Chapter Seven

Alva

His words reechoed in my mind. I wasn’t sure I could do it. The edgy shock of giving Samuel to his father without a fight did not feel quite right. I considered running  but without funds and a legal passport, There wasn’t a chance. Plus there was more than a fair chance he would find me. He was an influential man.

“Mom, Are you alright?” Samuel intruded on my thoughts.

“I am fine.” I assured.Samuel did not seem to buy my response. So to keep his little mind off the complicated topic, I offered him the cold ramen buried in my bag. “I brought noodles. Your favorites.”

“Do not worry about it mom. Dad already fed me.”

 A flush went through me. Did he just refer to Nikolas Sica as his father? That was unexpected an left me weak to the knees. I paused, letting my inner voice remonstrating on what to say.

“Did you call him Dad?”

He nodded. It hurt me to even think of disregarding the thoughts but  I was in such a vulnerable position and was in dire need of releasing all that negative energy somewhere.

“He is not your Dad!” I lashed out moments before I could clamp my mouth shut. Samuel was left reeling with my outburst. He stared at me for the longest minutes, his eyes glazed and teary. His raw state left me repulsed by my own self. What kind of mother was I? I reached out to pacify him but he pushed away from my embrace.

‘I am sorry Samuel. Mommy is just going through a rough time.”

 He was a kid. My half hearted apology did not make sense to him. If I was his age, I would probably do the same. What kid wouldn't want to see his father? Samuel had mentioned numerous times how he had been teased when his father could not make it for career day and there were random moments where the boy would just ask me where his father was. Having that father meant a lot to him and here I was burning over an old feud. I stared into Nikolas business card and contemplated the next step to take. I had two things to consider now; Samuel’s mental health and my secret. Interrupting my thoughts, A man in his white coat and stethoscope to his neck walked in.

“Hello Mrs Alva. Look who is awake.”The doctor said, brushing his dark bangs from his face.

“How is he doing?” I asked to counter the embarrassment of the doctor seeing me with puffy red eyes.

“His vitals are okay. One more day and he might be out of here. You should be happy.”

He noticed. I smiled gratefully, suddenly remembering I had lectures for today. I immediately rushed to Samuel’s side, planted him a kiss on his forehead.

“Sweetie, I have classes. I will be back.”

 Samuel gave me puppy eyes before rewarding me with a generous smile.

“I will miss you mom.”

 His reply made me smile even more. I brushed his hair shortly before exiting the ward room. As I rounded the hallway, I looked into Nikolas’ card one more time. I would never risk being at his mercy but maybe this was set in the stars. Time was running out for me anyway and the existence of Samuel’s father would placate the authorities who were hell bent on taking Samuel away from me. It was crazy enough just to work.

***

NIKOLAS

 “Where are you now?” I demanded.

“The airport.” Doria replied.

She was not kidding. Fate was bent on fucking my life up but I was not about to let it win.

“Where are you exactly?” I demanded, violently tapping my driver to slow down the speeding car.

“I just arrived at pride airport. If you want, I can wait for you.” She replied.

“That would be just great.” I was completely floundered as I directed the driver to make a quick drive to the airport. I was probably worried for nothing. It wasn’t like Doria was going to discover I had a child somewhere. Her unannounced arrival ruined my perfect plan. Not that I had anything in mind at the moment but I planned to come up with something.

 The car pulled up in the parking space of the airport and as I stepped down, I noticed the foyer was thronged with sea of heads. I rushed there,having no problem at all locating the woman I had come for. Doria Leva stood out in a crowd. It wasn’t just the slender body and looks; It was that rare gift. She was a magnet. One of the reason she was so successful in her line of work.

“Nik!!” She called out, finding me almost instantly.

I tried my best to flash her a comforting smile. “It is nice to see you after so long Doria? How was Paris?”

“It did not have you. So it quite bland.” She replied.

 Her mild humor got my funny bone and I rose to the challenge. “You were not philandering with the hot boys. I hear their bodies can make one question his sexuality.”

Doria’s brows lifted. “Perhaps I have a taste.”

 She then handed her luggage. Three huge boxes which I had to say were quite not that extravagant knowing how Doria could be.

“Where is the car?”

“Follow me.”

We - I struggled to the car. After dumping her baggage in the boot of the car, I jumped into the car knowing fully well all that would rid my brain through out the journey home was how to bring up the delicate matter. My mother was one hard rock but two, That was more than I could bandwidth. The engine of the car revved up and I proceeded to falling into my own wild thoughts as I created several scenarios in my head where I brought up the topic and how badly they ended. Not for me, but for Alva. The girl already had bad impressions about me, I was not about to verify them by going against my promise which was something my mother and Fiancee were surely going to lean at.

“Are you okay?” Doria inquired, waving closely at my face.

“Yeah…Why do you ask?”

“I just mentioned that I am freaking hungry and wanted us to branch at a restaurant or something but here you are saying nothing.”

“Sorry,” I said shaking my head. “Just thinking.”

 My phone buzzed instantly like a rattlesnake that just lost its head. As I tried to pick it, Doria scooped it just before my hands could make it through.

“Nah! You are already stressed out.” She pointed out. “The call can wait.”

“Doria, just hand me the phone. It could be important.”

“I will be the judge of that.”

I watched her hit the green button and listened for a moment. My whole world turned black and white when her grin drain away. The phone slipped from her grip and she turned to face me.

“Who is Samuel?”