Weeks Later
“You can stop with the pretense already, I know they don’t hurt anymore” Michelle said then took of the small plaster on his wound and looked at the already healed spot “It has healed up already” she points to his face then turned around to throw the plaster in the dustbin beside his bed.
“I can still feel an ounce of pain here” he points to his forehead and she rolled her eyes.
“As if” she scoffed then pack up the first aid box and returned it back to the bathroom “Have you eaten yet? You just came back from work, right?” she asked and came to sit beside him.
“Yeah, about ten minutes ago and no, I haven’t eaten. In fact,” he stood up and stretched then picked up the shirt on his bed and wore it over his shirtless body “I am starving” he smiled down at her and she returned it then stood up too.
“You were expecting me to come cook for you?” she asked and he chuckled then held her hand in his and kiss her palm.
“I know you are not a fan of cooking, even if I wanted you to cook something for me, it would not be now. I know that you did double shift and you are probably tired from work so, I’ll be the one to cook for us. Just change your clothes and come to meet me downstairs.” He kissed her cheek and walked out of his room.
“Boy am I lucky? Oh, hell yes!” she jumped on the bed and sighed.
…
“What do you need now?” she looked around to be sure no one was around to pick on what she was saying.
“Oh, come on, calm down Lexi. I don’t just call when I need something, do I?” he asked and she hissed.
“I know you very well and I know how your cunning and evil mind works. Did you do something bad again? Because that is what you are found of doing” she hissed again and looked around
She was behind her place of work and made sure its not where any of her colleagues would pass to go in and out. He was one of the main reasons why she chose a life like this to be occupied and to also keep herself of having anything of worth.
“Easy now Lexi, I can call whoever I want and whenever I want to, understand?” he spoke irritably “How is your son doing? Do you check on him from time to time? Know how he is faring and all?” he chuckled.
“I swear Da-”
“Shh, only those worthy of it can call my name” he interrupts her.
“Look, I don’t care what you want to do but leave my son out of it, he has nothing to do with your plans or your ways” she begged.
“Oh, please Lexi, Cade has everything to do with my plans. I am just waiting for the right moment to execute them all, dot worry it will be nice and fast and it would like nothing ever happened then you can get to be with your son like you always want to be” he told her and she exhaled shakily.
“Please, don’t hurt Cade”
“I didn’t, some goons did” she could hear the smile in his voice. “Just tell him to be careful and be watchful next time, that is the only heads up I’ll be giving you” he said.
“Please”
“Enough with your pathetic begging, I warned you before he came didn’t i? I told you to welcome him and make him feel home but you refused and was so harsh on him, you even told him to leave so that my plans can get spoilt? I have planned this for a really long time and no one will stop me from getting what I want” with that he disconnected the call.
She breath in shakily and stared at her phone in fear of what he would do. She had known him long enough to know what he will and can do.
“Oh GOD, please protect Cade and his family back in New York” she prayed and went to her contact to call someone.
She looked at the contact of the person and viewed the details of the person’s contact, it had been a long, long time since she called and didn’t know what to say to the person after so many years.
“I hope he doesn’t do something crazy” she muttered and tried not to show how grim her mood was because of that call.
Taking deep breaths in and letting them out slowly, she turned and went inside the tavern through the back door.
…
“Hello” a feminine voice came through the other end of the line and he grunted his reply. “I kept to my part of the deal don’t disappoint me” she said.
“That’s why you called?” he asked in annoyance.
“You haven’t been taking my calls for the past days so I wanted to remind you in case you forget” she said and he let out a tired sigh.
“I don’t go back on my words and I haven’t forgotten yet my dear Daniella” he spoke then let out a yawn.
“You could have at least taken your mouth out of there before yawning” she snapped with irritation and he just chuckled.
“Feisty, aren’t you?” he remarked “We should meet some time later, what do you say?” he asked her and she hissed.
“I have no reason to meet with you, I just want to make sure that you don’t forget your part like I didn’t forget. I did what you requested of, make sure Cade comes back home to me” she said.
“Yeah, I heard, are you done with your nagging?”
“To hell with you” she hissed.
“Come to think of it, don’t you have the original Lorenzo? Why do you need Cade” he asked curiously.
