Chapter – 6

"Every heart sings a song, incomplete until another heart whispers back. Those who wish to sing always find a song. At the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet." 

― Plato

***

~Aiden

I followed Anna like a lost puppy with Nicholas in tow, not knowing what to do when Hayley stopped me and said she had this. We watched as she introduced herself to Anna and both started enjoying the rides together. Saxon signaled me to wait when I tried to join them.

Sam had taken a fall and Anna had rushed to the restroom with Hayley, leaving Ben with others. Gabriel nodded for me to come over and introduced me to Ben as his friend. For the first time in the world, a friend has introduced a father to his son. My heart thudded against my ribs as the little boy regarded me.

“Hello,” my voice trembled with so many emotions that now assaulted me. “I am Aiden. What’s your name?” I asked enchanted by my little boy.

“My name is Benjamin. Why are you so nervous?”

A soft chuckle left my lips. He was intelligent and knowledgeable for a boy of his age. I felt proud of my mate. “Maybe it’s because I thought you wouldn’t want to be my friend.” My wolf shook its head in my mind. Gosh, what’s happening to me? I don’t want to be his friend. I want my place back as his father.

“Why would you think I wouldn’t want to be your friend?” Ben questioned with a quirk of his eyebrows. “You are friends with mommy’s friends. So I will be your friend.”

A full-blown grin stretched my cheeks to the point it got painful. “Thank you.” I wanted to howl and run amok while shouting he is my son. The air changed when her intoxicating scents prodded my nostrils. I saw her walking towards me and it took a lot of effort not to tackle her then and there. The looks she keeps sending me doesn’t help me either.

“She seems to have forgotten her past and we do not know to what extent,” Gabriel murmured once Ben was out of earshot. “Let’s go with the flow. Something smells fishy.”

I looked at him confused. Forgotten her past, but how? He had a point. I didn’t want to lose her or my son again. She wasn’t lying. I could tell with the sound of her heartbeat. She appeared flattered and gawked at me as if she saw me for the first time. Oh, how much I wish this was how our first meeting went.

Anna was like a breath of fresh air and I tipped my head, inhaling her scent and filled my lungs with it, not wanting to let go.

She fought hard to not to look at me while my wolf and myself longed for the small peek from under her lashes. Anna turned down our offer to drop her home. However, I had her number now.  I rubbed my face and let out a frustrated sigh as I leaned back in the car seat. I wanted nothing more than to go back to her house and watch her.

She is my mate and the mother of our son. I wanted to know how she lost her memory. Did she have an accident? Is that why she isn’t with the other wolf? Where is he now? My wolf growled at the line of my thoughts.

The fact she stayed with no protection, didn’t bode well for us. Our mate had lost a lot of weight which made us sad.

“She works at Wendy’s restaurant. You can meet her tomorrow, you know,” Nicholas said, making me smile. I nodded gladly, but the night was too long for my liking. I climbed the bed not bothering to change and waited for the sun to rise so I could see my mate again.

***

~Clara

After a sleep filled with dreams of the blue-eyed stranger, I woke up feeling fresh in the morning. As I continued with my morning routine, I couldn’t help the involuntary bounce that has been added to my feet.

I felt like a teenager again though I don’t remember about my teenage anymore. For the first in several years, I am happy.

“Mommy,” I whipped around to see my son standing there with an amused expression.

“Hey baby,” I scooped him into my arms, smothering him with kisses as I tickled him. We continued for a while until both of us got tired.

“You are smiling,” Ben commented, poking my cheek.

I smiled in response and focussed on my toast.

“Is it because of Aiden?” Ben asked making me choke on my food.

“I-I, what? No,” I declined to which he laughed.

“I can tell when you lie, you know,” he stated making me shut my mouth. “He seems good,” he continued and finished his breakfast before leaving me stunned.

For a six-year-old, he was way too mature. Once he boarded the school bus, I put on one of my best-looking shirt and jeans. I pulled my hair into a ponytail and wore a big smile as I made my way to the bus stop.

***

“Hey girl, what’s with the smile?” Gigi hit my bottom playfully when I entered the staff room.

“Mmm-hmm, nothing,” I replied with a wide grin and tried to leave the changing room.

“Ah, Ah… I know that goofy smile. Who’s that guy?” Abigail caught my elbow dragging me back into the room.

“Um… It’s just this guy I met yesterday at the fair,” I said chewing my lips. A deep blush crept to my cheeks as I admired my sneakers.

“Oh, my God! That’s so cool.” Gigi jumped with glee, while Abigail drilled me for more information until I blurted out everything happened last night.

Abigail hugged me tight making it harder for me to breathe. “Finally, someone is ready to get laid,” she remarked earning a chuckle from me.

Shit…what? I looked at her with wide eyes as what she said dawned on me. For the first time in years, I didn’t disagree with her.

