Brother After Dark

Chapter Sixty-Four

Zach.

I never thought I would see that face again—except in business magazines and the news. The last time I saw him, I was on my knees—begging him to save the love of my life—his own daughter’s life.

Ewan is wearing his usual formal attire as if he came into this bar for business. I’m guessing that his business has something to do with me since his eyes quickly darted in my direction like he’s been waiting for me.

I glanced at Ben with my eyebrows creased. “What the fuck is this?” I growled, surprised to see the devil just a few meters away from us.

Ben fidgeted in his seat, and he can’t even look straight at me.

Was Ewan Gibson the guy who wanted to meet with me?

To think that Ben would conspire with him to arrange this meeting?

Traitor!

I clenched my fist, feeling a bit irritated about the situation. I have spent the last year trying to forget Blaire in every possible way—trying to fill the void that she has left in my heart even if it’s impossible to do so. Forgetting her is like trying to forget who I am… it is an agonizing feat. That’s why Ewan Gibson is the last person that I want to see right now. He is the main reason why I have to undergo this unbearable torture.

“W-Well, I believe you had a lot of things to say to him earlier…” Ben mumbled nervously.

I cleared my throat and blew a frustrated breath. “You didn’t strike me as someone who would set me up,” I fired back.

“Come on, man. Just give it a whirl. This is your chance to talk to him properly—without any pressures and conditions,” Ben said, smiling. He tapped my shoulder before walking away to give me and Ewan some space to talk.

Ewan Gibson took that as a cue to walk toward me. He casually sat on the seat adjacent to me as if he was the one who reserved it—who knows, maybe he did.

Ewan rested his arms on the table while fixing his gaze on me. “It’s been a while, Zach Reed,” he greeted in his business-like voice.

I let out a sign of frustration. “I think we should stop the pleasantries and just go straight to the point... what do you need from, Mr. Gibson?” I asked in a serious voice. “Surely you didn’t come here to catch up?”

He clicked his tongue. “Aren’t you being too impatient?”

“And aren’t you being too unreasonable?” I bellowed.

“I left Blaire just like what you wanted. I didn’t regret that decision because I would do anything to save her—even if it meant breaking myself beyond repair…” I paused to clear the lump in my throat. “She meant the world to me and I was thankful that you helped her by donating your blood. Now that we’re here in this situation, I was expecting that you would at least leave me alone in my misery while you fulfil your duty as her father.”

I can see a trace of sadness and regret in Ewan’s eyes as he listened to me. I didn’t care if he felt sad at all—it was nothing compared to the agony that I felt for the past months of trying to forget Blaire.

“I don’t know why you are here. The moment you asked me to stay away from Blaire was the moment I lost everything. I don’t have anything to give you anymore,” I said brokenly. "I'm... maxed out, man!"

Finally, he sighed. Then he looked back at me grimly. “I admit that I acted out of selfishness when I asked you to stay away from my daughter…” Ewan looked guilty as he clenched his fist on the table. “I was thinking of only of my reputation more than Blaire’s feelings. I didn’t consider if my decision would hurt her, too.”

Ewan looked down, his expression screamed regret and shame. Gone was the proud, arrogant businessman that I met last time. All I see now is a broken man—a father, who wanted to make up for the years he wasn't there for his daughter.

I never thought that a day will come when I get to see this vulnerable side of him.

“The past months have taught me one thing—that is... how much I love my daughter.” This time, his voice sounded firmer.

“I apologize for my past mistake. This time, I want to make things right. I want my daughter to be happy. And in the past months, I've given her everything I could possibly give. But I know that it's not enough." He heaved a heavy sigh. "Because the one thing who can complete her happiness... is you, Zach.”

