Contract Marriage; Fated Love

USA?

Why? That was her past. Her son’s unknown father, her family as well as Noah was in that country. She didn’t want her son to have anything to do with USA. She had come to China for good. She did not want her son going there and finding out things.

“Mummy,” Liam called tapping her thigh and pulling her out of her thoughts.

“Yes dear,” she replied trying to act alright.

“Our teacher said we should prepare fast. He also said we will be leaving in two days. And that out parents will be notified too. He gave me a letter to give to mummy too,” he said and opened his back pack. He took out the letter from one of his books where he had carefully tucked it away safely. Despite his age, he was very careful and organised unlike children of his age. He handed it to his mother.

“Okay, Liam. Go in and undress,” she said dismissing him.

She smiled as he went in. He was indeed her pride. She was very grateful to have him. He was a very obedient, smart and hardworking little boy. He looked exactly like Emily but his character was definitely not hers. He was extremely smart, and had a high IQ.

“Maybe like his father,” Emily had always concluded.

He loved building blocks and was highly interested in computer and technology. He made Emily buy the latest models of building blocks. He always practiced and could arrange the blocks in just a little time. At school when he learnt of the competition, he quickly pressed his mother to register him. He took the test and was selected to participate.

“But why USA? Why? Yanxi?” Emily asked Gu Yanxi for the umpteenth time that evening.

“Emily. This little guy has spent time preparing for this competition. You can’t deny or deprive him the joy of competing. Remember, you said you registered him to expose him to competitions. Are you going back on your word now? A lot of people wanted their kids to be selected. A lot of kids wanted to go too. But he was selected. You can’t deny him a chance to prove himself the best among his peers. Do you want to break the news to him right now? How does it sound, “Liam, you are no longer going for the competition?” What if he asks why? What reason will you give him? Moreover, you can’t keep running from your past. It’s just a competition. He isn’t going to meet Noah. Neither is he going to search for his father. The father doesn’t know he exists. Stop being paranoid Emily,” Gu Yanxi explained at length..

“But I am not. What if he runs into Noah? And Noah finds out about me and what if…” Emily began her what ifs.

“Enough Emily. Firstly, this competition is not organised by Noah. Neither is it organised by his company, Black what ever. He is definitely not going to be there. Even if he comes, out of the multitude of kids, he will not suddenly see you in Liam. Okay?” Gu Yanxi interrupted.

Emily looked at her still unsatisfied with her explanation.

“Liam is going and that’s final. Remember, you struggled so hard to achieve your dream of butterfly designs. Now, let the boy be happy with his competition. Who knows, he might win. We will prepare him together. We will tell his teacher to look out for him. He will not stray. Okay?” Gu Yanxi consoled her. Emily finally agreed grudgingly.

The day came for the kids to leave. Liam was to go with two other boys from his school. It was a national competition but it was hosted at the headquarters of the building block company which was at USA. Emily bade him goodbye and prayed the teacher to look after him.

They teacher and three kids were on their way to the venue. They had arrived at the bus stop and were walking down to the venue. The teacher met some of his colleagues from China too. He was excited and said to the kids,

“Wait right here, okay? Make sure not to run into the road. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Teacher,” they chorused.

As the teacher left to see his colleagues, the children looked around and were absorbed by the beautiful scenario. It was a pleasant site.

“Wow. Look at that high tower,” Zhou Jiang, one of the kids called out to the others.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“Wow. It’s so nice. Look at these flowers too. We don’t have such in our country,” Liam joined in.

“I wish I could touch them and also see that tall building,” Bai Quin, the last boy said.

“Let’s just go see it,” Zhou Jiang urged half pulling Bai Quin along. Bai Quin thought it a nice idea. But Liam thought otherwise.

“No, we can’t go. Out teacher asked us to stay right here. He said we should not move out of here.”

“We won’t have the chance to see this beautiful city again. Let’s go now,” Bai Quin persisted.

“No. Come back,” Liam cautioned pulling them both back.

“Leave us!. If you won’t come along, let go,” they chorused and shoved him aside with all their might. He fell right into the road and let out a heart piercing cry.

A car was driving at a high speed when that happened. The driver quickly jammed his brakes and narrowly escaped hitting the boy. The driver frowned at the young lad’s carelessness. What amazed him further was that this boy saw his car coming and sat right there still screaming “ahhh!” Does he think this is some movie? He stormed out of his car to give him a good spanking.

“Hey, kid, can you stop screaming ‘ahhh’ and get out of the road?” Noah, the driver of the car asked furiously.

The boy had his face lowered. He stopped screaming and started crying.

“Mummy… Mummy…”

Noah’s heart melted. His initial anger vanished. He saw himself in that boy. Once upon a time, he cried out like that but no one came to his rescue. His mother was gone never to return.

He knew he had to be nice at that time. He tapped the boy gently on his shoulder and he raised his head. When Noah saw his face, he was transfixed to the spot.