CHAPTER FOUR

"Are you sure? You and Imhotep conceive a child. How old is he?"

"Twelve. Dakota was born in 1921. I cannot deny it but this is the truth, Dr. Bey. I've been forced by Imhotep. I know exactly how Imhotep died. That wasn't his fault. The Pharaoh Seti I is and I reincarnation of the princess he loves. Nefertiri the Pharaoh daughter".

Dr. Bey leaned on his chair. Tapping on his table, eyes look up at her. "Like how you know, Evelyn".

"He showed me. Brought me back to three thousand year ago where he had lived. It wasn't like a flashback but a memory of Imhotep. The Pharaoh accused Imhotep irresponsible who raped the Pharaoh maid and get her pregnant. The twist is.. it was the Pharaoh who raped the maid and kill her. So he took the blame on Imhotep".

"Because Imhotep is the Pharaoh's loyal adviser". said Dr. Bey. Evelyn nod yes. "The Pharaoh knows Imhotep will do anything for him. The time Imhotep loves the princess it all makes sense".

He was shocked as Evelyn slammed her fist on the table, meaning she agreed with all of his words.

"Exactly. It was revenge. Not for the princess but the Pharaoh. Imhotep loves the princess, intends to marry her and be mother of his child. And that child is Dakota. He didn't love me, Dr. Bey. He still loves Nefertiri because I am hers".

"I understood the statement, Evelyn. Of course he didn't love you but he wanted you to have his child". he pulled down his glasses, laid them on the table.

He rubs his head.

"The truth about Imhotep. All I have is just the Pharaoh, and Nefertiri who married Ramesses II. Perfect life but lies beneath it".

"Dakota doesn't know about his father yet. I do not dare tell him not because I'm afraid. What I am afraid of is.. he will say his mother is crazy. A clumsy woman like me conceives a child with the man who died three thousand year ago.. will he believe that. I don't think so, Dr. Bey".

She leaned. "Dakota is a brilliant boy and he won't believe what I say". sigh. She spoke again. "He wants me to tell him about his father but I can't. I won't let him know about Imhotep who didn't existed".

"Give the boy a chance, Evelyn. He's just a boy. It took time to understand the assessment. When the boy is ready.. he will".

Evelyn nodded her head, rising up from the chair then walked out. He watched her for a while then followed her behind.

Meanwhile, Dakota enters the Ramesseum filled with treasures and plunder from the Middle Kingdom. It's very dark and quiet in here, the only light is from flickering torches at either end of the spooky gallery.

From the far side of the room. Feet, slowly shuffling, plodding across the floor. Dakota grabs a torch. Looking around, at a statue of Anubis, another of Horus, they stare down at Dakota, who is starting to get scared now.

He walks down the aisle. Past a closed sarcophagus. Past cases of ancient artifacts. Past another sarcophagus, only this one is open.

Dakota freezes, swallows hard, nervously looks around to see who could have opened it. Then he slowly leans forward with the torch, and peers inside.

"Dakota". he jolted, shocking, turning to where the voice was coming from. It was Evelyn. "What are you doing here?"

He shakes his head. "I'd just take a look around. Amazing place Dr. Bey had around here. Is this some kind of real thing being dug up from".

Dr. Bey smiles while standing beside Evelyn. He spoke. "Yes. All of this. Originally from Thebes. Where we found it. You see that?" he pointed at the statue where Dakota stood beside it.

"It came last night. One of my workers is guarding it, he says it's moving. I won't believe him. Today he is not coming to work, high fever".

"Shocking he is. You can't blame him, Dr. Bey. He just told you the truth about what he had experience". he walked toward Evelyn. "This is Ancient. It can happen right in front of our eyes without us realizing".

Evelyn makes a small circle of his back. And smile. "We should go see Dr. Bey. I need to see Anita. Is she around?"

"She still is. You should. There have been a lot of changes since you left". he to smile.

K͜͡h͜͡a͜͡l͜͡i͜͡d͜͡'s͜͡ D͜͡i͜͡n͜͡i͜͡n͜͡g͜͡ R͜͡e͜͡s͜͡t͜͡a͜͡u͜͡r͜͡a͜͡n͜͡t͜͡

Evelyn and Dakota drag the chair then sit. He read the menu while Evelyn searched for her long time friend Anita Daae Darling. The American woman whom she knew.

