Chapter Nine
Evanora.
To save her career, protect her son's image from the public, and for her past history not to resurface, Eva knew there must be a price to be paid. What would she do to keep Rick at bay and not let him reintroduce himself into her life?
"Sigra, I need your help," Eva said with glossy eyes, as she fought to hold back tears.
"No crying, please." Said Sigra. "What help do you need?"
"I do not feel safe here in my apartment now, I feel I am being watched or something" She looked at the window side, feeling unsure. "Please, I want to come pass the night at your place together with Ethnan, and tomorrow morning I will board the next available flight to somewhere far."
"Is that all?" Asked Sigra. Get all what you need, let's get going then.
Eva picked a few clothes and that of Ethnan's into a sizable pink bag. "I'm all set." Eva said amidst loud panting.
On their drive down to Sigra's house, Rick kept calling Eva's phone ceaselessly.
The next text message Rick sent was terrifying even though the text was incomplete.
"EVA, PLEASE, STAY SAFE, MY FATHER IS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR…"
"What is happening for goodness sake?" Eva cried out, urging her friend to double the speed of the car. "I'm scared for myself and my son." She added.
"Be calm, please. You have no business with Rick's father, so I think the message could be a mistake or something."
It was until they arrived at Sigra's apartment before Eva started to feel a trace of ease. "Thank you for being my rock, Sigra. I and Ethnan are grateful."
"You are my bestfriend and a star, so you deserve everything good, okay?"
Eva smiled as she eased sleepy Ethnan from her chest. "Mummy, take me to my room." Ethnan said in half wakefulness.
"No, baby. We will be sharing one bed tonight, we are at Aunty Sigra's house."
"You two should go get some sleep already," Sigra said, patting Eva's back. "There's a flight to catch tomorrow morning, remember?"
"Alright. Goodnight then."
The next morning, Eva made sure her phone was switched off, because she wasn't mentally ready to face whatever drama Rick could bring again.
"What do you care for breakfast?" Sigra yawned, wiping her sleepy face. "You and Ethnan need to eat something before leaving."
"We don't mind pancakes." Said Eva, as she managed to smile.
After they had breakfast, Eva, out of pure consideration for Sigra, managed to convince her not to drive them to the airport.
"I could book a ride, please. You have done so much for me and Ethnan already."
"But, I'm not complaining. Besides it's less than an hour drive to the airport from here."
After back and forth argument over booked ride, Sigra finally accepted Eva's consideration. "But, promise me that you will be safe, okay?"
"I promise. I just want to go far away before I can think of what best way to stop all this.."
Sigra hugged Eva, almost passionately. Afterwards she scooped Ethnan in her arms and planted kisses on his forehead. "I will miss you, my love."
Soon, the cab man arrived and Eva couldn't contain her emotions as she boarded with Ethnan.
She shot Sigra a final look before shutting the car door.
At the airport, Eva did well to conceal her face by hanging her headscarf loosely over head. She booked a one-way ticket to Corolado and her flight was scheduled to depart in an hour time.
At the waiting arena, Eva kept herself busy by keeping a conversation about cartoon characters with Ethnan.
"I'm yet to have a favorite cartoon character, Mummy." Said Ethnan.
When footsteps were thudding closer to Eva, she didn't care to look whose footsteps they were, until a masculine voice spoke behind her. "Madam, you are under arrest!
Eva's face widened as she tried to utter a word. "What's my offense? She enquired.
"Murder! Said one of the policemen. "Sigra is dead."