Beautiful Mistake (Mistake #1)
Page 31
Drake looked towards the direction she was nodding and frowned, "Stupid reporters."
Reporters?
At this morning?
Don't they have anything better to do than stalk Drake, Emma, and their son?
Drake mockingly waved at the stranger before giving him the middle finger with a wink. "Stupid ass."
The stranger merely dropped his camera, rolled up the windows of his car, and with one final look he drove away; finally leaving them in peace.
"Why was the reporter here?" Emma groaned, feeling annoyed and slightly scared the same time.
What news could the reporter stir this time?
"Don't mind him." Drake said nonchalantly.
"Why take a picture of us, though?" Emma huffed; turning the stroller around so Aidan could face them.
Drake snickered at Emma's fear of publicity.
"Oh, I can see it now! Headline will read," He lifted his hands and said obnoxiously, "'Drake Rogers seen with mystery woman!' and the subtitle? How about something like, 'Could this be the reason of the Gordon-Rogers break up?'" He dropped his hands and turned to her with a smug look, "Just watch. I bet you another date that that is what it's going to say."
Emma scowled at him, before swatting him on the shoulder. "You're such an imbecile, you know that?"
"And you're so violent." Drake scoffed back, as he rubbed the sting she caused. "Calling me violent for accidentally throwing an apple at you, yet you're the one doing the actual physical abuse?"
Emma had the grace to look guilty. She turned to apologize but stopped, seeing the amused expression on his face, clearly stating he was just joking with her.
"Jerk." She mumbled, turning her attention back to Aidan, who was just staring at them innocently.
Drake laughed, he moved his arm and wrapped them around her waist, bringing her closer to him. He leaned forward, his lips sensitively manipulating her skin causing goose bumps to appear.
Before giving her neck the attention, he whispered, "Nerd."
Emma immediately blushed, noticing how awkward they must look like. Two young adults acting like love-sick teenagers? This was embarrassing for her, because she was never one for public display of affections.
Drake was the opposite. In fact, he craves it.
But ugh, she loves how he could just caress her skin like this just by his lips. This was the side of Drake that made her fall in love with him in the beginning.
Sure, he can be such an arrogant jerk with an ego so big; but the way he expresses his endearment towards her? She embraces it.
Honestly, how many guys still do that?
Surrendering to the torture, she turned her head and caught his lips with hers. She could feel him smile, and she couldn't help but giggle back.
Gosh, she feels like such a teenage girl again! As if they are back in high school, acting as if they're in love still.
But is she?
No... at least, she doesn't think so. She doesn't trust him entirely, yet. He knows that. But the fact that he's being patient with her, and didn't revert back to his cold ways, is proof to her that he is trying.
A cry interrupted them, causing them to break apart.
Emma glanced down at the noise to see Aidan squirming in his stroller impatiently, his face scrunched up as he flings his arms around. The teddy almost fell to the ground but luckily, Drake caught it.
"Aw," Drake sighed, "Is he going to cry in public?"
Emma fought the urge to groan at his ignorance. She unbuckled his belt and gently picked him up. Aidan continued to cry for only a minute until, miraculously, he stopped.
Emma stood up, moving side to side smoothly, as she rubbed his back. His head was nodding back and forth until he rested on top of his mother's shoulder.
"Sometimes he cries when he's tired." She explained a bewildered Drake. "Either he was hungry, needed his diaper changed, or he was tired."
Drake wrinkled his nose, "We just changed his diapers before we left."
"We did." Emma exhaled heavily, continuing to rock side to side to lull her son to sleep. "But kids are unpredictable sometimes, Drake. You have to have patience."
He snorted, also getting up and placed the teddy bear back to the stroller.
"Like I was patient with you." She reminded him, raising an eyebrow.
Before Drake could protest, his cell phone interrupted him.
Ring! Ring!
Confused, he patted his back pocket and pulled his phone out. Sliding it open, he saw the name 'Rich', and growled.
What the hell does he want now? Rich is ruining his perfect day with Emma and Aidan! Whatever it is, this better be good.
"What is it?" Emma asked, watching Drake's miffed expressions.
He merely shook his head, clicking 'Deny'. He quickly pocketed his phone, mentally noting himself to call his friend back.
"It was Richard." Drake shrugged, he opened his arms as he took a step closer to her. "Can I rock him to sleep this time?"
Emma bit her bottom lip, hesitant. "Don't rock him too fast."
Duh. "Obviously." Drake tsked. "I've held him before, you know."
She grinned, leaning forward with her arms slightly extending for him to reach. But as he was about to wrap his arms around his sleepy baby, his phone went off again.
Ring! Ring!
"What the fuck?" Drake growled impatiently, dropping his arms so he can grab his phone again.
"How many times do I have to tell you to watch your language?" Emma reprimanded angrily. "Especially in front of Aidan?!"
Drake ignored her, clicking the green button to answer Rich's calls.
"What?" Drake barked, clearly unhappy for being interrupted.
"Drake?" He heard Richard call out in the other line, "Man, come over quickly."
"I'm busy." Drake muttered, "What is it?"
Silence.
