan take it?"
"We'll talk to him," she said. "He'll understand."