Forever My Love - 8. Chapter 8: David is questioning everything he's been told. Will this path lead him to the truth?

The room was filled with the soft hum of a humidifier, and the curtains were drawn to create a soothing ambiance. Michael lay nestled in his bed, his forehead warm with fever, and his small frame curled up under a pile of blankets.

Ben was seated on the bedside, his face etched with worry as he stared at the handsome boy that lay on the bed. The bedside table held a collection of essentials: a thermometer, a box of tissues, a glass of water, and a notebook where Ben diligently recorded Michael’s temperature and any changes in symptoms like Isaac had suggested.

There wasn’t a significant change and Ben was getting worried although he was determined to make the little one feel better. A few hours had passed and he was starting to feel tired but he didn’t wanna give up. As Ben continued to nurse Michael, he sang a soft lullaby to soothe the little boy’s discomfort. Despite the fatigue that lingered in his eyes, Ben’s voice carried a gentle melody that seemed to have a calming effect on Michael.

Every now and then, Ben dipped a washcloth into a bowl of lukewarm water and placed it on the little boy’s forehead, offering temporary relief from the fever.

David who had barely left the room, stood a distance, watching as Ben took care of his son. His mind never stopped wondering how someone who showed so much care was ever that bad. The words he’d used on him when he was angry would have made anyone to refuse helping him but Ben was there, tirelessly helping his son recover. It made him emotional.

Apart from David, Jim couldn’t leave the room. He stood there, watching as his husband watched Ben attend to their son. The expression on his face would have made one think he was plotting something evil. He so much hated Ben that he just wanted to murder him in that room.

“Ben…” Michael managed a weak smile when he finally opened his eyes.

“Hey, sweetie.” Ben whispered, tenderly brushing a strand of hair away from Michael’s face. “How are you feeling?”

“I am okay…” He said in his innocent little voice. “…you’re here.”

“I won’t leave you, honey!”

“Promise?”

“Promise!” He leaned and placed a kiss on his forehead. “Now rest, I am right here.”

The boy closed his eyes and went back to sleep. As the hours passed, Ben’s exhaustion began to show, but his dedication remained unwavering. After what felt like forever, he noticed a slight improvement in Michael’s condition. The fever seemed to be breaking, and his breathing became less labored.

As night fell, Ben was so glad that whatever he had done at that point seemed to be working. He was finally able to take a breather although he knew that the boy was still not out of it.

***

“No, Ben, please!” David pleaded, putting his hands together. “You cannot leave. Michael’s condition has only been able to improve because of you.”

“I know that, David, but as it is… it’s already late.” He glanced at his watch and it was almost 11 PM.

“That’s why I insist that you stay.” He asked softly, staring at the boy. “If Michael wakes up in the middle of the night and discovers that you are gone, I might not know how to handle him. Stay!” He spoke softly, placing his hand on Ben’s shoulder. “Please! For Michael’s sake.”

Ben thought for a moment and sighed.

“I wouldn’t wanna leave him but I don’t want to cause any more drama. It’s better if I just leave.”

“You’re my guest.” David reassured. “It took a lot of effort to bring you here and I haven’t had any time to thank you properly.”

David and Ben stared at each other, the yearning in their eyes unmasked.

“It’s okay.”

“Now will you stay.”

“I would but…”

“Don’t worry.” David slightly smiled. “I have asked one of the maids to bring some toiletries and some clothes for you to change. You can stay in this room with Michael. That way, he will see you once he wakes up.”

Ben nodded. “Thank you so much, David.”

“Errr…” He paused and glanced at his sleeping son. “…do you want me to stay?”

“No, it’s okay.” Ben shook his head. “I’ll take care of him. If I need anything or if he wants you, I’ll call you. You’ve had quite a long day as well.”

“Thanks.”

He went to his son and planted a kiss on his forehead. He got happy when he realized that the boy was no longer as hot as he was. After that, he said his goodbye to Ben and left the room. He had a smile on his face but when he got out of the room, he found Jim just outside waiting for him.

He had his arms crossed, staring at his husband.

“When I agreed to this, I didn’t mean that I wanted him to stay in my house.” He spat, his voice a low growl.

“What’s the point of this?” David asked.

“He’s already done what he came to do here. Now I want him out of this house.” He barked.

“Are you crazy?” David’s eyes widened as he closed the door behind him. “Ben is taking care of our son. Do you know how difficult it was for me to convince him to come here? I had to kneel in front of him.”

“And so what?” Jim snapped. “He’s already done what he came to do. After all, he’s the reason Michael ran away from this house in the first place.”

“Jim….” David sighed, hitting his head. “…please, I am too tired for this. All of us have had a very long day and we need to rest.”

“No!” Jim shook his head, breathing harshly. “First you brought him back home and now you want him to stay close to your room. What am I gonna hear tomorrow? That you want him to stay in your room with you.”

“Michael’s room is close to our room. Ben is staying with Michael. Can you even hear yourself right now?”

“I am just saying things as they are.” He said angrily. “Despite what I have told you about that boy, you still went ahead and brought him here.”

David burst into laughter. He laughed so hard that tears came out of his eyes.

“I can see that you don’t want me to have peace, Jim.” He got stern and drew closer to his husband. “Ben is here to take care of my son. And right now, that is all that I care about. As for your feelings, right now, they don’t matter to me.”

“David…”

“I am very tired and I need to rest.”

He tried to move past Jim but stopped in his tracks.

“And one more thing…” he warned, raising a finger at him. “…I don’t want you to disturb Ben or say anything while he’s around. If you do, you and I are gonna have problems.”

With those words, he moved past him, leaving him standing there like a statue. His eyes glistened with unshed tears, a shimmering pool of unspoken anger and pain. His fists clenched and he felt like crushing something. And here he had been thinking that everything was gonna be alright but it was like he hadn’t done anything to seal all his troubles. This was all Ben’s fault, he thought.

***

The aroma of simmering spices filled the air as Ben prepared a pot of tasty chicken noddle soup. He hummed a soothing tune as he stirred the pot, a smile appearing on his face. He knew the soup was ready and he was sure that little Michael was gonna love it a lot. The inviting aroma wafted through the house, making some members of the house that smelt it to be hungry.

However, that was not the case with Jim. It only made him so upset and he knew exactly what he had to do. Clenching his fists, veins pulsating with unrestrained fury, Jim stormed into the kitchen like a tempest. His eyes blazed with an intense fire that could rival a raging inferno. The lines on his forehead etched a story of pent-up frustration and resentment. When he saw Ben, he was filled with so much hatred.

“Enough is enough, Ben!” He bellowed, the words exploding from his throat like cannon fire. “What the fuck are you doing in my kitchen, filling my house with your poisonous food.”

Ben raised his face to stare into the face of his angry brother.

Jim was about to say something but when he saw that blue oversized t-shirt Ben was putting on and the black cargo short that he had on, he saw red. Those were his husband’s clothes. Jim’s jaw clenched so tight that you could practically hear the grinding of teeth, a visceral sound that underscored the depth of his rage. The muscles in his neck strained against his skin, a physical manifestation of the turmoil within. With each step, the floor seemed to shudder beneath him, as if the very ground recoiled from the force of his indignation.

“Are you not ashamed of yourself?” His voice was a symphony of rage. “You’re putting on my husband’s shirt…. What a bitch!” He barked.

“I can see you woke up on the wrong side of the bed as usual, Jim.” Ben rolled his eyes. “I have a child waiting for me.”

He poured the soup into a bowl, put it on a tray and started going away before an angry Jim gripped his arm and pulled him back.

“What happened?” Ben asked with a raised eyebrow. “Why did you pull me back?”

“You do not walk away from me while I am talking to you, especially in my house.”

“I have better things to do. Have a good day.”

He tried to pass again but Jim pulled him back. Ben sighed in frustration, putting the tray on the counter. He frowned, staring at Jim with so much anger.

“What’s your problem?”

“Since you came into my life, nothing good has happened.” He seethed. “So, how could I have a good day.”

Ben laughed, shaking his head. “Since the time I came into your life or since the day you met David? You need to be specific here, because I remembered years ago, we used to be inseparable. And I don’t need to remind you who got you out of trouble… little brother.” He teased.

He got closer and raised his finger. “Ben, I am warning you for the last time, get out of this house. David chose me years ago and we’ve already started a new phase of our lives. I am married to David and we have a son, so, don’t try to ruin that.”

