LOVE & TOUCH

Chapter 5

Felix's Pov

"You're not my real brother, so stop calling me like that, especially in school. It's so annoying." Hendrix said before he left my room. He obviously hates my presence, and so he always reminds me of the truth about who I really am. I was an adopted child, and instead of his parents telling me the truth, he told it first to me.

I thought he just really hated me at first, but then when I asked his parents about it. They have no choice but to tell the same thing because it's the truth. But yeah, eventually, I accepted since I couldn't do anything about it. I should just be grateful that someone took responsibility for me. They are treating me like their own son and equal to their own son. But the latter didn't like the idea.

"I'm sick of being compared to you! I will tell everyone that you're just an adopted child!" Hendrix said while in tears, I don't know what he's crying for, but if he would say to everyone, who cares? I already accepted it, and for me, it's not a big deal anymore. Even though I'm not a real son, I would still love his parents.

But his words kept on repeating on me, and so, even at an early age, I already wanted to know who my real parents were. I wanted to see them and asked them why they gave up on their own child.

"Your parents are good people, son." Dad would always tell me about it.

He is a perfect and a good father figure. He looked stern and cold, but he was warm and kind. And I wished that he was my real father.

"If they really are, why am I here? You aren't my real parents, but you and mom took the responsibility that they had on their shoulders." I sighed while staring at the new set of toys that I received from my real father. I thought it was a joke at first, but he kept sending me those things. As if he did nothing wrong.

"Son, you still do not yet understand, but soon--"

I raised my head at him and smiled. "I understand my words, dad, and yours too. I know they have a good reason, but I won't accept it until they tell me on their own."

My curiosity about my biological parents grew as I got older too. Well, maybe it's really inevitable when you are an adopted child. You are lost and incomplete. And hungry to know your real identity.

"Why are you still looking for your real parents?! Aren't we enough for you, Felix? Why do you still have to look for them? They don't even care about you anymore!"

Mommy found out about my search for my real parents. I was not even in high school at that time. She threw the pocket of money that I'd saved and gave to our family investigator just to help me. I thought he would help me, but it seems that his loyalty to my parents is at its peak.

"I-I just want to know them mommy--"

"No!" Her tears were so painful that I cried too. She walked in on me and embraced me, which I wished my real mother could do as well. "I-I'm so sorry if I'm too strict with this, Felix. I just don't want you to leave us, leave me. So please...stop looking for them. We are your family now."

But I can't. I loved my adopted parents, and I will always be grateful for them, but I still want to see my real parents.I want to know what kind of people they are. I want to know if I should really hate them or not. I want to understand them and their reasons.

"You're still at it, huh?"

I went to my father's office. I was already in high school at that time. And I was still searching for my real parents whereabouts, but I couldn't find anything.

"Yes, dad a-and I need your help. Please help me to see them."

He looked at me. His eyebrows furrowed when his eyes caught something. "What happened to your face?"

I sratched my cheek a bit. I almost groan when I forget that it's where I have a cut. "J-Just...I got in trouble, dad." I pursed my lips. He looks really mad. "T-This is the last one, I promise. J-Just help me--"

"Are you making these trouble so we can give up on you?"

"O-Of course not dad! T-This is different. I'm sorry.." I jerked down my head.

He sighed. "You know that your mother will hate me for this." he tapped his table while thinking. "Let me ask you, son, are you grateful that we adopted you?"

I immediately looked at him. Teary-eyed. "Of course, dad! I will always be grateful for you and for mom! You are both always there for me. You never treated me differently. Y-You took really good care of me, and I will always be thankful. And even I met my real parents, they can't replace you." I said with full sincerity.

He sighed again, but this time, he looked more relaxed. "They are your real parents and if you will choose them, it's understandable." He gave me a folder and tapped my shoulder. "Always remember that we aren't looking at you as an adopted child. You are our second child."

"T-Thank you, dad."

And so, I finally met my real father. He is the cook at a low-end restaurant. He looks older than dad maybe it's because of his unshaved beard and messy hair. But...I could see and feel something familiar on him, especially in his smirk. Maybe it's the blood, huh?

I ate at the restaurant without confronting him but just watched him serve and cook for the customers. He looks tired, but he would still throw jokes at the customers.

"Hey kid, why are you smoking?"

I got nervous and immediately threw the cigarette away. I had observed him for the past few days and didn't expect that he would talk to me.

I averted my gaze from him. "J-Just don't mind me." I replied.

But he didn't leave. Until I heard his hearty laugh. I looked back at him, a bit irritated. Is there something funny on my face? I am your son, i***t.

He scratched his cheek a bit. "You look like me. Do I know you?" He asked, which made my eyes widen. "You have been watching me these past few days, did I do something wrong to you, kid?" He asked curiously.

My hands clenched, and my lips trembled for the words that I wanted to throw at him.

"Nevermind. Go back to where you belong and stop smoking." He then said, turning his back on me.

"I-I...am your f*cking son." I said before he could leave. He stopped midstep and froze on his feet. I wiped my tears and looked at his back with a mix of emotions. "I-I am your son, i***t!" I said in a raised voice. "I-I went here to see you---"

I was interrupted when he looked back at me with nothing but a piercing eyes. My words halted in shock.

"I have no son. Go back to your family and don't ever come back here!" He said in a thunderous voice. And I admit that I was hurt.

"Ha..." I breathe harshly. "Now you're denying that you h-have a son, huh?"

He looked funny and friendly earlier, but now he looks intimidating and scary.

"O-Okay fine. I'll go but you have to tell me why you gave me to my adopted parents. A-And I want to see my real mother as well--"

I was taken aback when he pushed me against the wall with force. My body ached immediately, and I had to stop my tears from falling. Damn him!

"She's already dead stupid!" He shouted at my face. "You have a good life now. So stop looking back on us and just live to the fullest with your present parents! Forget me and your real mother because we have nothing but trash! W-We can't give you anything. So just leave and don't ever come back here!"