The Search

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter 13

I woke to the sound of a sweet young voice singing “Happy birthday to me,” over and over and over. I hastily arose and freshened up, wondering what lay ahead and how I would ever start my search for the Isaac, Derek had told me to find before he had been taken from me. I thought about Derek and I felt saddened about how he had led his life. I wondered what was happening to him and I shuddered at the thought.

“Willooow, guess what?”

The ten year old grinning boy met me at the door.

“What?” I played along.

“It’s my birthday and Dads going to be here in ten minutes! Can you believe that?”

I found Helen sitting watching TV. The American election had taken over every station at the moment and I watched the two similar aged men with dashing white teeth greet the public. I watched Ryan Carthy carefully as he hugged a child on the television and the mother gushed. These men looked so perfect but I wondered if they really knew what was going on behind the scenes of the CIA. I wondered if they knew that their government organisation had ripped my life apart and stole my love from me.

“It always takes over, even over here in Paris.”

Helen noticed the aggravation on my face.

“Mum! It’s my birthday so I think I should choose what we watch.”

“Oh you think so do you?”

I watched ,amused, at their mother-son antics and for just a second I craved that bond.

“Mum made blueberry pancakes with syrup, Willow. They’re fandabadosey!”

I laughed at his made up word and headed to the kitchen in search of some pancakes. I found them steaming on the kitchen table and I poured the gloopy syrup all over my pancake and sat back and admired the sweet feast. The taste burst in my mouth. They were the most delicious pancakes I had ever tasted in my life and I found myself groaning in lust for more.

“Enjoying yourself there?” Helen asked sarcastically.

She pulled up a chair beside me.

“Just to warn you, before Toby’s dad comes..he’s quite a charming character so don’t feel uncomfortable or anything.”

“Thanks for the warning but I’m sure I can manage.”

Just as we spoke the door burst open and a tall man with too familiar chocolate coloured eyes entered the room.

Our eyes locked and fear gripped my whole body and my breath quickened and I felt a drastic heat flush through me.

“Wesley,” I whispered.

Wesley smiled an evil crooked grin.

“So you know eachother,” Helens voice rose in surprise.

“Eh yea?” I started.

“I found her phone at the airport and returned it to her.”

Wesley winked at me and I felt disgust.

“Daddyyy.”

Toby came racing into the room and up into his daddy’s arms. Wesley stroked his boys hair and kissed him.

“Happy birthday, big man, I have a surprise for you.”

Wesley handed Toby a large parcel and Toby immediately began ripping the paper to shreds.

“Aw Dad cool! A Superjet gun!”

“Indeed!”

Wesley smiled broadly at his son and I felt extremely uncomfortable understanding that Toby had no idea that his Daddy, the hero, wanted her dead. I wondered about leaving but I knew Wesley would have people watching for me now on every corner and there was no escape this time. I was in for it. I quickly thought about Peter and what happened last night. Where was he? And why was he hiding from me? Why hadn’t he even stopped for two sweet minutes just to tell me what this is all about?

“Wes, tea?” Helen asked.

“I can’t stay, somethings come up at work.”

“But Dad! Are you not staying for the party? There’s going to be cake and even fizzy juice!”

“Sorry son, but it’s important.”

“More important than your son?” Helen asked with her eyes wide and full of pain.

Toby’s expression dropped and he sulked into the living room throwing his new gun on the ground.

Helen gave Wesley a warning look to go fix this. Wesley shrugged and mouthed,

“I have to leave.”

Helen threw her hands in the air in exasperation and sighed deeply.

“I’m not doing this right now.”

Helen said with hurt in her voice.

Wesley shrugged and walked out the door but not before turning to me, winking and saying,

“I’ll be seeing you soon.”

I knew this phrase was directed at me and that I would be seeing this man very soon, whether I liked it or not.

All these events must be connected. I couldn’t understand how Toby and Helen fit into the equation but I had a feeling they did and that I was in deeper than I had ever known.