“Why would I?” He shrugged. “I am not after David and…. Oops!” He gasped in mock astonishment. “…you’re thinking that history is gonna repeat itself. If I remember correctly…. 6 years ago, David chose me over you. He was happy with me despite the hardship that we went through. IF you’re so sure that David chose you then why are you being insecure?”

Jim clenched his fists, jaws shaking in anger. “David is my husband and we’re happy. Go away!”

“I came here for the sake of a child. You can scare me, threaten me or blackmail me but I am not leaving this house until my goal is achieved.”

“Oh please, Ben. This isn't about caring; it's about clinging to something that's long gone.” He yelled. “You're just embarrassing yourself.”

“Really?” Ben chirped. “There’s just so much that you don’t know my dear brother. And instead of thanking me for taking care of your son, you’re here arguing with me.” He said harshly. “I would have said that Michael is lucky to have you as a father but I would be lying. You’re just like your mother, selfish and manipulative.”

Jim felt like a seed of anger had been planted in him and had now germinated.

“What’s going on here?” Claudia asked as she approached the two brothers. “And what is this thing doing in my kitchen?”

Ben chuckled. “This thing is trying to make something warm for your grandson.”

“If not for one thing…” Claudia groaned, shaking her head. “…I would have done something so bad to you that you would have regretted stepping your foot here. It’s only my son that is blinded by your fake nature and he doesn’t even realize that you’re only using him once again.”

“You know what…” He said, rubbing his temple sensually. “…maybe I am using him. That’s what I should be doing right now. I should be slowly destroying him. I should be making sure that he feels what I felt the day that he left me in that hospital. I should be taking revenge on all of you for what you did to me.”

He was breathing harshly and there were tears in his eyes.

“But you know what, none of you would have really survived my wrath if I really was taking revenge.” He wore an evil grin. “Don’t think that just because I am here taking care of your son that I am a fool. You should be thanking me because if I hadn’t come here in the first place, none of you two would have done shit.”

“You’re right!”

Amber came into view and stood by Ben’s side.

“None of them would have done anything because they don’t care about Michael. He’s only but a pawn for them to use for their selfish gains.”

“Watch your mouth, young lady.” Claudia warned. “I am still your mother.”

“Since when?” Amber asked, glaring at her. “I was also just a pawn in your game… mother.” She said sarcastically. She took a glance at Ben and wore a very beautiful smile. “You go and be with Michael. He was looking for you earlier.”

“Thank you!”

Ben took the bowl and left. Amber looked at the two people in front of her that looked like they were about to burn from the anger that they felt.

“Nothing stays hidden forever. Whatever you’ve been hiding shall come to light. And when that day comes, I will be there to witness all of it.”

With those words, she rudely passed them and stormed out of the kitchen. Claudia and Jim glanced at each other and they knew that they had to do something fast.

***

As Ben entered the room, a warm smile lit up his face at the sight that awaited him. David sat cozily on the bed with his son between his thighs as he read him a wonderful story ‘Once upon a time’. He held him tightly to him although the boy was still covered in a blanket. In those quiet moments, Ben realized just how much he admired the relationship that David had with his son. It almost made him tearful.

He took a deep breath and walked in. The moment he did, the both of them saw him and the smile he saw on Michael’s face was to die.

“Hey there, tiger.” He said happily. “How are you doing?”

“I am okay.” He nodded happily. “Ben… you’re here.”

“Of course, baby…” He raised an eyebrow, winking at the boy. “…I stayed with you the whole night. You don’t remember?”

The boy shook his head.

“Well, the most important thing is that I am here and I made you a very delicious soup to make you feel even better.”

Ben sat on the edge of the bed, holding the bowl of soup in his hands. David watched Ben with gratitude in his eyes, appreciating the effort he had put into nurturing his son back to health. Ben dipped the spoon into the warm broth and carefully brought it to Michael’s lips. The scent of the nourishing soup filled the room as he fed the young boy with utmost care.

“Do you like it?” he asked.

From the look on Michael’s face, Ben could tell the boy didn’t like it much although he nodded.

“I want chocolate!” He said in a tiny voice.

“Chocolate, son!” David asked, holding him tighter. “But you’re not feeling well for chocolate. This is what is gonna make you feel better. And you wanna feel better, don’t you?”

Ben saw the frown on Michael’s face.

“What dad is saying is that, if you take this soup and you feel better, I’ll be able to give you all the chocolate that you need.” He extended his hand to the little boy. “Deal?”

Michael smiled, holding Ben’s hand.

“Deal!”

“Good! Now…. Open your mouth…”

As Ben fed the soup to Michael, David couldn’t help but appreciate him. The ease with which he made the boy drink the soup… the way he played with him… the chuckles from the little boy. He couldn’t help but get emotional and through it all, he kept on staring at Ben. The boy had a pretty beautiful smile… his presence was everything and the way he just made everything seem so easy made David’s heart to admire him. He was everything that Jim wasn’t to Michael… a parent.

“And we’re done!” Ben laughed, showing the bowl to the little boy. “You’re a very good boy!”

“Can I have chocolate now?”

“I will give you as promised.” He raised an eyebrow. “But first, some medicine.”

Michael nodded excitedly. Ben gave him the medicine before he handed him a piece of chocolate. The boy ate it with a smile on his face.

“Now there’s more where that came from.” Ben laughed. “Just get better and I’ll bring you a big box.”

“Yes…” He nodded, chuckling softly. “…can you come here and hold me, Ben?”

Ben felt his heart pound in his chest. There was David already holding Michael and if he did the same, they were gonna be close. He hesitated at first but when he saw David smile and make some room and the vulnerability of the child, he simply nodded and smiled sheepishly.

He sat on the right side of Michael and they sandwiched the little boy. Ben was holding his hand, planting kisses all over it. God knows that at that point, Michael felt like the luckiest kid in the world, having two men that he loved a lot be with him.

“Ben…” He muttered.

“Yes, sweetie!”

“Please, don’t leave me.” His voice was barely above a whisper but both men heard him clearly.

“No, sweetie. I am right here with you and I am not gonna leave you alone.”

“Papa said that he wasn’t gonna allow me see you anymore…” He said, tears welling in his eyes. “…he said that he’s gonna keep me far away from you. I don’t want you to leave me, Ben…”

Ben glanced at David and he felt sad. He didn’t know what to say to the child because he knew that he was gonna have to convince him somehow. But at that point, the most important thing to do was make sure that he was healed.

“Please, I love you….”

David felt guilt take him by storm and staring at Ben, he wished he had taken some of the things he had said to him.

“Please…”

“Sweetheart…” Ben smiled through his pain. “…I…”

“Ben is right here, baby.” David chimed, squeezing his son’s shoulder lovingly. “He’s not gonna go away and I am so sorry for what you heard the other night. Daddy was just upset, okay.”

“With me…” His voice became low. “… I am sorry, papa, I didn’t mean to be bad.”

“Of course, not!” David gasped, shaking his head. He cupped his son’s cheeks and stared into his beautiful eyes. “I wasn’t angry with you. It was just something else and what you heard was just me speaking in anger. Don’t ever scare me like that again, okay? If you want to see Ben, just tell me and I’ll take you to him.”

Michael smiled and nodded.

Ben got emotional. A tear went down his cheek which he quickly rubbed before anyone could see it. When the boy looked at him, he wore a very beautiful smile. Despite not having his full strength, he slightly rose and planted a kiss on Ben’s cheek.

“I love you so much, Ben.”

“I love you too.”

They were back in the same position they had been in, embracing the child. It didn’t take long before he slept and started snoring softly. But they never let him go. David whispered a ‘thank you’ to Ben and he meant what he said. He was very grateful for what Ben had done for him.

***

“
What the hell is going on here?” An angry voice echoing in the room suddenly woke Ben up.

He opened his eyes to find himself in an awkward position with David. He was lying in David’s arms with the man holding. Funny thing was that there was Michael with them. He didn’t even remember sleeping at all.

He quickly rose and stood by the bed side, staring at the woman that stood on the other side of the bed with Jim and Claudia. Their eyes were widened with disbelief and anger. David was awake and just as surprised as Ben.

The room was heavy with tension as Jim’s hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white.

"What the hell is going on here?" Elena seethed, her voice cutting through the air like a knife. Her face contorted with rage. “You have the audacity to come to this house and not only that but you had the nerve to be in the same bed with David.”

Ben was so confused that he couldn’t think straight. He stood there, staring at the trio with wide eyes.

