Chapter 8 Eight

They ran across the kitchen and dashed through the back door. Everyone was outside so, they had no trouble getting to the car.

Matilda tossed the keys to her son. Signalling him to take the wheels, since, he was a better driver.

He opend the door allowing himself in. His mother plopped onto the passenger's seat.

He started the car and just in time too, cause some of the maids were straining their necks to get a glimpse of what was happening. They were calling attention to themselves.

The engine of the car roared to life as he started the car. Immediately, he set his feet on the gas pedal, he drove off towards the gate which, was wide open.

"Shit!, Guards, get him. Don't let him escape!" He heard the voice of his father growling at them.

He increased the speed the car was currently running on. He drive through the streets like a maniac. He was trying his best to escape and his father was not making things easy for him.

"Jayden?" He turned to look at his mother who was sitting beside him. Earlier, they had planned to leave together. They could not bear the pain of being separated. It hurt them so much.

"Mhm" he raised an eyebrow at her. He was trying to focus in the road and at the same time, loose his father's guards.

"I have a plan. But,,,I don't think you would like it. But since it's our only shot at this, we have to take it"

"Ok? What is it? Can I hear it first before you conclude? And if I don't like it...you have to drop it" he stated but his attention still on the road.

"Jayden, this is not up for debate. It is about your future here and I won't seat by and let it crumble. Not on my watch."

"Mom" he called "I appreciate all you have done, and honestly, I owe you a lot. I can't question how much you love me. And I know that not all mother's can do this that you have done, so, thank you. But,,,I won't put you in danger for me."

Matilda was touched. Jayden was a man with few words. But, here he was and it only took one day for him to admit it.

Guess the saying was true. You never knew what you had until you lost it.

"Jayden" she sighed "I am touched but, you have not heard what I wanted to say" she pointed out.

"Yeah, I know, but... anytime you sound like that, I know that it's nothing good."

"It's the only way Jayden and am not putting this up for debate. No further arguments. Now listen, there is a curve up ahead."

"Take that route, It leads to a scheduled area. We are far ahead and it would take a while for them to catch up to your speed. By that time, we would have executed our plan." She spoke calmly.

"And what is the plan that has to involve a scheduled area?" He raised his brow.

"You know, one thing I would miss about you is your stupidity." She said and looked at her son skeptically.

He had a smug smile in his face. She wished she could hit him but that would ruin his concentration.

"When we arrive, you get out and I would drive. You have to walk through the road while I divert their attention away from you. But, you have to hide long enough till they are gone."

"I put a map in the bag. You take it and use it, you need to take the fastest route out of this place. You could flag down a car that would carry you faster from here. You move from borders to borders till you are sure that you are safe enough to settle down. Okay?"

"Mom, no, you can't do this" He protested

"No? Do you have any more ideas Jayden?" She paused and looked at him.

"...."

"I thought so. Now, shut up and do as I said" she said sternly.

He gritted his teeth and forced a reply "what if you are caught?"

"Then, so be it. As long as you are safe, I don't mind. I mean, what can your father possibly do?" She shurgged

His grip on the steering harded as his knuckles turned white. His mother was willing to go through this for him. Damn that old man he called a father.

She placed a hand on his, and looked at him. She had a soft look on her face and her eyes telling him not to worry.

Why should he not worry? She was putting her life in the line for his.

His grip turned mellow and tears brimmed at the corner of his eyes. His sight blurry and eyes glassy.

Drop. One after the other, his eyes leaked with the salty liquid as his cheek stained with this liquid. He was crying.

For the first time in years, he actually cried. He raised his head and stared at his mom.

The same was her case. They were silently consoling theirselves. They never wanted to part but now, they had to.

They could already spot the curve ahead. They were fast approaching their departure. It was heartbreaking for both if them.

The car came to a stop as they had finally reached their destination.

"You have to leave Jayden. You have to move or everything we did is all going to be a waste"

"I don't want to leave you mom. Why can't we just run together? I know that they could easily spot us, but we could try?" He sobbed. His face filled with tears and snots.

