Game of Love Ch. 15

"What are you talking about?"

"You've got no idea?" Giada gasped in mock astonishment. "Dear Eric followed you. He heard everything we discussed and today we would have probably have lost to him. But one of my men spotted him and he made my job easier. The rest is history."

Kim's eyes welled up and tears streak down her face, her lips trembling like she was locked in a freezer. She began panting as fear started getting the best of her.

"Oh my God!"

"I am here to thank you, Kim." Jayden sighed. "You made everything possible. Both of us are happy in the end. Eric is dead and there will be no thorn in our flesh. Your secret will be kept secret and your son won't leave you. It's a win-win for all of us."

Kim dropped to her knees and sobbed. Even though she didn't kill him, she was just as guilty as Giada and Jayden. She was the cause of Eric's horrible death and her son's grief.

What was she going to do?

***

"Now hold your groom's hand and take these flowers." The priest said with a smile on his face.

Sergio took Eric's hand and happiness streaked through him like a comet. And when he saw the grin on Eric's face, he felt dizzy with excitement. Nothing could compare to that moment. The priest placed a beautiful flower on their hands.

"The first vow of your marriage."

"I promise to love you and for our love to bloom like a flower," Eric said with a voice filled with such assurance. Sergio couldn't help but tear up.

"As shall I."

The priest chuckled and took the flower, placing it in a bowl of milk.

He then gave them a pot of water which they started pouring on the holy ground.

"As pure as this water we pour on the holy ground of this temple, and God as my witness, my love for you shall you be pure," Eric said happily.

"I shall love you and respect you, protect you always," Sergio added. "I shall never leave your side no matter the situation."

"I promise to be your companion, your friend, your lover, and most importantly, your comforter. I'll never leave you alone."

"We shall face the trials of this world and the test of time together."

"Till death do us apart...."

***

Sergio dropped to his knees, crying like a baby that hadn't been breastfed for days. His eyes were focused on the statue that was in front of him, a statue that was said to bring hope to people when hopeless and happiness when sad. He was in the temple, the same place that he had married Eric in.

"People say that God makes a delay but finally rids you from the darkness." He sucked in a sharp breath at the pain. "However, delay and darkness are both present over here. What wrong did I do that you had to punish me in this manner? Why did you take Eric away from me a month after we united in this same place? The priest confirmed that our lives, our marriage was gonna be a long one. Surely, there were bound to be forces trying to separate us but we'd overcome them. Then why?"

The grief surged with every expelled breath, always reaching higher peaks, never sufficiently soothed by his long takes of the cool air in that place. Tears began to spill from his helpless eyes onto the floor where he knelt.

"A month ago, I had taken the toughest decision of my family." He was shaking from the torment. "I went against my mother and most of the people to marry the boy I loved. You had assured me that I should follow my heart. The path shown by you can never be wrong. I refuse to believe that the boy I have been destined to spend my entire life with is dead. I refuse to believe that he is no longer with me."

His voice started rising and rage overtook him. "I have always thought you never but you lied to me. You told me that I shall live a happy life with him. That's why today I came to get answers from you. I'll not leave this place until you answer me."

He was staring at the statue that didn't seem to move.

"I know he is alive. I can feel it in my heart that he is alive because... because..." He couldn't hold it anymore. He broke down and started crying again. "...because I am still alive. I know it because my heart is still beating."

He lay on the ground and continued crying. "All I need is just assurance that he is still alive. I don't want anything from you. Nothing! Just assure me that he is safe, that the body I saw isn't is. Please!"

But although he cried for what seemed like hours, he didn't get the assurance that he needed. The statue neither moved nor spoke it. But he didn't give up hope that Eric was still alive. He just cried and cried.

***

A beautiful, large portrait of Eric was displayed in front on top of a table covered with white clothe and filled with flowers. He was looking very beautiful with a smile on his face. The entire house was quiet and it felt lonely.

Everyone that had come to the funeral home was seated on a white cloth on the floor, facing the portrait. Most of them were in tears and they were all dressed in white attires as per tradition and custom. The funeral was held at Kim's house and there were quite several people in attendance.

