Beautiful Mistake (Mistake #1)

by Laiza Millan

  Emma blinked in annoyance before continuing. "If you don't decide to grow up now before I leave, I will make sure that you don't see Aiden, or hear about him, Drake. You won't be part of his life."

  Drake huffed impatiently and rolled his eyes.

  "I'm serious!" Emma said. "One day, if you've changed your mind for whatever reason and decide that you do want to be part of Aidan's life, it will be too late."

  Emma caught it. There was that tiny flicker of hidden emotions that was written all over his face... but it was gone in half a second. But no, she caught it.

  "Rogers, if there's -"

  "Why are you still here?" Drake interrupted her again, his face reverting back with harshness.

  "I'm giving you one last chance, Drake -"

  "Bloody hell, Collins," Drake laughed, "are you honestly that desperate? How many times does a man have to tell you?"

  He strode towards her until his face was only inches from hers; his breath hitting her with every harsh word.

  "I know how girls think. Don't for one day think that I could ever feel anything for you and Aidan, Emma. Just because I gave you a son, it doesn't mean anything. Do you understand?"

  Emma looked down at her still-sleeping son, before looking back up at his biological father.

  "I said, do you understand?" Drake asked slowly, his voice low.

  "Perfectly," she replied with a mock smile, nodding.

  Taking a step away from him, she walked out of the room and glanced at Alona and Nancy. She gave them a sad smile. "I'm sorry for everything." Her eyes lingered at Alona. "I'm so sorry.''

  Before they could say anything, she walked away.

  .

  .

  .

  Once Emma neared by the nearest stores, she tightened her embrace around Aidan and dropped down to an empty alleyway. She leant against the wall and peered down to see Aidan awake and staring at her.

  She didn't realize her tears of exhaustion and anger had finally fallen until her son reached his tiny fingers upwards to catch one of the teary tracks on her cheeks.

  "Aidan," Emma said softly, leaning down to kiss the top of his nose, "it's just you and me now."

  He blinked, but thankfully didn't cry. He just continued to stare at her with those eyes that reminded her so much of his father.

  Drake.

  Maybe she was wrong.

  When studying law, sometimes one develops a skill with reading people. That's why she was willing to give him a chance, because she thought she saw regret and sadness. Maybe he was willing to try.

  But then again, maybe, she was incorrect about Drake Rogers.

  Wow. Did he really hate her that much that he didn't want to be in the life of his own son? He was serious. He didn't want Aidan.

  She looked back at the infant and bit her bottom lip as she felt her heart weighing heavier.

  "I'm so sorry, Aidan -" Her voice broke in anger as she clutched Aidan tighter "- I'm sorry."

  She was sorry that his father didn't want him.

  She was sorry that in the future he was going to question why his friends had dads and he didn't.

  Most of all, she was sorry that she couldn't be good enough for him. Unknowingly, her self-doubt was beginning to increase.

  Despite all the books she had read, this was different.

  She pulled Aidan even closer into her torso and brought her face down to his cheek before finally letting all the stress and pain pour out of her.

  "Pardon me, madam," a concerned voice said moments later, "are you all right?"

  .

  .

  .

  Emma quickly wiped the tears from her eyes before looking up to flash the man a fake smile. "I'm okay, thank you."

  Wait... he looks oddly familiar. Emma tried to wrack her brain with the names of people she knew back at work.

  "Are you sure?" he asked, bending down until he was at eye level with her. He noticed Aidan and nodded towards him. "Is your baby alright? Not hurt, I hope?"

  Emma felt foolish. She should have just called her friends to pick her up immediately instead of just walking out of the Rogers house in public.

  The man frowned before standing up and extending his hand towards her. "Do you need any help?"

  She took it gratefully and stood up. "No, thank you. I've um... I fell."

  He raised an eyebrow. "You fell. In the middle of a dark alleyway?"

  "It wasn't that dark," she mumbled. "We are right next to the stores, obviously."

  She's basically just leaning against the side of a store, where the parking lots are. It's not like she's in a long narrow alleyway!

