EPISODE 3

SCARS TO HEAL

SOLELY WRITTEN BY EWATOMI ABIODUN

EPISODE 3

To say I was shocked was an understatement. What's he doing here? I look at everyone and I could see their eyes glued to me. They keep leaving one after the other still wearing the surprised expression on their faces.

" If ..you.. will excuse me, we will continue this meeting later, " I told my Junior staff who stayed rooted on their spot beside me due to shock.

" Ok... Okay, ma'am" They all chorused and left but I could hear them murmuring among themselves as they leave for their office.

Do you know she has a kid?

No, I didn't.

Wow! Would could have thought she had a son all this while.

Is she married?

I don't think so.

Maybe she is divorced.

Do you think so?

What else could it be?

Maybe she had him out of wedlock.

Yeah, I think that's why she kept him a secret all this while.

Once they are all out of sight, I look down at the cat who still enveloped me in a hug.

" Will you let me go now ?"

" You didn't hug me back so why should I let you go ?"

" Kayden, I am not in the best mood right now. Let me go while am still nice " I said feigning anger.

" I'm not in the best mood either until you hug me back," He said and tighten his arms around my waist.

I try to hold back the laughter bubbling in my throat as I give in because I know he won't let me go until I granted his request. I hugged him back inhaling the scent that I have missed so much as I kiss his hair.

" I love you," He said as he let me go smiling up at me.

" I love you more but to my office now, " I said and walk towards my office as he follows behind trying to catch up with me.

" Can you please slow down? I don't know how you walk fast with that six inches heels " He said as he practically runs after me but I ignore him as I had a sweet smile plastered on my face.

" Welcome ma'am" Vivian greeted me.

" Thanks, Vivian, " I said as I walked into my office and I could hear Kayden greet her before he walk in and close the door.

" How many times have I told you to stop calling me mom in public," I said as I sat down on my chair.

" Is that a bad thing or a good thing?" He asked as he sat down in front of me.

I shake my head with a smile on my lips because you can never win an argument with this boy.

A mail pops up on my computer distracting me from him as I quickly turn towards my computer to check it.

" What!" I heard Kayden exclaim as I quickly raise my head to look at him.

" You have been promoted again," He said as he raised my promotion letter to my face.

I snatched it from him. " Stop touching things on my desk" I scolded him.

" Calm down mom, " He says and raises his two hands in surrender.

" Can you stop calling me mom?" I said because I know he was trying to get under my skin. " Why are you even here in the first place?

His face broke into a wide smile. " That's because I missed you ".

" How did you get here ?"

" By myself"

" Kayden, don't play with me. How did you get here ?"

" I'm serious, I came here all by myself ".

" What!" I said with a shocked expression.

" Why are you shocked? I'm not a baby anymore. I'm fourteen years old ".

" Fourteen is still a baby ".

" Wait!" I said as I tried to register everything. "First of all, you ought to be in school by now. Why are you here? Did you get into trouble at school? How did you get my office's address? Who brought you here? I need to call your schoolmaster " I said as I start to get paranoid.

" Where's my phone ?" I said as I search my desk for it.

Kayden placed his hand on my hand stopping me as he stare into my eyes. " Can you please calm down? First of all, we are on holiday. You can call my school to confirm that. I didn't get in trouble at school. Secondly, I heard you when you were telling a client your office address when you came to greet me at my school. I know you wouldn't let me come to your office that's why I didn't inform you and I ordered an Uber from school ".

" Can you stop acting like you are not happy to see me " He pouted like a kid as tears glisten in his eyes?

" Oh, Kayden. Please don't think that way " I said and stand up from my seat. I walked around my desk and stand in front of him.

He wipes his tears away with the back of his palm avoiding my contact. I placed my palms on his cheeks and raise his head . " please don't say that. I'm happy to see you ".

He shakes his head as he gently removes my hands from his cheeks. " I don't believe you. I have been in boarding school all my life. You only come to my school to spend some time with me. You never take me to your office or your house. All you do is camp me at my school " He said as tears streamed down his eyes.

" Do you know how much I missed you? When my mates are talking about how their mum cuddles them to sleep, I never had anything to tell. I always spend my holiday at school because you wouldn't allow me to come home. I know you come to my school regularly, take me out, and buy me anything I want but that wasn't enough. I know if I didn't come to your office today, you would have to make sure I didn't step a foot out of my school. It's hard enough for me that I am in a boarding school but at least let me spend my holiday with you. Let me also be at home. I am tired of being the only kid at school when my mates are home with their parents enjoying their holiday ".

