A Love to Last - 1. Chapter 1: Enter the world of the Henandez family.

It was a cold night

The wind was whistling

Thunder was roaring and the lightning split the sky

The clouds were dense, large drops of rain fell. The heavy rain was wreaking havoc in the city.

And here it was, a very beautiful mansion, one of the most beautiful mansions in the city. Each corner of it was beautifully carved, and the designs were made with complete care. With combination of sky blue and spotless paint , it looked like a palace from a fairyland. With greeneries around the garden, it was adding more beauty to the mansion.

*

“How dare you!” The woman let out a loud growl of annoyance. “What did I tell you about touching my things? What the hell did I say?”

“Please, you’re hurting me…”

She was a dragging a young boy who was no younger than 9 years old by his hair, down the stairs. She had her whole hand full of his hair as she pulled it like life depended on it. He had blood on his hands dripping with sores. There was blood coming out his nose.

“What the fuck did I tell?”

“Madam, please, don’t do this.” The elderly woman that followed behind in a black and white uniform begged. “he’s hard enough. You’re only hurting him even more. He’s bleeding already.”

But she paid no attention to him. She was releasing all her anger and frustration on the little child.

“What did I tell you about messing with my things, son of a whore.”

When she reached the living room, she threw him to the floor with a thud and he hit his forehead so hard it broke and began bleeding. She was a monster but she didn’t care. It was what he deserved.

The boy was in so much pain. Never in his life had he ever experienced such intense agony, crushing every nerve in his body. It felt like pins creeping along his spinal cord. It tortured him to move, so he kept his movements small and steady.

“Do you know how expensive everything I have in this house is? And now you dare break my things?”

“I didn’t mean to.” The boy cried. “I was… was just cleaning it like you told me to.”

“So now it’s my fault? You’re leaving my house this instant. I told Adam to never allow you here but he still did.”

She gripped his arm painfully and began dragging him to the door, ignoring his wails. His eyes were blood red and swollen from the crying and the beating. Every heartbeat sent a surge of pain, as if his chest were being torn apart.

“Ma’am…”

“Stay out of this.” She warned the elderly woman. “Say another word and I’ll send you out together with this trash.”

She continued dragging him until she reached the door way and threw him to the floor, pointing her shaky fingers at him.

“Get out of my house.” She screamed. “I don’t ever wanna see that ugly face of yours ever again.”

“I… I don’t have anywhere else to go.” The boy said in between sobs.

“Do I look like I give two hoots about that? You can rot in the streets for all I care.”

With those words, she started rushing back inside, leaving him bleeding and in pain.

“What’s going on here?” She heard a voice behind her. “Oh my God, Ben… Shit!”

She took a quick turn and found her husband with her son, Jim holding the bleeding boy. Her eyes narrowed and her teeth clenched together. She stomped her foot on the floor and began rushing there.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Her voice grew louder.

“Oh my God.” Jerome was scared when she saw the blood on the boy’s body. “What did you do, Elena? What the hell did you do? What kind of monster are you?”

He wrapped his arms around the boy, shielding him from the woman.

“Monster?” She chuckled bitterly. “Monster? The only monster we have in this house is that boy. And I want that bastard out of my house this instant. I don’t ever wanna set my eyes on him.” She looked at her son and growled. “Jim, come here this instant. Don’t touch that boy.”

“But mommy. He’s hurt, I…”

“I will not repeat myself again. Get up, go and get changed and come down for dinner. Now.” She roared, making the boy gasp in fear.

Jim slowly got up and walked upstairs to his room. But although he was going, his eyes were on the bleeding boy. Jim was older than Ben only by a month but they were literally the same age. He loved Ben so much and seeing him hurt was too much for him. But he didn’t wanna disobey his mother.

Jerome was scared, very scared. He gave the little boy to the nanny and instructed her to take him to his room and call the doctor to attend to him immediately. Then he got up and looked at his wife. He was very angry.

“What kind of monster did I marry? How would you feel if someone did that to your son?”

“I can’t believe you just asked me that. I have been nothing but a devoted wife, mother and person. So don’t you dare question me, Jerome.” She warned, fighting off her tears. “You turned into this person, this monster.”

