My Son Step Dad

6. Arrange marriage??

"Chelly's POV"

 I wanted to spend more time with Eric. I felt a kind of distance growing between both of us, as the relationship of Eric with Ace was growing more.

The terror of losing him kept eating me.

Once Eric’s lunch was done, I went to the backyard with him. Eric wanted to play football with me. At first, I refused, as I didn’t know much about how to play it.

Eric kept insisting; his pleading voice and his baby eyes were irresistible. At last, I agreed to play football.

I was trying my best to spend quality time with my son. Deep inside I was thankful for Ace's absence.

I didn't feel comfortable around him. Whenever I get to see his face, felt like the whole world loses its sound. It seemed so silent, that I could hear my heartbeats.

My whole body starts to tremble when our gazes meet. I couldn’t talk normally, neither walk finely in his presence. All I could do was staring stupidly at him.

If even unknowingly I made eye contact with him, I can’t withdraw my gaze. His gray eyes; there’s a strong unknown emotion, which pulls my attention into his eyes.

Maybe because he belonged to a higher class? His body language and all described how rich he was. I kept wondering how he survives here with us?

I mean it’s summer; the hotter days, we didn’t have an air conditioner in our house. But he never felt uncomfortable.

I was enjoying the moment with my son, suddenly Eric stated, Ace was here.

I bowed down in embarrassment. My cheeks turned red by the thought of he saw me playing football like a kid.

What would he be thinking about me? He might think I have some kind of psychological issue? Or I'm too childish?

I made an excuse and started to walk away before those electric sensations start to happen.

With trembling legs, I kept marching towards the entrance of the house.

"I guess it will be of more fun if three of us play... What do you say, buddy?" Ace blurted.

As soon as those words hit my ears, felt like I forgot how to walk. Those rapid beating of my heart was making me suffer more.

Why was he trying to invite me to play along? Was he trying to make fun of how childish I was? Does he want to laugh at me?

Nevertheless, my legs were shaking, I continued to step forward, pretending I didn't hear his words.

"Yay....it will be fun. Come mommy, join us," it's Eric. He sounded excited. But I wasn't ready to let Ace make fun of me.

"No baby... I have lots of work to do. Next time sure," I spoke without even turning back. Not wanting to see Ace's face.

He would surely notice the redness on my cheeks. I was literally feeling so embarrassed. I didn't want to face him for weeks.

I hate the fact that he comes here without even informing. And....urrrrggg... he enters here from the backyard door? Who else would do that? I hate it. I hate him.

I went straight to the kitchen. Started cleaning everything that came in front of me.

All I wanted was to get over the fear which kept eating my mind up. I didn't want to think bad about Ace's intentions, but my heart seemed to be in a war with my brain.

A part of me was happy to see Ace with Eric. That doesn't mean I didn’t get scared. I lost my husband when I was only 21 yrs old. That's when Eric was only 2.

I kept control of my emotions no matter how badly my mother treated me. She yells out loud, loud enough that my whole neighborhood could hear it. But I kept smiling. Only for Eric.

What if Ace groomed Eric and finally, convince him to go with Ace? What if Eric gets used to the fancy gifts Ace provides for him? What would I do?

Eric hasn't matured enough to understand all this. I could understand Ace must've been broken from inside as he lost his son. But his behavior towards Eric gave me enough reasons to think bad about his intentions.

If any of these doubts became true, then that would be the last day of my life. I would have no reason to live.

My vision started to get blurred due to the collection of unshed tears.

That wouldn’t happen. Eric wouldn’t leave his mommy. I could sense how much he loves me. His little heart cares for me a lot. He would never go.

I blinked my tears away as I tried to convince myself. My heart kept aching every time I thought Of him leaving me.

"Chelly," oh my god, that's my mother. I speeded up my work. I didn't want to get yelled at, at this moment. If she did so, then I would be bursting into a pool of tears.

She entered the kitchen. I kept wiping a piece of wet cloth on the stove while pretending I didn’t hear her calling me.

"Oh... you're here..." She came closer and stopped right in front of me. She was holding a plastic bag from one of her hands.

"This is for you my dear child," she spoke so softly, that her voice was barely audible. I kept gawking at her for moments.

What happened to this bit*h now? Did she lose her voice? Huh. Maybe. Why not? She always screamed the hell out of her voice. I felt bad for her throat.

After sometimes, I took the bag and opened wide to see what's inside. My eyes were about to jump out of its socket as I saw a beautifully designed red dress.

Was she kidding? Why would she even give this to me? Oh my god! I fear something terrible was about to happen.

"Go get fresh and wear this. You look like a ghost," she spoke while wearing a smile on her face.