Tears glisten in my eyes as I see Kayden talk with so much pain. I wish he knew how badly I wanted him to always come home to spend his holiday with me but I had my reason and it's so sad I can't tell him why.

" I'm sorry Kayden," I said as a tear dropped from my eyes which I quickly wipe away.

" Will you take me to your house? Will you let me spend my holiday with you? "

I nod my head at him. " Yes, I will let you spend your holiday with me ".

" Promise "

" Promise".

" You can't go back on your words ".

I let out a laugh as tears trickled down my cheeks. " Can you hug me now ?" I said and spread my arms open for him.

He rushed into my arms and I hugged him tightly as tears streamed down my eyes. " I hope you know I love you so much ?".

" I know Mom and I also love you more, " He said and hug me tighter.

We stayed that way for some while before we pull apart. " Where is your bag?"

" I didn't bring any bag with me ".

" Are you for real?"

" Yes . I knew my schoolmaster won't allow me out so I had to escape when some parents came to pick up their children . I didn't have the chance to take any clothes with me".

" Kayden " I drawled his name as I burst into a laugh " Now I have to call your schoolmaster so he can know you are with me but I won't plead on your behalf if he punishes you for breaking the school rules," I said as I walk back to my desk.

" Please mom " He pouted like a kid who didn't get what he wants.

" I will only agree because you look cute right now, " I said with a smile as I sat down and pick my phone dialing his school master's number.

" Thanks, Mom. You are the best " He blow me a kiss and sat down. I shake my head as I watch him bring out his iPhone and start pressing it.

" Hello sir," I said immediately his schoolmaster picks my call.

" Good..good afternoon ma'am " He stutters in fear. " I was just about to call you that we couldn't see Kayden. I swear we didn't ..."

I cut him short " He's here with me ".

" Ehn! "

" Yes sir. You don't have to worry sir. I was the one who ordered my driver to pick him up. I am so sorry I didn't inform you. It skipped my mind " I said and smile as Kayden gave me a thumbs up for lying for him.

" Alright ma'am . What time should we come and pick him up?".

" He's spending the holiday with me ".

" Ma?" He said as if he didn't hear me correctly and I could hear the surprised expression in his voice.

I don't blame him. I would be surprised if I was in his position too. Kayden is always in school and has never spent any of his holidays with me. I made sure he was always at school though I made sure I spent my half-day with him anytime he was on holiday. When he was little, he was easy to cajole with materialistic things but the more he keeps growing up, the more he keeps rejecting them because he wanted affection and attention more.

" How many weeks is their holiday?"

" Just two weeks Ma".

" Okay then . I will drop him off by myself upper next week then. Thanks for always taking care of him . I appreciate it".

"You are welcome Ma. Have a nice day Ma " He said and ended the call.

" What did you want to eat ?" I asked Kayden immediately I placed my phone on my desk.

" I am not hungry," He said his face still glued to his phone.

" Kayden!" I called his name to get his attention.

He raised his head to look at me. " What did you want to eat, " I asked again as I empathized with each word.

" I'm okay for now ".

"I won't take that. What did you eat this morning? "

" I drank only tea ".

" Tea?". "And you call that food ? That's why you are so tiny. I am ordering you jollof rice and chicken now and you must finish it," I said as I call my secretary through the landline.

" Yes ma'am," Kayden said as he continues pressing his phone.

" Vivian, please I need your attention," I said to my secretary as she picks my call.

I drop the cellphone and turn my attention to my computer as I go through the emails sent to me.

Within a minute, I heard a knock on my office door.

" Come in, please, " I said my eyes still glued to my computer.

" Yes ma'am," Vivian says as she walks in.

" Is my credit card still with you ?".

" Yes, ma'am ".

" Okay then. Kindly help me get him jollof rice with chicken " I said to her referring to Kayden.

" Kayden, which drink do you want with it?".

" Holland Strawberry Yoghurt, please".

" Kindly help me get that with it "

" Ok ma'am " My secretary replies to me.

" My driver will drive you to Ikeja city mall. I am so sorry for stressing you ".

" It's okay ma'am ".

