Chapter 129 - Absolutely, Positively 3: A Secret (2/2)

”Son, if Jena really doesn't like you, will you give up?” he asked and Alvin frowned.

There was no way in hell he'd do that.

”No dad. That's not possible. I love her and I want her to be mine,” he answered with all the conviction he had and he could almost imagine his parents nodding in approval. ”Besides…” he added as he glanced at his right where the picture of Jena and Sam, smuggled from his parents' house was. ”Besides, I can't give them up no matter what happens.”

”You love her that much?” his father inquired and Alvin cleared his throat. ”Yes. But not only that mom, dad. Jena and Sam… they're my family.”

”We understand,” his parents said but Alvin shook his head.

”No, you don't understand,” he said as he ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. He guessed there was no point in keeping his secret any longer. ”Sam… Sam's mine. I'm his real father. He's mine and Jena's son…”

There was a pin-drop silence after his declaration and Alvin waited anxiously. But for a long while nobody spoke and he suspected at one point that his parents hanged up on him.

”Mom? Dad?” he called softly.

He was all prepared to confess to them, but he realized now that it would have been better to do that in person. He was way too impulsive and he regretted it now.

What if his parents got angry? What if the shock made them sick? They were already old. Why did he have to shock them? All the possible remuneration ran through his head and he became more concerned as the silence stretched on.

”Mom? Dad?” he repeated at a more urgent tone.

If they still remained silent, he swore he'd run out and drive to their place right at this moment. Alas, after several more seconds that felt like a lifetime, a clearing of the throat could be heard on the other end. Since there was no screaming or sound of falling, he reckoned his parents were okay.

Or so he thought.

”Alvin So,” his father called his complete name seriously and it didn't bode well.

Still, the elder Mr. So sounded calm so he thought it would be alright.

Or so he thought again.

Mrs. So was not as calm.

”Alvin So, get your buŧŧ back here at home right this instant! You have a lot of explaining to do!”

Alvin sighed. At least his mother getting mad was better than her having a heart attack.

”Yes, yes, I'll go now,” he said and his parents quickly ended the line.

He dragged himself back to the parking lot and drove to his parents' place which was not that far away. He lived in Xinyi which was Taipei's equivalent to Times Square in New York, while his parents settled into a huge mansion in the area of Danshui, a suburb.

Normally, it would take him thirty-three minutes to drive there, but he arrived at his parents' place in twenty-five minutes. It was a good thing that it was already late at night. He owed his speed to the very light traffic else he'd be forced to run on red lights. Knowing his mother, she would make it more difficult if he made her wait longer.

”You're here,” his father commented as soon as he appeared in the house.

”Er… Hi dad, hi mom,”he greeted blandly, obviously trying to pout, but he was ignored.

”Hi your face. Sit over there and tell us everything,” his mother ordered and he laughingly obliged.

By now he was completely relaxed seeing as instead of anxiety and anger, his parents looked more excited.

”You look happy,” he commented and his parents looked at him as if he was insane.

”Are you kidding? Of course! We actually have something to tell you later too. But it's better if you speak first. We need to get this thing all sorted out. Sammy is already seven!”

Alvin's heart lurched as a familiar pain throbbed in his heart. Yes, his son's already grown and he had always regretted not knowing about him earlier. If he had, he would have come back sooner.

”Spill…”