Bound by love

Chapter 1

Maya

I tucked my baby boy in bed and kissed his forehead. I don't know what I would be without him. He is the light of my life, my hope, and my little miracle. God knows how much I love him. I had almost given up on life but finding out I was pregnant with him, made me put my sorrows aside and focus on him.

He was snoring lightly making me smile. I caressed his hair, moving some of it out of his face. After watching him sleep for a while I stood up and gave him one last kiss before turning off the light and leaving his room. I yawned and tried to stretch my limbs from the exhaustion. I sauntered to the kitchen to drink a glass of water before going to bed. Dario was not yet home because of work.

Dario Ramos is my best friend and we have been living together for 5 years. He is a detective in the New York Police Department. I don't know why he ended up going to join the police department because I always pegged him to become an NFL football player but I guess that suits him as well. I on the other hand am a preschool teacher because I absolutely adore children. I never thought of being a teacher but my mind changed when Xander was born, my little angel.

I made sure to place Dario's meal in the microwave for him as usual and I finally went to bed. The problem was that I was finding it difficult to sleep. Every time I closed my eyes I would see him. Truth be told I hate him but I can't hate him that much. When I try to loathe him for what he did to me I am reminded of the precious gift he left me but somehow it does not ease the pain I feel inside. I gave him my body, heart, and soul, and he did not even have the audacity to look me in the face to tell me that he did not want me anymore. And that everything we shared was a lie. All those kisses and caresses, whispering sweet nothings were all a sham and just pass time for him.

I still have a letter he left behind. I read it every night to remind myself how much of a cheat and liar he is. I kept safe in my nightstand drawer. I reached for it and took out the letter and started to read it.

Dear Maya

By the time you read this, I will be gone. It breaks my heart and it wounds my soul, to do this but I will not be able to stand in front of you and tell you that our happy days have come to an end. Just yesterday, we thought that we would the rest of eternity together but it seems that fate is not on our side. It is my fault too because I am the one who is breaking my oath of always being by your side. The reason for this... I cannot tell you. I am so sorry that I will not be able to fulfill my promise.

You have taught me that I am capable of love. I saw the world differently when I was with you and I thought that I would continue seeing the world with you. You made me a better person than I truly am. I've never known the love you and I had and I am certain that I will never have it again. You are the owner of my heart and I will always love you no matter the distance between us. All the memories we created will always be my most cherished treasures. Even if it hurts me to say this I hope you find someone who deserves you more than I do and I hope that he is able to make you happier than I ever could. If you can, please find it in your heart to forgive me, I beg you...my love. I will never forget you and you will always be the owner of my heart, in this life or the next.

Once yours

Alexander

A tear slid down my eye as I neatly folded back the letter and put it in its place. That letter does not provide me with the explanation I deserve. It left me hanging and even today I still wonder what changed between us. Calling it a night I was finally able to get some sleep.

............................................................................

Xander come on! you can't keep doing this every morning. We going to be late for school," I scolded my whiny son who was refusing to put on clothes. It's an everyday struggle and it's even worse when Dario isn't here. He can convince him to do what he wants. I don't know how he does it but at least then I don't have to deal with my son's nonsense.

After a bit of struggle, I managed to dress him. I then combed his hair neatly and then kissed him on the cheek. He wiped it with his small hand and I giggled at his silly behavior. He always does that when he is angry with me.

" Oh come on. Are you angry with Mommy?" I pouted and feigned hurt, pretending that I was going to cry. He kept on being stubborn but I could see he was about to crack. I mocked crying and he finally threw his arms around me.

" No Mommy don't cry. I am sorry I won't be a bad boy anymore," he said to me and I was smiling behind him. When he pulled back I pretended to sniffle and wipe away fake tears.

" You promise?" he nodded his head in response. I could see the sadness in his eyes as he thought he really hurt me. Oh, my poor baby. " Will you be a good boy for mommy?" I asked again.

" Yes, mommy."

I raised my pinky finger." Make me a promise then,"

He raised his little pinky and hooked it with mine. " Good boy." I picked him up so I could get him breakfast before we left for school.

Dario not coming home is nothing new but he makes sure to notify me. I was starting to worry. I hope nothing bad happened. I prepared a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with Orange juice and gave Xander to eat. I think that peanut butter and jelly is a strange combination but who am I to deny my little prince?

I took my phone and called Dario but it took me straight to voicemail. I tried it several times. I bit my lip anxiously. Where could he be? Yes, I could call his colleague, what's his name? James Farrell... Yes, he is the one. Oh, shoot! I don't have his contact number. My eyes got aligned with the clock and I was going to be late for work and Xander will be late for class if I don't make it out in the next 5 minutes.

Okay, I will call Dario later. I quickly put Xander's lunch box in his bag pack and we made it out of the house in record time.

" Mommy where is Uncle Dario? Why is he not driving us to school?" Xander asked and I could see through the review mirror that he was sad. He is so attached to him more than I think he is to me. But I know that he really loves that Dario spoils him so much more than his strict mommy.

" Uncle Dario is a little bit busy. I am sure he will take us tomorrow."

When we arrived at school I dropped Xander in his class and I went into my office. The whole time I was distracted and unable to give my undivided attention to the children. I kept on checking my phone for any missed calls but nothing. This had to be the longest I've gone without talking to my best friend. Even when he goes out drinking or having girl problems, he makes sure to at least send a text.

The school was out and I took Xander towards the parking lot when suddenly a black van with tinted windows sped towards us. Before I could even register what was going on, the door of the van opened abruptly, and 2 hooded men came out. I panicked not knowing what to do but I knew they were definitely here for us because they began advancing towards us. I looked around to see if someone was watching or if anyone would hear my cry for help. Xander was just oblivious to the danger that surrounded us. My throat was dry like a desert and fear consumed me. I was worried for my son more than I was. Those men said nothing

Without a word swiftly Xander and tried to make a run for it but I did not make it very far. The two men grabbed us I started screaming.

" No no no, let me gooo!" I thrashed as they both used their strength to pull me and my boy to the van. I held on to him tight so he would not get hurt due to these brute men's force. Seeing as I had no choice but to go with them because they were seriously overpowering me, I stopped struggling and they pushed me into the van. I scrambled to the corner and shielded Xander in my arms. My heart was racing like a nobody's business. Xander started whimpering and I patted his head lightly without taking my eyes off the two men who joined us in the back. None of them said anything and neither did I. The van was speeding full force in the city and I was surprised that they did not try to tie us up or gag us. I guess my lack of resistance assured them that I was harmless. I was not going to risk my son's life by trying to act smart. I will go with the flow for now.

I did not know why we were being kidnapped or who was behind this but I knew that I would die fighting if any of these men tried to harm my boy. I closed my eyes briefly, praying to God that Dario was safe and that he finds us. He is my and my son's only hope.