Chapter 3: The Boy Who Looks Like Me.

5 YEARS LATER.

Five years had passed since Marianne left Silverton on their wedding night. That night, after their misunderstanding, Alexander had thought it was mere words when she said she would do her best to hide from his sight, but it took him a while to realize she meant those words.

Only now could he grasp the gravity of the hurtful things he had said to her. He wouldn’t blame his immaturity for his decisions back then.

In the years that followed, he had employed his influence as the head of San Diego’s most prosperous conglomerate and used his extensive network to search for her. Yet, it was as if she had vanished from the earth, leaving no trace of her whereabouts.

A year after her disappearance, he relocated from Silverton to San Diego, seeking distance from his old life in hopes of continuing his search.

What he couldn’t deny was that her disappearance had shattered him entirely. Winter, Marianne’s younger sister, continued to harbor resentment towards him, blaming him for her sister's disappearance.

Even to this day, he had never stopped searching for her.

Alexander emerged from the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist, his hair still damp from his shower, which made him look irresistibly hot.

Just then, his phone rang loudly. He moved to retrieve it from the bed, expecting it to be his secretary, whom he had tasked with finding Marianne. However, he was disappointed to see it was a call from Jake, his friend.

"Hey man, I’m heading to San Diego and staying the night at your hotel suite," Jake announced as soon as Alexander answered.

Before Alexander could respond, the doorbell rang. He went to answer it and found Jake standing there with a broad smile. Alexander pulled the phone away from his ear, staring at his friend in confusion.

"Why call me if you're already here?" Alexander asked, as Jake stepped inside, shrugging nonchalantly and dropping his luggage before taking a seat.

He had called earlier, intending to use Alexander's suite without realizing Alexander would be there, rather than at his mansion as usual.

"I thought you'd be at your mansion," Jake said, standing up from the couch and heading towards the kitchen. "Is there anything to eat?" he asked. Finding some noodles, he decided to help himself.

"Why are you here?" Alexander asked.

"Just needed a break," Jake replied. "Your mom’s been hounding me to convince you to come back to Silverton."

"It’s been five years, Alex. I’m not sure what’s going on in your mind, but keeping your mother waiting isn’t fair. She’s all you have left," Jake said, eating the raw noodles.

"Once you’ve finished eating and rested, you should head out. I’ll be going to the office soon," Alexander said, heading to his wardrobe to find something to wear.

"People say you’ve become distant and cold over the years. Is that true? Have you still not gotten in touch with Marianne?" Jake asked. The mention of Marianne’s name made Alexander stop what he was doing.

"I heard you’re responsible for her disappearance," Jake added.

"Who said that?"

"Winter. She claims you’re responsible for her sister’s disappearance," Jake replied, placing the pack of noodles on the counter.

"Let’s be honest, Alex. Who are you trying to deceive? You married Marianne, and while I don’t know the reasons behind it, I know you’ve had feelings for her since high school. If you truly loved her, why didn’t you stay with her after the marriage?" Jake asked.

Alexander was left speechless as Jake’s words hit home. It wasn’t until a month after Marianne’s disappearance that he realized he had feelings for her, and the guilt had been tormenting him ever since.

"If you think I’m wrong, then I won’t interfere anymore since you are unwilling to face the truth," Jake said, rising from his seat.

"I’ll head out after a shower. I promised Grandma I’d visit her, so she’s probably waiting for me," he muttered, making his way to the bathroom.

*****

Jayson Williams left his room already dressed for work. As he entered the sitting room, the door flew open, and a little boy rushed in.

“Dad!” Emilio called out, running to Jayson, who lifted him up with a broad smile.

“My adorable Emilio,” Jayson beamed.

“Where’s your mom?” he asked, brushing a strand of Emilio’s long black hair behind his ear.

“She’ll be here soon,” Emilio replied with a smile that belied his young age. He was just too smart for his age, and Jayson found that adorable. Just then, his mom walked in. Jayson smiled upon seeing her.

“Good morning,” she greeted, walking over to him.

“Ready for the restaurant?” Jayson asked. She nodded.

“I’m heading to work now. I’ll drop you off first,” he said, glancing at Emilio still nestled in his arms.

“Want some ice cream, little one?” he asked.

“No, Jayson. It’s too cold outside,” Sienna replied.

“It’ll be fine, Sienna. You don’t need to worry about us. Right, Emilio?” Jayson asked, and Emilio nodded eagerly.

“You two,” Sienna muttered, shaking her head in frustration as she headed out. Jayson followed with Emilio, chuckling quietly.

They got outside, entered the car, and the drive began.

A few minutes into the drive, Jayson arrived at the restaurant, and Sienna got out of the car with Emilio.

“It’s important for a CEO not to be late. You should head to work now,” Sienna said as Jayson attempted to leave the car too.

“Okay, honey. I’ll see you this evening,” Jayson replied with a wink and a smile before driving off. Sienna smiled as she walked into the restaurant.

She found the restaurant clean, which made her smile even more, knowing it was Jayson's doing. She didn’t know what to do with him anymore. Despite countless requests for him to stop cleaning and insistence that she could handle it herself, he never listened.

Turning to her son with a warm smile, she asked, “Is there anything you’d like me to make for you? You barely ate your breakfast at home…”

Emilio shook his head. “I’m fine, Mom. Is there anything you need help with?”

Sienna carried him over to the kitchen area, set him down on a chair, and smiled. “Just watch me cook, alright? And if you fake being sick again tomorrow, I’ll take you to the hospital,” she said with a playful threat. Emilio pouted adorably; he was supposed to be at school but had pretended to be ill to skip it.

“But I’m letting it slide today so you can spend the whole day with me,” Sienna said with a smile.

“I love you, Mom,” Emilio said, returning her smile as he watched her do what she was great at—cooking.

******

At 5 p.m., Jake woke from his nap with a stretch. He had decided to rest after finishing his bath. Sitting up, he checked his phone and noticed the time, letting out a resigned sigh.

He knew his dad would likely scold him, but screw that!. He was 30, and was so done with all the boring lectures!

He got out of bed, grabbed one of the car keys from Alexander's room, and headed out.

He debated whether to go to his dad’s company first or visit his grandma. After a moment of thought, he chose to visit his grandma first.

******

In his spacious office, which was nearly the size of an apartment, Alexander sat focused on his laptop.

He had always been deeply immersed in work, finding joy only when he was occupied with tasks.

Suddenly, his phone vibrated, drawing his attention. Leaning back in his swivel chair, he adjusted his glasses slightly and picked up his phone. He saw a message from Jake.

“I saw something really shocking while shopping for grandma,” the message read. Alexander was curious about Jake’s revelation when Jake’s call came through. He answered promptly.

“Dude, I just saw a kid a few minutes ago,” Jake began. Alexander sighed, wondering what kind of nonsense Jake was about to share.

“What about it?” he asked.

“He looks exactly like you,” Jake revealed. Alexander rubbed his eyes in frustration and removed his glasses.

“So?” he replied.

“So, do you have a kid somewhere?” Jake asked.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Alexander said, cutting the call. Just then, another message from Jake popped up on his phone. This time, it was a picture of the boy, and to Alexander’s surprise, the child looked exactly like him.