Kiara's POV
I tugged away Aiden's clothing, preparing him for a cool bath. However, he was not giddy as he always does. Anytime he realizes that I would be bathing for him, he's always thrilled and excited. But tonight, my prince charming wasn't smiling, let alone grin. Again, he'd been silent and was only pronouncing little words which were very unlike him, “Is there something you want to tell me about, sweetheart?” I asked him sweetly, peering into his cute eyes with uneasiness. He equally stared at my face for a long moment. There was no trace of a smile on his face, and he was looking so sad. Tossing his clothes aside and cupping his face in my hands, “Tell me something, darling. Did anyone hurt you in school?” My voice grew more in apprehension as I could feel my throat constricted in pain at the prospect of him being hurt by some stranger or anybody. “What is the meaning of bastard, mommy?” He suddenly asked, catching me off guard as to why he was asking that out of the blues. After staying silent for several seconds, “Why are you asking this, Aiden?” I asked softly, framing his jaw in my hands. Pouting his lips, he began, “Yesterday, mommy, Uncle Henry had called me that when he was angry” My eyes opened wide in shock and terror while my heart slammed into my chest. My hands that were pressed firmly to his cheeks were now trembling. I managed to squeeze out a big smile, “Henry was only talking to himself then, my love” I let out. Naturally, I would have addressed him as his dad instead of Henry but even he himself doesn't recognize my son as his for him to have proclaimed such an awful word openly. So, what's the point? Nonetheless, It's my duty to prevent my son from knowing the truth, at least not so soon. Aiden was still way younger than he appears. He mustn't understand all these awful languages at this little stage. “No, mommy. Uncle Henry was not talking to himself. He was very angry at me for not calling him dad and that's why he ended up calling me a bastard” Tears had blurred his vision by the time he completed his words. “No, my dear, please don't cry” I cooed, pulling him gently into my chest. My throat twisted, while my eyes were now swimming in tears.
“I'm sorry, mommy” I glanced at his face in my arms as we both lay on his bed. “For what, baby?” I quizzed, without breaking off my fingers that were playing with his soft and silky hair. “I don't know what it means to be called a bastard, but I'm certain the word is not a good word, mommy” I shut my eyes as my hands balled into fists. “I'm sorry for bringing trouble between you and Uncle Henry.” My eyes became moist with tears, but I refused to let them drop, I continued to play with his hair, “Why won't you call Henry your dad?” I asked subconsciously, looking down at his small face which suddenly crumbled into a deep frown after heeding my question, “I already told you, mommy, Uncle Henry isn't my dad” He protested, “But I've never shown anyone else to you as your dad aside Henry, Aiden” I retorted, sitting up in the bed. He also sat up, looking at my face with a beaming face. “You don't need to tell me, mommy. I already saw my dad in my dreams, and he's coming to get me soon. Both me and you, mommy” I felt my heart miss out while my eyes widened with horror and shock, gulping in an obvious effort to compose myself, “What are you saying, Aiden? No one is coming to get us, this is where we both belong” I said with a chuckle in my voice, reaching out to take his hand and patting it. “You'll see for yourself, mommy” he grinned as he voluntarily crawled into my arms, “But let me tell you how my dad looks now, so you'll be able to identify him immediately” I sucked in a long breath, wondering to myself how I've managed to gave birth to an extremely smart kid. “His hair is black just like mine, he has green eyes just like mine, he's a tall man with broad shoulders like a superhero, just like me” the happiness that was containing his voice knew no bounds, and I could only stare at him as he wriggled in my grip. “We're looking very much alike, mommy. I can't wait to meet him, to meet my dad” I hugged him tightly to myself and by this time, the tears that I was keeping from falling finally fell uncontrollably.
I stepped out of Aiden's room and carefully shut the door behind me. Furthermore, I had barely taken two steps away when I saw him approaching, my stomach churned in distaste, and then I turned around to walk in another direction. “Kiara, please. Let's talk in my study” He spoke softly at my back and my pace came to a sudden halt. Tilting my head to look at his face, remorse was all I could sense in his expression, but I wasn't moved by it one bit. However, this man standing in front of me was the reason I'm still alive, I shut my eyes briefly, thinking back to how he'd saved me from dying and gave me a new life, enabling me to accomplish my dream too. I sucked in a sharp breath and muttered, “Okay”
“I'm sorry, Kiara, please forgive me” arriving at his study, those were the words that streamed out of his mouth. “Sorry? What exactly are you sorry for, Henry? For relinquishing your temper in my son's presence, or for calling him a bastard?” My intense animosity overwhelmed me as I glared directly into his eyes. He opened his mouth but was unable to utter a sound, so he closes it back, peeking at every corner but my face. “You know? I've always thought that you're the ideal father for my child, I thought that even if I wasn't around, you're going to take perfect care of my son, but you've proven me wrong, Henry” I squeaked, my chest heaving up and down, “Kiara…” He was saying, but I raised a hand to his face, stopping him from talking further, “No wonder he finds it difficult to call you Dad” I said dryly, and his face showed a discontented expression at once. Soon, I peeled my gaze from his face, turned around, and left the place. I inhaled and exhaled as I strode in the hallway, feeling glad I could pour out my mind, at least.
