Mates 47

Chapter 47

FREDA WHITLOCK

The next day, I woke up later than usual so I had little time to prepare Cisco for school. I made him a breakfast of cereal and while he ate, I took a quick shower and threw on the casual clothes my hands touched when I opened the wardrobe.

So much for late-night talk with Lyra. We had stayed up all night looking up job vacancies and having random discussions that we lost track of time.

When I was done roughly styling my hair in a messy bun, I jogged to the kitchen to pack Cisco’s lunch. Today, he would have a not-so-balanced meal for lunch. Goddess, I’m such a terrible mother.

I’ll make sure this doesn’t repeat itself ever, again!

“Cisco, are you done with breakfast?” I asked as I fixed his lunch box. He hummed and came running into the kitchen with the empty bowl he had used to take cereal.

“Thanks, Mom,” He said and I smiled, taking the bowl from him, “You’re welcome, sweetheart. Now, go put on your shoes, mom will be done in a minute”

He ran off after nodding while I washed his bowl and other plates used earlier. When I was done, I grabbed his lunchbox, my phone, and the car keys then sauntered out of the kitchen. “Cisco, let’s go”

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He had finished putting on his shoes and grabbed his bag pack, running toward me but stopped halfway upon hearing Lyra’s voice. “Hey, I want to take him to school today”

She was running down the hallway of the bedroom, dressed in a short and the same T-shirt she slept In. Do I speak about how freakish she looked? Small strands of hair were sticking out in different directions, her eyes looked saggy and she definitely was hungry. She looked hungry. And determined to take Cisco to school but heck?

“Good morning Aunty!” Cisco beamed at her but ended up giggling. She looked like she just fought a war all by herself. I found it hard not to laugh, myself. The sight was hilarious.

“Have you looked at yourself in the mirror this morning?” She frowned, squinting at me. I guess she hadn’t else she wouldn’t have come out here looking like she fought a circus animal.

I chuckled, “You look like a monster”

“How can you say that to me?”

“I’m not lying” I shrugged, opening the door.

“I swear I’ll get you for this one, Freeds” She challenged, tugging at her disheveled hair, getting some stray strands off her face.

A low rumble of laughter erupted from my chest and I winked, “I’ll wait for that time, bestie” With this, Cisco and I sprinted out of the house. He was right behind me waving and saying goodbye to her while she watched us by the door.

I drove fast but carefully with the hopes of beating the time since we were running quite late.

However, just as we covered

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half the distance to his school, the car came to a sudden halt. Luckily, I had noticed a change in its efficiency so I drove by the side and now, we were not stopped right in the middle of the road.

I tried starting it again but the best it could do was shudder and go off. Tension crept into my mind as I tried the process over again. It didn’t start this time leaving me stunned and confused.

I paused the process and took a deep breath.

“Seriously?!” I whisper-yelled, frustration evident on my face as I tried starting the car again. The ignition wouldn’t start no matter how much I tried. What in the world?

My brows furrowed in slits as I wondered why it wouldn’t start?

“Mom, what’s going on?” Cisco asked, his tiny voice filled with worry as he stared at me. “Why did we stop?”

I heaved a deep breath, shaking my head as I took off my seatbelt to get out of the car. “Wait here, sweetheart”

Why would the car stop now that was in a hurry? The time we spent here would have been enough for me to get Cisco to school and be on time. Now, we were later than earlier. This would ruin his streak of being early at school. I was mad at myself for so many reasons. One is waking up late today. I got out of the car and walked to the front to check on the engines even though I had no great idea of what might’ve happened.

As I opened the car’s bonnet, I was welcomed by the gust of hot air emanating from the engines and I shifted back instantly, “What the heck? Why is it so hot?

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“Mom, are you okay?” I heard Cisco ask from the car. He had his head sticking out of the window.

“Yes, sweetie” I sighed, rubbing my forehead as I walked back to the car to get my phone. I planned to call Lyra to come and get him then the mechanic.

I hadn’t noticed a car drive past me but I noticed when it stopped and reversed then stopped with a grinding halt in front of my car. Standing protectively by the door, I watched keenly what would happen next. The door opened and I felt the ever- so-silent Gia fawning in my head. Goddess, please no!

When the person stepped out, I rolled my eyes in exasperation and let out a huff. It was Kaiden and he was in front of me in a matter of a second.

“Freda” He called, staring at my car then waved at Cisco who was in high spirits upon seeing him.

He turned to me and sighed when he saw the frown on my face. What did he want now?

“I was passing by and I saw you parked here. Is there any problem?” He asked, looking genuinely concerned but his presence here was the last thing needed.

Ignoring him, I walked back to the engine and tried to do what I thought a mechanic would. What do they even do?

Unfortunately, in my quest to fix my problem, my hand touched the hot engine and a sharp whimper escaped my lips

“Ouch!”