007

SEVEN.

“Jaden? Jaden?! Where are you?” Imani screamed around the park like a mad woman, her mind shattered. Where is her boy? Why has he gone to?

Her hand slipped into her neatly packed hair, frustrated as she stood at the middle of the park hoping she’d see Jaden come out. She started going towards the other route that leads to where the horses are being fed. No sight of Jaden…

Just as she was starting to panic, she heard a laugh and turned to see Jaden standing next to Killan, who was feeding a horse. Jaden's eyes sparkled as he patted the horse's nose.

“Jaden!” She called out to her little boy feeding the horses.

Imani released a smile as she ran into Jaden’s arm. “Where did you go!” Imani asked after pulling away from the hug, she is just about a minute away from crying.

“I-”

“He was with me.” Killan stated, his gaze fixed on Imani. “..He was just trying to feed this guy ” he added, nodding towards the horses.

Imani's gratitude overflowed. "Thank you so much, Killan. I don't know what I would've done if..."

Killan waved her off. "No need to thank me. I'm just glad I found him."

Imani looked at him, really looked at him, and saw the kindness in his eyes. "You’ve done so much for me already. How can I repay you?"

Killan raised an eyebrow, “Really?”

Imani nod almost immediately, “Yes. You don’t know what you’ve just done for me..anything..”

Killan's smile turned sly. "Have dinner with me." Sharp and soft.

Imani's heart skipped a beat. She wasn’t expecting that. She looked away, trying to gather her thoughts. "Killan, I... I..err..”

Killan's face fell, like he know what was coming but he recovered quickly and covered it with a grin, "Just kidding! Just buy a nice gift!” He mumbled.

Imani smiled, relieved, “I will think of a thoughtful gift. Thanks once again, we’ll take out leave now,” She announced then turn to her son, “Tell Mr Killan good bye,”

“Bye, Mr Killan! I had lots of fun because of you! Seee you…” Jaden waved and with that they both left.

Killan breathed out as soon she was out of sight, “She’s really dodging me, isn’t it buddy?” He rambled to himself giving the horse a carrot.

Then his eyes ran to his wristwatch, the day is far gone. “Time to go!” He told himself and fed the horse the last carrot before leaving as well.

———

Imani slid into the passenger seat, the silence of the car a welcomed her own thoughts as she stare out of the window… despite looking outside, her mind wasn’t there one bit.

It was on Killan. ‘Have dinner with me,’ His words replayed softly back into her head. What a sweet thing to say.

Imani shook it off immediately. “This is not the moment for this!” She told herself then looked at her son, he was already dozing off. She pulled her jacket and wrapped it around him.

She was about resting her head against the window when her phone started ringing, she narrowed her eyes to who was calling.

A scoffed escaped from her mouth, “Luke? What’s that dumbass calling for?”

——-

Killan pushed open the front door, exhaustion and frustration visibly on his face. He'd had a long day, no doubt.

He dropped his keys onto the console table, his eyes scanning the dimly lit foyer.m

"Killan, you're late. Again. What is it this time?” A voice interrupted, coming from his living room.

Pedro Morgan. His father.

Killan sighed, his shoulders tensing. He walked into the living room, his expression neutral. "What are you doing here Father?."

“I asked you a question. Answer,” His father's voice boomed in the living room, laced with disapproval.

“It was traffic,”

His father, seated on the couch, raised an eyebrow. "Traffic? At this hour?"

Killan shrugged, not in the mood for this. "It was bad, okay? I need to rest…I had a long day,” Killan was already going inside when his father said a word.

"Imani Shawn, Right? It’s her?”

Killan's eyes snapped up, his interest piqued. "What about her? Wait, have you been tailing me?"

His father's voice was firm. "Stay away from her, Killan. She's not someone you should be mingling with." His answer were firm.

Killan's jaw clicked shut, his feelings hurt and anger simmering. “That’s something I should figure out, not you.”

His father's face darkened, his voice low and menacing. "Killan, listen to me. Stay away from Imani Shawn. She's trouble, she will ruin the plan. Love will get in the way,”

Killan threw his head a little bit back, rubbing the back of his head. “You trusted me enough to lead this plan, isn’t it? Let me handle it myself, Father."

“Killan-“

“Like I said father, I’m sticking to the plan. Nothing changes. I need to sleep, good-night,”

Killan turned, walking out of the room.