Chapter 7 - Promises

That night, Colm was drinking at a bar. He wanted to drown himself tonight. He felt like he was utterly useless.

Although at first, Colm was only feeling guilty to April. He always felt responsible for her, he treated her as his little sister. But ever since she had Sky, She was getting stable and getting more attractive. She communicated more and he was starting to get fall for her.

Colm knew he didn't have any rights to April's freedom nor future. Although he vowed to become her husband, he never tried to actually woo her. He didn't want to add up to her problems and he was busy with his father's business to extend to Europe. That's why he was with Alex, most of the times. They were thinking about venturing together.

"May I join you?" Alex sat beside his buddy. He knew Colm very well, as Colm with him. This pub was one of Colm's favorite.

Colm didn't replied and just grunted. Alex ordered a drink for himself. He felt like drinking tonight as well.

"Will this ruin our friendship? Will you throw our brotherhood for just one stupid night?" Alex broke the silence. Colm ignored him.

"I know that no matter what I say, it wouldn't make up for it. That's why I wanted to stand up for my son." Alex took a sip of his drink.

"What about Francesca? You know how crazy your woman is!" Colm said disgustingly.

He could never understand why his friend fell in love with that witch. Yeah she was beautiful, but her attitude is worse than a trash.

"I talked to her about it." Alex sighed.

"We already agreed to have my Son live with me on my house. She usually stays in Italy anyways." Alex shrugged his shoulders. Although he loves his wife, she have been distant right after their marriage.

Colm sighed. He patted Alex's shoulder. He knew about their cold marriage. Alex was the only one holding on to it.

"Let April decide this. If she wants you to become her son's father, then I'll concede. But if you can't convince her, can you please not force her? When Sky grows up, I'll make sure to tell him. I just don't want April to get hurt. You know how much she sacrificed because of me." Colm finished his drink and ordered another one.

"Thanks mate." Alex was thankful for his understanding friend. He knew Colm was reasonable. Now if only he could find Cefei and beat that bastard. Tskk.

"mhmm". Colm mumbled.

"Tomorrow, I'll visit her. If she agrees, I'll bring her to England. I read her medical report, I understand that Sky is helping her cope up. So I won't try to separate them. My parents are dying to have a grandkid. When I told them about Sky, you should've see their faces! Man, they got mad that I didn't told them sooner!." Alex shook his head and sighed.

"How did you know about it anyways? If you didn't know that it was April?" Colm looked at his friend.

"A Hunch?" Alex chuckled. "Remember a year ago? You invited me to your parents anniversary. That night I saw April. As soon as she seen me, she froze. Mate, she looked like she had seen a ghost!" Alex shook his head.

"I smiled and waved at her. She didn't reply like always. I always thought she hated me, well it must be if I did that to her. And then, I saw this little kid, who was with you. Funny thing is, that kid looks exactly like me when I was his age. My mom had this huge picture on their mansion. You've seen it." Alex explained.

Colm didn't reply. He did saw it, but it was lost within his mind. He always thought that Sky's face looked familiar. Just that he couldn't pinpoint it. But now that he was almost 3 years old. He was gaining more of Alex's features.

"I actually didn't do anything after that. Not until a month after when I visited my parents. That's when it hit me, when I saw my own picture. At first, I was doubting myself. But then there were bits of fragments that I remembered during that night, sorry I know you didn't wanna hear this. Just that, her hair and her eyes. That's mostly what I remembered. But the eyes I saw that night, had life in it. Unlike April's dead flat eyes."

"Also, regarding Sky. You two families had hidden him well from almost everyone. I couldn't have gotten information about me having a son, if I didn't see him myself. It took me awhile to accept it and to talk about it with Francesca. When we finally got to an agreement, I got his DNA done. I got hired someone to steal a hair from my son. sorry." Alex wanted to come out with everything. Especially to his friend, Colm.

Colm sighed. He felt like he was losing his little sister to this bastard friend of his. At the same time, his future wife.

"As long as you promise it to me that you will take care of her and mean it! Or else, I will storm to your door and take them both away from you! And forget about friendship!" Colm said sternly.

Alex smiled. He didn't made the wrong choice back then, on befriending Colm. "I will."

Colm raise his cup, "Let's cheers to that!"

"Cheers!" Alex lifted his too. They got drunk that night and called for a cab to go home.

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That same night, April was sleepless. She could feel that Alex would surely come tomorrow. Her cheeks got red as she thought of that man.

The first time April saw him was when she visited Colm in the Smith Mansion. She was 15 at that time, Colm was 16 and Alex was 22. Alex was by himself in the living room while Colm had to get something. When she saw Alex, her once gray world had a color for the first time.

She didn't dare make her presence known, Afraid that the colors would go away. But then Colm saw her and introduced them. When he smiled and shook her hand, Her world stopped. I guess that's what they called, love at first sight? He had a very captivating blue eyes and a very enchanting smile. April blushed as she recalled their first meeting.

April would only see him during the Smith's parties and on one occasion, he brought his girlfriend. She was very beautiful, fit for a goddess. It was rightfully hers, to stand beside the godly Alex. This made her feel insecure. April felt dirty compared to her. She didn't wanna think about it, she knew she was unclean.

April actually knew about Alex's bachelor party that night. She made an excuse on seeing Colm that day. April just wanted to see him one last time, before he got married. She already knew that she have to give up her feelings for him. She wasn't worth his time after all. Alex was only courteous to her because of Colm.

What she didn't expected was to see Alex beyond drunk and could hardly stand up. This part was true, as well as the hotel staff. Just that, Alex really didn't tried to hurt her at all. It felt like he was making love to her and not just because he was under some drugs.

It felt so real that night. She knew that she was stronger than Alex and could easily pushed him away. Yet she didn't. She didnt want to. That night was very magical to her. In bed with the man that she loves.

April knew that it was wrong, but she wanted to be selfish. She always prioritized everyone before herself. That night, she wanted to do what she wants. What she wanted was to be happy, even if it's just one night.

Despite being drugged, Alex was really energetic. They made love until he couldn't anymore. It was dawn already when they were done. The hotel staff never came back. April knew that Alex would be mad at her when he wakes up. Plus, she didn't know how to explain what happened and how it happened.

April left the room, even though her lower abdomen hurts so bad. She never knew that making love can be this wonderful. It actually made her rethink about her past. If only she had met Alex first. If she were clean, she would've confessed to Alex, even if he had a girlfriend.