*The new edited and reformed version.*
To love again first part
Length: 2 episodes
Martin's pov
I'm stuck in traffic. Ugh, it's so annoying why do I have to be stuck in traffic now at all times? I'm gonna be late. At least I dropped the kids at school. They won't be late. I hope my coworkers won't mind me being late.. again.
At this point, I should get fired right? Yeah, that would be good...oh yeah...never mind that would be bad. I can't be unemployed. I need to provide for my kids.
Ugh, come on cars, go faster! Argh, I'm frustrated! Why can't they go faster? I swear I'll make a complaint to the mayor.
I rage for a few good minutes. The traffic finally clears up. Oh, thank god, I might not be late after all. I arrive 20 minutes later. Thank Godness, I just arrived on time. Wait, where is everyone?
"Hey Martin, you just arrived on time...for once." One of my colleagues laughs.
"That's not funny James. What is going on? Why is nobody in the halls preparing for work or even working right now?" He awkwardly laughs.
"Yeah...about that...everyone is in the meeting room. We have a new coworker."
"What?"
"Yeah, I didn't know. Boss wants us to get along with the newbie before starting the day." He chuckles.
"Oh, now I get it. You guys were waiting for me right?"
"Yeah, I don't know why but the new coworker is eager to see you. We offered to start the meeting without you because you're always late but he insisted on waiting for you." Strange...
"Ok...then we can go now.
"Great, let's go."
We enter the meeting room and I see the most beautiful man I have ever seen. He's tall alright? Way taller than me. I'm not short per se but he probably stands at a whopping 6.4 ft.
He has muscles for sure everywhere too, I can see his huge biceps but it's mostly because he seems fit after all. Dang, he is huge.
He has those beautiful piercing blue eyes with dark brown hair. He is also a bit tan.
Why would a guy like him want to work here? He doesn't seem like any ordinary guy.
He walks towards me.
"Hey, you're Martin right the one that's always presumed to be late?'' I awkwardly laugh.
"Yeah, I'm Martin it's a pleasure meeting you. What's your name?"
"Oh, I'm Ezekiel. It's a pleasure to be able to work with you."
"Oh, ok it's a pleasure meeting you too.
"Ok, guys what are we supposed to do?"
"Oh, classic Martin. You can all start working now. Ezekiel your office will be next to Martin's. Be free to work together."
"Oh ok, thanks, boss."
———————
The day went well, better than I thought. Ezekiel is interesting. He made me laugh a bit but I believe I like him. We'll be good colleagues for sure.
I just arrived home with my kids. You might be wondering where is the mom right? I'm a single dad. Their mom left years ago because she didn't want this type of life.
So yeah, I've been raising my two kids Stacie and Lucas alone.
Lucas is 11 years old. He has my milk chocolate brown hair and hazel eyes. It's really pretty on him. Truly my son.
Stacie on the other hand, she's an 8-year-old girl. She has her mom's hair colour, honey blond but she has my hazel eyes. Guess her mom's eyes genes didn't get to any of my kids.
I love my kids very much. They are dear to me. My life depends on them. I would do anything for them.
They don't deserve to have no mom. If I were to choose, their mom would still be here today or at least someone else could replace her role.
If it were so easy, I would've done so years ago but the pain she left us was a big deal. I have trust issues. I can't bare to replace her.
It's true what she did was awfully hurtful for me and the kids, especially the kids. Losing your mom is never a good thing and growing up without one too.
Though I can't help but not hate her. At the end of the day, I understand her choice and it was for the better anyways. It's not like I'm unhappy. My kids make me happy.
She left when Lucas and Stacie were only 1 and 4 years old. I didn't see her since the divorce papers. She decided then she couldn't bare to take care of the kids or see them again. I thought it was harsh but I understood. I knew they were in better hands with me.
Knowing what age I am today and how old my kids are, it's strange that I was Married but I was.
That's because we got married shortly after learning that we were pregnant with Stacie.
We met when I was 23 and she was 21. She was still in University and I was a freshly architect graduate.
It was rather unusual. I was at a bar that night and she was there. We hooked up and she fell pregnant. We forgot to use protection.
We didn't really love each other as we were just one-night stands partners and barely knew one another. Though she wanted me to take responsibility for the baby and I obliged.
Then our parents found out and they wanted us to get married asap since they both agree it was better for our future child. We agreed even if we weren't really a couple.