" And also help me branch into the boutique and get me some clothes for him. You can snap the pictures of the clothes for me on my WhatsApp so I can choose ".

" Is that all, Ma'am?"

" Yes please ".

" Alright ma," She said and headed towards the door.

" Vivian " I called her name as she was about to open the door.

" Yes, ma'am ".

I turn my eyes away from my computer to look at her. " Make sure you get your food too and also get some clothes for your baby. Plenty o, the bills are on me and I am not complaining ".

" Thank you so much Ma," She said as she quickly went on her knees despite her heavy protruding belly.

" Please get up . You know I don't like that ".

" Thank you so much Ma," She said as she struggles to get up supporting herself with the door.

" I appreciate it Ma," She said as she opened the door and left.

I know I am going to miss her terribly once she leaves. She is the only secretary that knows me very well. When she got pregnant, I thought she was going to be lazy and not deliver her work very well but she proved me wrong despite how sick she was during her first trimester. I already had a check of two million prepared for her as a send-off gift and I am sure she will kill me with appreciation. I just pray I see someone like her when she's gone. I don't want to think about it because it gives me headache anytime I think about her leaving in two months time .

********************************

I close for work at exactly 5 pm as I drive Kayden and me home. I could see the excitement in his eyes as I drive into my duplex compound. I wish I could be happy as he is but I am not because I know the kind of demons I fight every night. This is one of the reasons why I didn't want him to spend a night with me at home despite how I badly wanted him to be with me always.

" Finally, we are home," Kayden said excitedly jolting me out of my trance of thought.

I turn off the car engine and step out of the car. Kayden came out and open the backseat as he brought out the bags of his new clothes and sneakers. I assisted him with some of the bags as we both walk towards the door entrance.

I punched in my door passcode and we both step in as the door opens.

" Wow! Nice apartment mom " Kayden said as he look around the living room.

" Let me show you your room," I said as I mount the stairs.

" Am I not sleeping with you ?" He asked sadly.

" Kayden, you are no longer a baby and I also need my "Me" time ".

" I thought you said am still a baby," He says pouting sadly.

I smiled at him. " You know what ? I am going to tuck you to sleep and leave when you are asleep. Is that okay ?".

" Much better," He said as he follows me upstairs.

Kayden and I both took our baths in our bathrooms and change into our pajamas. I can't believe he's now taller than his age. He could pass for an eighteen years old boy. We came downstairs to the dining room to have our dinner which we ordered from Mega chicken restaurant. After that, I attend to some emails on my laptop while Kayden sat in the living room to watch his favorite TV show.

Once it's 9 pm on dot, I closed my laptop because it's time for bed. Kayden and I both leave for his bedroom as I tuck him in and sleep beside him .

Kayden decided not to sleep despite how sleepy he was because he wanted me to spend the night with him. I laughed at him as I watched him make a fool of himself. He was resting his head on my chest and anytime he was about to fall asleep, he quickly wake himself up.

He did that for twenty minutes but later give in to sleep. I smiled to myself because he still acts like a baby despite being a fourteen years old boy. I don't blame him, he hardly spends his childhood with me so when he gets the opportunity he always makes sure to use it.

I gently place his head on the pillow and cover him up with the duvet. I stare at him for a while and kissed his forehead before I turn off his light and slowly left his room so he wouldn't wake up.

I heave a sigh of relief as I successfully close his door without making a sound. I left for my room and got on my bed. I covered myself with my duvet and said a short prayer . I close my eyes and it doesn't take me a minute before I drifted off to sleep.

𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘳.

𝘉𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘳.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘱𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯.

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘐 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵.

𝘐 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘰 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵 .

𝘈𝘯𝘺𝘥𝘢𝘺! 𝘈𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦!

𝘚𝘭𝘢𝘱𝘴) 𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘥. 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘪𝘮.

𝘖𝘩! 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵?

𝘏𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘱𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘶𝘱 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘶𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.

𝘏𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵.

𝘏𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘐 𝘴𝘢𝘸 𝘪𝘵.

I woke up from the nightmare shrilling, panting, and gasping for breath. I look down and I burst into tears as I realized have peed on myself again.

Every nightmare always takes something from me. Suddenly, I started hearing that voice again I start trembling.

" Mom! are you okay?" I heard Kayden's voice.

My eyes widened in shock as I heard his footsteps.

I didn't close the door.

TBC..........

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