. Long 5 Bonus Chapters coming soon!
Lunch was somewhat a silent affair. Afterward, Rowan drove Alicia and Stephen home, while Xavier returned to the company. Once Alicia got home, she shot Theo a message telling him of her little excursion. She didn't expect a reply soon after, but after six hours there was still no response. ****Xavier had barely entered his house when Stephen rose from the stairs, where he had sat about an hour ago, with a somber expression on his face. “What is your deal?” He asked directly, training a watchful gaze on Xavier. “What do you mean?” Xavier played the nonchalant card, which wasn't amusing to Stephen. And the hunk didn't waste time before telling him to cut the act and give it to him straight. “I had no idea you were looking for a job.” Xavier blurted with an accusing tone. “I was just surprised, that's all.” Stephen exhaled in defeat and sat back on the stairs. He rubbed his hands, before placing his elbows on each side of his knees, and interlocked his fingers. “As expected, she wa
Stephen stared at the phone, vibrating phone in his hands, undecided. Xavier had long put distance between them, dreading Alicia's reaction. “What should I tell her?” He asked Xavier with a frown. The playboy shrugged his shoulders, pocketing his hands. “Alicia,” Stephen answered the phone with a sigh. “Why did Xavier hang up on me?” She demanded breathlessly. Before Stephen could answer, she asked, “do you know what is happening with Theo?” “He is sick,” Stephen breathed. “But nothing to worry about.” He added quickly. “Let me talk to your boyfriend.” Alicia decided. Stephen looked at Xavier briefly, and the man looked shaken. There was no way he could talk to her without making her worry. “We are coming over,” Stephen informed and disconnected the call. To Xavier, he said, “pull yourself together. She needs you right now.” He tossed the phone on the sofa and stepped closer to Xavier. He pulled the man into his arms and hugged him.“Are you still gunning for that vacation?” Step
Six hours later, the Cavill family landed. Two SUVs were waiting to take them straight to the hospital. Xavier and Stephen rode in one and the other, Hilda and Alicia huddled in the back while Martin took the passenger's seat. It took them almost an hour and a half to arrive at the hospital. They found Lyla slumped in the waiting bay, looking all drained out. She was surprised to see them. She had forgotten her phone at the site and had since been begging the doctors for an update, but they kept saying family only. As the rest engaged Lyla to find out what had really happened to Theo, Martin proceeded to see the doctor. He returned with a nurse, who led them to Theo's private room. Alicia scrambled in fast and went to stand by his bed, pitifully. He looked so fragile lying there with an oxygen mask in place and an IV drip attached to his hand. “Oh baby,” she moaned, touching his forehead. The nurse informed them that he would be out for some time because they had sedated him to enab
Hilda's breath held while Martin chuckled heartily. He grabbed his son and hugged him briefly. “I am happy for you, son,” “Thank you, dad,” Xavier responded with a grin before stepping into Hilda's embrace. She gushed, warming him not to dare pull a Theo on her. “Don't worry, you are free to plan that wedding.” Xavier laughed. “That is if Stephen agrees, of course.”Stephen, reddened when the attention turned to him.“What do you say?” Hilda asked hopefully.“I have no objection, ma'am,” Stephen assured. Hilda hugged him, making the hunk blush even more. “For now call me Hilda,” she murmured. “But after you marry my son, the only word I want to hear coming from your lips is, mother.” She growled.“Stop terrorizing my fiancé, mother,” Xavier whined, standing behind Stephen and hugged him from behind. “I haven't seen a ring on that finger yet, boy.” Hilda retorted, making Martin chuckle. Xavier should know better than to take his mother on. Xavier shocked everyone.“I have it here.” H
“Please leave,” Theo whispered embarrassedly.“I'm not the one leaving, buddy.” Xavier retorted, shooting Alicia a knowing look. She attempted to plead with her eyes, but everyone was on her case. “Not a word from you, young lady.” Martin scolded. “Kiss your husband goodbye and I will see you to the hotel.”“Mum…” She looked at Hilda. “You are not to return until I come to pick you up later.” Hilda insisted knowing that the pregnant woman needed ample rest, though her stubborn self couldn't see it. Alicia pouted but did as instructed. She kissed her husband, lingering for a few minutes.“Go rest, baby girl.” Theo caressed her face lovingly. “I will be out of this bed soon, and you will have me to yourself.” He whispered just for her hearing, drawing a smile out of her. Without another word, she got off the bed and went to put on her shoes. Xavier hurried to her side and helped her tie the races of her sneakers before helping her up. She shot Theo one last longing look before taking h
Three months later…Xavier banged the door shut and glared at Stephen who was halfway up the stairs. “You can't be seriously pulling this shit on me again,” Xavier yelled, making Stephen halt. “Until when are you planning to make me feel guilty for having money at my disposal?” “You deposited three million dollars in my account, Xavier,” Stephen shouted back. “Have I not told you many times before that I don't need your money?” He glared. “You have and it's getting old!” Xavier bellowed. “We are getting married next month and I can't even buy you an expensive gift because I am afraid you will get mad.” Xavier snarled. “Hell I can't even buy you a car, you made it crystal clear.” Stephen gritted his teeth and resumed his walk without another word. Once he got to their room, he grabbed a duffle bag and began putting things like laptop and chargers inside. “You are leaving now?” Xavier asked in a bored tone. He was seriously getting tired of his fiancé's bullshit. “I need some time on
