Chapter Ten: STEFAN

The twenty-four years old sat on his bed, fumbling with the half heart shape on his neck, keeping him warm.

Giving him a reason to live.

It's been six years since he last saw the boy.

What is he up to now?

Does he have a girlfriend or even a boyfriend?

Is he happy?

That last thought constricted his heart, tying it into painful knots making it unbearable for him to breathe.

Stefan knew Sky would never be happy.

The hatred the younger boy has for him had gone on for too long. Stefan had tried to beg his forgiveness countless times, but Sky keeps shutting him off, pushing him away.

He is tired of fighting.

He wanted the boy back in his life. Eight years is too long to hate someone. Stefan knew he hurt the boy and he regrets it every passing day. He has dated a lot of people both male and female, but none seem to do it for him. Stefan has never had sex with anyone because for some wired reasons his cock couldn't function.

They said its a medical condition.

He was on medications, yet none seem to work for him. That in itself has been the reason he hasn't been able to date anyone for more than three weeks, some even less. Not until his current girlfriend Emily.

She is wonderful and Stefan has given her his engagement ring.

He was going to marry her.

Stefan has always wondered how he would ever birth his own children if his condition continues, yet Emily had told him they would adopt if needs be after they got married. She was the reason Stefan still lives. Each time Sky would push him away and reject him. He would always run back to her and she would always comfort him. Even if she had no idea why he was in that sore mood, Emily is always there.

Stefan has promised Emily to take her to meet his family and they were leaving that weekend. Stefan hadn't gone home in a while, after college he had gotten a job, bought a house and had started his life.

Away from family.

Away from home.

Away from, 'HIM'.

The thoughts of going back there and meeting Sky again filled him with so much apprehensiveness that he shuddered from it. But he had to go. Emily needs to know his home, his family.

This is what has to be done.

"Baby...your father is on the phone for you." Emily beamed at the handsome man. She's always considered herself lucky to have such a gorgeous man. She had a terrible past, she knew, yet Stefan doesn't judge her, never had.

"Thanks, Em." Stefan placed the receiver on his ear and smiled at the sound of the man's voice. He has missed his father and mother. The only person he hadn't missed was Bella, she would drag herself all the way to New York every now and then to come to trouble him, Bella been the only relative Emily knew. Mimi his best friend had gotten married two years ago and the last time they had spoken she told him she was pregnant. Stefan told her he would be coming back to Spain to introduce his fiancee to his family and Maya had promised to be there.

"Hola padre!" Stefan called, blowing a kiss to Emily and walking out of the bedroom. Hello, father!

"You are a very bad person! You decided never to come back home anymore, is that right?" Marcelo told his son.

"Lo siento papá, but I am coming home soon, you know that." Stefan felt a pang of guilt hit him hard. He really should never have left home like that. 'I'm sorry, Dad.'

"I'm just messing with ya son, don't take it too seriously." Marcelo laughed. Stefan really needed to loosen up.

"How is Sky?" Stefan had almost turned around to be sure someone else didn't ask that question, but it was him. Stefan heard his father exhaled.

"That boy has not changed one bit. So angry!" Stefan's heart ached, his father's voice filled with pain. "Nothing seems to please him. I feel sorry for my brother and his wife, they thought it's their fault he turned out so bitter." Stefan felt his eyes leak. God, he was crying, he really has messed up. "He was such a smart kid, always full of life and promises. Whatever happened to that boy?" Marcelo would never understand the reason why Sky turned out that way, ever since the night of his tenth birthday, Sky is eighteen now and still the same.

"I'll see you all this weekend, papa. Say hello to mama for me."

"Will do son." Stefan dropped the phone at the sound of the beep, then he slid down to the floor, his hands clenched the chain on his chest so tight it would have melted from the heats of it. Sky, his beautiful Sky...what has he done? It's his fault the boy turned out this way. Stefan hoped he would see him when he got home this time. Stefan would try again. Papa Jo might be old but he is still alive. The man's words playing on his mind like a broken record.

Promise me you would embrace it if it never goes away.

Stefan had promised.  

Nothing has changed and he was sure nothing has changed either for Sky. But he wasn't so sure of that yet until he has gone home and had spoken to Sky.

"If you still love me even just a little bit forgive me this time when I see you again."

Stefan desperately prayed. If there was a God out there, he hoped they would hear and give him his boy back.

Stefan felt a tightness in his chest and his legs weaken.

He knew that feeling too well.

"You make me weak baby, please don't cry."

Stefan whispered and closed his eyes, welcoming the darkness that has always been his companion since he left home and each time he felt the younger boy cry.