CHAPTER 11

JAMES POV
I first went to the hospital after I left the company. To see and check out my brother's conditions. It's too early for the party, two hours more before it will start. I can go after or maybe I just won't go.
I went to my brother's doctor to ask for an update on his condition. He still did not wake up. And he told me about his condition and a lot more.
I went to him immediately after I talked to the Dr. His condition is really pathetic. His two legs are hanging on and the arms and shoulders are all wrapped around with bandages as well. As well as his head. My eyes watered. While looking at him I couldn't help it, as I clenched my fist.
''What really happened bro, why are you driving drunk? And why are you getting drunk? You never drive when you are drunk. You always call the driver after you drink, when you're drunk already. Do you have a problem? And what is your problem? Is that really big for you to kill your self huh? Look at yourself now? You look so miserable! I didn't even want to be home this way. And this is how we will meet. Wake up bro, you're making us worried. I don't want to see you like that. So wake up, get your ass up now! I command you a****le!"
I didn't notice my tears dripping as I talked to him. Because of his compassionate situation. I clasped my hands.
I also went out after I talked to him. I can't stay here long in the ICU. Because visiting time is limited.
From there, I went to my pad. To relax. I really feel so tired, exhausting. My brother's appearance still lingers in my mind. Really pathetic. My fist tightened and clenched.
It's been a long, long time since I got home to my pad. Five years to be exact. I heaved a deep sigh. As I enter to get in. The furniture, the things inside, are still in the same place. Nothing has changed. I immediately put my clutch bag on the couch.
And go straight to the bar counter, and take my expensive wine. I immediately poured the wine glass. And quickly sip a little. I took a deep breath while sitting on the couch. I leaned my head on the headrest of the sofa. While my two arms are bent here on both sides.
Then I close my eyes. An image came. 'Sh*t' I suddenly blushed. It's just like what happened yesterday. And suddenly I felt warm again.
I just sipped the remaining wine in the glass and entered my room. I badly need a cold shower.
I only wear boxer shorts and lay on my bed. My hands under my head. And I'm looking at the ceiling. Until I fall asleep.
I just woke up from the sound of my phone. 
It's Mike calling...
"Hello" my voice is full of irritation when I pick his call.
"Hey Kuya where are you? I've been waiting for you here! It sounds like you're just awake huh." He said in the other line.
"Oh" it's already nine in the evening. As I see the time in my phone. 
"You need to be here now, Your parents are already here. Kuya you have to come to see this." He added. Then he ended the call.
"See what?" I frowned at what he said. I can no longer ask him again. I got up and got dressed. Carrying my wallet and customs key, I left my unit.
I immediately went inside Mike's house when I arrived. The party is in the pool area. I caught up with Mike and my parents in the living room too. All eyes at me. I just smiled at them and greeted them.
"What do I have to see Mike?" I immediately asked him.
But before he answers my question he smiles and looks at my back. I was about to look at who's on my back too but I heard him speak.
"Hi Sha and Shawn you come here first, I'd like you to meet my family." 
'Shawn?' My forehead furrowed, the name I heard at the coffee shop. So he's also here, and this cousin of mine wants to introduce us huh. Did I get annoyed again?
But the frown gradually faded when I saw the woman standing next to my cousin. I was stunned, she looks so beautiful and so sexy. No, she looks so gorgeous. My heart is beating so fast again. It's like there is something chasing inside.
My jaw and my mouth dropped open when I saw the child she was holding. I stared at his face, at his nose, at his lips, at his eyes. It was as if I was reflecting on what I saw. It's like I saw my childhood on him. Suddenly I felt something had touched my heart. That I do not understand. The strength of its pulse. He just stared at me too. And like me he also looked at my face carefully. We stared at each other's faces.
"Guys I'd like you to meet my friend Shareeka, she's working also at the SCC. We're in the same department. And this little guy here, Shawn, her son. A very possessive and overprotective son to her mom. I was sampled already". I just heard Mike say that and laughed. 
'Her son?' I was shocked as I thought.
But I did not listen to what he was saying. My eyes are still on the child named Shawn only. I really feel different about this kid. A strange feeling that I could not understand, I could not explain why I felt this to him. The feeling that I want to hug him, I want to feel his tiny body in my arms. I want to kiss him too, and I want to carry him.
"Hello, good evening." I just heard her shy voice. Very pleasant to hear.
"Hello little boy, how are you doing?" I heard them say to the child.
"I'm good, thank you." The child answered politely even though he was obviously ashamed like his mom, and I saw it.
Later on, we were all surprised when he suddenly speaked. "Mama, why does he really look like me?" As he said and pointed at me and at himself.
His mother was also obviously shocked. She cleared her throat before she spoke. "Really son? I didn't notice that. Hmm yeah right?" She smiled and it was obviously just a lie. I still can't believe she didn't notice it.
"Hmm, I don't know either. Why is that? Ammm maybe it's really like that. Sometimes there are people who really look alike. EVEN THEY ARE NOT RELATED TO EACH OTHER. Sometimes the others seem to be identical twins. But it's a rare case son.`` She added.
'Is that so?' I said in my mind. 
"Is that so mama?" The boy said to her. She nodded and smiled sweetly to him.
"Maybe you look like your father Shawn, what's his name by the way and where is he? Why is he not coming with you here?" I heard my dad ask the kid.
"I'm Sorry Sir, my father can't be with us, cause he's not with us. And we don't know where he is. And we don't even know him. My mama only knows his name. We don't know his whereabouts." I was so shocked at what the kid said. And I heard them sighed.
"What is his name?" I couldn't help but ask his mother. 
"His name is Arch Sir, that's what only my mama knows. And that's why mama named me after him, my name is Shawn Arch Alcantara." But the kid who answered me while smiling at me. 'Oh' It looks like another warm hand caressed my heart when he smiled at me.
"ARCH!?" My parents, everyone here said together in shock, the shock in their faces was so obvious. And their eyes are all at me. I was surprised too. But my eyes were pinned on him.
He nodded and smiled again "How old are you buddy?" I asked him again. 
"I'm five years old Sir." The kid said.
"Oh My" I heard her mother gasp and cover her mouth. I frowned as I looked at her.
"Mama," I heard her son call her. "Let's go home and I'm already tired and you still have work tomorrow. So you should take a rest now too." He really cares for her. I remember I was also like that to my mom, when I was a kid like him.
"Ohhh how sweet of you Shawn." And I heard my mom. "I remember James was just like that." My mom said, "You were also sweet to me when you were at that age." As mom continued while looking at me. "Right hon?" She smiled and seemed to be crying, she said to dad.
"We're leaving, Mike, thank you. Happy birthday again. Nice meeting you all." Then she stood.
"We will let the driver send you home." My aunt offered her a driver. "Oh, don't be shy anymore." Aunt said again, she maybe wants to refuse Mike's mom's offer.
"Yes hija, you will have a hard time getting a taxi from here." My mom convinced her.
"Mike send them to our driver"
"I'll just take them auntie. I'll go home and I'll take them with me." She turned to me. Obviously shocked, even I was surprised by what I said.
"Thank you sir but no need to, we're fine the driver was here." She tried to refuse again. But my mom convinced her again.
"Oh! Don't be a shy hija." My mom said to her,