“David?” Jim gasped, feeling like someone had stabbed him in the chest. “How could you do this to me? You lied to me and I remember asking you last night not to….”

“Hey!” David got up. “Before you get anything mixed here, Ben and I didn’t do anything wrong. We were taking care of Michael and we had no idea when we felt asleep.”

“Of course,” Elena chuckled bitterly. “You were taking care of an imaginary Michael and you just happen to fall into each other’s arms.”

Tears welled up in Jim’s eyes, but he refused to let them fall. Instead, his gaze remained fixed on Ben who he wanted to kill.

“And you….” She barked, pointing angrily at Ben. “…until when will you stop these games of yours? Until when will you leave my son to enjoy his marriage? This is the most shameful thing anybody can do… but then again, an apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it? Cheap man caught in the act, just like your mother.”

“With all due respect, I suggest you get my mother out of your mouth and out of this.” He said disrespectfully, surprising everyone there. “My mother was an honorable woman and I can’t really say the same about some people in this room.”

“What?” She seethed, clenching her fists. “How dare you….”

“Yes, how dare you!” He snapped, shaking his head angrily. “You really like causing trouble, don’t you? Whatever you saw is not what happened. We were taking of Michael and we might have fallen asleep together with him.”

“And you expect us to believe that?” Elena chuckled. “I have learned never to believe anything that comes from that mouth.”

Ben shrugged. “I don’t see how that should be my problem. I came here for one job and that’s what I have been doing ever since I came here. I will not have you disrespect me over something that is not true. I have never been cheap my whole life and I will never be.”

“Oh really?” Elena laughed at the top of her lungs. “Do you want me to remind you?”

“Enough!” David snapped. “I am not going to allow this conversation to continue. Do not talk about something that you’re so sure of.”

“David!” Elena stared at him like he’d grown another head. “After everything that you’ve known about him, you’d still choose to believe this whore?”

David glanced at Ben and sighed.

“I came here to see my grandson and not to witness such a shameful scene.” She moved closer to Ben and clenched her fists. “Allow me to get this trash out of this house this instant.”

“No one is touching Ben!” David quickly moved in between him and Elena. Everyone else in the room was shocked. “I invited him here and I am not gonna allow anyone else to disrespect him.”

Elena chuckled, glancing at Claudia.

“Do you hear your son? He invited this whore here and…”

“Excuse me, but like I said, I am not gonna allow anyone to insult Ben.” David said rudely. “You came here to see Michael and I really appreciate that. But please, stay within your limits. This is my house and you have no right whatsoever to say who stays and who lives. You’re a guest here and I expect you to act like one.”

Elena’s breath hitched, caught in her throat, a suspended moment of silence as if shock had momentarily stolen the very sound of her voice. She stood there staring at David like he had grown another head, his words ringing in her head. She couldn’t believe that he had spoken like that to her… so disrespectfully.

David turned and faced Ben, putting his hands together.

“I am so sorry for that.” He apologized. “I didn’t bring you here to be insulted and I promised no one was gonna say anything. Please, forgive me.”

“No, David, you’re not at fault.” Ben slightly smiled, eyeing Elena whose eyes were so wide they almost popped out of her sockets. “All that matter is that Michael is okay. I’ll go and look for him.”

“Thank you!” He wore a genuine smile.

Ben nodded and walked past the evil trio, giving them an evil grin. Seeing all that hurt and hate on their faces gave him a sense of satisfaction. He walked past them, leaving them feeling defeated.

“David, that was…”

“I don’t wanna hear anything, mom.” He stopped Claudia before she could finish her sentence. “If you care for me or your grandson, I suggest you let all of us be at peace.”

With those words, he stormed out of there leaving a silence that couldn’t be broken. But one thing was at the back of Elena’s mind. This was the second embarrassment she had gotten because of Ben and he was gonna pay dearly for it. One thing was for sure, she was gonna serve him a dish so cold he wasn’t gonna know hit him. That was a promise.

***

“Come here, sweetie!” Ben said, opening his arms to the boy that was busy running around.

He didn’t need to be told twice. He rushed into Ben’s arms and hugged him. Ben hugged the boy for a second before he broke the hug and placed the back of his hand on his forehead.

“Your body isn’t hot anymore.” He said excitedly. “But that doesn’t mean that you have to be running around. You’re not completely fine.”

“I am okay, Ben.” He chuckled, making Ben’s heart warm.

“I know you are, but I am just trying to be cautious.”

“I will. I wanna play.” He said excitedly. “Please…. Please… please…”

“Alright!” Ben smiled, cupping the boy’s cheeks. “But only in the house. Do not go outside as it is cold. I will make something warm for you in a few minutes and I will call you.”

“Yes!” He nodded. “I promise.” Then he lost the smile on his face. “I wish you were my papa, Ben. I love you so much.”

Ben lost the smile on his face for a second. His hands moved robotically to grasp the back of Michael’s head. He brought him closer and placed a kiss on his cheeks, smiling brightly. He didn’t know what to say about what Michael had said to him.

“I love you too. Now run along before I change my mind.”

The boy took his action figure and began running around, pretending like he was in a war. Ben stood there and watched as he played and not for once did he wipe that wonderful grin on his face. He couldn’t help but imagine his daughter the same age running around the house happily.

“Oh, just look at Michael, mother.” He heard Jim’s voice say as he came down the staircase. “It feels so good knowing that you started a family and you have a child to prove it. He reminds me so much of David, doesn’t he?”

“Of course, he’s a blend of the both of you.” Elena laughed in mock. “I wonder why some people think that they can come in between that. It’s literally impossible.”

“I know…” He chirped, moaning softly. “…the other day, I was telling him that we should have another child. He was so excited and he just can’t wait.”

Ben sighed and started heading away from them. He didn’t wanna hear any of what they were saying but…

“Hey there, bitch, where do you think you are going?”

Jim rushed towards Ben and blocked him, staring at him with an evil grin.

“Don’t think that what happened in the room this afternoon is over, do you get it.” He snapped his finger in Ben’s face. “You cannot try to seduce my husband and you think I’d just let it go.”

Ben sighed. “What do you really want from me, Jim? I just don’t get why you like trouble so much.”

“You’re the one that wants trouble from me.” He snapped, losing that grin on his face. “I am so happy right now and you just can’t deal with that as usual. Michael is my son no matter how close you get to him.”

“No one is disputing that fact.” He shrugged. “But…”

“Blah-blah-blah!” Elena rolled her eyes as she slowly walked towards him. “We know what you game is. You couldn’t get close to David so you used his son. When will you stop using him?”

“Or maybe you think using David’s child is gonna bring your dead child back!”

Ben stood frozen, his eyes widened in shock, as the words reverberated in the air like an unsettling echo. The room seemed to close in on him, and the world outside blurred into a hazy backdrop. What Jim had said, unexpected and brutal, had crashed into him with the force of a thousand waves, leaving him emotionally winded.

“What?” He whispered, his mouth trembling.

“You think we don’t know?” Jim burst into laughter. “David already told me everything you told him and how Michael reminded you of that child you lost. Only God knows where you got that poor child, but of course, just like everyone else, even that child left you all alone. Do you know why?” He got closer and glared at the pained boy. “Because no one in the right frame of mind would choose to love you. That’s why you’re alone.”

A torrent of memories flashed before his eyes, opening wounds that were closed.

“You poor soul!” Elena chirped. “Do you need a hug? Oh!” She gasped in mock astonishment. “That’s right, no one is here to give you that. No mother, no father and no child. The world would be a far much better place if there was no Ben either. So, why don’t you do all of us a favor and sashay away!” She gestured.

Both of them burst into laughter. They laughed so hard that Ben felt like they had stabbed him in the heart. He was dumbfounded that he couldn’t utter a word. He felt betrayed… he felt stripped naked… he felt like he was reliving all those moments.

As he was still trying to process the torture, his phone began ringing…

“Oh, you might wanna pick that.” Elena winked. “It might be an important call.”

Ben got out of his thoughts and slowly got the phone without looking at it. He answered it.

“Hello!”

He stayed quiet for a number of seconds.

"Impossible," He whispered, the word escaping his lips in a choked murmur.

The shock clung to him like an unyielding shadow, making it difficult to process the reality of what he had just heard. His mind raced, grappling with the enormity of the revelation and the myriad of emotions that surged within.

