Chapter 5 Wrong Kid
863 Words
Aurelia and Domingo were locked up by Chandler.
She fumed inwardly. The Chesterfield family was truly rotten to the core. First, there was Leon, the scummy freeloader, and now this lawless kidnapper. They were all terrible!
But if Chandler thought a simple room could hold her, he was gravely mistaken!
Aurelia pulled a hairpin from her hair, straightened it, and inserted it into the lock. With a few deft twists, there was a satisfying click, and the lock opened.
Domingo was stunned. "Boss, you're amazing!"
"Piece of cake." Aurelia winked at Domingo. "I learned it from a man who lived next door when I was a kid. He was the real deal. There wasn't a lock he couldn't open."
Domingo fell speechless, thinking that her neighbor sounded like quite a character.
Autumn Mansion was heavily guarded, making a stealthy escape challenging. But after surviving a near-death experience three years ago, Aurelia had taken up martial arts and was quite skilled. She led Domingo carefully through the villa, avoiding the guards as best they could while preparing to escape.
Suddenly, a bedroom door opened, and a small figure emerged, rubbing his eyes.
Aurelia quickly signaled Domingo to stop and peeked around the corner.
What she saw made her stunned.
Wasn't that Jasper?
How had her little boy ended up here?
Seeing no one else around, Aurelia rushed over, scooped up "Jasper," and quickly hid again.
"Jasper, how did you get here?" she whispered, holding the little boy close. "Did Susan bring you?"
Orion blinked his big, beautiful eyes in confusion, staring at the strange lady. He was bewildered.
Who was this woman, and why was she hugging him?
His father would be furious if he found out someone had dared to hold him.
But this embrace felt nice. The lady smelled faintly of gardenias, a comforting scent.
"Where's Susan? She really shouldn't have brought you here!" Aurelia continued, not noticing the child's confusion. She held him tightly, patting his back. "You must have been so scared. Don't worry, Mommy's here. No one will hurt you with me around."
Orion's eyes widened. Mommy?
"A-Are you my mom?" he asked hesitantly.
"Who else would I be?" Aurelia tapped his nose gently. "Were you so scared that you forgot your own mom?"
Orion was overjoyed. She really was his mom!
Maria hadn't lied. Getting a perfect score in math had really led him to his mom.
"Mom!"
Orion wrapped his arms around Aurelia's neck, clinging tightly.
Finally, he had a mom. No one would say he was motherless anymore.
This moment was tender, but Orion's voice alerted the bodyguards nearby. Seeing them approach, Aurelia grabbed the child without hesitation and began to run!
"Stop!" The guards were closing in.
Soon, more and more guards were alerted. The team leader ordered the roads blocked, leaving Aurelia and Domingo trapped!
Damn it! Aurelia cursed silently. Fighting was out of the question, and escape seemed impossible. What now?
Just then, a small hand tugged at her sleeve.
"Mom, do you need to get down the mountain?" Orion asked, looking up at her. "I know a secret path."
Aurelia was skeptical, glancing at him doubtfully. "Are you joking? How could you possibly know?"
They were here for the first time. How could her little one know a way down?
"Really." Orion gestured for her to follow. "Come with me."
He turned and started running into the forest.
"Jasper! Don't run off!"
Worried he'd get lost, Aurelia hurried after him.
Though she doubted her son knew the way, he led her down a winding path that really took them off the mountain!
Aurelia was astonished. "Jasper, how did you know the way?"
Orion frowned. He had lived here for three years, so it made sense that he'd find a secret escape route!
But if he said that, would his mommy think he was naughty and leave him again?
Orion bit his lip and stayed silent.
"Did you and Susan find this path?" Aurelia guessed. "Smart boy. Only one try, and you remembered the way!"
Orion nodded hesitantly. "Uh-huh."
But who was Susan?
"Wait, where's Susan?" Aurelia suddenly realized something serious. "Oh no! Did we leave her behind?"
She glanced back at the now brightly lit mountain. Apparently, her escape was no longer a secret. The entire estate was on high alert, and everyone must be all out searching for her.
Going back for Susan was risky, but leaving a friend behind wasn't in Aurelia's nature.
Just as she was about to hand the child to Domingo and go back for Susan, Domingo spoke up, "Boss, you take the kid. I'll go back for Susan."
"But..." Aurelia was hesitant.
"Don't worry," Domingo reassured her. "Jasper's been through a lot tonight. It's better if you stay with him. I know some martial arts too. I'll be fine."
Looking at the child in her arms, Aurelia saw he was indeed frightened. She couldn't bear to leave him again and agreed, "Okay. Be careful."
"I will."
Domingo retraced their steps up the mountain while Aurelia headed into the city with Jasper.
However, she had no idea she hadn't taken Jasper but Orion Chesterfield, Chandler's only son!
- Writer
