My Son Step Dad

5. What was it??

“Chelly's POV"

Whatever it was, I would surely find it out. I couldn’t understand why I felt like they were talking about something relating to me.

But why would they talk about me? Would there be any which includes me?

Nah! It couldn’t be. They both were businessmen and they would be having business-related secrets that couldn’t be discussed with anyone. Why would it even relate to me?

A knock came on the door which forced me to snap my head towards the direction.

My eyes opened wide when it fell on the person in front of the door. It was Ace with a broad smile on his face and a box in this hand, which was protected by a rubber wrapping... And he was wet!

From the expression on Ace’s face, I could savvy how eagerly he wanted to see Eric.

When I announced Eric about who it was, he came half running and half jumping with the amusement he got from the news.

Grinning from ear to ear, he expressed the joy he got, "yay... you are here." I couldn't explain Eric's expression. He was way too happy that no words could describe it.

"Yesss buddy... I'm here as I promised you...," Ace spoke in a husky voice while wearing the cutest smile.

He was looking sexy in the black shirt and navy blue shorts. Tiny drops of water were dripping from his wet hair to the face. In other words, he looked yummy!

Biting my lower lip, I withdrew my gaze from him, as those devilish thoughts occupied my mind.

What Chelly? You were again looking at him. He might notice, stop acting like a 13-year-old schoolgirl who hasn’t got to taste a man.

"Come inside," finally, I managed to utter a word with a smile on my face. To be honest, seeing Eric’s joyful mood enlightened mine too.

"I'm fine. Just wanted to see him. I guess I need to change and come," he rejected my invitation.

"And this is for you," he added as he gave Eric the box which he was holding. Eric leaned forward and with the help of his both hands he took the box from Ace.

"What's this?" Eric asked while wearing a frown due to the uncertainty.

Smiling, Ace replied, "see by yourself, little buddy. Till then, I will take your leave. I will be back soon."

Eric nodded and beamed while waving his hand.

Before leaving the house, Ace waved a bye.

By jumping with amusement Eric came back to the table where he was doing his homework and started to unwrap the box.

Once the box was open, Eric’s eyes went widely opened with the astonishment he got. I couldn’t figure out how to put his expression into words.

Seeing Eric’s surprised look, I couldn’t hold myself from leaning closer to the box and peek inside of it. The next moment I saw myself as shocked as Eric.

It was a huge remote car. A car that Eric wanted to have badly. Once he saw it in an advertisement. It cost almost 17 thousand dollars. I couldn't afford to buy it.

Did Eric ask Ace, to buy it for him? Then how did he know that Eric wanted this badly? Or it's just a coincidence?

Eric was super excited but I wasn't. I couldn't digest it. I felt an unknown emotion. It was a combination of jealousy and guilt.

The happiness which I wanted to offer for my son from my side was now giving someone else.

But why? What is Ace's motive? Does he want to show off how rich he was? Or he purposefully wanted to make me feel guilty by showing me my helplessness?

Was he trying to buy my son's heart? Would Eric go if he asks? What will happen to me then?

"Eric?" I called him in a low voice, with blurred vision due to the accumulation of tears in my eyes.

He snapped his head towards me knowing that something was bothering me.

I wasn’t sure whether I have to ask him or not. He was too naive to understand my internal sufferings. I kept gawking at him with eyes filled with intense emotions which he wouldn’t understand.

Seeing his question full eyes, I knew he would ask countless questions.

Thinking it would be better, to tell the truth rather than lying. So, I ended up asking, "will you ever leave mommy?" my voice was barely audible, as I lost my control over the tears causing it to fall.

Eric came closer to me and held my face with his small hands. He wiped my tears before uttering, "no mommy. Never." He shook his head in denial. His voice held so much emotion towards me. I was amazed to witness his love for me.

"Mommy....ummm....shall I return this to uncle Ace?" as those words left Eric's mouth I became still. I kept staring at him, while my mouth was halfway opened.

"Remember you told me?....only accept a gift that you can afford to return?" He kept giving me shocks with his words. Thinking how obedient was my son, my heart filled with untold happiness.

"Or can I keep it?" he added, by giving puppy eyes. That made me laugh out loud. He managed to lighten up my mood. My little gem.

"You can have it," I spoke while wearing a smile of relief. He grinned before adding in a super sweet voice, "thank you so much, mommy."

When I approved his request, he kissed me on my cheek.

"But....this one last time," as I added in a serious note, I saw him nodding in response and went to play with his new toy.

That's true, this would be the first and the last time Eric would accept a gift that expensive from Ace. Ace was still a stranger.

"Ace POV"

After a week I came back to Eric's small town. I was eagerly waiting to see him. He reminded me of my son, Mike. I didn’t feel Mike's absence whenever Eric was beside me.

It amazed me how fast we both became close enough to say, dad and son.

As soon as I reached the hotel, I kept my items of luggage there and went to see Eric. It was raining heavily outside yet, that didn't give a damn to me.

I went running to Eric's house. It’s when I got bumped into Sebastian. He reminded me of the purpose of why I was here.

Even though I accepted it, I wanted to confirm it from Chelly, whether she agrees to sign the contract or not.

However, I didn’t let Sebastian know the actual reason why I was delaying signing the required documents.