“I am so happy to see your smile, Clara. A real smile,” Gigi said with a smile and pulled me into her embrace.

 ***

I was cleaning in the kitchen when Gigi came in announcing the arrival of a blue-eyed stranger and she thought I knew him. I peeked through the doorway only to hyperventilate.

“Oh, my God…. He is really here.” My panic rose.

“Just breathe, girly. You are fine. Just go out there and take the order. Maybe you can flirt a little,” Abigail advised. “He is one fine specimen, but who is the guy with him,” she asked eyeing Aiden’s friend.

“Oh, that’s his friend Nicholas,” I replied, wiping my sweaty hands on my apron.

Okay, here goes nothing, I said to myself before going out to take their order.

“Good morning, gentlemen. What can I get for you?” I asked politely with my heart racing. My throat went dry as I met Aiden’s blue orbs. I tried my best to hide the nervousness.

“Hi Clara, good to see you here,” he replied with a broad grin that made my heart jump. His masculine voice made my knees weak just by hearing it. “We heard this restaurant has good coffee. We’ll take a coffee and whatever is there on the menu for breakfast.”

“Same goes for me,” Nicholas grinned beside him.

“I’ll be right back with your order,” I nodded with a smile and wrote the order. My legs were stiff as I walked back to the kitchen. “They ordered everything on the menu and two coffee,” I said to our chef and sagged down.

“He’s hot, and he has got it too bad for you girl,” Abigail commented helping me up.

“What are you talking about?” I asked genuinely to which Abigail laughed.

“God, he was looking at you like he wants you on his platter. Didn’t you notice? He likes you, girl,” she giggled and Gigi joined her this time.

“Yes, Clara. I saw the way he looked at you. He’s really into you,” she confirmed making my heart flutter again.

“I don’t know what to do.” My panic rose again. “Abi, please help. I… I– “

“Breathe, Clara. You got this.” Abigail squeezed my shoulder and locked her gaze with mine. “I will come with you, okay? You said Ben liked this guy. I won’t allow you to ruin this opportunity, Clara. You deserve a good man who would love and cherish you.”

“I’m… I’m scared.”

“Don’t be. Look, we will go with the flow and see where it takes you. If he breaks your heart, he will have to answer me,” she said with a stern expression and I couldn’t thank her enough.

“Okay.”

“Your order is ready!” The chef announced, and we turned to grab the trays and carefully placed it on the food trolly, Gigi grabbed for us.

Abigail accompanied me and I could see Nicholas’s shoulder going stiff at the sight of her. “Here is your order, sir,” she said, serving Nicholas while I served Aiden.

“This looks delicious,” Nicholas commented without taking his eyes off her.

“And, it tastes delicious too,” her voice grew huskier, and she bit her lip before looking away. It was odd, considering Abigail always acted confident around men.

My hands shook when I placed the coffee in front of Aiden. “You look beautiful,” Aiden whispered, making me blush.

“You look good too,” I blurted out before I could hold my tongue. A ghost smile spread across his lips before he concentrated on the food before him. “Did you eat?”

“Huh?”

“Did you eat breakfast?” Aiden asked again.

“I-I did,” my words stuttered. The concern in his voice taking me off guard. A few regular customers walked in at the moment, giving me the most wanted distraction. “I should go,” I said, making my way to the others.

A few minutes later…

“Can I have your number?” Nicholas asked Abigail. She threw a questioning glance at me and I nodded in encouragement.

“Do you mind if I call you later?” Aiden asked me and I bit my lower lip again.

“Um… Sure,” I whispered, not meeting his gaze.

“See you later, then.” Heat from his body washed over me when he walked past me with Nicholas in tow.

“I can’t believe that just happened,” Abigail gushed as we cleaned the table. She continued to hum a familiar song and joy bubbled within me on seeing her giggle once again. It has been years since she last hummed a song. She deserved the happiness after what she went through and Nicholas seemed like a good guy.

***

I told Benjamin about Aiden and he hummed, eating his sandwich. They got along well and for the first time in years, I wished for a chance.

Later that night, I got a text from Aiden who asked me out.

Aiden: Hey Clara, I was wondering if you would go out with me tomorrow after work?

A sudden burst of joy flooded my heart as I contemplated on what to answer when I received the next text message.

Aiden: You can bring Benjamin with us if you don’t mind.

I wasn’t sure if it was a date, but Aiden asking me to bring Ben along showed he was considerate. Why would I mind to bring my son with me? In fact, that earned a lot of points for him in my mind.

Clara: Okay.

Aiden: I’ll pick you at 8 from your restaurant.

Clara: Sounds good.

Ben was sound asleep beside me and I ran my hands through his hair. Doubts and insecurities clouded my mind, but I decided to go with the flow like Abigail said. I can do this. Ben needs a father figure in his life. I should at least try. For the first time, I silently prayed that this worked out for us.