A Love to Last Ch. 08

Ben and the cheerful woman went together to a shop where she was getting some things. She was telling him one of her stories and he couldn't help but laugh. While she went inside, he remained outside waiting for her. There were some men who were drinking and watching TV outside the shop and once Ben set his eyes on that TV, he just froze and felt like the entire world had disappeared before him.

There was his father on the TV and he was with his brother and step-mother. They seemed so happy. They were with a crowd of people and there were cameras and microphones all over them.

"Mr. Henandez, this has got to be one of your greatest moments. You just opened a new branch and not only that, you're the top gun of the real estate business. We cannot mention real estate without mentioning Henandez empire. Is there any secret to your success?"

Jerome smiled. "Hard work is key to any success." He said confidently. "But most importantly, my family whom I love so much, my lovely wife and my son, my only son."

Ben felt pain take control of his body like he was being possessed by some demon. Never in his entire life had he experienced such intense agony, claiming his body like it was his. He didn't even realize that they were tears building in his eyes.

"They've so supportive and very helpful. My wife and I built this company with our blood and sweat." He added. "And ever since my son was young, he's shown such great talent. He is the brain behind some of the building designs at my empire and he has never failed to impress me. I know that he is gonna be a great asset when he finishes school in a few years.

And when I retire, I know that he's gonna take this empire to another level." He held his son's hand and they both smiled. "He is a tough boy and my only heir. Jim Henandez will be a force to be reckoned with. I have no doubt that he is gonna be the next big businessman."

Ben had no idea why he felt so terrible.

"Definitely, after all, an apple doesn't fall far from a tree." The woman that was asking laughed. "But Mr. Henandez, you've mentioned in the past that you have another son whom we're yet to see appear on any magazine. But a few minutes ago, you said that Jim is your only son."

Ben felt his heart begin to race in anticipation. Somehow, he was hoping his father was gonna show that he at least had a son. But he remained quiet and lost the smile on his face. Ben was scared, very scared.

"I have no other son." Jerome said confidently, wearing the smile again. "I only have one child and that's Jim, my only heir. Whatever I have said in the past was all a joke. If there was another son, wouldn't he have appeared in a magazine by now. I do not know if any other child. My wife and I were only blessed with one child."

Ben was overwhelmed with agonizing fiery pain when he heard his father say that. The blank, emotionless expression swept over his face as the realization of the moment gradually seeped in. He moved away from the Tv and stood a distance from it. He felt like his heart had been ripped out all over again. He regretted setting his eyes on that Tv because now his day was ruined and he couldn't think clearly.

"So, I am done now."

When he heard the woman's voice, he wiped his tears quickly and turned to face her, wearing a fake smile. But the woman looked at him with a question mark on her face. He knew that he wasn't fooling her.

"Son, are you okay?" She asked with so much concern.

"Yeah, just tired." He lied. "I need to rest. Can we please go?"

"S-sure!" The woman muttered.

The two left but Ben was zoning out of their conversation.

***

Ben was seated on the sand with his arms locked around his legs, staring at the sea. It was already dark, but not too dark for him to see. The night was quiet, except for the sound of the waves that seemed to reflect the way he was feeling that time. He couldn't believe after all these months, he still felt the pain that his father had caused by disowning him.

He was so lost deep in thought that he didn't even hear David coming near him. He got out of his thoughts when he felt him sitting behind him, putting him between his legs and wrapping his arms around him. He felt so warm, so calm and yet he was still in bed.

"I thought you might be here." David said as he kissed his neck softly. "What are you doing here? It's a cold night."

Ben turned and looked at David. He didn't even put up a smile. He was so sad but the last thing he wanted was to lie to him.

"I saw my father today." He said softly. "When I went to the market. He was on TV and it seemed he opened another branch of his empire." He sighed as tears built in his eyes. "I know I didn't expect much from him but I had no idea that he would hate me so much. According to him, I don't exist anymore."

He couldn't hold his tears anymore. They came flowing.

"He denied having another son apart from Jim on national Television. He only has one son, Jim, his only heir." He tried rubbing his tears but they came flowing. "I know this shouldn't affect me at all, but it just hurts hearing this from the man I considered my whole world, David."

David felt so horrible. He held him tighter and rubbed his shoulder to make him feel better.

"It's not even about him calling Jim his only heir. I can live this life and be happy, at least knowing that there's a man out there that still considers me his son." He sobbed softly. "But that's not the case. He's completely forgotten about me and doesn't consider me to be his son anymore."

He bled the salt of his soul and it poured from his eyes.

"Shhh..." David whispered, wiping his face. "You know how I hate to see you like this. It breaks my heart and I know how much you love your father. You don't deserve this hatred, Ben, but one day he'll be able to understand you, to understand us and he'll regret whatever word he used. I know it's gonna happen soon. You and I will begin rebuilding our lives soon and everyone will see just how strong our love is. Come here."

He held him tightly in his arms, making sure he showed him how secure he was.

"It just hurts."

"I know. But I am here with you."

Ben snuggled in David's chest and just cried. He was in so much anguish and David knew he needed to get it out. He held him tightly and let him cry to his satisfaction. He had tears in his eyes but he wasn't gonna cry. He was gonna be strong for him.