The next day…
My head was lowered on the table in my office as I was concealed in deep thoughts, most especially Aiden's words from last night about his dad. I can't seem to comprehend how a kid like him could discern Henry isn't his real dad, it's just so confusing. Knock! Knock! Knock! I got distracted at once then lifted my head to the door, “Come in,” I ordered and the door swung open at once, revealing my assistant. She stared at me with bewilderment, then looking back at the door behind him from time to time. “Is there a problem?” I asked her calmly, not understanding why she hasn't been able to pronounce a word. “Ma'am, someone is here to see you” she spelled her words, gulping every now and then. “Who? I can't remember fixing an appointment with anyone today” I told her as I watched her, “It's your twin sister, ma'am” my brows twitched as I got to my feet swiftly, and she quickly shook her head, “I'm sorry ma'am, but she's looking very much like you” I pondered it for a moment, and then I recalled who she was referring to. But what's she doing here? “Lead her in” I instructed, she nodded directly and walked out of the office. Several seconds later, before I could even think of why she might want to see me, she was already standing by the door with my assistant holding out the doorknob. She was wearing a plaid dress and a pair Of black high-heeled shoes. Her curly hair with big waves was combed to hang on one of her shoulders. She looked elegant and majestic. Again, my assistant stared from my face to hers, she couldn't hide the amazement that was sweeping across her face. To be honest, I was as surprised as she was also the first time I met her too in a grocery store. “You can go back to work now” she bowed slightly then left immediately. “Please come and have a seat,” I said politely with a soft smile. She nodded, then counted some steps to my desk and sat down on one of the two seats across mine. I also sat back in my seat after her and for an awkward moment, we both stared at each other then burst into a brief chuckle. “It feels like I'm staring right at my reflection in a mirror,” She said, having a broad smile on her face. I nodded in agreement because that was precisely how I felt too. “What could be the relation between us?” I asked curiously, and the smile on her face only grew wider. “I'm so glad to hear that from you, Kaira. It shows that you're ready to hear me out” I gnawed at my bottom lip, recalling how awful I had treated her the first time we met. “Actually, it's not confirmed yet but the possibility that we're both given birth to by the same mother is very high” she asserted, but then I shook my head in disagreement, “No, my mom never told me I had a twin sister” she nodded her head slowly, “Yes Kiara, I met your mom and I felt the joy of having a mother” My eyes opened wide in shock and disbelief, “Did you just say you met my mom? Like my mom, in Arizona?” she chuckled lightly, nodding her head, “But that aside, for now, I'm here because of another reason” Her words cut off my next question, but I nodded twice hinting at her to go ahead, we'll always talk about us later. “It's about Mr. Alexander” Heeding her reason, I felt my heart skip for a second, and it was at this moment I remembered clearly that she was endeavoring to talk about him that day. “Do you really think he has truly got married and forgotten about you?” she began, her smile fading for a second. “There's nothing to talk about concerning him. He's married, and I've also moved on and…” I broke off, staring intently at her face, “How did you know him?” I asked in an extremely low voice, growing interest in the whole thing. “I know him through his Granny. But please let me save this story for another day” I pleaded, “Alexander is the sole reason why I'm here. During your absence, he was never himself, and now that you're here, you're accusing him of what he hasn't done and wouldn't even hear his side of the story” I gulped slowly, waiting for her next words, “The truth is, Alexander and I were supposed to get married, but the spark isn't there. Alexander doesn't love me even though I look so much like you” she confessed, and my jaw dropped immediately, “Yes Kiara, he has vowed never to love any lady apart from you. Your image is the only one in his eyes and he would say there is no room for anyone else” my heart was now beating faster than usual, and I gulped down severally before I could find my voice, “Tell me what happened, please?” a tight knot had been twisted in my chest and my heart was not looking calm as it seemed.