The officer stood straight and looked at me, scanning me up and down with a gaze that made me want to cover myself with a shawl and at the same time flare my anger. I glared at him, my teeth grinding at his perverted gaze.

" And who are you to the boy, certainly not his sister," he asked with cold confidence as he smirked at me, gaze still lingering on my curves.

Any minute now Skye would step forward and punch him to his grave if he didn't keep his eyes to himself.

But I can't let him make a scene here, I have already attracted enough attention.

" He is my boyfriend's brother and officer or not I will file a case against you for verbally and physically abusing a child," I spoke with barely contained anger as I balled my fists to prevent any daggers springing unannounced.

" So I suggest that you leave him this instant" I commanded, sounding like the Ariella Perez, like the fearless girl.

His smirk twisted into a sneer at my words and he tightened his grip on the boy. He cried out in pain and my gaze hardened.

" I said leave him" I spoke in a frighteningly quiet voice, my colors tingling at my fingertips.

He narrowed his eyes further and pushed the boy to me. He fell on his hands and knees and I rushed forward to pick him up.

I took hold of the boy's hand and glared at the man one last time before guiding the boy with me, giving the appearance that I was actually his brother's girlfriend.

I could still feel his eyes on me. I don't want him to see Skye so when I saw the neon board of an ice- cream shop I took the boy there with me.

I pushed opened the door and stepped inside with the kid, letting it close behind us. Only when I was behind the safety of the door did I release a breath.

I might have just blown up our plan.

It was then that I realized that the boy was not just holding my hand but hugging my arm close to his chest. I took him to the nearest chair and seated him there, bending on down to inspect him for any signs of injury.

None were visible, thankfully he was in jeans so the fall didn't give him any scratches. The same couldn't be said for where the officer held him in a death grip. His right arm was red with hand marks.

" Hey little guy are you ok," I asked him softly as I took his hand in mine and raised his chin with the other. Tears stained his face and a pair of blue eyes blinked back at me.

He nodded whipping his tears with his small hands.

" What is your name?" I asked him with a small reassuring smile.

" Mick, and yours" he sniffed after each word and I chucked at his cuteness.

" Well my name is Ariel" I could feel my legs cramping so I stood up and took the chair across the small round table.

" So Mick where is your mom" I questioned him tenderly.

" I-, we were going to come here, but I ran before her, an- and then I couldn't find her " I nodded my head in understanding.

Skye is waiting outside for me but I can't leave Mick alone. And if his mother is going to come here then I should wait a few minutes longer.

I looked around the ice-cream shop, the ice-cream display looked a bit too tempting, then I looked back at Mick, he wouldn't mind a little ice-cream himself. It may lift his mood, though I can already tell that he is relaxed.

" Hey, Mick would you like some ice-cream," I asked him standing up. He jumped down his chair and nodded vigorously. I laughed at that.

We reached the display and at the sight of ice-cream, all the tension vaporized out of my head and all that remained was the flavors and colors of ice-cream. I am figuratively drooling at the sight of heaven before me.

Mick seems to have similar thoughts as he was glued to the display too.

After a few minutes of indecision I moved to the counter and recited our order, " A chocolate chip cookie dough with marshmallow cream and a mint choc chip for Mich" Mich smiled at the lady and waved. So he comes here often.

" Mom likes strawberry with chocolate sauce" he said tugging at my shirt. I nodded at him and repeated it to the lady.

While she prepared our order I pulled my phone out as it vibrated in my pocket. I read the texts from Skye.

'I am waiting outside when are you coming'

I quickly typed a response.

'It will be at least fifteen minutes his mom is not here yet'

I knew why he was anxious it is getting late and we need to find a place soon.

Mick suddenly jumped, "Mommy" he called and ran to a woman with similar brown hair, she looked frantic before she saw Mick and hugged him.

They talked a little bit, maybe Mick was reciting the whole event because I saw the emotions pass on her face.

First worry, then fear, followed by relief and finally gratitude as she looked at me. I smiled back in understanding.

"Hi I am Kera, thank you for helping my son" She extended her hand and I put mine in hers.

"I am Ariel" I replied with a smile.

" Thank you" she breathed again.

" Ma'am your order is ready" we all turned around to see the lady with three bowls of ice-cream on the counter.

I nodded at her and picked up the cup, passing it to Mick one by one.

" Mom look I ordered for you too" Mick replied excitedly and I chuckled at him before handing Mrs. Kera her bowl.

" Oh no I will pay, its the least I can do" she simply handed her cup to me and moved to the counter.

I opened my mouth to protest but then I saw a flash of her ID before she passed it to the receptionist.

It didn't belong to her, it had the name and the photo of someone else, maybe her husband but why is she carrying his ID. She can use her own to make the payment.

" Sorry Mrs. Romero but the machine is not working" Kera frowned at that and put the ID back in her wallet.

" I have called my son he will be here soon" she smiled apologetically at me and I nodded.

My confusion deepened at that, she could just swipe her thumb on the scanner to smear her color, that is an alternative to make a payment if you don't have your ID.

I didn't offer to pay because I wanted to know the reason. She grabbed her cup and walked to an empty table occupying a chair. I didn't say anything and followed her example.

We started eating our ice-creams, making small conversations.

I squirmed in my seat, Skye is waiting outside for me but I can't go now when I am curious. Maybe this is a lead.

" So Ariella are you from here, I haven't seen you around" Kera asked and I smiled politely while mentally going over the lie we have thought to tell people.

" I came here for a vacation to visit my grandma" I replied and took a bite of my ice-cream. The cool flavors burst in my mouth in a carnival and I almost wanted to kiss my ice-cream, but I can't do that in public.

Somehow she looked bothered by my answer but pushed it aside with a smile.

" And you came alone?"

"No I am with my brother, ah, do you know a hotel around here," I asked, hoping that maybe she will answer me.

" But aren't you going to stay with your grandma"

" No we are planning to surprise her, so we are going to stay in a hotel for two days" I spoke the lie fluently while looking down at my ice-cream bowl with interest.

I don't want to lie to people's face as much as it sounds like a pun.

I watched as Mick jumped from his chair and ran away abandoning his ice-cream to hug the legs of a tall guy with ink-black hairs and blush-worthy face.

"Zane your girlfriend saved me today"

Omg Ariel did you really have to lie about that? I can't imagine her embarrassment lol. 😂

See I am ahead of my schedule so show the book some supporting write a review. Help this book reach more readers. 😄