***

It was the middle of the night when Ben suddenly woke up with a familiar feeling in his abdomen, a dull pain that he had been experiencing for quite some time. He slowly opened his eyes to the sexy snores of his husband.

He was pressed against his chest with his arms tightly wrapped around him. They were both in shorts. When he raised his face and got ahold of that handsome face, he couldn't help but smile. How can someone be so handsome even in sleep, he thought.

He stayed like that for a couple of minutes, admiring the man when all of sudden he felt the dull pain become sharp and burning. He'd never experienced pain like that before. The burning started on his lower abdomen before it spread throughout his abdomen and to his back.

Ben winced and grated his teeth, slowly removing David's arms from him. He carefully and quietly moved out of bed, making sure not to awake the man. David moved in his sleep but didn't even wake up.

Holding his tummy, Ben tip toed to the living room and then to a small drawer where he had put his pain killers. He popped out three and took them all at once. A few minutes passed before the pain started fading until he couldn't feel it anymore. He took a deep breath and calmed himself, wondering why he had experienced such pain. But he was glad it was over.

He put back his pain meds and started going back to the bed. Two steps, three steps and suddenly, he felt a terrible pain in his tummy again. He groaned from the intense pain, holding out his tummy again. It felt like a sharp toothed creature eating him from the inside.

"Ow!" He groaned.

The pain was becoming intense by the second and fast. He made a low growl again, straining to stand up to the pain. Each movement he made only worsened the pain. Began breathing harshly, trying to make the pain go away. He clenched his teeth and cried out in pain, dropping to his knees.

"Ow!"

He began crawling slowly, trying to get to the drawer for his pain meds. But each movement felt like a kick in the gut, like there was something tearing his insides. He didn't know if his mind was playing tricks on him before he felt something warm going down his leg and he knew he had peed himself due to the pain.

But contrary to what he thought, there was blood going down his leg. His white short was stained.

"Ow!" Ben dropped to the floor as the pain got intense. He lay in fetal position, trembling like a leaf. He'd never experienced such agonizing pain before. It was pretty intense.

"David!" He screamed. "David! Ow! Please, help me."

It wasn't long before he heard footsteps. David was standing in the door, sweat dripping from his brow as he watched the love of his life crying in agony with blood on him. His heart pounded, his head spun and his eyes saw nothing but darkness, his ears filled the cries of his love.

"Ben!" He cried, running to him like the hounds of hell were after him. "Baby?"

Reaching him, he held him in his arms and didn't even realize he was crying.

"What's happening? Why are you bleeding?" He asked abruptly. "Did you take something?"

"It hurts." Ben mourned. "Help me!"

Ben felt like the pain had crushed him in and claimed his body for its own. He couldn't take it anymore. Then suddenly with a scream, his vision began fading. As his vision faded, he caught a glimpse of his boyfriend before everything went dark.

***

David was moving about, from side to side, his eyes glued on the room where he knew his Ben was getting checked on. Images of him bleeding in his arms played in his head, giving him the fear he never knew existed. Thinking about it made a shudder from his feet to his head.

He was at the hospital in the nearest town and it had taken him about three hours just to reach. Ben had been unconscious the entire time. His head was feeling as though it would split in two. He rubbed his temples but the headache persisted.

Suddenly, the door opened and David ran like he was going mad when he saw a handsome looking doctor who was probably in his late 30s coming out.

"How's he?" He asked abruptly, breathing like he was in labor. "What's wrong my husband, doctor? Is he gonna be fine?"

The door took a shaky breath and rested his hand on David's shoulder. David was scared. He tried to tell himself nothing was gonna happen as he felt his heart race.

"Is it okay if we talk in my office?"

"What?" David felt his heart pound in his throat. "What's going on? What's wrong with my husband?"

"Can we..."

"No!" He shook his head. "I wanna hear it right now. I am not going to any office with you. Whatever you wanna tell me, tell it to me now because I need to see Ben."

The doctor hesitated for a second but he nodded. He took a deep breath before he began talking.

"How long has your husband been experiencing pain or bleeding?"

"What?" David frowned. He was confused. "This was the first time this happened. I have never seen him like that before. What's wrong, doctor?"

The doctor took another deep breath. "Well, your husband is not well. I think he's been experiencing this for some time and didn't tell you about it. There's no way it would reached that stage without prior symptoms."

"What are you talking about?" David couldn't mask the fear in his voice.

"Well..." He cleared his voice. "I don't know how best I can see this but according to the imaging we've done on your husband, he has a growth in his abdomen and it has become invasive. That's what caused the bleeding and the pain he experienced."

David laughed. "What? I don't understand..."

"Your husband has cancer and it has become invasive."

Time stood like never before. David's pupils dilated, hands ached and his heart sunk to his feet. His face became pale. It looked like he just saw a ghost. He froze in place. His limbs went numb with absolute fear. His world was suddenly crushing down on him.

To be continued...

***

David and Ben have shared an unbreakable bond since they found each other, despite the trials they have faced. Just when things seem to be going well and with a planned future ahead, tragedy strikes.

Can David keep his prince alive with the chaotic news threatening to tear them apart... forever?

And what lengths will a man scorned go to, to keep his man?

Don't miss the heart pounding series finale of "A love to last."

Feel the passion...