Chapter Fifty-Three – Walking to the trap.
The news of yesterday kept my face all grumpy. I wanted to break it to Chloe when she asked.
But she didn’t like getting involved with others family business and I didn’t wanna drag her in mine.
I kept a serious face all day and an even serious face when I met Nancy. Guilt rushed all over me. I just hoped I won’t see our English teacher, I could cry.
“What’s with you? Did those kids come?” Chloe kept on enquiring. I couldn’t even tell her about the kids living with me now.
Baby John’s cute little hands and nose. Or how Gladys and I bonded over the Frozen cartoon?
Or how at the end of the day, Charles had hilariously visited, dressed like barney, to impress the kids.
My mood was like sour milk. I just couldn’t wait to go home.
At home, mom wasn’t yet back from work. I wondered how she could concentrate with the pressure.
If she rejects their offer, it would be like rejecting the family. Not that she shouldn’t. They made her father run away.
But his properties belonged to her. It was her right. One they shouldn’t play games with her to help her get it.
I slammed my hands on the table. Gladys and her brother were sleeping so I could vent my anger.
Where was Charles when I needed him. Well, I might just vent my anger on him. The wealth was my mom’s right. How could her family be so mean.
By the time mom came home, I had joined Gladys and Baby Paul on their bed asleep.
She woke me up for some “important news”, it sure was important but not so good.
She had been invited to the ‘sixteenth birthday of the second grandchild of the Martinez’.
The grandchild’s name wasn’t even added in the invitation. Only a picture of her dressed like some ancient Chinese queen. With a makeup caked face.
She wasn’t even looking like a sixteen year old kid.
I rolled my eyes, “We aren’t honoring that”. Mom shook her head, she said nothing and made me feel like she’d really be going.
One, I wasn’t good with parties.
Two, this felt like a damn trap!
Like they are refusing her from getting her father’s properties and at the same time inviting her to the birthday party of the grandchild. What are they trying to achieve?
“You don’t know that girl! And your grandfather is dead now. That girl could be the daughter of one of your dad’s siblings that didn’t defend him” I tried speaking reason to her but she looked resolved.
“Buy a trolley for Paul. We are going as a family” she turned and said.
“Are you even listening to me? This could be a trap!” I shouted more. She said nothing and advanced upstairs.
I slumped on my chair and minutes later, my account was credited with some. Money for Paul’s trolley. Mom was being more stubborn this days!
I made up my mind to be an obedient daughter and left to buy the trolley. As long as we are going as a family, then we’d be leaving as a family.
That day it seemed like all the cars in the world where on the world. I couldn’t cross as everyone was speeding. Wasn’t there a speed limit or something?
I eventually crossed, barely escaping being run down by a teenage driver. I heaved a sign as I saw the discount for today poster on the supermarket.
They usually gave discount when they felt like it. I’m glad they felt like it today. It brought up my mood.
“Good morning, Mr. Morris” I chirped to the security.
“Yes, young lady. Happy shopping” the security man answers as he was digging into someone’s car’s bonnet. His head was deep down in it.
I walked to him. He was basically the one person that knew where everything was in that supermarket.
I’d be needing his help if I wanted to get a trolley faster, with the discount.
“Look, Kiera, this car belongs to those boys. I better fix it or I’ll be in trouble. Wait for me or try meeting the lady at the desk” he pleaded with his eyes.
I frowned and threw a glare at the boys who owned the car. I was surprised.
It was the J-twins. Oh, that’s Jasper and Jacob. J-twins was now the new way of referring to them. I heard everyone saying it today at school.
I wonder why cos the name would exempt Reuben from being part of their clique. Or was my prophesy unfolding where they having a love battle and now avoiding each other?
I marched to them and threw a careless hi to their faces.
“Hey, what are you guys doing here? Do you guys work here?” I tried my best to hide the mockery in my voice. Jacob frowned.
“Yeah, need something?” Jasper hopped down from the wall he was sitting on. He turned to his twin but Jacob gave him a disapproving look.
“Good. Since the security that usually helped me is busy with your car. Do well to replace him for me, shall we?” I pointed to the supermarket.
“Are you in a bad mood or you can’t go shopping alone?” Jacob asked dryly.
I rolled my eyes in the most respectful manner and headed into the supermarket. Jasper came along.
It seemed like he really worked at the shop as he found the section of baby trolleys in no time. And helped me get a good discount.
“I’d make sure to compliment you when next I meet your manager” I said to Jasper as we left the supermarket.
“You’re still going on with that. Don’t you know I don’t work here?” he smiled. I rolled my eyes again, he didn’t tell me no.
“My aunt owned the supermarket and we came visiting” he added as I was about leaving. I hid my surprise and instead turned to have a view of the supermarket.
It was big, very big. Quite notable around town as it was sometimes used as a junction to tell taxis.
Jasper left me and left to meet his twin.
I then realized I couldn’t carry the trolley on my head home. I couldn’t ask them cos their car was still being repaired.
“Hey, Kiera. Do you need a ride home?”.
I assumed it was Charles cos of the manly voice but turning, I saw Reuben. Dressed in a deep neck suede shirt driving a red Mercedes.
Almost making my head spin like I was staring at a movie actor.