6 CHAPTER 6
CEDRIAN POV
After a short flight from Panama to the USA, We were finally at the airport. Leisha was so polite that she even offered to carry my luggage. Of course it's impolite to allow a lady to carry my bags but the world has changed, it's equal right now. We get on a cab and head for her father's house.
We arrive at the apartment and uncle Philipe is waiting for us outside. He looks old and stressed compared to the last time I saw him, age is really catching up on him.
“Cedito, you will never change, it's only you that can allow a woman to carry your bags,” Uncle Philipe says with a smile. (Apart from my granny, uncle Philipe is also allowed to call me Cedito and of course there is Leisha who calls me Cedy, sometimes Cedi like a four year old, it's irritating but I have come to accept that she is incapable of pronouncing my name.
I smile at him and try to forget the memories of the last time I was in his house. This man chased me onto the street to rot but I need to forget and swallow my pride “Uncle I thought this is America, the land of the free and one of the countries in the forefront, spearheading gender equality, in fact she offered, who am I to deny her a chance at those equal rights.”
Leisha rolls her eyes and hisses something that I'm unable to hear.
“Come here you arrogant handsome muchacho,” he practically drags me and gives me an awkward long tight hug. (just for a record, I do not like being touched) So this man just broke the thou shalt not touch Cedrian Navarro.
He finally let's go, and I finally breathe in, this man is unbelievable. I'm sure he did that just to piss me off
He notices my discomfort, “Ooooh sorry muchacho, I forgot,” he apologises.
“I would have not forgiven myself if you had not accepted the job offer,” uncle Philipe states.
“Well you would have tried giving me the original deal, not this cleaning business,” I say out loud unknowingly
“Ooooh sorry uncle, that was meant for my head only,”
I should have said that in my head, I am now wishing the ground could just swallow me.
“You never change little Cedito,” uncle Philipe says while laughing, “come in I will tell you everything.”
Let me carry that bag Leisha, uncle Philipe offers as we walk in.
“Where is aunty??" I ask when I notice that she was not part of the welcoming committee.
“Well Ced, your aunt passed on a year ago to cancer,” replies uncle Philipe.
I can not believe what just came out of his mouth, this man kept her death a secret?? But thinking about it, he thought I had tried to rape his daughter so we weren't invited to the funeral.
“I'm so sorry, my condolences, Cousin Leisha you should have said something, now I even feel terrible for letting you carry the bag.
“Don't sweat it cousin, I totally needed the exercise,” Leisha says patting my back
Uncle Philipe instructs Leisha to bring us some drinks but I turn the drinks down and ask for water.
“How is your grandma doing? my condolences to you too, Grandpa Miguel was really a man. though he turned you into him,” Uncle Philipe says laughing.
“Come on uncle, I am not like him and grandma is fine, she was very excited for me on condition that I send money back to her.”
We both laugh
“Well about the first deal, most of our savings went to your aunt's treatment, that's why we can not offer you the original deal Ced.”
“No uncle I was just joking, I am grateful for this opportunity too, it's not everyone that gets a second chance, do not get me wrong.” I notice that uncle Philipe becomes uncomfortable after hearing my last statement. He gathers himself up and says
“No Ced it's us who are grateful, when Leisha confessed to what she had done to you, my heart became heavy especially that I'm now incapable of helping you but when my brother in law told me about the job opportunity at his son's workplace, I jumped on the opportunity to help you.”
“Thank you Uncle, Where will I be working??”
“At one of the largest cosmetic companies, Glow Cosmetics.”
“Is it owned by your friend's son???”
“No it is owned by a lady, a miss Alexis Roswell.”
“So I will be cleaning up after a woman, great, this is just great.”
“Here you go again, what's wrong if you work for a woman, remember you said it yourself "gender equality," Leisha interrupts.
“And you will barely have contact with her, she is the CEO of the company not your supervisor, you will rarely have interaction with her, you will work under supervision of my brother-in-law's son ,Vincent.”
my uncle adds
“He is a good man, just follow all his instructions and you will not have trouble.”
I notice that he makes emphasis on this cousin being a Good man.
“Come on let me show you your room, tomorrow you are reporting for work as early as 7am, you need to make a good impression.”
Alright Uncle.
We both get up and he takes me to my new room, it's the same room I was given the last time I was here though they have repainted it.
They both leave and I begin settling in, I call granny and inform her that I have arrived safely. Then I call Carlos and break the news to him. He is so pissed that he renders a lot of insults at me. I allow him to calm down then I explain everything to him. After what seems like forever, he comes down and wishes me luck but he advises me to beat up Leisha should she try seducing me again. I agree to his request and we say our goodbyes.
I walk to the shower and take a long bath, after which I head downstairs and we have supper before calling it a night.
