Drowning

02

A n d r e w

I opened my mouth widely and shove the spoonful of my dinner in my mouth. It was so full I couldn't chew the foods properly and I heard mother chuckled when she saw me despites how she looked so tired. We were only alone in the dining table making me wonder where was father and Jerald, my older half-brother, as I chewed my food in difficulty.

"I told you to take it slow." Mom said as she pulled a napkin from the napkin holder and wiped the side of my mouth.

I just nodded my head as my answer and mom gave me a small smile. I knew she was like that because of dad. They kept on fighting and I also knew that dad had another family before he met mom who was his true mate but dad liked his old family more. He always took Jerald everywhere he goes making me feel jealous. I also want to go with them but they always said that I was still a pup.

I maybe five years old but I could feel that I was different from everyone every time I went out and play with the other pups. Maybe because the way my dad raised me was different from the other dads. He taught me a lot of things including what was right or wrong. He wanted me to become independent despite my age. I did everything so dad would stay with us all the time—with me and Mom but he didn't. I guess my best wasn't enough.

"Where's father and Jerald?" I asked Mom after I swallowed the food I was chewing for so long. I reached for my water and chugged on it.

Jerald lived with us and he occasionally visits his mother in their house just like dad.

"They went out. They won't be back until tomorrow." Mom said and I nodded.

I was already used to it. I was more worried at mom. She hadn't touch her food.

I stood from my chair and grabbed her spoon and scooped her food and raised it for her to eat. "Say ahh." I said and my mom just watched me and then smiled. "Please, mom." I looked at her making her smile wider.

I smiled when Mom gave in and opened her mouth so I could feed her. I watched her chew the food. Mom pulled me in a tight hug and I hugged her back.

"I don't know what to do without you." She said and I hugged her tightly.

"I love you, mom." I said.

"I love you too, my Prince."

I giggled and mom released me.

"Now, let's eat our dinner."

**

"Why won't dad call me pup anymore?" I asked Mom as we laid down on the bed. I like to snuggle close to her whenever dad wouldn't go home and I also didn't want her to feel alone on that huge bed.

"Because you're a grown up now. You can wash the dishes alone and take a bath on your own." Mom said.

"Dad will scold me if I don't."

"I know." She looked at me and tucked a few strands of my hair. "I want you to live like everyone else in your age. You don't have to worry about washing your dish or clean your room or do everything on your own."

"But I like it this way." I wanted to grow up so I could protect mom.

Mom pinched my nose. "Now you sound like an old man and not a five year old pup."

"I am a grown up." But not grown enough to go with dad and Jerald.

Mom nodded her head. "I didn't recall your dad calling you pup."

It made me feel jealous because dad calls Jerald pup even until now. Even I heard my friends being calling pup by their dad's but I recalled dad calling me that name before.

"I remember I heard dad called me a lot with that name when I was still small, you're still carrying me." I said and mom looked at me with an odd face.

"Yes. I remember." Mom said making me smile at her.

**

I didn't know if this ability was a curse or a blessing from the goddess. I could remember every last detail of my life including those memories that I wanted to forget. I remember everything and not just a foggy rewind from the past but a very vivid and clear images that I wanted to knock my head so hard just to stop it from recalling everything.

"Andrew Noel."

I snapped my head from looking outside the window, looking at the ripples of raindrops sliding down the glass window when someone called me. It was Fae, the cashier and she thrust her lips to the last table when a couple just settled at the far seats and looked around for a waiter to give them the menu. I stood straight and walked to the couple. I've seen the man a couple of times here and every time he eats here he always brought different woman with him. A player.

I greeted them before I gave them our menu and mentioned our special menu of the night.

"I will be back in a few minutes." I said to gave them time to choose in the menu and I took my time to wheel the tray with a bucket of champagne in ice. I opened the bottle and poured their wine glasses before the man motioned his hand that he already chosen something to order. I immediately pulled my notepad and clicked my pen, ready to jot down his order.

I was guessing what he was going to order inside my mind because he kept on ordering the same menu. I secretly smiled when he ordered the same menu but he added some dessert. I took the menu after the woman ordered and I wheeled the tray back and went inside the kitchen to prepare the order.

After serving the order, I returned to the kitchen and changed my uniform in a shirt. I stopped at the counter and Fae frowned at me.

"I need to take an under time. Please let someone take my place for tonight." I said.

"Andrew, you can't do that. You can't just take off without noticing the management—"

"I'm in a hurry." I said before I walked back to the kitchen and went out through the back door of the restaurant and walked to where my feet would lead me.

It lead me to my flat and I hurried to where I parked my car and went to a convenient store to buy a few candles and a lighter. I didn't plan on visiting them after two years. I checked my watch and waited for the second hand to strike at the number eight which was the exact date and time when everything fell apart. Everything in me. Everything that I had.

**

I parked in front of the memorial gate and the wall of the gate was just three meters high. I just jumped it up every time I went there in the middle of the night like I was doing right now.

I walked to the graves of my foster parents and their daughter. I didn't brought some flowers for them. I never do but I light them some candles and I laid down on the grass beside their tomb stones and looked at the stars.

I missed them, especially Sofia. I sighed remembering everything. If I could just go back the time.

I stayed there for almost half an hour before I decided to go back. The apartment was so quiet, of course, since I was the only one living there. I kicked my shoes and went to the kitchen to drink water. I looked at the calendar and I couldn't help but smile. It has been two years and I couldn't wait to seen him again.

My beautiful mate.