Forever My Love Ch. 06
Comments, critiques and tips are welcome!
***
Elena quickly raised her face, looking dumbly at Ben who stared at her like he wanted to kill with his hand still raised.
"I can't believe it." Ben chuckled bitterly, furiously dropping his hands. "After all these years, Elena, you still think you can lay your hand on me and I'd take it lightly. You have no idea in how many ways I have changed."
Elena's eyes bulged, she stared at Ben like he'd grown another head, trying to process what had happened. He had slapped her right in front of people.
"You still think you're gonna abuse me after all these years?" He yelled, making her heart jump in fear. "Do not push me to my limits because you might just what kind of monster I can be. You..."
Ben paused when he heard sobs underneath, making his heart pound heavily. He dropped his eyes and saw Michael holding on tightly to him with tears going down his face. Seeing him like that, he felt his heart drop to the floor.
"Michael!" He quickly knelt in front of him, cupping his cheeks. "Oh my God, sweetie. Did I scare you? I am so sorry."
He rubbed his tears and kissed all over his face.
"Don't cry. I won't hurt you." He said in the most soothing voice. "Remember I promised that I would protect you and take you to your father, right?" The boy nodded, making him smile. "I won't let them take you."
"Wow!" Jim clapped. "Trying to get through to David through his son? How shameless can you be?"
Elena slowly rose, letting go of her cheek. She couldn't let that go.
"You're gonna pay for that slap Ben." She vowed, her fists clenched. "I am gonna make you pay for this slap and it will be sooner than you think."
Ben ignored her, totally focusing on Michael. "I'll take you to dad. Come on,"
He opened his arms and took the child in them, holding him tighter.
"You're not taking that child anywhere." Jim snapped, blocking the way. "That is my son and I will sue you for kidnapping." He warned. "Now give him to me so that I can get out of your face."
Ben frowned, shaking his head. "Growing up, I really thought you were gonna be different from your mother. But guess I was wrong. It is true what they say, an apple doesn't fall far from the tree. A child that you claim to love, you cannot be treating him like an object that you only use to get what you want."
"Don't say things that you do not know."
"Look at him..." He shook his head, tears welling in his eyes. "People would kill to have such a lovely child, but he's scared of you. You're only using him to get what you want."
"Shut up!" He seethed, his fists clenching. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"Really?" He chuckled bitterly. "Either way, I am not giving Michael to you. I will only give him to his father."
"Ben, I swear..." He yelled, raising a finger.
"I'll be waiting to hear from your lawyer if you want."
With one final look at mother and son, Ben took his bag and left, leaving the two of them standing there like idiots. Jim was so mad that he saw red. There were people that had their phones taking pictures and videos of the scene.
"What the hell are you looking at?" Elena snapped, pointing angrily at them. "What's there for you to see?"
But the people only laughed which made her madder than she was.
***
Ben stood with a smile on his face and a phone in his hands, capturing the captivating moment. He was in the children's park with Michael who was running around with a beautiful butterfly kite in his hands, chuckling to himself. It was really beautiful for Ben to see and it got him emotional.
"Ben!"
Ben felt his heart thud when he heard the familiar voice, David calling him. He stood still for a second before he slowly turned to look into the eyes of the man that he had once loved so much. A gentle breeze blew on his face and it felt like it was coming from those eyes.
David on the other hand couldn't stop staring into those beautiful twinkling eyes, gazing lovingly at Ben.
"David!" Ben gasped. "I am so sorry for causing any trouble but I couldn't give your husband Michael. The child was scared and my conscience couldn't let him go."
"You don't have to apologize." He smiled, glancing at the boy that ran around. "Just look how happy he is. I haven't seen him so happy with anyone else aside from me and my sister, so thank you so much."
"I hope I didn't cause any trouble."
"Not at all. All I care about right now is my son." He sighed, crossing his arms. "You know, you have this incredible way of making everything seem brighter, more colorful and amazing. I know I have said this before but you really do. And I can tell through the eyes of my child."
Ben smiled. "You really have a way with your words."
"I mean every word." He said lovingly, extending his hand to hold Ben's. When their hands touched, both couldn't deny the spark that they felt. "You're not just beautiful on the outside; it's your kindness, your intelligence and your passion that truly captivates me. I admire how you care so much for my child despite you losing yours. You're gonna be an amazing father some day and I'll continue praying for that day to come soon."
