Chapter Two
A week passed by and she could sense a storm brewing up somewhere. She knew that the Mercedes man wouldn't leave her in peace. The question was to what extent would he pursue her? She took Austen for his regular vaccinations. He had a fever after his last booster dose and she stayed back from work. Her manager wasn't happy with her and threatened to deduct her pay. So, apart from Austen there was nothing good happening in her life.
He was all she had and every time she looked at him, a smile hovered upon her lips. She would be the parent she never had, someone who would love him unconditionally. Her foster parents provided for her but they never once cuddled or kissed her after their own son was born, two years after adopting her. However, she didn't hold a grudge against them. They did for her what her own parents didn't. Gave her the education to earn her own bread respectably, to be financially independent.
Austen was cranky again after his vaccination in the morning and when she came home after work, she felt him a little warm. Administering his medicine, she just sat with him on her lap, when the doorbell rang. Thinking that aunt Maggie might have come over to check up on Austen, she opened the door.
There was no one at the door. Confused as to whether she heard correctly or her ears were playing up, she was about to close the door when her eyes fell upon a big carton.
Bringing it in, she stared at what it might contain. She placed Austen on the bed and opened the box. It was empty. Confused, she stared at the box for some time when her phone vibrated to an SMS alert. It was from an unknown number.
The SMS read,
Pack your stuff in the carton and be ready. I'll come to get you.
A tremor coursed through her whole body out of fear and dread. He was coming to get her? When? She packed everything into suitcases and called her manager if he could provide a tiny place for her to stay at the hotel staff quarters for a few days, till she found a place for herself to stay.
Taking pity on the beautiful young girl with a small baby, the manager agreed and arranged for her a room at the staff quarters.
She went to talk to aunt Maggie and told them everything that had been happening for the past one month. She also warned them not to disclose anything about her if anyone came to look for her. She gave them her spare keys and informed them that she would be looking for new accommodation soon. They could pack the rest of her stuff and keep it with them. She would surrender her flat and not pay anymore rent. When things died down she would look for a new home and then collect her stuff from their house.
She hailed a cab and left for her hotel. The bedroom was small with a small area for cooking, in the tiny living area. There was a small washroom. It was adequate for her. She didn't need to go out for work. The hotel had a daycare for the employee's children and she could keep Austen there during her duty hours. Satisfied with the arrangements, she relaxed and went to sleep beside a sleeping Austen.
She had switched off her mobile the moment she left her home last night in case her tormentor tracked her down. She needed a new number as soon as she received her salary. She didn't need to spend much on her food as the restaurant head chef, Larry treated her like a daughter. He was a middle aged happily married man who had magic in his hands. He provided her free meals from the leftover food everyday.
Two weeks passed by in bliss and she needed to buy Austen's baby necessities from the local grocery store.
Larry offered to look after Austen and she rushed to the store to buy her stuff. She also bought a new sim card for her phone too. Satisfied with her purchases, she walked down to her hotel. It was already evening and she was a little tense. Looking all around her, when she saw no suspicious people around, she picked up speed.
She could see the hotel in front of her when a black Mercedes screeched to a halt. She ran at top speed screaming her lungs out to attract public attention and maybe some traffic police to help her. She had a small baby, she couldn't be abducted. Her baby was dependent upon her. The car sped away when a siren was heard. Someone might have alerted the police. Heaving a sigh of relief she hurried to her hotel and fell unconscious at the reception.
When she opened her eyes, she was in her room and Larry and the manager were present with Austen in Larry's arms. The manager Peter Moores, asked in a concerned voice,"Are you overworking yourself Scarlett?"
"N no sir, it won't happen again," she promised, feeling embarrassed for making them worry.
"It's no problem. Everyone goes through a difficult phase in life. It will pass, dear. Just be brave and face it. Ok?" Said Larry.
She took Austen from him and thanked him.
"I'll increase your salary by 15 percent. Will that help?" Asked Mr. Moores and she nodded and thanked him too.
They left and she closed the door in relief and hugged her baby to her bosom as teardrops fell from her eyes. What would she have done if they would have abducted her? Should she go to the police and lodge an FIR? She didn't want the police to come to the hotel and enquire. She might lose her job.
So she just kept silent and fed her baby. Having an early dinner which Larry sent she fixed the new SIM card into her phone and went to sleep.