"It's best if you come over now." Rich said instead, before the line went dead.
Drake dropped his phone to see that his friend hung up on him. Well, that was weird and random. What was that all about?
"Everything okay?" Emma asked, as she took a seat next to him.
"I don't know." Drake sighed, "That was Rich again. He said I needed to come over, but he didn't really specify why."
"You should go." Emma said, adjusting her hold on Aidan in a more comfortable position. "It could be important."
After a few minutes of inwardly battling with himself, he finally agreed. He stood up with a loud obnoxious lazy sound, earning looks from other park goers, and an embarrassed angry look from Emma.
"What are you doing?" She asked, as Drake took the empty stroller.
"Come on." He said, nodding for her to stand up.
"I don't want to leave yet." Emma stubbornly said, still sitting down. "We only got here not too long ago."
Drake simply stared at her. "Emma, I am not going to leave you and Aidan by yourselves at the park. Who knows what psycho killer might be prowling in the streets?"
"You're starting to sound like Jenna." Though she secretly agreed; She's not comfortable staying by herself with her sleepy son, anyway. It was much better with company, like Drake.
"That's twice you compared me to something that's insulting." Drake smirked, gently smacking her on the butt.
Emma yelped in surprise before throwing him a glare, "Don't!"
This man can be so infuriating, annoying, and just completely... ugh! She doesn't understand how she handles him.
"You're no fun." Drake complained, as he continued to push the stroller. "And why are you still carrying Aidan? Don't you want to place him back here?"
Emma shook her head. "No. Trust me; he will immediately wake up when I put him down."
Drake smirked, "Clingy child."
"Just like you were, I'm sure." Emma retorted back, earning a scowl back.
Well, she wasn't wrong.
After what felt like a good long walk, they finally arrived at her home. Drake helped her place now sleeping Aidan back on
the crib, before giving her a quick good-bye.
"Can I come over again tonight?" He asked, as he took a step outside.
"Don't you want to go back home?" Emma laughed, leaning against the door as she looks at him.
Drake's facial expression scrunched comically. Is it wrong that he rather be with her and Aidan than at his big old house with his mother?
"Yes." Emma murmured quietly, a small smile gracing her face as she eventually answers his question. "Come back soon."
He immediately beamed back, before stepping forward to embrace her again. Jeez, what is up with him today? She hasn't seen him this nice in years.
He leaned back and kissed her forehead, murmuring, "See you soon, love."
He took a step back and walked to his car, leaving a stunned looking Emma staring after him. Rarely does he ever use that term of endearment.
It caught her slightly off guard, but was she complaining? She couldn't help but let out a content sigh as he drove away.
Not at all.
.
.
.
What the hell does Richard want now?
Drake couldn't help but be annoyed towards his friend. After all, he did interrupt his morning! He was going to spend some more time with Emma and Aidan, but now he can't.
Why? Well who fucking knows why, when Rich won't even tell him.
Slamming his car shut, he hurriedly strode upstairs to Rich's front door. Lifting his fist, he heavily knocked on the wood three times, not caring if he bothered the next door neighbor. Stupid apartments and their stupid sensitivity.
"What is going on?" Drake blurted out angrily, the moment Rich opened the door. He shouldered past his friend and threw himself on the couch.
"What, no hello back?" Rich answered back, sarcastically.
Drake stared back icily, "Cut the shit, man. What's going on? What is so damn important that I had to leave Emma and Aidan?"
"Wow, you three are close now?" Richard asked, taking a seat across from him. "That was fast."
Drake clearly wasn't in the mood, as he immediately stood up and headed back towards the door. "You're wasting my time."
"Wait!" Rich cried out, rushing towards him. "Wait, I'm sorry. It's just so hard to say -"
"Just spit it out!" Drake snapped, shaking his head.
Rich hesitated.
Well how the hell is he supposed to word it? It's not simple! This is one of those 'easier-said-than-done' situations.
"Did you tell him already?"
Drake and Richard turned around to see Ian coming out of the restroom.
"Not yet." Rich said, "I'm going to now."
"What the hell are you doing here?" Drake questioned, staring back and forth between his friend and Ian. "Wait a minute."
He continued to stare at Rich for a few seconds before switching back to Ian, who was looking annoyed as well.
Drake noticed how Ian took a seat next to Rich, and how Rich kept giving him these looks he couldn't quite understand.
Wait, what the hell? Since when did Ian and Rich become best friends, now? And why is Ian here with Rich instead of with Alona?
After what felt like a long period of awkward silences... it finally it hit him.
"Are you kidding me?" Drake asked, dryly.
"What?" Rich and Ian asked simultaneously.
Drake stared at them for a few more seconds before letting out a laugh.
"Ian, Alona must be heartbroken." He snickered, leaning back in a more relaxing way.
He then turned to Rich and said, "I'm kind of insulted that you're nervous about telling me this, mate. However," he shot Ian a look, "I'm not sure if I approve about this one."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Ian growled, not liking the stupid smirk plastered on Drake's face.
Drake raised an eyebrow, "It's okay, I have no problem with you both -"
"For fucks sake!" Rich blurted out, "No, we're not a couple! What gave you that idea?"
