Runaway

Chapter 3

Khalil's messages became constant in a span of two weeks. I tried all the possible ways to block him, but to no avail. I just let him be, as long as he doesn't call it's alright.

Gab's enrolled in a pre-school near our new place. I also work from home, so I can accompany him when he's at school. I don't want to leave him alone, especially Khalil's threats.

"Papa!" I smiled when Gab immediately approached me when they were dismissed.

"Hi, baby" He frowned with the endearment I called him. He really hates it when I him baby

"Why? You are Papa's baby, right?" I asked while chuckling a little. He pouts, so I kiss his cheeks

It's a good thing that Gab's new school is a walking distance from our place, he's not that exposed to pollution, unlike in our previous place.

"Papa, what's our lunch?" He asked.

"Let's see, I really don't know what's in our pantry" I answered.

While walking back to our house, Gab is just sharing what had happened during his class. I'm glad that he's made new friends. I am a little nervous as he doesn't like talking to other people. But hearing his story about his friends made me smile.

We were near our house when I noticed an unfamiliar car parked outside. And I know it's not Jasper's or Seth's as they are both at work, and they'll inform me ahead of time whenever they visit. I immediately stopped walking and carried my son and started walking in the opposite direction.

"Where are we going, Papa?" Gab asked.

"We're going to Toto Jasper and Toto Seth's place" I smiled at him and walked faster.

I was grabbing my phone to call Jasper when someone spoke from the back. "And where do you think you're going?" I froze from my spot. s**t!

"Was it fun running, Shiloah?" Sarcasm was thick in his voice.

"Papa" I heard Gab and i immediately hid his face on my neck and continued walking. I know it's stupid, but I have no choice.

"One more step and you'll regret it", I stopped, but still refused to face him. His strong scent lingering in the air makes me more nervous than I already am.

"Who's that child," he asked. I held Gab tighter as I could feel him walking towards us.

"Stop" I said as I faced him. He stopped walking, but his smirk was not hard to notice.

"What do you want from me?" It's a good thing that I didn't stutter even though I felt crumbling inside.

"I asked a question, didn’t I? Who's that child, Shiloah?" I know he already has an idea of who it is, but he wants a clear answer from me. Before I could answer him, Gab wriggled against my hold.

"Hello, Sir!" Oh my God! This is not how I envision their meeting.

I saw how Khalil's face turned into a shocked one as he saw Gabrielle. How can he not? When is Gabrielle his literal carbon copy?

"Are you Papa's friend?" Gab curiously asked Khalil. I just want to turn around and run at how Gab is looking at Khalil, he's all smiling.

"H-hey there" I saw how Khalil's eyes softened as he talked to Gab. "Yes, I am your Papa's friend" I've never seen Khalil this soft and the way he stuttered as he answered Gab's question.

"My name is Gabrielle, and I'm five years old" Gab enthusiastically introduced himself. "What's your name?" He asked.

"I am Khalil, it's nice meeting you, young man" Khalil answered.

"Papa, put me down please" Gab turned to me, and even against my will, I put him down. And my eyes widened as he walked towards Khalil, who immediately got down to the level of Gabrielle's height.

"It was nice meeting you too, Toto Khalil" Gab said as he hugged Khalil. The latter's eyes went wide when Gab hugged him, but composed himself and hugged my son back.

"T-that's enough" I said as I walked closer to them. Khalil's eyes went blank with what I said, his scent turned sour and I could smell his contained anger.

"I-it's hot out here, let's go inside the house first" I said and walked past him.

"You have a lot of explaining to do. And don't you dare run away with my son again," Khalil warned as he grabbed my arm.