A new friend

Lauren thought hard of how to cheer the little boy up when he awoke and finally, she settled on making paper boats. It had been one of her hobbies as a kid since she didn’t own fancy toys like the other rich kids. She was making the third one when he awoke with a frown plastered on his face. His expression had gone from sad to icy.

Did he not really remember what had happened?

  “Awake already?”

Just as she expected, she got no response but it didn’t kill her resolve to make him smile. Moving closer to the lake, she set the paper boats afloat.

She cleared her throat, “Ho. Ho. Ho. Come on aboard. The ship is about to leave.” She said imitating the voice of a ship captain.

She watched as the frown on his face struggled for a brief moment before finally dissolving into a childish grin that almost melted her. Smiling back, she stretched her arms towards him and in no time, he was beside her, watching the boat float.

  “Wow! Will you teach me how to make that?”

She was caught off guard, “Sure. C’mon, let’s make more of those.”

The next two hours was spent making paper boats and even planes. They played together and when they were both tired, they sat quietly enjoying each other’s company.

  “Little One?” she called out breaking the silence.

  “Hmm?”

He really didn’t mind her calling her that?

She turned him to face her and placed each palm on his shoulders. “You will forgive Mom and Dad, right?”

His smile was quickly replaced with a frown.

  “I’m sure they didn’t really mean to neglect you.” She quickly explained, “You see, as parents, it is their duty to make life comfortable for you and they cannot do this if they do not work.”

His frown lightened much to her relief. She had been thinking of ways to make him return home. She couldn’t possibly bring him to the Byrne mansion or she would be digging her own grave. She couldn’t leave him out there alone either.

  “I--“ her phone rang interrupting her. She retrieved it from her jean pocket and looked at the caller ID with a lit up face.

She quickly answered the call, “Mrs. Patricks?”

Mrs. Patricks was one of her employers. In fact, she was her biggest employer. She was the owner of a five-star hotel where she worked as a cleaner.

  “Is something wrong, Mrs. Patricks?” it was rare for Mrs. Patricks to call her up on phone.

  “Get your stupid ass back here this minute! I want the windows re-cleaned in ten minutes or you can kiss this month’s pay goodbye!"

                                                 *******

Bryan gazed at the good Samaritan in front of him as she answered her call which by her expression, wasn’t a good one. He just didn’t understand why he felt so much happiness around her; like he wants her to stay. Perhaps it was because of the paper boats and all but he knew it was way beyond it else, he wouldn’t have cried in her arms and lay open his feelings. Ever since his mother absconded leaving him with his ever busy father, he had always disliked the female gender; especially grown up ones. His father had employed nannies for him several times but they didn’t last a week and in anger, his father had sent him to live with his grandparents in the family mansion.

All of a sudden, he began to wish that he could claim her and bring her home for himself. Money wasn’t a problem for his Dad after all. He watched her put down her phone with a frown that quickly changed to a smile the minute their eyes met. He knew immediately that it was time to go.

  “Bunny?” she called out softly.

  “Hmm?” he really didn’t mind her calling him that. He didn’t mind her calling him anything so long as she didn’t leave.

He watched her struggle with what to say for the next few minutes and a warm feeling spread all over him. It meant she liked him too and was reluctant to leave.

  “You have to go right?” He questioned.

She nodded, thrown off balance. She looked at him, a combination of beauty and brains—a very rare combination, especially in a child.

  “Is it work?” he asked again.

She nodded, “I’m sorry Little One.”

  “Granny once told me that if two people are forced to separate by unforeseen events, fate will always find a way to bring them together. I’ll wait for you, okay?” He couldn’t promise he would be back any soon. Not when he knew the minute he returns home, his father would tighten the security around him.

  “Come here.” She pulled him into her arms, hugging him tight, “I’ll wait for you too.” I’ll miss you.

  “I like you.” He suddenly said out of the blue. And he really meant it.

She pulled away and looked into those cute, irresistible hazel eyes. “I like you too.”

She laughed when he grinned harder like someone awarded a scholarship.

  “Come on, I’ll drop you home before heading to work.” She said getting to her feet.

  “You’ll be late for work. Moreover, my home is just a few blocks from here. I can find my way.” he said, knowing his father would send her behind bars if she was caught with him.

She looked at him with doubt, “But I want to make sure you are safe.”

He grinned, “I can take care of myself. You don’t have to worry about me.” Of course, he knew the reason why his father’s men hadn’t found him yet was because that place was an isolated place. The very second he was out; he would definitely be caught.

She sighed, “Please be safe, okay?”

She hugged him one last time before running off, hoping Mrs. Patricks would not have exhausted her patience before she got there.”