Chasing After Her

Chapter four

Ethan’s POV

“Something smells nice.” Roco's voice said faintly. “So you wouldn't have woken up if not for the aroma, huh?”I said, opening the window blind.

“Is grandma cooking?” I rolled my eyes, walking past him. “Young man, you need to learn how to keep your stuff in order.” He sprang out of his bed straight to the door, heading out at full speed.

“You better brush your teeth before putting any food into your mouth young man.”

He ignored me, running downstairs to meet my mother in the kitchen.

He loves his grandma so much and is always happy whenever he sees her around.

She had visited us unexpectedly and taken over the kitchen, sending the maids out. I was grateful at her sudden visit, at least she would help me watch over Roco. Taking care of him as a single father wasn't as easy as I made it appear.

I went downstairs and found him locked in my mother’s arms before running upstairs. I guess she had told him to go have his bath before breakfast.

“Hey you, see to it that he runs a proper bath,” I said to his maid who bowed before walking past me.

“Thanks for coming, mum. What would I have done with you?” I said, letting out a slight gasp. “Have you found her yet?” I found her question a little bit out of the conversation so I ignored it. “Ethan I'm talking to you.” She pressed.

“No Mum and please don't start now,” I said coldly, Walking past her to get myself a cup of coffee. “Ethan, are you even searching for her?” I sighed,

“Mother, I am searching for her. It seems like she just vanished away from the surface of the earth.”

“This is all your fault, Ethan. I have always warned you about the way you treat women but you never heed my words. You treated a good woman like she’s some piece of trash and now you can’t seem to find her anywhere.” She rolled her eyes as she placed her dish on the table before sitting down.

“Mother, I don't care. It is not even my fault. You don't expect me to trust every lady I come across out there. You know fully well that a lot of them search for means to get married to me forcefully. It’s always looking like a trap” I said, clarifying the bitter truth. Valerie was the only lady who was different from those other women, I accept. She didn't force me to take care of her, she sent the baby to me.

“I wasn't even aware of her pregnancy. She took care of herself all alone until she had the baby. That is a good woman who doesn't force herself on a man. That alone won my heart and I wanted her back in my life to stay permanently. I knew it would take a lot of time to win her back but I was ready for that.” I said.

“Alright then, you win like always.” She said, “I just want you to know that your son needs a mother in his life. He doesn't see me as his mother and he is missing out on the motherly love boys his age get.”

“Mother if I don't find Valerie, then I guess Roco would learn to live without a mother.” Just then, Roco walked in already dressed in his shirt and pants.

“You should come and have a seat before your breakfast gets cold son,” I said to him,

“So what's been going on with you?” I asked after he took his seat. “Same thing every day. Pretty girls forcing friendship on me.” Roco shrugged.

“You little man.” I smiled at him, snapping his nose with my finger.

“Little man is all grown up.” My mum said, “You're right grandma.” Roco added.

“Daddy, I heard you telling Grandma that you will be attending an event today.” Roco mouthed a spoonful of his meal. “I see you’ve been a good eavesdropper then,” I said, staring at him. “Please father, please.” I dropped my utensils. “What now?”

“Please Father, can I not go?” I wasn't surprised by his words. He never liked going with me to any functions and I couldn't tell why. “Of course, son,” I replied with a smile.

“Thank you, Daddy. Thank you.” I sighed at him. “Don’t exaggerate Roco, you're still coming with me and that's final. End of discussion.”

“Grandma.” My mother stared at him. “I’m sorry Roco but I have an Anniversary to be at today so I can't babysit you. You will have to go with your father. I bet it will be fun.” My mother nodded.

“Jeez.” He thundered. “I hope I'll have some alone time with no bodyguards following me around.”

“Yes,” I replied, pointing towards his plate so he could continue his breakfast. After breakfast, I went to my office to check some records. I found Paul arranging some paperwork on my desk. “Please tell me you have good news about her,” I asked, sitting on the desk.

“As a matter of fact, yes.” He replied, handing over a file to me. “I had to do my thorough research before jumping to any conclusion. Just as I have always suspected sir,” Valerie is the daughter of Kace Woods and also the CEO of the pharmaceutical engineering company in Florida.

“How can that be possible?” I asked, fixing my eyes on the file which revealed facts backing up all he had said. “It took us a long time to acknowledge this because she hasn't been making any sort of public appearance which is the nature of the Woods right from time.”

“So she started her own company, smart. she will be attending the event tonight right?” I asked and he nodded.

“Listen, you need to be sure about all of these. I don't want to get my hopes up and in the end, lose it all.” I said. “I am a hundred percent sure about this sir so you have nothing to worry about.”

I smiled, walking towards the window. Finally, I would have Valerie back in my life. It’s been almost six years. I can't wait to see her and feel those soft hands of hers. Mine would be coming back to me. She has a lot of explaining to do on why she left and boxed Rocco to me when he was a baby. She didn't even come to ask after him for once. Roco has been so strong, that he never asked about her. He just went on with accepting my mother as his mother.

“The young master asked if he could get a new car for himself again….”

“Tell him to forget about it. He won't be getting any new car until I feel he needs one. How would a five-year-old always be getting a brand-new car each year? What happened to the Rolls Royce I got for him? Isn’t that enough to drive him to school?” I cut him off before he could complete whatever he had to say.

Roco was turning into a brat. I wonder each day why he had to take more of Valerie’s stubbornness because I am sure I am not as combative and stubborn as she is.

“Whatever you say, sir.” He bowed before walking out of the office, leaving me staring at Valerie’s picture which lay on my desk. I ran my fingers across her face slowly, letting out a warm smile.

I've had this picture on my desk for so long. Roco must have seen it countless times when he'd run into my office in his school uniform. Surprisingly, He never asked me about the picture. Roco would point a gun to my head and pull the trigger when he was all grown up and found out that I was the reason his mother left.

“Then you would have a taste of your own medicine because he took after you.” Giddy teased. “You talk too much these days, Giddy. How long have you been in here?” I asked, watching him come out of my convenience.

“Last week, We made huge sales and our scientists are making progress on their new research to permanently cure cancer,” Giddy said. I smiled, at least there was hope for my mother. The doctor said she’s got limited time to live but I don’t want her to die.

I went down to finish up the paperwork on my desk which demanded my signature. “Paul, Go check on Roco. See to it that he is prepared for tonight’s event.” I said to Paul the moment it was evening. Heading to my room, I got dressed in a few minutes then headed for my car downstairs, at the garage.

Roco was already inside the Car, he wasn’t in his best look and I was expecting that. The drive down to the location of the event was a calm one.

On getting there, we stepped out of the car and were welcomed by beautiful smiles and chatter. “Be on the looks Paul. We don’t want to lose our chance.” I instructed Paul who sat in the driver’s seat.

“Father,” Roco shocked my hand. “What now young man? Didn’t you see that I was having a discussion….”

“Father, why do all the kids here have a mother alongside them, but I don't?” Rocco cut me off before I could complete my question.

“My teacher said you pushed mummy away and that you hated her. Is that true?” He hesitated, eyes searching mine.

“It was hard to believe her because you always tell me to be nice and protect those we love. So why does my teacher say you hate mummy?”

My heart stopped,

I wasn’t ready for this. Not here, not now.

He wasn't blinking. Just standing there with his eyes fixed on me awaiting answers like I owed him some.

I swallowed hard,

How could I tell a little boy who looks up to me as his role model, that I was the villain in his mother’s story?

I opened my mouth to speak…. But I was interrupted by the sudden sound of a gunshot.

“Roco!!! Hey, Stopp pls!! I yelled, eyes bulged out of its socket