Chasing After Her

Chapter Five

Ethan POV

“Roco!!! Hey, stop Please!!” I yelled, eyes bulged out of its socket.

The sound of the gunshot sent a tidal wave of panic and the sight of those armed men too. I had to draw Roco close, restricting his view with the aid of my palm.

I scanned the area, expecting an attack, an ambush... anything at all.

But instead…applause.

A line of security personnel stood still, chest out, saluting.

Then a man stepped out of a black armored SUV— The governor.

I blinked slightly, it was all a ceremonial gun salute for his arrival.

Holy mother.

My heart was still racing but I took deep breaths to calm myself. Roco looked up at me, confused and slightly amused.

“Was that for us?” He questioned,

“No it wasn’t.” I exhaled, “False alarm.” I echoed, placing a hand on my chest.

“Alright, Back to my question.” Roco broke out from my grip, staring at me like I owed him explanations.

I remained silent, pretending not to have recalled his question. Suddenly, He ran off before I could say anything. Maybe he would forget about the question, I hope so.

“I'm so sorry.” A feminine voice said. I turned around, my eyes meeting that of hers.

“I wasn’t expecting that I’d meet you here but never knew it would be this soon.”

Rona glared at me, giving out a bright smile as she tried grabbing my hand but I quickly pulled my hand back with a frown. She chortled, “Let Roco be, and let’s spend some quality time together before the event takes off.” Rona suggested.

Third POV

Rona had always been trying to get Ethan’s attention. She wants him all to herself alone. She'd even gone to the length of pretending to love Roco just to be close to Ethan but Roco as a smart boy never allowed her to have her way in.

“What do I do to get this man? I can't just let him slip off my fingers.” Rona thought within herself as she placed her hand on his shoulder.

“I love your outfit,” she said, letting out a smile. Ethan, aware of how the women around him would do and say anything just to get on his good side, ignored her. He felt disgusted by her presence and flirtatious attitude in public. “I have to go now.”

“May I come with you Eth?” Rona shamelessly asked aloud, causing people around them to stare.

Ethan’s POV

I shook my head before walking out of Rona. Among all the women I've encountered, Rona happens to be the worst. Why would a woman be so desperate for a man’s attention in life?

“You are not just any man. You are the CEO of DPAG.” Giddy who had just come in, whispered from behind me.

“And you think that I don't know that? I mean, man Rona’s lack of self-control is turning into something else and becoming annoying. I just can't stand it.” I responded to him as I headed in the direction I saw Roco last.

My eyes roamed around in search for him and after a few minutes, I saw him head towards a little girl who seemed to be surrounded by other kids who were making fun of her. “Nya, nya, nya. I want my mwomi.” a kid said and the others laughed like their stomach were about to explode.

“What is going on here?” Roco intervened. “Look at her, she was acting all tough before but she is nothing but a big crybaby.” the other kid said, laughing and pointing out to the little girl who looked so shy and scared.

“Hey, stop that!” Roco attacked the kids with a fierce tone. “And who are you to tell us what to do?” a boy asked with his brow raised, rolling his palms into fists. At first, it looked funny the way they were acting like teenagers in school but then, things were about to take the wrong turn and I didn't want the kids to throw fists at each other. “Let the kids sort themselves.” Giddy said, stopping me from going to the kids.

Just then, Roco ignored the kids and walked up to the girl pulling her up from the floor and dusting off her gown. She turned and I was alarmed. She looked so much like Roco but the female version with brown hair. “Wait, Brown hair… Does that mean?”

“Scram!” Roco raised his fingers and waved it at them and they instantly ran off.

Roco is a very brave and bold child. He does things kids his age couldn't and that was exactly like me when I was his age. That’s why I consider him so special and talented.

“What's up Roco?” I asked, walking over to both of them. Roco seemed a little bit shy but I wasn't surprised in any way. He'd already gotten the reputation of never talking to a girl.

He glared at me while the little girl stared at me in fear. She had pretty eyes and was the same height as Roco. She looked more like the feminine version of Roco. I became suspicious and wanted to confirm by meeting her mother first.

“Little angel, can you tell me your name?” I asked, squatting down to the same height as her.

“M..maya.” She murmured, her voice tiny, soft and gentle. “Maya, That is a very beautiful name dear. Maya what?” I asked her slowly.

“Maya Woods.” She replied.

My heart jumped… my head is calculative, putting two and two together.

I stared at Maya carefully, observing her physical details. “This can’t be,” I murmured to myself, switching my gaze from Maya to Roco. They both shared the same body features. And her last name too…

“Maya baby…. I've been searching everywhere for you.” A familiar feminine voice said from behind. That familiar voice was one which i would never forget even in years to come.

I rose up, my eyes meeting with that of hers as she stared at me. I couldn’t clearly detect her true emotions but I was sure those gazes had something behind them. “Valerie,” I called out with a warm smile, breaking the silence. “Where did the earth hide you?”

She chuckled slightly, evidently fake and forced. She observed behind me, her stares fixed on Roco who held Maya hands firmly. The arduous and obstinate look on her face disappeared, replaced by a cocooning look.

She walked over to them and knelt before them, ignoring me. “Maya,” She called out, her arms stretched out towards Maya and Roco. “Come to...” Maya immediately rushed into her warm embrace, wrapping her arms around Valerie. “Hey…” She gestured towards Roco, letting out an affable smile. “What is your name?”

“Roco.” He replied boldly. “I guess you are Maya’s mother, am I correct?”

Valerie chuckled, “Yes, you are correct.” She replied. I stared deeply at her, trying to sense her emotions through her reflexes. She was clearly holding back ber tears but then she got a grip of herself before pulling both kids into a hug. “I’m happy to meet you Roco. Thank you for what you did over there. Maya could be a scaredy cat most times.”

“We are friends now ma’am. I invited her to a play date at my mansion, would you let her come please?” Roco questioned. I stood there in shock, watching the young man speak. He’d not gotten to a teenager yet and he’d already begun inviting girls over to my mansion.

I recalled I had a picture of Valerie on my desk at the office in the mansion. My heart sunk into my stomach, hoping that Roco wouldn’t recognize Valerie. “Mummy..” Maya called out to Valerie, playing with the strands of her hair. “Pwease, can i go on the date?” Valerie smiled at both kids. “Of course you can.” Valerie said with a smile. Both kids stared at each other, ecstasy evident on their faces.

Maya went off with Roco leaving Valerie and i alone. “Aren’t we cool, Miss Woods?” I investigated with a slight smile. “I can’t believe you ran away with my daughter for years and never mentioned a thing about her to me.”

“Like you care.” She replied in a sassy tone.

“Really, I wouldn’t care about my own children?” I raised a brow. “Valerie, they are my children, you can't just send one and keep the other one away from me, the same way you kept yourself away from me for years.”

I walked towards her, peering into her pale face. She took a step back and kept on moving until she was stopped by the wall as her back banged silently on the wall.

I looked around, glad to see that everyone was busy with their own stuff and no one paid attention to our direction. “Ethan, What is the meaning of this? What are you trying to do?” Valerie questioned, her voice trembling as her eyes searched my eyes.

She was so close, yet I couldn't touch her— If I kissed her now, Would she slap me or kiss me back?

A trial would convince me, I guess. I leaned in, catching her exhale before directing my lips towards hers.