CHAPTER 4

GAIA 

5 years later 

We landed at the airport early that morning. I'd slept through the entire flight because I'd been working on a murder case all month and it had drained me completely. 

I was finally back in New York after all this time. It had taken me almost a year to get my life back on track after what happened. Bella had helped me get a job in her company and I'd worked there, trying to save money to study. 

After that, I left the city, hoping to make something of myself. It hadn't been easy, moving away to a country where I knew no one. 

Bella has been there for me at every step of the way. It hadn't been easy studying with a newborn baby but I'd done it and I'd succeeded. 

My baby boy was born very healthy and I was so happy to see him. It had been a home birth because I didn't want to risk having to find out about it. 

It was hard for me to leave, knowing that Ayrah was here but I asked Bella to help take care of her grave. She deserved the best. 

She called me the day Javon stopped her to harass her about my whereabouts. 

“He parked in front of my car and started shouting at me, asking me to provide you because they'd searched my apartment and couldn't find you there.” 

My eyes widened and I was surprised that he would do such a thing like that. Why couldn't he just move on? Why was he looking for me? 

“What did you tell him? “

“What else? I told him to go fuck himself because there was no way I was going to tell him where you were and he knew better than to kill me because I was the only one who could tell him where you were. He even snatched my phone to trace your calls."

It's a good thing I'd thought about getting an untraceable line to call her before I left. I knew how far he could go when he wanted something. 

“Come on, baby. Let's go.” I held my son's hand and walked out of the plane, breathing in the air of the place that had brought me so much pain. 

I didn't feel like I felt five years ago. I was a strong woman no, I had a son, and I had a career and I was the best at what I did. 

I had to be. How else was I going to make Javon's life hell? 

“Mummy, are we going to see Aunt Bella?" 

I smiled at him.. my son, Juan. 

“Of course baby. She's coming to pick us up. Oh, she's already here.”

I saw him jump for joy. How could he not love her? She'd held him as soon as he was born even before I did because I coded after I pushed him out. 

Shed has been my backbone through all these years. 

My baby, Juan. He was growing up so fast and I wanted him to be my baby boy again. He looked like him, Javon and if you've met Javon, you'd know from first glance 

So for the first few years, I dressed him like a girl to hide him from people. I wasn't going to take that risk. 

“Bella” I hugged her tightly. It felt so good to see her after so long.

She'd grown older and looked more mature. 

“It’s so good to see you. We have a lot to talk about.”

I nodded at her and she looked away for a moment 

“And I'm guessing this is Mr Jan."

Juan laughed as she picked him up. He hadn't been able to pronounce his name and he always called himself “Jan.” 

“Oh, I missed you so much, my baby. You've grown up so quickly, just yesterday you were a baby.”

“Madam, we need to get going. Your meeting is soon.”

I nodded at Evan and I met with Bella's widened eyes. 

“What is it? Why is your face like that?" 

She pointed at where he was standing before. 

“Evan… doesn't he work for Javon?”

I smiled, remembering that I hadn't told her. 

“Yes, he did. But he left his service after I left the house and he came to me."

We walked to the car. 

“But aren't you scared that he will still be loyal to Javon? How do you trust him?” 

“Do you think that Javon would have come to take his son if he knew where I was?” 

She thought about that. 

“That’s true.".

We spent the entire ride, talking about everything and catching up. As I looked around, nostalgia kicked in and I tried to push away the sadness I felt as we passed the hospital. 

Bella held my hand, noticing my face. 

“It’s okay, we're past that now.”

As we got home, I sat down for a moment, completely tired from the flight and everything. 

She brought a glass of champagne for the both of us and orange juice for Juan. 

“You, my friend, are a big-shot lawyer now. I see your websites, you're even in the news!" 

I laughed. 

“Law school wasn't easy. And being a woman in corporate law where it's a battlefield was a bold step to take but I made it through.”

We clicked our glasses. 

“Yes, you made it through and I'm so proud of you. I mean, look at you. My best friend is now a lawyer.”

Law school has taken a lot from me. Trying to be the best at what you do required a lot of sacrifices and I'd given everything I had just to make it worth it. 

I'd stayed focused and swore to be the best. 

“I have a meeting with a CEO right now. Would you be okay with Juan?”

She removed the glass from her lips. 

“No rest? You just arrived and you're already so busy. I'm so proud."

I laughed at her ridiculousness and kissed Juan on the head.

“I’ll be stepping out for a moment baby, would you be fine?” 

He nodded without even looking at me. He was too busy annoying Evan who could lift him with one hand. 

“I’ll be back in an hour, Bella. It shouldn't take long.” 

She nodded and waved me goodbye. 

“Bye, mummy!” Juan finally said, seeing that Evan was following me. 

I blew him a kiss and went out the door. I just couldn't wait for this meeting to be over.