Chapter 11
1099 Words
(Eliana’s POV)
“Mumma, I want to pee!” Everyone in the taxi was silent until Lucas pulled on my sleeves to get my attention. I noticed a terrified expression on his face while he was clutching his jeans tightly.
“Oh, oh, uh, give me a second baby… Excuse me sir, can we make a quick stop at a cafe or restaurant which is nearby? It’s an emergency” I give him a little pep talk before requesting the driver to pull over at a cafe or somewhere so we can use the loo.
I ushered the three of them inside the well-built cafe as soon as he pulled up, which was in about another minute. I assisted Lucas in opening his button as Leo slept blissfully in my arms, and Liam remained by the washbasin the entire time.
“Are you done baby?...Liam, you want to go?...We will not stop again for the washroom, if you want you can go now” As Lucas emerged from the restroom and assisted with buttoning his trousers, I again asked Liam if he wanted to use the restroom.
I led them outside after he gave me a sideways shake of his head. Only a couple and a man wearing a hoodie were seated in the cafe. Liam pulled at my sleeves as I turned to go out and gestured to a cookie that was on display. I made Liam and Lucas sit after checking the time and realising we had some time before boarding our flight.
I moved in the direction of the counter, where a lone girl was standing and grinning broadly. I smiled and gave her a nod before turning to look at the menu. I ordered some food while tending to Leo, who was just dozing off in my arms.
“Mumma!” When I heard Lucas's loud voice in the cafe, I immediately looked away out of terror.
The instant I turned, everything in my universe changed. From a few steps away, those dark brown eyes that I had been running from for years were studying me with a range of emotions.
“Eliana!...Grayson!” At the same moment, we both said the other's name and simply stopped there. My body was still in the same spot, and everything around us was unnaturally quiet, as if no one else was there except for both of us just like that fateful night. I felt as if I had forgotten how to move at that time.
“Excuse me, excuse me…excuse me, ma’am” To break me out of my daze, someone gave me a slight shake. I turned to face the girl behind the counter who was giving me my order. Leo was still in my arms when I accepted the shake and requested her to assist me in carrying the tray to our table. Grayson was still standing in the same location, so I didn't glance at him until I was moving towards my table.
“Yeah, chocolate shake!” As I placed it in front of Liam, he joyfully cried out, and I smiled and playfully tousled his hair. Before Lucas acknowledged Grayson by tucking his sleeves and turning his focus from me to himself, all of my concentration was on my children.
“Sit…Mumma, he is the uncle who saved me when I got lost” Lucas forced him to take a seat across from me on one of the empty chairs. My eyes widened the instant Lucas revealed that he had already met him.
“Uncle, you want cookies? It’s tasty!” He only shook his head with a weary smile as Liam offered him some cookies.
Grayson started to move his head side to side while looking up from his lap when everyone was occupied eating. He studied Liam and Lucas, whose faces resembled his almost exactly. I immediately got up and asked the girl behind the counter to pack the leftover food because my heart began to race and I became anxious.
“Uh, thank you for watching my son that day…Let’s go” After receiving the packet from the girl, I started to leave the cafe, but not before thanking Grayson. I was trembling so terribly that I was unable to look him in the eye. the entire time my head is down.
“Eliana!... I, uh…Can we t-talk, pls?” As soon as I opened the door, Grayson's voice could be heard. The voice, which had previously been melodic to me, now turned sour. When I turned back, he was fidgeting with his hoodie. For a split second, I considered saying no, but then I saw his sad eyes, and my heart refused to break it. Hence, I agreed.
We must have sat in the corner for five minutes or more, while Lucas and Liam sat at the table close by but far enough away that they couldn't hear us talk.
“Uh, I-I…that night we…” He looked down at his lap and began to stammer. Even though I knew he would bring that night, I still lacked the courage to face those memories.
“What do you want?” I inhaled deeply and asked him with all the assurance I could muster. He raised his head, and our gazes locked once more. This time, I was able to see via his eyes all the questions that were running through his head.
“Eliana, I looked for you…everywhere. Uh, where did you go after…that night?” He asked, a hint of confidence showing on his face. I was not prepared to answer him right now, not in front of my children, since I knew if I answered him, more questions about my past would come up.
“Sorry grayson, I have a flight to catch…My husband is waiting at the airport” I apologised and steadied Leo, who had been in my arms the entire time. I interrupted him and said a falsehood about having a husband just as he was about to say something. He shut his mouth when he heard me say that, and the emotion he was experiencing was evident in his eyes.
Liam and Lucas were taken by me as I left the cafe without another word. My whole body was shaking the entire way to the airport. The person who I never wanted to see in my life is now aware of both my children and myself.
I simply prayed the entire time that this would be my last encounter with Grayson, but sometimes things don't work out the way you had hoped.
- Writer
