Chapter 184 - Eric Grant

“Arabella,” Eric Grant uttered her name with an inspiring smile.

He was left with a heavy heart earlier. Seeing the couple go away, he wanted to stop them. He wanted to know her more but he controlled himself.

Remembering that she was already married to Bill Sky, he shook his head to get rid of her in his mind. Then, he got a small jewelry box from his drawer. He opened it and stared at the thing inside the box then he smiled.

“Why do I feel that you are just around?” He muttered looking at the box. He smiled again. “Soon… I will see you soon.” Eric added then he closed the small jewelry box.

Meanwhile, at the oldest church in F city, Bill brought Arabella who was struggling in his arms.

“Put me down! Bill, what are you doing?” She angrily shouted wiggling her body to escape but Bill was strong enough to hold her body firmly into its position.

They entered the church. The solemnity was there as there were no other people aside from them. Arabella felt embarrassed to shout in a very holy place. “Put me down, Bill.” She whispered.

“Shhh…” He just muttered.

“You are really insane.” She remarked her conclusion.

“Yes. I am.” He simply answered.

Arabella didn’t want to argue but she rolled her eyes at him.

“Mommy!” Suddenly, Adam’s voice was heard. Arabella was surprised. She looked around and saw her son in front of another man.

Bill put her down and she quickly ran towards Adam. She hugged him so tight. “Adam, my son. Why are you here?” She was happy seeing him but she couldn’t help to wonder how he got there?

“I could not miss my parent’s wedding,” Adam answered with a cheerful voice and a joyous smile.

Upon hearing her son, Arabella’s jaw dropped. She felt she misheard Adam.

She didn’t want to argue with Adam so she stood up with cold sweats and controlled annoyance. In front of her child, she was sweet but she couldn’t promise if she could control the irritation inside her. Arabella walked closer to Bill.

“What is this, Bill?” She whispered with controlled anger.

“We are getting married again.” He simply answered.

“Why? We are already divorced. Isn’t that we all wanted?” Without the presence of Adam, she swore to hit him at that moment but Bill was too fond of playing tricks with her that he even used their son to control her.

“It’s not Adam wanted and I don't want it.” He clarified emphasizing every word he said.

“Oh, come on! You are never a good husband to me.” She smirked smiling to suppress her irritation.

“Because you didn’t give me a chance,” Bill answered sternly.

“Huh!” Arabella scoffed. “Are you joking me?” She said with insults. “I can’t marry you. I already signed our divorce and that’s it. Our tie is over.” She declared with a touch of sarcasm and proud tone.

Bill nodded laxly. “For your information, I shredded the divorce contract that you signed. So, you are still my wife.” He announced with a playful wink at her.

“Bill Sky! You are such a jerk!” She couldn’t control it anymore. Upon hearing him, she could feel her temperature go up to its peak. She felt she's going to explode.

Adam and the officiant were alarmed. Adam quickly ran towards his mother.

“Mom, please don’t argue with dad.” Adam’s eyes were pleading.

“Let’s go home, Adam.” Arabella was already on the verge of going hysterical. She didn’t know how to go back to Capital Z but she was determined to get out from the church to maintain the solemnity of the place otherwise she would be very disrespectful if she would create a thunderous scream inside because of the man who always ruined her day.

“Mom, I am sorry to make you angry.” Adam held her hand. “I asked dad to marry you again. It was my request to him.” Adam added with a dispirited voice. He felt wronged.

“What?” Arabella was shocked by her son’s announcement. She knelt in one leg to talk and see him. How could Adam do that? Her son was always defending her but today she felt that he betrayed her.

“Mom, please don’t get mad at daddy. Please just get mad at me. I was the one who asked him to do it.” Adam’s tone was sad. Arabella was alarmed seeing her son’s expression. “I want to see my parent’s wedding as I feel like I am still dreaming that I have a complete family,” Adam added with teary pleading eyes. “I’m sorry for being selfish, mom.” Finally, the tears Adam was holding dripped down.

Seeing Adam, Arabella’s heart was torn apart. “Shhh…” She quickly hugged her son. “You are not selfish. You are never selfish Adam.” She stroked his back gently. Arabella felt bad. She felt she was the one who was so selfish not considering Adam’s feelings. Driven with her anger at Bill, she forgot to understand Adam.

“I’m sorry my son. Mommy is wrong.” Arabella couldn’t help herself to cry with the little boy. “I should have considered your feelings.” How could she be so numb? Adam had no father since birth. He was like a puzzle with a missing piece. Now that the piece was found, he must be very happy and contented that he was now complete. He now had a father that he can call dad.

Bill looked at his son and wife. He observed them calmly without moving like a sturdy post.

“Ahem!” A cough was heard. They all looked at the officiant who was obviously getting their attention.

“Should we begin now?” The old marriage officiant asked.

Adam turned around then curled his lips upward while shaking his head to the officiant. He was signaling him to call off the wedding.

When the officiant was about to go away, “I am ready. Let’s proceed.” Arabella suddenly sounded wiping Adam’s tears. Then she kissed his forehead so dearly and stood up. She looked at Bill with a smile but her eyes were cold.

“Then let’s begin.” The officiant cooed.

Overwhelming happiness was reflected on Adam’s face. Finally, he could witness the wedding of his parents.

“Let’s go?” Arabella’s heart was joyfully jumping seeing his son’s satisfaction. She held his little hand sweetly as they walked towards the center aisle. Wearing his happy smile, Adam followed swaying their hands in the air. The mother and son were holding each other’s hands while they were walking on the center aisle. Bill was waiting for them in front. When they reached in front, “Daddy, please take my mom’s hand and please promise me that you will not hurt her anymore.” Adam sounded serious.

