Kiss Me Not

Damiel heaved a long sigh as Gavin intently watched his every expression.

"Is that too important, Son? Don't we already have a deep connection as a family? I mean we may not be related by blood but in my heart, you are my son. There's more than blood that is connecting us, Son." Damiel retorted.

There was only silence. Gavin did not respond because he was feeling conflicted inside.

"I want the truth, Father," he repeated, this time, he was emphasizing each word. "It's important to me to find out who I am. My real identity," Gavin continued.

"I almost forgot… You don't have any memories of me right now so I guess nothing matters for you except the truth which is your real identity..."

Gavin wanted to know the truth. He wanted to hear the side of the story coming from Damiel. There was a heavy atmosphere inside Gavin's bedroom. The moment of silence was deafening because of the various emotions that the two men had at that moment. After gathering enough courage, it was Damiel who broke the silence. 

"Your mother can't have kids so we had to resort to adoption. We wanted to keep your adoption hidden from everyone so instead, we lied and told everyone that your mother conceived and had you.," Damiel confessed.

He clasped his hands together before he continued, "For us, we have always seen you as our own flesh and blood. We didn't want you to be bullied as an adopted child so we decided to relocate our family to a place where no one knew us just to make sure that no one will know you're not our real son. All the necessary papers ready, proving that you're our real son." 

According to Brione, Damiel's wife died from a heart attack when Gavin was just four years old. 

"I need to find out more, Father. Where did you find me? I want to know my origin," he persisted. "I need the complete details," Gavin specified.

Damiel exhaled loudly. He met his son's eyes as he answered, "alright, Son. I will give you everything that you need but before that, I want you to promise me that you will stay as my Son. I can't afford to lose you again…" Damiel pleaded as he did, tears started flowing out from his eyes again.

Gavin's gaze softened. He hugged him and patted his back as he whispered, "no you won't lose me, Father. Thank you for granting me the truth of my origin."

"It's what you wanted Son… I will give you everything you want because I love you," Damiel replied.

As he listened to what he just said, Gavin felt a strong grip in his heart. He wanted to believe yet the doubt inside him was still there since too many possibilities were running in his head.  It wouldn't stop until he found out the whole truth. That's why he didn't want to trust Damiel yet, not until everything would come out to light.

****

In the living room, Keira looked at Luo and asked, "I feel something strange… Something's going on, right? I mean, Gavin looked so serious when he asked uncle to show him to his room. It's so sudden. Why would he ask him to lead him to his room when we are still here?"

Luo was quiet and instead of answering Keira, she looked at Noah and said, "I will bring Keira to the balcony."

Noah nodded in reply.

Luo stood up and dragged Keira to the balcony.

"What's going on?" Keira asked.

"There's something you must know. Let's talk on the veranda instead," Luo replied 

Once they were seated, Luo sighed and confessed, "Uncle Damiel is not Gavin's real father. I will make the story short. Don't worry, I won't leave out the important details so listen carefully, okay?"

Keira nodded and then Luo started narrating. Keira was too shocked that her expression would change once in a while. She would cover her mouth with her palm or stare at Luo with her wide eyes… But she suppressed herself from interrupting and instead, she listened to Luo until the latter finished telling her everything.

"Oh my God. Uncle Damiel seems--" she paused as she processed the story that Lou had disclosed to her. She sighed then continued, "Oh I really don't know anymore. I understand the saying that looks can be deceiving too but oh gosh, I feel bad for Gavin. I will talk to my husband about this as soon as I get back home," Keira whispered.

"Yes, Noah and I will coordinate with you in this matter closely. We can't afford any suspicions on Gavin's side," Luo reiterated to which Keira nodded in agreement. It would be much easier since her husband was the Field Marshal. She would have him investigate everything about uncle Damiel.

"They're back… Act natural Keira. Noah will ask them to join us here in the balcony," Luo said smiling while her eyes were cast towards the men. She could see them in the living area from the transparent sliding door.

"Got you," Keira whispered as she took a sip of her wine from the glass she was holding.

The three men soon joined them outside.

"I am a bit muddled right now. I have a lot to take in but as soon as I gather myself, I will pay you guys a visit with Brione," Gavin informed, looking to Keira. Then he turned to Damiel and said, "You too, Father. I will try to see you more often so that it could trigger my past memories. The Doctor said that visiting people and places in my past could help me remember."

"Take your time, Son. We are not in a hurry. Settle yourself first. I am glad that Brione is with you." He chuckled. "Ah… I always knew you only had your eyes on her I'm glad that you two are finally together now but how can it take you forever to say it to her?" 

"I bet it's Brione who initiated it, right?" Keira inserted, a grin plastered on her face. She was trying her best to act normal after what she had found out from Luo. It would be weird if she would just remain quiet and awkward with uncle Damiel. It was not confirmed yet that he had an involvement with that Duncan guy.

Gavin laughed and said, "If Brione will hear you right now… She will cry hahaha! I think it's my heart's instinct to recognize her the moment I first saw her. Honestly, I fell in love with her at first sight even if I didn't have my memory of her back then. I just felt it in my heart. It was as if it was saying that she's the woman I wanted to be with for the rest of my life…"

Keira's face twitched as she complained, "Geez, you're really Gavin! Those cheesy lines are still there!"

Everyone laughed and had a few more moments of great conversation before Keira bid farewell. She brought uncle Damiel with her so that she could drop him at his house.