  "Should I call for help?" He asked, still looking concerned.

  Emma rolled her eyes. It's as if this man has never seen a woman cry before. "No, I'm fine. I live kind of near, anyway. I just didn't want to go home yet and face my roommates."

  The guy still looked uncertain but didn't push her, which Emma was grateful for. She was embarrassed already, he doesn't need to add more.

  The man tilted his head to the side, examining her. "You look like someone I used to know."

  "Funny, you look familiar too," she replied, extending her hand for a handshake.

  Since he had been such a gentleman and the only person who had been nice to her today, she could at least introduce herself.

  So, she beamed another fake smile. "I'm Emma Collins, by the way. This is my son, Aidan."

  The man's eyes widened with surprise before he grinned with recognition. "Why, hello there, Emma Collins." He shook her hand and smirked. "My name is Richard Huck."

  .

  .

  .

  "Changed the bedsheets for you," Alona sighed angrily, "She forgot the rest of Aidan's stuff we got for her, all thanks to you! Now we have to send them."

  Drake ignored her, cutting a piece of chicken.

  But she wouldn't have it. "Why didn't you tell me?"

  Drake rolled his eyes towards the ceiling before looking back at Alona. Couldn't he just enjoy his dinner in peace?

  "Tell you what?"

  "You know very well what," Alona snapped, violently placing her goblet down on the table. "Why didn't you tell me that you and Emma -"

  "Don't," Drake snarled, glaring at her. "First of all, the boy isn't mine, all right? Get that through your pretty skull, Alona. Second of all, it's none of your business."

  Alona gawked at him before hissing, "None of my business? Excuse me, but I happen to be your future wife! I have every business to know who my husband fools around with -"

  "Your duty as a wife is to help continue our reputation as a business family and make yourself look pretty," Drake told her, sounding as if he was bored with the conversation. "Surely, as a daughter of a powerful business man, you already know that."

  Alona closed her mouth and stared at Drake for a while. This was who she would be marrying? Shaking her head in disgust, she threw her napkin on the table and stood up.

  "I'm going to pay Ian a visit," she snapped, "to see what he's done to my wedding dress so far."

  "Am I supposed to care?" Drake asked in his bored tone, sipping his soup.

  Well, he should, "I just thought that I would let you know."

  "No need to ask for my permission," Drake smirked, "but you can go if you want."

  Before she did something she would regret, Alona left.

  .

  .

  .

  Finally.

  Drake let out a heavy sigh. He dropped his spoon into the bowl and leant back to rub his face. Goodness, he was so fucking tired. First, his mother is showing a bit of interest towards that boy and Emma Collins... and now his fiancé?

  Damn it.

  He dropped his hands from his face and stared at the tiles from the ceiling. His thoughts going back to when Aidan was asleep on his bed, to the way Emma grinned so happily at the sight of the gifts he given him.

  He lied about that.

  His mother didn't get the gifts, h
e did. Hell, his mother didn't even bother getting anything. But he figured if he told her it was him, she wouldn't accept it.

  He was right; telling her his mother got it would have been more favorable.

  What was he supposed to do?

  Tell Emma that he fucking wants to get to know Aidan? That he wants them to stay at his place so he and his mother can keep an eye on them? He can't do that.

  No matter how much he wants them to.

  He can't.

  There's too many shit happening right now that Emma and now, the new born Aidan, can't get involved in.

  This is for the best.

  He winced, remembering how harsh he treated Emma and how he just dismissed their son.

  Wow, he's the biggest asshole out there.

  He told himself that he is going to do whatever it takes to help them out; But it's for the best that Emma Collins sees him as the asshole, jerk, or whatever colorful lovely names she calls him. It's better this way. It's better for her. For Aidan.

  It's for their own safety.

  With a grunt and sudden loss of appetite, he stood up and walked towards his room. He kicked the door open and stared down at the wrinkled blankets Emma had used for her and Aidan.

