Bound By Love, Not blood

I started the long walk to my house slowly, counting each step I took. What you aren't aware of would never hurt you - It's what you're fully aware of. My heart kept pounding, feeling as though a thousand pins were being jabbed inside. It hurt more than a syringe injection pain. I stopped at the Community's primary school, and sat under the big cherry tree as I recalled the day's events.

"Sonia, What do you know about love, ehn? Small girl like you!! You have to end that relationship now, or else I'll tell your mum" My favourite Aunt Helen said to me.

I laughed heartily.

"My mum knows already, and besides why don't you like Ben? He's a nice guy"

"Does your mum know his name? I mean, his full name?? Does she?? Because if she does, she'd never let you be in a relationship with him"

"And why's that Aunt Helen...?"

I looked up to see Ben's muscular frame filling the doorway. My heart swelled with pride at how handsome he looked. My mum loved him already. Why didn't my Aunt feel the same way?

I threw my arms around him in excitement as he kissed me softly.

"Stop it!!!!!!" My aunt said in horror. I became scared at her expression and the sound of her voice. It was as if Ben and I had committed an abomination.

"For Christ sake Aunt Helen, I'm 22 and Ben is 27!!!!! Aren't we old enough to be in a relationship? What's stopping us from being together?" I yelled angrily.

Ben covered my mouth and yanked me outside forcefully.

"I suspect something fishy here Sonie darling, and I'm trying to figure it out. But yelling at your Aunt wouldn't make it possible, it's only going to make matters worse" He said to me.

Before I could reply, I heard the distinct sound of my mum's car and smiled. Disengaging from Ben's hold, I rushed to open the gate, and she drove in.

"Ryan??!!! Ryan Caldwell!!!" My mum screamed in shock, standing as she opened her car door. Her mouth formed an 'O' as she looked at Ben. My aunt came out and stood, with arms folded. It was as if she was waiting for this moment.

"Mum, I never told you Ben's dad's name, but yeah, that's his name, and of course Ben looks like his father, but how and why do you look like you're about to...."

And down she fell to the ground. Unconscious.

My aunt, Ben and I quickly took her inside. I sprinkled a few drops of water on her and she opened her eyes.

We all sat on the ground around her waiting for her to talk.

" If this is the boy you've been talking about, and He's Ryan's son, You can't marry him, Sonia. You absolutely can't!!!!" My mum said, as tears rolled out of her eyes.

"And why's that?" I asked, feeling the blood drain from my head.

"Because he's your brother"

I laughed at my mom's joke, expecting others to join in. But my smile froze when I realized no one else found it amusing. "What do you mean Ben is my brother?" I asked, turning to him for answers. His expression was unreadable, which hurt. I was used to being able to read him.

My mom's apology only added to my confusion. "I'm sorry I never told you, sweetie." I glanced at my aunt, who seemed just as guilty. But it was Ben's reaction that shocked me. He knew. He had known all along and kept it from me.

Feeling betrayed, I watched as Ben walked away, leaving me to process this life-changing revelation.

"START. EXPLAINING" I yelled at my mother.

"I was doing my internship program at Caldwell's Pharmaceutical company. It was owned by Ben's father, Ryan. Ryan was a single dad then, his wife just died and Ben was 3 years old. I interned for a year, and then was granted permanent employment by Ryan, as his Personal Assistant. He also needed help taking care of his son, and I assisted him some days in taking care of Ben. I had a boyfriend then, but I still liked my boss, so we had sex just once.

We decided to just be colleagues, with benefits. Shortly after, there was an incident at the company and I was framed for leaking some of the company's future plans and goals to a rival company. It cost Caldwell's Pharmaceutical company a whole lot of money and we lost customers during that period. I still don't know who managed to set me up. Ryan fired me in anger, but didn't press charges against me.

I had to leave. I relocated to Boston and that's when I discovered I was pregnant with you" She stopped for a while.

I covered my ears, as tears rolled down my eyes, and my mum continued her story.

"Of course I sent messages to Ryan, but he strongly denied, claiming that he used protection and there was no way you could have been conceived. I decided to raise you all by myself and luckily I was able to get another job immediately you were born. Helen assisted in looking after you while I was at work, so I forgot all about Ryan and his son, until today. So my dear Sonia, Ryan Caldwell is your father and Benedict Caldwell is your stepbrother. You can't marry him"

I became pale. I felt like I was going to puke. This was all too much. I closed my eyes as the first wave of nausea hit me and I rushed out and threw up everything I ate that morning. I looked up to see my mum and aunt looking at me with worry in their faces.

