SHADOW

CHAPTER-2

This chapter is dedicated to @sweetcake125

Gideon's POV;

The nightmares...its terrible.The accident,the blood,Thea's bruised face and Thea lying lifeless on the hospital bed,Thea in the coffin.I could feel my tears and my sweat.The nightmares were always,always the same and they never go away after Thea's death.

If I was more careful that night,If only....Thea would be here and my son will never lose a mother who loved him.

Grabbing the water bottle beside my bed,I drink greedily.Hell!Its finished.Cursing I walk downstairs to get water.Just when I'm about to enter my room,I see a soft glow from Jonah's bedroom and the door open.Is he okay?I walk towards the room and that's when a heard a soft humming.

But the sight that greeted me shocked me to the core and I just look at the scene,unable to move an inch,its just.....Damn.There,in Jonah's bed is Sofie holding my son,singing to him.

They look good together,like a real mother and son.Its some kind of a miracle that Jonah likes Sofie so easily.He can be a bit difficult to talk to at times,from what I'm told.

Warmth spread through my whole body.Thea would never do that,singing to Jonah at the middle of the night,consoling him.Thea,I know she loved Jonah but she does'nt show much,I did'nt show it either.Thea is a good women and I love her,but like most of the women in our circle,she does'nt involve much in Jonah's life.We hired the best lived-in nanny we could find and Jonah's care had been kept in the hand of the nanny.And I don't blame Thea either,because that's how both of us were bought up.Both our parents were busy with their business and we were bought up by servants.I admit that both of us,Thea and me suck at parenting.

Thinking about rich parents,I wonder how Thea and Sofie become friends.Its highly unusual,Sofie is not among the rich circle and her parents were not filthy rich like mine and Thea's.From the file I had from my P.I,they were ordinary people.And I admit I did'nt even bother to make a good impression on her parents.I only saw them once,at the court and I don't talk to them much.

Sofie surprised me when she insisted that we let go of the nanny last week,I don't know how she will managed taking care of a toddler having no experience in that department.And she surprised me when she quit her job while working under a Forensic Department in Police Department.I never thought a girl like Sofie would take good care of Jonah.Sofie Tucker is full of surprises.

"Oh!you're awake" Sofie inquired softly looking at me with those kind,soft green eyes.Clearing my throat "Uhh,yes,uhh is he,is Jonah okay?"

She put Jonah back to bed and kiss him with such tenderness.Did my mother ever tuck me in and kissed me like that,with such tenderness and love?Its hard to imagine the elegant,perfect Clarice McArthur caring and loving. "Yes,he's okay just nightmares.Did I wake you"?

She walk softly towards me so as not to wake Jonah.I can't take my eyes off her face.Its like looking at Thea again.Her cute little nose,her curly hair,her sweet lips that taste so good.Whoa......stop right there,she's Sofie, not Thea and better keep that in mind.

"Gideon"a soft voice interrupted my thoughts."Are you okay,you look pale".Its Sofie.

"Okay"

I walked away not looking at her.Why the hell am I thinking that?Thea is dead,and will never come back.

Sofie's POV;

What did that man think?He's been avoiding me for a week,leaving to work before I wake up and going home late, after that night.That night when he leave me standing in the dark.

He may be busy,but he needs to see his son;talk to his son,spend more time with him.I watch Jonah's sleeping face,so innocent,sad and handsome little boy.He deserved better than this,he deserved all the love he could get.He deserved to be happy.Damn the man and his stubborness,want it or not,we'll have a talk tonight.

Making up my mind I walk downstairs into the kitchen.The size of this house never fails to amaze me.There are many bedrooms as well as other rooms and its lonely.Like now,the maids and cook all retire to their quarters and the house is eerily queit.We rarely have geusts and the house is magnificent and so large to be occupied by a small family.It does'nt have a homey atmosphere.The curtains,the furnitures were too stylish and elegant for my taste,something that Thea would like.Stylish,elegant.

I grabbed the coffee pot and brew a strong coffee to keep me awake and to calm my nerves.I should'nt be nervous,considering he's my husband.I can do this,I'll do this for Thea,for Gideon and especially for Jonah.I came from a simple family where my mom is a housewife and my dad a manager in Hotel Westmore,Boston,one of the Westmore's Hotels,Thea's family business.And in my family,there is no tense silence,and silence is scarce in the Tucker family with my crazy two older brothers and a younger brother.To say we're close would be an understatement.I want Jonah and Gideon to feel and experience that kind of closeness and family love and avoiding me and his son would'nt help at all.

I grabbed the coffee and walk towards the sitting room and started reading my new novel while waiting Gideon.

Its almost midnight when Gideon reach the house.He look tired but still managed to look downright perfect with a manly stubble along his pefect jawline.Damn this man and his oh so handsome for words face.

Did'nt he see me?He nearly reach the stairs when I call him.

"Gideon" He practically jumped and looked soo startled I can't help but laugh but suddenly stops when he glared at me.Uhhh..."Damn you,Sofie;What are you doing here in the middle of the night"

"Uhhh....Uhhh".Why am I always tongue-tied when I talk to this particular man.

"What is it Sofie?".He sound angry.Gathering my wits,I replied him with the most normal voice I could muster "We need to talk,Uhhh...about Jonah".

"Is he okay"His angry voice was now replaced by concern.Poor man.

"Yes!He's okay".At least physically."I know you're tired but can we sit for a minute and talk.It won't take long.Promise"

He looks skeptical and sighs "Sofie,Its almost midnight.Can't it wait until tomorrow?"

"I'm sorry.No,and I'm tired of playing hide and seek.So,best we start right away"

He look so skeptical and upset,I thought he's gonna refused.But finally with an exasparated sigh,he replied "Fine!Let's talk" and walk towards me muttering about bossy women.

He sat in the sofa keeping his briefcase beside him and folded his arms and look at me with I-am-the-boss look,which I might add is mighty intimidating.

Trying my best not to stutter,I start talking "Uhh..Alright,first,Can you to spend more time with Jonah?,maybe 1 hour a day..He's your son,he's lonely and sad and he needs you.Second,did you mind if we go shopping,I mean me and Jonah,Well uhh....the thing is Jonah needs new clothes,he's growing and some of his clothes does'nt fit anymore.And third,your mother Clarice insisted we join them for dinner this Friday evening and Jonah probably needed clothes for that too.Oh!almost forgot,Mr Kumar came to see you everyday during the past week."I finished breathless.

"Are you finished?" He asked,his face blank.Is that all he had to say?."Uhh...yes I think that about sums it up"

"Alright,I'll try to spend more time with him but" speaking looking at me pointedly "But,I can't promise anything,I am quite busy"

When I try to protest,he silenced me with a glare and continue speaking "And about shopping" he said rummaging his wallet and taking out his credit card"Here!Use this".When I try to speak he silenced me with another one of his pointed looks.Infuriating man.I can't help but huff.

"About the dinner,Richard will drop you and Jonah at my parent's and I will meet you there and I'll talk to Mr Kumar"

"Now,if we're finished,I'm tired and I need rest.So,good night"

He walk away without looking at me.Damn the man,at least I said what I intend to say.