CLAUDE
“Sia’s last name is Harris. Maybe she didn’t use my last name because she thought we were divorced.”
“Or it could also be her sibling’s or relative’s child, right?”
I shrugged. “Sia only has one sister, Lia. She doesn’t have a brother who would carry their family name. So, it’s unlikely that the child I saw with Sia belongs to someone else. Besides, she even kissed him on the cheek earlier, so it’s probably her child.”
Monte smiled meaningfully. “There’s only one way to find out if your guess is true. Talk to the child later or find Sia here. If he is indeed your child, you should recognize him. Your child must have suffered not having you around for several years.”
It was as if a weight pressed against my chest with Monte’s words. My friend was right. If Sia and I had a child, that child must have been in a difficult situation. He lost his father because of my actions. Surely, Sia was also angry with me, which might explain why the child carried her surname.
I hardly took my eyes off the makeshift altar where the wedding ceremony was taking place.
I even held my chest when I saw the ring bearer approaching the newlyweds. I stared at the child intently. He looked so cute. He wore a coat and tie that suited him perfectly. I needed to approach him later. I also needed to talk to Sia to find out the child’s true identity.
After the ceremony, the next step was taking pictures. When we were called as friends, I couldn’t see the child I was looking for. So, at the reception, I kept looking around at the guests.
“Are you looking for someone, Chaos? You keep scanning the area,” Zion remarked.
“He wants to see someone, Pyro, that’s why he’s acting like that,” Monte said.
“Huh? Who?” Caelan inquired.
“Maybe he’s looking for single ladies to flirt with. You’ve been divorced from your wife for a long time, right?” Jenson added.
I was taken aback. “She’s still my wife. And I’m not looking for anyone to replace her. The truth is, I feel like I saw her here earlier. That’s why I’m looking for her.”
My friends at the table were surprised.
“Should I tell them about your suspicion regarding the child in Zeke’s entourage?” Monte whispered.
I didn’t answer. I returned my gaze to the surroundings. With so many people there, I couldn’t see Sia or even the young boy.
“Do you remember? My youngest is the coin bearer. Jesse’s eldest is the Bible bearer. Then the flower girls are Lana and Lyndon’s kids. So, the children in the entourage are cousins. The only one different is the ring bearer. Zeke said he’s a friend’s child,” Zadkiel explained. He’s the groom’s twin brother who is also part of our circle.
“Repeat what you just said,” I suddenly said. I wanted to make sure I heard Zadkiel’s words correctly.
“I said the children in the entourage are cousins. The only different one is the ring bearer because Zeke told me he’s the child of his wife’s friend.”
I sighed heavily. “Where can I find those children now?” I asked.
“The children are eating together at one of the tables. I’m just not sure where their table is,” Zadkiel replied.
“Aren’t they over there?” Darius asked, pointing in a direction.
I followed Darius’s gesture with my eyes. Indeed, I saw a table where children were seated. But I couldn’t find the child I was looking for.
Shit! Where is he? Did he go home? Did Sia notice me and leave immediately with the child?
I didn’t see the child or Sia anymore. So after I finished eating, I immediately went to Zeke and Maven’s table. As I walked, I bumped into two children playing tag. One of the children suddenly tripped and fell.
I quickly approached him. “Hey! Are you okay?” I asked, about to help him up when the child suddenly stood up on his own. He just glanced at me and brushed off his pants.
I smiled broadly when I recognized the child. He was no longer wearing his coat, just a vest with his sleeves rolled up.
I bent down to be at eye level with the child. “Hi! What’s your name?”
The child furrowed his brow. “Why are you asking? I don’t know you. Mom said not to talk to strangers,” the child replied.
I scratched my head.
“Is your head itchy?” The child chuckled slightly.
“Not really. Just a bit. I’m Claude, by the way. What’s your name?”
The child didn’t answer. He just stared at me.
“Hey! I’m not a bad person. I don’t bite.”
“I know. You’re not a dog to bite,” the child retorted.
I struggled to hold back my laughter at the child’s response. I didn’t want to annoy him by laughing in front of him.
“May I know your name?”
“Adrian,” the child answered.
I was delighted. I extended my hand towards him. “Can we shake hands?”
For a moment, the child shifted his gaze between my hand and my face, sensing his hesitation.
“Come on,” I insisted. “We’re just getting to know each other, right?”
The child reached out his hand. When our skins touched, I felt a surge of warmth flow through my body. It was a new feeling for me. I gently squeezed the child’s small palm before releasing it.
But I wasn’t satisfied. I sat in front of him. “Can I give you a hug?”
Before Adrian could answer, we heard someone calling his name. We both turned to where the voice came from.
“Sia?” I almost whispered.
Sia didn’t acknowledge me. She just approached them. “Let’s go home,” she said, taking Adrian’s hand.
I was so surprised that I didn’t move immediately. The two of them had already taken several steps when Adrian looked back. He smiled and waved at me.
Only then did I stand up straight, smiling and waving back at the child.
“I’ll see you again, son.”