Bill smirked at him. He messed Adam's soft hair. “Ahem!” Bill coughed then he leaned over to the little boy. “I think it’s not fair. Maybe you could also make your mom promise not to hurt me anymore.” Bill sounded serious but he looked at Arabella teasingly.

Upon hearing his dad’s words, Adam frowned feeling wronged again. His dad was right. As the saying goes, it takes two to tango! He scratched his head while he kept switching his stare to them. “Okay, dad, mom, please promise me not to hurt each other anymore.” Adam rephrased his statement with a serious strict expression just like his dad.

“That’s my boy!” Bill tapped Adam’s shoulder while smiling proudly. Arabella just rolled her eyes at Bill and didn't say anything.

Bill then took Arabella’s hand and kissed it. Arabella tried her best to compose herself and not be affected by Bill’s actions. She was doing it for her son and not for Bill. If Bill shredded their divorce contract, then what’s the reason for her not to grant her son’s wish? They were still married and having another wedding wouldn’t change anything.

“I promised. I will protect you and your mom with my life.” Bill sincerely said that made Arabella’s heart skip a beat but she quickly recovered thinking that it was just for Adam’s ear.

“Mom?” Adam called seeing her absent-minded.

“I promised.” Arabella tried her best to put up a smile to Adam though she felt like vomiting thinking of the scene of him and Lala on the plane. She immediately wanted to back out of her decision but Adam’s crying and pleading face flashed to her mind which gave her a heartbreak.

After hearing his mom, Adam was very happy as his smile and facial expression said it all.

Bill held Arabella’s hand and Arabella held Adam’s hand. Hand in hand they strode forward to the officiant.

The ceremony started. Adam witnessed everything and his smile never left his face. He felt he was in the happiest place on earth.

Seeing Adam’s happy face, Arabella felt her decision was worth it. Again, for her son, she could do anything.

“You may now kiss the bride.” The finale had come.

Adam quickly covered his eyes with his hands.

Bill smiled at Arabella as her eyes were telling him to stop. He never listened anyway. He kissed her without her permission. “Only you can be my wife.” He whispered. She felt her spikes go up with his deep sincere voice.

‘Then how about Lala and the rest of your women?’ She wanted to scream it to his face but she couldn’t or else Adam’s dream would be ruined.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. Congratulations!” The officiant ended the ceremony then exited the place.

Adam clapped his hands still couldn't believe that he witnessed the wedding of his parents then he spread his arms to hug his parents.

“Yes! Today is the happiest!” Adam uttered in the air with overwhelming joy. His words made Arabella’s heart happy too. She leaned over and kissed Adam’s head.

Bill held Arabella’s hand interlocking their fingers.

“Mom, Dad, I will wait for you inside the car.” With a cheerful smile, Adam announced seeing his parents’ hands.

“Thanks, son.” Bill winked at Adam.

“No.” Arabella refuted but Adam walked straight ahead without turning around.

Arabella was left dumbfounded. “There’s no Adam here. Let go of me now.” She angrily said.

Bill didn’t follow and had no plan to follow her order. Instead, he tightened his grip.

“Bill, we have to stop interfering in each other’s life. You don’t love me. I don’t love you. Let’s not make our life complicated.” Her voice was cold as ice. She just hoped he would listen.

“What about Adam?” Bill asked with an intimidating voice.

“I will take care of him. We survived living without you. I can do it again and again.” Her voice was assuring him.

“I can’t let you go,” Bill muttered in a serious tone.

“Why?” Puzzled and confused she asked.

“I don’t know Arabella. I don’t know!” His voice was pissed. All his life, he had everything under his control.

“Huh!” She rolled her eyes. What could she expect from him?

“Stay with me. I can give you all you want.” He said with a serious tone.

“But you killed my father. You ruined my family. How could you ask me that?” Her tone was starting to flare up again.

Bill didn’t answer. His eyes were serious and deep. She could not decipher what’s on his mind. No regrets and no guilt. It made her madder.

“Now, let go of me!” She ordered controlling her voice not to shout.

“I can’t.” Bill simply replied.

“You are a monster, Bill!” She expressed her grief.

“You can call me anything you want but I can’t let you go. There’s no place you can run. You only belong to me, my wife. Do you understand?” He declared with an oppressing tone.

“You are a jerk!” She shouted annoyingly. Her control was broken with the man’s attitude.

He suddenly grasped her closer to him and before she could react, Bill kissed her. He kissed her passionately not letting her speak any more.

“No!No!No!” Eric shouted in his sleep. He opened his eyes and got the glass of water on his bedside. He drank it in one go with a white tablet to calm him down. When he sobered, Eric closed his eyes again.

“No! Don’t go! Don’t leave me! You promised me!”

The young girl’s voice echoed in his mind.

“Shhhh… Be strong! I promise to be back and get you out from here.” He said bravely.

Many years had passed but he still couldn’t forget the young girl he promised to protect and save.

In the dark, he heard her cry. “Shhh….” Don’t cry.” He said trying to comfort her. He met her when he was 10 years old. That was the most tragic moment of his life. He survived because of her and he swore to find her again.

Eric opened his eyes then he got the small jewelry box on his bedside table. He took the gold bracelet and heaved a deep sigh.

“I will find you..” Seriously staring at the bracelet, Eric swore.