A frown of confusion formed on my face as I heard those words. What was going on? I knew her intentions weren’t as innocent as she was trying to show.

This time I didn’t want to obey her words. I could sense trouble. Seemed like I was about to get hit by a tornado.

"I'm cleaning. Can I go after I finish my work?" my voice came shakily as I was afraid of her intention. I didn't have any clue about what was going on in her cunning head.

"No, my child. Go, right now," she was still talking on the same note, but a hint of anger appeared on her face.

"Why mom. Can you please tell me clearly what's going on?" I asked as I wanted to know more. I wanted to know what exactly was going on.

The smile on her face got brighter as she added, "your father's friend and his son is coming here. They are coming here to talk about your marriage with his son, Jack," she blurted.

The words hit me like a thunderbolt, making it difficult to stand, as my legs were trembling. Sweat beads were formed on my forehead. I was thankful for the fact that my eyes were still in its respective place.

I kept there still; motionless. The silence seemed to occupy the whole kitchen. Seeing my mother's reaction it was clear that I had no choice other than accepting the marriage.

"Don't try to test my patience at this moment. I told clearly to go and get ready," her tone started to change.

She started to clench her jaw. It gave me an alarm to run and do whatever she was ordering me before her throat starts its daily exercise; yeah, yelling at me.

I went running to my room. When I reached there I made sure that the door was locked and I jumped on my bed.

My cheeks started to get wet due to the tears which rolled out from a corner of my eyes. I wanted to cry until all my sorrows decide to get out of me.

I had no idea who my dad's friend was. I didn't know who his son was. I hadn’t met him before, but that doesn't matter. All that mattered was Eric.

How would the guy named Jack treat Eric? Would he love Eric as his son? Or?? Would he be hurting my son, the way we see in movies?

Oh my god, no... I couldn’t accept anyone else other than David as my husband. I wouldn’t give my body to someone else. It's all Davids. No... what's happening to me.

I kept sobbing. There was an untold pain all over my chest; a throbbing heartache.

How was I going to tell Eric about this? Would he accept someone else as his Dad, whom he never met nor heard about?

I wiped my tears with the palms of my hand when a knock came on the room's door. The throbbing sensation in my heart started to increase.

As I approached near to my room's door, deep down I kept wishing it wasn't my mother. I could literally hear my heartbeat when I twisted the doorknob.

I got shocked when I found my dad in front of the door. A sigh escaped from my mouth in relief when I realized at least it wasn't my mother, but I didn't really expect dad would come here.

I kept staring at his black orbs. Hesitated to ask his motive for coming here. I stayed there, still; like a statue.

"I am here to talk to you, about your marriage with Jack," he spoke softly while staring at his hand, which was crossed around his chest. I nodded as I bowed down to show my respect.

"Last time you disobeyed me since then I never talked to you." He sighed. He was trying hard to cover up the emotions he had.

The day I disobeyed his words and got married to David was one of the saddest days of his life. I could sense it from his voice and the grief full expression on his face.

"This time I hope you'll help me to keep my words. Don't disrespect me in front of my friend," he added and without waiting for a reply from my side, he left.

If I need a roof on top of me, I would have to obey my dad. Even though I disobeyed him, all these years he kept serving for us; I and Eric.

I didn’t know what will happen if I disobey his words for the second time. I didn’t want to take a chance.

After almost 6 years, it was the first time he talked to me. He was the one who gave me and my son the shelter when we needed it the most.

After David’s death, when I came back here, mom refused to accept me back. It was dad who convinced mom.

Although mom leads this family, for the first time in my life, I heard dad raising his voice. That was on my behalf.

I couldn’t disrespect his words again. I couldn’t make him feel low again and again.

At this point, I had no choice other than praying. Badly hoping Jack wouldn’t find me attractive and he on his own will, would drop the thought of getting married to me, I decided to get ready.

I got dressed up. I wore the dress which my so-called mother asked me to wear. I sat in front of the mirror looking at my puffy red eyes, that's when a knock came on the door. I stood up to my heels and went to open the door.

It was my mother with a smile on her face. Someone should give this lady an Oscar award for acting.

As she turned around ordering me to follow her, I rolled my eyes.

When I reached the living room of our house, I saw two unfamiliar faces of men, who were sitting on the couch placed in the middle of the living room.

My heart began beating faster when the youngest of both stared at me. I gulped as fear invaded inside me, making it hard to breathe. I started to feel suffocated.

Why was I feeling like I had seen him somewhere? His face looked so familiar as if I had known him for ages, but I couldn’t puzzle out where I saw him and how I had known him.

Was he the one dad referring to as Jack? Would he respect my decision if I say I don’t want to get married?