20. XANDER
Chapter 20
XANDER
A s the flames crackled and danced before us, I watched Lucas eagerly roast his marshmallow, his face lit up with excitement. The scene evoked memories of my own childhood, a time vastly different from the joyful camaraderie I was experiencing now.
“I never got to go camping as a kid,” I admitted, feeling a pang of sadness. “Or do anything like this with my dad.”
Lucas looked at me with wide eyes, seemingly processing my words. After a moment, he scooted closer and leaned against me, offering silent comfort. It was a simple gesture, but it meant the world to me.
“Don’t worry, Uncle Xander. We’re almost just the same because my dad doesn’t do things with me either.”
I ruffled his hair and smiled. “You’re one brave boy, Lucas. Your mom is lucky to have you.”
He grinned and then blew his marshmallow before taking a big bite. “Yum! This is sooo good!”
The teachers led the kids to sing a campfire song, and Lucas joined in delightfully. It was refreshing to watch him, and it made me feel like I was reliving a better childhood. It also felt good to know that I was contributing to the happiness of this kid’s growing-up days.
I checked my phone then and stared at the exchange I’d had with Lyca. So far, it’s been all facts. It was as if I were reporting to my boss. Funny, ‘coz I’m supposed to be her boss in the workplace.
I began to type another update and then erased it. What should I say? Will it seem like I’m too eager to chat with her?
Hey, Lyca. How are you? Lucas and I are having a lot of fun roasting mallows…
She replied at once, making me sit up and focus on my phone.
That’s nice. Tell him I miss him. That was her reply.
I glanced at Lucas, but he was still engrossed in the song, imitating the actions that the teacher in front was doing.
I began to type a reply, not intending to send it. It just suddenly came out, straight from my heart. I miss you…
As I stared at it, memories flooded my mind, reminiscing about the moments I had shared with Lyca. They were actually some of the best and happiest ones I possessed. I’ve tried to date other women again, but it wasn’t the same. My interest waned, and my thoughts inevitably drifted back to Lyca.
All of a sudden, the kids yelled something as they stomped their feet and then raised their hands in the air. I was startled, and I almost dropped my phone. When I brought it up again to my face, a feeling of dread came over me.
Shit, the message got sent.
I stood up and moved back from the group, keeping my eyes on Lucas the entire time. I began to fidget as I waited for the reply. There was none, although there was an indication that she had read it already. Fuck, what’s she thinking now?
An hour passed and it was finally time to sleep. Lucas and I crawled into our tent.
“Good night, Uncle Xander,” he said in a sleepy voice, along with a yawn. “I’m glad you came with me.”
That made me smile. We had really bonded today, and both of us had a lot of fun. I was happy that Lucas didn’t seem to mind that he wasn’t with his real dad, unlike some of his classmates.
I lay on my back, staring at the darkness and barely hearing the whispers of the others from outside our tent. I grabbed my phone, making a decision to send another message to Lyca.
We’re about to sleep in the tent now. Good night, Lyca.
To my surprise, she replied after a few seconds. Good night, Xander and Lucas. Tell him I’ll call tomorrow, okay?
He’s already asleep, but I’ll let him know in the morning.
Okay. Bye.
The next morning, after breakfast, Lyca called my phone. I didn’t bother answering it myself, but simply handed it over to her son. After all, she probably had nothing to say to me. And I would see her later when I brought Lucas to her apartment.
That afternoon, I was glad to know that Lyca was once again staying next door to my apartment. The moment I saw her at the door, glowing with radiant beauty, I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
“Mommy!” Lucas exclaimed, running to give her a hug.
“Hello, Lucas! I’ve missed you so much!” she said, showering him with kisses. After they chatted for a bit, she asked him to bring his things inside first. That’s when she turned to me with a smile. “Thanks for everything, Xander.”
What did she mean by everything?
“Uh, sure, no worries.”
“So how was he? I hope he was well-behaved.”
“Oh, yeah, definitely. He was no trouble at all. It was really fun, and I’d gladly do it again for Lucas… and for you.”