Maybe Chelly wouldn’t like me if she learns my actual motive for coming this close to Eric.

When Eric saw me he was enlivened. A hint of inclination in his little eyes told me a lot about how much fondness he had towards me.

I always wanted to hear him say Dad to me. I want him to address me as his dad and the process was ongoing. Within a few days, if everything turns out well, it would be possible.

Despite the heavy rain, I came to meet him just to hand him a present which I brought for him. It was a multifunctional remote car. I knew Eric badly wanted to have it, as I saw an advertisement for this car on a piece of paper he kept inside of his textbook.

At an instance I saw the ad, I decided to gift it to him but got hesitated. Chelly might feel bad and she might start to think bad about my intentions towards Eric. If that happens, it would be very difficult for me to carry on with the contract.

Nevertheless, a part of me was warning me not to, I became helpless; I ended up listening to my heart. I ineptly wanted to surprise Eric. I wanted to make him cheerful and make him feel like he was the happiest kid in the world.

After giving him the present, I left the house. I didn't want to see Chelly's reaction.

I was conscious enough about the fact, she would feel distressed. She might feel guilty, as she wasn’t like most of the other women who keep digging for money.

It just makes me curious to know why she was even ready for the deal.

She was a simple and calm woman. Her behavior reminds me of Corey. She had everything that money could buy. But she never preferred to live a lavish life. Rather, she chose a simple lifestyle.

Unlike many other women, she hated spending money on buying expensive designer clothes and cosmetics. She loved the simplicity.

She was beautiful the way she was. That's the reason why I loved her the most.

Corey and I got married to my mother's will. She wanted me to get married to her best friend's daughter, Lizy.

My mother was unaware of the fact, Lizy was nothing but a gold digger. I never shared it with my mom, as I didn’t want to talk bad about her best friend's daughter.

Soon after Corey's death, my mother started her efforts to make Lizy her daughter-in-law.

I refused. I told more than a thousand times that no one can replace Corey's space in my heart neither in my life. I loved Corey more than anything else in the world.

I thought the same about my son, Mike. I thought no one ever could get the space that was occupied by Mike. To my utter surprise, it all changed when I met Eric.

I wish the relationship I have with Eric, to have an identity. I wish him to address me as his dad. This would only happen with the help of Chelly.

Well, I wasn’t talking about getting married to Chelly. If I ever get married, that would mean I was sharing the space in my life which was only held for Corey.

That doesn't mean I didn’t like Chelly. I like how she was; simple, decent, well-disciplined, and she was a warrior; a woman who lost her husband at a young age was fated with an abusive mother.

I had witnessed with my bare eyes, how her mother treated her. Chelly kept everything inside her. She hides her sorrows with a shield of smile and obedience was her weapon. Wasn’t she a warrior?

I liked her style. The way she dresses. She was beautiful with red wavy hair, deep brown eyes, naturally red, fuller lips and........more. Even though she wears loose clothes, I knew she has a perfect figure which could make any man go crazy.

Well, except me. I love my Corey more than anything and nothing could replace her.

A knock came on the room’s door which drew me out of my thoughts. Standing up to my feet and I went to open the door. It was a room boy who came with my lunch.

He placed the plates on the side table near the bed. I gave him a smile in appreciation of his work which he returned and left.

That's when I realized I was still wet. I went inside the bathroom and took a shower.

Wearing a bathrobe I took my lunch.

Once I was done with my lunch I got dressed up to go to Eric's house. I was wearing a navy blue shirt and white shorts. I left my room smiling as I was happily waiting to see Eric.

I entered Eric's house from the backyard door as it was more closely and take less time. This was my usual way of coming in.

I knew it sounds awkward, but no one questioned it so I didn't give a damn about it.

When I entered in, my eyes fell on Sebastian who was on a phone call. As I approached nearer, I heard him saying, “don’t worry. So you both are coming here today to talk about your marriage with Chelly?”

So Chelly was about to get married? Maybe it’s the reason why Sebastian had asked me to come over?

Ignoring his presence, I marched further inside. It’s when my eyes fell on Eric, who was playing football with, Chelly.

What? Chelly playing football? Maybe because Eric insisted. I kept staring at them and lost in my thoughts.

Hearing Chelly’s laughter and Eric's giggles, I kept there motionless, thinking whether the decision I was about to take was right or not.

The expression on Chelly’s face, when she scored a goal was irresistible. She was acting like a 9-year-old kid.

"Uncle Ace, you are here...yay...come join us," I snapped back from my thoughts when I heard Eric's voice.

I was standing still and staring at them both which made Chelly bow down, maybe she was feeling shy?

"You two carry on, I have work to do." she was still looking at her feet and started to walk away.

"I guess it will be of more fun if three of us play...., what do you say, buddy?" I blurted. I made sure my voice was loud enough for Chelly to hear.

I wanted to spend some time with her, to know her thought regarding the deal which Sebastian had offered for me.

Moreover, I wanted Eric to have a complete family. His mom, him, and his Dad. I didn't want him to feel helpless and lonely.

If I stay, then Chelly would always go, if Chelly stays, then I was the one who leaves. This might harm Eric’s upbringing. I wanted to stop it.