Stepping out of the cab after paying the driver, Aiden nestled his gaze at the white bungalow with a simple façade and a picket fence.
The heaviness of his chest made it difficult to move an inch forward. However, he managed and took the stride which brought him closer to the gate.
Aiden pushed it open and barreled through the aisle to the steps that leads to the porch.
Getting finally at the door, he pressed the bell and on the second ring, Jackson answered the door.
Aiden’s eyes clashed with Jackson’s bright blue ones and hell, the man looked like he'd punch Aiden if ever given chance.
“Come in.” Jackson grunted out and Aiden muttered a curt ‘thanks’ and stepped into the foyer.
Aiden heard the hissing and popping sounds emanating from the kitchen side before the tang of chicken wafted his nose.
“This way.” Jackson gestured, leading him from the hallway to the living room.
Drinking in the accessorized room of cream-colored couch, a rug, eighteen inches Flat screen TV, coffee table and whatnot, Aiden knew Jackson must be doing well in business.
Until his eyes landed on their pictures that littered the wall, Aiden discovered that Jackson is a naval officer.
The clanging of dishes in the kitchen revealed to him that Cheska was cooking.
Aiden figured they’ve been married for years now but nothing shows they have had kids, yet.
Dousing his curiosity, he looked to his right where the kitchen lies and saw Jackson shutting the stove.
Cheska already finished cooking and her husband was helping her arrange the kitchen. Washing up his hands in the sink , Jackson scooted closer to Cheska and kissed her forehead, then her bloated belly.
He whispered something to her and Cheska nodded before Jackson took off.
He watched her plaster on a smile and gestured him over to the dining table.
“I made pasta and chicken wing, would mind of I plate some for you?” She asked, avoiding his gaze.
“No, thanks.” Aiden uttered. Out of curiosity he asked. “Have you been married that long?”
Pulling out the chair opposite Aiden’s, she sank on it and nodded. “Five years and three months now.” She answered.
Awkward silence ensued before Aiden asked again. “What about your other kids?”
She shook her head sadly. “None yet. Jackson and I are praying this miracle here stays. It's six months today.” She rubbed her belly and Aiden’s eyes dropped on it. “We just came to Las Vegas to see Jackson’s parents. They returned from England a few days ago.” She added, trying to rule out the silence between them.
“How’s life treating you and…”She swallowed before adding. “Your brother?”
The expansion of her chest at the mention of his brother flustered Aiden.
“Fair, enough.” He ground out. Teetering to the edge of the table with his hands clasped, Aiden asked. “Why did you suddenly run away from us, Cheska? Why did you not come back? You changed your name even.”
Shaking his head sadly, he leaned back on his chair and asked the simple yet broad question. “What happened, Cheska?”
She let some minutes of silence pass between them as she quietly cried. With a hoarse voice, Cheska began revealing the truth.
“I broke your brotherhood when we were together. You and…Alex loved doing things together even before I came into the picture. But Aiden it wasn’t part of my plan…” She trailed off.
“What plan?” He dropped, arms folded against his chest.
“Falling in love with you. It was never it.” Cheska answered. “I was supposed to love the two of you and not just one but my feelings betrayed me. So you know like I confessed years ago, I fell in love only with you.”
Aiden pinned his curious gaze at her as she took in a lungful of breath.
“I never really knew how to tell Alex I only loved you but he figured out himself. And he tried all he could to win my love but…I couldn’t teach my heart who to love. I messed him up after I chose you. Unintentionally.” She took a swipe at her running nose.
“Until that night we traveled to New Orleans for my birthday party. You know, I was in the scheduled room waiting for you. But it appeared you didn’t come, Alex came there.”
At that long pause, Aiden puckered up in his seat. He pulled closer with narrowed eyes and he asked. “And what happened when he came?” His heart was sprinting, hating the gush of tears from Cheska’s eyes.
“He…gave me a gift, professing how much he…loves me. I scoffed and I shook my head ‘no' ‘cause I already told him it was you I wanted. At my words, something switched inside Alex immediately.” Cheska twitched in her seat as the memories assaulted her mind.
“Alex changed suddenly and…” She trailed off, head leveled down on the table.
Aiden was now getting the full hint. His insides a bucket of rage. He can’t imagine this…no…
Alex couldn’t have. His brother can’t do anything to hurt their lover, Cheska. He couldn’t.
“He didn’t, right?” More than anything, Aiden wanted Cheska to say no.
But she shook her head and uttered, “He raped him, brutally, Aiden. Alex forced himself on me all through the night until I passed out. No matter how much I called you, you never came to my rescue. Alex made it clear that he drugged you, so you'll never come to my rescue.”
“What? Fuck!”
It’s just close…the fury is just licking his skin, wanting to claw out and rage out. His head isn’t processing things well now because all he could see was red dots lining his vision.
Furious, angry…Aiden growled deeply. “He'll pay for this.”
Abruptly, Aiden erected to his feet, pacing the length of the table, fingers curled into a fist.
“Alex drugged me? He fucking drugged me?” He asked, incredibly.
“I bled for weeks. It was a constant bleeding. And when I went to the hospital, they figured I was pregnant but my uterus was weak. My uterus couldn’t hold the baby.” She dragged in air, hating the bitterness she felt.
Cheska had always wanted to let go. And now opportunity has presented itself, she wanted to push it all out and make peace with herself.
“It was until Jackson and I married and started trying to make babies, which either ends up in the baby dying after birth or miscarriage, did we go to the hospital to check my body. We figured I have Uterine Prolapse. My uterus can’t shelter a baby for long.” She said the last part in a broken whisper, caressing her bloated belly.
“How many times did it happen?” Aiden asked with watery eyes.
She gave a wave and a bitter chuckle. “Eight. The first three I gave birth to died. The other five was miscarriage. This is my ninth pregnancy.”
Aiden froze in shock at that revelation. His eyes pinned on Cheska as she teared up, shoulders quaking. “Jackson and I are hoping this one stays. We have an Indian doctor that’s helping us to watch the status of the baby. So, we…” She trailed off.
Head lowered, Aiden growled, tears escaping the duct of his eyes. It sounds unbelievable but it’s truth.
His brother damaged their first love.
“Alex!!” He roared heavily in his heart. It pains to feel Cheska’s pains.
Eight good pregnancies coupled with pains gone . Eight pregnancies all because of what Alex did.
Cheska wasn’t able to revenge, so Aiden swore to vindicate her.
*
*
After moments of seething and raging and wailing. Aiden had pled for forgiveness from Cheska and her husband with a promise to keep in contact with them.
When their meeting ended, he went back to Mike’s meeting point and waited.
It was almost evening when they took off from Arizona, heading back to Sin city.
By Aiden’s quietness, Mike knew without doubt that Aiden already knows the truth.
What will happen now? Mike thought, hating the fear he felt.
When the plane touched the tarmac and they stepped into Mike’s car and drove away from the airport.
It’s time to confront Alex.