Silence.
More silence.
Awkward.
"Then what the fuck am I doing here!" Drake roared back, "I mean you two are spending so much time together and even exchanging these secretive looks, one can't help but guess!"
"Asshole." Ian muttered, shaking his head. "I love Alona."
Drake snorted.
Rich heavily sighed, "The reason why we called you over here is because we heard about your father."
Drake's whole demeanor changed at the mention of him.
"What about Oscar?" He snarled, his hands tightening into a fist.
Again, Rich hesitated.
"Tell him, Richard." Ian said, feeling impatient. "I could tell him, but I'm sure he rather hear it from you than me."
"How very considerate of you." Rich mumbled back, before rubbing his face with his hands, tiredly.
Drake's hand slammed on the nearest table, his low patience waning. "If you don't tell me what is so damn important, I am going to -"
"Your father's dead." Rich suddenly said.
Silence.
It was so damn quiet, that the only noise they can hear is the sounds of their heavy breathing. Rich stared at Drake, trying to gauge his reaction. Ian simply stared at the floor, letting the news sink in.
It was still quiet.
Until -
"What?" Drake whispered; his voice so low and quiet.
Rich sighed. He knows that Drake heard him, so why bother repeating it? "It's your father, Drake. He died."
Drake's face remained immobile. There was no flicker of confusion or anger, only blankness. Even Ian looked up because of the lack of reaction Drake was showing surprised him.
Rich tried again, "Drake -"
"You're lying." He interrupted, feeling cold all of a sudden.
His father's dead?
No way...
That's not possible.
These two are such idiots, they don't know anything.
They don't know what they're bloody talking about. His good for nothing father, is not dead...
"Apparently he was in jail." Rich informed him, "I'm not sure what caused his death but knowing him, I wouldn't doubt it's one of those prison riots."
Shut up.
Just shut the hell up.
His father's dead?
"No." Drake muttered, getting up. "Fuck you."
Ian and Rich both stood up immediately. Rich tried to reach for him, but Drake quickly dodged his hand.
"Rogers, he's serious." Ian sighed, shoving his hands inside his pockets. "Your mother doesn't know yet. In fact, I don't think our local media knows about it yet, either. That's why there are no headlines yet."
His mother... how is he going to tell his mother?
He continued to bore his eyes at them both, still not believing with what they're saying. Sure, he and his father never really got along too well, but he was still his father.
No...
"Liar." Drake spat, turning around and heading towards the door.
Screw this. He wants to go back to Emma and Aidan.
"We're not fucking lying!" Richard finally snapped, "We're telling you the truth!"
However, Drake ignored him.
He reached for the door and kicked it open, not caring if he was causing any property damage. He looked around and took a step outside before slamming the door shut, not looking back.
Once he arrived downstairs to the parking lot, he rushed to his car and unlocked the car door. He threw himself inside and locked himself in the vehicle.
Finally, he was alone.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He could smell the pine fresh smell of his car, and could feel the sun rays reaching his face as he tilted his head upward.
His father...
The man who made his life a living hell, yet managed to raise him to the best of his abilities. No matter how screwed up his methods were.
Your father is dead.
No...
Rich is wrong.
Drake never
got to actually talk to him, because the man was always busy with this stupid city and gang.
He leaned back until his head landed on the headrest.
There were so many things Drake wanted to confront when it came to his father.
But now he can't.
Drake will never get to tell his father that he never actually hated him all these years, just feared him.
Drake will never get to tell his father that he forgave him for all the shit he put him and his mother through.
Drake will never get to see if his father turned his life around, despite being in jail.
But what bothers him the most is that, Drake will never get to see how his father would react if he sees Aidan for the first time.
Because he's gone.
He's dead.
Knock, Knock!
A soft dull knock came from the door window, making him open his eyes. Richard was staring back at him with an expression Drake couldn't understand, yet didn't even care.
"You okay?" Rich asked, quietly.
Is he okay?
What kind of stupid question is that?
He feels.... Empty.
Rich sighed, before reaching inside his pocket and pulling out those portable tissues. He nodded for him to take it, but Drake's hands were still glued to the steering wheel.
"Take it." Rich softly said, stretching his hands to drop the tissue on Drake's lap.
Drake blinked.
He didn't realize what was going on until he felt his heart starting to grow heavier and heavier as it continued to beat, his hands was starting to moist as the grip on his steering wheel tightened as the seconds go by. He blinked again, the sting in his eyes was too much, making it impossible to ignore.
"Hey."
Drake didn't even realize he was just simply staring what was in front of him, until he looked back at his friend.
"You'll be okay." Rich said softly.
But Drake could only stare.
That's all he can do at the moment.
Just stare.
Until it felt like he was finally losing control of his own body.
His breathing became shallow and uneven; his blinks doubled as he felt the wetness in his eyes managed to escape freely. Once he felt them starting to fall, he turned his face away and closed his eyes shut.
No, screw this.
"Drake -''
But Drake ignored him. He turned on the ignition and slammed on the gas, leaving Richard behind.