“What did he do? Then punish me. But leave my son out of this, Elena.” He yelled. “He’s too young to be this hurt.”

“That little bastard broke the vessel my mother gave to me. Do you know how expensive that thing is.”

“You and I know this isn’t about some vessel, Elena. It’s about Ben. You just don’t like him. You’ve always found an opportunity to hurt him. But why?”

Elena felt her body temperature rising and she could feel her blood boiling. A vein popped out in her neck and she yelled.

“Why? Why? You’re asking me that?”

“I know I made a mistake but getting it out on that boy isn’t the way. Whatever he does, you should punish me instead. Hit me.” He took her hands and began slapping himself. “Hurt me. Make me bleed but not my son, Elena. Please.”

She furiously moved her and rubbed the tears that were forcing their way down her cheeks.

“Every time I see that boy, it reminds me that you cheated on me and not only did you cheat but…” She paused and clenched her fists. “…but you also brought evidence home. How do you think that makes me feel? That you were screwing some whore and you were careless enough not to use a condom and planted a seed in her. Do you know how disrespectful that is? That I have to explain to the world that my loving husband was fucking some whore behind my back and I am staying with his bastard son?

No!” She chuckled bitterly. “As long as that boy lives in this house, this place will be too small to contain the two of us.”

“What do you want me to do?” His voice was barely above a whisper.

“Don’t ask me stupid questions, Jerome. You didn’t ask me anything while you were screwing. But let me make this clear…” She got closer. “…make sure you keep him away from me because if I smell him two inches from me, I will be in jail for murder.”

She furious turned and stormed out of there. Jerome remained standing like a statue, reliving every word that she had uttered. He knew he had made a mistake but his son wasn’t the one to pay for that mistake. He glanced at the place he’d found his son and seeing drops of blood; he couldn’t help but be heartbroken.

***

Jerome opened the door to his son’s room and quietly moved to where he was sleeping. He had a large bandage around his head and a few stitches on his hand. Even when he was asleep, he could see that his eyes were swollen and there were still tears coming out his eyes.

His heart broke because he knew he didn’t have anyone else to blame but himself. His wife hadn’t done that to the boy but himself. If only he could mend his past mistakes, then nothing like that would have been happening.

Jerome knelt in front of his son and rested his hand on his face. His body was hot.

“I am so sorry, Ben.” His voice was barely above a whisper. “I did this to you. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have brought you here knowing that my wife would go to this extent to show her anger. I had high hopes that you’d find a new home, peaceful and joyous. But I brought you to your prison and I don’t know if you’ll ever forgive me for this.”

He didn’t even realize he was crying.

“I am sorry, my love. But one thing I can assure you is that I won’t let things go to this extent ever again.” He took his hand and the boy moved. He sobbed uncontrollably but yet didn’t open his eyes. “I shouldn’t have left you alone. I’ll find a better place for you, just for you where you’re gonna be at peace.”

Jerome could remember it, like the it had been yesterday. He had brought home his illegitimate son, Ben Henandez after the death of his mother. Ben was his and his secretary’s child. Years back, he had a very ugly argument with his wife that had led him to drink and almost get beaten. But his secretary had saved him. He didn’t know what had happened but he had forced himself on the poor woman and she had gotten pregnant.

He had thought it was unfair to force the woman to have an abortion and had also been selfish since he had also wanted to have a child for so long. A month after finding out she was pregnant; he had found out his wife was also two months pregnant. So, instead of his original plan of showing her to the world and his family, he had kept her a secret, a secret little family.

That was until she had died of breast cancer that she had kept a secret 4 years back. He had brought his illegitimate child home but that had been a mistake. The child hadn’t been living in peace because Elena hated him so much.

“I’ll protect you, I promise.”

He got into bed and held his son closer to him, kissing his head. He could still feel him trembling.

“Please forgive me.”

***

10 years later…

*

“Drink… drink… drink…. Drink…”

Everyone was shouting as a bottle of liquor was being poured into a funnel that was connected to a tube. The tube was directly below someone’s mouth and the liquor was directly going down his throat. He had his hand in the air, doing the count down with his fingers.

“Yeah!” Everyone cheered as he finished his 20 seconds. “that’s what we’re talking about.”

