Chapter 48 Called on
Arnold felt Ciara was ignoring him after they both arrived at Brown Wilson's mansion. They haven't been there for a long time but he realized she either glared or made a comment about how he hated her here and there, every opportunity she got. He decided to brush it off since it was clear she was in a bad mood, not until he saw how flustered Ciara was as she conversed with Raymond. Arnold watched them silently and went to the living room where they're all supposed to be, getting ready for the meeting on how to handle the powerhouse. When he got to the living room, he saw Samuel, Caleb and Vanessa were present. For whatever reason, he had expected the atmosphere to be eerie, yet it was tension-free. 'How unusual!' Arnold thought.
"Hello" Caleb greeted when he saw Arnold approaching.
"Hi" Arnold greeted them and sat in a sofa close to Samuel.
"You're early, as always" Vanessa smiled.
"I understand the essence of time" Arnold replied seriously.
"Everyone else is aware of this meeting right?" Samuel asked as he stared at his wrist watch.
"I texted everyone, including Theodore" Caleb replied.
"How did you get in touch with Theodore?" Vanessa asked.
"Theodore and I were acquainted, before he married Cindy. So obviously, I should have his contact info, tho i was hoping he hadn't changed it. Theodore arrived nine hours after i sent the message" Caleb replied honestly.
"I see" Vanessa replied nodding.
"Is there anything bothering you, Miss?" Caleb asked as he looked at Vanessa who seemed confused by the young man's outburst.
"Pardon?" Vanessa asked.
"Nevermind, Miss. I thought there was something on your mind you had wanted to ask." Caleb replied courteously.
"Is Aida alright?" Arnold asked, changing the topic.
"Yeah, she is" Vanessa replied and Arnold only nodded and the room became silent as it was before Arnold arrived.
"Guess who we have here?" Raymond asked as he held the door open and gestured for whoever was behind it to enter.
"Mum?" Arnold and Samuel asked chorally.
"Godmother!" Vanessa greeted with a smile and rose to meet her.
"My dear, I missed you terribly. How have you been?" Kelly pulled Vanessa in a hug, ignoring her sons.
"I've been well, godmother. I was planning on calling on you soon" Vanessa replied
"How soon is your 'soon'?" Kelly asked as she stared at Vanessa.
"Umm, I planned to call on you this afternoon" Vanessa lied.
"You're not a very good liar, you know" Kelly giggled.
"Have a seat. Water or fruit juice?" Vanessa asked Kelly.
"Fruit juice. Add a few ice cubes" Kelly replied.
Vanessa made a telephone call, and the next minute, a maid walked in with mango juice on a small tray. She handed it to Kelly and left immediately.
"So, so....why are you here this early?" Vanessa asked Kelly.
"Caleb, texted me" Kelly replied shortly
"Caleb!" Arnold shouted angrily.
"Woah, hey....come down, ok. I figured we would need her help since she's seems to know a lot" Caleb tried to explain himself.
Kelly ignoring her son's outburst, turned to Vanessa.
"I had wanted to meet you Vanessa. So when i got that invitation, I knew i was surely going to kill two birds with one stone" Kelly replied smiling.
Arnold and Samuel rolled their eyes, Vanessa smiled back awkwardly, Caleb looked a bit terrified, and Raymond who watched the whole show without talking, only chuckled.
Just then Ciara walked in, looking disheveled.
"Coming here after a quickie?" Arnold teased.
"I don't go f*cking around like you do" Ciara attacked.
"Sorry, but I don't do quickies" Arnold objected
"Says the guy who carries condoms everywhere he goes" Ciara scoffed.
That was enough to turn Arnold's mood sour. He didn't know why, but he felt his heart was stung, after Ciara's comment. Under normal circumstances, he won't have been bothered.
'Why? Why did it hurt so much coming from her?'
"Is that your opinion of me?"