Laurel was seated close to her son's portrait, staring at it like she was expecting him to come back. She was being held by Adrianna who was equally staring at the portrait. Laurel's eyes were blood red and although she wasn't crying, the tears that had decorated her face were able to speak of the pain that she was going through. Both Douglas and Derrick were equally inconsolable because they had lost someone that they loved so much.

"Steve, were you able to contact him?" Kim asked, gripping her hair. "I am worried about my son? He's not been home since he left the morgue yesterday. What if something happened to him?"

"I am sure he's okay. Put yourself in his shoes, ma'am." He sighed. "He just lost someone he loved so much in just a blink of an eye. Sergio loved Eric so much." He said softly, rubbing his tears.

"I know that, but I am a mother." She didn't wanna raise her voice because she was mourning too. "I am only worried about my son."

"I understand. But I know Sergio. He's alive and well." He said, staring at the portrait. "You should thank God he is alive. Only God knows what Aunt Laurel is going through. I'll try again right away."

Kim glanced at Laurel and she felt like someone had just stabbed her in the heart. She was the cause of another mother's pain. Her past had caused all the pains her family was going through."

She was about to say something when suddenly, the door flung open and her son emerged, standing in the doorway, staring straight at the portrait. He was looking messy and dirty but he was looking fine. There was no sign of tears in his eyes. His hands were clenched and he looked mad rather than sad.

He slowly started going inside the house, getting the attention of most of the people. Kim wanted to run to him but she couldn't find the strength to. She knew he knew how she felt about Eric and was gonna blush her off like a leaf if she said anything. So, she remained standing there.

Sergio walked slowly to the front and the closer he got, the more fury vibrated through his being. It twisted inside of him that he began quivering. He felt like he was placed in a pot of anger and it was all diffusing through him.

"Who did this?" He roared, sounding like a storm. "Who placed Eric's picture there? Who?" He snapped.

Everyone got scared and they began staring at him. It was like he was going insane.

"Sergio?" Steve rushed to him, gripping his arm. But he shrugged it off. "What are you doing? This is Eric's funeral?"

"Eric's funeral?" He barked, pushing his friend furiously. "And who started this nonsense? Who gave you the idea that my Eric is dead? Who arranged this funeral?"

"Son?" Kim rushed to him with tears in her eyes. She cupped his cheeks, shaking her head. "I know that this hurts a lot. And I know that you loved Eric so much. But he's gone, my love. Eric is dead. Please, sit down and bid him farewell. Please!"

"Don't say that!" He warned, getting away from her. "My Eric is not dead. All this is nonsense."

He rushed to the front and threw away everything that was there, including Eric's portrait which broke to pieces. Everyone there got up, staring at him like he was going insane. By the time he was done, the whole place was scattered.

"Sergio, what are you doing?" Douglas couldn't hold himself anymore. "Have you gone nuts? Why are you doing this?" He asked with tears following. "Why are you hurting us like we're not already hurt. We didn't even get the chance to say goodbye to our son when he was still alive and now you're robbing us the chance to pay our last respects to him?"

Sergio was silent. He just looked at his father-in-law without uttering a word.

"I know that this must be too much for you but have pity on us." He put his hands together. "If not for anyone, for the sake of Laurel. She's in so much pain already."

Sergio glanced at Laurel and his heart broke. He rushed to her, held her hands, and knelt in front of her. Laurel wailed like a baby.

"Mother, please, don't." He shook his head. "I don't want you to cry because it is not time for you to do so. I promise that I will bring back your son, alive. I will bring him back to you unhurt and unharmed. I swear this to you."

Laurel cried, even more, when she heard that because she knew there was no way her son was returning to her. He was gone.

"Please, believe me. I promised I would take of Eric and protect him. I am not going back on that. I will find Eric and bring him home."

"What are you doing, Sergio?" Kim gasped. "I know that you're still holding on to the hope that Eric is still alive. But is it fair that you're giving fake hope to a mother who just lost her child? Why would you give Laurel hope that her son is still alive when..."

"He's alive!" He snapped, breathing harshly. "Eric is alive."

"How would you know that?"

"Because I am still alive!" He seethed. "If Eric is dead, my heart would have stopped beating long ago. My heart beats for Eric. Believe me, mother." He cupped her cheeks and rubbed her tears. "Eric is still alive. I know he's somewhere but he is alive. I will bring him to you. I promise."