Stephen didn't move for a while after Xavier left. And when he did, it was to sit on the bed and gaze and nothingness. His heart constricted painfully in his chest. He had fucked up, greatly. That he knew. And in all honesty, he was appalled with himself. Never would he have imagined that he would be the one to hurt Xavier. On those occasions when he feared something might go wrong in their relationship, he always visualized Xavier getting bored with commitment. He stared at the beautiful engagement band and trembled. He could imagine Hilda's face when she learns that the wedding is off. What ate Stephen up more was the fact that the Cavill family received him open-armed in their family. He doesn't know when it started, but Stephen realized he was crying when a tear fell on his lap. He raised his hand and traced his wet cheek in dismay. He briefly looked at his palm before he folded it, squeezing the ring he didn't have the heart to part with. He rose slowly to begin packing his thi
Xavier sighed for the hundredth time. He felt like a stranger in his own home. He angrily got out of bed and decided to get something strong to help him sleep. And just like his ex-fiancee, he ended up having a little too much, he couldn't stop himself from calling the man. Stephen was surprised to see Xavier's call at around 2 am. He, too, had been unable to sleep or even function properly. He missed Xavier to a point of insanity. He didn't waste time before picking up the call. But all he could utter was a timid hello, and then waited for Xavier to speak. But even Xavier didn't know what to say. He was silent for a while until Stephen began wondering if perhaps he had dialed mistakenly. “Why did you do it?” He finally rasped with a trembling voice. Stephen swallowed hard. Hearing that voice made him regret leaving Xavier's mansion that damn night for the umpteenth time. But what he regretted more was getting drunk with his ex. Though he couldn't entirely blame alcohol for his blun
“I just might,” Xavier whispered, training his hot gaze on Stephen. “But sadly not today.” He added, lingering his gaze on the hunk for a little longer before turning on his heels and re-entering his brother's room. As if on cue, Theo's body began jerking. Martin rushed to hold his son down, fearing that the tubes sticking from his body might dislocate from the involuntary movements. “Xavier,” Theo groaned without opening his eyes. Chances were he was still out of it, and it was his subconscious pushing his fears to be voiced. “I am here, bro.” Xavier rasped, staring at his elder brother intently. “I am here.” He repeated. A good two minutes passed before Theo whimpered. “Please take care of them for me.” And just like that, his body went limp again. "T… Theo, wake up, dammit!” Xavier almost screamed. But the nerd was dead to the world. “Please…” Xavier begged, willing Theo to open his eyes and put him out of his misery. But Theo didn't even move a muscle. Xavier turned and looked
When Hilda, Alicia, and Stephen got to the hospital, Theo had already been transferred back to his private room. Xavier was pleasantly surprised to see Stephen, though he just dipped his head in acknowledgment.“How is he?” Hilda asked softly. Martin shook his head, seemingly worried. “The surgery was a success, but the doctor says he isn't out of the woods yet.” Hilda nodded, peeling at Theo. She wondered if he knew they were all there waiting for him to wake. Alicia didn't utter a word to anyone. She just stared hopefully, as if she were expecting him to simply pop his eyes open. Xavier appeared from behind her and draped his hand loosely on her shoulders. She actually jerked in surprise, for her mind was solely on her unconscious husband. She turned with a frown.“Sorry," Xavier whispered. Alicia gave him a small smile before returning her attention to Theo. “I keep wondering if he will ever wake up.” She confessed, leaning onto Xavier's side with a heavy exhale. Instinctively, X
“Watch your tone with me, young lady.” Hilda retorted with a narrowed glare. Alicia shifted uncomfortably, lowering her head. She hadn't meant to come out so rudely. “I am so sorry, mum.” She apologized mortified. “I am just so…” She stuttered, looking for a way to express her distraught.“We are all stressed.” Hilda reasoned with a sigh, spreading her arms. Alicia walked into her arms and the two women hugged tightly, comforting each other. “He had a complication they had to rush him back to the surgery,” Hilda whispered. “We should be there.” Alicia whimpered. She didn't like the thought of Theo suffering alone. “Please, mum.” She begged. “Martin and Xavier are already there,” Hilda informed. “We can all be there,” Alicia insisted. “And we will. I just needed to give you time to rest fully.” Hilda explained. “Plus, the boys have been through enough exhaustion from yesterday.” Alicia couldn't argue with her observation. “Let's give them a few more hours of a peaceful nap before