  Slamming the door shut, he headed towards the bathroom. Maybe a relaxing warm shower would ease the thoughts and tension within him.

  After he finished preparing himself, he threw himself onto the bed with a loud groan.

  Ah, peace and quiet. He could relax and not have to think about his situation, Emma, the baby, and even his family.

  So he should feel relieved right for now, right? Stress free, even. But, for some obscure reason, he felt hollow.

  Just empty.

  Groaning, he rolled over to turn onto his side. He grunted as his ribs unexpectedly made contact with a strange feeling object.

  Sitting up, he pulled the blanket down to see what it was and felt a heavy weight slamming down on his chest.

  Emma left the teddy bear.

  Chapter 10

  .

  "He's being an absolute jackass, Ian," Alona complained, kicking a nearby rock as they continued walking down the path. "Can you believe him? He said he doesn't want anything to do with Aidan! And I'm supposed to bloody marry him!"

  Ian sighed, tightening his hold on her hand. "So don't marry him."

  She groaned impatiently. ''Ian, you know it's not that simple. I can't just break it off with him." Suddenly angry, he dropped her hand and whirled around to face her. "How is that not simple, Alona? Explain it to me! How?"

  Alona gasped, shocked at his outburst. Why was he yelling at her? Here they are, enjoying a private peaceful moment, walking around the park at ease, and out no where he decides to be angry at her? For what? "Ian, what's the matter with you?"

  But Ian just shook his head, looking upset.

  "I loved you for years, Alona!" Ian exclaimed. "Years!"

  When she came to visit him at home a few hours ago, he was happy.

  Ecstatic, even.

  He thought he would get a chance to spend some quality time with her; hoping the visit had nothing to do with Drake. It's been so long - years even - since they had a real moment together alone. He was happy to be spending some more time with her!

  But no, she only came because she needed to vent about her so-called future husband.

  Honestly, what the hell? So, finally, after all those years of rejection, anger, hurt, confusion, and hopelessness, Ian Creagh lost his cool demeanor. Now here he was, getting tired of hearing her complains and whines about how awful her future husband was.

  Was she really that blind sighted or was she just forgetful?

  ''Ian -"

  "Alona," he interrupted, gently taking her hand and placing a chaste kiss on her fingers before sighing, "When I... Don't you remember anything at all, from back at high school?"

  She frowned. "Of course I do. Where are you going with this?"

  "Really?" Ian asked in mock incredulity. "Because it seems as if you don't even remember how we were before you became the future wife of Drake."

  Alona's eyes softened with understanding. She took a step closer to him so their faces were only inches away from each other.

  "You're a crazy fool. How can I ever forget about us?" She leant forward to kiss the tip of his nose and giggled. "Those days when we were younger... Goodness, those high school years, were amazing, Ian."

  He smiled sadly with her as he caressed her cheek. "Then why did you reject me? You told me you didn't love me enough when I proposed to you in our graduation."

  "Ian," she whispered, her eyes beginning to water with shame, "I lied to you."

  This hurts.

  Even though she was the one that told him, it still hurt her now because she was the one that had caused the pain reflecting from Ian's expression. She was the one who had lied.

  Wow, she was no different than Drake.

  "But, why?" he asked, loosening his hold on her hands.

  Her heart thumped heavily with disappointment when he let go of her, but suddenly felt relieved when he only moved it to wrap his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

  She could see how hard he was trying to cooperate with her, but the frustration was building inside both of them.

  "I was already in an arranged marriage with Drake Rogers, even when I was a young girl, Ian," Alona explained sadly, clutching into his hand. "I remembered hearing about the engagement when I was only in third grade. Of course, being the naïve little girl that I was, I was so excited! Me, getting married! Oh!"

  She placed her hand over her heart, her expression shifting to mock excitement as she explained how she had felt, "Every little girl dreamed of her wedding. I thought it was going to be beautiful. Dad said the wedding would be beneficial for our family, so I was okay with it."

  Ian sighed, fully releasing her as he took a step back but didn't say anything. He didn't need to... she could see it in his face how disappointed and angry he was at her.

