Chapter 2 The Mysterious Boy

25 Years Later

I stood transfixed at the pane of my office window. The harsh sun, hidden behind the fluffy clouds, radiated its luminescence onto the towering skyscrapers. The sunlight bounced off the pristine glass of the commercial official building, blinding onlookers. Hordes of people walked past in a flurry, like a time-lapse. The noise gradually amplifying as faded within my thoughts.

Today makes it 25 years that I've last witnessed being part of a family. And that night, I didn't just lost a son. I also lot my mother. My sick mother that sacrificed her all for me. Going back to the neighborhood, all my efforts in reaching her failed. It ended up like the flames of vanishing smoke in the air. So were the ashes of my past. Washed away. Everything was washed always. And all I'm left with are just memories. Hunting memories that wouldn't give me rest or peace. And till this very day, I'm still in search of my sick mother, if she hasn't died of asthma. And my lost son.

'Buzz! Buzz!! Buzz!!!'

My phone vibrated on the marble table. I turned to it, picking up the call immediately.

"Hello love, what's it?" A smile spread across my lips. He's someone that gives me a belonging to a family. He makes me feel so loved and blessed over the years.

"I saw someone, mum. I just saved him, but they shot him! He's bleeding right now, mum! I'm so confused."

"Calm down, Xavi! Take him to the hospital. I'll meet you there, okay?"

"Okay mum." He replied before ending the call.

The beeping of my phone made me realize how touchy his voice just sounded. I grabbed my red jacket and handbag and walked out. Just by the door, two bodyguards followed me behind as I walked to the parking lot. My driver was ready in my shiny black armored car. The guards took another car, like mine, alongside as we rushed to the hospital.

Getting to the hospital, I dialed Xavi's contact to ask where he was, but he wasn't picking up. It made me more worried. My eyes searched around. All I saw were a couple of patients and guests.

I took a deep breath. And grabbed a seat at the reception. The feel of being in the hospital somehow scared me. The sound of baby crying brought shiver down my spine. I didn't know why, but I couldn't stop thinking about the incident from 25 years ago. It was a fresh wound that would never heal. But just like yesterday, it was still fresh in my memory. Yet, I kept it a secret. A secret from the entire world and a secret from myself. I still hate thinking about it, but some things aren't meant to be forgotten. No matter how long.

Just then, I heard 'mother!' It was Xavier's voice. I shrieked back to his gaze. His white shirt looked stained with blood. I rushed to him fearfully.

"Are you alright, Xavi? Are you hurt?" I had his hands that were still bloody.

"No, mum." He replied, looking down with sadness.

"What happened?" My eyes begged him for a reply. An immediate response.

"I was going to pay Brook a visit. It was in the countryside and I saved the guy from a bunch of thugs. He had cuts and bruises and gunshots... Luckily, I could scare them off before he passed out but, it's pretty poor mum." He pointed out, emotionally.

"Don't worry. I'm here now." I held him a comfy hug and prayed somehow that this mysterious guy doesn't lose his life.

My son, Xavier has always been a workaholic, as usual. He could be a little careless and also arrogant but, I'm glad he acted compassionate today. He helped a stranger which is so unlike him.

Gazing at the wall clock, it was already 7:00 p.m. A set of doctors walked out of the emergency room to where we were.

"Hello Mrs Torres." The doctor faced me. "The patient really lost a lot of blood. Your son probably saved his life."

"What? How is he now? Can we check on him?" My shivering voice trembled in concern.

"Yes ma'am. He's still asleep, but you can go in. Excuse me." He muttered with a smile before walking away.

"Come on mum, let's go." Xavi tapped my wrist.

I don't know why but... I haven't seen him so concerned about anyone. Not even Brooklynn, his girlfriend.

Getting to the room, a silent chill climbed my skin. The lights were on, since it's night. But everything around me felt dark. As if I was concerned about him, too. Xavi and I made our way to his sick-bed. There was a big bandage tied to his left leg and around his head. His hair was shiny black. As black as the back of stage beetles.

My eyes looked at Xavier. He stared at him with pity in his eyes, as if he was about to cry, but he held it back. Again, I've never seen Xavier cry over anything before. Even as a child, he never cried. Watching my son feeling this emotional about a stranger made me move closer. Inspecting his face. He felt so familiar, but I couldn't recall. With this, I swallowed hard. As if I'd just seen an angel of death... Whom almost took me twenty-five years ago. And maybe he wasn't. With the shiver icing down my spine, my hand mistakenly touched his, and I jerked off with a quick tremble. His skin felt ice cold. As if he was being affected by the frosty effect from that night. His skin was bleak and frozen.

A soft groan escaped his slim, yet perfect lips as his eyes opened to mine. In fright, I took a step away as his eyes opened to mine. They were chilly, like ice in a freezer. Just then, I remembered where we first met.

***

(Flashback)

A Week Ago...

