36. Keya

I lied.

And I thought I will feel guilty about it, but someway somehow I actually felt a bit relieved. After lying in Tyler's face the other night that our son died, he was just there crying, apologized and then decided to leave.

I don't know if he was genuinely hurt or was just thankful that he doesn't have any obligations with me anymore.

If I was the old Keya who has a soft spot for him I would have felt hurt, but Tyler doesn't have anything to do with me and Sky's life anymore so it is absolutely good. Great even!

"You good?" Amanda asked as the both of us walk inside the arena heading at the executive lounge for the All-Stars skills game day.

I was suppose to leave today since Amanda wouldn't be needing me that much anymore, honestly, it is frustrating! Few days ago, she's been bloody forcing me to come and help her but now she just realized that she was fine so I am good to go.

Seriously, I even suspected that she did it for me to see Tyler but it was just me thinking about that silly idea. Right now, she wanted me to watch the event right before I leave tonight.

"Absolutely not." I replied fidgeting. "I'm good watching at the stands Amanda, I don't have to watch and mingle with people in here. Honestly, I don't want to seat here." I complained.

I'm no hockey fan, I have no friends around and if I chose to seat on one of the seats here in the executive suites or whatever I'll surely look stupid out here.

"Just try mingling with people."

"And what? Look stupid?" I answered. "Everyone out here will surely talk about hockey, and I bloody cannot relate. I'll just look stupid for sure!" 

"Alright, if you don't want to then I won't force you. But promise me that you won't leave the arena without me, okay?" Amanda said.

I nodded. "Noted."

"Good. Now I have to go and work. Have fun hun!" She said and hugged me slightly right before walking down to the hall heading to the side of the rink where she can film and somehow interview the players.

I then walked my way out and decided to go grab some coffee on one of the coffee shops inside the arena instead, and just maybe relax there until I feel bored. I seriously don't have any interest in feeling awkward at the lounge where I have a pass on. If I'll get interested on watching, I'll just maybe watch at the stands.

As I was walking away fr the lounge somebody from the back called me up and as I look back, it was Jamie waving at me.

"Hi Keya!" He greeted. I didn't get the chance to wave back instantly since I saw Tyler tailing him, and he is looking intently at me.

As Jamie made his way to greet and gave me a quick hug, I silently thank god that Tyler was tied up with other people so he can't come close to me, however his green eyes are still glued to me which sends me to feel very uncomfortable.

"Hey." I said to Jamie as I break an eye contact with Tyler and gave Jamie a quick hug back. I couldn't help but feel embarrassed since there are few people out here looking at us, others are also taking some photos. "Looking good!"

Instead of answering he just pose like a model in front of me as a joke. "Where are you heading at?"

"Gotta go grab some coffee."

"You watching the event?"

I sighed. "I don't know, I'm totally not into it. But guess I will."

"You'll have fun. I promise!" He said.

Somehow, Tyler made his way towards me and Jamie. To my greet surprise, he managed to give me a quick hug. I wasn't able to move because aside from the fact that I was caught off-guard, I kinda felt pissed.

"Hi." He greeted but I didn't said any word and just looked at him. "I'll see you around." 

After he said those words, he and Jamie then left. When the both of them disappeared out of my sight, I immediately felt awkward since I seem to notice few eyes looking at me, so I walked out as fast as I can to avoid those eyes.

Damn it!

Well, aside from feeling awkward. I was confused too... about Tyler. I mean, what was that all about? As far as I can remember we just talked and we are certainly not friends or whatever. If he thinks that we're good, I don't think so!

I made my way out of the executive lounge and head to one of the coffee shops inside the arena to grab some coffee. After doing so, I decided to just walk around and find a seat where I can just be myself and force myself to watch and understand about what's going on around.

Luckily I walked past an empty standing-room-only section of the arena, which happens to be situated near at one of the cameras that are set up on the perimeter of the rink to capture and televise the game. I spotted Amanda near a cameraman, she's probably giving him instructions or whatever.