  However, she continued on, "After I met you during our freshman year, it all changed. But it was too late; I was scared to break the agreements between my family and the Rogers, as they were so powerful, according to my dad. I had no choice -"

  "So, you lied to me, making me think as if you never felt anything -"

  "Please, it wasn't like that!" she cried out, grabbing his face so she could maintain eye-contact. "You know how my family is! I'm so sorry, I wish I had a time machine so I could go back and tell them I didn't want to marry him. To tell them that I had found someone else."

  "I know," Ian sighed, lifting one of his hands to wipe a tear away from her cheeks, "I know. It's okay, it's in the past. Now at least we know the truth, yeah?"

  Alona nodded, standing on her toes to kiss his cheek.

  "By the way, how come you didn't recognize me back at the shop?" Ian asked, curiously. "If you really loved me, wouldn't you have recognized me immediately?"

  She rolled her eyes. "I did recognize you. Maybe not entirely, but I do remember thinking to myself that you looked familiar. Besides, I hadn't seen you in years and you had matured quite a lot. You had even a little moustache!"

  "Well, I shaved it off the next day for you," Ian teased, kissing her forehead. Goodness, no matter how insane this girl made him feel, he still loved her very much. "I love you."

  "I love you too," she murmured, burying her face in the crook of his neck and sighing, her thoughts drifting back to Drake. "I'm sorry. I don't want to marry him, Ian, but what can I do? I'm scared. My family is counting on this marriage but I can't, Ian. And poor Emma and Aidan! Drake kicked them out and I can't marry him -"

  "Don't," he said, gently interrupting her. "You will get out of this marriage, Alona. I don't know how, but you will. You're twenty two years old! Drake's what? Twenty four or five? we'll find a way to help them out. If we get Drake to realize how wrong he is, maybe we can work this out. Drake just needs to open his eyes."

  Alona l
et out a harsh laugh. "Drake? Care for Emma and Aidan? You're joking, Ian. That's impossible and you know it. Plus, I don't think she would even want him anywhere near Aidan."

  "You can't think like that, love," Ian tutted gently. He sighed, tightening his arms around her and resting his chin on the top of her head, "That's the beauty of humans... people can change for the better. We just need to come up with a plan."

  .

  .

  .

  "Aidan," Emma laughed, gently taking his hand away from one of her curls, "you're pulling my hair, silly boy. It hurts."

  The infant continued to grab tiny fistfuls of his mother's hair and tug at it with all his might, causing Emma to wince slightly. She tutted him and made a disapproving face, hoping her son knew what it meant.

  However, the baby's mouth widened toothlessly into what she imagined it to be a mini mischievous grin; his eyes continuously transfixed on her hair.

  "It seems to me that I'm not the only one who thinks that you need to do something about your hair today, Collins," Richard Huck snickered, placing a cup of hot chocolate in front of her. "Really, it's all over the place."

  Emma rolled her eyes at his teasing tone.

  "How have you been?" Emma asked, trying to remain civil and sever the silence. "After your court, I mean? What are you doing here?"

  At first when he saw her, Emma couldn't quite place where she had met him. The whole time, questions were forming in her head: Who the hell was he? Why is he talking to her? He looks familiar though...

  But then she remembered Melissa Huck, her doctor.

  She was the doctor who gave her the baby news, and the doctor who kept calling her a lawyer - even though she's not fully yet - just because she helped her brother-in-law's case. The brother-in-law who happened to be sitting in front of her with a boyish grin etched on his face.

  Richard smirked. "Wow, I buy you a drink and the first topic you can think of is about my other life."

  Emma blinked and scowled. "Well, forgive me for asking out of curiosity."

  "You're forgiven." Richard let out a long sigh after a sip of coffee. "To answer your question, I came to town to visit a friend of mine. In a few weeks, his life is going to change. I want to be there to help the poor idiot! Not that it should interest you. Although, you had only asked that simply to fill in the awkwardness, correct?"