Austin had a good tour around. They went for shopping, games, and on their way back. They saw a little girl sitting by the corner. Wes stopped the car, he was the one driving.
"isn't that that little girl from before?".wes asked, winding down.
"yea...".Austin came out of the car and walked to where she sat.
"hey!".he said, gaining her attention.
"mmm....nice uncle!".she squealed.
"why are you out here all alone?".
"am waiting for my mummy!".she replied sadly.
"okay, come with me".she pulled her hands away from his. He looked at her wondering what was wrong.
"my mum said I should stay away from you".she replied innocently.
"why?".Austin thought. What's wrong with that wom....Lady.
"is she really your mum?".he asked, and she nodded.
He tried everything to make her follow him, until he said "you're mum said I should come pick up, so come with me".
"really?".she beamed. She got up and followed him. He placed her inside the car, and fastened her seatbelt.
He really liked how obedient she was to her mum, it's quite good.
"you love your mum?".he asked.
She nodded, and smiled. "and she loves me too". She replied. He saw that, her eyes were all red, and when she finally found her yesterday, she hugged her like she was her energy drink.
"what of your daddy?".he wanted to ask, but decided it'd be best not to.
"what of your dad?".wes asked instead.
She shrugged "don't know".she replied.
"so where do you live?". The little Ariel told him, and he realised it was quite close, just three blocks away from his apartment.
They got to her apartment, but no one was there. "your mum is not back yet, so you'll follow me to my house okay?".he asked, and she nodded. He stomach grumbled slightly.
Immediately, they gave Ariel a lot of food. "eat as much as you want".Wes patted her head lightly. Her hair was packed in two ponytails, and Austin liked it. She really looked like her mum. He couldn't help but wonder how her dad looks like.
"so what's your name?".
"ariel!".she swallowed "what about you uncle?",she asked.
"am Austin, and my friend is Wesley!".
"uncle Austin and uncle Wesley!".she repeated, getting used to it.
Ariel had so much fun with Austin. Austin then remembered that her mum would be worried about her, so he pulled her up, resting her butt on his firm arm.
"are you taking me home?".she asked, as she dusted her hands. He nodded softly.
"okay!".she replied. She looked sad, but forced out a smile.
They got to the apartment. It was already dark. A lady saw them. "aunt scarlet".Ariel called out. Austin dropped her down and she ran to scarlet who was looking at Austin with surprise.
"where have you been?".she asked, as she carried her.
He ran my fingers through his hair. "actually, I saw her alone, so she was with me...".
"her mum was worried sick".she replied, and an ounce of guilt pierced him.
"am sorry".he said.
"its okay!".she said to him, then looked at Ariel who nestled her head on her chest, asleep.
"do you perhaps know them?".she had to ask.
"uh, not really. But I have seen Ariel in the market before".
"oh...".she muttered. "its nice to meet you. Am scarlet!".
"am Austin! Same".he gave her a gawky smile.
"I should get going, before her mum dies out of worry".she let out a dry laugh.
Cathy was in a daze. She was seated on the floor. She had cried to the extent she couldn't cry anymore. So many imaginations appeared in her head. What if she was abducted? What if he took her and left the country. She didn't have money for flight! What if....???
Just then scarlet walked In. "Ariel is fine!".she said. As soon as Scarlet said this, Cathy shook. She quickly got up and grabbed her daughter from scarlet hugging her real tight, waking the little girl.
"mummy!".she muttered sleepily, and wrapped her arms on her neck, before falling asleep again.
"thank you soooo sooo much scarlet".she said, as tears welled up in her eyes..
"no need to thank me. I only brought her here. She was with a guy. She's totally fine".Scarlet replied. Cathy frowned. It was him again., she knew it. She was just too sure about it. Her instincts wouldn't lie! But if he didn't plan on taking her away, then what did he want? She thanked scarlet again, and locked up.
She took Ariel to the room, and laid her carefully on the bed. She sat beside her, putting her hair slowly, but she was really lost in thought.
***
Austin stood at the corridor. His head was aching so bad. He really should stop thinking about that lady and her daughter.