She patted his head. "Am sorry" her voice came out softly. " I won't let what happened to me be the same with you. I know your father loves you but he is just blinded by his greed. Someday, I know he would realise this"

"I hope he does, but by that time, I hope he falls to his knees" he sneered darkly.

"He is still your father Jayden. Don't talk like that." She scolded.

He scoffed "as if, he is only acting like this because I failed to follow his footsteps. I just wanted to be me? What was so hard to understand?"

"Jayden," she called and sighed "maybe, one day he would realise his mistakes. But now, you need to leave and fast."

They could almost hear the faint sounds of car tyres treading the road rapidly.

They quickly got out of the vehicle with Matilda moving to the driver's seat, and Jayden scrambling to the bushes.

She quickly started the car and with one last glance at each other, she drove off.

That was not how they planned to part ways. They thought they would have had time for hugs, but, no. Those bastards had to ruin it.

He watches as multiple cars kept tailing after his mother. She was giving them to catch up to her then, she was going all out.

When he was sure that they were gone, he stood out and hiked up down the mountain heading the opposite way.

He walked long enough till he found a truck carrying farm products. He hailed the truck and soon after, he was miles away from his mother, his dad and everything else...

Meanwhile at Cole's residence...

"What is going on Matthew?" Mr. Kyle asked confused. Everyone present was also confused at the scene that just unfolded right in front of them.

"If I knew what was going on,would I still be standing here puzzled?" Matthew hissed loudly

"Hey, don't forget who I am Matthew. Know your place and don't you ever raise your voice at me" Mr. Kyle's face had darken.

Mr. Kyle was not who he claimed to be. In the outside world, he was a businessman but, in reality, he was a loan shark. And Matthew knew this also.

Matthew cowered in fear as his face had turned ashen. He failed to notice who he was talking to due to his anger and thus he made that outburst.

"I am sorry. I was just angry but honestly, I don't know what is going on. I just hope that my guards find him and bring him back home and then we can proceed"

"Mr Cole" the lawyer called and all attention was drawn to him. He walked up to him while adjusting his tie.

"Did you, by any chance, force Mr Jayden into marrying miss Natasha?" He dropped the bomb shell.

Everybody was silent when they hears this question. It made them ponder and ask in their minds why Jayden would want to avoid getting married to Natasha.

He broke out in cold sweats. His eyes grew in shock and was at loss for words. Everybody was silent while waiting his answer.

"N–no, I··i didn't force him. Why would I force him into marrying someone?" He stammered

"Then, would you explain why he ran away?" The lawyer asked again

"Yes, Matthew. I too would like to know why your son would have to run off to escape marriage" Mr Kyle interjected.

"Y–you know kids these days, wanting to explore more. I think that maybe, he is not ready to submit to the married life as he is still young you know?" Matthew wipped up a lie.

"Hmm, I hope that what you said is true because if I find out that, you had intended to make your son marry my daughter when he doesn't even love her, and treats her badly, I would end everything about you. And you know I am a man of my words" he threatened.

Matthew gulped visibly as the temperature around the room dropped to zero degrees. Everyone, sensing the danger, could not help but shiver.

"Dad" Natasha called her dad and tugged at his clothes while pouting.

"I still get to marry Jayden right?" Her eyes held a hopeful glint in them. Never, has he seen his daughter this happy over a guy. It warmed his heart that he could spoil his daughter to the fullest.

"Of course baby" he kissed her temples. "When has dad ever failed to keep his promise?" He turned all soft ingnoring the people around them.

"Never" she yelled and beamed happily at her father.

"Good. Now" he faced Matthew " your son is coming right?" He raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"Y–yes, my men are after him as we speak". He gluped. Never had he felt fear like this in all his life.

"Boss" a guard called while walking in. All eyes turned to look at the person that just entered.

"Report" he demanded when he saw who it was.

"We caught up to them, but we only found your wife inside the car. Young master was nowhere to be found and ma'am wouldn't tell where he was"

Fear gripped him and he felt his heart miss a beat when he heard that statement. He turned to look at Kyle.

The look on his face was enough to kill him. He was drenched in cold sweat.