Tears rolled down his cheeks in myriads just as his heart shattered to the floor. The phone dropped from his ears and on the floor, making a cracking sound. He visibly trembled as each and every word that he had heard rang back and forth in his mind.

In that vulnerable moment, the pain was palpable. It wasn't just a sting; it was a deep, throbbing ache that resonated in his very core. Ben’s breaths came in shallow gasps, the air feeling.

“Did… did you do this?” His voice was barely above a whisper. He stared at the two with such horror.

“Do what?” Elena shrugged. “What are you talking about?”

The shock in his eyes gave way to a mixture of disbelief, hurt, and an anguish that seemed to pull at the threads of his very being. He robotically turned and started rushing out of there, his breaths coming out ragged. He didn’t even see Amber who was entering the mansion.

“Hey, Ben… where are you going? What’s wrong?”

But Ben rushed past Amber, ignoring her calls. Amber stood there, wondering what was going on. She looked inside and saw Elena and Jim still laughing. With a groan, she rushed to them angrily.

“What the hell is going on here?” She snapped. “What did you say or do to Ben?”

“Why don’t you follow him and ask him?” Jim answered rudely. “We’re not his keepers and we definitely don’t need to answer you.” He hissed, holding his mother’s hand. “Let’s go mom before someone ruins our good mood.”

They left giggling to themselves. Amber knew that whatever had happened to Ben couldn’t have been good and he knew they were responsible for it. She took a deep breath and rushed outside to see if she could find him.

***

Ben arrived at his daughter’s grave and the scene before him completely broke his heart and his very being. The sun had set but he could very well see the disaster that was right in front of him. His daughter’s grave, once beautiful and peaceful now lay in ruins. The tombstone was broken to pieces, the grave looked like a grenade had been thrown there… there were pieces of wood…

Clutching his chest as if trying to hold his broken pieces together, Ben stumbled forward, his steps unsteady and heavy. The pain radiated not only from the emotional wreckage but also from the physical ache that seemed to mirror the depths of his heartbreak.

He dropped to his knees and began crawling, moving forward, trying to think he was having a nightmare. Tears wetted his face… there was so much that his vision blurred. The headache he had at that time was nothing like he had ever experienced.

A choked sob escaped her lips, a sound of pure anguish that could be heard by anyone that was nearby. The world seemed colorless, drained of its vibrancy, as if the very essence of joy had been sucked away. Ben’s eyes were now dimmed by the shadow of loss, and his trembling hands clutched at the soil.

“Leah!” He wailed, his voice loud and pained. “Leah…. My child… no… who did this to you?”

Ben’s hands trembled as he dug in the soil. He didn’t know what he was looking but he kept on digging… for hope… to find his lovely daughter…. There was nothing….

“My child…”

He cried at the top of his voice as he dug faster with his hands, feeling his heart slowly dying. Memories of the day he had lost his child played at the back of his mind. He was acting like a mad man but he didn’t care… he needed to do it.

At that time, David arrived and what he saw broke his heart. Ben was acting like he was going crazy. David felt an ache in his heart and tears welled in his eyes. He rushed to Ben and wrapped his arms around him, holding him.

“Ben, calm down…”

“No!” He screamed, trying to let loose, but David’s grip got tighter. “Let me go… I need to find my child. She’s in there alone.”

“Ben…”

“No!”

Ben’s fists clenched, he pounded David’s chest so hard, the pain in his heart manifesting in the force of each blow.

"I need to find my baby, David…" he cried, his voice a broken whisper.

In response, David did not recoil or retaliate. Instead, he wrapped his arms around Ben, holding him tightly. He felt his fists pounding against him, but he absorbed the blows with a silent strength, understanding that his pain needed an outlet.

As he embraced the boy, thunder roared like the gods were upset and lightning split the sky. Almost immediately, rain began pouring in torrents and they were wet within seconds. David held on tighter to Ben, shading his own tears. The pain he felt from Ben was a connection he had never felt with anyone before. It was raw… it was real… and he couldn’t help but cry with him. He was so emotional.

“It’s okay, Ben…” He whispered. “…I am here. Let it out!”

His firm but gentle hold conveyed a promise – a promise to weather the storm, to stand by his side despite the turmoil. With each passing moment, Ben’s blows softened, and the intensity of his cries began to wane. He began crying softly and clung to David, his fingers tightly gripping the fabric of his shirt.

David never left his side despite the rain but held him tighter.

***

“I am so sorry, sir!” The man that stood in front of David apologized with tears in his eyes. “None of us saw who might have vandalized the grave. We only got to find out probably sometime after that had happened. Otherwise, none of us would have allowed it.”

David was feeling really horrible. He could sincerely tell that the man felt terrible too. He was one of the workers at the orphanage. He took a sigh, taking a glance at the boy inside the room who sat at a corner with his arms encircling his legs.

“Is he gonna be alright?”

“I don’t know.” He sighed. “He seems to be in so much pain and hasn’t spoken a word to me.”

“I understand him because he really loved that child.” The man sobbed. “Whoever did this shall not know any peace. Who would even do such a horrible thing?”

David didn’t know what to say.

“I am sorry for asking but how long has Ben been coming here?”

“Long time.” The man said, rubbing his tears. “I have known him for years now. He came to our chapel when he was heartbroken, at the verge of giving him. He had lost his child and wanted to do nothing with life. I have never seen anyone so broken before like I did that time. He never talked much about his past but whatever had happened had left him with no hope for the future.”

David couldn’t explain what he felt. It was so severe and so deep.

“I don’t know he went through all that.”

“That’s because people like Ben are always smiling but deep down, there’s so much pain.” He placed his hand on David’s shoulder. “Please, take very good care of him. I will be back in the morning to check up on him. And if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

David nodded. The man left and he went inside the room, closing the door behind him. It was still raining heavily and they were lucky that the orphanage had offered them a room. It wasn’t much but it promised comfort.

He walked to Ben and knelt before him, placing his hand on his shoulder.

“I really am sorry for this.” He apologized. “I know that no number of words can make you feel better.”

Ben raised his eyes and they were so swollen. Tears began pouring down in torrents again.

“The only thing that I had to remind me so much of my daughter was her grave.” His voice was so hoarse. “It was the only thing that made me feel close to her and now… now all that is gone. There are no remains…” He said in between sobs. “…whoever did this destroyed everything and now… I have no idea what I am supposed to do.

I used to come here sometimes to just sit on her grave and tell her about what was going on in my life. All the achievements I have done and I felt so much peace when Leah became such a success. That was an achievement to me. But all that is gone.”

In that agonizing moment, he mourned not just the loss of his child, but the shattered dreams, the stolen potential, and the profound emptiness that now defined his world.

“I thought I will never experience so much pain as the day I held her in my arms… but this… it just hurts as much. I feel so lonely.”

David squeezed his shoulder lovingly. He felt a lot of pain but he needed to be strong for Ben because the boy needed him. The room echoed with his sobs, a symphony of grief that reverberated through the emptiness. The pain was palpable, an agonizing ache that seemed to have no end. After what felt like ages, Ben finally calmed down but the pain was just as much.

“You need to have a change of clothes.” David spoke softly. “Fresh clothes have been provided. Otherwise, you might end up catching a cold. Then you’re gonna have to eat something hot.”

Ben looked at David pitifully. “What is food, if it’s tasteless? What is water if it can’t quench your thirst? I don’t care if I catch a cold. That would be better because I will get to be with my little one.”

“Stop talking like that.” He slightly raised his voice. “You have so much to live for. This is not the end, okay?”

Ben chuckled bitterly. “What else is there to live for?”

David stared at him and sighed. He slowly got up and carefully got him up. Ben looked up at him, his eyes reflecting the storm within.

"The memories of my daughter kept me going. Everything has falling apart, and I feel so... defeated."

“All I know that one day, this dark storm will pass.” He slightly smiled. “You’re a good man and one day, the light will shine in your life.”

He went to where the warm things they had been provided were and got a towel that he handed to Ben. But contrary to what he had thought, Ben just stood there and stared at him without saying a word.

“Please, Ben, you need to get dry. You’ll be sick.”

“So be it!” He whispered.

“Ben…”

“Nobody cares what happens to me.”

“I do!” He snapped, breathing harshly. “As much as this doesn’t make sense, I do care what happens to me. Whatever words I have said to you, I did that out of anger. But I care for you and I still need you around. Michael needs you around. Now please, get dry.”

Ben shook his head and tried to sit on the floor but David gripped his arm and pulled him up. Now they were standing close, staring at each other.