Martin was startled awake by the persistent ringing of his cell phone. He picked it up with a grunt. He hadn't uttered a word when a worried voice notified him that he was needed at the hospital because Theo had gone into cardiac arrest due to internal bleeding. Apparently, he had been rushed back to the theater for another surgery. Martin's heart skipped a beat and for a while, he didn't utter a word. His mouth suddenly dried and his breath held. “Sir,” Martin could hear the same voice call him over and over again. He attempted a response, but all that tore out of his throat was a loud sob. That woke Hilda. She immediately thought the worst. Her husband's wretched expression made her think they had lost Theo. “Martin,” she called softly. Her voice shook with dread. That is what drew Martin from his trance. “We will be there soonest.” He told the patient soul on the other end of the line and hung up the call. He turned to a now sobbing Hilda. “Don't tell me,” she cried, latching ont
In the washrooms, Alicia stared at her pale complexion in the mirror, tracing her puffy eyes. They looked bleak… lifeless even. How could fate be so cruel? She wondered. Her Theo had done nothing to deserve the kind of misfortune which befell him. For a split second, she blamed herself for not stopping him when he decided to head out briefly. Knowing Theo, he would have done her will. Perhaps then Rowan could still be alive and she and Theo could be home having the time of their lives with their kids. Hilda, who had entered but decided to watch from the entrance, couldn't take it anymore. Anyone could have deciphered that Alicia was loathing herself for some reason, from how tightly she was clutching at her own chin. “Alicia,” Hilda called, stepping closer. Alicia didn't turn. But she gazed at her mother-in-law through the mirror. Her lips began to wobble, and before the first tear could fall, Hilda was by her side. “Shhh…” Hilda stood behind her and began rubbing her shoulders. “Yo
Theo's surgery was estimated to take a couple of hours, so Martin decided to visit Rowan's mother and deliver the bad news. It wasn't easy. Rowan's mother was his only living relative apart from the daughter. She broke down, and all Martin could do was watch helplessly, especially when he had to tell her that the drunk driver survived. In his mind, he was planning on lawsuits that would ensure the bastard never saw the outside of the prison cell again, not that it would benefit him in any way, but at least it would save someone else somewhere from a fate like Rowan's. Or Theo's for that matter, who was fighting for his life. “I want to meet him.” Rowan's mother declared. She wanted an audience with the truck driver and though Martin didn't know for what, he assured her that he would make that happen. After promising to take care of the funeral arrangements, Martin left the heartbroken grandmother to break the news to her granddaughter. Martin could only imagine the pain the family wa
When they got to the hospital, the nurses couldn't give them a sensible response, and it irked Alicia. “Can't I see my fucking husband?” She screamed. The thing about public hospitals is they were clouded and had very shitty customer service. And every member of the Cavill clan hated it. “Ma'am your husband is in the ICU and in dire need of surgery.” The exasperated nurse rasped, retrieving an authorization form that needed a signature for them to proceed with Theo's surgery. Hilda, who was calmer than the rest, picked it up, but when she was about to sign the nurse insisted that the patient's spouse should be the one to sign. Hilda turned to a nervous wreck, Alicia and held out the pen. “Sign here, sweetheart.” She cooed, pointing at the dotted line. The urgency in Hilda's soft-spoken words got to Alicia, who did so without a question. After the form was passed back to the nurse, she asked them to take a seat in the waiting room and that she would keep them updated. “I can't belie
With the help of Louise, Alicia prepared a variety of dishes for dinner. Theo got an urgent call from one of his business associates and decided to meet the lady, but promised will be back shortly. After he left, Alicia called Xavier, who graciously helped look after the twins as Alicia and Louise set the table on the terrace. As expected, Hilda and Martin arrived on time, but Theo hadn't come back yet and all the calls went to voicemail.“Let's eat,” Alicia decided. “Perhaps he got held up.” The Cavill clan took their places at the table and overall, it was a joyful dinner. Even Xavier's mood had immensely improved, and to Hilda, he even looked giddy. “Are you expecting someone?” She asked cheekily. Xavier blushed and covered it quickly with a frown. “Of course, not.” He argued. But he was expecting something. A call from a certain hunk. Ever since Stephen said he would be calling him later, Xavier did nothing but anticipate it. And though he won't admit it loud, he couldn't wait t
It took Xavier almost an hour to find the strength to move. He didn’t feel like going back to his brother's, so he ended up upstairs instead. His own bedroom felt strange to him, and he knew it was because a certain hunk wasn’t around to bring the warmth only he can in the somewhat abandoned room. Xavier dropped face down on the bed and his mind drifted back to Stephen. He missed the hunk more than he had thought it was possible to miss anyone. Theo, on the other hand, couldn’t take the uncertainty anymore. He dialed Xavier, wanting to know if the clown was okay. “I am fine.” But despite his words, Theo was convinced Xavier was lying, and he told him so. Xavier argued that it was Stephen's surprise visit that had shocked him and that he just needed a few hours to himself and that he would see them later. Without further argument, Theo hung up after making Xavier promise to have dinner with them. Xavier pulled himself up, discarding his shoes, and slipped inside the covers. He curled