Chapter 007

Chapter 007

Alice

"Liam! Ava! Paul! Time to go, or you'll be late for school!" I called out. "If you don't come now, I won't attend your parent-teacher association meeting this afternoon!"

"Okay, mom!" they shouted in unison.

I rushed out of the kitchen with their lunch boxes and grabbed my bag, expecting to see them waiting outside. But they were nowhere to be found.

I dropped the bag and boxes onto the chair, letting out a frustrated sigh. Hurrying upstairs to their room, I found Ava engrossed in a game on the tablet Mario had gifted her.

She was still in the uniform I'd carefully dressed her in that morning but now roughed up. I snatched the tablet from her hands.

"Mom, I was about to kill the beast!" Ava protested, folding her arms and pouting.

I ignored her tantrum. "Where are your brothers?" I asked, not waiting for her reply before following the trail of water to the bathroom.

"Liam! Paul! Mom's coming!" Ava shouted after me.

I burst into the bathroom, and the chaotic scene before me left me breathless with a widened eyes.

"Liam! Paul!" I exclaimed, trying to process the mess.

The boys hastily come out from the overflowing bathtub, their once-ironed uniforms now clinging to their soaked bodies.

Water had flooded the bathroom, and soap, towels, and toys littered the floor. A towel wrapped around Paul's head added to the chaos.

"I told them! Thank God I did!" Ava's voice echoed from the room.

My focus remained on the boys, who stood before me, their heads bowed in unison. When they lifted their gaze, their puppy-like eyes would have melted my heart on any other day.

Not today.

I unbuckled their wet uniforms and pulled them off before facing them with a stern glare.

"Mom, please, it was Liam's idea!" Paul pleaded.

I removed the towel from Paul's head, revealing a half-shaven patch of hair that made me gasp.

These kids would be the death of me. I thought.

"Who's responsible for this mess?" I asked, fighting to keep calm.

Liam pointed at Paul. "He did it himself, Mom. I was just helping him check if it looked right."

Paul countered, "No, Mom, it was Liam! He wanted to practice a hairstyle he saw on our classmate's head and used my hair!"

I called out, "Ava, come here!"

Ava appeared beside me, and I continued, "You both know how much I despise lying. Tell me the truth, no exceptions."

The boys pointed at each other again, unwilling to take responsibility.

"Ava, who started this?" I asked, my eyes locked on hers. "Tell me the truth."

Ava nodded solemnly before answering.

"It was Liam, Mom," Ava explained, her expression serious. "Paul was sitting quietly with his tablet after you dressed us and left. Liam came to him, wanting to practice a style like Jake's. You know Paul wouldn't deny Liam anything."

I turned back to the boys, and Liam's face fell.

"No chocolate treats for you in this house until further notice, Liam," I said firmly. "And you'll receive a time-out for lying to me."

I turned to Paul. "As for you, you'll go to school with that hair, uncovered, until it grows back. That's your punishment."

Their eyes widened, understanding the gravity of their actions.

"Mom, no! Please, not that!" Paul begged, tears welling up in his eyes. My heart melted but I had to overlook it sometimes not to spoil them.

"Mom, please," Liam joined in.

I stood my ground, ignoring their pleas.

Carefully, I ushered them out of the slippery bathroom and into their closet to fetch new uniforms.

As I rummaged through the clothes, I overheard Ava whispering:

"Mr. Blue Eyes will get it for you without Mom knowing."

"I heard that, Ava," I said, "and sorry to burst your bubble, kids, but I won't let him get it for you."

I was determined to warn that imposing man to stop spoiling my children. He hadn't been around since we left the hospital a week ago, and I was relieved. He's finally home with his wife and son.

After re-dressing the boys, we headed to the entrance door. As I opened it, we were greeted by Mario's huge bodyguard, Mr. Huge, as my kids affectionately called him.

"Good morning, Miss Alice," He greeted. "I was sent by my boss to drive you and the kids to school."

I returned his greeting, my expression cold, before glaring at him. But he seemed unfazed as he carried Ava to the car in his arms, Liam and Paul were already inside.

"Tell your boss I won't get into his car with my kids," I stated firmly, following him.

As I reached the car, I called out, "Liam! Paul! Ava, get out! This man can't just appear out of nowhere and think he has rights over my life.”

My fists clenched in frustration. This was the third time he would be doing it this week but I've been refusing the three times too. I'd even thought he'd come himself but he didn't.

Mr. Huge's strong gaze met mine. "Ma'am, please, think of the kids. They're already running late."

"No, their teacher will understand," I replied. "Come down, kids. I'll get you chocolate."

The boys reluctantly climbed out of the car, their faces sullen.

Ava, who had been bouncing with excitement, now gazed at me uncertainly.

"But, Mom, Aunty Larissa will flog us," Paul said, adjusting his favorite nude cap that I'd finally allowed him to wear after persistent pleading.

"He's right, Mom," Liam and Paul chimed in, their big, puppy-like eyes melting my heart.

My resolve weakened, and my shoulders slumped.

Just then, Mr. Huge approached with his phone in hand. "Boss wants to speak with you, ma'am."

I refused to take the phone.

"Ava! Liam! It's Dad!" Liam exclaimed happily.

What!

