My Soul Will Find Yours : The Fulfillment of the Promise

It Was Naïve Of Me

By the time Charles decided to return to the dining table, I was already washing the dishes. His short hair was damp and his skin was slightly flushed. As he came closer, I smelled the faint scent of the shower gel we kept in the guest bathroom. Panther was keeping Kaname distracted so I cleaned up in peace.

"May I eat here?" Charles asked.

"Sure."

He placed his plate on the countertop and began to eat silently while I wiped the plates dry. I glanced at him from time to time. Although Charles and I have known each other for more than a decade, I couldn't stop myself from looking for traces of my beloved son Riku in him. Kaname said he looked exactly how my sweet boy looked like when he came of age. If this was true, how come I never saw a hint of likeness between him and the child I've come to love as my own when I came back?

"If you have questions, you may ask me," he suddenly said.

"A-are you really Riku?" I asked hesitantly.

"Yes," he replied.

"Did you travel through time like... Like your papa?"

"No," he shook his head. "But I grew up with my memories of my past life intact."

"Wow, that's amazing."

"It's both a blessing and a curse, especially since I knew who you were," he sighed. "Not to mention I was reborn as that blockhead's cousin."

"Kaname told you about Tyler?"

"Uhuh. I used to ask papa to tell me stories about you while we rested during sword practice. I wanted to know everything about you, the woman who loved me so much she risked her life to save me."

"You didn't interfere all these years because you were afraid that it might affect the future?" I guessed.

"Yup, and it was so difficult!" he half groaned, half chuckled. "I never wanted you and Tyler to be together back then, but papa and I made a promise that whoever meets you first in our next lives should protect you and not do anything until you came back from your trip to Japan."

"I waited for papa to make an appearance, he always keeps his promises after all," he shook his head, a slight smile curled his lips. "But I never expected he'd do so in this manner. I'm really glad I can finally stand in front of you as Riku. Being Charles is great and all, but nothing beats being my old self and being able to reminisce about the good old days... Mama, did you know? I did my best to excel in everything even if no one forced me to do so because of you. Although I wasn't sure if you'll ever get to see my achievements, I wanted you to see how much you impacted my life. When we first met in this lifetime, I was ecstatic! Finally, we met again! I wanted to be close to you but I was afraid of frightening you. I wanted to follow you around and be with you all the time because my longing for you has never weakened. The time I was abducted and you saved me in the hands of the crown prince is forever etched in my being. You were and will always be my rock. For me, no matter what century and regardless of how I looked like, you will always be my mother."

By the time he finished talking, I was already having a hard time fighting back my tears. I recalled all the times he was there for me, from when Tyler broke my heart up until now. I remembered how he'd laugh delightedly whenever I rejected men and how he always seemed to approve of my being single for more than a decade... How he always seemed to know broken I was because I missed him, his father, and his siblings... How he'd be so caring about me I almost misunderstood his actions... How he had to talk mysteriously and conceal his real identity because he had to keep his promise... It has really been difficult for him all these years.

"My sweet son," I wrapped my arms around Charles tightly. It was odd, but hugging him that very moment was like having my little Riku in my embrace. "I missed you, baby."

"Oh, mama," like a child, he started to bawl his eyes out. "I've always wanted to hear you call me that again."

"I'll call you my son from now on," I promised while wiping away his tears. "Although we'll have to be careful lest those not in the know misunderstand us."

He nodded and gave me a smile that resembled the shy, sweet smile of his childhood days. I couldn't help it so I stood on my toes and kissed him on the forehead like I used to whenever he was being adorable.

"My big baby," I teased while ruffling his hair, this prompted a rich bass laughter from him.

The warm atmosphere in the kitchen was interrupted by the ringing of my mobile phone. Charles took it from the dining table and showed me the screen, an unknown number was calling.

I took the phone from him to answer it, "Hello."

"Good morning. May I speak with Ms. Hinata Yang?" a female voice on the other line spoke.

"This is she."

"Ms. Yang, this is from St. Luke's Hospital. I'm calling to inform you that Mr. Lim has already awakened," the woman said. "He asked us to contact you since his phone is out of batteries."

"Oh," I turned to look at Charles who was looking at me with his brows furrowed. "I-I see. Please inform him that I'll be there in an hour."

"Noted. Thank you, Ms. Yang. Goodbye."

"Bye." As soon as the line went dead, I groaned. "It was the hospital. Brandon is already awake."

"That bastard," Charles sneered.

"I'll have to go to the hospital to see him."

"Father won't be pleased," he said matter-of-factly.

"I know," I bit my lip and started to think of the best way to solve the problem at hand but came up with nothing. Of course I will always choose Kaname over Brandon. In doing so however, I'd be breaking Brandon's heart in the end. And if my husband learns about him... Ugh. This was definitely a lose-lose situation, both men won't be happy regardless of what I'll do.

"I'm not sure about that bastard but I know Papa will understand," Charles comforted.

"Understand what?" Kaname asked as he walked into the kitchen with a happy and content-looking Panpan in his arms.

I turned to Charles for help. Knowing how jealous and possessive he is, Kaname will not take the news of Brandon lightly... Especially if he finds out that we kissed. I felt the beginnings of a headache as the right side of my forehead throbbed, this wasn't good.

"I'll have to accompany mama somewhere," Charles placed a hand on my shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Where?" Kaname asked.

"To the hospital," Charles replied. "To visit a friend."

"You're both leaving me here?" Kaname frowned.

"We won't take long," I promised.

"Hmm..." his narrowed odd eyes stared at me suspiciously. He released Panther and added, "I want to see what the modern world looks like, take me with you."

I almost wept. Of course he'd see through our lie, it was naïve of me to assume that we could fool the great shogun!

Charles gave my shoulder another reassuring squeeze.

"Alright, father," he agreed before secretly whispering to my ear, "I've got your back, mama. Don't worry."