Chapter 8
1022 Words
"Dad?" He walked over and bowed slightly to the man staring at the computer in front of him.
Gage Hudson turned to see his son and smiled broadly. "Son!!" His voice revealed so much excitement.
"How are you?" The excited man stretched his hand and took Asher's hand.
How could they say he wasn't his father? How could they spit such nonsense? Seeing the excited look of his father, Asher's racing heart decelerated.
"I didn't know you're back dad?" he pulled a chair and sat beside him, then gazed at the images on the screen.
"That looks good," Asher pointed at the coloured chart displayed on the screen and his father nodded on agreement. "Yes it is,"
His eyes scanned the entire screen then landed on another chart. Instantly, his mood became bleak as he stared at the lines. He glanced at the chart then at other charts displayed on the screen and a wave of despair swept over him.
"I returned last night son, but you slept out," Gage Hudson who noticed the sudden change in his son's mood, tried to lighten the atmosphere.
"Yes, dad, I didn't return home last night," speaking of the previous night, his expression became worst as he recalled all that happened, the image of Ellie rejecting him, the look of disgust on Isabella Wynn's face when she spoke to him, his resolution to drinking in the bar and Javon's timely rescue.
The images of Ellie earlier that day in the restaurant eating from Cruz's spoon and sharing kisses with him enlarged in his head. His heart expanded and his fist tightened. Would he ever move on?
Then the word which had registered in his head returned, "father knows the truth,"
Gage Hudson had been staring at his son, observing his expression and noticed he was absent minded. He gave him a light tap on the shoulder and he startled.
"Did anything happen while I was away?" His eyes were full of concern.
Asher wagged his head and mumbled," nothing happened dad," but his voice which had been enveloped by sadness and despair sold him out.
Gage Hudson turned off the computer, then shifted his gaze on him. "When did you start lying? I've told you not to worry about these things, I believe in you, I trust you," he stood up and walked over to the sofa.
"Let's talk son," Asher stared at him momentarily, rose from the study chair and took the empty sofa next to his father.
"Forget those charts on the screen, they tell nothing about the amazing, hardworking son you are,"
Asher could only clasp his hands tightly to suppress his surging emotion as he listened to his father.
How he wished his mother and brother were like his father, always encouraging him. Then they affirmed hours ago that he wasn't his biological father.
"I followed your work up after our last discussion and I can see changes in your strategies," Gage Hudson continued.
If only he knew Asher's mood had nothing to do with the chart, or D-Tech. Asher began to battle with his thoughts, should he ask him? Finally, he made up his mind to clear his doubts.
"Dad," he called out, his eyes lowered.
Gage knew he was about to say something important judging from the tone of his voice and his deep expression.
"Go on son,"
Asher lifted his eyes and locked gaze with his father. "Forgive me for my question dad,"
Gage Hudson waved his hands,"go on son, why should I get angry?"
There was a moment of silence, then Asher finally asked, "am I your biological son?"
And Gage Hudson's eyelids flickered, his forehead wrinkled in surprise, but he quickly regained his usual demeanor.
Asher hearts skipped a beat when he saw his father's short reaction.
"Son! Why would you allow such thought cross your mind? Is it because of your mother and brother? Forget them," he smiled broadly.
"You're my son, my first son!" He affirmed but Asher didn't buy his response, his body language said it all.
"Dad please, I'm 27, I need to know the truth, I'm old enough to handle these things," he looked deeply into his father's face.
"A while ago, mom and Cruz claimed I'm not a Hudson," and his father's expression instantly darkened.
"They claimed I'm not aristocrat, mom said she didn't birth me, Cruz said he is your first son," as he spoke further, Gage's expression turned ugly, his hands tightly fisted and trembled.
"How dare they do?"Gage growled.
"Dad, please this isn't time to get angry. I only want to know the truth, am I your son? Is she mother?" How could a mother deny her own child right in the child's presence? Wasn't it questionable.
"By the end of this year, I should move out of the house just as you planned, same with Cruz. Dad I need all the truth before then,"
Gage Hudson gazed at the wallpaper on the wall, his brows furrowed and he unclenched his hands. After a long period of silence which sent Asher to the depth of panic, he finally returned his gaze on his son.
"She's not your mother,"
Asher's face instantly turned grey. Despite her attitude towards him, he still hoped she lied.
"I see," his heart began to pound heavily as his father stared deeply at him. He blinked severally, swallowed hard as he await the response to the question he asked.
"I named you Asher son, I love you so much because you have my fighting spirit right from your childhood. It's just that suddenly you gave some certain people room to oppress you, "
Asher's heart was unsettled, his heart was beating rapidly.
"It doesn't matter the blood relation, you're my son," and Asher's body began to tremble, he tapped his feet restlessly on the floor and his palms became sweaty. He wasn't short witted not to understand Gage Hudson's words.
Gage's heart ached to see him in intense panic, he wished not to speak further but then Asher asked and deserved to know the truth.
"Asher, I might not be your biological father,but.....but..."
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