Chapter 5: I'd Never Lie To You
Ashley found James playing League of Legends, one of his favorite games, in the game room. She lightly taps on the door to get his attention.
James raised his head once he heard the light taps to see who was coming.
"James, sweetheart... can we talk?" she asked in a soothing voice, trying not to alarm her son.
Once he realized his mother had entered, he stopped playing, even though the round had not yet ended.
He quickly sent a message to his teammate, excusing himself before giving his undivided attention to his mother.
Ashley kneeled down so they were face to face.
She held her son's little face before she began to speak, stroking his cheek fondly.
"Sweetheart, Mommy has a question, and Mommy knows you're a good boy, so you'll tell me the truth, right?"
"Of course, mommy! I'd never lie to you," he said to his mother.
Ashley wasn't comfortable asking her son the question, feeling as though she was interrogating him when the last thing she wanted was to make him uncomfortable.
She decided to get to the point and make it quick, believing whatever her son would say.
"Did you do or say anything that hurt Ava's feelings? She's crying often and doesn't want to eat either. Her mommy told me you said something to make her not want to leave her bedroom and not come out. So, I'm asking you, sweetheart, what did you say to her?"
James, who previously had a composed look on his face, wrapped his short arms around his mother's neck and began sobbing.
He knew what he'd said to Ava was extremely hurtful, and he wished he could take it all back, but it was too late now. He needed to confess to someone, or he'd keep feeling horrible. His mother was a good start, as she could help him make an apology.
"Mommy, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean it; I was only kidding! I didn't know she'd be so hurt by it! I'm sorry, Mom, I'm so, so sorry!" He cried, continuing to weep on his mother's shoulder.
"There's no need to apologize to me," Ashley reassured him as she gently stroked her son's hair with one hand.
"Mind telling Mommy what you told her so I can let her parents know? Of course, they'll explain to her that it was all a joke since we all know you'd never say anything mean and hurt her feelings intentionally. So what did you say, honey? You can tell Mommy," she coaxed.
James separated from his mother's hold, wiping his tears away before telling her exactly what had happened. Once he finished, he felt better and back to his old self.
"Alright then. I'll tell your father what happened, and if necessary, I'll go to the Philippines with you. You'll apologize to your future wife and in-laws, okay?"
James' eyes immediately widened once he heard what Ashley told him. 'Future wife' and 'in-laws' were quite intimidating for a child his age, and with what his father already promised, that Ashton would be the groom and not him, he needed to let his mother know before it was too late.
"But Mommy, I'm not her future husband anymore! Dad already agreed that Ashton would be the one to marry her, not me. I'm sorry I hurt her feelings, but can't you apologize over the phone?" James pleaded, staring wide-eyed at his mother.
Ashley was stunned, keeping her feelings in check so she wouldn't alert James.
She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her eldest son had quickly given away his betrothed to his younger brother. She was rendered speechless.
It took a moment before Ashley regained her composure.
She held James' little hands while looking at his adorable face, telling him, "It's fine if your father agreed to give Ashton your betrothed; I don't mind."
She hugged her son tightly before giving him a peck on his cheek.
"Alright, I'll go down to speak to your father, and we'll take care of this matter. On another subject, have you eaten, honey?" She asked, changing the subject so James would feel more at ease.
James shook his head no.
"I'll check if dinner's ready, and I'll have Ashton come up here and call you down to eat, alright?" She asked, caressing his hair before turning around to leave.
James stood there quietly for a moment right after his mother left.
Then he suddenly remembered the drawing Ava had given his father as a sort of 'keepsake.' Since he was no longer its owner, he needed to return it to its rightful owner. He slowly got up to his feet before going to his room to look for it so he could hand it over to Ashton.
***
James was sitting on the bed, staring at a beautiful painting. It wasn't perfectly done, by all means, but it was visible that the one who'd created it had talent. Who'd believe that a mere five-year-old had painted such a beautiful painting?
It was a painting of a little girl and a young boy holding hands and standing on lush greenery while looking at the sunset. The girl and the boy had their backs facing the onlooker, so their faces weren't visible.
A note beside the painting read, "Please wait until I fully bloom into the amazing woman I'll become."
For some strange reason, James had the urge not to let go of the painting. So, when his brother came looking for him to inform him dinner was ready, he swiftly hid said painting under the pillow so Ashton wouldn't see it.
"Brother, dinner's ready! Mom asked me to come and fetch you-- what are you doing?" Ashton asked out of curiosity, all smiley.
James's face was entirely red, and it looked like he'd been caught with his hand stuck inside a cookie jar.
"Nothing! I was thinking about whether Mommy and Daddy were able to solve the situation in the Philippines."
He said calmly before getting up from bed and ushering his brother out of his room.
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