Chapter 1_ Runaway Kid

A middle aged woman tapped her feet impatiently on the marbled floor, her brown eyes darted to the clock one more time..

"Mum, I've told you already, that b*tch won't come down anytime soon, after all she doesn't need our help anymore because she now owns a petty restaurant" Vivian, a blonde lady who sat on the cushion filing her nails spoke out scornfully obviously trying to instigate her mum against her step sister ..

"Well who is going to do the house chores? just because she owns a restaurant doesn't make her skip the chores!"

A light footstep was heard descending down the stairs, the mother and daughter duo snapped their head to the direction and in came a beauty!..

A lady came in view, she had a small smile on her heart shaped lips.. Her black sharp orbs pierced through the mother and daughter who were ogling at her, she could already tell what was going on in their mind..

Today was just like any other day when they ask her to do the chores..

Her black long and shiny hair was let loose to cascade down her shoulder..

"And where do you think you're going Arya?" Joyce questioned walking towards her..

Arya pointed to the clock present in the mini living room.. "it's late already, I don't want to keep the city hungry and when did you start caring about my whereabouts stepmom?"

Vivian sprang up to her feet glaring at her step sister.. "no one gives a f*ck about your bloody restaurant.. don't expect me to do the chores for you!"

Arya sighed, she dropped her black purse on the table.. Her lips turned into a mischievous smirk as she tied her hair into a bun..

"You want me to do the cleaning? but what if I don't?!" She fired harshly at the two..

Joyce was taken by surprise, Vivian launched an attack on Arya only to be held back by her mum..

"If you don't do the cleaning, you won't leave this room"

Arya grabbed her purse "I'll like to see who stops me"

Vivian grabbed Arya's arm only to be pushed down by Arya..

"Don't you both ever get tired of creating troubles for me?"

Joyce rushed to her daughter who was pushed heartlessly on the hard ground..

"B*tch! how dare you?! I'll kill you when I get my hands on you!" Vivian cursed out loudly..

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Chloe gasped as Arya narrated the incident that took place a while ago at her house.. Chloe was Arya's best friend since childhood so they practically knew everything about each other..

"I can't stand them anymore, they keep making things difficult for me"

Chloe touched Arya's arm and gave it a small squeeze "You know I'm always here for you sweetie.. anyways forget about those nasty people..the city needs the best cook right now"

Arya smiled and nodded to Chloe's words, the only time she felt alive was whenever she cooked and make tasty dishes

"I'll handle things over here, you can go attend to everyone out there"

In a large conference room filled with business men and women talking among themselves and at the same time waiting for the big boss to arrive..

The large double doors was opened by a guard who bowed as a tall figure walked into the room, everyone present stood up to acknowledge the big boss who just arrived..

His black orbs were fixed ahead as he walked in elegantly, his hair was perfectly gelled that not even a strand was out of place..

He took his designated seat at the head of the table..

"Good morning Mr Anderson" The business partners greeted in unison only to receive a nod in reply..

They took their seats and resumed their purpose for holding the meeting..

"Mr Anderson..our business deal was a success and we would like you to...

A buzzing phone interupted the meeting, all eyes fell on Mr Anderson...

He stared down at his phone, he picked it up and raised it to his ear..

"Speak!"

His authoritative voice echoed in the conference room..

The next word he heard made him rise up on his feet abruptly.. "What?!"

He hanged up and walked out of the conference room and never for once looked back..

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Kyle got out from his car and hurried into an elementary school.. he came across a lady who he recognized to be little Ray's teacher..

"Mr Anderson, thank goodness you're here.. Ray suddenly disappeared, but we found this note he left behind"

Kyle hissed in anger, he already knew what this was about , he collected the little note and scanned through it..

"Off to find mum"

Sweat broke out on the lady's forehead as she saw Kyle's knuckle tightened into a fist..

'Will he shut down our school?' she questioned herself, her lips quivered as she thought of the things that will befall her if the kid was not found..

"How can you allow a five year old run off? what manner of incompetence is this?!"

"Mr... Ander... Anderson....

Kyle turned and walked away in large strides, he pulled out his phone.."Block the city's exists.. and send the news to the media.. whoever finds him will be rewarded generously.. make it quick!"

A little boy wandered about in a school uniform on the busy road, he hid behind a car when he sighted his dad's guards moving about. he was so sure that they were searching for him..

He sighted a small restaurant a few distance away from his current hiding position before he sneaked in..

Arya smiled at the man who just tipped her, "You're always welcomed back here sir" She added before she left for the counter.

Chloe nudged Arya and wiggled her brows, Arya sighed, she knew what her friend meant by doing that..

"Of course, here you go!" she placed a few notes on Chloe's outstretched palm..

Arya was just about to leave for the kitchen when she spotted a little boy of about five years sneaking in.. she chuckled at his cute behavior..

"Umm Chloe..I'll be back" she murmured to which Chloe nodded to..

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Arya slowly followed him and was surprised to see him bend and crawl underneath a table..

She found his attitude cute yet strange, she hurried to the table and slowly went on her knees..

Ray's heart beat increased when he saw a pair of legs at the table he was currently hiding at.. his little hands searched his blue back pack till he found a sharp pencil..

Arya raised the table cloth and was surprised to see a pencil pointed to her face..

"Who are you? are you here to take me back to daddy?!"

Arya's heart warmed up, she smiled and raised her hands to touch his head..

"Why are you hiding under this table? and where is your daddy?"

Ray pouted at the mention of his daddy, "I don't want to go back to him"

Arya nodded, she took notice of his school uniform..

'did he run away from his school?' she questioned herself.. it's not even closing hours yet.

"What is your name?"

Arya snapped out of her daze when she heard him speak again..

"Arya"

Ray hummed in reply and stretched his hand to her..

"I'm Ray.. nice to meet you Arya"

The table cloth was suddenly pulled off..

"What are you...?" Chloe's words was cut short when her eyes fell on the boy..

Her jaw dropped, she pointed to him in uncertainty..

"this boy?"

Arya stretched her hand out for him to take, "Come on ray"

Ray stared down at her palm, "Will you take me to my daddy?"

Arya shook her head in return, he stretched his pinky finger towards her..

"Pinky promise?"

"Pinky promise" Arya replied intertwining her pinky finger with his..

He reluctantly came out from hiding under the table..

"Can I get something to eat?"

Arya nodded her head and led him to an empty table..

She turned back to Chloe and caught her giving Ray a mean look..

"Chloe? get him something to eat"

Chloe nodded and left the two alone, Arya drew out a seat and sat in front of Ray..

"Ray..did you run away from your school?"

Ray shrugged nonchalantly fondling with his pencil..

"I don't want my daddy to find me"

Arya sighed, she had previously thought that his dad was in the restaurant but by the look of things he really came here alone..

And who the hell is this daddy he keeps talking about?!