After Daddy Had Tortured Us

Chapter 5 Live together without falling for her challenge

"Fredrick, stay away from Audrey, 'Fredrick, stay away from Audrey!' What a rhythm! Dude, don't you notice? She even named her after you. There's no doubt that that little girl is yours. So stop being a jerk for God's sake and take—

"Shut the f**k up Ben!" I snapped at him.

I was already pissed off by Abigail's nuisance, so watching him make fun of the situation sent me overboard.

How about you stop sticking your d**k into men so that your own son can take you back into his life, uh? Do you think I am a horrible father? Well, guess what? You're worse, and I swear, if I ever hear you babbling about me being her father again, you will regret it!

At this, he just turned, walked into his suite, slid the door behind him, and the next thing I heard was the sound of things juggling.

Ben, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I called from the other end.

You've been a great father to him, and I'm not against your s****l preference either.

The door slid again, and he came out strolling a suitcase along.

"I'm leaving, but not because you said that I was a bad father, but because today I've come to know that my being gay had been bugging you all these years. I should have known that a perfect guy like you would never be comfortable with me hanging around. Therefore, I think it's time I went back to my own place."

I spent the night turning and toasting as I juggled to relive the memories of those days when laughter was heard in this house, moments of when everybody was here.

Abigail was a complete disaster. Every time she appeared in my life, I ended up losing my dearest people. Had she not upset me, I couldn't have flipped out on Benjamin who had stood with me through all of my difficult times.

While my fingers were busy dancing across the phone trying to compile an apology note, an email alert suddenly popped up, I was going to ignored it at first, but it was just so inquisitive that I had to open it immediately.

An application from her?? After all the drama? She must be out of her mind to think that I would still want to hire her.

At lunch, after Benjamin had accepted my apology, I was expecting him to move back in with me, but he said:

"Dude, I too want nothing more than to be together with you in that house, but in all honesty I don't count it healthy, we both had allowed our riches and privileges to stray us from going after what's really important and that is families of our own."

Aha, uhu, you're serious? I asked in confusion because the Ben I knew was never interested in settlement, especially since he already had a son.

Okay, I agree with you, but I don't see how living together would be a hindrance for you because, as for me, you're aware of my stand on the subject of marriage.

"That's my point, Dude, you can't stop living because of what happened. You got to move on, Trevor is gone and Tracy had also been gone long time, you can't bring them back, but you could make another one of them," he said giving me a pat.

"I have decided to bring warmth into mine house, so I hope you would do the same, we can hang out and do our favorite things, but we each need suitable partners."

"With this said, cousin, I wish you all the best in finding that wonderful lady who will rock your world while I also find the perfect guy for me."

"See you around the world, cousin," he said, tapping me on the shoulders before leaving.

I brushed off and headed to the hospital. If Ben wasn't going to return, then it was time to bring Mom back home.

After talking to her doctor, I went to give her the good news,

Mom, I'm taking you home. The doctor said that you would be fine even if you were being treated at home, so we are going back home.

"Fred sweetheart, I know how much living alone scares you, and now that Benjamin has left, you want some company, but even if you took me home I'm afraid that I would not be around much longer because my days are numbered," her said.

Mom, you aren't going anywhere. You're going to stay right here with me, this I promise, I will do everything to keep you alive.

"Sweetheart, I believe that you will, and I don't want to leave you either. But let's face reality. Anyway, have you two met? Well, you should check on her. I heard that she's still single, and since you want someone to keep your home warm, she could help."

Mom, please don't go there. I am not opening my doors to her. She's a complete disaster.

"Is she really a disaster, or.... a distraction, uh?" She guffawed. It's been like forever since I last saw her do that.

Mom, why does every one of you think that Abigail presence has some sort of influence on me?

"Ha-ha, isn't it obvious enough, sweetheart? Anyway, you're right her presence can't influence you. You are just afraid that it might unleash something magnificent."

I beg your pardon, Mom. There's nothing there to "unleash"

"Are you sure, even if you two were to spend time together, you won't feel anything for her?"

I am more than certain that even a million years together will not change anything!

"Really? Okay, here is a challenge, if you would live with her under the same roof for two years without falling in love with her, I too will not fall prey to this disease," she challenged.

"Don't, give me that look, son, if you're so confident that you can spend two years of your life with such a gorgeous woman without developing feelings for her, then I too I'm certain that I can recover from this disease."

"Find, 'Bring it on, Mom! 'But wait,' your doctor said that you have less than three years, so by the time the challenge would end, you might be too sick to go home.

"Trust me, sweetheart, with all dramas and fun that will be going on between you two, I might even outlived my doctors."

Okay, it's a deal! I said with a handshake.

"Not so fast dear, there are rules: you can't put her in harm's way. You will have to be nice to her, and since she's a single mother, you will have to treat her daughter as yours."

"Don't push it, Mom." I'm okay with providing them a roof and every other necessities, but I am not replacing my family, especially not Trevor, I promised him all of my loyalty and love, and I am not going to break that promise.

"So, are you instigating that you won't give me grandkids?"

Mom, I didn't say so, I just need some time, please...

"It's okay, dear, you can take all the time you need to heal. I completely understand. So when is she moving in?"

Seriously, Mom, we are back to Abigail already? Why are you even so fond of her?