𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓮

49| little man

DIANE

The woman turned to look at me with a smile, her eyes full of warmth. "Oh, this is my husband," she said, introducing me to the man.

I could feel the blood rushing to my face, and I could barely get the words out. "It's nice to meet you," I said, my voice barely audible. I felt the urge to flee, to get out of there as fast as possible.

There was something about him, something I didn't like. His eye were dark along with his whole presence. He was in a velvet suit and had a glass of whisky in his hand.

I turned to my side, trying to think of an excuse so I can leave. "I'm, uh, I'm going to go now," I said, stammering as I tried to get the words out.

"Of course not, stay. I was enjoying your company," Teresa says. "I appreciate it but I really have to get going," I lie. She smiles as if she could see right through my lie but I couldn't find it in me to care at this moment.

I headed towards the area that was near the elevator because I knew that's where I'd find the restrooms.

The hallways of the ship were long and winding, and I tried to keep my composure as I made my way to the restroom. My dress, a long black number that swished around my ankles, was beautiful but impractical for a quick escape.

I moved carefully, not wanting to trip and make a scene. I finally reached the restroom, a small oasis of calm in the midst of my turmoil. Right when I was about to close the door behind me, I spotted a little boy.

"Hey there, what are you doing here all by yourself?" I ask the boy, crouching down to his level. "To find my dad," He says, not looking at me but then his eyes find mine and he gasps. My heart clenches at how cute he was. "You're very beautiful," He says and I chuckle.

"Thank you little man," he blinks, like he wanted to say something back but stopped himself. "So what does your dad look like?"

"I don't know what he looks like. My uncle never really told me," the little boy said, his voice tinged with sadness.

"He always gets quiet when I ask him about my father." I felt a pang of sympathy for the little boy. He must have so many questions, and I so wish I could help him find the answers.

"So who did you come with then?"

"My uncle," he beams. "Okay and do you know where you uncle is?"

"Probably talking to those strange men in suits but I ran away because I was bored," I nod my head slowly.

Kids.

"What's your name?"

"Sebastian but everyone calls me Sebas,"

"Alright,  Sebas. You want to play a game while we wait for your uncle?" I ask and he nods his head enthusiastically. "Like hide and seek?"

I look around. "Not exactly,"

"Do you know how to play Would You Rather?" I ask, hoping he did because my brain was empty. "Yeah,"

"Okay uhm," I bit my lip, thinking about a typical one.  "Would you rather have the ability to fly, or the ability to read minds?" I asked, hoping to engage his imagination. Sebas' eyes widened, his face lighting up. "Ooh, that's a hard one!" he said, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "I think I would rather be able to read minds!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining.

"And why would you pick reading minds?"

"First, because it's so cool. Second, I could be able to read my mom's mind. Sometimes she just sits there and daydreams and sometimes at night she cries  and I wonder if it's because she misses my father. She thinks I don't notice but I always do," I gulp, not expecting any of that.

"Well, let's go find him then," I said, trying to sound cheerful. "But I didn't get to ask you?"

"But mines not a Would You Rather,"  he says and I signal for him to proceed. "Do you have boyfriend?"

Officially, my question for the night.

Just then, a voice called out from the other end of the hallway. "Sebas!" a man said, his tone stern but not unkind.

My heart skipped a beat as I looked up into the face of the man approaching us. It was him. It was Isaak. His eyes were still the same shade of grey, just as piercing as they were this morning when he left.

"Isaak?" I said, my voice sounding foreign to my own ears. He stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening in surprise. "You're... You're here," he said, his voice low and husky. "I thought I would never see you again," I whispered, my throat dry. The little boy looked up at us, his eyes wide with curiosity.

The little boy tugged on my hand, breaking the momentary silence. "Do you know her uncle?" he asked, his eyes still on Isaak. Isaak crouched down in front of Sebas a warm smile on his face.

"Yes. This is someone very special," he said, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "This is Diane. She's... a friend." He looked at me as he said the last word, his eyes full of meaning.

The little boy looked at me, his face full of wonder. "Diana's pretty and she played a game with me," he said with a smile and I couldn't help but smile back at him, his enthusiasm infectious. "You still didn't answer my question, do you really have a boyfriend?"

I instantly lock eyes with Isaak. "No, little one." I responded, my voice soft "I'm not little!" he exclaimed, crossing his arms in a huff. "Oh really?" I said, trying to keep a straight face.

"Big boys don't get lost,"

"And wait till I tell your mother about this," Isaak said, his tone teasing. Sebas' expression changed from indignation to panic in an instant.

"No, no, please don't tell Mama!" he begged, his eyes wide with fear. "I'll get in big trouble! She'll be so mad!" I couldn't help but chuckle at his pleading.

"Alright, I won't tell your mother," Isaak said, reaching out to ruffle his hair. "But you have to promise me you won't wander off again, okay?" He said, his tone serious. "I promise," he said, his hand over his heart. "I'll be a good boy."

Isaak looked over to me. "You have to get out here," he said, his voice low. "Why?"

"Because," I arched my brow, waiting.

"There's a family here who practically wants my blood," he said, and I couldn't tell if he just wanted me out of here of if he was being serious.

"Not everything revolves around you, Isaak," I said, feigning annoyance. His jaw clenched. "This isn't about that Diane,"

"God, why you so damn stubborn," And then his eyes landed on something behind me. He glared into the direction so I turned to follow his gaze, my eyes settling on a familiar face.

It was one of the men I had seen with Luk earlier, the one I had also seen with that woman's husband.

Something Zwane. 

Gosh I was bad with names.

"Well, here they are," Isaak said, his voice tight. I felt a knot in my stomach, a sense of foreboding settling over me. The man approached us, his expression cold and calculating. "Hello, Isaak," he said, his tone chilly. Isaak gave a curt nod, his jaw clenched. "Zander," he said, his voice tense.

By the look in both of their eyes, I knew hell was going to break loose and the sound a gunshot confirmed it.