Forever My Love Ch. 02
Comments, critiques and tips are welcome!
***
Jim was coming out from the backyard, looking around and seemingly worried. He was irritated to the core and God knows he was a few seconds away from snapping. He had just said goodbye to the last people that had come over. He took his phone and began calling but the phone rang and just cut.
"Hey there!" He heard Claudia's voice.
She was smiling at him.
"What's up?" She patted his shoulder. "You look worried."
He let out a sigh. "I am worried. I haven't seen my husband since the introduction. He's been missing and I've been trying to call him but unsuccessful." He was so stressed. "How could he do this on our anniversary?" He had tears in his eyes. "He knew how important this was to me. I explained it to him and he promised."
"Shhh..." Claudia smiled, rubbing his back. "...don't worry too much. I am pretty sure there's an explanation to all of this and..." She paused and laughed when she looked towards the entrance door. "...look, he's fine. He's coming right back."
Hearing that, Jim's eyes quickly moved towards the door and he saw David coming inside with the biggest smile he'd ever seen on his face. He had Michael on his shoulder and the both of them seemed so happy. He saw the smile on the young boy's face and he didn't need to be a genius to know that he was the reason that David had left the party.
Clenching his fist, he rushed towards them.
"Where were you?" He said angrily. "You left me on our anniversary all alone. Do you know how embarrassing it was when people kept asking me where you went?"
"Oh!" David chuckled nervously, carefully putting his son down. "I am so sorry for that. Michael wanted some ice cream and chocolates." He continued, pinching his laughing son's cheeks. "I had to go with him. Besides, I told you that I didn't like parties anymore so I took it as an escape route. I am so sorry, Jim."
A look of great bitterness swept across Jim's face when he looked at the little boy. God, if only he could do something to him, he could show him exactly how mad he was.
"I told you and I begged you to bear with me." His voice was rising. "You were supposed to be by my side but you chose his side? Why am I not surprised?" He chuckled bitterly. "It is always Michael, Michael that. Don't my feelings matter to you?"
"They do, it's just that..."
"Just that what?" He snapped, breathing like a warrior on the war ground. "Just that what, David? Michael is a child and he needs to know that he cannot always get what he wants. He needs to understand that just because something is in his reach doesn't mean he can always have it. This was supposed to be the best night of my life, but as usual, he managed to ruin it."
The little boy was obviously scared from the way he held on to David's trouser.
"Sorry..." He said in a panicky voice.
"Sorry?" Jim snapped, shaking his head. "Come here right now." He demanded.
"Jim..."
"No, David, I am having a talk with my son and I don't want you to interfere." He said, still staring at the obviously scared boy. "Michael, come here right now." But the boy wasn't letting go of his father's trousers. "Now!" He yelled, making the boy to get startled.
He slowly let go of David's trouser and started moving towards Jim. But before he could even take two steps, Jim gripped his arm painfully and pulled him close. The boy let out a painful cry.
"What have I told you, huh?" He hit his bum with his hand, wishing he could do more. "I told you no ruin this moment but you did."
"I am sorry." He cried.
"Jim, that's enough!" David spoke, feeling anger slowly developing.
"Why do you always do this?" He yelled, starting to drag the boy to his room. "I'll lock you up in your room so that you won't do this again."
"Jim?" Claudia intervened. "What do you think you're doing? He's only a child."
"A child that should know that when he does something wrong, there's gonna be a punishment."
"Please," Michael cried, trying to resist. "Dad, please, help!" He tried to reach David who stood there trying to figure out what to do. "Dad!" He screamed.
"Jim, let him go." He said as he began running after him. "You'll hurt him."
"I don't care. He..."
"I said that's enough!" His voice was so loud, so thunderous, that Jim stopped in his track and turned slowly. Staring at him, he couldn't recognize him. Sure, David had been upset with him before but the way he was looking at that time was different.
David's muscles grew tense. He furiously walked to Jim and got his son in his arms, staring into his eyes. He hated Jim at that moment and hearing his son's sobs definitely made him madder.
"If you have some score to settle then do it with me instead of getting it on our son." He snapped, raising a finger at him. "I was the one that decided to take him. I was the one that was driving and I was the one that wanted to leave."
Jim felt tears build in his eyes. He felt so much pain.
"I can take you doing whatever you want to me but I'll not let you torture this boy." He warned, breathing harshly. "You can call it discipline but I call it torture and I'll not let you do this to my son. I am sorry for ruining your beautiful surprise party." He started going away but stopped. "And have a goodnight. Don't expect me to come to our room. I'll spend the night with Michael!"
With those words, David stormed out of there, leaving Jim broken.
Jim's mouth opened but words couldn't find their way out. The pain he felt was so intense that he felt like hitting something.
"Calm down, Jim." Claudia reassured, cupping his cheeks. "He's just angry and he'll come around. You know how much he loves his son and doesn't wanna see him get hurt."
"He's my son too." Jim snapped, furiously rubbing a tear that made its way down his cheek. "But why does he act like he's the only one that cares for him. I care for him too and..."
"I don't think you do." A voice came, a very familiar voice.
Jim felt like someone was rubbing salt in his wounds. In no time, Amber came into view and she seemed so happy seeing Jim all sad. She was in her night gown and had been watching the whole scene.
"Seriously, you even have the nerve to ask that question?" She chirped, shaking her head. "Of course, David is the only one that cares for that boy. While he sees a son, you only see competition, competition for David's affection. And honestly, I don't know what kind of sick man competes with a child who is his son for the husband's affection."
"I am not in the mood for this." Jim snarled, his fists clenching. "You don't know what you're saying so I suggest you shut your mouth before..."
"Before what?" Amber crossed her arms, her face becoming stern. "You're gonna lock me up in my room too?" She chuckled in mock. "Why am I not surprised you're acting like this? After all, having a mother like Elena is enough for someone to know not to expect anything good from you."