“I am the king of the party.” The boy shouted at the top of his voice, followed by loud cheers. “Let the music take our bodies tonight.”

The boy was handsome, very handsome with shoulder length curly hair that looked like it was worked on by angels. It was pitch black with blonde strands, making him look like a model. He had a hairless, handsome model face with deep brown eyes and pink lips that had almost everyone fantasizing about them.

He was dressed in a white shirt that was unbuttoned with a white vest inside and a black skinny jean that showed off his sexy body. On his feet was graced the most expensive Nike sneakers. He was gorgeous and he was the light of the party that day.

He began dancing, moving his body sexily from side to side as Ariana Grande’s “Into you” played. The party was lit with almost every popular student there. It was the weekend, which meant party until dawn.

“Hey!”

The boy felt someone partying on his shoulder. He quickly turned and his face lit up almost immediately. He quickly wrapped his arms around the boy that had tapped his shoulder and began dancing on him.

“Sean, I was starting to wonder where you were.” He moaned, licking his lips. “Did you see what I did back there? I won the challenge.”

“Jim, are you drunk?” Sean asked in surprise. “Maybe I should take you home. We’ll talk when you’re sober.”

“Why?” Jim laughed in his drunk voice. “This is the perfect moment.” He screamed at the top of his voice. “You, me… we are here. In fact, why don’t you come with me.”

Without getting any response, he took the man’s hand and staggered his way to a room that was empty. He shoved him into the wall and connected their lips. They began kissing furiously, hands all over each other. Words were not needed.

“Fuck!” Sean swore in between their kisses.

He knew he was the sober one and had to stop what was going on but he couldn’t do it. Jim had come at him so strong that he was instantly turned on. The boy had his hands all over his body as they kissed, moaning in each other’s mouths.

But suddenly…

“Bitch!”

An angry female voice came from behind them and Jim was ripped off of Sean and before he even realized what was going on, a slap cracked on his face and he was sent to the floor. He was too drunk to even feel the pain.

“You stupid bitch!” The girl seethed, staring at him like trash. “How dare you make out with my boyfriend. Have you no shame?”

“Fridah!” Sean gripped her, pulling her away.

“Don’t fucking touch me.” She turned and backhanded him, but he didn’t let her go. “How dare you, Sean! After everything that we’ve been through? Now you’re gay or bisexual or whatever? What’s going on?”

Sean tried to speak but no word came out of his mouth. He didn’t even know how to explain. Everything had happened so fast. He had never had any relations with a boy before. It was the first time it was happening.

“Fridah, I… I…”

“Ha ha ha…” Jim laughed as he got up. “…do you even need to ask that question? Every boy is gay for me. And… don’t blame the poor guy. Have you looked at yourself?” He laughed. “You’re enough to turn any boy gay.”

Fridah clenched her fists.

“Baby, no!” Sean held her tighter. “Don’t start any scene. Please, let’s just get out here. We’ll talk about this outside.”

“Excuse me!” She glowered. “That bitch just insulted me and you expect me to be quiet. Get off.” She tried to be free but he was too strong. “Just get off of me. This is all your fault.” You could hear the hurt in her voice. “How long will I have to suffer because of you? So, it’s not only girls, it’s also boys now.”

By then, some people outside had already heard the commotion and were starting to come inside. They were wondering what was going on.

“I am sorry, it was a mistake. Let’s go.”

“No, we’re gonna settle this right here. I’ve had it up to my neck, Sean.” She yelled. “I am not gonna let the both of you embarrass me.”

Jim laughed as he shook his head. “You know, your boyfriend is such a good kisser. He had his tongue so far down my throat…” He moaned with an evil grin on his face. “…that I wonder what else he can do with that gorgeous tongue of his. Wait…” He paused and chirped, staring into the face of the girl that was about to cry. “…now that I have mentioned it, I already do know what else he can do with his tongue. After that wonderful night…. Oh…” he moaned, passing his hands on his lips. “…it would be too hard to forget.”

“Stop it, Jim.” Sean’s voice was barely above a whisper. “This is not the place.”

“What?” He shrugged, trying to stand strong but everyone could see he was very drunk. “Are you too ashamed to admit that you love and that we’re in a relationship?”

