Chapter135 Sub 21

Pawn I: The responsibility

Mother stormed into the room while i was pacing to and fro then i halted at once. 

  "Oh Mom!" I sighed in relief then i embraced tightly

  "Hey baby, what's wrong? You look tensed right now!" Mother rubbed my chin gently. "Talk to me son, i don't like what i'm seeing! You look a mess!"

We sat on the couch, i was panting breathlessly and sweating profusely. I was unnecessarily restless, you'd think that i was chased by dinosaur.

  "Mama, good thing you're here! I've got to show you something. You need to see something very important!" I stated seriously

  "Hey! Chill! What's up with the hastiness, what's so important that i have to see?!" She asked

I held her by arm gently as i ushered us dowm the stairs leading to the guest room. I opened the door turning the lights on, we walked further then stood beside the bed where he laid peacefully. Mother almost leaped in excitement, he was adorable to neglect. She attempted to place her fingers on his forehead then i held her hand. We were quiet. We walked outside immediately. 

  "Kareem?" She called out with a slight frown on her

  "Yes Mama!" I answered 

  "Why did you call me over?"

  "To show you that...that..." I tried to find the right words to explain to her but she didn't let me finish.

  "...That whatever you're trying to call him is your son, right?" Mother asked

  "I really don't know! Ap...Apparently!" I stuttered

  "You are out of your damn and insane mind! I left everything i was doing only to meet this crap..." 

  "Ma..Mama, you were excited at first!" I snapped, her eyes questioned "I was confused! I had no idea what to do next! I returned from work only to see a boy lying in bed...i didn't know what to do next! How do i go about a child, Mom?" I explained

  "Get your shit together, Kareem! I had no idea how to take care of you when you came but i figured it all out and that's exactly what you're gonna do...figure it out!" Mother cautioned. I rubbed my head over three times then i turned to her.

  "Mama, can i ask you something?" I inquired hoping she'd not flare up just yet.

  "Ask anything as far as it doesn't take my time any more!" She snapped

  "Can...Can you take him in for a while...at least before i figure myself out...i could just..."

  "That's wonderful but no! I won't!" She turned to leave then i held her by the arm 

  "Please Mom, just a week or two!" I tried to coax her but she fell on deaf ears "Mom! I'm overly confused right now, i can't take care of a child! I can barely live with myself, Mom! I promise that I'd fix everything..." 

  "You'd take care of your child yourself, i won't do what you're asking Kareem, do what you can! I'll talk to you by noon to hear how far you've taken care of him. C'mon Kareem, your father was good at fatherhood and still is. I don't think breeding a son is actually a bad idea, you'd learn real quick! Just call me when its all good!" Mother kissed my cheek then walked out almost scurrying, she couldn't waut to reunite with her husband i guess. If he eventually cries out loud or gets too uncomfortable or wants to see his mother or something, i really can't bear it.

02:49am,

I heard a knock on the door, it was concurrent. I lazily walked to the door yawning and stretching from the exhaustion. I opened the door then i saw Jane holding the little boy around her neck. My face squeezed then i questioned.

  "Jane, don't be ridiculous right now! I am exhausted! Why are you here?"

  "I'm so sorry sir, he wouldn't stop crying at all. He insisted on seeing you...Sir!" Jane apologized

  "Jane! You're a woman and i'm a man, don't you think that you're more than eligible to handle him? Look, I'm tired and i really have no idea on how to rock a child to sleep...could you just do something?!"

  "Of course but i'm not really sure if he'd come with me this time!" she explained

  "Fi..Fine! Lay him down, i'd just figure it out!" I instructed politely. I was mad at the fact that Jane could do nothing in return. 

After Jane had left, he woke up immediately. He was wailing before i could mention a word. I stood over him with my hands on my waist, i was lost.

  "Could you just shut the hell up!" I yelled at him. I was angry at the babyish sounds he was making. His voice topped the previous then i realized that yelling was a big mess. I placed him over my chest as i tried to make him calm but he wasn't responding to it. I dialed mother at an odd hour. Mother answered the phone and that was a huge relief.

  "Mom!" I called out calmly

  "Ka..Kareem!" She answered sleepily "Give him some warm milk. he'll be fine! Stroke is back gently and tenderly a'ight?!" Mother advised

  "You're the best, Mom! I love you so much!!!" I hung up

She didn't let say a word and she figured it out beforehand. I took him along as we headed downstairs straight into the kitchen. I could not do anything meaningful, i thought of calling Jane but she's been working overtime lately so there wasn't a need to interrupt her night rest. I turned on the heat to warm up the milk then i turned to the little boy on my right.

  "Do you actually recognize the stress i'm going through for you? You came from nowhere to interrupt my peaceful life and worse of all, it's only been hours and it feels like hell undercover." I sighed then i poured the warm milk into a mug his size since i had no bottles around, we headed to my bedroom. He was eager to have what i wanted to give to him, he was leaping in joy already. Weird to me.

