Chapter 21

"Heather?" He said again. His eyes were locked in hers.

There were too many unsearchable emotions in his eyes. She thought while searching his eyes. His eyes were so deep, she was gonna fall into them. Those eyes…

"Honey?" A tall red-haired guy in a suit held her shoulder from behind. "Do you know him?"

Her eyes still fixed on Cayden, she said, "No! I don't!" And Cayden's brows furrowed.

Okay, take it in! He said beneath his breath. That was a slap on his face. Is she married to this man? He lowered his gaze and saw her glittering wedding ring. He blinked and looked away. Was it her fault? Did he expect her to have been waiting on him? He's married anyway.

He exhaled, turning his wedding ring on his finger. Then he realized he'd been wearing his wedding ring even after he figured out Elodre cheated on him.

He lifted his gaze and realized Heather was still gazing down at him.

"Alright, darling," The man said to Heather. "Let's go!"

And why does it hurt to watch her walk away? Walk away with a man who's not him.

Ding!

A notification popped up on his phone. It was a reminder of his sister's promotion party.

Oh, f*ck! He glanced at his wristwatch. He was running late!!

***

With a bow, the guard opened the door and he got into his car.

***

Elodre couldn't help the relief she felt after the massage. The masseur was not just charming, he was damn good with the massaging thing.

Oh, God! She stretched.

"Do you feel any better?" The masseur asked.

"Who said I wasn't feeling better when I walked in from the onset?" She raised a brow and the guy smiled.

Wow! He shook his head.

"Am I a clown to you or a comedian?"

"I was gonna ask if you're a clown…oh, no, I mean a comedian."

Gazing at him in the eyes she said, " Now I see how much of a clown you are."

Bobbing his head, he said, "I take that as a compliment, ma'am. Thank you!" He shrugged.

"Do you have a solution for swollen eyes?" She asked.

"Cause of the swollen eye?" He sat on a sofa.

"Is it necessary to know?"

"Very necessary, ma'am." He shrugged. "Could be a disease, injury, or something."

He studied her for a while and asked, "Do you feel serious pain?"

"Never knew there was an unserious pain." She sipped her water from the water can. "Pain is pain. I'm in pain."

***

She'd got some pain relief tablets from a pharmacy on her way home. She drank some water and swallowed the tablets.

"Momma?" Raiden wore a sad face.

"Yes, little guy?"

"I miss my dada," Raiden said and Elodre blinked. "I wanna see him."

"Your dad?" She said. "He'd been around for a couple of days, honey."

"Not him!" Raiden folded his tiny arms, frowning.

And Elodre knew where this was leading. This snatched the whole word from her head. Not again! Not again! "Who are you talking about?"

"Weston…"

"Weston?" She gasped. "Look, honey," She placed her hands on his shoulders. "Weston isn't your dad, okay? Cayden is."

"No! He isn't!" His frown exacerbated. "I don't like him!".

" Why, honey?"

"Cause you said he's not my real dada," Raiden said. "Weston said that too."

Studying him, she heaved a sigh of distress, placing her palm on her aching head. Those memories entangled her so badly. She was trapped. "Don't say that again, honey."

"I want Weston," He sobbed. "I want him, momma I want him."

"Weston isn't in town now"

"You say this all the time!" The kid grumbled.

Oh, God! "I'm gonna call him before you go to bed, okay?" She held his tiny chin in her hands. "I promise, honey. I cross my heart"

"Momma cross her heart?" He asked innocently and she chuckled.

"Yeah, momma cross her heart. Don't cry, okay?" She kissed his forehead and wiped his tears with her fingers.

She knows it's gonna be a long night, then.

***

Damn! He was late! From a few distances away he could hear the pop music booming from his sister's place. Once the guard opened the door he walked out.

Under the emission of red dim lights, Hailey's spacious living room was crowded with family and friends dancing to the music with drinks in their hands. Each sofas had crystal tables before it so some people were sitting and drinking while some were smoking or talking.

In a sexy showy short gown on heels, Hailey was all glittery and stunning. Her long hair was packed up with colorful clips and some strands of hair were on her face. Gazing into her phone, she said to Mrs. Bianca, "Mom, he's not taking his calls. I've been trying!"

Bianca sipped her drink and said, "Oh, comm'n honey, don't let that put a shadow on your smile. He's probably at a meeting or something."

"Ugh!" She groaned.

"Oh, look at me, sweetheart!" Bianca said to her.

Gazing at her, Hailey said, "What, Mom? You ain't doing anything relevant…".

" Now turn around and look who has finally shown up!!"

Hailey let out a scream and ran to him while Bianca shook her head, grinning.

"Thought you weren't coming anymore." She said, resting her head on his chest.

"Oh, really," Cayden smiled down at his average-height kid sister. "Sweetheart, you know I have you at heart, don't you?" He was cuddling her warmly, stroking her back.

"I called you a thousand times."

"I'm sorry I didn't take it." He said. "I was engaged. And, Congratulations, sweetie!"

"Thank you!!" She smiled up at him.

Assessing her, he said, "My goodness! You're gorgeous, sis! Turn around."

With a hearty smile, she turned around.

"Aww!" He hugged her again and said, "Congratulations, my love."

Curving his arm around her small body, they walked to Bianca who was grinning at them.

"Look who I haven't seen for ages." She said.

"Mom." He smiled down at his mother. "Comm'n don't gimme that look." Pulling her arm gently, he hugged her hard.

"You don't want me anymore, Cayden," She said. "You just forgot all about us. At least, for the sake of your kid sisters…you just cut them off."

Stroking her back, the memory of the past flashed in his mind. "Mom," Taking off some hair strands from her face, he pressed a kiss on her forehead. "I'm sorry Mom. I'm so sorry I had to go like that, please. I'm sorry." Before cutting her off he'd angrily warned her never to visit him. "I'm so sorry, mother. Sorry, I said all of those hurtful things to you."

"I was only tryna help," Bianca said to her son.

"I know, mother." He said. "I didn't realize It."

"You never show up in an event without your wife." Bianca looked up at him. "Where's she?"

***