“Jim please…”

The people that watched could tell that Fridah didn’t have strength. She was visibly trembling from all the pain that she felt. She groaned and furiously pushed her boyfriend to the floor and started rushing to Jim. Her hand was so high in the air that when she reached it, she didn’t even think twice.

She smacked him across the face so hard that it felt like a clap throughout the room. But centrally to what everyone had thought was gonna happen, they were all in shock. Some had their hands covering their mouths while others had their eyes almost popping out of their sockets. Fridah herself was shocked.

How could it have happened? She had slapped someone else. He was standing in between her and Jim with his face directed toward the floor due to the impact of the slap.

He had long chocolate brown hair that reached his back, made into a ponytail. Perfect Mexican skin and a perfect body. He wore an ordinary t-shirt with a black skinny jean and slippers on his feet. When he slowly raised his face, his piercing grey eyes looked straight into Fridah’s and she couldn’t help but feel a shiver go down her spine.

“I… I didn’t mean to.” She stammered. “I am sorry.”

The boy raised his hands and put them together. “No, I am sorry. I probably deserved that for getting between you and my brother. But pardon my brother. He is not himself. As you can see, he is very drunk and in not in his right frame of mind. Whatever he said, he didn’t mean it.”

“Ben!” Jim moaned like a kid, wrapping his arms around Ben’s waist. “Ben… Ben, I love you so much. You came to join me so we can party, right?”

“Let’s not do things hasty.” He had his serious face on. “I am sure whatever happened here tonight, your boyfriend can answer for it. He doesn’t seem as drunk to me. Otherwise, this wasn’t supposed to happen tonight.”

Fridah was left speechless. She couldn’t utter a word against a sweet boy like Ben. He was a complete opposite of Jim although they were of one blood.

“Thanks,”

Ben turned and took ahold of Jim’s hand, smiling at him. “Come on, let’s go home.”

“I love you so much, Ben.”

The two brothers left and everything remained quiet. Fridah didn’t have any energy to argue with her boyfriend. She stormed off and he chased after her.

***

“Jimmy…” Elena screamed as she rushed inside the apartment with her heels as if she didn’t have anything on her feet. She was dead scared.

She was looking gorgeous in her office attire, a black top that showed off her cleavage with seductive boobs, tucked in a white designer skirt with black heels. The skirt was so tight on her, showing off her curves.

Elena Henandez was a woman of both class and poise, known as the iron lady as she ruled her empire together with her husband. She was in her mid-40s, cunning and manipulative. She had dark curly hair that made her looked nothing beyond 30 and her makeup artist always did their best to make sure that she had the spotlight wherever she went.

“Baby?” She gasped when she saw him seated on the bed, massaging his head. “Are you okay?”

To say Jim was surprised would be an understatement. He looked at his mother wide eyed and for a second felt his headache get worse.

“My baby.” She dropped her bag on the table and sat on the bed, pulling him closer to him. “What did they do to you? Look at you…” She passed her hand at the corner of his mouth where he had a bruise. “I am gonna punish that stupid bitch.”

“What are you doing here?” He couldn’t mask the surprise in his voice. “And who told you what happened? Are you still keeping an eye on me? Why?”

“My baby…”

“Mom?” He slightly raised his voice. “Are you serious?”

“What do you want me to do? Watch my son getting beaten up? In case you’ve forgotten, you’re a Henandez. No one messes with my blood and gets away with it. That bitch will think twice before laying her hands on you next time. I hope spending the night in jail got her thinking.”

“Mom? What did you do?” Jim couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “You had her arrested? For what? I was drunk yesterday but I remember starting the fight?”

“So what?” She shrugged, still holding him. “It’s not my fault that you’ve got a mother that cares like me. I won’t let anything happen to you. Come here, baby.”

She held him in her arms, placing soft kisses all over his head. “How are you feeling?”

“I am fine, mom. Teens fight all the time. Seriously, you shouldn’t have gotten involved.” He sighed. “Get her out of there, please. She doesn’t deserve to be there.”

“Baby….” She stared at him. “…that girl deserved whatever she got. How will she realize that she shouldn’t mess with you if I don’t do things like this. I…”

Elena trailed off when the door to her son’s room opened, revealing Ben who came in dressed in his pajamas with his hair tied in a bun. He looked a little mess with a small bruise on his cheek. When she saw him, her blood began boiling. She clenched her fists and visibly shook.