  "I hope you don't make any more sounds 'coz if you do, i'd slit your throat!" I threatened him. He wailed even more then i apologized. "Did you really hear that shit? Don't be too receptive...whatever! Just gulp it!" I snapped already pissed. I fed him in the best way i could, i've seen Zoe feed her girls. He smiled at me after gulping it, i wiped his mouth with a serviette. Few minutes later, he was drowsy and sleepy, he fell asleep. I heaved a deep sigh of relief.

How could Gia be excited over having a child knowing that the fatigues attached to training a child is cumbersome and exhausting, mother had saved my life. I was very thankful that. I sunk into the bed.

08:19am,

I was at the dining room eating breakfast while she fed the little boy some cereal and milk, he was brightened at every spoon she tucked into his mouth.

  "Does he even have a name?" I asked cringing

  "Its Timmy, he's a smart one!" Jane added with a faint smile

  "Hmm!" I shrugged "Hold up! How on earth did you let her bring him in? I warned your ass about strangers, Jane..." I rudely blurted out

  "My bad, sir! She didn't bring him in, a man did. He came with Timmy's birth documents, he specified that it was from Tiana." Jane explained "I didn't want to let him in but it was already dark and the man had left so...i just had to keep him!"

  "Well, i'm not interested! I don't want a child around me, im not ready for that!" I added

  "I think i understand sir but you can't let him all by himself too. If it's about taking care of him, i would do it besides i'm paid beautifully to handle more than just a child!" Jane opted and i was abit relieved.

  "It still doesn't changes the fact that i don't want a child around, it sucks!" I added again. Jane was like a friend to both Gia and i, we talked about everything we felt was common to discuss about.

Ive not heard or seen Tiana ecer since the last incident, i was certain btagt she was lurking around to tarnish my image again. Before everyone, she's more of a victim of rape and attempted homicide but to me she was the devil in pants.

I've worked overly hard to stand firm on the truth and so the court would take its charge when the evidences are vivid enough.

  "Jane? Uh! Could you enroll him into school already, we can't keep him around for no good reason! Take either you the documents well. I'd send you some cash to cover everything, don't call me when you need something aside money, just figure with out!!!" I instructed. 

  "Of course, sir!" She snapped with a smile regardless of what i had instructed.

Weekends,

Father invited me over for golf, at exactly 3pm; i was at the field waiting for his arrival. Five minutes later, he arrived with Clinton alongside. I knew he had alot to talk about, especially the industry. I maintained a good composure regardless.

  "Hi Dada!" We hugged as well Clinton.

  "Ah Kareem, pardon my lateness. Mr Fayette had invited his son ovet so i decided that we talk overtime, at least to watch time fade for little!"  Father explained but that was useless to me.

  "Yes Jordan, my father would as well love to see you! He'd come around in thirty minutes!" Clinton added politely

  "That's certain, its nothing to worry about! I hope you're doing a great job watching over Ayeesha...she'd tell me if you wouldn't!" I teased but meant everything. Father and Clinton smiled.

  "Ok sons, i want us to talk about the investors on board. Toxic Vines to be precise! What are y'all thinking?" Father asked

  "Toxic Vines had always done marvellously well over the years and it wouldn't be new to work with them again!" I stated boldly

   "..Oh yeah but don't you think that familiarity could be interfering? I mean..." Clinton interrupted

  "Whatever you mean, just shut your mouth!"I warned "Do you realise that you talking shit? What familiarity?" 

  "Kareem.." Father called calmly

  "He sounds really unprofessional right now! Do we have a reason not to work with them? Why is he  against something he knows nothing about?"

  "I was trying to suggest..." Clinton added i defense

  "Suggest, my ass! Do you have a problem with that vineyard, if you do....keep it to yourself!" I added angrily "don't ever try to disrespect me...before my father, you'd regret it!" I warned again

  "Really?" He shrugged "May i also remind you that im a member of the Khaleefa's?" He asked

  "Who wouldn't want to be a part of luxury where you could eat and dine with the lion and the cub themselves?! Hmm?" I asked, i was sarcastically throwing shades at him. He deserved it. He wanted trouble not peace, i could sense it. Father was impressed at my reply then Clinton's face fell to the ground.

  "I would bring more cubs as successors to the pride you know...which you can't!" He added. I was pricked but not as much as expected.

  " Yes! Hundred cubs yet one successor!" I snapped them i patted his shoulder, he was furious "Don't make my fathers' business your business, you'd be ashamed! There's no way i could let you take my pride despite your cubs, i have a successor! Stick to your fathers' business!"

He smiled tightly then walked away tonmeet his father, Mr Fayette. My father and i turned to each other then he blurted out

  "Anyone who hears you speak would think you are smart enough to rule kingdoms with a gold rush!"