“That is none of your business, I expect the fulfilment of your deal in a few months to come, bye” she disconnected the call and he chuckled loudly.
“What a stupid girl she is, she thinks she can have all that she wants?” he laughed the dropped his phone carefully on his table.
“We will need to get to the store quickly if you want that sausage” Michelle said then went to switch off the television and walked over to the door to wear her shoes.
“I am tired but I need that sausage, can you please get it for me?” he pleaded and she rolled her eyes.
“No, let us go together. Now, stand you huge self and let us leave now so that we can get there before they close” she checked her watch “It’s almost eight-thirty”
“But they close by nine” Cade comments as he stood on his feet and wore his jacket then walked over to her.
“Its like a fifteen-minute walk there and you know how slow you like to walk most times” she opened the door and they got out of the house, locked the door and began walking to the superstore to get the sausage and some other things they might need. “I forgot my purse” she said.
“I have my wallet with me so don’t worry my love” he wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they talked while walking.
In less than twelve minutes they were already at the superstore and were able to get all that they needed to buy, after the lady at the counter had helped them with packaging their goods and they had paid, they went outside so that can start heading back to Cade’s place.
Just as they came out, Cade heard a slightly familiar voice call his name and he turned to look at his mother standing just outside the store as if she was waiting for him to come out.
“Lexi” he said with a frown now gracing his feature.
She walked closer to them and smiled a little “Hi Cade” she waved but he was still trying to understand why she came to him when she made it clear that she didn’t want him around her.
“What ar-”
“We need to talk Cade,” she interrupted him “Its important” she added when he seemed hesitant.
He looked down at Michelle and she looked up at him before they both looked at Lexi.
“You didn’t want to talk to me before, what changed now?” he asked not hiding the hurt she caused him then.
“Ugh! I had to do it and even when I did, you are still here and walking about like you are aware of what goes on in here” she snapped and Michelle threw her a hard glare.
“Look ma’am, I am very much aware that you are Cade’s mum but you have no right to speak to him in such a manner, he did nothing wrong by wanting to know who his real parents are, all you can do is show some kindness, it wouldn’t kill you” she spoke and Lexi’s eyes went to her.
“Oh, he has a nice-looking mistress?” she raised a brow and Michelle’s glare darkened.
“Okay ladies, no one is fight here, okay? Michelle, please” he looked at Michelle who was still glaring at his mum before she looked away and turned around with a shake of her head.
He turned to his mum who was already looking at him “Lexi what exactly do you want to talk to me about? Is it about my dad? You’re ready to tell me all I need to know?” he asked and she nods her head.
“Only on one condition” she said.
“What would that be?”
“Just promise that you’ll do it”
“I can’t promise what I am not sure I would do” he told her and she shook her head. “What is your condition?”
“Promise that you’ll leave this town once I tell you and you wouldn’t come back here? You can take your blondie with you” she pointed to Michelle who sat on a bench that was in front of the store as she looked their way.
“Why do I have to leave? What is it about my father that would require me to leave?” he frowned.
“There is more to what you are thinking Cade” she said and he sighed loudly.
“Then why don’t you tell me so I get to decide if its dangerous as you are making it seem like or not”
“This isn’t about deciding Cade, this is life threatening and I don’t want anything happening to you or your family back home” she moved closer to him and had the sudden urge to touch his cheek and hug him but this wasn’t the time for any of those. “I care so much about you my son”
Cade laughed loudly then walked away from her, she could see his shoulders shake from how hard he was laughing before he turned towards her and walked up to her and this time, he wasn’t laughing rather there was hurt in his eyes as he looked at her.
“You suddenly care about me? You suddenly see me as your son” he shook his head “How surprising” he muttered still looking at her.
“Look Cade I had no other choice, there wasn’t any option for me so I had to give you up and make sure that you are far away so that those dangers wouldn’t come to you but instead, you came directly to it” she hissed and closed her eyes.
“What dangers? It would be way better if you at least tell me what in the world is going on. Why can’t I know of my father and his family? Is my parent aware too? What are the dangers you are speaking about? Why did you give me up? Why are you so mean to me?”
“Because of your father’s brother” her voice went up a little too high and she had to adjust herself when people looked their way “Let’s go somewhere we can talk” she said and he nods then turned to fetch Michelle who didn’t look pleased to be around Lexi.