Chapter 3 "My Son's Father"

Right when I was thinking of a way to find him, Eric appeared. At the top of all, he came to my neighborhood.

‘The heaven must be serious when I wished for a second chance,’ having this thought, I stayed wordless as my grip tightened around my son’s wrist.

Seeing Eric after many years, it felt as if millions of needles tore me from head to toe, from skin to bone.

“I was right. It’s you,” Eric said, catching his breath as if he came from the long run.

Sweats formed in my forehead. I looked around. There are less people in our neighborhood. If they are, they are too far away, so, they cannot not hear my conversation with Eric.

Breathing sharply, I looked at my former college friend in front of me. He’s tall, tanned and has good body build. Even if years passed by, he still has the face that can make everyone follow him with a gaze. His eyes are blue, and under the sun, it feels looking at the gorgeous vast ocean in the East. He has a high nose bridge and strong jawline, as if carved, showing their existence as if separating light.

Our son, Eugene, got his skin and hair color from me. But overall, Eugene is the splitting image of his father. I think it wasn’t only me who noticed that, but also Eric, who diverted his eyes to the young boy beside me.

“Who is this boy?” He inquired as he stared at our son. And when his brows raised, he added, “He looks like someone I know.”

I bit my lower lip until it went swollen. A lot of emotion strikes me from within, that I kept my mouth pursed while looking at him.

Since I did not reply, Eric leaned closer to Eugene and asked him instead.

“Boy, what is your name?”

  

My son pulled out the lollipop from his mouth. Then he answered, “My name is Eugene.”

When they were looking at each other, I felt my heart pounding, as if it was about to burst from my chest. Then again, I reminded myself. ‘Why should I feel scared? I was sent here to find Eric and to tell him that we had a child.’

“Sir Eric,” a man called Eric behind him.

When I looked at the man, I saw him tapping his wristwatch while standing beside a luxurious car. It is as if he’s telling Eric that they don’t have enough time to stay, and that they should go now.

‘No! If I let them go, I might not have the chance to tell the truth.’

Therefore, I gathered all the courage that I have and then…

“Eric,” I called.

Eric stared at me.

Lifting my chin, I pulled Eugene closer.

“This is my son, Eugene,” I introduced.

Slowly, Eric’s brows crumpled. The scowl settled between his thick brows. But he did not say a thing and instead, just looked alternately at me and Eugene.

My mouth suddenly went dry, but I managed to gulp and answered, “Yes.”

I looked at Eugene as I took a deep breath and smiled at him.

“Baby, you should say hello.” Looking back at Eric, I continued, “Say hello to you dad. This man is your father.”

  

Eric’s face turned dark, as if clouds settled upon us. I imagined countless times how Eric would react once we saw each other again, and found out that we have a kid. And now, the question was answered. His expression says as if he ate sour food, and he wanted to throw it out.

But sorry not sorry. This is the fact.

“Who is the father again?” he asked with a voice that was low and mellow, I felt the cold breeze brushing on my skin.

But in contrast to his calm voice, his eyes were burning like blue flames. It seems like there was a bitter taste at the tip of his tongue, even if he just ate the sweetest grape he ever had.

“That boy, is it really mine?” he asked me, while sweeping his hair upward. “It wasn’t really a joke.”

My stomach churned as I felt my fury come alive. What does he mean that this is a joke? Did he lose his memories and forget that we had s*x years ago?

In surprise, I gaped at his thick face. First, this is not the Eric I know.

Eric was gentle and kind. If he learned that he had a kid with me, I expected him to accept the truth since we made the mistake together. But now, he looks like a person who won’t show mercy to someone who dares to lie.

‘This b*stard.’

I clenched my fists, about to ready myself and punch this jerk but…

“Secretary Byron,” Eric called the man behind him, making me stopped.

“Yes, Sir Eric?” the man replied.

“Cancel all my schedule today. I need to know if this boy is really mine.”

Eric looked at my son, and so did Eugene. While the two are staring at each other, it felt as if they are shooting lasers with their eyes.

I came back to the past to fix my mistake. And I hope that letting Eric and our son met, won’t make me regret soon.