He bends down and returned Mick's hug. Pulling away shortly to inspect him with a scrutinizing gaze. Completely disregarding his earlier statement.
Can't say I wasn't thankful for that.
He grabbed Mick's arm in his hand and looked at the angry handprint mark with pursed lips. His calm exterior giving away nothing for me to grab on.
He patted Mick on the shoulder, his hand a contrast to the small boy before him. He stood back up and swept his eyes across the room before pausing at our table.
So he is Mick's brother.
He approached the table with strong strides, maneuvering through the families enjoying ice-cream.
His vibrant blue eyes focused on me and he slowed down in his march, observing me as I occupied the same table.
My face heated up at gaze and I turned back to my cup, pushing the ice-cream around with the spoon. He dragged a chair to our table and seated next to his mother, that is, next to me on the round table.
I tried to hid my blushing face behind a curtain of silver hair.
" What happened and who is my girlfriend" although his tone is questioning and not at all mocking my cheeks heated up more in embarrassment.
I wanted to smack myself across the face for blushing so much.
Mick had a brother, how was I supposed to know that before lying to the officer.
His eyes fixed at me and I sat straighter before answering.
"An officer had grabbed him, so I.." I trailed off, not knowing what to say.
" Zane meet Ariel, she helped Mick. Ariel this is my son" Kera introduced me to her son, saving me from any more embarrassment.
He looked at me, nodding in gratitude and I smiled back.
That is the most I have got from the people of this town and I wasn't even expecting more than that.
He didn't say anything more about the matter, strangely enough. He is angry, but nothing on his face gives it away. Nothing in his expression. But I can see his broad shoulders tensed and the clenched jaw. The only sign that what happened to Mick bothers him. Somehow that makes it even more dangerous.
" I haven't seen you around here" Zane asked with a tilt of his head, his attention focused on understanding me. Or he was just suspicious. For whatever reason.
" I am from Athesy" I smiled.
" She is here to surprise her grandmother. And she is also looking for a hotel" Kera interjected as if in a silent reproach for her son to act.
Zane looked back at me with interest, as if my excuse has amused him somehow.
" Ariel" I turned around at the call, Skye was walking towards me with our suitcases in each hand.
The chatter dimmed around us and I met his gaze. I nodded him forward and turned to Mrs.Kera.
" Skye this is Mick's mom, Mrs.Kera" I nodded at her with a smile and Skye extended his hand.
" Skye Perez" Kera smiled back at him.
"Thank you for saving my son Skye. " Kera looked at Skye with moist eyes, she was holding herself till now but her fear leaked in her voice.
She was afraid something worst could have happened if we hadn't interjected.
My questions keep stacking one after the other. The officer was rough in his handling but he was still a government official. Would he have done something to Mick? Somehow I had a foreboding that he would have.
Skye shook his head at her, " It was all Ariel"
I smiled at her and raised from my seat and my eyes automatically found Zane.
I looked at Kera, I was hoping to get at least the name of the hotel out of her.
She must have seen my intention because she spoke quickly, " I am sorry Ariel, I almost forgot. There is a hotel"- she hesitated for a moment, " near the train station"
I tensed at that, nerves fluttering in my stomach. That train station was crawling with officers, and not of the good kind. Checking in the hotel beside it will easily raise suspicion, and questions.
I glanced back at Skye, his eyes have darkened and muscles coiled at her statement.
We will get caught there, and very easily so.
" Thank you. We will go now" Skye replied thickly, words strained as he tightened his grip on the handle of the suitcase.
I stiffly thanked her.
Skye won't let us stay there, under no condition will he jeopardize our safety.
We are going to nanna's.
" We have two guest rooms in our house. If you would like to stay there instead" Kera offered, hesitation dripping from her voice. She wanted to return the favor but was hesitant, I can see the uncertainty clear in her eyes.
I looked at Zane, he was studying me, us, as if contemplating whether to trust us or not. I met his stare and searched him for his intentions.
" No we -" I grabbed Skye's arm discreetly, and squeezed tightly to stop him. He shut his mouth and I continued over him.
" If that is no problem Mrs. Romero" I asked her.
Zane seems to have come to a conclusion because he pushed back his chair and stood up.
He was almost a little taller than Skye " It isn't and you should not stay at the hotel. It is not safe there " Zane commented with seriousness.
I studied his face, but couldn't make anything out of it. He wanted something from us, that was clear. Because no one has even told us the address to the hotel, much less offer a place to stay.
I narrowed my eyes at him. Ditching the unbothered mask I let my suspension flutter on my face.
Skye dissected his words and took the lead, stepping in Zane's line of view.
"Just for two days Mrs. Romero, then we will be at our Grandma's" Skye spoke, he had caught onto that. I blinked at him in confirmation.
" Ariel is coming with us?" Mick jumped on his seat, clapping his hand in glee.
That seemed to have melted the iceberg.
I ruffled his hair, chuckling at his excitement.
" We will be happy to have you" Mrs. Kera smiled with warmth.
I smiled back.
" Zane the payment" Kera informed her son with a look. He nodded, moving towards the counter, blocking any view.
I looked after him from the corner of my eye, hoping to catch a glance.
I wanted to know how he would make the payment, it was silly but I was still curious.
H returned and caught me staring, I looked away immediately.
After making the payment in minutes, he came to stand beside me. He curled his fingers around my suitcase handle, our fingers brushing together. I loosened my grip in surprise. He pulled the trolly right out of my hands and pushed it at Skye.
" Go with mom and take the bags. Go from the ally near lamp post side mom" Zane directed and his mom nodded, but Skye just clenched his teeth at his order. My confusion surfaced at his statement.
Why does he want us to go separate ways?
"And what about you," Skye asked in accusation, but he clearly meant about me.
I looked at Zane, tilting my head to study his reaction.
God I am short.
" We will come from the main street" he answered nonchalantly as if he didn't need to explain his reasons.
" We can all go from the main street," Skye remarked, inching forward in suspicion.
" You are going to your grandmother. I am going with my girlfriend" I tensed. My cheeks flaming up unintentionally at his statement. Or, more like the use of a specific word.
Skye scowled at that, his mood turning sore with Zane's attitude.
But Zane was not looking at either of us. His eyes watching something behind Skye, I followed his line of sight.
There through the window, I could see the street. The crowd has thinned and officers in blue uniform became more prominent.
I understood what he meant, his words were calculated.
I nudged Skye with my shoulder.
He looked at me, I nodded at him that it is fine and tapped his phone outlined in his right pocket.
My message was clear, I will call you if anything goes wrong.