Chapter 3

Somewhere in the city.

A black umbrella was seen moving along the streets in slow motion. It's owner stared at the bustling crowd in the late morning.

Esmeralda stepped inside a small cafe and sat down close to the window. Her closed umbrella leaning against the cream colored wall beside her. She placed her palm on her chin and stared at the city. The tall buildings almost touching the sky, the people doing one thing or the other... it was a nice view.

Ring! Ring!!

Her phone vibrated on the table catching her attention quickly. Not bothering to look at the screen she answered

"Hello"

"Nana"

Knowing who it was she asked in a calm voice.

"Hm, what is it Kyle?"

She knew the reason why her brother was calling. Maybe the guards had told him about her departure.

"Where are you?"

"In a cafe across the street"

She answered. Her fingers lightly tapping the table and creating a soft rhythm.

"I'm coming to get you."

Esmeralda sighed and rubbed her eyebrow. She didn't want any disturbance from any source. All she needed at the moment was some peace and quiet.

"Don't. I'm coming to meet you."

"Really?"

"Yes"

She signalled a waiter and gave her order to him before sending him away. Returning her attention to her phone she said

"You can just order lunch for the both of us."

"Alright. Just be safe okay? Or if you want I can send a driver to pick you-"

"That's not needed. Like I said before I'll be there so don't stress yourself."

After Kyle's reluctant agreement she ended the call and placed her phone on the wooden table. Thanking the waiter who placed her cup of coffee on the table, she raised the mug and took a sip from the cold drink.

"That right. No added sugar and milk."

While she was relishing the bitter taste of cocoa in her mouth with eyes closed, a small figure sauntered towards her and stood close to her. His small palm tapped her thigh lightly earning a frown from her.

Opening her eyes she stared at the hand on her thigh and then the owner. Small black hazel nut eyes were staring at her with a bright twinkle that expresses nothing but innocence.

"Auntie?"

A tiny voice called out.

Esmeralda couldn't help but stare at the boy and note his small but delicate features. When she heard him call her auntie her heart jumped lightly and she didn't know why.

"What is your name?"

She asked the little boy who looked like a baby panda with black hair. Her voice was soft and tender towards the little panda.

"Ezekiel"

The boy answered earning a nod from Esmeralda. She averted her gaze from the boy and looked around the cafe for any sign of his parents or guardian. Noting that they were the only ones in the cafe she frowned. Where are his parents? Did he come alone? Or was he the owner's son?

"Did you come here alone?"

The boy nodded his head.

"Where are your parents?"

"Daddy's at work and I can't find uncle Mo."

Esmeralda sighed. Looking forward to a peaceful morning to herself she didn't know she would end up helping a little panda find his uncle.

"Are you hungry?"

"Very"

The boy rubbed his tummy in a circular motion and pouted. His little action earned a tiny smile from Esmeralda that was barely noticeable.

" Alright. Let me help you get seated and then I'll order something for you to eat, okay? "

She noticed the chair opposite her was a little bit taller than the little panda and he will have some trouble climbing so she opted to help him by lifting him up. But little did she know that the boy had other things in mind.

"Okay. "

The boy answered and climbed Esmeralda's thigh making her freeze at his action and made himself comfortable after he sat himself on her thigh. Regaining herself she quickly ordered some food for the boy and they ate together after the little panda asked if he could feel her.

***

"Do you know your daddy's number? "

Esmeralda asked the boy as they both strode down the road with no destination in mind.

"I do but daddy lost his phone. And I don't know his other number. "

The little panda explained while jumping.

"What about uncle Mo? "

"I do"

The little boy answered. Esmeralda brought out her phone and gave it to the little boy who typed in the number and handed it back to her. With a few rings the person finally answered

"Hello"

"Yes, Are you uncle Mo?"

"Uncle Mo?"

"There's a little boy with me, his name is Ezekiel and he says you're his uncle."

Esmeralda explained through the little boy's information.

"Yes! Yes!! I've been looking for him. Where are you?"

Esmeralda turned around to look at the sign post beside her.

" We're standing beside the sign post that's reads 36 Avenue North street. "

"I'm close by. I'll be there in five minutes."

The call ended quickly and Esmeralda turned to look at the boy holding her hand. He was busy looking at the cars passing by. Out of nowhere he shouted

" Uncle Mo!"

A tall man in a black suit was running towards them. He looked exactly like the little panda but his eyes were a shade of light grey. He stopped some metres away and panted heavily.

"Little man, Where. Did. You. Run. To?"

The man asked while straightening up his body to stand. He glanced at the little boy and then the woman who held the little boy's hand. Her face was emotionless and he felt kind of scared from just staring at her.

"Thank you so much Miss. You don't know how much you've helped me with this little man right here."

He managed to let out. Esmeralda nodded at him and intended to leave but was stopped by the small hand that tightened his hold on her.

"Auntie are you leaving?"

The little boy asked with a sad expression. Esmeralda didn't know what to say so she could only nod her head. She had seen that expression many times but wasn't still used to it.

"Will I see you again?"

The boy asked with hopeful eyes. His big black eyes had that same twinkle it had when they first met. She could only sigh and nod.

"Uncle Mo, I need my phone. "

The little boy stretched out his hand towards the tall man with a serious gaze. The man brought out the phone and handed it to the boy. He was still wondering how these two formed a relationship in such a short time. Knowing his nephew's attitude towards strangers he was surprised to see him act this way.

"Auntie can I have your number?"

Esmeralda nodded and typed in her number not knowing why she was doing it.

"Alright. I'll call you later. Bye auntie."

The little boy said and followed his uncle towards a black car parked some distance away.