Her expression betrayed astonishment at my words, yet she chose to let it slide.
“Thanks so much again. I’m glad he didn’t get homesick.”
“Perhaps he’s becoming a big boy now. But he really did keep talking about you. I think he missed you.”
Mentioning that, without meaning to, made me recall the chat message I’d sent to her by mistake. And by the look on her face, she was apparently thinking about it too.
“So, uh, I’m hoping we can hang out again soon. Maybe bring Lucas to the park?” I suggested. I was actually just looking for an excuse to see her again.
“Uhm…” she hesitated.
But once again, her son came to my rescue. He’d overheard me. “Yes, Mom! Let’s do it!”
Lyca couldn’t say no. “Okay, but let me check my schedule first, sweetheart. And Uncle Xander’s a busy man too, so he has to check his availability.”
“Well, how about tomorrow?” I asked, eager to spend time with them again.
“Yes, I don’t have school tomorrow,” Lucas answered. “Let’s go biking too. And I’ll show you how I can cross the monkey bars now!”
“Okay, buddy.” I looked at Lyca expectantly, and she seemed to be caught on the spot. “Uh, sure,” she replied.
I would have liked to linger a little longer, but I had a photo shoot scheduled with my father for a sports magazine. I explained it to Lyca and said goodbye.
“Sure, no worries. Say hi to Mr. Steele for me.”
“Yeah, I will.”
That evening, we had our photos taken in front of the yacht my dad had just given me. We also did a photo shoot at our very own racetrack, both of us dressed in racing attires.
“Wow, just check out the resemblance,” one of the photographers noted as he reviewed the shots.
“Just as handsome as his old man, huh?” Dad said jokingly.
“Yes, sir! Definitely!” the photographer responded, to which we both chuckled.
After the shoot, Dad put a friendly arm around me. “Want to enjoy a drink with me first, son? Just one. You know, we haven’t really had the chance to talk one-on-one.”
“Ahh… okay.”
He brought me to this rustic-looking sports bar and pointed out the corner booth where he used to sit with his friends during his younger days, back when he was still actively racing.
“Those were the days,” he said, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
We settled into a booth, and my dad ordered our drinks. As we sat there, sipping our beers, he began to reminisce about his younger days, sharing stories I'd never heard before. It was strange to see this side of him. The side that he wasn't just my dad but a person with his own past, his own dreams, and his own adventures.
After a while, the conversation turned to me. My dad asked about work, about how I was finding managing the racing team. I could see the genuine pride in his eyes as I talked about the team's progress, the challenges we'd overcome, and the victories we'd achieved.
“I'm proud of you, son,” he said, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “You've come a long way, and you're doing a great job.”
“Thanks for believing in me.”
“Of course. You actually reminded me of myself when I was your age. People often misunderstand you or they just don’t get you, but I see your true value and potential.”
“Thank you. I hope that Aunt Barbara can appreciate me too someday.” That was a slip of the tongue. I took a huge gulp of my beer.
“Oh, yeah,” Dad said, looking quite ashamed and a little awkward. “Sorry about that, son. You have to understand it’s difficult for her to accept the fact that I have another child outside of our marriage, even though you came first. And it’s even harder for her to absorb and embrace this new bond that I’m trying to form with you.”
“Maybe she feels I’m also trying to steal her place in the company.”
“Well, technically, she's still a board member with shares under her own name. But you’re the heir to my shares, the major ones. I founded this company, and it belongs only to you. Besides, my daughter doesn’t want to have anything to do with it.”
“Ah, yeah, Julia. How is she?” I suddenly remembered the incident on the yacht.
“She’s okay,” Dad said. “And I’m glad that she seems to be more open now to you being part of the family.”
“She said that?” I asked, surprised.
“Yes. She’s looking forward to dinner with you again. Maybe you should come by soon.”
“Alright.”
“Don’t worry about Barbara. She’ll warm up to you soon.”
“Yeah, I hope so.”