Isabella~
"Alan, please don't cry; Mama is coming home." He kept calling me after sitting in Xavier's car, so I answered his call.
"Mama, it's evening now, and you haven't returned home yet." He voiced his dissatisfaction with me.
"Alan, please don't cry; you are Mama's strong boy." The sound of his tears pierced my chest again. I love him more than anything in the world, and I can't imagine him facing any kind of difficulty.
"Please take care of yourself; I'll be returning home in two hours." It wasn't until Xavier offered me tissue paper to wipe my tears that I realized they had fallen on my cheeks.
I refused his offer to drop me off at my house because I only wanted to spend time with him for work-related matters. However, as soon as I saw how much rain was falling, I quickly changed my mind, thinking of my son's health. This time, I decided to sit in the passenger seat to keep him from ogling my face in the car's rearview mirror.
Heavy clouds obscured the sun, engulfing our surroundings in darkness. Raindrops pelted the car's mirrors and windshield wipers, clearing the moisture so that one could see the road properly. Xavier concentrated all of his attention on the road because driving in such severe rain was challenging.
Although I have a ton of new questions regarding the murder cases of Jordan Lucas and Alicia, motherhood is currently overwhelming me. I want to embrace my son in my arms as soon as possible. Once more, a number buzzed on my phone. When I noticed Xavier glancing at the screen of my phone, I hesitated to answer it.
"Where are you, Bella?" The sound of the frustrated voice on the phone made my throat dry out.
"I left the city to attend to a crucial job, and I'm just now returning home." I wet my throat by gulping down some saliva.
"How could you have become so engrossed in your work that you neglected your son's needs? You may tell me about my kid's terrible health if you don't want to make him a priority in your life. At least then I could take care of my son." The sound of his irate voice made me shudder.
He never became so upset with me, but looking back, I realized that leaving my son home alone was a terrible mistake. I'm worthy of his rage.
"I am sorry. I promise you, I will never do this again." I tried using my soft voice to soothe his rage.
"You know I can't hold my anger against you for very long, but you angered me today and made me extremely angry, Bella. How could you leave your son alone for that bastard Xavier's case investigation?" Hearing Xavier's name, I turned my face to look at Xavier, who was focusing on driving the car. The ride was so quiet that I was concerned he might overhear our phone conversation, but his expressionless face assured me he hadn't.
"Don't worry, I am returning home. Alan is missing you, so please concentrate on your work and return soon."
"And don't you miss me?" When I overheard him flirting on the phone, my face began to heat up.
"No, I don't have time to miss you. Bye-bye, and please come back soon." I ended the call and started at the phone screen with a smile.
Only he can bring a smile to my face during difficult times. We spoke for two minutes, and I felt like I had more energy now.
Xavier appeared to be deep in contemplation when I looked at his face, so I tried to start a conversation with him to break the awkward silence between us by asking him about the case.
"Do you know where Jordan Lucas was able to hide for so long, Mr. Thompson?" Now that my mind was fully clear, I turned my attention back to the case.
"Was he your husband?" My question appears to have roused him from a deep sleep.
"What do you mean?" I looked at him in confusion.
"Was he your husband?" He gestured to my phone.
What should I tell him right now? I don't want to tell him the truth, but I also don't want to see him hurt.
"Yes," I nodded.
"Lucky man." His eyes were filled with agony as he let out a deep sigh.
"Can we talk about the case?" His dejected expression made my heart melt again.
"We made it to the city, Miss Luis. Please let me know where I must drop you off." He brushed off my question and gave me a conflicted look.
I saw how tightly he was holding the steering wheel.
His bare knuckles give off the unmistakable impression that he is not amused at all by my affectionate phone conversation, even if I didn't mean for this to happen. He kept calling me throughout the day. If I don't hear from him immediately, he most likely called off his meeting and returned to the town.
"Thank you, Mr. Thompson, but I will manage now." I asked him to park the car on the side of the road.
"I understand, Miss Luis, that you are capable of handling everything on your own, but it is against my morals to leave you alone in such poor weather and on nights. Therefore, until you arrange a car, I will wait for you." Although he attempted to appear sympathetic toward me, his tone revealed his resentment. His sorrow was evident in his eyes.
Upon contacting my driver for assistance, he informed me that the car was undergoing servicing. I let out a dejected sigh and attempted to hail a cab, but every taxi service was fully booked. I slammed my phone against my palm in frustration.
Now, how will I go home?
"If it doesn't go against your professional ethics, Miss Luis, I can drop you off at home."
Why was he sounding so resentful? If he didn't like my boundaries, why didn't he just leave me alone and return to his house? I looked at him with anger. I checked the time on my wristwatch. It's 8 p.m., and I have to be home in time for Alan's medication. Despite my desire to keep him out of my personal affairs, I had to ask him to drop me off at my place.
I declined his offer to drive me home twice, and now, unsure of how to request his assistance, I fidget nervously with my fingers.
"Tell me the location of your residence." He turned on the car's engine and asked for directions.
"South city." I bowed my head and fixed my gaze on my lap.
At all costs, I have to keep my son out of Xavier's sight. I thanked Xavier for his assistance when I got to my residence, and then I went to the mansion's main gate. At that moment, one of my housemaids came over to me, her face full of anxiety.
"Nancy, what happened?" The sight of her heavy breathing alarmed me.
"Madam, please come see Baba; something has happened to him." She was so terrified that her speech was slurred.
"What happened to my son?" As I listened to the housemaid, my whole body shook. I immediately ran towards my house like a frantic street dog after hearing her.