Chapter Five

ALIYA’S POV

Who is this man, and why does he feel so familiar, as if he was someone I saw every day? I wanted to take Leo away from him, but seeing how the boy was already so into playing with the man he didn’t know, I was conflicted. 

He could be a criminal for all I know yet, there was a kind of energy about him that made me want not to interrupt, so, I decided to let them have a little fun. 

My phone rang, and I turned around to speak with Elena, “Yeah, what’s up?” 

“Have you forgotten there is a meeting in thirty minutes? Where are you?” 

Oh shoot! 

I turned around and almost bumped into the happy duo behind me. Leo was licking an ice cream with so much glee in his eyes and even though I would hate to end this little meet-up for him, I have no choice now. 

“It was nice to meet you, Mrrrr….” 

Somehow, it felt like he had mentioned his name before, but I had forgotten, yet I would ask again. 

“Dylan, I don’t believe I have introduced myself before.” 

His outstretched palm moved towards me. My eyes went towards his face where a small smile rested. He stepped back and leaned towards Leo, smoothing out his wrinkled shirt. 

“I guess we will be seeing each other again some other time.” 

With that, he turned around and left. Deep down, there was this unsettling feeling I had, but I could not even place it. I just watched him leave, then headed for my meeting. However, throughout the meeting, I noticed that Leo hung around the meeting room, his eyes glaring at me from the open glass barricade. He looked like there was so much he wanted to say for a young child. 

After the meeting, we headed home. He was quiet all brought the ride, and before we got home, he had slept. So, I got out and went to the other side to carry him out of the car, but he woke up as soon as the door opened, so there was no need to carry him again. 

We walked inside the apartment and as soon as the door closed, I yawned as if I was tired. I actually was. 

“Mum, when will I ever see my dad?” 

This question has been like music to him for a while and I couldn’t even blame him because he was young, and it was a lot for him. 

“Leo…” I rubbed my forehead as I sat on the sofa and made him stand between my legs. I smoothed my two hands on both sides of my face. 

I wanted to tell him so badly that there was no dad and no dad would come from anywhere, but even if I did, he wouldn’t understand. I have been telling him he would see his dad soon for a long time and even till now, he keeps asking me about him. 

Tears welled up in my eyes as I remembered how he had to call another man, his dad. The man must have been shocked and if he had been someone else, maybe he would have reacted differently. 

And the truth is, after all these years, I should have moved on. Getting my life back together has been more important to me than a man and I had focused on that part for 7 years and now, I may have to answer this question until he is old enough to understand. 

“Leo, you will meet your dad soon, but before you meet him, I want us to be prepared.” 

“What do I have to do to be prepared to meet my dad?” 

That seemed to have lightened up his mood because the look on his face made it look like I had just given him a challenge that he had to sort out. In my mind, I was thinking of what I could say next. 

“For now, just know that he will come soon, but remember that more than anything, I love you, more than anything in the world and I would do anything for you.” 

“Like to come to the parent’s visitation at school tomorrow with Dad?” 

That did hit me in a kind of way, but I did not want to make him feel it, but even though I shook my head, I also knew going there tomorrow as mum might even be a little tight because of my work schedule but with the look of things, I have to make sure that I went. 

" I will be there tomorrow, but I need you to know you will meet your Dad soon. It just may not be tomorrow, dear. Now, will you sleep? " 

He smiled and nodded. 

All night, I could not sleep because the only thing on my mind was how to stop him from thinking about his dad and that was when it occurred to me that he might be being bullied at school that he hadn’t been telling me, but I needed to either hear from him or see for myself. 

My thoughts slowly went to the man my son had called daddy. 

Why hadn’t he told him that he wasn’t his daddy? And why did he just play long, and what exactly was that familiar feeling I had towards him? 

I should have collected his contact or something, but I had been too focused on getting to my meeting to remember to ask. 

I sighed, I would not allow myself to be swayed by anything. The fact that my son is asking about a father that had abandoned us or even had no idea that we existed or the fact that I really want to protect him from the world and the feeling that a father is the only thing that could make us complete now. 

We have come this far now, and we have to keep going. 

There really is no going back.