CHAPTER 5-----STAY

"Are you a thief or a kidnapper?" I asked as I stared at the man. "Or did you just murder someone?"

"Plese—let—me—in." He coughed out. I sighed as I glanced at Jules who shrugged.

"Come in. I'll get a first aid box. I'm a doctor. I'll help you." I said as I helped him in. Jules moved aside, giving me space to drop him on the chair.

"Get the first aid box, Jules. And make sure the dogs stay in the cage." I ordered, untying the makeshift bandage tied around his ribs. The dogs were obviously Maha and Aiden. I cringed seeing the injury on his stomach and I glanced at him.

"I don't know how but I think I walked in on some illegal activity. They stabbed me and left me there. This was the first house I saw with the lights on." He explained. I nodded and waited for Jules to bring the first aid box.

After cleaning him up and wrapping fresh bandage around his ribs, I asked him if he would like to go to the police tomorrow.

"No!" he forced out. I raised a brow and shrugged it off then led him to the guest room. "I don't think you can wear the clothes you came in with so here are some of my uncle's clothes." I said, handing him John's clothes.

I stepped out of the room and walked to the twins' room.

"You both will be staying with me tonight. Jules will stay here alone." I said, grabbing both their hands.

"Nu-uh, boo. We stay together. Besides, I'm helping them with their homework." Jules said as she followed me out the room.

*****{}*****

"Yeah, there's a man here." I said as I explained what happened yesterday night to Aunt Farah and John.

"And you let him in?" Aunt Farah asked.

"Doctor's instinct. I can't let a patient go on in pain." I defended. "He'll probably leave later today."

"I'll go check who it is." John said as he walked to the guest room.

"What if he was a serial killer? Or wanted in 8 countries? Or a kidnapper?" Aunt Farah listed as her eyes widened. "What if something happened to the kids?"

"Gee, aunt, I can see how much you love me. C'mon, I came first." I pouted. Aunt Farah rolled her eyes as she saw John and the stranger coming close.

"At least he's hot." Aunt Farah said glancing at them.

"I know right." Jules interjected, coming to stand beside us. She sipped a bit out of her coffee as she stared at the man.

"Wait till John hears this." I muttered, walking away. John and the stranger were talking in the kitchen when I entered. I glanced at them but didn't say anything. I felt eyes on me as I walked past but I paid no attention to it.

"Who's that?" Maha asked, pointing at the stranger.

"A human being." Aiden muttered sarcastically. I rolled my eyes as I pulled him to me.

"At this point it's no longer playful banter. You're outright bullying her. Calm down, A." I whispered to Aiden. He pouted his lips and then nodded. "Good boy."

"Maha, come here." I said.

"No, Maha, come here." Jules said, coming in. Maha looked confused for a moment then finally decided to hop on John's lap.

"Where's Farah?" John asked. Immediately he asked, Aunt Farah walked in and sat beside him.

"Alright, since we're all here, our guest will introduce himself."

"Hi, I'm Dimitri." He said and let out a small smile.

"He was ejected out of his former apartment and is in need of a place to stay so he'll be staying here for the time being." John added. My head shot up at the last sentence.

"But—"

"No buts, Mona." John said. I nodded as I carried Aiden in my arms.

"Alright, Jules, are you ready to leave? Remember you have an interview today." I asked, picking up my keys. Jules nodded and bade farewell to the kids.

"Mom, can I come with?" Maha asked as she gave me the puppy dog eyes.

"I've used this trick before, baby. It's not gonna work. Stay here with Grandma." I said, smiling and giving her a kiss. I glanced at Dimitri then went out of the kitchen.

"I still have suspicions about this Dimitri guy." I muttered as we stepped out of the car.

"It's the mother's thingy." Jules explained, fixing her seat belt.

"Mother's thingy?" I asked, chuckling.

"Whatever. Just drop me in front of S and M companies." She said, waving it off. We drove in silence until I reached her stop. I waved her goodbye and good luck then started the car. My phone dinged with a message and I pulled it out of my pocket so I could check it.

John: Hey, when you're coming back please get some clothes for Dimitri. I'll see d you his size in a minute.

I rolled my eyes and drove to the mall to get the clothes. As I entered the mall, a hand came over my eyes and I let out a squeal.

"Guess who, Momo" the person said. My lips curved into a smile as I grabbed the hand and swiftly turned around.

"Danny!" I squealed as I wrapped my arms around him. "What are you doing here?"

"Shopping, you? I'm done though but I'll walk you."

"I'm here to buy a few things." I answered.

"Right! Let's go." Daniel said. I walked to the men's section and began picking out clothes. When I got to the underwear section, Daniel went a bit red in the face.

"Who are these for? I'm pretty sure Aiden hasn't grown this much and they can't be John's." he asked.

"They're for a guest at our house. Before you ask, he's gonna be staying for a while." I said as we walked to the counter. The sales person gave me the bill and I paid the we walked out of the mall.

"Oh! A cousin?"

"Nope."

"I might be coming over tomorrow."

"Wait, are you jealous? You wanna see your 'competition'." I joked as I stood beside my car. Daniel rolled his eyes and replied,

"I'm not jealous. I can't be."

I chuckled and got into my car then told him bye. I drove to my house with a lot of thoughts. When I reached, I noticed it was quiet. Something unusual when everyone was home. Cue the eye roll.

I walked into the house and gasped when I noticed the lights were off. A silhouette formed in the shadows and I shivered. It can't be.