At The Cinema

The rooms were plain dark. The red seats faced the mighty screen. About a hundred viewers and a thousand couples were there, seated, with their eyes glued to the screen, including mine. It was a romance movie I had to snuck out to watch. Once in a while, I dress ordinarily just to remind myself how I was. Sneaking doesn't mean I hide. It means I go alone without my bodyguards, suit or makeup.

It was a romance movie. An old romance movie that still held a lot of power. Many people had watched it timelessly, but I haven't. That was my first time watching it, and this is because I'm always too occupied. I wiped away the tears from my face with the edge of my cloth. Too bad I didn't take my hanky that day. The only thing in my hand was the movie ticket, squeezed into the sweat in my palms. Yet, I watched closely.

"I love you Jack."

"Don't you do that. Don't you say your goodbyes. Not yet, do you understand me?" Jake begged. His blonde hair, were icy frozen with snowflakes in the Atlantic ocean.

"I'm so cold." Rose shivered, watching his quivering lips.

"Listen, Rose. You gotta get outta here. Y..you gotta go on and you gotta make a lot of babies. And you gotta watch them grow. You gotta die an old lady, warm in her bed. Not here. Not tonight. Not like this, you understand me?"

Watching Jack say those words sent more tears to my eyes. The weight of those words was every woman's genuine wish in life. And for a guy to admit that to you, you must be a queen.

"Jack, feel my body."

"Only one ticket, Rose, was the best thing that ever happened to me. It brought me to you. And I'm thankful for that, Rose. I'm thankful."

Watching the both of them trembling made tears washed down my eyes. Like dew on a heated pane of glass. I wiped it away silently, sniffled and watched on.

"You must..." He held her hands together. "You must do me this honour. You must promise me... That you'll survive. That you won't give up. No matter what happens. No matter how hopeless. Promise me now, rose... And never let go of that promise."

"I promise."

"Never let go."

"I'll never let go, Jack. I'll never let go." Jack planted a kiss on the back of her hand. Placing their forehead together to breathe.

Nibbling softly on my lower lips, it tasted salty of the mixed sweat and tears. I heard a couple sitting in front of me constantly sniffing as if they also were the tears. Uncontrollable, gut-wrenching sobs that tore them both. Their lips shivered in the sequence of the movie characters. I felt lost watching these two until I noticed the person sitting right next to me. He wore dark glasses and had a built body. I couldn't help but to get curious. It was as if everyone in the room were crying to the movie except him. He was just... Stagnant. Like an unpowered robot.

I looked away immediately, not wanting him to talk to me or know my identity. I never had friends or watch mates to cry with, but I had myself. Noticing the awkward smirk on his lips, I just looked forward.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" His baritone voice questioned.

I kept quiet without looking or replying to him.

"Ughh!" He let out a heavy breath and took off his shades. "All romance stories are boring, including this. You're quite a crybaby, don't you think?" He chuckled softly at me.

Offended, I just rolled my eyes at him.

"I'm Chase. What's your name?" He asked, looking at me.

I faced him and noticed the resemblance. I looked at his eyes, trying to recall its familiarity. It wasn't just a slight resemblance. He was his carbon copy. Mateo's carbon copy. If not because he looked younger, I'd have mistaken him for the same person.

"Alexa." I replied.

"No offense but, why aren't you here with your boyfriend?" He asked, concerned. He talked as if we were pals or guesstimates or something.

"Don't talk to me. Someone might think we are friends." I gushed at him. For some reasons, his presence made me uncomfortable. He's so Mateo's even his voice.

"Sorry bu-"

"Ssshhh!" I shushed him at once. Noticing his moon-luminance eyes staring into mine.

"I need to know if you're single or engaged, so I won't cross the line. I mean... As good looking as you are, I'm single and also single. Don't you think we'd make a really cute couple?" He asked interestedly, but I didn't reply.

"Would you go on a date with me?"

"A date?" I turned to him in disgust. "Sorry, but I have to go home and laugh about the idea."

"No... I'm serious." He admitted with seriousness in his eyes.

"Sounds nice but I'm not available, okay?! I'll never be!" I hissed at him vividly, grabbed my handbag, and walked out. Almost running without turning back, but he followed. I don't just hate him because he's the exact photocopy of the guy who ruined me, but because he spoilt my chances of getting little joy after so much I've been through lately.

"Alexa! Come on... Don't go like this, please!" He ran after me but I fastened my footsteps.

"Don't call my name!" I warned him off.

"Oh, sorry... I was just joking, really. You'll miss this because of me. I don't feel good. I can not watch this boring film alone, I need your company!" He begged and prowled after me.

"I stopped with a heavy sigh and turned to him. "Best of luck, dumbass!"

I walked away, leaving him in the puzzlement. But... I never knew we would meet like this. Or today. Or ever. But... Maybe this wasn't a coincidence. Was it?