Echoes of Love and Deception

Chapter 4 - A Student-Teacher Meeting

"I love you." the face of the man he met yesterday appeared, but it was a younger him clouded in a spun of memories.

"I love you so much much." he heard himself say and kissed the guy tenderly

He stared at him deeply, "After graduating... what if I join your family in cultivating your farm?" he asked, making the young Alder almost coughed.

"You will?!" he was surprised by his sudden words.

The young Khalid hugged him tight then kissed his forehead, "I want us to get married immediately...why? Are you planning on leaving me?"

Alder hugged him tighter, "I know you can live without me but I can never live without you! Remember that!"

It was just one of those memories that he wanted to bury. Now that he remembered again, he could smile at how silly and carefree they were.

Alder snapped back when his shirt was tugged. He saw the little guy below him, puffed cheeks and deep eyes staring directly at him.

How can his son be this handsome?

"Dad, we'll be late." He reminded his father calmly.

"Okay, okay. Are you sure my outfit is good to go?" He checked once again on the mirror. He was wearing a plain T-shirt and pants.

Dion nodded, "You can wipe all the handsome men with that outfit."

Alder just smiled at his son's statement, Dion was getting impatient.

After leaving their apartment they walked towards the nearest stop.

"Why do you want to be early in the meeting? I thought you weren't interested in meeting your friend's parents?"

Today was the student-teacher meeting that Dion reminded him of the other day.

Dion was hopping as if he was joyful but his face never broke an expression. He's like a grown old man in the body of a kid, at least that's what his Auntie and Uncles were saying.

"I am not interested but you will be there, I need to show them how handsome and amazing my father is," Dion stated

But Alder stopped upon hearing those words.

His heart just exploded!

"You little!!" He then pulled his son for a tight embrace, nuzzling his cheeks on Dion's cheeks.

"You really know how to make your Dad blush n." He showered him with kisses because he was being too cute!

Dion pushed him weakly, "Dad... It's embarrassing."

"Embarrassing? I do this often!"

"But I'm already 8 years old." He pouted

Alder laughed. His son can be cold-hearted sometimes but he will never forget to give love to his father in a subtle way.

The school Dion was currently attending was also the School Alder attended in the past so he will surely meet his classmates and friends in the past.

But before that, all students, parents, and faculty will gather for an opening ceremony to listen to the principal talk and some thank you messages.

Alder and Dion has just arrived when someone called.

"Alder!" It was Marie with his daughter in hand.

"Morning my friend," she greeted then turned to Dion, "Hi Dion, handsome as always. You really have a bright future ahead."

" Hi Auntie, Hi Maria." Dion politely greeted.

The kid named Maria waved, "Hi Dion." she was just 2 year younger than Dion.

"You really conclude someone's future base on appearance Marie." Adler stated

The chubby lady laughed, "Of course! I concluded some of our classmates future in the past, look at them now. Those air conditioned, smooth-skinned classmates that we have were professionals while those who are the opposite can only bit their thumb in regrets and misery."

"That's a complete discrimination Lady." Alder spoke

Marie slapped his back, "Well, we don't care. We have our own lives and some cute little minions---I mean children." she laughed again

Alder can only shook his head, Marie was his best friend since Junior High School so this is really just the way she is.

"Wait, isn't that..." Two mother was also on their way when they spotted Alder.

"Is that really you Alder?" They both wearing suits, giving the feels of they'll leave after the student-teacher meeting since they are looking busy.

It was Marie who recognized them, "Oh isn't that the two fairies who became bitches---I mean witches." She filtered it immediately knowing they had children around.

"Oh, isn't this Marie. How have you been? Never thought I would see you in a fluffy squash cosplay." One of the woman spoke

It was obvious that they never had a harmonious relationship in the past.

"Yeah, atleast I tried. How about you? Enjoying the appearance of big disgusting snakes---" she stopped when Alder eyed her to stop.

They ignored Marie and turned to Alder, their smile revealing an unpleasant plasticity, "We've been away in town for a while, how have you been?"

Alder just smiled, "Its fine."

" I heard you really did gave birth." they spoke this statement in a louder voice and went directly with the question.

Alder twitched, "I---"

"You said back then, it was a family gene--thingy, right? I think it must be possible then, the world is a mystery after all." they both stared at each other and amused themselves

"But for a guy to give birth---"

"That is so strange." they both giggled

Marie interrupted, "Okay enough you two before I pump your face on the toilet again, you missed that feeling right?"

Hearing it, both of them seemed to have remembered something and made a glare to Marie.

"Excuse me."

But they all stopped when a small voice spoke, they turned just to see it was Dion.

With his usual expressionless face he spoke, "You're too loud and is blocking our way, can Aunties move away?"

"..... "

Both of them were speechless but couldn't make a move to retort since the child is too handsome and is too cool when he said that!

And with that , they finally moved without a word.

"Dion! You don't only have a bright future ahead but a very thrilling and breathtaking path for those who step down on the weak! A heroic journey!" Marie declared

Alder laughed as Dion nodded without understanding his Auntie Marie's words, "But I didn't expect them to come. For the previous years, they only sent their nannies for this kind of meeting." he said

"Yeah, but its not only them. Several of our schoolmates who didn't appeared for any meetings are here today!" Marie said as she scanned the area

Alder agreed, it's a peculiar sight and on their way, they met a lot of their old acquaintance. Some were good talks and some eyed Alder, there are also who tried to open some sensitive topics.

"What happened between you and Kha---"

Marie coughed loudly enough to stop sudden interrogation, "I'm so thirsty, please excuse us for a minute."

They soon evaded every single approach from an unfriendly acquaintance who just wanted to entertain themselves by Alder's life and condition.

Alder possess an issue that everyone want to talk about after all.

Soon, the ceremony started with the national song and theme. Followed by welcoming and speeches. Only when the principal was finished did the main agenda arrived.

"The school has been producing a lot of alumni but there are those chosen ones who never forgets, today we have a wonderful visitor all the way from Europe to give us support and encouragement for our daily challenge...let us welcome Mr. Khalid Hendel!"

Alder was surprised even Marie's eyes widened then abruptly turned to Alder.

"Why is that man here?!"