9: Where's Jumia?

Olivia's POV 

A rush of excitement swept through my heart, a slight chuckle lingering on my lips throughout the ride as we drove in the direction of his school.

It was my first time coming on my own after the accident, and I felt I should arrive a little earlier this time. Jumia was my joy and deserved every bit of care, affection, and protection I could offer. He would be pleased to have me pick him up alongside his uncle James, who had offered to come with me since he hadn't set eyes on Jumia in a long while. I could already picture the glint in his tender little face; that glint that made all the hard work worthwhile.

I was pleased with James' offer, but even more so with the realization that soon, we would become one big happy family: James, Jumia, and me. I pictured the exciting moments we would share and the  joy of being loved, a feeling I had cherished ever since I met James four years ago at the airport.

My gaze momentarily darted towards James, who was carefully focused on the road as he handled the throttle. A soft chuckle stretched across my cheeks, already feeling warmth with him by my side; a feeling that made every moment special.

I had already imagined the happy moments we would have as a family. Then suddenly, a wave of bitterness washed over me, replacing the earlier excitement.

“Are you alright?” James' voice pulled me out of my thoughts, and I flinched. His gaze settled on my cheeks, and I felt my hands grow wet. That’s when I realized tears had trickled down from my eyes. I quickly wiped them away with the back of my hand and turned back to his concerned gaze.

“I’m just fine,” I asserted, trying to steady my composure.

He stretched out his hand and placed it on my face, cupping my cheeks. A feeling of peace slowly crept into my heart.

“I can tell from your gaze that something isn't right. Are you still thinking about your past?” he asked, and I nodded.

It wasn't surprising that James knew me so well—well enough to read the emotions and concerns in my eyes. He had practically been with me these past four years. He had been my pillar, my shoulder to lean on, the one I cried to each time I felt the weight of that sorrowful night; a night of pain and agony. He had always been there for me.

No matter how hard I tried, I still couldn't let go. His body on top of me, his panting breath and my pleas to let go. No matter how strong I felt, I still needed to push forward; to become the successful woman I am today.

“Just let it slide, alright?” he whispered, rubbing my cupped cheeks gently, cherishing every moment of my soft chuckles.

His gaze remained fixed on mine for a moment, and after a little while, he suggested, “How about a surprise visit to the park tomorrow? Would that count?”

“Nice idea, but no, I decline. You don't need to stress yourself on my behalf. You still have a lot to do in establishing the new branch of your company over here. That alone is already a big stress on your part,” I expressed, feeling every excitement of the moment.

“No, I insist. You've never been any stress to me, and taking care of you and Jumia has always been my joy and ultimate desire,” he insisted, his voice filled with so much emotion that it could turn me on at any time.

“No, I refuse,” I protested.

After a defeated fight, he knew so well that he could never beat me at my own game once I started. He succumbed.

“Alright, you won,” his voice was cold.

My gaze darted back to the road, and that was when I realized the car was parked, not at the school but at a store's parking lot just by the roadside.

“Why pull over? Don’t tell me it was because of the tears?” I teased, but he giggled and turned on the engine.

After a few minutes’ drive, we got to the school, but we were a little late; by two minutes. My earlier plans of surprising Jumia on my first arrival to pick him up from school were crushed; all because of my emotions and past taunts.

“I still stick to waiting in the car while you go pick up Jumia. He should open the car to find me seated as planned. That would make him even more elated,” James suggested, still pressing on with his initial plans, even though I insisted it was already invalid since we hadn't kept to the scheduled arrival time.

Stepping out of the car, still having that bright smile on my face as an aftermath of the joy I felt, I stood outside the car. My gaze strayed to the waiting lot, where I could see a large number of children waiting for their guardians to come pick them up; just in the school premises, though outside the main school building that also had a gate.

I took a deep breath as I stepped forward toward the direction where I expected Jumia to be. I imagined he would rush over to greet me with an embrace as soon as he saw me. My smile remained visible, and my heart was filled with longing.

As I approached the lobby, I still saw no sign of Jumia coming to me. My thoughts wandered; what could he be doing that he hadn’t noticed my presence? I felt a little uneasy but kept my smile until I finally stood in the lobby.

I scanned the children and the empty benches but couldn't spot Jumia anywhere. At first, I thought he might be engrossed in something, but now a slight worry crept into my heart. I took another glance at the rows, watching as the kids gradually dispersed, each one leaving with their guardian.

Jumia was nowhere to be seen. My heartbeat quickened. I stood there for a moment before realizing I had been scanning the area over and over again; more than a dozen times.

None of the children could be left inside the main building, as stated in the school’s guidelines. A sudden wave of panic washed over me.

Just as I was about to retrieve my phone from my purse, the mini gate of the main building opened, revealing a man and a little child.

I looked closer, and the realization that hit me sent chills down my spine.

Liam!…