FIVE YEARS LATER
1576 Words
~Elsa~
It's exactly five years since I left home, after I got to know that I was an adopted child and those I called my parents weren't my biological parents.
The memories were still fresh in my memory, Nelly's betrayal and my two years relationship ended just like that.
And now I'm returning with Eric, my four year old son and Susan my nanny. Susan has really been of great help to me and my son, Eric sees her as his second mother if I'm not around.
Five years ago, I had not only left home, I had also left the country and I'm not coming back now to confront my past or face my father. Instead I have missed the country of my birth and would like to be here with my son.
The pain of five years ago still hurts anytime I remember it. I was treated like a nobody.
“Mum, are we finally going to meet dad?” My son asked, making me snap out of my own thoughts.
I always get so surprised anytime he asks about his dad. I had told him his dad stays in Los Angeles but that was an excuse for him not to bring up this discussion and now he is repeating the same question again. How can I know who his dad was, when I didn't see the face of the man I had a one night stand with.
“Yes baby, hopefully,” I replied, forcing a smile on.
We finally arrived in Los Angeles. It's a few hours flight. I held part of my luggages on one hand and my son on the other hand while Susan carried the rest.
Eric looks attractive. A few smiles and a lot of waves from people. Some blew him kisses from far. People always want to carry him or hold him. Well I'm actually used to my son's charming face.
He is cute and adorable though. Maybe one day he will become a model and grow into a celebrity. I will really look into it. Eric will actually be a good fit for a child model.
Before arriving here I had searched for an empty apartment to stay in with my son because I obviously can't go home and I was glad I found it. I didn't hesitate to make payments immediately.
I stopped a cab to take me and my son to our new home. I allowed Susan to go see her family and come from time to time to take care of Eric.
It's actually good to be finally back and by now James and Nelly must have gotten married to each other at least I guess so.
I'm living for myself and my son. Eric is the most important thing in my life now and I would work really hard to give him the best I can afford. I will never try to treat him badly like my parents did to me.
I settled into my new apartment and for the next five days I kept sending emails to companies who uploaded their adverts. I have always loved to work in the fashion industry but as it is now I just need to find something, even if it's small, to be able to enroll my son in a good school. I might not be able to afford expensive schools where rich kids attend but I won't settle for less either.
I bought second hand furniture and gave my apartment a nice look. I was happy that Eric also loved it and called it the best home ever.
As I settled into our new apartment, Eric's excited chatter filled the air. "Mommy, Mommy, look! A park!" He pointed to the playground outside our window. I smiled, feeling a sense of normalcy wash over me. This was what I wanted for Eric – a happy, carefree childhood.
"Let's go, baby!" I exclaimed, grabbing his hand. We spent the afternoon playing on the swings and slides. Eric's laughter echoed through the park, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and joy.
As the sun began to set, we walked back to our apartment, hand in hand. Eric chattered excitedly about his adventures in the park, and I listened intently, smiling.
As we entered our apartment, Susan was waiting for us, a warm smile on her face.
"Hey, guys! How was your day?" Eric ran to her, throwing his arms around her waist. "Susan, Susan! We went to the park! Mommy pushed me on the swings!"
Susan laughed, hugging Eric tightly. "That sounds like so much fun, sweetie! I'm glad you had a great time." She looked at me, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "And how about you, Elsa? How's the job search going?"
I sighed, feeling a twinge of frustration. "It's slow going, but I'm not giving up. I've been sending out emails and applying to every job opening I can find." Susan nodded encouragingly. "You'll find something, Elsa. You're talented and capable. Just be patient."
I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Susan. She had been a rock for me and Eric, providing emotional support and care when we needed it most.
As the evening drew to a close, Eric snuggled up beside me on the couch, his eyes drooping sleepily. I wrapped my arms around him, feeling a sense of peace wash over me. This was what mattered most – my son, our little family, and the love we shared.
I woke up early the next morning, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Eric was still sleeping, but I knew he'd be up soon, ready to take on the day. I decided to take him shopping with me to get some essentials for the house.
As we walked to the store, Eric chartered excitedly about all the things he wanted to buy. I smiled, feeling happy to see him so carefree.
As we approached the crosswalk, I held Eric's hand tightly, waiting for the signal to change. But just as we were about to step off the curb, a sleek black SUV tinted glass car came speeding around the corner, barely missing us.
I felt a surge of anger and fear as I pulled Eric close to me. "What is wrong with you?" I shouted at the driver, who had stopped at the red light.
The driver's window rolled down, and a charming-looking man with piercing blue eyes and chiseled features gazed out at me. He looked familiar, but I couldn't quite place him.
"Sorry about that," he said, his voice deep and smooth. "I wasn't paying attention."
I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I took in his handsome face, anyone would actually fall for him, he was just so adorable. But my anger quickly returned. "You could have killed us!" I exclaimed.
The man raised an eyebrow, his expression unrepentant. "I said I was sorry. What more do you want?"
I felt a surge of indignation at his rudeness. "I want you to be more careful in the future!" I shot back.
By this time, a crowd had gathered around us, mostly women who were gazing adoringly at the man. I rolled my eyes, feeling annoyed.
"Mommy, who is that man?" Eric asked, looking up at me with curious eyes.
"I don't know, sweetie," I replied. "But he's not very nice."
The man's eyes narrowed, his expression darkening. "I'm not nice?" he repeated. "You're the one who's being unreasonable."
I felt my anger boil over. "Unreasonable?" I exclaimed. "You almost killed us, and you're calling me unreasonable?"
The man's face twisted in a scowl. "Just forget it," he muttered, rolling up his window.
I watched as he sped away, feeling a mix of emotions: anger, frustration, and a hint of disappointment. I have this feeling that I have heard his voice before.
As we continued shopping, Eric kept looking up at me with curious eyes. "Mommy, why was that man so mean?" he asked.
I sighed, feeling a pang of sadness. "Some people are just mean, sweetie," I replied. "But we don't have to let them get us down."
Eric nodded, his face serious. "I don't like mean people, Mommy," he said.
I smiled, feeling a surge of love for my son. "I don't like them either, baby," I replied. "But we'll just focus on being kind and nice, okay?"
Eric nodded, smiling up at me. "Okay, Mommy.”
My eyes lingered on the receding figure of the sleek black SUV, my mind whirling with a mix of emotions. The man's piercing blue eyes and chiseled features had left an indelible mark on me, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that I had heard his voice before. But where?
As I continued shopping with Eric, my thoughts drifted back to the past, to the memories I had tried to bury. The pain of being treated like a nobody, the betrayal of Nelly, and the heartbreak of my two-year relationship ending abruptly. It was all coming back, and I felt like I was being pulled into a vortex of emotions.
Suddenly, Eric tugged at my hand, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Mommy, look! A toy store!" he squealed. I smiled, pushing aside my thoughts, and followed Eric into the store. But as we browsed through the aisles, my phone buzzed, shrill in the silence. I hesitated, not wanting to pick an unknown number.
And that's when everything changed.
- Writer
