Chapter 41: Chapter 41

Because of the money crisis Lauren had to do a lot of part-time jobs. She used to work in a hotel as a room service worker. When one night she went to give drinks in the room the owner of the suit grabbed her hand and threw her on his shoulder then took her to the bed and threw her on the bed. She tried to break free from his hold and run away but to no use. In power she was nothing in front of him. And even if she screamed her lungs out for help no one would come for her help as the room was sound proof.

That night she was brutally raped by the customer of the hotel. He was a beast in bed. It was her first time but he showed no mercy on her and took her virginity mercilessly. She was so exhausted that she fainted and only woke up in the morning. Lauren found him sleeping soundly on his stomach. His face was buried between the pillows so she didn't see his face that day.

She just collected her clothes and left the hotel. Then she resigned from the hotel, so that she would never have to run into such a situation again. But after two months she came to know she was pregnant. It was difficult for her to survive alone in the city and now she had a child to raise. At first it was very tough for her because of her morning sickness. She was really weak and couldn't afford healthy food for herself.

After some time she couldn't even eat properly, whatever she ate, she would feel nauseated. Her first pregnancy was a nightmare for her but when Alex was born and she held her son in her arms, she forgot all the hardship she had gone through.

It wasn't easy for a girl to raise a child all her own while working. Still she managed to raise him well. She had struggled a lot in her life. She wanted to settle down. So she decided to not to tell anything to Mr. Knight and leave with the money he promised to give her.

If she told him about Alex being the first child he would snatch him from her. So, she decided to run away from all of them and start a new beginning. Lauren cleared her throat and headed towards Mr. Knight.

“Mr. Knight. I have kept my words. I gave what you wanted, now give me what you promised me.” Lauren said calmly but Mr. Knight was seething in anger. And seeing her face his anger flared up. He pulled out the cheque and threw it on her face.

“Here is the money. Now, get lost from my sight. I don't want to see your face again. Make sure you go far away from here. If I see you again then I will kill you.” Mr. Knight was angry and vented all his anger on the poor girl. Lauren didn't say anything, just picked up the cheque and looked at it to see the amount of the money. He had written down more money than he said.

She just turned on her heels and without glancing at the child she walked out of the house. She saw a car waiting outside of the house. Mr. Knight had arranged everything for her. But she won't go where he wanted to send her. She decided to go to San Francisco. She got into the car and went to the airport. The driver left but she went back to her house where Myra was waiting for her with Alex. Saying bye to Myra Lauren left for San Francisco with Alex.

She shifted to her new apartment. She was going to the supermarket to buy daily necessary items, groceries and snacks. While she was locking the door, the nextdoor opened and a man came out of it, wearing a casual dress. A hoodie and trouser. His gaze fell on Lauren who was talking on the phone while Alex was standing beside her.

Alex was a charming cute child. No one can resist him. He got his attention.

He had heard a new neighbor shifted today. When Alex felt him looking at him, he looked at him. The young Man waved his hand towards Alex with a charming smile. “Hi, little Champ. Welcome to our neighborhood.” He held out his hand for a handshake but Alex didn't reciprocate it.

“Mommy told me not to talk to strangers.” He explained, so that he doesn't think he's being rude.

“Hmm.” He nodded his head in an understanding way and pulled back his hand and sat on his level to talk to him.

“I'm Luca. And you?” Luca introduced himself to Alex but before Alex could say his name Lauren called him.

“Alex, who are you talking to?” She walked in a hurry and stood beside him. While talking she walked away from him. Seeing him talking to a stranger made her worried.

“Oh, so your name is Alex? Nice meeting you.” He flashed his beautiful smile and got up to talk to Lauren.

“Who are you?” Lauren interrogated him.

“I believe you are not a cop.” Lauren made a confused face and Luca laughed.

“Sorry, I was just kidding with you.” Lauren stared at him in utter disbelief.

“I'm your neighbor, Luca. I heard someone will shift today. I was just having a little chat with your Son.” Lauren blinked her eyes at his over friendly behavior.

“Are you going down? I'm also going. Let's go.” Saying that he headed towards the lift and pressed the button, the lift opened. Lauren and Alex entered the lift.