She noticed Anita talking with someone at the cashier before she caught Evelyn eyes on hers.

Shocking. She excused herself then walked to her table. "My dear, Evy!" both women hug in public. "How much I missed you. You're beautiful as you are".

"Same as you too. How is it going?"

"You didn't write me a letter, not once. I am married. Two children, a boy and a girl. It's been so long. Khalid died two year ago. Me and Hasaan continue his legacy. Hasaan is engaged and Aya.. at home".

She takes a seat between Evelyn and Dakota. She didn't notice him till she turned to him.

"And who are you boys?"

Evelyn reached her hand. "Dakota. He is my son".

"God heaven. Is true then what Ardeth says. Of course he came saying you arrive today. Oh, I'm so glad to see you again, Evy. Why did you leave?" she asked. "I was shocked after what happened to you in Hamunaptra. Of course, Ardeth".

She suddenly slapped her forehead, chuckling. "Silly me. I was so excited to see you back and I didn't ask what you both wanted to order".

Moments later. Evelyn told Anita about her journey in Hamunaptra. She mentioned Imhotep as it to Anita so then Dakota wouldn't know they talk about his father.

He drinks fresh cold water with chicken wrapping and salad. Hearing the adults talk and talk without stopping.

"Oh my God. I'm sorry to hear it. I ask Ardeth about you and he won't tell me anything, that Medjai!" she grit her teeth. "So, are you moving back in here?"

"Oh yes we are. This is my home. This is where I belong".

Carnahan's house. Night. The family is having dinner. Evelyn decided to start working immediately. When Dakota begins school she needs money to cover the expenses. Maybe working to explore ancient ruins than the librarian. Sounds fun like her mum and dad.

"Jonathan you better start looking for a real job alright. We three now, not two, with Dakota starting his school. I am kind of busy. Will you manage all by yourself, Dakota?" he nod. "Thank you. Now. That is because we're moving in here, remember this is not London. Respect each other and no bully".

"Since when did they start to bully?" ask Jonathan. "They're not right. Just in Dakota school what is the boy name.. George".

"We are not gonna talk about that boy, Jonathan. If you do honey, wash the plate and go to bed". she said to Dakota. "I'm going to your school for the book and things".

He pushed the chair, walked into the kitchen, washed the plate and let it dry. Quickly he reached the stairs then climbed. Jonathan takes a peep at the stairs and hears the door shut.

"I bet Dr. Bey was shocked about Dakota's presence".

"He does and believes me, Jonathan. Imhotep doesn't love me as I told the same thing to Dr. Bey. He trusts me. Imhotep wants Nefertiri to bear his child which means I am. Then Dakota was born".

"How do you believe Imhotep doesn't love you? What if.. he is".

Evelyn shakes her head, and wouldn't believe that Imhotep loves her. She never loved Imhotep. Not ever.

"Still you can't keep this secret from Dakota".

"Dakota will think I am crazy! How that possible having a sex with a man who already died three thousand year ago".

She stared.

"Three thousand year, Jonathan. Not one year or two. Three-thousand". he read her lips then he snorted. "This is wrong. Imhotep doesn't belong here with us, Jonathan. It was a mistake to bring him alive. I'm so stupid. There I say it".

She leaned back. Jonathan drains the glass. "I'll make sure he won't raise again. Not anymore and he won't take away what I have. Not even Dakota. I swear it. Dare me if he did".

From upstairs. Between the stair poles. Dakota hears everything she and Jonathan talk about his father, Imhotep.

Closing the door was one part of his trick and they will think he already went to bed without eavesdropping.

So it is true then. He was born by accident and unwilling. By a forced love from the man she didn't love.

Imhotep is the name he keeps hearing from them, a man who died three-thousand year ago and his mother accidently awakened him back to the world.

He needs to find out about Imhotep's previous life. About Nefertiri. What is the connection between Nefertiri and his mother? Connection Imhotep to Nefertiri.

There's a lot of questions he wanted to ask. Not from his mother or his uncle. Perhaps from Ardeth or Dr. Bey. They maybe will tell him the truth.

Maybe...