"Let's get you out of these wet clothes and into something warm.” It wasn’t a suggestion but a command.

David took a sigh as he began to dry Ben’s hair, his touch tender and comforting. He then helped him out of the sopping clothes, piece by piece, as if shedding the burdens that clung to his soul. The room was filled with a palpable heaviness, the weight of their shared sorrows hanging in the air.

When he was done, he slowly and carefully began helping him out of those soaking clothes. He started with his shirt that he took off and threw on the floor. Then he took him out of those shorts he wore. As David peeled off the soaked layers, he could see the emotional toll the day had taken on Ben and he understood.

The boy stood there in his boxers shivering. David took a blanket and wrapped it around him. Then he led him to the bed and made him sit on the edge, his gaze fixed on the floor. David knelt in front of him, his hand reaching for his, fingers intertwining.

“I know it’s tough right now,” He murmured, his voice a soothing balm. “But you’ll get through this and I will try as much as possible to help you. Leah was one lucky girl to have a father like you. Wherever she is, I am sure she’s smiling because her father is a very good man.”

A tear escaped Ben’s eyes as he looked into David’s beautiful eyes, letting those words comfort him. He felt a warmth that he couldn’t explain, the love that he hadn’t felt in a long time. It was like David was healing his wounds with his words and his presence.

Silence lingered in the air, broken only by the sound of raindrops tapping against the window. David cupped Ben’s face in his hands, wiping away the tears that made their way down his cheeks. He looked into her face, his eyes searching Ben’s. And in that moment, David felt a heat rising from deep within, something he couldn’t explain.

“Thank you!”

“You don’t have to thank me.” David rose and sat close to Ben. “Instead, I should be the one thanking you. You helped me when I needed you and I am here for the same purpose.”

Ben nodded as more tears flooded his face.

“No… no…” He shook his head.

David gently pulled Ben into a comforting embrace. He buried his face in David’s shoulder, finding solace in the warmth of his presence. The quiet reassurance of his touch began to mend the fragments of Ben’s shattered heart.

After a moment, as if guided by an unspoken connection, Ben lifted his head and met David’s gaze. The air between them crackled with an unexpected tension. Before anything could register in their heads, the distance in between them was closing. Both knew what was happening but they didn’t find the strength to resist it. There was something strong, a magnetic force that was pulling them closer.

Then boom… their lips met in the most electrifying connection both had felt. The kiss started tender, a sweet exploration of each other's vulnerability. David felt a shiver go down his spine and a coldness that felt like he had been held by a creature of winter. It felt like a dream and when he felt the boy’s lips moving against his, he lost it.

David shuddered his pleasure as his cock pulsated hungrily in his pants. He didn’t even realize he was so hard and was already leaking. As much as he wanted to do that, he quickly broke the kiss but his hands never left the boy’s. He stared into his eyes, hating the vulnerability that he saw.

“Forgive, I shouldn’t have done that. I… I don’t know what came over me.”

“I can’t deal with this pain, David.” Ben sobbed softly. “Help me forget, please. I don’t know how I am gonna survive tonight ….”

“Ben…” David was hesitant. “… I don’t want to take advantage of you in this situation. Let’s not do something that we might regret.”

“This is what I want…” He cried softly. “…please.”

“Ben!” He whispered, their foreheads meeting. “I can’t bear to see you in tears anymore. Don’t cry.”

“Then help me forget. Just for tonight…”

In that moment… in that vulnerability, David didn’t care about anything in the world. The only thing he wanted to do was take the boy’s pain away… to kiss it away. He grasped the back of Ben’s head and closed the space between them. Ben’s heartbeat skidded and it was he who leaned greedily into the kiss, he who slid one knee between the man’s legs. David’s breaths began harsh and the kiss deepened.

They fell on the bed and David got on top of the boy. He stretched on top of the boy and captured his lips in a fierce kiss, a kiss that rocked David’s very soul. He broke apart long enough to take his shirt off and toss it aside. In a second, he was back on his mouth, passionately kissing him.

Things moved so fast and in seconds, they were naked, bodies pressed against each other, warm and untamed.

Heat rose from every inch of David, he was no longer able to control. There was nothing but the sound of the boy’s gasps drawing him in, awakening something feral within. He broke the kiss and stared into those beautiful, captivating gray eyes that seem to be speaking to him.

David felt as if he was under a spell. He couldn’t look away from those eyes. Those deep gray eyes stared at him with so much tenderness it made him feel like crying. The boy’s body was banging, no one ever looked so beautiful to him ever. Everything from his average cock to his gorgeous bubbly butt was amazing.

There was a bottle of oil on the table that he used to lubricate them and although he faced some resistance, when he entered that sweet channel, there was something nostalgic about it… it awakened feelings that he didn’t know he had. It was warm… sweet… amazing and simply irresistible.

He started moving his hips as soon as the boy was comfortable and made sweet love to him. He was slow, passionate and very careful. The feelings he felt were nothing like he’d felt before… he felt connected… he felt the need to be careful… the need to take care of him… the need to make him feel pleasure.

And if the moans and the way the boy writhed under him was any sign… then he was doing a very good job.

David enjoyed the feel of the boy on his cock. The pressure, the heat, the tightness, the friction on his dick, the sensation all made David almost lose his mind. David was quite big just like Ben remembered but the feeling of that cock rocking his pleasure button was nothing like he remembered. It was more, sweeter. He writhed and moaned below the man. His mouth was wide open as he moaned, gripping the sheets on either side.

“Huh…” Ben cried in pleasure as the man violated his sweet point. “…god…”

He could feel David’s cock pulsating inside of him.

Ben was leaking like a horse pipe and he knew that he wasn’t gonna last. It had been so many years.

“Oh baby…” David cried out as he drove deep in that channel.

There was so much sweat dripping down his back. His body felt hot, captured in the pleasures of the beauty beneath him. He had never felt anything sweeter. Each thrust he made into the boy drove him closer to the end.

“Fuck…”

He took the boy’s hands. Their fingers curled together as he made sweet, passionate love to the boy he wanted to connect with forever. None of them was ever going to forget that fuck. It was fast, it was deep, it was furious and it was hard. The sounds that tore from the both of them were inhuman.

“Oh God…” The boy cried out in ecstasy. What he was feeling at that moment was from out of this world.

When he felt David nailing his pleasure button over and over again, his head snapped back as his entire body shuddered. “Right there…. Oh… huh… fuck…”

Ben whimpered brokenly but still moved his hips to meet David’s cock. With the way he was feeling, captured in the flames of lust, he knew he wasn’t gonna last.

“Oh fuck… I am… coming…” He writhed, begging with his body, feeling his orgasm build like white heat. His balls squeezed and pulled up ultra-tight to his body. “Oh shit…”

When Ben erupted, he screamed as his body convulsed in ecstasy, his toes curling almost painfully. But David never let up even once. He kept thrusting into Ben, nailing that button… milking it. Ben couldn’t stop coming. It was amazing, almost frightening.

Then David began pounding into Ben, his weighty, cum-filled balls slapping heavily against David. He didn’t have to thrust for long.

“Shit… I am coming.”

He roared, his entire body shuddering as he began to flood the boy with his hot essence. He shot with such great force, it felt like the head of his cock was exploding.

David took the boy’s lips in the sweetest of kisses as he continued spurting inside of him. For long moments, the only sounds that could be heard in the room were the sound of their kissing and heavy rains on the window. When the kiss ended, David couldn’t stop smiling as he looked in those eyes.

He chuckled and kissed the boy all over his face before he rolled off of him to the side, breathing like he’d escaped a predator. Ben moved and turned his back to the man just as a myriad of tears rolled down his face. He was in so much pain once again.

David moved closer and wrapped his arms tightly around the boy, spooning him. He planted kisses on his back and God knows he couldn’t wipe that smile from his face. But a lot was going on in Ben’s mind, pain… regret… loss… failure. It was too much and the only thing able to speak for him were the tears flowing like a stream.

***

David moaned softly as he slowly came to reality and the memories of what had happened hit him like illicit drugs, making him remember every moment. A smile popped up on his face as he slowly moved his hand on the bed to try and find Ben. To his surprise, he couldn’t feel anything.

His eyes suddenly opened and he found himself alone.

“Ben!” He called loudly, rising from the bed.