Laurel just cried. She couldn't still hold on to the hope that her son was still alive.

"Father, please..." He put his hands together. "...I may seem crazy but your son is very much alive. I want you to trust me and believe what I am telling you. I won't stop until I bring him back home."

"Sergio..."

"Derrick, please, believe me. Take mother inside to rest." He pleaded. "Please, don't worry."

Derrick nodded and rubbed his tears. He slowly held Laurel who was walking like she had no legs. He helped her upstairs to a room where he could rest, together with Douglas. They had been through a lot.

Sergio sighed, running his fingers through his hair.

"What are you doing?" Kim snarled, gripping his arm angrily. "This nonsense has gone far too long. Eric is dead and he is not coming back. The sooner you accept that, the better it will be for the rest of us."

"My love is not that weak, mom!" Sergio chuckled bitterly, shaking his head. "My love is stronger than anything. And I believe in the love that Eric and I share. We'll grow old together and we'll raise a=our children together."

"Serg..."

"Mom, please!" He dismissed her rudely. Then he looked at the people that had come to mourn. "I am so sorry for this but I am gonna have to ask you to leave. Eric is not dead and I am gonna find him. Thanks a lot for caring."

The people didn't waste any time before they started leaving. In just less than a minute, they all cleared the room. Sergio rushed to his sister who was teary and held her tight, kissing her forehead severally. She broke down in his arms.

"What if he's gone, Sergio?" She mourned. "What if he's never coming back? What if..."

"Don't worry, Adrianna." His voice was barely above a whisper. "I will bring him back to you. I won't stop until I find him. I promise."

Adrianna nodded and held her brother tightly. Steve and Kim watched as Sergio put fake hope in his sister knowing that Eric was gone. But they couldn't do a thing because they didn't wanna upset Sergio.

Suddenly, the door flung open like a storm had just broken down and the living room was filled with cold air. Kim quickly glanced to the entrance and her body instantly went limp. She breathed in and out but air wouldn't enter her lungs. Starved for air, her heart raced at tremendous speeds, and her lungs shallowly rose and fell in time.

Tears welled up in her eyes and she stood a step back, trying to walk away from the storm. But she couldn't do it. He was right there in front of her, staring into her eyes with that evil grin she remembered the night she saw him. Jayden was coming towards her and he had a document with him in his hands.

"My condolences to you, and the family." The man spoke, but his eyes were locked on Kimberly. "I am sorry for your loss."

'What is he doing here?' Kim thought as she tried to contain herself. 'Is he here to destroy me as he said? I thought he agreed not to do that.'

"I am sorry, sir." Steve apologized. "The funeral just ended for family purposes. You're gonna have to leave. Very sorry."

"That's completely understood." Came a voice, a familiar voice. "But you see, this man here is not just an ordinary person. He's a very important part of this family."

Giada emerged, looking like a goddess of seduction. She was dressed in a white dress that made her look like a seductress with her hair made in curls. She was looking like she was going to a fashion show with the highest heels anybody had ever seen on her.

Seeing her, Sergio lost. He felt like someone had given him a huge blow.

"What the hell are you doing here?" He snapped, angrily moving towards her. "Get out of here before I throw you..."

"Oh, calm down, Sergio. I came here to pay my respects just like everyone else here." She raised her arms like she was surrendering. "And I have every right to be here because I have got something important that I have to say."

"You can shove it down your throat. Get out of here. And take this man with you. Get out!"

"As I said, I have every right to be here." Giada chuckled evilly, glancing at Kimberly. "Isn't that right, Kim? Tell him! Tell your son what's going on here. He wants to know the truth."

Kim was so scared. She knew it was dumb to be scared at that time, but she couldn't help it.

"Son, they are no one important. Giada wanted my help so I... I..." She stuttered, a tear going down her cheeks. "....Giada, can we please talk outside? As you can see, my son is not in his right state of mind."

Giada shook her head. "No, Kim. Not today. Jayden has waited for this moment for so many years. He is getting his right after ages. How long will he stay away from his rights and this house? How long will the truth remain hidden?"

