Chapter 7

It doesn't take long for me to arrange to meet with Jason so I can give his jacket back.

"You're not going anywhere today are you?" Seb asks as he hurriedly wears his shoes. I glance at the clock. He is running late for work.

"I'm not." I grab a toast from the plate and spread some butter and jam how he likes it. "Don't forget your breakfast." I say, popping the toast inside his mouth.

He holds it in his mouth and nods as he grabs his coat.

"Bye. Drive safely." I wave and watch as he leaves.

I'm meeting Jason tomorrow but today, I need to do some further research about parenting and raising a child. Pulling open Seb's laptop, I grin and type the password which I snuck a look at last time.

Rolling my eyes at the model as his background, I go onto the internet. There are so many articles and links. Distractedly, I click on the Pictures folder. Let's see what interesting things Seb has in here.

As I scroll down, my eyes widen at the old photos which I didn't realise he took. He took these when we went on holiday with our families during highschool.

Most of the photos are of my face wearing various expressions. When did he take these? I didn't even know. Scrolling further down, I find some from when we were in College and even some from University.

My eyes fall onto the most ugly one of me asleep and drooling in the school library. Why did he take this?! I right click and delete it. He probably took it for blackmail purposes.

Hearing Miracle's cry, I quickly close the laptop and walk towards him. "Baby, it's okay, it's okay." I mumble, patting him gently.

I make his milk and feed him. He calms down and I pat his back to burp him before settling him onto the floor. I've bought some soft toys for him to play with. I should get him a bouncer soon too.

After cleaning up the house a little, I feel a little bored. I take Miracle with me and walk around outside. Seb is right, I need to find something to do but I am also worried about Miracle.

My phone rings and I balance Miracle on my hip and pick up. "Hello?"

"Emergency Eva!" Seb sounds panicked as he speaks.

"What happened? Are you alright? Are you hurt?" I ask with concern.

"No, no. It's not me Eva. Sam called me just now. He's coming down today. You have to hide the baby or he will definitely get suspicious and tell my whole family. Please Eva."

Samuel Eccles is Seb's older brother. He has always been the older brother I never had. The three of us were pretty close when we were younger.

"Miracle isn't an object that I can shove anywhere." I say. "Where can I take him?"

"A babysitter or a friend? Don't you have any friends who can look after him for a while?" Seb says.

"I'll see. What time is he coming?" I ask.

"After I finish work. You have four hours." Seb says.

"Don't worry, I'll handle it." I reassure him. Who would be willing to babysit Miracle? Someone I trust.

My eyes light up. "I need to make a call Seb. I'm hanging up." I say quickly.

Calling her after so long, I know she will have a whole lecture to rant at me.

"You fake friend! I've been back in the country for three months now and you only just call me now?! Who do you think I am? Did you forget all about me since I went to work abroad? I can't believe I am not special to you anymore. We've been through so much and yet, I can only talk to you after such a long time."

"Rina, are you drunk?" I ask, trying to hold back my laughter as I enter through Seb's door.

"You have such a nerve to ask me Eva Summer! It's too early to get drunk. I'm just angry."

I chuckle and sit down, "Sorry for not contacting you Rina. A lot has happened and I've been busy. I promise, I will make it up to you."

"You had better." She says.

Rina Lop has been a close friend to me and Seb since highschool. Two years ago, she received a promotion and her company sent her to work overseas. She returned recently and I completely forgot to give her a call.

She is a person who always sticks to her guns and speaks out against injustice. I can trust her completely. However, I have no idea what her reaction will be if I explain about Miracle.

"I need a favour." I say hesitantly.

"What is it?" Rina asks curiously.

I bite my lip, "Are you free to babysit this evening?"

"Babysit? Who's child?" She asks.

"Mine." I say quietly.

I hear something fall on the other side of the line and she sounds shocked, "WHAT?! When did you have a child? With who? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Calm down Rina." I laugh, "It's not like that. It's..." I explain everything which happened.

She is silent for a while before she speaks, "Fine. I will look after him for today but I still think Seb is right. You need to take him to the police. You do know it could be classified as kidnapping right?"

I groan, "Don't make me think about it. Won't I get into more trouble if the police know I have kept him then? But more than that, I don't want him to suffer if he ends up at the orphanage or with his real parents who abandoned him at the roadside."

"Miss Eva, always the Queen of justice." She chuckles.

"I just pity him. He's so cute and lovable, who could be cruel to leave him?" I mumble. "I'll send you a photo."

I snap a quick selfie of me holding Miracle and send it to her.

"He is adorable! I can't wait to babysit him." Rina exclaims excitedly.

"Isn't he? I'll have to trouble you." I say. "Are you still at your old house? I'll drop him off at half four."

"Sure. See you then Eva."