He was completely naked so what had happened couldn’t have been a dream. David stretched and moved to the bathroom to see if the boy was there but there was nothing. He glanced at his phone and realized that it was only 5 in the morning so he was sure that the boy was still around. The rains had stopped and it was getting bright outside.

“Ben!” He called, yawning softly. “Where are you?”

However, when he looked around, he realized that the boy’s clothes were gone. The shoes were gone and there was no trace of him.

“No, no, no…” He gasped as he picked up a trouser and quickly put it on. “Ben!”

At that moment, David had a flashback of the night six years ago. He was running out of his room with a towel around his waist, calling Ben after what had happened the previous night. But instead of calling him by his name, he was calling him ‘wonderboy.’ David felt his heart begin to race in fear as he called Ben’s name.

He remembered everything that had happened that night six years ago. And to his surprise, this time he didn’t have any headache or feel weird. It was smooth and it scared him. His breaths were harsh and his heart raced miles and miles away.

“Oh shit!”

He quickly went outside to check but the car that Ben had come with was also not there. He called the driver that had brought Ben and the man told him that he had taken Ben home over 2 hours ago. David went back to the wrong feeling confused and having a familiar feeling of yearning… the same one that he had six years ago.

“I need to talk to you!” He said under his breath.

He was so confused but one thing he couldn’t deny was that he had no regrets with what had happened.

***

“Elena!” Alejandra yelled as she stormed the mansion, her hands clenched. “Elena, bring your sorry self right here.”

Jerome came out of the room he had been staying in since getting shot as the doctor had told him not to use stairs yet. He was limping and still had to use a staff. Seeing his sister, he couldn’t explain the shock that he felt. He was both surprised and happy to see her.

“Alejandra?” He gasped, moving closer to her. “What a surprise? When did you get back into town?”

“That isn’t important.” Alejandra dismissed rudely. “What’s important is what I came to do. Where’s that excuse of a wife?”

“Till when will you stop causing trouble?”

Elena was cat walking down the stairs, glass of wine in her hand and a sexy dress that showed off her gorgeous curves. She looked like a seductress and if the look on her face was anything to show it, she was very happy that morning.

“I could ask you that same question.” Alejandra snapped. “Till when will you leave that boy alone? Hasn’t he suffered enough in your hands already?”

“What boy?” She shrugged, wearing an evil grin. “You seem to be confusing me.”

“Don’t play dumb with me, Elena.” She yelled, tears welling in her eyes. “I know very well that you’re the one that had Ben’s daughter’s grave destroyed? How could a woman be so heartless? A mother?”

“What?” Jerome couldn’t mask the shock in his voice. “What are you talking about? Ben’s daughter’s grave was destroyed?”

“Yes, honey…” Elena gasped in mock astonishment. “…I am just as shocked as you. Ben had a daughter? I had no idea about that.”

“Oh, you’re just gonna pretend you didn’t know.” She chuckled bitterly. “You were there when he received the call telling him that something had happened at his daughter’s grave. You were warning him of how you were gonna get him for all the embarrassment he gave you.”

“So?” She shrugged, raising an eyebrow. “How does that prove that I did what you’re accusing me.”

“Elena?” Jerome’s voice was so hoarse. She could tell that he was pissed. “Is what Alejandra saying true? Did you do it?”

“Excuse me?” She snapped. “What kind of stupid question is that? Wasn’t I with you last night? And I had no idea that he had a dead child.”

“That still doesn’t answer my question. Did you destroy that grave?”

“Of course, not! How could I have done that when I didn’t even know it existed. Your sister is here to stir trouble like always.”

Alejandra was hurt, really hurt. “The last six years, I have seen Ben die inside, not once or twice but a couple of times. The both of you destroyed his life six years ago and it took a miracle for him to even be able to smile. But once again, you did it again.”

“How’s my son doing?” Jerome pleaded, staring at her pitifully. “And all this time you were with him and you never even said anything.”

“I had no reason to.” She said harshly. “You didn’t care so much for that boy. I only came here for one thing and that is to warn you to stay away from my son… the both of you. You’ve already destroyed his life so much as it is and I don’t know how much more he can take.”

“Please, you can’t say that.” Jerome shook his head. “Ben is my son and I care so much for him.”

“If you care so much then keep this woman away from him.” She warned. “The next time I’ll come here, I will leave with blood on my hands. And that isn’t a threat. It is a promise. And better pray that nothing happens to Ben because I will commit murder.”

“You’re delusional and…. Ouch!”

Elena felt the stinging sensation reverberate across her cheek as the slap echoed in the room. Time seemed to slow for a moment, and the sharp crack of the impact hung in the air like a thunderclap. The force of the blow sent her stumbling backward, her hand instinctively reaching for her throbbing face. Her eyes widened crazily as she stared at Alejandra, jaw shaking uncontrollably.

With one final angry glare, Alejandra turned and stormed out of the house.

“Did you really do that?”

“Are you gonna stand there and act like you didn’t see her slap me?” She screamed in his face. “For once, I expected my husband to come to my defense but no… it’s always the same thing. I married a coward.”

Jerome raised his finger and pointed at her.

“Let me find out if you truly did what she said then I’ll show you what kind of coward I can be.”

To say Elena was shocked would be an understatement. She glanced at her husband like he had grown another head.

“You better pray Elena.”

He left her standing there, her hand not leaving her cheek. Alejandra’s hand had left an imprint there and she couldn’t believe she just stood there and let the woman slap her. She chuckled evilly, knowing that what she’d done was much more enjoyable. Now all she had to do was watch and see Ben suffer.

***

David entered his mansion feeling tired and restless… also feeling the need to see Ben. He had passed by his house but no one could open the gate for him or allow Ben to see him. He was starting to get desperate and he didn’t know what to do. There were a lot of questions that required his answers and he didn’t know where to get them.

But as he turned to rush to the staircase, his heart sank at the sight that greeted him. There he sat on the staircase, arms folded tightly across his chest, his eyes ablaze with a mixture of fury and hurt. David could almost smell the anger emanating from him.

"Where the fuck were you, David? Do you know what time it is?" He demanded, his voice a mix of anger and pain.

“I am sorry, it was raining heavily and I couldn’t come home.”

“That still doesn’t answer my question.” He furiously rose, giving David a deadly stare. “Where did you sleep?”

“I went after Ben.” David sighed, combing his hair with his fingers. “Someone vandalized his daughter’s grave and he couldn’t be alone. It began raining while we were there and we had to sleep there.”

The pain hit Jim like a wrecking ball, right in his chest. Tears built in his eyes and a harsh, painful breath escaped him.

“W-what?” He stuttered. “You guys were together the entire night? You slept together?”

David was quiet. He just stared at Jim without saying anything to him. He knew what had happened and he was supposed to feel bad but he wasn’t.

“You left this house hurriedly like something was chasing you.” Jim felt a lump forming in his throat. “Even when I begged you to, you didn’t stop. And now you’re here telling me that you spent the entire night with him? What about me? Did you think about me? What am I supposed to feel?”

David raised an eyebrow. “I am sorry, but I couldn’t leave Ben alone in the state that he was in. He was…”

“I could care less if he was at the verge of dying!” Jim snapped, clenching his fists. “Ever since that bitch came in our lives nothing has been the same. You’ve spent two nights away from him already and what do you want me to feel?”

Jim couldn’t fight his tears. They came flowing like an overflowing dam during the rain season. The pain he felt was from out of this world and he needed David to say something to him as an assurance. But the man just stood there and watched him.

David sighed. “Look, Jim, Ben needed someone and I had to be there for him. He’s done so much to help me with my son and that’s something I can never repay. Seeing him like that... weeping over a child he lost 6 years ago was heartbreaking. I couldn’t leave him alone.”

"Don't give me that," he spat, his tone cutting like ice. "Do you think I'm stupid? Despite everything that I have told you about him, you still choose to pay a deaf ear. Nowadays you make me wonder if I still matter to you."

With a shake of his head, Jim turned on his heel, disappearing back upstairs, leaving David standing alone. David had so much going on in his head. He was wondering how Ben was. What he had thought about their passionate night. How he was handling it together with his current loss? Fuck! David was getting a headache just thinking about it.

***

From that day, David was never the same. He was constantly thinking about Ben and how he was doing. He had been to his workplace but no one had seen him for days. He had encountered Ben’s family at work but none of them could tell him anything. Rather, they told him to leave Ben alone.

