Chapter 1 Finding Hima

(Akira’s POV)

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‘OK! Take a deep breath, Akira. It will all be over soon.’ I calmed myself after delivering my closing speech.

After the court call for recess ended, we got back in the room waiting to hear what the judge would conclude on the case I was working on for months. I could feel the tension in the courtroom hearing each word that came out from Judge Luiz’s mouth. All of us did.

And as expected, I won the case.

I exhaled my breath that I was holding a little too long. This was not my first case winning. But this case meant a lot for me.

My eyes moved to take a glance at my client, Sandra Stone. A mother with a child taken away from her, accused of a crime she did not commit.

Found not guilty, she finally could hold her son tightly in her arms as she had dreamt millions of times. Those dead eyes finally shone again. I could finally see true happiness.

Children are a mother's treasures that no one should steal.

Watching them snuggle happily together, my eyes watered as my heart ached. The pain I had kept hidden deep inside my heart was slowly coming back to light.

Several years ago, I was sent to a stranger's bed by my evil aunt and cousin. It wasn't enough for them to let me lose my virginity, they even framed me to make others believe I was crazy.

After being orphaned more than a decade ago, that was another darkest moment in my life. But at that time, God gave me a boy as a present.

A baby of that one-night stand.

I hated that sinful night but I loved my boy. He was the only sunshine in my darkest life, the only family I could have at that time.

I tried my best to hide his existence and find a way to escape. But before I escaped from my hellish life, my baby boy was also forcefully taken away.

It almost killed me again.

Through the hardships and dangers, I finally got rid of that hell but my boy was gone. After searching for him all these years, I still found nothing, as if he had disappeared from this world.

Sometimes I wondered what I did wrong to deserve all this. Why fate always liked to play tricks on me. Give me hope and then take it away without mercy.

But I knew I could not give up. Inside me there's still a voice telling me that my boy was somewhere out there, waiting for me to bring him home one day.

And this became my faith in survival.

I had suffered. I was in agony and grief. But every time I was about to be beaten down by life, I thought of my baby boy. And then, I realised nothing could scare me. I pushed myself to grow and be a strong fighter. All for him.

Over the past four years, Akira West was a name that many were familiar with at Bloom City.

My city. I was undefeated.

I hoped when we meet again, my boy will be proud of me.

Saying goodbye to my client, I walked outside of the building where I then met a group of media that came quickly surrounded me. Putting on my sunglasses, I continued walking.

“Ms. West, congratulation on your win. Any message you would like to say to women like Sandra Stone out there?”

“Will the Reiner family appeal this case?”

"Ms. West, we've found that you're caring much about the cases about a mother fighting for child custody. May I ask if this is all coincidental or if it relates to your own experience?"

What? I stopped my track. Finally, someone sensed this.

I glanced at the reporter and saw a cute smiling face on her work card, which seemed to be drawn by a child. I guessed she was also a mother and that got my attention. I smiled.

Although I hadn't found my boy, I had been doing everything I can to help mothers who have lost their children.

Women are always on the weak side when it comes to child custody.

They would do all they can to care for her family. Some had quit their job and be a full-time housewife, mostly to care for their children. All for love.

At times, they may have forgotten to take care of themselves. Worn out by chores and less time to socialise with others were a common feature of most married women. The once being the beauty in their husband’s eyes may no longer be there like before. Things may have changed. Love may fade.

The men would then blame their wife for their affair with their mistress. Betrayal. Unfaithful. Lies.

When women asked for a divorce, some men would either threatened them with violence or tried to grab custody by accusing their wife being at fault. What would be the fate of these women who are jobless and not able to afford raising her child?

Tolerance and concession, was the most thing that had been instilled in women's life. Yet, it could not bring them real justice. It was not enough.

As a woman and mother, I wish I could do something to help. And Sandra Stone was my victory.

At least, I could help more mothers get the right to stay with their children.

"Ms. West? I apologise. I didn't mean to offend. If it's not convenient, just leave it out. You know it has nothing to do with the case." The reporter gave me a small, embarrassed smile.

I shook my head telling her it didn't matter. The hellish days have left me, I was strong enough to face any challenges that would come to me.

I cleared my throat and spoke with a sincere smile, "Not similar experiences, but we're both women and we can understand each other's plights better."

I turned to face the media and gave my confident look, "As our society develops fast, more problems appear. As long as we can work together, I believe we will win a brighter future. I’m Akira West. You know where to find me. Justice would prevail."

The applause was loud as I finished my words.

And later soon, I received a call from my boss, Henry Wilde. Henry rarely calls me when I'm at court, so it must be something urgent.

Apologising the press for my early leave, I walked to my car parked at the parking lot. A horn interrupted my thoughts and I looked up to see Henry waving at me.

"Got a tricky case? Or you wouldn't have come to pick me up in person?" As I entered his Porsche and fastened my seat-belt, I frowned at my boss.

Henry Wilde, who had saved me from hell. I owed him my life. Without him, I would still be held at a mental institution seven years ago. A past I hoped my new life would never have to look back at.

I was really grateful to have met him. Henry was the one who taught me to reinvent myself from the rubble. He deeply influenced me with his composure and self-discipline.

‘But please don't get me wrong. As charming as he was, I had no romantic interest with him.’

The only thing I cared most about was still my boy.

"Well, something like that." He nodded with that charming smile of his as he pulled out a folded envelope from his pocket and put it in my hand.

"What's this?" I couldn't help but be tense as I could see he was then looking at me in a serious way.

"Open it and read it" He lifted his chin to face me as he continued. "It arrived at our law firm ten minutes ago but it is on anonymous basis"

"Molly suggested I ignore it just in case there will be any danger. But considering your case, I opened it as I knew you won't let go of any possible clues."

Hearing that, an overwhelming excitement appeared in my eyes.

Did it relate to my boy? Molly, our private investigator was helping me to locate my boy.

As if he could read my mind, Henry nodded and smiled, "Yes, it mentioned your BOY. I think we got some idea where he is now. One step closer, Akira."

"Akira, have some faith, you’ll find him.” Seeing my trembling fingers, he patted my shoulder.

Then, trying to cheer me up, he even switched on for us to hear some catchy tunes from the radio. Henry and his choice of music. Never failed to keep me at ease.

Taking a deep breath, I nodded at him and opened the small envelope. Reading the message written on a piece of paper made me shed a tear down my cheeks.

One clue led to another clue. Many times, the clue led us to a dead end. But every sentence I read was, hope.

“It is an address situated in a small district of Amberose City” I knew this place. It was known to be where the less privileged family lived.

And that was the place where a woman was last seen with my son.

“This woman wants to meet me in person. I wonder why. Henry, what do you think she wants from me?” Like in the past, some just wanted money and led me to another clue. I got lost and got up again. Meeting a dead end seemed to be a norm. A vicious cycle I went through to find my boy.

Part of me was sick with this game that Fate was leading me to.

But, giving up hope was not an option. I could not.

Somewhere out there, my little boy was waiting for me to come get him. Somewhere out there, was where I could truly understand what happiness truly was.

I clenched my fist and shoved the envelope in my pocket not caring about Henry asking me several more questions. I rested my body back to the seat and stared out of the window of the moving car. My mind then drifted off to my old life, eight years ago.

A painful life that I had wished so much to forget.

In a few weeks, my son should be celebrating his seventh birthday soon. All these years, I couldn't even celebrate a birthday with him.

I wished I could be by his side. I desperately wished to have that one chance to see my son again.