Ben moved to the table and put the hot soup he had made for Jim. Somehow, seeing Elena got him nervous.

“Good morning, aunt…”

But he didn’t finish the sentence before she backhanded him. He took a step back and held his cheek, dropping his eyes to the floor.

“Where the hell were you when my son was getting hurt? How dare you, Ben. You’re so fucking ungrateful.”

“I am sorry.”

“Sorry.” She chuckled bitterly. “You’re fucking sorry is all you can say? My son was almost killed at a party and you’re sorry. I know what your plan is. You know very well that my son is the only heir to our empire and you wanna get rid of him.”

“Mom?” Jim quickly rose from the bed and shielded Ben from her. “Why would you say that to my brother? You know Ben has always had my best interest in his mind, all the time. He’s the reason why I am standing here without any wound on my face because he defended me.”

“Am I supposed to thank him? Both of us know you wouldn’t have gone to that party if not for him. He always wants you to look like the bad son to your father while he looks good in his eyes. Can’t you see that?”

“Stop!” Jim was upset. “Why is it that you always see the badness in him? I don’t understand, mom. Ben is the nicest person I know. He’s done nothing but protect me from the people that want to hurt me.”

“After putting you in trouble?” She snuffed. “He wants to look like the good son. Can’t you see that?”

“He took a slap for me. And you’re wrong, mom, Ben isn’t the one that always put me in trouble. I am the one that always puts myself in trouble. He’s my savior.”

A look of great bitterness swept across Elena’s face. She felt her face get hot as she connected her eyes with Ben. Fuck! If only she could get her hands on him and strangle him.

“Errr… Jim, it’s okay.” Ben said with a smile. He was hurt but he didn’t wanna show it. “Listen to what aunt is saying. She’s just trying to protect you. Don’t argue with her.”

“But Ben…”

“For my sake.” He pleaded. “And take your soup while it’s hot. That’s the only way that headache is gonna go away.”

“Look, Ben, I don’t need you to talk on my behalf. And I don’t need any opinion of yours.” She Snapped. “Whatever I say to my son and however I say it is none of your concern. Do I make myself clear?”

Ben lost the smile on his face and nodded. “Excuse me!”

He left the room. Jim wanted to follow him but Elena pulled him back.

“You’re not gonna go after him, are you?” She asked with bitterness. “Your mother is here, you know. And I am finding it is kind of rude that you’re siding with him over your own mother.” She brought her smile again and opened her arms, inviting him in. “Come on, my handsome baby boy. You know I left my work just to come and spend some time with you. I miss you, Jim.”

Jim sighed and went into his mother’s arms. “I miss you, too. But you don’t have to keep watching me. I need some privacy as well.”

“I know. I just miss you so much.” She couldn’t let him go. She placed a kiss on his head. “Come back home where I can take care of you myself.”

Jim smiled as he pulled away. “We’ve already talked about this, mommy. Ben and I need the time away from home so we can concentrate on our studies.”

“I honestly don’t care if he stays away from home. But you…” She took his hands and kissed them. “…I need my baby by my side.”

“It will be the holiday soon.” He smiled. “We’re gonna be home. Just a little patience mom. And… you need to get that girl out. I started it and I think it isn’t fair.”

“Alright, if you insist.” She rolled her eyes. “I will get her out by the end of the day.”

She picked up shopping bag and showed it to him. “Now come on, let me show you what I got for you.”

Jim giggled like a five year old child. She never seized to make him feel like a child again by spoiling him with the expensive gifts even though she knew that he had enough money to afford. Jim loved his mother so much and he loved the relationship he shared with her.

***

“Come on, dad, you don’t have to worry about me.” Ben sighed as he sat in front of a mirror, staring at himself.

‘I know Elena came that side. She didn’t even attend the meeting she had been waiting to host for weeks now. I can only imagine…’

“Dad, calm down, breath.” He chuckled. “Nothing that bad happened. She was only worried because we got ourselves in trouble when we attended a party. She was just being a mother.”

Jerome was quiet for some time. Ben thought he had cut off his call.

“Dad. Are you still there?”

