Love Begets Love

A”N: Thank you, tdorian, Yagami Raito, and once again Surrealtraversity for the reviews! Yeah, I am updating fast because the story keeps running on my head! I just can’t stop writing, especially now that I’m not yet busy. And to yagami Raito, thanks for your suggestion. I will keep that in mind. I hope this next chapter is better.
Enjoy! Even though there are still lots of angst ahead. hehehe. Cruel me. But the events have to happen so forgive me.

Jeremy woke up to find himself in bed. Cleo was sitting on the couch sleeping. He looked at his surroundings and tried to remember what happened earlier.

“Cleo…” Jeremy called and Cleo immediately woke up and went to his side.

“H- How are you feeling?” Cleo asked full of concern.

“T-tell me it isn’t true. Please tell me I was just dreaming! Cleo, please!” Jeremy wanted to believe that what his grandfather said was just his imagination.

Cleo was not able to respond. He just hugged his ward.

“No! My dad is alive! He’s not dead! He’s coming to get me! Grandpa is lying! He will arrive soon! He promised he will pick me up! He promised!” Jeremy cried in Cleo’s arms.

“I-I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry about your dad. I don’t want to give you false hopes, Jeremy. How I wish I could. B- but, no one was reported to have survived the plane crash. The rescuers did all they could. Your dad’s body has not been found, but there could be no possibility that he could have survived the crash. I’m so sorry.”

“No! It’s not true! My dad is still alive! Grandpa will not stop looking for him!”

“Grandpa did all he could, my son. He sent for rescuers, but they all told him they could not find anything at all.”

“No. Daddy… He promised he will not leave me! He promised he will be here for me! Cleo, I don’t want him gone! I want my dad! I want my dad!” Jeremy was thrashing and crying so hard.

Cleo is already crying. This is the first time for so long that he ever cried. He is crying for the loss of his friend. But more, he is grieving for his ward. He knew how Jeremy loves his father. Father and son were so close. Jeremy is still very young. He was not able to know his mother. And now this. The kid does not deserve all the pain.

Cleo allowed his ward to weep. He just stayed on Jeremy’s side while the youngster cried. He knew that no amount of words can comfort his ward right now. He heard Jeremy’s phone ringing. But his young ward did not care to answer it.

“Jeremy, its Charles.” He gave the phone to Jeremy. But his young ward would not accept his phone.

“I don’t want to talk to him.” Jeremy replied.

“But he has been calling you for quite some time. Maybe he already learned about the news. And he only wants to comfort you. Please, Jeremy, talk to him. It would help you feel better.”

Jeremy reached for his phone.

“Jeremy, angel, I’m so sorry…” Jeremy could tell that Charles is so worried of him. “If only I could go there right now. If only I could see you.”

“Charles…” Jeremy was trying to control his tears but it would not stop from falling. He wanted Charles to be with him. To comfort him.

“Angel, please be strong. For your dad, for me, and for our baby. We can get through this. I promise. If only I could take the pain away, I will do it, no matter what it takes. Please, angel, I love you so much, don’t ever think that you are alone. You still have me, and our baby, and Cleo. We are here for you.” Charles did everything he could to comfort Jeremy.

Cleo let the two talk for some time. Jeremy at least, found some comfort in Charles. Charles talked about everything. About their future. Anything, just anything to keep Jeremy’s spirits up.

Due to exhaustion, Jeremy fell asleep with the phone in his ears. Cleo took the phone and was surprised to know that Charles is still on the line. Charles really do love his ward. No question with that. And Cleo trusted Charles more than any other to take care of Jeremy now that Gregory is gone.

“Please take good care of Jeremy. I beg you, Cleo, don’t ever leave his side. I will figure something out. Tell me everything. Anything that you learn in the house concerning Jeremy.” Charles begged.

“You don’t have to repeat that to me. Jeremy is like a son to me. And I would never leave his side. I promised Gregory I will take good care of his son. But we have to figure something out. We can’t risk letting Rufus know about Jeremy’s condition. If ever he finds out that his grandson is pregnant with your baby, I am sure as hell that he will do anything to get rid of your baby.”

“He would not dare hurt Jeremy or my baby! Or I swear I will kill him, Cleo. I swear I will!” There is conviction in Charles’ words.

“There is only one way we can solve this problem, Charles.”

“I am listening, Cleo.”

“Take Jeremy far away from here. His grandfather would never let him marry you. He is just seventeen years old. Which means, that since his parents are already dead, his grandfather will be his guardian. And if he does, he will have reasons to do anything he pleases. He will have every right to abort the child. And worse, he can give Jeremy away in marriage.”

“He wouldn’t dare! Jeremy is mine! He loves me and I love him!”

“I will help you. Everything won’t be easy. You know how powerful Rufus is. So we have to plan every single detail. We also have to let Jeremy grieve for his father’s loss.”

