The Royal Contract

His mind had rehearsed what he would say to his son since he had decided to tell him the truth. But now that he was a few feet away from him, it would seem that his words failed him as he finally looked into his face, nose, lips, cheeks, and the entire structure of his face.

There was no denying that Gerald was his son. He could see his younger self in him, but he also saw a piece of his mother in him. How could he have abandoned his search for him? All those lost time.

“Yes, I doubt this had anything to do with the cases since I already discussed that with Alex and Dani,” Gerald answered him, still seemingly unaware of his real purpose for coming to see him.

However, he could see now that behind his smile was hidden anger. His assumption was correct. His mission today would not be easy as telling him the truth.

“Nope. It has not, and it also had nothing to do with business.” Ethan’s voice, although loud, still had lost its strength. “It is more personal, and it involves our connected past.”

His eyes narrowed, directing at him as if mentioning that past had triggered something in him. The anger that was so subtle earlier was finally taking a peek. Soon, he could count that it would come out in the open.

.....

“What do you mean?” His son’s voice elevated by an octave compared to before, but he could see that he was still trying to control his temper, but his hands clenched at the side was not a good indication.

However, as much as he also wanted to protect his son from the truth, it had to come out eventually. He realized now that it was not wise for him to believe he could carry it to his grave.

“I am aware that you knew my association with your parents.” He observed his son’s eyes, and Gerald did not deny it.

His face remained lacking expression, not wanting his son to misconstrue his feelings. But inside his heart, he was trembling in fear that he might reject him. But what did he expect after what he did to him?

He believed it was only ok for his son to hate him for his horrible actions. He knew he should accept whatever punishment was given to him because that was what he deserved. But for a father, he still hoped.

Leaning forward to the table, he stared directly into his eyes, knowing that this was the moment of truth. He placed his hand on top of the table, using it as support, but he was not afraid of the possible outcome. He would gladly accept whatever it was.

“Yes,” Gerald finally admitted. “My mother had mentioned your name a couple of times. She told me you used to be friends with her and my father.”

Then, his son stopped as if he was reorganizing his thoughts, carefully rearranging what he was about to say to him. But he would wait until he was ready to tell him what he knew.

After a few seconds, his eyes slightly blaze in anger. “Ok, I will admit, I hated you. You are the reason why I never had a normal family.”

His hands entwined in front of him, leaning forward and following his lead. His eyes blazed with hatred as they focused on his. “My father told me how you tried to destroy our lives.”

That was it.

He knew now what happened to his son. Joaquin had turned him against him, his father. His friend’s final vengeance against him, using his son to bring him down.

“I hope I can deny it.” His eyes lowered to his hand, again ashamed of what he had done. “But in a way, it was true. I did bring pain and misery to Joaquin and Marietta.”

His admission only angered Gerald even more. As if he had just confirmed everything his father had said to him. But he hoped that he would still give him a chance to explain his side.

“Then, what are you doing here? Are you asking for a bullet in between your eyes?” Gerald said in a threatening voice, and from the expression on his face, he knew that his son could do such things.

“If that is what I deserve, I will accept it, but I hope you will give me a chance to tell my side as my dying wish.” He was not afraid of death. He had accepted long ago that at any time, he could die.

No amount of money or power or even prayer could save a man’s life.

But he had defied death several times before, but this time, he was sure if he could cheat him once again.

He could see his son watching him, surprised by his answer. He probably thought he would shrink in fear and beg for his life. But that was not why he was here.

“What do you want from me, old man?” This time, Gerald was just indifferent. He knew that his son was only indulging him, but he had no plans to believe what he would say.

But here it was.

“I want to get to know my son.” The words flowed on his lips without stopping. It was loud and clear, and there could be no reason for him not to understand it.

He examined his son’s face, covered with bewilderment, probably unable to process what he had said. But a few seconds, it swiftly transformed into fury as his face turned red in rage.

“What are you talking about?” He suddenly stood up from his seat and grabbed him by his collar with one hand, and then his other hand balled up into a fist on his side. “I am not your son, and you are not my father.”

His eyes clouded with rage had looked at him, but he never wavered. He kept his eyes on him, not wanting to break their only connection.

If this could be the only time he could touch his son, he would grab the chance as he moved his hands and gripped the young man in his arms.

His touch did not mean to stop him. It was only a mere opportunity to stay connected with him. As his cold hands felt his warm skin, he somehow felt his blood flowing in him.

Even if Gerald did not forgive him, he was his son, and he was his father. He could die happy knowing he had finally told him the truth. He was his biological father.