Everything was rushed. I always had the nagging feeling that she didn't want a future with me. I was right. I wasn't her first choice. She was with me only for responsibility.
Today my parents are still saddened that I have to raise my children alone. They want me to find someone to love again but I can't. I'm not ready for that yet. I'm not ready to give it a shot.
My children always come first. What if my future partner wouldn't like my children or the other way around Lucas and Stacie don't like them? It's unfair to them. It'll be too much of a change for them, having someone else in their lives, especially after knowing they grew up only with me. So, that's why I decided to prioritize family first, always.
"Dad, I got an A on a math test!" I smile.
"Oh, Lucas I'm so proud of you.'' I hug him tightly.
"Hey, don't forget me!'' My other kiddo Stacie shouts and she joins our hug and we all smile together.
Yeah, that's my family and I love them with all my heart.
—————————
It's been a few days since Ezekiel started working here.
Honestly, it's been kind of weird in a way. I'm not used to having new coworkers. I noticed that he's nicer to me. Am I imagining this? Yeah, probably. It's normal, we work together. His office is next to mine.
I learned that he is 34 years old, that he has no children and I don't know how but he has no wife or even a husband.
He's handsome how can he not be married or have a woman just for him? He's charming everyone would want him.
A few of the girls working here are already falling through his charm.
"Good morning Martin, what are you doing?"
He is holding two coffees. One for him and one for me I guess.
"Oh, I'm already working through my next plan for my new client.''
I'm an architect. I've been working as one ever since I graduated so that means 12 years now.
I'm old but not too old. I'm still in my mid-thirties!
"Ok cool, here's your beloved coffee. I don't want to get mad." He smiles with that charming smile of his.
He learned that I have quite a temper when I don't drink coffee. I mostly lose my sh*t.
"Yeah, better not." I chuckle and he does too.
"Um, do you got any plans this weekend?" Why is he asking me that?
"Uh no, I don't really have plans other than having family time with my kids?"
"Oh yeah right kids, um, I was kind of hoping that you can maybe come with me to eat dinner at a restaurant?"
Oh my, that's the first time that a coworker asked me this in a very long time.
Get this, I get mostly along with James but I don't go out as often as I did before having kids. My ex-wife didn't like going out with me...
"Uh yeah, I don't mind. I just gotta call my parents if they can take off the kids that night." He smiles. Huh, I could've sworn for a second there that he didn't look happy.
"What about the mother?" I immediately get sad, as memories come flooding back every time.
"She left when my kids when they were younger."
"Oh...I'm sorry...I shouldn't have asked." He says guilty and awkwardly.
"No, it's fine. It's better you know, I'm over it."
"Still...Can't believe a mother would do that." I force a smile.
"Me neither but she has her reasons and I respect that. My kids are my world."
"Alright ok, I get it." He smiles.
"How old are your children?"
"Oh, Lucas is 11 and Stacie is 8."
"Wow, you had them young." He says impressed.
"I guess so." I smile.
"I have to go ask a question to the upper team. So, see ya later." He waves and smiles. I do the same in return.
"See ya."
He leaves the office.
————————-
It feels weird telling myself I'm going out tonight with Ezekiel. I'm so used to being in my house because I have to. I guess there's nothing wrong with going out for once right?
Lucas's not a kid anymore and Stacie is getting older too. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry. My children are growing so fast. They won't need me anymore soon enough.
It feels weird. I'm in Ezekiel's car. I think he might be rich. His car looks expensive... I don't really mind though. Where is he gonna take me?
Welp, I don't have to ask this anymore since we just arrived. The good news is that it's not a luxury restaurant but it's still fancy.
"I hope you like my choice of restaurant. That's my favourite restaurant."
"Oh, I like it actually. It seems to be quite comfy in there." I smile nicely.
"Ok cool, I was a bit worried you wouldn't like it."
Why would he be worried about that? How can a man like him be worried about something like this? I awkwardly chuckle.
"You don't need to be worried about that. I'm not a picky eater. I think we should get in the restaurant by now."
"Yeah right, we should."
We get into the restaurant and we get a table immediately. Huh, he reserved early. What a strange thing to do for just a casual meeting.
"We're lucky there aren't a lot of people today."
"Are there a lot of people here normally?"
"Yeah, but today is quieter I guess."
"Well, that's good. Isn't it?"
"Yeah"
"So, what did you want to discuss? I don't think we have much to talk about the next plan."
"I was hoping to get to know you actually."
"Really? I'm flustered but are you sure?"