"I'm really sorry you had to find out this way, Sonie darling. I wanted to tell you, but your mum asked me not to, and it wasn't my place. I'm sorry you're going through this"My aunt said, and came towards me with her arms outstretched. I hugged her and sniffed.

"I'll be fine, Aunt Helen. Thank you"

"And your mum..." She started, but I held up my hand.

"I don't want to talk about my mum now. I'll see you later, bye"

I turned and left.

Thankfully I didn't come with my car, so I walked the rest of the way back home.

"So what are you going to do, Sonia?" Allie asked calmly after I explained everything to her.

"I don't know, Allison. I really don't know. I'm confused. I haven't even heard from Ben since then. It's been four days now. He hasn't called or texted and hasn't even responded to my calls and texts, and that's not even the worst part" As I said that, I wondered if I could fully trust my best friend.

"But I need to be sure you aren't letting anyone know until I get this all figured out. No one must know"

"Come on Sonia. I'm your best friend. Of course I'll keep my lips sealed. After all, when you had your first kiss with Damian back then in..."

I laughed and shut her up. Of course I could trust her. It's just that, this was a very sensitive story and Dr Caldwell, was a prominent man in New York.

"Okay okay. Fair point. The thing is... I've been having headaches and feeling nauseous and dizzy these days. I don't really know what to think. I haven't actually taken a test yet, but then I'm scared"

"You're worried you're pregnant for Ben" Allie stated plainly, and I nodded.

"It's alright Sonia. First of all, let's go take a test. Don't just assume. You might not be pregnant after all. It could just be stress and worry about the news"

"But what if the test is positive? How can I be pregnant with my stepbrother's child? It's absurd"

"It will be well, Sonie, just believe" Allie said and I nodded.

I stood up and went into my bedroom to get properly dressed.

BEN

"Son you've been down these past few days. You've not even been coming to work. Angie told me you've not even been eating well" Dad said as I opened the door for him.

"Hello to you too Dad. If all Angie does is to report to you how I'm living my life, then it's high time you get her fired" I responded weakly.

"Come on. I didn't mean it that way. She's worried about you. I am too. Now would you please tell me what's going on with you?"

Dad has always been wonderful to me, so it really was hard to confront him with this information about Sonia and her mum Lisa Gordon. He's always been perfect, never denying me the love and attention I needed. I only found out about my dad's connection with Lisa Gordon two months back. My secretary brought it to me accidentally. The letter Lisa wrote to my dad was tucked neatly in between some office documents, and my attention was captured, when I found Lisa's name on it. It was a resignation Lisa wrote to the company, which showed she initially worked here. I kept the information since then wondering when was the right time to talk to my dad about it, since it was obvious that Sonia didn't know. I hadn't even met her mum, until that fateful day the secret was let out. That was why I stayed away, against my feelings, from Sonia. I needed to find out from my dad first before going further.

"What was your relationship with Lisa Gordon?" I said, and looked at my dad's face.

"Lisa?? Lisa was my employee about two decades ago. How do you know about her? And why bring her up now?" Dad asked.

"What happened to her, while she was here?" I demanded.

"I still don't know why you need this information, but well I'll tell you. She was one of the best interns and that was why I decided to retain her as a staff, after her internship program. She lied about a lot of things, but I'm grateful I got to find out early. I was in love with her and we even slept together a few times, but well, she used that against me. She lied about her age, lied that she had no siblings, lied that she was an orphan and the height of it all was the fact that she leaked some confidential information to some of the company's rivals. I would have gotten her arrested, but then I just couldn't. I just fired her and got her out of my life completely, and a few months later, she said she was pregnant for me, which was impossible..."

"Why was it impossible dad? Didn't you sleep with her?" I asked, my voice going a bit higher.

"I did, but she had a boyfriend at that time, so I strongly believe that he is the father of her baby, not me. What's the reason for all these questions, Benny?" Dad asked.

"Lisa Gordon is Sonia's mother, and apparently we can't get married because Sonia is my stepsister" I stated.

