Three
1084 Words
Eric's POV:
I was running without looking back when a car pulled on its brakes just as it was about to hit me.
"Are you blind?" Someone yelled as he exited, but he just glanced at me with disgust.
"I wish I didn't pull the breaks."
It was my father who said it. With a disgusted expression on his face, he stared at me.
"Who's that?" I heard a woman get out of the car and glance at me with sad eyes from the other side.
My mother.
I averted my gaze from them, as did my father, but my mother dashed over to me and drew me into an embrace.
"Eric, I missed you a lot." She sobbed softly as she caressed my back.
I lifted my hands to hug her back, but when I saw my father's disgusted expression, I couldn't gather the guts to hug her back and instead lowered my hands.
I kept my mouth shut and took a deep breath.
It's Mom.
A loving embrace.
When was the last time I felt this warm?
The best place in the world you can be.
"We're done. Let's go." My father yanked my mother from the hug, but she was reluctant to leave me.
"Please get back. Please, my little one." She was in tears.
I kissed my mom's hands and avoided the topic
"You should go. Dad's calling." smiled, but I could see my father's disdain when I addressed him as a father.
"No!" My mother repeated this as she continued to refuse to leave me.
Well, I vanished without a trace and didn't even contact them once in the two years I was gone.
"Mom.." I tried to break the hug, but she had a firm grip on me.
"Please stay with me till my last moment. That'll be the only thing your mother ever asks of you." When my mother uttered those words, I was shocked.
"Since I don't have much time left, could you possibly stay with me until then?" I couldn't say no to her because she pleaded.
I asked her a few questions before following my parents to the car. My father was irritated as he drove.
My mother continued to stroke my back gently.
**********************
My mother was hesitant to leave me when we arrived at our house, but I persuaded her by following her to her bedroom and holding her hand until she fell asleep.
I crossed the hallway after I was finished.
I had a peek around the area. Everything has been the same for the past two years.
Then I noticed my father pouring himself a drink and gulping it down furiously while staring at his phone.
I knew it wasn't the best moment to speak with him, but I couldn't help myself.
"D... Dad.." I muttered
"It's Mr. Charles for you." I corrected myself after he growled.
"I saw Mom's reports, Mr. Charles, and I'd like to stay with her till the time comes. So, if you could please allow me to do so..." He, on the other hand, cut me off.
"And what makes you think I'm going to do it for no reason?" He tilted his head.
"I'll do whatever you tell me to. I promised her a few minutes ago, I'll be there the moment she closes her eyes."
He stood up and looked at me.
"I wouldn't have to deal with this marriage and such an unfilial son if I hadn't gotten your mother pregnant."
I took his harsh comments in calmly, hoping he would listen to my pleads.
"I'll do everything you ask, but I'd like to keep in touch with my mother. I promised her that I'd make things right.
As a result, I don't want you to tell her anything about our conversation.
I'd like to grant her one last wish: to see us as a family."
My father didn't seem really interested in what I was saying, but he did make a phone call.
"Hello, sir....yes.....I got it.....I just have the perfect candidate for the job....yes.... thankyou.... understood."
I was staring at him, waiting for him to say something.
After the phone call, he appeared to be in a good mood.
"So.." he began and I gave my full attention
"The company where I work as the secretary to the chairman.
Our chairman has decided to step down as CEO, and his son will take his position.
However, there is a problem in that he has a reputation as a player, which is bad for the company's image, therefore we need a showpiece...that is, a fiancée, so that by the time everyone finally acknowledges him, that person will be free."
"What's your catch?" I questioned.
Of course, I knew my father would not allow me to get away without some sort of payment.
"A contract engagement, with a man..time one year. After the purpose is served you go separate ways." He muttered
"I thought you were a homophobe." I rolled my eyes
"Not when it brings me money." He grinned making me uncomfortable
"So go on and prove yourself useful. You can drop it if you don't like it. You don't have to be with your mom."
I looked at him with absolute disgust
"You are a bastard. She loves you so much."
He laughed
"If you agree to this offer, I'll help you start up a company on your own."
"I don't need your money. Just let me be with mom is enough." I spat
My father has never loved me since I was a child. He never showed up.
He was forced to marry my mother. And what about my mother? She's a knucklehead who is madly in love with him. She's just glad to be around him.
This man is making deals with me now that she's on her deathbed.
He's sick!
My father flashed a wide grin.
"Tomorrow, 9 am sharp."
My father knew I would do anything for my mother, and my eyes were still filled with disgust towards him.
I was about to walk through the door when my father's words stopped me.
"Stay here from now on. You don't have anywhere to go anyways. And besides your mother.." I dashed upstairs, past him, and into my room before he could finish.
But I overheard my father say as he sighed deeply.
"Even if it's only for a year, you'll know what it's like to spend your life with someone you don't want to be with."
- Writer
