Chapter One Hundred and Eighty Eight - Running from my Nightmare

I couldn't help laughing every time my eyes fell on Adian.

Adana chose to join Emmy in the backseat leaving me to sit in the passenger seat.

Like I predicted, Emmy won that round with Adian, because she rightly answered him and give her favorite ice cream flavours, but he's the one who bought all of it for her.

Laughing to myself, because if Emmy could have pronounce more flavours, Adian would have been mortified.

"You good?" Adian asks and I nod, my lips twitching, as I fight my laughter.

Peeking at the girls in the backseat, "she's brilliant, I'm going to have to recruit her someday," Adian admits and I nod in approval.

What I'm surprised about though, is Adana and Emmy's bonding.

Is Adana for real or is she trying to pick Emmy for information.

What does Emmy know? Nothing!

"Where are we going now?" Emmy leans forward in her seat to ask Adian.

Smiling at her in the rearview mirror, "well we have to make a stop at the supermarket." Adian answers and satisfied, Emmy sits back in her seat, with folded arms.

"Can Dana come with us?" Emmy asks and Adian nods.

"Yes and she can also pickup some of her favourite snacks." Adian agreed.

Shaking her head, Emmy leans forward again, "no, the other place," Emmy says to Adian.

Intrigued, I turned to look at Emmy's upturned face, as she patiently awaits Adian's answer.

The other place!

"And where's the other place?" I asked Emmy slowly.

Staring at me thoughtfully, "a pretty place." Emmy explains in her own words or repeats Adian's words.

So that's it, they organizing a trip.

Since it's sounds like a surprise, I didn't continue probing any further

"Yeah, I don't see why not, but you ask her." Adian agrees to Emmy's request.

Turning around excited, Emmy started whispering loudly to Adana.

"In her ear" Adian says loudly and the loud whispering stopped.

Adian chuckles, winking at me, mischievously.

Shrugging, I looked out the window, "aren't we going to the supermarket?" I ask curiously.

"Yeah, but we need something at the mall," Adian responded driving into the underground carpark, which opens up directly to the shopping area.

"Oh, ok" I mentally start thinking what I need to get Emmy while she's staying over with us.

"I want to get Emmy some things, maybe you can give me a hint so that I can buy her what is necessary" I suggested to Adian

Chuckling, "I've got that covered. I'm just here to pay and pickup." Adian explains, pulling into an empty space.

Unbuckling himself, "you girls wait here, I'll be right back." Adian instructed us.

"NO!" Adana and I said in unison, with Emmy following suit, shouting NO, before she starts giggling.

Adian, looks at Adana and I before nodding "okay" he reluctantly agrees.

We immediately start exiting the vehicle, Emmy smiling ear to ear.

Grabbing her hand, I stooped down in front of her.

"Do not pull away or let go of my hand" waving my index finger I warned her.

"Okay" putting a finger to her lips, Emmy agrees.

Gently slapping her finger away, "and don't put your hands in your mouth." I cautioned her, "you'll be touching things with germs." I reminded her, which are all part of all the rules I lay down before we venture outside.

"Okay, I promise" Emmy agrees, impatiently.

Sensing Emmy's impatience, Adian took over, "Emmy's coming with me." He said firmly, taking Emmy's hand from mines and walking ahead of Adana and I.

Adana and I follow Emmy and Adian and I turned to her, "do you need to get anything while we're here?" I asked her hoping for some bonding time between us.

"I'm a big girl, I'm capable of getting what I want," Adana scuffs and runs off to meet Adian and Emmy, walking on the other side to hold Emmy's other hand.

Remaining at a distant, I kept my eyes on them, especially Emmy.

She's capable of getting what she wants!

Was that a casual comment or did she intend for it to mean more?

Was that a subtle threat?

Whatever it was or is, I will stay close to Adana, even if she pushes me away. I will get through to her, because she will be hurt when the truth comes out.

I will do this for Adian and Adana.

I will try to put up with her attitude.

Feeling alone, I looked ahead, but there was no sight of Adian and the girls.

I was so lost in my thoughts, I lost sight of them.

I started searching in the stores to my left and right, because they had to be somewhere close by.

Adian and his darn surprises, won't even tell me where he was going to.

I kept walking further and further along the corridor, my feet aching and a nervous fear started gripping me.

I felt as if someone was watching me.

This is the first time, I have been on my own without Adian or one of his security, maybe that's why I am nervous.

Stopping, I slowly looked around.

Adian said he had Emmy covered.

Children clothing?

I looked around and started retracing my steps, while I also kept an eye on a security who was walking, looking left and right with his batoo in his hand.

Since the nervousness still prevailed, I decided to stay in his vicinity, while I searched for a children store, because the last thing I need right now, is a panic attack.

I kept looking at the signs and the showcases to make sure I don't miss a store.

Where the hell is Adian and the girls?

"You appear to be lost, would you like some assistant, ma'am?" A voice from my nightmares said from behind me.

"Ellis!" I whispered to myself.

Slowing my pace, my eyes on the security ahead of me.

I continued walking straight ahead in the direction of the security, as sweat started forming on my lips.