Aaron's POV]
The most happiness I ever acquired was when she came into my life. By she I mean, Caroline. I remember the day, when I ran across the hallways of the town's building and rushed towards my car just to see her. Of course, who wouldn't want to see his or her child.
I was a parent for the first time, the feeling was unnatural and new to me, but after seeing her in my wife's arms-- I was relived and satisfied.
I remember that as I walked through the door of the birth room and just had no words to describe the beautiful thing Martha was holding on to. I walked closer and bent down to kiss Martha on her forehead. She was smiling and there were tears in her eyes. I slowly took Carol in my arms and it felt so great, also it felt like I had a sense of responsibility but that wasn't a burden, but a boon for me. I wanted to give her everything I can. That was the day I realized how my parents would've felt about me.
But, unfortunately. I couldn't give Caroline the things she wanted.
Soon after she was born, my father took his last breath. He never could see Carol with his own eyes even though he was the one who suggested the name. He was a politician who worked with the Monarchs who ruled this land long ago, the Royal Family--The Adley's. The town was divided into four parts: Uptown, Midtown, Downtown, Oceanside, Eastside. It was divided according to the regions the five royal families exercised their power.
My father had a close relationship with the monarchs which made him the Mayor of the town which included the five parts, which later united.
My father lived a long life and a healthy one, but death was inevitable. Soon after he died, I was elected by the council to succeed him as the Mayor of the town. It was more like a duty and less of a choice. I never really argued, but sometimes I wish I would have.
After becoming a Mayor, my life became hectic and not only because it was a job of a Mayor, but also I had no experience in it whatsoever.
I spent more times at work and less time at home, Because I became the Mayor at possibly the most uneasy time due to one of the Royal Families.
Martha would always wait for me, but I kept running and running without thinking what I was doing and soon trouble would find me,
"Can you not take a leave. Just for a 'day'?" Martha asked me.
"I don't know. I'll try." I answered hastily.
"Aaron, you've become too busy. Carol misses you."
"I said 'I'll try'. Didn't hear me?"
Just as that the quarrel would pitch in and they would go on and on till one day she decided to leave me.
On one evening, I came home early ass possible to surprise them as I had planned a trip to the Oceanside, but to my surprise I didn't find anyone at home and note which read, "I am at my parent's house. Find me, when you file your resignation."
She left me and I was in no position to say that it was untrue that my job was the problem. It certainly was, things changed because of it, but what made me sad was I lost my girl. It was not like I am allowed to see her, but it was more like that I didn't find the courage to do so. Because she thought she hates her father now.
That was the reason why I couldn't confront her and always used to watch her from a distance.
One day, when I was doing the usual thing of looking over my daughter from a distance which certainly looked like stalking. I was jumped by her.
"Dad, what are you doing?" she said behind me which scared the living hell out of me.
"I-I…W-was just.." I stuttered.
At that moment she hugged me. So tight, that a person would obviously die of choking but it felt good. As her face was buried in my chest, I felt tears running down her cheeks. I tried looking at her, but she pushed me back and looked away.
"You can always talk to me. You know it, right?" she said.
"Y-Yeah," I answered.
"Good," she said and started walking away.
I was watching her leave and just felt like I should say something, "I'm sorry." I said, but it wasn't loud. It was more like a mumbled something.
I regret that I didn't said anything. I should've said something. Something!
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[Kyle's POV]
Mr. Kin was on his way. He waved at us as he hurried inside his car or rather was being pushed by Carol inside the car. Either way the outcome was same and I really wanted him to go. Not because I hate him or something but because he knows my father too well. My family being well connected in politics of this town was no joke after all.
Mark and Jason walked inside the house and headed towards the roof. I followed them although I wanted to clear up something with Amy, but I thought this is not the best time to talk.
As we reached the roof. Mark and Jason sighed together. Mark leaned over the wall and Jason placed his arms over the railing. I with no good position to stand in, stood right in middle of them with my hands in my pockets to look somewhat cool as they were.
"Long day, huh?" said Mark.
"Yep," I said in an annoyed tone.
"I'm sorry, Kyle." he replied as he saw my face, "I really had no choice."
"That I understand, but I am forgetful cook?"
"I spoke what came in my mind that time."
"What?"
"Stop it, you two." said Jason as he saw us fighting, "Its over now. Do we really need to fight over this?"
Well, there was sense in his words, but still I was the guinea pig all the time. First in the mall, then at the museum and now here. I was just a little upset.
"You know what?" Mark said with a curious yet confused face.
"You are not good at acting." I said.
"Yeah, Don't even think of choosing that as your career path," Jason supported me.
"What? How did you..?" He was surprised but it wasn't hard to guess. We stayed alongside him for so long that we do know him a little and also it was written all over his face. But there was more to it, as if he was confused something else too.
"Leave that aside," he said as he walked towards us, "I don't know why but something feels different."
"What?" I asked.
"It felt different when she held my hand." he replied with a serious face.
I busted out laughing. "Why? Because it was the first time she didn't hit you that hand?" I asked.
"It's not that, although it was different in that way too," he said, "But it was something I never felt. Like I was nervous and it was like…..I wanted to keep holding it."
There was something in his eyes that we had never seen before. It was something we couldn't define or something we never knew existed within him.
I looked at his face and then figured he was talking everything way too seriously and was overthinking about it.
So I said, "Child, You are in Love" with a sarcastic face.
He definitely didn't appreciate it, "I maybe dumb, but not that dumb to not recognize your sarcastic tone,"
"Jeez, you are not smarter. Are you?" I replied.
We went back-n-forth until Jason butted in and said, "Okay, enough."
We stood silently. I was standing with my arm over my stomach. I had a great and
almost an unhealthy laugh.
"It was just a spur of the moment. You don't need to think over it," he said to Mark.
"Yeah, says the guy who's been in love with a faceless woman for last 8 years!" I said as joke which was why I was later kicked by Jason after Mark went downstairs.
We had a lot on our mind and it sure was a tiring day for all of us. So, everyone decided to head to their houses and to call it a night.
It was one hell of a day, but everything seemed fine. Because I wasn't pissed at anyone. I was rather more happy and I don't know why. I never had this feeling and this was the time I felt like I was enjoying something.
Was it because of Amy or was it because of them? All of them?