"Yes, you're a good colleague."
"So, no wife, no girlfriends. So you choose me because you're bored." He didn't seem to like that comment.
"Martin...I'm gay."
"Wait you are?! Oh geez, I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have said! I should've been mindful of my words!" I say panicked and sincerely.
"It's fine you couldn't know." He says disturbed.
"But wow...you're gay," I say in disbelief.
"Does it bother you?" He says harshly as he stares at me coldly.
"No, it doesn't. I just wasn't expecting that. You don't look the ounce gay!" I chuckle awkwardly.
"It's that supposed to be a good thing?" He says harshly.
"It could be. You're just this perfect candidate for a lady's man. Women like you." I say chuckling awkwardly.
"Who says I'm not gentleman's man?" Oh...I didn't think of that.
"You could be...I'm sure plenty of guys like you." I say mortified.
"What do you think about me?" He says seriously. Um...this is getting uncomfortable.
"You're good looking I'll admit and you're charming too. You're quite the looker Ez."
"Well, thank you, Martin." He smiles.
"You got me scared there."
"Well, that wasn't my intention. I was just afraid you were uncomfortable with the fact I'm gay."
"Not all, I don't mind." I give him a sincere smile.
"Well, that's good. I was afraid you would. I didn't think you would be homophobic but I guess we never know, huh?"
"I guess not. Then, how come you don't have a boyfriend or a husband?"
"Oh, I guess I haven't found the right one." The right one...
"That's sweet. Not hoping to have love of your own? You're 34 now."
"Of course, I hope to find the right one but I haven't yet."
"Does being gay complicate things?"
"Yeah, I guess we could say that. Most of them aren't open to a relationship or are too sacred to be out."
"So, I assume you're out?"
"I mean, I don't tell everyone but I want to be open like the typical heterosexual couples."
"Yeah, I guess I understand that. So, that means you haven't one who's out to the world?"
"It's more like I haven't found someone to fully love."
"I guess, I haven't either."
"Really? You don't have a girlfriend or anything?" He says genuinely surprised.
"No, the kids don't have a stepmother. I can't get into a relationship after losing their mother, not for their sake."
"You don't want to fall in love and let yourself be happy?"
"My kids come first."
"Oh ok...Guess, I'll never understand that." He chuckles sadly.
"Yeah, you can't know how important kids are until you have them." I chuckle.
"Yeah, I guess it makes sense."
The waiter comes to take our orders, then they leave.
"Tell me more about your children."
"You want to know about them?"
"Yes, Martin. They seem important to you. I want to know who's important to you."
"I guess it makes sense."
I talk about Lucas and her achievements, she's growing up so fast. I talk about Stacie, my baby, she'll always be my baby. Though I don't say everything as I don't fully trust him.
————————
I'm pleasantly surprised to say it went well yesterday. My first time going out in years. I had a blast. We got the chance to get to know each other more.
It was fun yesterday but I still can't bring myself to trust him fully, despite the fact I felt at ease with him. How could I? I've only known him for a few days. At least I can see Ezekiel as a potential friend. Something I definitely lack.
Regardless of that, I'm currently making breakfast for Stacie and Lucas.
"Hey Dad, did you like hanging out with your friend yesterday?"
"Hum, yeah I did. Lucas, I don't think we should be talking about that. How about the fact that you have soccer practice after breakfast?" He pouts as he's disappointed but he still listens to me.
"Oh, yeah today we'll be preparing for the upcoming competition."
"How come you didn't tell me about that...?" I ask firmly.
"Oh, Dad, I'm sorry I forgot to tell you.''
Stacie enters the kitchen since she just woke up. She yawns.
"What is going on? You woke me up..." She says all confused.
"Sorry princess." I decide to light up their moods instead.
"So, tomorrow we are going to Funland. Aren't you guys excited?"
"Yeah! We're going to Funland!" Stacie says all excited. Well, they definitely are happy.
I promised them yesterday that when I drop them off at my parent's house, I would bring them to Funland tomorrow since they've been bugging me to go for ages. That promise was well received.
"Cool, I've been wanting to go for a while," Lucas says smiling.
"We'll go do our groceries for the week before we go but then all fun will be welcomed." They look at me disappointed but still excited for tomorrow regardless.
"I can't wait!"
"Me too!"
I smile. Well, they seem really excited about tomorrow. I knew I did a good choice by that. No matter what, my children are always gonna be my entire life.
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