Stranger by the Tides [BoyxBoy]

Chapter 35: Slice of the Past

"He's your lover?" My eyes were on the male next to Antonio's younger self. He was looking at Antonio rather than at the camera, and those eyes were filled with love.

He nods. "It's a rather sad tale," he took his phone back to view it. "I miss my hair and muscles."

"What happened to him?"

"His parents didn't approve of our love and they forbade us from seeing each other since then," he said. "One day, I found out he was engaged to a suitor whom his father had picked for him. And since then, I never saw him again."

"At all?"

He nods with a thin lip smile. "It was rather difficult to stay in touch as we didn't have the luxury of smartphones like your generations do," he kept his phone aside. "Thus, it is with a heavy heart, I let him go."

"Do you still miss him?"

"Sometimes," he picks up his coffee and stirs it with the teaspoon. "But knowing he's got his life together with a loving family, I'm very happy for him."

"Are you happy here with us?"

"Indubitably," he smiled. "He has his family, and I have mine right here."

"We love having you around too," I said. "Don't you forget that."

"I wouldn't dream of it," he leans back. "The point of unraveling this small piece of history is to let you know that this is normal. In the end, love is still love, regardless of the gender. If you love him, there's nothing to be ashamed of."

"I do," my visions pan down to my plate. The food suddenly looked unappetizing. "I just don't know if he feels the same way."

He scoffs sarcastically. "Let's see," he clears his throat. "He left his home and followed you to Los Angeles, he didn't object to any plans of yours till the poor boy collapse by the streets, he slept with you, and god knows what else you two did. If that isn't love, then I don't know what is."

"Yeah, well, love or not, I doubt this is going to work," I said. "Aiden's finding a hard time getting used to this new life."

"That's on you, I'm afraid," he sips his coffee. "You brought him here after all."

"I know," I exhaled slowly. "Which is why I'm bringing him back to Hawaii. He didn't agree, but he didn't reject either. He's used to that lifestyle, and now, I can't help but feel like you when you let Isaac go."

He taps the mug with his fingers, as he doesn't know what to say.

I'm trying to keep myself from tearing up at the thought of letting Aiden go. I kept blinking and inhaling deep breaths and swallow the lump in my throat. I'm walking around with my bottle full, and God knows when it's going to overflow.

Antonio wanted to say something but halt when the doorbell echoed in the house. We walked to the security cameras to see Lydia, accompanied by a woman. We opened the gates, and they sped walk towards us.

"Miss Lydia, why the surprising visit?" Antonio said. "Who might this be?"

I kept my eyes on the woman the entire time, and I swore I saw her somewhere. I just can't put my finger on it.

"Guys," she rests her palms on her knees to catch her breath. "This is Angela Austin, and she has reasons to believe Aiden's in trouble."

"What do you mean?" I pan towards Angela.

"Remember me?" She waved at me.

"You look really familiar I just can't recall," I responded. It's on the tip of my tongue but somehow, I couldn't get it.

"I was the doctor who helped you when Aiden collapse," she said.

And that's when it all came to me. I finally recognized her appearance. But rather than getting excited, I got scared.

"Yes!" I snap my finger. She looked younger than I remembered. She had long brown hair with eyes to match. She wore black jeans, and a loose ombre pink and blue blouse, pairing with an emerald necklace and earrings. "Now I remember you, but why are you here?"

"Corey," Lydia hands me her phone. I took it to see a paused video.

"What's this?" I asked.

"Aiden's little incident is going around social media," Angela said. "This Facebook post has over a hundred fifty thousand shares, and millions of views."

I hit play and saw the video of Aiden and I where he collapsed by the traffic light. I recall many people recording us and it's now on social media. At this rate, chances of keeping Aiden's identity a secret are thin as a thread.

"Do you think the foster care is aware of this?" I'm starting to panic because things are getting worse by the day.

"Not yet," Angela said. My eyes shifted towards her. "But not for long."

"Why do you say that?" Antonio asked.

"I'm the housekeeper to his foster system," my knees felt shaky.

"Are you here to take him back?!" I stepped into her personal space and glared straight into her eyes. She remained calm. "I won't let you."

"Aiden, chill," Lydia shot her arm in between us and Antonio kept his hands on my shoulders, dragging me a few steps back. "Tell them."

"I'm not here to take him back," she starts. "Trust me, I want nothing more than for him to be safe. Hence, I'm here to help."