They shared a moment of comfortable silence, gazing into each other's eyes. The world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them. Ben felt his heart beat rhythmically, reminding him of the past when they were at the beach. It had been the happiest moment of his life, David holding his hands, staring into his eyes and telling him the most beautiful things.
David on the other hand had a very familiar feeling that he couldn't put his hands on. It was like de javu but he couldn't understand it. In that moment, he felt like he was meant to be in that moment and to enjoy it.
"Dad!"
Both of them were brought back to reality when they heard Michael's voice. They looked to where he was and saw him running towards them.
"Catch!"
Michael threw a ball at them.
"I got it!"
"I got it!"
They both said at the same time. Ben was moving faster and so was David. Due to unfortunate turn of events and a desperate attempt to catch the ball, they collided into each other and the two of them crashed to the floor in a tangle of limbs. Ben hit his back but thanks to the grass, he didn't feel much pain.
David was on top of Ben with one of Ben's legs in between his legs, rubbing his crotch. Their faces were close, their noses rubbing on each other.
David, his heart racing and his breaths harsh opened his eyes to look deeply into Ben's gorgeous eyes, his gaze unwavering. Suddenly, a headache hit him and he found himself in a strangely familiar room with someone beneath him. The face was blurred but in a split second everything had become very clear. It was Ben... but younger than he was looking currently.
He was smiling, his smile captivating but he looked very drunk.
"You're so beautiful!"
David's own voice echoed in his head but contrary to what he thought, he actually unconsciously said it and Ben heard it, sending a shiver down his spine. David's breaths came out harshly and he knew he was gonna make a mistake if he didn't take things in control.
In his memory, he tried to get up but the boy pulled him back until their lips met. When they connected, he shuddered, a sound tore from the back of his throat, half growl, half moan. Little shivers of pleasure and panic shot through him as his eyes widened.
In reality, David was getting closer, closing the gap in between them. Ben's eyes widened and fear slowly crept on him. He pressed his hands on David's chest, trying to push him away but the man was still getting closer.
"David!" He said abruptly, slightly hitting his chest.
David's eyes opened and he found himself in an awkward position with Ben. His eyes widened and he quickly rose, feeling so ashamed of himself. He couldn't even look at Ben.
"I am so sorry, I didn't mean... I..."
"It's okay." Ben said softly, slowly rising. "It's not your fault. Both of us didn't expect this to happen. I..." he could tell that something was bothering David more than what had happened. "Are you okay?"
He placed his hand on David's shoulder and the man almost jumped.
"I... I had a flashback just now." He said softly, slowly turning to face Ben. "I... I saw something that I believe has happened before."
Ben frowned, raising an eyebrow.
"What did you see?"
David sighed, combing his hair with his fingers. "You!" He said simply, his eyes glittering. "I saw you in my flashback Ben. It's like what happened here has happened before but.... Ouch!" He cried out as a headache hit him so hard he passed out. "Ow!"
"Are you okay?" Ben rushed to him and held his arm. "Please, take a seat."
He carefully took the man to a nearby bench and made him sit. He took Michael on his lap but his eyes never left David's. The man was suffering and he felt so bad for him.
"Is daddy okay?" Michael asked in his tiny voice.
"Of course, baby." Ben reassured. "Dad just needs to rest for a bit. He's gonna be just fine. Come here." He opened his arms wider and the boy hugged him tighter.
He kept on staring at David who was awfully quiet with his eyes on the ground. There was a lot that was going on in his head, so many questions that he didn't have any answers to. He stayed like that for several minutes.
"This usually happens to me whenever I have a flashback." He spoke softly. He slowly raised his head and stared into Ben's eyes. "There is this boy I have been seeing in my flashbacks although I have never been able to see his face. Today was the only time I did and..." He paused and shook his head. "...it was you, Ben."
Ben felt a shiver go down his spine at those words. A cold breeze brew on his face and he felt his heart rum hard against his rib cage. Everything became so quiet that one would have heard a pin drop. His hands shook but only he could feel them.
"Maybe you're thinking I am going crazy." He chuckled softly, sniveling. "But this started the first time I saw you at the restaurant. I have been having constant flashbacks ever since. They give me these really severe headaches."
David moved closer and stared at Ben with a serious expression.