‘Yeah, it’s just that I really feel bad, Ben. I feel like I haven’t done my best as a father to protect you. Each time Elena is venting or saying something bad, I don’t defend you a lot.’

“Dad, stop!” He said softly. “You’re the best father I know. Tell me which father would care so much about his son, do the best for him despite all odds. Dad, you’re the best man I know on the planet and if I had to choose this life all over again, I would do it as long as I have you on my side. Even in my next life, I would choose you as my father.”

Jerome sobbed on the other end of the line. ‘You’re just saying this to make me smile, Ben. Just say it, I am the worst father. I feel I haven’t been fair to you both.’

“I still disagree. Now will you stop talking about this and tell me how the meeting went.” He was trying to stop the emotional environment building up.

‘It’s another deal.’ He laughed. ‘And you should get ready. I will take both you and Jim out because of this.’

“Us? Why not aunt Elena?” He shrugged. “You both deserve to celebrate this.”

‘Because the deal got cracked because of you. Both your designs were impressive.’ He was just so happy. ‘You’ve contributed so much to the growth of our empire, both of you. I couldn’t be any prouder. Especially you, Ben. You’re so talented. I’ll call Jim and tell him the good news so both of you can get ready on the weekend. I’ll take you out and get you whatever you need.’

“Is that a deal?”

‘Of course, you know I never lie. And by the way, you and Jim are gonna have to pitch in your ideas about your sketches so we can finalize. Is that okay?’

“Anything for you, daddy.”

He was quiet again for a few moments. ‘I love you, Ben, so, so much.’

“I love you too, dad. See you soon.”

He cut the call and began staring into the mirror. He had a bruise on his right cheek but it wasn’t that bad. It was nothing a little makeup was gonna cover. He sighed and took a deep breath.

“Was that dad?” He heard a voice.

He took a glance and found Jim leaning in the doorway with a sad face.

“Yeah. He was just happy that they finished a deal with our designs.” He enthused, wearing that gorgeous smile. “He’s coming to pick us for the weekend. But he did say he was gonna call you. Are you okay? You don’t seem too happy. Did aunt leave?”

“Yeah, she did.” He began walking slowly towards Ben. “A few minutes ago.”

“Then why are you sad? You should have gone with her if you knew you were gonna miss her.”

“lol…” He rolled his eyes. “Very funny, Ben. You know that’s the last thing I would do. I love my mother but I also need a break. She makes me feel suffocated sometimes. I am like this because she slapped you. I am hurt, Ben. I hate it when she does these things and I haven’t even apologized for getting you slapped at the party the other day. I am such a pain.”

Jim felt a terrible weight fall on his shoulders as he stared at his brother. The boy was smiling at him as if he didn’t know what he was talking about.

“That you are, Jim.” Ben said as he rose. “You’re such a pain in the ass, a very big one. And no one can put up with you.”

Jim’s lips down turned into a pout. He stood silently, dropping his eyes to the floor.

“I am sorry. And look where it got you. All because of me, my mother hurt you.”

Ben wrapped his arm around his brother, pulling him closer. Then he went behind him, wrapped his arms tightly around his waist and kissed his neck. He was with him, all smiles and admiration.

“I said you’re a pain, but that doesn’t mean I hate you. I wouldn’t want you to change for anything.” He said happily. “In fact, the day you’re gonna change, I am gonna slap you back to this version”

Ben’s chuckle was infectious and Jim couldn’t help but giggle too.

“Even if I am annoying and always put you in trouble?”

“Am I complaining my good, sir?” He asked with a raised eyebrow. “But for your apology, you need to make some lunch for me.”

“Ben?” Jim complained. “You know I suck at cooking. If you wanna eat shit today then, I’ll cook.”

“As long as it’s made by you.”

The two brothers began laughing like there was no tomorrow. In no time at all, they were on the floor, lying on pillows as they talked about crazy things and just laughed it out. Even people from other apartments could hear their laughter.

But that what the two brothers had, love for each other.

Like they say, ‘only a brother can love like a father, annoy like a sister, care like a mother and support like a friend.’ That was what Jim was to Ben, his everything. He loved him more than anything and was willing to do anything for him.

Can anything break this bond?

To be continued…