"Come take us, Dad! We've missed you so much this week!" they shouted in unison, their excitement making my face burn with frustration.

I had repeatedly told them to stop calling him "Dad," but they refused to listen.

"Why haven't you come to see us in so long?" Liam asked.

Ava chimed in, her voice squealing with mischief, "Mom wants to have another baby with you, so we can have someone to carry! She misses you too, but won't show it." She wrapped her hand around mine, her eyes sparkling.

I felt embarrassed and wondered, "How did they learn such things?"

The children wrestled the phone from Mr. Huge's hands, and their simultaneous chatter filled the air as they spoke to him.

I considered taking the phone away, knowing we were running late and I had a packed schedule. However, seeing their radiant faces filled with joy, I couldn't bear to interrupt.

Finally having enough and being jealous, I shouted, my anger boiling over. "Fuck you! Go to hell, Mario! You'll regret this, you foolish man!"

I cursed loudly, momentarily forgetting my kids were nearby, but they were too engrossed in their phone call to notice.

Only Mario would hear my outburst, and I knew it.

Exhausted and frustrated, my shoulders aching from carrying heavy lunchboxes and bags, I reluctantly slid into the front seat of the car.

The kids, still on the phone, squealed with happiness at my action, tumbling into the back seat. Their actions to this imposing man made me remember something. They needed a father's figure. But, who'll even want a single mother?

I could handle them alone but the pressure and persistent ask for their father has stopped since Mario came along and I knew I had to take some steps.

*******

"Have they confessed who sent them, Officer?" I asked, sitting across from the same officer I'd met weeks ago.

I had returned to the station to follow up on my previous inquiry, as I hadn't received any updates since then. I haven't even heard from them about the nurse.

With a parents-teacher association meeting to attend today and several customers waiting for me at the shop, I was impatient.

"No, ma'am," the officer replied. "They've been interrogated extensively, but they refused to cooperate, even under extreme duress."

I studied his expression, noticing a faint twitch in his eyes as he spoke. He was hiding something.

"Are you certain?" I pressed my tone firm. "Or has Mario instructed you to keep quiet? Or perhaps you're unsure how to do your job effectively because even that nurse hasn't been apprehended?"

I watched the slight tremble of his hands as I mentioned the nurse but he quickly got himself. "He hasn't and I've been doing my job well.”

I stood up, grasping my bag. "You know what? I'll see them myself. And, you won't stop me."

With determination, I strode towards the corridor leading to the cells.

"Ma'am, please!" the officer shouted, his voice laced with terror as he chased after me.

The other officers stood by, just watching our exchange, but I didn't slow down.

I had no idea which cell held the captives, and I didn't care.

I didn't halt until he pleaded, "For the sake of your son, ma'am, please! Think of my little daughter's future. If I'm fired, her life will be ruined. I won't find another job, please!"

His desperate words struck a chord, and I stopped abruptly. The officer, still rushing, collided into my back, making me wince in pain.

"I'm so sorry about that, ma'am," he begged, his voice trembling.

I turned to face him, and he instantly dropped his gaze to the ground.

The forces controlling him must be powerful, I thought. But could it still be Mario or his bosses pulling the strings?

"Wonder," I said softly, "just think for a moment what you would do if your little daughter were kidnapped and her captors were within your reach. Just consider it for a moment."

I placed a gentle hand on his tense shoulder.

He raised his head slightly, and his eyes were already brimming with tears.

My heart went out to him, seeing a grown police officer so broken.

"I'll kill them brutally, ma'am, defying the law," he vowed, his voice cracking. "But please understand. I promise to find the mastermind behind this. Just give me more time. Don't take away my means of livelihood."

He pleaded, still avoiding eye contact.

I sighed. "Who's the person?" I asked.

He hesitated. "What do you mean, ma'am?"

"The person controlling you," I clarified. "The one instructing you to keep secrets from me. Is it still Mario?"

He shook his head fervently. "No, ma'am! It's not him. I promise, there's no one."

I studied his expression, searching for the truth.

"Alright," I conceded. "This is your last chance. Now, can I see them, even from a distance? Please, don't deny me this."

"Okay, just from afar and nothing more," he said hesitantly, and I nodded.

We continued walking until we reached a cell, stopping at a distance. Through the window's faint light, I saw a man's shadow. He sat with his head between his knees.

"But you told me there were two," I asked, turning to face the officer after squinting my eyes for minutes without seeing the rest. "Where is the other one?”

"Y-yes... I...I..." he stammered, not meeting my eyes.

His phone suddenly rang, and he looked relieved. "Excuse me, ma'am. I must take this important call."

He rushed away, leaving me curious. I watched his retreating back.

I moved towards the cell, standing there for what felt like eternity, gazing at the man who remained motionless. He hadn't raised his head.

As I turned to leave, he whispered faintly, and I strained to listen.

"El..." he murmured, his voice barely audible.

Then, his words poured out in a tormented stream, "He killed them. He's a monster... ripped them apart brutally."

He continued mumbling incoherently, his voice trembling as if he had been traumatized by something.

I wondered: What was he talking about? Who was El? And who had been killed?

His anguish was palpable, and I felt a shiver run down my body.

Remembering my kids' parents-teacher association meeting, I glanced at him one last time before leaving.