Chasing After Her

Chapter three

Valerie’s POV

“What the f—” I held in, trying my best not to use the F word aloud in front of my little angel.

“Learn to control your temper, Valerie.” My mother advised, patting my shoulder gently but I pushed her hand off. “You know I can’t help it sometimes Mother.”

“Maya always gets frightened whenever she sees you like this.” My mother whispered, her voice calm yet firm. I clenched my fist, hitting back the curse I wanted to scream.

I looked down at Maya who lay peacefully on her little bed, staring at me with her icy blue eyes which were already filled with tears. I let out a slight gasp, “Come here,” I pulled her into a warm embrace. “Don’t be scared my baby,” I patted her back. “Mummy is choked up this period,” I said, staring into her eyes, I planted a peck on her forehead before handing her over to my mother.

Those idiots don’t know how to do their jobs. They should have informed me earlier on so I would have comprehended my movement.

“Valerie, you should learn to control your anger whenever Maya is around you, or else she will get a bad perspective and become scared of you.” My mother said from where she sat, gently patting Maya to sleep.

“Mother, the driver tarnished my schedule.” My mother sighed. “You could always book a plane, Valerie.” I nodded, she was right. But then, I would have to book a commercial plane because I must fly.

“Have my secretary book me a flight to New York City immediately,” I ordered my maid who nodded gently before dashing out the door to get the task done.

Turning to my mother, “She can’t have a bad perspective about me, I am her mother. I gave birth to her so the love and connection will always be there.” I said, pointing at my little girl who was already trying to break out from her grandmother’s cling just to embrace me.

“This little girl revolves around you Valerie. Innocent girl.” My mother said, trying to hold Maya back from dragging my clothes. I stretched my hand towards her face, my fingers gliding down her chubby cheek. She let out a warm smile before snapping my finger away. “She is just as stubborn as you are as well.”

“Of course,” I said proudly, my fingers running through her thin chestnut brown hair.

She’s so attached to me that she wants to be exactly like me. I had to comply with her request and turn her black hair chestnut brown by dying it.

My phone vibrated, “Hope you got my message?” I asked my secretary.”Yes ma’am. Your flight leaves in three hours.” I nodded, “Okay.” I hung up.

“I will be leaving now, mother.” My mother asked as she stood up with Maya in her arms. “You will meet Ethan there? There’s no way you won't meet him. And it’s been years.”

“You worry too much mother.” I smiled gently, arranging my luggage. “He wouldn’t think about me. Why would he? I’m nothing but trash, to him” I muttered bitterly, holding back a little tear from rolling down my cheek.

Those words of his remained fresh in my memory, causing me bitterness and throwing me into a state of inner rage whenever I remember how I gave myself so cheaply to him that night. He was bold enough to say such to me after claiming he was in love with me. How heartless could a person be?

I shook off the thought of the past so it wouldn’t overwhelm my day. It's been almost six years since I left New York to take over and build the company I have now. I vowed never to go back to Brooklyn after I watched my driver drop off my son packaged in a box at the entrance of his office, but what could I do?

Back then in Brooklyn, I lived a low-profile life, studying and minding my business. No one knew I was the daughter of Kace Woods who was a well-known philanthropist. Not even Ethan knew my true identity.

After the incident that night, I left only to find out that I was carrying his baby. I hid it from him and gave birth to my twins. I couldn’t carry all the responsibilities alone, he needed to get his share at least. That was the reason I dropped off my son at his gate.

I want to see my son physically, I want to hold him and play with him but I don't want to see Ethan or have anything to do with him.

I don’t think Maya will ever forgive me for separating her from her twin brother. My son as well, I hope he forgives me for choosing to take care of his sister and sending him away to his father. “Mummy, when are we leaving?” Maya held my legs. She wasn’t looking good, “What’s the problem sweetie?”

“When are we leaving? I want to go on a pyane wide.” I smiled as I lifted her to my arms. “Soon baby,” I said sad, slightly tickling her, and she giggled loudly.

“I yove you mummy.” She squealed and a smile cut across my lips as I patted her back slowly before heading out of the room.

After saying goodbye to my mother, the driver helped to pack our luggage in the car before we drove off to the airport.

We arrived one hour early just the way I like it. I spotted a seat in the waiting area. I sat and carried Maya on my lap but she jumped down, clinging to the glass wall and staring at everyone passing. I gave her some space to do her own thing while I dived into my laptop to work.

“Mommy,” She called out to me, her voice soft with a hint of sadness. Attracted by her voice, I immediately looked away from my laptop. “Baby, what is the problem? Why do you look sad?” I asked, my brow raised in concern.

“Please Mommy,” She sniveled, “Can I get a daddy?”

Her words left me confused, throwing me off guard. I had no other choice but to stare at her cute face.

What do i even tell her? That her father rejected us? That her father has no idea of her existence?

No way. She’s just a little girl, too young to carry my pain. I’ve tried my best all these years, making sure she doesn’t feel the absence of her father. She has never asked until now and it’s leaving me confused,

What do I say to her now? That her daddy doesn’t know she exists? Or that I dropped her twin brother at his doorstep like some kind of forgotten package?

I guess this is the hard part of being a single mother, constantly lying to your kid to protect them from the unknown.

“Listen, fine, Alright baby, I will. But please cheer up, I can't stand seeing you like this.”

“A lot of people in my class come to school with their daddy. But I don't and they ask me about my daddy. Did Daddy die? Did he die because of me?” Her innocent lips curled downward giving out a sad expression that shattered my heart into pieces.

For a second I couldn’t breathe—-my lungs locked hard.

“My baby, Daddy did not die.” I pulled her into a warm embrace. “And you can have a daddy as well.”

“When? Where is he?” she asked, breaking out of my embrace. I let out a deep sigh, playing with the tips of her hair, “Daddy and I are having a little argument but it doesn't involve you. You will get to meet him soon.” I smiled. I wasn't ready for her to meet Ethan at all but then, I just had to lie.

“B24.” I heard a voice announce from the speaker. “That's our flight baby,” I said to Maya, taking her along with me. Good enough, Maya forgot all about the daddy talk so we were having a peaceful flight. I focused on my laptop while she kept looking at the clouds from the window.

Ethan might find me here, I wonder how he would react. What if he humiliates me? I wouldn't be surprised after all. But I won't allow such to repeat itself. He said he wanted me out of his life for good and that is just what I've done.

He wouldn’t dare think about me. Why would he?

Mr. No repeats on his menu. I still can’t believe i’d let a man say that to my face.

But poor Maya, I would do anything to make her happy. I don't want to have anything to do with Ethan but Maya feels sad when she sees her classmates with their fathers. Poor child.

I couldn't lie to her that he was dead, that would be the height of it especially if I wanted her to meet her twin brother someday. I can't keep both of them separated from each other forever.

“We’ve landed.” A lady said, tapping me from the back. I had been so lost in thoughts that I didn't hear the announcements.

“Welcome to New York City ma’am. I hope you enjoy your stay.” The flight attendant smiled at me as I stepped out of the plane with Maya in my arms.

I felt a cold shiver run through me as i stared around. Everywhere somehow screamed,

My past is becoming the beginning of my new future.

“Ahhh! Do you not look where you’re going?” I questioned immediately, lifting my eyes to meet with the body which bumped into me.

“Valerie?”

I swallowed hard, The voice stabbed through me like a glass.

I froze—my fingers fidgeting right beside me…My past is really catching up on me, more faster than i ever imagined.