Chapter 4 - He is My Son

WYATT

I watched the interaction of those two people sitting under the tree from my place: Ruby and Austin. One is a woman in my life, and the other one is...

Those clear blue eyes...

The age...

Is he my son?

"Here," Kevin said beside me as he thrust a paper bag as well as an envelope.

My forehead creased not for the paper bag because I knew he had bought lunch for me but for the envelope. "What is it?"

"Information." He replied while gesturing with his chin in Ruby's direction. "About your son."

My brows furrowed more. My son? It only meant that he already knew this all along. "When did you know? And why didn't you tell me?" I asked, my voice was firm at the sudden anger coursing throughout my body.

But what made me angry, actually? Was it really because he just told me now? Shouldn't I be grateful, then? Or not,  I wouldn't know at all.

He raised both hands in surrender. "Calm down, Wyatt. I'm on your side. I also found out about him recently."

Did I believe him?

Well, it wasn't the right time to do so. The envelope was more tempting to me than listening to Kevin's answer.

Therefore, I rushed to open it only to find the truth in Kevin's words. It was a DNA test result, which showed that I am Austin's biological father.

"Do you remember when I told you I would visit this city for business as well as for a quick vacation with Laura last month? It was when we found out Ruby lived here. She runs a bakery, mostly selling cookies and some cakes. You must try it."

But my mind was fixed on the letter. He is my son.

Austin is my son.

It seemed Kevin spotted it, so he continued talking. It was about Austin this time, so I began picking up his stories. "It was also when we met Austin. He called Ruby Mommy, and we had the exact same questions as yours. Was he your son? But his age was matched, and he had the same eyes as yours. So Laura and I visited the daycare center to collect the sample."

That explained why he could do the test. He used to come and go freely in my house, so getting the sample from me was no difficulty.

"I'm sorry, man. I didn't mean to hide it. But I was confused about how to tell you, and Laura suggested you better meet them in person. So I initiated the bet."

I was right that he had an agenda for bringing me here. However, I had never considered it to this extent.

"Thanks."

Yeah, I could only say that. Nevertheless, Kevin was helping me uncover the reality I might have never been ready to dig into. I had been broken since Ruby left me and more shattered when I couldn't find her until a year later. So I gave up. I buried my feelings deep inside my heart because I was afraid to face the fact that she had moved on from me.

But knowing this now made me regret my decision. I shouldn't have given up that soon. I should have tried harder because Ruby was no longer alone. There is Austin.

I felt a hand on my shoulder before Kevin spoke. "No worries, man. I know, deep down, Ruby is still inside your heart, and it's the least I can do for you. Just do right this time. Don't let anyone ruin your life again."

I smiled weakly at his last statement. If I could rewind time, I would definitely avoid it. I would never let anyone or anything ruin our lives.

Only if I could go back in time.

"Do you think she'll accept me?" I asked between grateful at this chance and hesitation. I left a deep wound on her that I knew wouldn't be easy to heal, regardless of the truth.

"Do you love her?"

Of course. No woman has a special place in my heart like her. "Always."

"Then go after her. A man has to try everything to win his woman's heart, or you'll never know the end."

Yeah. That was the strategy I used to win Ruby back then. It worked because she had a trust in me. But now?

But his last words were also correct. I could never see the end if I never tried. I wished to have them in my life. And if I couldn't, I would try harder to steal their hearts one more time.

Yes. I had to do that.

I was so determined and ready to begin my steps to approach them when he said again, "I'll give you last advice. Don't tell her this DNA test results. Don't do that even if you're so eager to have Austin. I did it illegally, so you know... She won't react well if she finds out. She'll probably throw you right away."

I chuckled because I was aware of that. I understood the risk, so that scenario wouldn't be my option. I had to convince and rebuild Ruby's trust, not break it more. "Don't worry. I won't tell her. This will remain secret, perhaps until the world collapses." I put a light joke on my sentence. I needed to ease the tension before facing them.

He laughed, and I couldn't help but follow him. "Then, good luck. Remember, I will be on your side. But of course, if you hurt them, I will change my side."

"Thanks, man."

--

RUBY

I couldn't believe what I saw. He was here, and among many places in the city, why was he here? Did he look for me? But how did he find me?

Of course, he could. After all, he has many resources to search and dig into someone. The fact that he let us live in peace for five years was remarkable. Or he really couldn't find me because I noticed a shock on his face when our gazes met. He seemed not to expect to see me here.

Or he was just good at pretending.

Whatever it was, he showed up, and it only meant one. Peace no longer existed.

"Too bad it's not the cat," Austin commented in the middle of reading the book he got from Kevin and Wyatt. It was about Superman helping a boy to search for his missing cat.

"Yes. They must look for the cat elsewhere." I replied as my hand took the omelet and fed my son.

Austin ate without taking his eyes off of the book. His cheeks were full, making him look cuter.

Oh, he could feed himself. But sometimes, when he was too focused on new things—this time a new book—he would put all his focus on it, so I had to remind him or feed him from time to time. And in between, I would feed myself, too.

It had been our routine since I decided to leave him at the daycare center so Austin wouldn't feel abandoned by me all day. In fact, he is my world, and I love him so much, though I couldn't be present on his side all the time.

But today, our warm moment was interrupted. Wyatt walked closer towards us with a paper bag in hand, reminding me of my son's request.

"Can Uncle Wyatt join us for lunch?"

If he wasn't that Wyatt, I knew I would say yes right away. However, he was the same Wyatt who ruined my life 5 years ago, and I just realized my heart was still in pain only to see him. I thought years would heal me, or at least it wouldn't feel too painful. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

Wyatt looked at me with a face void of emotion before he turned his head to Austin. "Hello, Austin. Can I join?"

Yeah. If it wasn't for my son's request, I wouldn't agree with this and would have brought my son away from him!