My eyebrows furrowed while I grit my teeth in anger. “Do you think this is a game, Mr. Gibson?” I snapped. “A year has passed since Blaire, and I parted ways. She’s finally pursuing her dream as a designer and I’m glad that she’s doing great in her career. I’ve also spent the last couple of months trying to forget the accident and how it killed our baby. “

I took a deep breath while gathering the courage to keep talking. “Our baby died, and Blaire almost died as well! It almost killed me too. Now that I am finally starting to move on, with just a little bit of difficulty, and able to get by life and start over again, you suddenly come back to disrupt our lives again!” I roared in fury.

Ewan Gibson remained calm even while I lash out at him. He maintained his composure—like a father listening to his child’s rants.

“I know that nothing I say now will ever undo the past. I am not a good father—I failed to protect my daughter for the past years that she needed me. Heck, I didn’t even know that I have a child!” he said, sadness evident in his voice.

I wanted to blame him for everything—why I was suffering now and why Blaire suffered in the past. But he was right, nothing we say now will ever change anything. Besides, I am still grateful for his generosity in donating his blood when Blaire was battling for her life. If it weren’t for Ewan, I don't know what could have happened to her.

“When I did learn that I have a daughter… I prioritized my reputation more than her happiness. I failed to fulfill my duty as her father for the past years and when I was given the chance to do it, I chose to be selfish.” Ewan took a deep breath like he was trying to compose himself as he talks. “I don’t deserve to be her father. But even if that’s the case, I am still grateful to have her as my daughter.”

A rogue tear escaped my eyes, but I quickly brushed it off my face. I don’t know if he noticed that, and I didn’t care. Right now, my emotions are a haywire. I feel bad for Blaire—she deserved all the good things in this world. She doesn’t deserve to have an uncompassionate mother, a hateful stepfather, a selfish biological father, and a jerk boyfriend. But even after being surrounded by people like us; the love within her never ceased.

“Blaire is doing great in her life now. I wasn't sure if going back to her life was a good idea. I admit that I also caused her a lot of pain and I can’t bear to make her suffer again,” I muttered in a weak voice.

“Blaire shows a façade of happiness and contentment but if you’ll look closely, you’ll notice how the life in her eyes has faded. Though she lives, she is lifeless. Blaire still cries at night; mourning over the life that she has lost after the accident,” Ewan replied in a dejected tone. “My only wish is to make Blaire happy. If it meant that the two of you should be together, then I will give my blessing.”

“What about the media that you are so concerned about? Aren’t you worried about them?” I retorted.

“Fuck the media. They can all write the story that they want. The only story that matters to me now is my daughter’s happiness that can only be achieved with you,” he declared bravely.

Ewan Gibson was not the same ruthless businessman as before. He's a doting and loving father now. I'm glad that Blaire has someone reliable to lean on now.

He stood up when I didn’t respond. He whipped a card out of his pocket and put it on the table. “You don’t have to answer now. Think about it carefully and contact me when you’re ready.”

He was long gone, but I still sat there, just staring blankly at the calling card he handed me.

“Am I smelling part two of what could be the most epic love story of the decade?” Ben chaffed.

I gave him an incredulous look. “You know that I barely made it out of that breakup alive.”

“Why? Did you really think you were living at all after that?” he teased.

I shook my head and ignored him. My mind drifted back to the memory of the last time I saw Blaire. She was in a hospital bed; unconscious.

I wanted to gather her in my arms, I wanted to kiss her senseless. But I couldn't. I could only pray that she makes it out alive. And when she finally opened her eyes, I couldn't show myself to her. Not even to say goodbye. Because I promised her father that I will disappear from her life.

It was the most painful day of my life.

I wonder if things would be different had I chosen to defy her father’s wish and stuck with her instead.

Maybe we’ll be happier—we wouldn’t need to suffer like this. I would cuddle with her every day and kiss her lips all night. But it was too late for that now...

Or...

Is it?

Do I really deserve to get a second chance at this?

With a shaking hand, I grabbed Ewan’s calling card before standing up.

“What are you going to do now, dude?” Ben asked.

“I have made my decision…”