Chapter 3

Derek was in his office when he decided to give his mom a call to let her know about Nathan’s coming.

“Hello mom.”

“Hello my baby. How is the most handsome man in the world doing?”

Derek chuckled at his mom’s compliment.

“I’m fine mom. How are you doing?”

“Well… since my own son doesn’t care about me, what do you expect me to say?” She replied.

“Mom, please don’t say that. You know that’s not true.”

“You don’t act that way though.”

“Mom, I’m sorry, okay? I’ve been busy lately.”

“It’s okay. At least, you called today… I’m sure you didn’t call just so you could hear my voice.. I know you Derek, what is it?”

Derek smiled at how his mom went straight to the point. She knew him too well, that was for sure.

“Mom, Nathan called to say he’ll be returning to Washington.”

“Really?!” his mom excitedly screamed.

Derek had to place the phone some distance away from his ear, so he doesn’t go deaf. When she was done screaming, he placed the phone back on his ear.

“So, when is he coming?” she asked.

“During the weekend.” He replied.

“Great! I’ll get his room ready.”

“That won’t be necessary, mom. He'll be staying at my place until he gets his own.”

“What? Why?!”

“He knows you aren’t going to let him have his own place if he eventually comes home.”

“I agree on that one… I mean, there are a lot of rooms in this house. So, why would he want to have a place of his own?”

“Mom, he's a grown man.” Derek reminded his mom.

“Hmmn. It seems you both are running away from me.” She said in a defeated tone.

“We can never run away from you.”

“Anyways, you two may feel like grown men, but you’re both my babies.”

“We know mom and we love you too.” Derek replied with a light chuckle.

“Bye mom.”

“Bye baby.”

Derek then remembered the surprise party Michelle talked about.

“Mom..” Derek called his mom before she could hang up.

“Yes baby.”

“We’re throwing a surprise party for Nathan.”

“What?! And you almost forgot to tell me?”

“I’m sorry, mom. It skipped my mind.”

“I’ll forgive you this time only because you remembered to tell me, okay? I’ll like you to give me a call once he arrives the airport so I’ll go get my baby myself.”

Derek just rolled his eyes at his mother’s dramatic yet motherly nature.

“Okay, mom. Bye.”

“Bye.” She replied and then hung up.

#

Rebecca Howard is a beautiful fifty seven year old woman with long black hair, honey brown eyes and perfectly tanned skin. She is an elegant woman from a wealthy family who got married to a wealthy businessman, Derek Howard Snr. She loves her husband a lot because he is a nice and caring man. He was a savior when she needed a shoulder to cry on.

Rebecca lost her older brother, Nathan Alexander Snr and his wife, Sandra Alexander in a plane crash when she was twenty four years old. They were high school sweethearts who couldn’t be away from each other, that was why they both travelled for Nathan’s business trip, leaving her to take care of Nathan Alexander Jr, who was only three years old then. They died on their way back from the business trip, leaving Rebecca with her little nephew , Nathan.

She took over the family business her brother was running before his death.

Their company was into fashion and textile making. Rebecca was at that time in a relationship with Derek. He was her rock, always there for her when she needed him.

Derek proposed to her, she said yes and made him promise to treat Nathan like his own flesh and blood. He agreed to that without a second thought because he already saw Nathan like his own son.

They got married on Rebecca’s twenty fifth birthday.

In less than a year of their marriage, Derek adopted Nathan as his son, but out of respect for Rebecca’s brother, he let Nathan keep his father’s last name.

Nathan was like a first child to Rebecca and Derek. They both loved him and helped him get over the trauma he went through from his parents death.

Derek kept his promise and even went ahead to give Nathan a branch of one of his companies as a birthday gift. That is why Rebecca is quite possessive when it comes to her boys.

Michelle was in the restaurant giving orders to the workers, making sure they got all the items that would be needed for the party on Saturday. She was already exhausted from interviewing a couple of potential waiters because she needed extra hands for Saturday’s event. She was in her office when she heard a knock on the door.

“Come in.” she said.

“Is someone busy?”

Michelle lifted her head up, only to find her best friend, Chloe Murray.

“Oh my God! Chloe is this really you?!” she excitedly asked, walking towards her bestie and engulfing her in a bear hug.

“The one and only.” Chloe replied.

“Okay, that’s enough. Don’t crush me.” Chloe continued with a huge smile on her face.

“Chloe, I missed you so much. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming today?”

“I thought I should surprise you.”

“And you sure did.”

“So, what’s been happening around here. Did I miss anything?” Chloe asked.

“Nah. Not really…So, how was your vacation in Miami?”

“Splendid! I saw a lot of hot guys and I won’t lie to you, I had fun with some.” Chloe said with a smirk, whispering the last part.

“Oh no, you didn’t?!” Michelle exclaimed with wide eyes.

“I couldn’t resist. I mean anyone in my place would’ve done the same.”

“Not me.” Michelle countered. They both laughed and started chatting.

“I’m hungry. Can we go have lunch?” Chloe suggested.

“Sure.”

They left Michelle’s office and went into the restaurant.

“So. How’s the big guy doing?” Chloe asked with a mischievous smile.

Michelle blushed at that question.

“He’s okay..” she quietly replied.

“Seriously! Just okay? Come on, give me a break Michelle. Is 'okay' all you both have been doing for the past one month I left for my trip.”

Michelle was red with embarrassment because she understood what Chloe was talking about.

“What do you want me to say?” she timidly asked.

“With that blush on your face, I can tell he has been a good boy.”

“Chloe! Stop already!” Michelle warned.

Chloe laughed at her friend’s reaction.

Michelle was being defensive because she didn’t like to talk trash like Chloe. She liked her private matters to remain private.

“We’re having a welcome party on Saturday for Nathan, Derek’s elder brother.” Michelle said, changing the subject.

“Oh really? You know I don’t miss parties.”

“Please, don’t even think of starting with this one cos I really need you there. Derek’s mom will be there and you know I can’t face her on my own.”

“You can count on me.”

Michelle let out a sigh of relief. She was glad that she could count on Chloe for this sort of thing.

“So, what does this brother look like? Is he as hot as Derek?”

Michelle mentally face palmed at Chloe’s question.

“You’ll get to see that for yourself on Saturday.” She replied.

Chloe pouted, pleading with Michelle to say something but Michelle didn’t give in. So, Chloe just rolled her eyes and said,

“Fine. I give up.”