Illicit Love

20| Dad

Cain's POV

Golly, it's a New year so I have to be a new me! Cut all that crap out. I don't have time for that type of bullshit.

Ever since the whole situation with my father, I've been spending Christmas and New Years with my aunt Claire. She is my mom's younger sister and the best aunt ever. Don't get me wrong, I still see my mom over the holidays, but just not when my father is there.

Celebrating the holidays with my aunt Claire and her family has always been fun. I feel like a kid again when I'm at her house. My cousins and I always have a blast together.

My father, as usual, sends me a card with an apology written in it and how much he loves me, for Christmas. He adds a check with a large amount, but I donate that to charities. I don't need it.

My mom sends me a basket full of cookies from her secret recipe as a present every year. It's all I ask for. I also let her buy me some shoes and ties. She threatened that she would take away the cookies if I didn't let her, so I let her. No one steals cookies away from me, ever.

"Happy New Year, Cain!" My aunt Claire is the first one to give me a big hug.

I hug her back. "Happy New Year!"

I go around and wish my cousins and my uncle a Happy New Year.

I get my cup of soda and sit down at the dining table. I take my phone out and check to see if Aria sent me something. She didn't.

Aria.

It feels like I haven't seen her in years, when in reality it's only been less than a month. I just want to hold her in my arms, feel her warmth and smell her scent. I need her here, with me.

After she told me the news of her and James, I helped her recover from it. I gave her space and I gave her my love as a friend. Just as a friend. It was hard to do when she was right across the hall from me, but I had to do it.

After I dropped her off at the airport, I went back home and went in the room she stayed in. I slept on the bed the whole night. I wanted to kiss her that day, but I knew it was not the right time. When she comes back, I will show her how much I care about her.

"Snap out of it, man." My uncle slapped my back, playfully.

I chuckled and drank my soda. "Just reminiscing."

"Who's the lucky lady?" He sat down next to me.

"Just someone who keeps invading my thoughts."

"If she's invading your thoughts, she means more to you than you can imagine. Give it a chance and see where it goes." He said.

"What if I'm waiting for her to give me a chance?" I curiously asked.

"Then I can't help you there, son." My uncle started laughing.

A smile appeared on my face and I laughed with him. I guess I'll just wait for Aria.

I went home around two in the morning and fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

•

I woke up with a call from my mom. It couldn't have been no later than seven in the morning.

"Mom, why do you hate me?" I groaned.

"What's wrong, honey?"

"Why are you calling me at this hour?!" I shouted.

"Don't talk to me that way, young man." She responded.

I groaned again and rested my head against the pillow. "I'm sorry, mom. But really, why are you calling me at this time?"

"You're father went to work and I wanted you to come over for breakfast." She asked.

"I'll be there around nine." I rubbed my eyes.

"Okay, dear. I'll see you when you get here. I love you." She said and hung up.

I dropped my phone somewhere on the floor and went back to sleep, but just for an hour.

I got up and took a shower quickly before driving over to my mom's house.

"Good morning, grumpy pants." My mom was coming down the stairs.

"Good morning, Helen." She hates it when I call her by her first name.

She frowned at me. I went up to her with a smile on my face and hugged her. "Happy New Year, mom."

"Happy New Year, Cain." I followed her out to the back. She loves having breakfast outside.

I sat down in front of her and poured myself a cup of coffee.

"How was the party last night?" I asked her.

"It would have been better if you were here with us." She softly said.

I remember when I was younger, my parents always hosted a huge party here at their home with work partners, closest friends and family. I always had a blast with everyone and it was always fun having the house filled up with friends and family. I'll admit it, I miss it.

I ignored her and starting putting food in my mouth. She scoffed. "I don't want to die knowing you and your father aren't getting along."

"Mom, please don't talk like that. If you die, I'll die." I said.

"That's sweet, dear, but please. I want us three to get along like the old times. Always getting together to eat dinner or going to our beach house in the summer. I miss it so much and wish for it to happen again." My mom grabbed my hand.

I stayed silent for a minute. "Mom, you know I love you more than anything in the whole wide world, but please try to understand from my point of view. How would you feel if grandpa asked you to sleep with someone for his benefit?"

"Cain, I would feel the same way, but I would forgive my dad. Holding hate towards someone only causes pain to yourself." I can tell she really wanted me and my father to make up.

"I'll think about it, but can we please talk about something else, for now?" I rubbed her hand.

A small smile appeared on her face. "Thank you and yes. Tell me how was New Years with your Aunt Claire?"

"I had an amazing time and like always, my cousins never fail to make me laugh the entire night until my stomach hurt." I chuckled remembering last night.

"I'm glad. Have you called Aria?" She drank her coffee.

"Uhh, no. Not yet. Maybe later."

"You two haven't talked since you dropped her off the airport, huh?" My mom smirked at me.

"N-no. I called her a couple days ago." I looked away.

"Cain Alexander Westbrooke. Don't lie to your mother who gave birth to you." She pointed her finger at me.

"We haven't talked since I dropped her off the airport."

"...and you miss her so much and want her to call you first so you don't make it seem like you're desperate."

"How do you know me so well?" I frowned.

"I'm your mother. It's my job." She smiled.

"I plan on calling Aria later, okay?" I sipped my coffee.

"Good luck." She said.

"Helen! Have you seen-"

That voice. I didn't have to turn around to see who it was. I knew exactly who it was.

"Cain?"

It was my father.

Picture of Cain's dad