“I know. I know. Give me a week to do it. In the mean time, do everything to prevent Rufus from knowing of Jeremy’s condition.”

“I will. Be careful.”

“Thank you.” Charles replied before hanging up.

Cleo looked at his sleeping ward and caressed his hair. “ I swear on your father’s grave, I will do everything to protect you from anyone who will try to harm you. Even if that person is your grandfather.”

It has been three days since his father’s death. Jeremy was called to his grandfather’s study. When he arrived, he saw his grandfather’s lawyer, and Gael inside. Jeremy sat on the chair near his grandfather’s table. Cleo stood at his back.

“Jeremy, your father is dead. And whether we like it or not, we have to continue living.” His grandfather spoke, as if nothing happened. “I grieved over his death, he is also my son. But we have to do business now. To settle everything.”

Jeremy tried to control his tears. How could his grandfather be so heartless? It’s just three days! Why should he just let him grieve for his father for some time?! He does not care a thing about the money or inheritance his father left! He just wants to be left alone!

“Since your father is gone, and you are still too young to manage what he left, I will take over all the properties as your guardian. And from now on, Gregory, being my son, I am going to be your guardian. I will decide for your sake until you reach the age of 21.”

Guardian?! His grandfather will be his guardian?! It could not be. His heartless, arrogant, grandfather could not be his guardian! All of a sudden, he was having a hard time breathing.

He tried to stand and say something. But when he did, the surroundings around him went spinning. That was the last time he remembered before he blacked out.

Jeremy felt very weak when he woke up. He heard voices around him and felt somebody checking on him. He felt hands on his bare stomach but he was so tired to resist. Then he felt the hands were removed and his shirt was pulled down.

The doctor left the room and was greeted immediately by Rufus.

“How is my grandson? With all the stress he went through with the sudden death of his father…”

“There is nothing to worry about.” The doctor smiled at Rufus, and upon seeing this, Rufus’ brows furrowed. “He is expecting. You never told me your grandson has married.” The doctor added. “Who is the lucky husband?”

Expecting?! Husband?! His grandson could not be pregnant! All hell broke lose upon hearing this. Rufus immediately grabbed the doctor on his collar.

“Are you telling me that my grandson is pregnant?!” He shouted.

“Y- yes… S- sir Rufus…”

“How could that happen?! Are you sure?!”

“Y- yes. I could never be this certain. I did all the tests. He- he is pregnant.” The doctor answered with fear. Everybody is afraid of Rufus William.

“Say nothing about this to anyone or you will be sorry!”

“Y- yes... I swear!” The doctor answered before he was finally released.

“Get out!”

The doctor hurriedly left. Gael and Rufus was so surprised to hear the news. Rufus immediately went inside the room. He saw Jeremy shaking with fear and clinging to Cleo.

“Get out, Cleo! Now! I want a word with my grandson!” Rufus ordered.

“I’m sorry, but you have to kill me first before I leave his side.” Cleo replied. He would never leave Jeremy with his furious grandfather.

“So you knew! You knew and you hid it from me!” Rufus shouted. “Who is the father! Who is the father of that bastard child!”

Jeremy was crying. Cleo is not saying a word.

“Charles Montgomery.” Rufus heard Gael speak for the first time. Gael was smiling. “So my little cousin really gave himself to that son of a bitch.”

There was silence in the room. And the affirmation that Rufus needed was met. “You didn’t make a slut of yourself with that bastard!” Rufus was so furious that he tried to grab Jeremy.

“He loves me and I love him! Grandpa, please! He wants to marry me!” Jeremy found his voice for the first time.

“ Let him marry you?! I would rather let you get killed than allow this marriage! Of all the wealthy people who desired you, why Charles Montgomery?! Why that bastard?! Your father had been so lax at you! Such a spoiled brat! Now look what happened! If only Gregory allowed me to discipline you, this could not have happened!”

“Sir, with all due respect, but why don’t you just let him be? Charles loves your grandson and he is willing to give you anything you want in exchange for….” Cleo interrupted.

“I would never accept anything from that bastard! You will stay in this room until I tell you so. And we will get rid of that baby! I will arrange your marriage with Oliver Castle as soon as possible! I will not allow our reputation to be ruined that easily!”

“N- no! I don’t want to get rid of my baby! Grandpa please! Anything but that!” Jeremy pleaded with all his might.

“Your father is no longer around to baby you! I will teach you real discipline from now on! Gael, tell the doctor to come back tonight, tell him to bring his things. He will perform the abortion here. In the meantime, put some guards around the place, lest your cousin here attempts anything. I will never allow a Montgomery to be a part of this family! Never!”

Rufus and Gael went out of the room deaf to all of Jeremy’s pleas.



TBC