“Are you going to buy groceries?” He asked and Lauren nodded her head.

“I'm also going to get me some snacks.” Lauren forced a smile at him but didn't say anything. Luca understood she was feeling uncomfortable around him so he stayed quite all the way down to the ground floor.

“If you don't mind, come with me in my car. We are going to the same place anyway.” Luca offered and Lauren gave it a thought.

‘He lives next door, there will be no harm to go with him. And he looks like a decent person. Not some creep. I think it will be safer than going in a cab.’ Lauren thought in her mind and then decided to go with him.

“Okay. Thanks for the help. I didn't want to bother you.” Lauren said softly.

“Dont mention it. Come on get into the car.” Saying he opened the passenger door. And Lauren looked at him.

“What? You want to sit back? Then I will look like a driver.” Luca pointed out and Lauren smiled.

“Can't I have a handsome driver?” Luca blinked his eyes.

“Shall I take it as compliment?” He asked and Lauren smiled.

“It's up to you.” Lauren forced a smile.

“I'm indeed handsome. So I should take it as compliment. Sit wherever you want. I don't mind to become a driver for a beautiful lady like you.” Lauren shook her head at his cheezy lines and set behind with Alex.

“What do you do for a living, Uncle Luca.” While Luca was driving towards the supermarket Alex asked him. Lauren was shocked at her Son’s question. He doesn't talk much with strangers but he looked pretty much comfortable with Luca.

“I have a gaming company.” Alex’s face lit up hearing him. Because he liked games a lot. When Lauren was away and Myra was busy with work he used to kill his time by playing games in his tablet.

“You are so cool, Uncle Luca. I love to play games.” They kept talking all way to the supermarket. And Lauren kept looking out of the window. She was missing her child. She had carried him for nine months and she had to leave him to others. Her heart yearned to see her child. She was brought back to the reality when the car stopped before the supermarket.

Alex and Luca was picking snacks while she was picking groceries, fruits and other daily necessary items. They met in the counter and paid the bills then left the shop. They put the bags in the dickey and settled in the car.

“Your son asked everything about me and you didn't even tell me your name. Isn't it unfair, Alex’s Mother.” A chuckle left at the mention ‘Alex’s Mother’. No one has ever call her like that. Not even Alex’s teachers.

“Lauren.”

“And thanks for making me comfortable here on my first day. You had helped a lot. I didn't know where the supermarket. You took me there and helped me picking groceries. It was a great help. I'm grateful to have a neighbor like you.” Lauren expressed her gratitude towards him and Luca smiled.

“Don't mention it. I did everything selflessly. I know it become very tough for us when we shift in a new place. It took time to get used to it with the new environment. I'm glad I was helpful for you. When I shifted here it was really tough for me so I can understand your situation.” Lauren smiled.

“Let me know if I can ever be of help to you.” Luca snapped his head towards her and grinned.

“It will be a great help if you can make me home made food. It has become ages I had home made food. Cooking is not my thing even though I'm good at everything. I have become bored having takeouts.” Lauren was speechless at first but then smiled.

“Sure. Come to have dinner at our place tonight. We, Mother and Son are having a little warmup party. So you can join us.” Lauren invited him wholeheartedly.

“What about your husband? Doesn't he live with you?” This questions were eating his mind for a long time finally he mastered the courage to ask her.

“I know it's little personal. I shouldn't be poking my nose into others personal life but I was a little curious.” Luca bit his bottom lip and looked guilty asking the questions.

“It's absolutely fine. I'm a single mother.” Luca’s face lit up heating it but he was quick to cover it up.

“You two got divorced!” Before Luca could hold back his mouth from uttering those words they slipped out. And he closed his eyes in embarrassedment.

“I'm sorry, you don't have to answer. I don't mean to ask you. It just slipped out of my mouth.” Lauren didn't say anything and all the way it was complete silence in the car.

But our little Alex was planning to set his Mom with Uncle Luca. Before he thought Rhys will become his father but he left his Mom. So this time he decided to look for a perfect match for his mother and a perfect father for him.