Dad pulled off his glasses immediately, and stood up.

"When she didn't get back to me after telling me she was pregnant, I thought she was actually lying again. But how can that be? How couldn't she have told me she gave birth to my child? I need to go see her and we're going to take a test to see if this actually true. I can't just assume where Lisa is concerned. This needs to be verified. What this could do the my company's reputation if it gets out...."

"So all you care about is the company's reputation??? Really dad???" I asked in anger, wondering how he could still be inconsiderate after harbouring a grudge over Lisa Gordon for over two decades.

"If you know how I felt after Lisa did what she did over twenty years ago, you'll understand why I sound this way...."

"What about how I feel now, dad? How Sonia feels too??" I interrupted.

"I'll get to the bottom of this, Ben. But for now, stop telling at me. I understand how you feel. I'll sort this out in the best way possible, okay?" My dad said calmly, and hugged me.

"What are you going to do?" I asked him, after pulling from his embrace.

He looked at me and smiled.

"Make sure you start eating well. I don't want Angie complaining about you not eating well anymore. See you later son"

"Bye dad" I said, and he left.

I decided to call Sonia. She must be really angry with me after ignoring her calls all week. It rang straight to voicemail. I called several times and she still didn't answer.

I decided to leave her a message.

I really loved her, and couldn't let her go.

I reminisced on how we met for the first time.

She was a first year student in Columbia University, while I was in my third year. We met at a church actually. She was a chorister, with a very nice voice and I was playing the violin. We exchanged pleasantries after the service and have been best friends ever since. When I was about to graduate, I proposed to her and surprisingly, she accepted.

Our love story has just been filled with ecstatic bliss. We've had our ups and downs, but we always knew how to sort things out and move on together.

But this time around, the case was very different, and I doubt the fact that we'll sort things out.

I really doubt.

SONIA

"I expected you to drive past the house last Sunday morning to pick me up, but you didn't. I thought you were still brooding over the incident that happened and you'd soon get over it, but then this Sunday again, you still didn't drive past. I called your number and it wasn't reachable. What's going on Sonia?" My Aunt Helen asked.

I sighed and sat back on the love seat.

I usually drove past my Aunty's house to pick her up every Sunday morning to go to church together. That has been our routine since I graduated and started attending her church.

But I couldn't do it. I missed church last week and even this week.

Things have changed.

In fact, I don't know if I still have any routine activity anymore.

She looked round the house.

"Why does this place look empty, as if you're moving?"

"That's because I'm moving" I retorted. "And you're not to tell anyone, not even your sister"

Aunt Helen frowned. "You really should go meet your mum and talk things true Sonia. Running away isn't the best way to settle things"

"And who says I'm interested in settling things with that lying bitch?!!" I said, without realizing what I actually said.

My aunt did the unthinkable.

She slapped me hard.

I swallowed.

"Don't you ever!! Ever!!! Say that about your mother again! Because no matter whatever she did, or didn't do, she's still your mum"

Before I could say anything, the Uber I called arrived and I stood up to grab the few things I'd packed.

"Where are you going, Sonia? Please keep in touch" She said and I walked out.

I'd already arranged to stay at a hotel for two weeks, to conclude my resignation process at the bank where I worked, before leaving America for Scotland. I'd earlier planned a vacation to Scotland, before these issues with Ben and my family arose.

And now, I'm considering relocation, and with a baby on the way...

I touched my stomach. I couldn't have this baby. I couldn't. Once I get to Scotland, I'll arrange to have an abortion procedure.

"We're here ma'am" The Uber driver announced, and looked at me through the inside mirror.

"Alright, thank you" I paid him and then alighted from the car, with my stuffs and checked into the hotel.

Switching on my laptop, the first message I got was from my boss. It read "You're fired!"

I rubbed my eyes, and brought out my phone, which I had earlier placed on silent mode. There were several missed calls from several unknown numbers, from my aunt Sonia, my mum, my boss, and then Ben

There was messages left unread as well. I opened those ones.

As I read through every message, I sighed and rested my head on my palm.

Damn you Allison!!

I tried not to cry, but the tears couldn't stop falling.

Allison apparently went and told the press the whole story, how Billionaire Dr Ryan Caldwell was my stepfather and Ben was my stepbrother, and worst of all, how I was pregnant for my stepbrother.