David was starting to get worried and it was starting to show. At home, he was being nagged by Jim who couldn’t stop yelling at him at one thing or another. David was awfully quiet and couldn’t respond. Thankfully, Michael was getting better and he wasn’t asking about Ben as much.

David had been to Ben’s place but nothing was helping. The boy had suddenly just become a ghost, nowhere to be seen. Oh, how he so much wanted to see him and talk to him and hug him.

David was having constant flashbacks from that time. For instance, he remembered running away with Ben but couldn’t understand why. He had flashbacks of their lives when they were struggling and they seemed so happy. It was starting to get confusing.

Minutes turned to hours… hours to days and days turned to almost three weeks and he was nowhere to be seen. Nothing was making sense for David anymore and he didn’t know what he was to do. Was Ben gonna avoid him forever?

***

Ben was lying on the couch with his head nestled gently on Alejandra’s lap. He was looking a little weak and pale from all the worries and thinking he had been doing the previous weeks. He barely ate, if not for Alejandra who did her best to force him. Everyone was starting to get worried.

Alejandra looked down at him with worry, her heart heavy with concern for her beloved son. She passed her hand through his hair that was screaming to be combed and sighed.

“Ben, what are you doing to yourself, son?” She asked with concern. “It’s been almost three weeks and you’ve not left this house. You’re starting to get me very worried.”

Ben put up a slight smile that wasn’t fooling anyone. “I am gonna be okay. I told you not to stay with me but go about your day.”

“No!” She shook her head. “You’re not gonna be okay and you know it. You’re shutting down. It’s not health. You barely eat or drink anything. I even have to force you to get out of bed. I know that what happened is very painful. It hurt all of us, son. But you can’t just shut down on people that love you. It isn’t fair.”

Tears welled up in the Ben’s eyes, reflecting the pain that seemed to have taken residence in his soul.

“I don’t know if I will ever be the same honestly. It’s like I’ve lost Leah twice and I don’t know how to come back from that.”

Alejandra didn’t know what to say to that. It wasn’t like she hadn’t said every word of encouragement to him, but he wasn’t snapping out of it. She just played with his hair and watched him. As the two were busy being cozy, one of the guards came to the living room.

He reported that David had once again come just like he did almost every day and was causing trouble. Alejandra sighed, hitting her head in frustration. She told the guards not to allow him in. But to her surprise, Ben told the guard to allow David inside.

Without even saying a word, Ben got up and slowly walked outside where he found the restless David moving about. Seeing Ben, David rushed to him and the two stood there for a number of seconds staring at each other.

Oh God, David wanted to hug him so tightly and just tell him everything was gonna be okay. But he couldn’t.

“What happened to you, Ben?” He asked with concern. “You don’t look so good. Are you sick?”

He tried to touch him but the boy retaliated.

“What are you doing here?” He asked harshly. “Up to now, I thought you’d get the message that I didn’t wanna see you. But no… you keep on coming back.”

David sighed. “That’s because I wanna talk to you about something. What happened that day, Ben? I woke up and you were gone. You didn’t say anything and…”

“What was I supposed to say?” Ben shrugged, raising an eyebrow. “Thanks for sex, it was amazing?”

David stood there looking like a deer caught in headlight. “What?” His voice was barely above a whisper. “Ben!” He got closer and put his hands on either shoulder of the boy. “What do you mean? Don’t get me wrong…”

“What do you want me to say?” He shrugged those hands off, moving away from the guy. “We had sex. In fact, I used you just like before. You showed weakness and I took advantage of that. I was in a moment of pain and I needed some idiot to help me feel better. You were the only available one.”

Ouch! David felt the words stab him in his heart. The pain felt like someone was rubbing chili in his wounds. His eyes became glassy and his breaths became harsh.

“Ben…”

“History repeats itself.” He managed an evil grin. “It’s funny how stupid one can be despite every warning that they’ve given, you still were weak. I bet you should have listened to mommy dearest and your husband. They were right after all. I am nothing but a shameless slut that wants what his brother has.”

“No!” David couldn’t accept it. “I am not gonna believe you. You’re only saying that because you’re angry. I don’t know what I did but I am sorry, Ben.”

“You didn’t do anything to me. But please, I am begging you to leave me alone.” He put his hands together. “I have had what I wanted and I don’t need to associate with you anymore. If you don’t leave me alone, I am gonna file a complaint against you. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

He furiously turned to go back inside but…

“The first night we made love six years ago, it reminded of what happened some weeks back!” He hollered.

Ben stopped in his tracks and felt a shiver go down his spine. He froze there and didn’t even turn.

“I met you at this bar and apparently I had been looking for you.” He added, getting closer to the boy. “You were grieving over a loss and you needed to be with someone just like that night. I took you home and I didn’t wanna take advantage of you. We made love that night and you bled.”

The air was thick with nostalgia as those memories came flooding back. Ben felt a lump forming in his throat, fear taking him off his feet. A tear rolled down his cheek and before he realized it, his face was wet.

“You bled because I was the first guy you slept with. When I woke up in the morning, you were gone.” David continued, getting extremely emotional. “I didn’t know your name but you told me to call you ‘wonderboy’.”

Ben closed his eyes as the pain deepened, making him weak.

“I know what I said to you before hurts like hell but I am just so confused.” He got nearer and touched Ben’s shoulder. The boy shuddered. “I don’t know who is telling the truth but I know my mind cannot lie to me. Ever since that night, I have not been the same. I can’t stop thinking about you. I wanna hold you and kiss your pain away.”

David got closer and placed his hand on Ben’s shoulders. Ben’s eyes opened wide and he felt his heart pounding in his chest, threatening to rip out. He covered his mouth to prevent any unwanted sounds. But he found himself frozen.

“Ben… I am going crazy.” He pleaded. “I can’t understand myself.”

With a harsh breath, Ben furiously turned and glared at the man.

“That voodoo must be really strong, right?” He chuckled, crossing his arms. “Look at you, acting all crazy.”

“Ben, this isn’t a joke!”

“Then how do you explain that?” He yelled, shaking his head. “Last time I checked, you’re happily married and you have a wonderful family. Whatever we had was a one-night stand and it meant nothing to me.”

“I don’t know how to explain that!” David snapped, breathing like a predator. “I can’t explain it. All I know is that whatever I am feeling feels like I have felt it before.” He got closer and cupped Ben’s cheeks. “Whatever is happening has happened before. This pain… this yearning in my heart feel nostalgic and no matter how much I try to ignore it, I can’t.”

Ben took a deep breath, trying to get rid of some of the nerves he felt. He stared into David’s eyes, seeing the sincerity in them. That night had meant something to him.

“David… you’re a good man.” He spoke softly. “You have a family that you love so much and an amazing child. Whatever happened between us was a mistake that shouldn’t have happened. I am sorry for letting that happen but I can’t continue making your family suffer.” He slightly moved away from the man. “I can’t continue being this bitter. Go back to your family, David, and love them. I am sorry for everything.”

With those words, Ben turned and started rushing back inside.

“Ben!” David ran after him. “Please, listen…”

“Go away!”

Ben increased his pace and rushed inside the house, closing the door behind him. David was banging and knocking behind him, calling his name. Ben slid down and fell to his knees at the same time tears flooding his face. The corner of his lips pulled down, shaking as he tried to stop the overwhelming emotion.

“Ben!”

He gripped Alejandra and hugged her tightly before he broke down.

“Shhhhh….” She whispered, rubbing his back. “…there, there, my baby. I am right here.”

“I want to get out of here.” He wailed. “I don’t want to be here anymore. Please… I can’t take this pain anymore.”

“I understand, and I agree.” She encouraged. “You need a break from all this.”

“I don’t wanna stay in this country where I am constantly reminded of my losses. I wanna go away for good, mom. I am tired.”

“Shhh…” She pulled away from the hug and cupped his cheeks. “…I agree and I will come with you wherever you wanna go. I will come with you.”

Ben cried even more and hugged. The two just sat there and cried. Ben knew that this was not gonna be easy but it was something that he was gonna do. He had to go away forever in order for him to reduce a bit on the pain that he felt.

***

Isaac and Amber sat nestled together on the couch in Amber’s room, sharing a quiet moment, wrapped up in each other's arms. Amber had her head against Isaac shoulder, and he gently stroked her hair. It had been a long time they had had such a quiet moment and they were embracing it.

As they enjoyed the quiet moment, a knock disturbed them and it didn’t take time before David entered with a sad expression, closing the door behind him. Amber was surprised because she couldn’t remember the last time her brother had entered her room since the last time they’d argued.