Well, this is a great spot then! I said at the back of my mind as I sip my coffee overlooking the rink.

The rink is currently filled with different jersey colors worn by the athletes as each and everyone of them skates around. All of them are busying themselves with signing and giving the pucks to fans, some of them are busy taking photos with themselves. It was kind of chaotic but I don't know why I felt kind of entertained.

I spotted Tyler just near enough for me to clearly see his face, he is wearing a combination of green and white jersey giving pucks to a bunch of kids smiling. And just the sight of that, it made my heart ache. The kids seems to admire him so much and he kind of enjoys being around kids, will he might be a great father to Sky?

I sighed at that thought.

There's no going back now Keya, the chapter of Tyler being Sky's dad is already over. You made it over!

"He seems to love kids, doesn't it?" Someone said which made me to stop looking at Tyler, and a middle-aged lady stood next to me resting her hands on the glass railings.

"Sorry, who?" I asked not sure who she's talking about.

She smiled. "I mean Tyler." She answered pointing at him.

"Oh!" I responded looking back to Tyler. "Uhm... Yeah, I guess."

"Are you two friends? I saw you at the executive lounge earlier." She said which surprised me.

I shake my head. "No. I mean, we know each other but we're not close. We just know each other-- I mean you know! Not friends but, okay maybe acquaintances?"

I tried explaining because I certainly don't know what to answer, but the lady just managed to giggle and nod. She might as well understood what I was talking about right?

"Well, if you must know he is really fund of kids." She said looking at Tyler on the rink who is now busy talking with other athletes. "I'm even thinking that he'll be a great father one day."

I smirked after she said those words, as I mentally roll my eyes. I guess he will be, but considering his issues? He probably won't. However instead of saying those words out loud, I just nodded.

"I'm Jackie by the way." She introduced offering her hands for a handshake.

I accepted and shook it. "Keya."

"Keya?" She repeated not wanting to let go with my hands. "You're Keya?" She repeated again with her wide eyes that makes me wonder.

I nodded and smiled awkwardly. "Yes."

"I'm Jackie Seguin, Tyler's mom." And those words made my whole world spin, I didn't even noticed that I already covered my mouth with my palms in complete surprise.

"Oh!" I said unable to hide the surprise on my face.

"Who would have thought that I'll finally meet you here?" She said. "How are you? I heard about what happened with my grandson." She said without any doubt.

After she ask the whole atmosphere of our conversation changed, she became serious while I on the otherhand started to hyperventilate. How can't I? This is Tyler's mom and she's talking about the lie I told Tyler the other night.

I heard her sigh. "Tyler told us yesterday about it. I am so sorry, and I hope you have already forgiven my son."

The guiltiness started to creep in.

"All of us were heartbroken about it, we saw Tyler in the past three years anticipating the day that you'll come back carrying his son. We anticipated about it so hard too since I always wanted to have a grandkid, myself." 

Tears starts to form in my eyes but I tried my best to control it, however, I wasn't able to. It fell down my face, but I wasn't hysterically crying either.

"I thought we're going to have it before when Tyler was with his ex, but she aborted it since Tyler wasn't the biological father. And then we anticipated yours, and it didn't happen." 

And after hearing those confessions, I finally lost it. I started sobbing out of massive guiltiness inside me.

"I know your pain, I am a mother too." She added, and as shocked as it is she grabbed me and gave me a hug, she's crying too. I am crying so hard on her shoulder for a good amount of minutes right before releasing it. 

"I am so sorry Mrs. Seguin." I said trying to calm myself.

"No, you don't have to apologize."

 "I am really sorry." I apologized again still crying, and immediately excused myself right before I can decide to be stupid and fess up what I did.

There's no going back now, I lied. And that therefore, I need to stick with it as much as I could. But I am indeed very sorry for her!