My life, my image and my reputation has been tarnished before all New Yorkers. No doubt my name would be trending on Daily News.

So much for spending two weeks in the hotel. I booked a flight for the following morning.

I couldn't even sleep well that night.

Early the next morning, I checked out of the hotel and booked an Uber to the airport.

As I found my seat and got settled, I looked back at New York, where I was born and grew up, and I couldn't help but shed tears. It hurt so bad.

BEN

"Dad, is this your idea of sorting the issue? Sending Sonia away?? Honestly, if I find out that you're responsible for her disappearance, I'd never forgive you" I stormed into my dad's office, two months after I'd given up searching for her.

"You think it isn't hard on me too?? Finding out I have a 22 year old daughter who happens to be carrying a baby, your baby, from the press; attending interviews to answer questions I know absolutely nothing about; being the centre of discussion and gossips amongst even my employees, and you stand there to accuse me that I'm responsible for her disappearance. Watch your tone, son!!" My dad warned in a voice I've never heard him use on me before.

I sat down and folded my arms defiantly.

"I have Private investigators looking for her all over the country, but from all indications, she's no longer in America. As long as she's alive, we'll find her. I promise you" My dad assured and I nodded, and left his office.

From there, I drove straight to Allison's house. Sonia confided in Allison, and Allison apparently took the news to the Press, for God knows how much. It meant that Allison might also have an idea of where Sonia took off to.

"Ben" She started. "I didn't expect to see you here"

"You damn well know why I am here. And you better start talking. Where the hell is Sonia?" I banged on the ugly-looking crusty table in Allison's living room. She shivered.

"I don't know where she is. I didn't know she'd leave. Believe me" She pleaded, seeing how furious I was.

"Believe you!!!" I laughed angrily. "Sonia believed you. She believed you were her best friend and look how that turned out. I swear to God, if you don't tell me right now, where you think Sonia might be, I'll make sure I destroy you and everything you've worked hard for. I believe you know me, and you know what I'm capable of doing" I lashed out at her.

"Sonia once mentioned going on a vacation to Scotland, but I don't know if that's where she went because she didn't..."

That was all I needed.

If Sonia mentioned that she was going to Scotland, then she probably was in Scotland.

LISA GORDON

Everyone's been talking. I don't fail to recognize the sheer gossips and whispers anytime I'm walking along the road. Even my twin sister, Helen isn't speaking to me.

And my daughter!! Oh Sonia!!

I cried out and stood up.

I went to the cellar and brought out an alcoholic wine, with a glass cup. I poured the wine into into the cup and gulped it down at once.

Miserable.

Yeah, that's what I'd call my state right now.

I'm a miserable lonely woman.

So many times I'd wanted to tell Sonia about her dad, considering the fact that he stayed close by, in New Jersey, but I never got around to make out time to talk to her.

I was busy making money and I ignored my own daughter. I'd been selfish.

Another adjective to add to my state. Miserable, selfish.

I poured another glass of wine for myself and was about to down it, when my door opened slightly.

I frowned, wondering who had the mind to badge into my compound. I also wondered where the security man was, that he'd let anyone into my house.

"Can I come in?" I stopped when I heard the voice.

It was a voice I never thought I'd hear in decades.

"Ryan!" I said, as he walked in already.

He looked round the house, completely ignoring my greeting.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"We've been living so close to each other, yet we never bumped into each other. How's that possible?" He asked with a small smile.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"When were you ever going to tell me that Sonia was mine?" He asked.

"I was never going to tell you" I replied defiantly.

"Still stubborn as ever, I see. I hate what this revelation is doing to Ben"

"I also hate what it has done to Sonia's and my relationship. It's separated us" I said, trying to hold back the tears.

"Why didn't you tell her about me after all these years? Why hide the truth from her?"

"Can everyone just stop blaming me for once, and at least share in my pain as well?"

"You caused yourself pain. You'll endure it alone. I didn't come here to mince words with you, Lisa. I came to get the truth from you. Is Sonia really mine?"

"Of course she is. Do you think I'd intentionally put my daughter through this heartbreak if you weren't her father?" I retorted, wondering why he'd question Sonia's paternity.

And then he walked out, leaving me confused, wondering why he was actually here.

I stood up and closed the door behind him.