“David!” Amber was surprised. She got up from Isaac’s embrace and slowly walked to her brother. She was worried. “What are you doing here? Are you alright?”

“I am not gonna lie, Amber.” He sighed, running his hands through his hair. “I am so stressed and I want to apologize for the way I’ve been acting with you… with both of you.”

“That’s nothing, bud.” Isaac smiled. “We understand that what you’ve been going through isn’t easy.”

David felt like crying but he knew he had to be strong.

“Are you alright?” Amber held his hand, squeezing it lovingly. “If what you said to me about Ben some weeks ago is why you feel bad, then don’t worry about it. I am okay.”

David remained quiet for a number of seconds. His heart began racing and he felt a huge lump develop in his throat.

“I… I… I slept with Ben three weeks ago.”

Amber’s eyes widened as she clutched her chest in disbelief. Her jaw dropped and she froze where she stood. Isaac on the other hand felt his body tremble as he processed the shocking revelation. His eyes darted around the room as he struggled to find words. Amber and Isaac glanced at each other before they finally managed a word.

“What?”

“I know… I know…” David sighed, hitting his head. “It shouldn’t have happened. I am a married man, but it happened in his most vulnerable moment. He was grieving the loss of his child and I just wanted to be there for him. One thing led to another and we had sex.”

“Whoa!” Amber’s voice was barely above a whisper. “Wow! I don’t even know what to say? It must be an awful feeling to have and…”

“That’s the thing, Amber.” He shrugged. “I don’t feel awful about it. I don’t feel guilty about it and I am glad it happened. I am so confused,I feel like I might go crazy.” He took a harsh breath and sat on the couch, staring at the stunned couple. “What confuses me the most is that I feel like everything that happened this time has happened before. I have been having flashbacks ever since.”

He began narrating them of the things he’s been able to remember and how he remembered the first time he had slept with Ben.

“That’s what I remember.” He couldn’t tear his eyes away from Amber. “The night with Ben, I didn’t even know his name. I remember talking to you and explaining things. I remember looking for Ben without finding him and almost giving up.”

“David…” Amber sat beside him and squeezed his shoulder.

“And knowing all this, I just feel like what I’ve known has been a lie.” He said with tears in his eyes. “I feel awful after knowing this and looking back at the way I spoke to Ben. The way I spoke to you. I am so sorry, Amber. You told me not to believe everything I am being told but…”

“No, David, forget about me. What about Ben?” She asked. “Have you talked to him about what happened between you two?”

In sadness, David shook his head. “He’s refused to talk to me. In the last three weeks, today was the only time I managed to see him. And the way he spoke to me, it was so painful. He doesn’t wanna see me ever and just wants me to be with the family i said he’s been trying to destroy.”

“I am so sorry, buddy.” Isaac said softly. “I can’t even imagine to think what you be going through.”

“I don’t know what to do.”

“I can’t help you!” Amber said softly. “The only time Ben calls is to talk to Michael.”

“Ben has been calling?” David couldn’t mask the shock in his voice.

“Every day. He calls to talk to Michael. How do you think Michael has not been asking about him?”

“Oh God!” David placed his face between his palms, feeling conflicted. “I feel like I am going crazy, Amber.”

“I know, but it’s a good thing you’re remembering, David.” Isaac slightly smiled. “During the time Ben was in your life, I wasn’t here and I never actually met him. You had gone with him for months and when you reappeared, you were getting married to Jim. Only you know what happened during that critical period and only you have answers. We’re here to support. It’s a good thing you’re remembering so that once and for all, you can have the answers you seek.”

David raised his head and stared at his best friend.

“What if everything I’ve been told has been the truth?” He said with a tear rolling down his cheek. “What if the past is scary and may just open old wounds?”

“At least, you will know.” Amber smiled, cupping his cheeks. “Once and for all, you will closure and you will live happily. It might still but I think you should be ready for anything.”

David was quiet. His heart beat so fast he felt like he was gonna pass out. Amber and Isaac might have been right but was he willing to face his past again? Only time will tell….

***

As the dull hum of conversations and the rhythmic clatter of footsteps echoed through the bustling airport terminal, Ben sat with Alejandra at the Gate. His weary eyes were fixed on the departure board, each flicker of the screen intensifying the knot in his stomach.

He was disconnected from his surrounding as he had flashbacks of 6 years back at that same airport when he had been the same way, broken, sad and at the verge of giving up. A dark cloud had surrounded him and this time he didn’t know how he was gonna survive it or if he even wanted to.

The announcement crackled to life, a monotonous voice piercing through the air. Ben didn’t even hear anything until he felt a hand on his shoulder, almost making him jump from his seat.

“It is time, son.” She said in a loving tone, smiling at him. “We have to go now.”

A lone tear escaped from Ben’s weary eyes, tracing a silent path down his cheek. He hastily wiped it away, fighting against the flood of emotions threatening to engulf him. As the announcement repeated its urgency, Ben gathered his strength, stood up, and collected his bag.

“Yes!” He nodded.

With each step towards the gate, Ben carried the weight of his sadness. Lost in deep thought, Ben barely noticed where he was going until it was too late. With a sudden jolt, he collided with someone and heard a thudding sound.

“Oh my God, he gasped, raising his head.” His eyes widening in shock. “I am so sorry, please, forgive me.”

But as he looked up, he got a really unexpected face. Standing in front of him was a very beautiful woman with eyes that sparkled like an angel’s, a warmth emanating from her smile. She was so beautiful and she looked like a high fashion model.

“Ben!” The woman enthused, literally screaming. “Oh my God, what a surprise!”

“Grace!”

“You remembered?” Grace jumped like a child as she pulled away from the hug. “I was thinking you wouldn’t remember since you’ve become such a big fish in the business world.” She teased. “I am so, so happy for you.”

Ben nodded without responding. He felt Alejandra’s hand on his, shaking him.

“Ben, we have to go.” She whispered before she greeted Grace with a smile.

Ben nodded and stared at Grace. He hadnt noticed it before but beside Grace was a very beautiful girl who must have been 3 or 4 holding a big teddy bear. She was very beautiful and he got into his feelings. Everything was reminding him of his daughter.

“I got married 5 years ago.” Grace continued, getting Ben to reality. “That is my first child, Maya. She’s only 4 years old.”

Ben gave a slight smile. “Congratulations!”

“Thank you so much and speaking of children…” She paused and glanced around. “…where is your baby? I would love to how that beautiful baby turned out to be. He must be a very big boy now.”

Tears welled in Ben’s eyes as he struggled to find the words. The pain in her voice was palpable as she finally spoke,

“My child didn’t make it.” His voice cracked, the words hanging in the air like an irreparable fracture.

The woman's eyes widened in shock, her hand instinctively covering her mouth.

“How? I am so sorry.” She apologized. “This is so sad. What happened?”

“I am sorry.” Alejandra chimed in. “I don’t think Ben would love to talk about that and we might miss our flight.”

“Oh!” She said simply, her eyes not leaving the sad boy. “I am just so shocked because he was very healthy when he was born.”

“I… I didn’t have a male child, Grace.” Ben said as he wiped a tear that went down his cheek. “It was female.”

“That’s not possible!” Grace shook her head. “You had a male child, I held it in my arms when it was delivered. I did all the measurements and the dressing. You had a healthy, male child Ben.”

Ben stood frozen in disbelief as he stared at the woman before him, trying to process the news. His heart hammered in his chest, his mind struggling to comprehend the impossible. His hands shook as he quickly gripped Grace’s hands, his mind racing with a million questions and emotions too overwhelming to process.

“What? H-how?”

“Wait, how come you don’t know you had a male child?”

Ben’s mouth shook uncontrollably no word came out of it.

“When he woke up from the operation…” Alejandra spoke abruptly. “…the child he found was a girl and she was already dead. He was told that the child died a few minutes after it was delivered.”

“No,” Grace shook her head. “I can’t be wrong. Ben’s child was a boy, a very beautiful healthy boy. There’s no way I can be wrong about this.”

Ben was so quiet, flooded by a lot pf voice. His heart felt like it might burst from his chest. Everything felt so surreal, as if he were walking through a dream. The memories of the day he had lost his child flooded back with a crushing weight, threatening to suffocate him.

“You mean my child is alive?” His voice was barely above a whisper.

Tears streamed down Ben’s face as a ray of hope began germinating.

To be continued….