"Truth?" Sergio frowned. He was getting confused. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"It will all be clear to you." Giada chuckled, folding her arms on her chest. "You're gonna know exactly what I am talking about."

"Aunt Giada, what's this?" Steve got upset. "You know that this family is going through a very difficult moment. Why did you come to add more to that?"

"I know that." Giada seethed. "But there are more pressing matters that couldn't wait. You see this man standing here," She chuckled victoriously. "His name is Jayden Alvarado and he is the owner of this house."

Sergio's heart gave a sharp pound as a sudden cold wave swept through his body. His eyes widened and his fists clenched, staring at the man like he was a ghost. Kim on the other hand just prayed for the ground to open up and swallow her.

"What kind of sick joke is this?" Sergio barked. "Are you never satisfied? What do you want from us? Are you that desperate? Get out of here before I do something that we'll both regret and..."

"You don't have to be mad at her. All she's speaking is the truth. Not only do I own this house. But..." He paused and chuckled. "I also own 60% of all Alvarado wealth, meaning, you're only left with 40%. And as the biggest shareholder, it means that I am now the owner of all your wealth."

"What the fuck?" Sergio stamped his foot on the floor, making Kim feel like her heart had stopped beating. "Look, don't make me angry, because you'll not like me. Whatever nonsense that woman had fed you..."

"It is not nonsense." Giada snapped. "It is but the truth. This man here..."

"Stop lying to us!"

Adrianna rubbed her tears and furiously walked to her with the intent to slap her. She furiously raised her hand to slap her but got shocked when Jayden held her hand and threw it away angrily. Luckily, Sergio was just behind her.

"Many years ago, I didn't raise my hand or my voice." He said hoarsely, pointing at Adrianna. "You may think of yourself as high and mighty but now I am here to claim my right. I am here to get what belongs to me. I am here to claim my birthright, my father's wealth!" He screamed in her face.

A tear rushed down Adrianna's cheek as she gasped, shaking her head.

"Don't act shocked. I am not making this up." Jayden chuckled manically. "Your mother knows what I am talking about. This is my father's house and I lived here long before you did. I was the first Alvarado, his heir. And my mother was his first love, his first wife."

"What? You're crazier than I thought." Sergio laughed. "Mom, tell these people to get out if you don't wanna see me behind bars. Get them out!"

But Kim was quiet. She couldn't utter a word. She couldn't even look at her kids.

"Mom?"

"What can she say?" Jayden yelled, angrily pointing at her. "This woman has always been a liar, a deceiver."

"Don't you dare say that about her," Adrianna yelled? "My mother is neither a liar nor a deceiver. She's a generous woman and she can never do what you're accusing her of."

"Really?" Giada laughed, chirping in mock. "Generous woman indeed. Then why don't you ask your generous mother who Jayden is? Ask her how he is related to you or your mother. Even better, ask her how she got married to your father. I can answer that for you. It was through lying and deception. This woman..."

"Stop it!" Sergio yelled, breathing harshly. "Stop your drama and get out here before I get you arrested."

"That's okay, but before you do that..." Jayden raised the papers he was holding. "...you might wanna check this."

Sergio's eyes widened when he looked at the documents, a copy of the power of attorney papers. It was authentic and his mother's signature was there. He felt his strength leave and he slowly looked at her. She couldn't even make eye contact with him.

"Are you satisfied now? That's the proof you need. And I have got these too." He raised a picture. It was a picture of his father with a woman he held tightly and a young boy that Sergio recognized immediately as Jayden. "I am here to claim my right and nobody here is gonna stop me. Not even you, young brother."

Sergio felt like someone was twisting a knife in his spine. The pain throbbed in his gut, deep and warm, but not in a nice way. He stared at his mother, hoping she was gonna say something in defense but she didn't. She just stared at the floor with tears decorating her face. He didn't need to ask her anything. He got the answer.

"My mother was my father's legitimate wife and what I have gotten is my right." He seethed, clenching his fist. "I own everything that belonged to my father, and Giada is my business partner. You don't have to worry about anything. I wouldn't throw my siblings out of their house."

He got closer and rested his hand on Sergio's shoulder but he shrugged it off.

"Don't you ever touch me?" He warned. "I am not your brother and I will never be. I don't have time for your silly games. I have far more important things to do."