Becca.
As if Cindy and the kids understood what the moment meant to me, they suddenly went silent. And I was not surprised when I felt a comforting tiny hand slipping into my right hand at the other side of the car.
Eric has always been a sensitive boy and of my two adorable children, sometimes I feel closer to him than any other person; more for his show of empathy and maturity at odd hours.
Which of course is dangerous for my emotions because every damn time he does that, I can’t help but wonder.
‘Who was that man I slept with that night? Is this his face I’m seeing on my kids? This unique beauty people would not stop telling me can only be from a Greek gene?
But one thing is sure, even though the little thing I know about the man stinks, I will never regret the existence of my children. It’s not even strange to say I’m a little glad their father, whoever he is, has a good gene.
It would not have helped my situation at all if at the hospital, I was congratulated with less than adorable babies. Not that it would matter a lot, a mother’s love is unconditional but it helps to know that I have it all.
Yes, I have it all and neither my children nor me needs a man in our lives to make it complete. No matter what the kids might say now or how they feel, with time they will outgrow it and understand that I’m all they need.
“Are you okay mum?” My daughter’s voice brought me out of retrospection and I turned my head to encompass them all in an assuring smile.
“Yes baby, mummy is perfectly alright.” I don’t want anything to taint their coming home.
“Then why do you have watery eyes?” Always alert and smart, my daughter would not allow me to escape.
“It’s because mummy is glad to be home, Princess.” Cindy came to my rescue and I was glad for her support.
“Is that the truth, Mum?” My son asked quietly and this time, my smile was more genuine.
“Yes son, your aunt Cindy is right. I am glad we are home.” I assured them.
“Why? I mean why are you happy when it was Eric and I who forced you to come back?” Erica asked bluntly with some guilt and it finally occurred to me they thought I’m only home under duress.
What balderdash?
“What? Is that what you think?” I asked in a loud voice and the shame on my son’s face was enough as an answer, and the tears I had been managing to control finally dropped.
“Oh you poor babies, of course not. You should know mummy does not do anything she does not want to do. No Sweeties, we are home because this is also what I wanted. London is all cool and nice but hey, Canada will always be my home, your home, our home.” I told them even as I wiped tears from the corner of my eyes.
“Oh mummy, we love you so much.” My kids cried as they moved closer to me for a much needed hug.
And at that moment, I knew everything would be fine. Despite the uncertainty about the future and my parents, I knew at that moment, that together, we will overcome all troubles.
“Oh please, stop the lovey dovey, else, any moment now I will find myself getting hooked to the nearest man just to have beautiful cuties like you two.” Bless Cindy’s heart, she lightened the heavy atmosphere with her customary jokes and we all laughed.
“Oh Cindy aunt, you are a clown just as Mummy said.” Erica said with a roll of her eyes and the adult laughed.
“Don’t you forget it Princess.” Moving the car down the private road that leads to the Summer's new home, Cindy accepted the title proudly and the kids giggled.
After getting down from the car to bring down the luggage, Cindy walked to the door with the key and the twins followed behind.
Few minutes later, I joined them in the hall of the big house and I must say I was impressed. Indeed, pictures cannot be compared to the real thing.
This house is everything I have always dreamed of for my kids and even more and once again, I’m glad I never joked with my education, even during my trial period. It’s what paved the way for me in the world that’s dominated by wizards.
And luckily for me, a new company here in Canada was happy to employ me as their new head of Design, and with the salary they are paying for my skills, I will never regret I left London for anything. Not financially anyways.
As if Cindy could read my mind, she took a glance at me.
“Do you know that your new company is considered to be one of the top companies in the country? As a matter of fact, from what I read after you told me about your new job, I would go so far as to say it’s probably the number one according to Forex.” It was obvious my friend was all happy to share this fact.
Well, the look on my face was enough to show my surprise. Oh sure, I read all about the company, I had to do my homework of course to be hired and while I know they were a big company, I never went as far as checking their rating in the business world.
They are one of the top in the country? Hmm, that explains the boldness in which they offered me a six digit salary even without a physical interview. Their salary offer and remunerations after submitting my documents with cover letter was almost double what I was getting in London and even that had been considered to be more than a good pay.
‘Hmmm! Seems coming home is going to be the best decision for us!’ A part of me screamed excitedly.
********
It took me and my kids all weekend to settle into our new home, but yea, we did it. Successfully and it seems everyone is enjoying the new atmosphere judging by the beaming face I see around in the morning.
Thanks to my friend, Cindy’s help with groceries, we have not had to go out much, except for a few walks in the new private neighborhood, so I am pretty sure nobody from my past knew I was back in town.
Which means, my parents are not aware they are now sharing the same air with me. Probably they will leave the town for me once they realise their ‘corrupted’ daughter is back to stay.’ I thought sardonically.
‘Hmm, nice thoughts for a Monday morning, Becca.’ Another part of me applauded wryly knowing that’s the last thing I should be thinking about right now as I drive myself and the twins to work.
Well, only one person is going to be working among us but since I’m yet to find them a good school, and I don’t care to keep my kids with strangers, at least not yet, I have no choice than to bring them to work with me. I only hope the HR and whoever is in charge of this power company will not mind.
Becca.After Cindy’s bombshell about the company being among the biggest in the country, I had made sure I read more on them and oh mehn, I was surprised to learn that truly, The Fernandez Construction Company was considered to be the biggest and most successful not just in the country of Canada but in other ten business countries. Hmm, their success story was totally impressive and to think the young billionaire CEO single handedly raised the company from nothing to something made it more enjoyable to read.The only child of his parents, his Mum, May Fernandez, was actually a Canadian who grew up in Greece and got married to a Greek millionaire, Anthony Fernandez, and from all the stories about them, it was apparent they were so much in love, the Greece’s press never failed to write about them. Until an anniversary boat ride accident ended the life of Anthony Fernandez and his widow was left alone in the world with only her son to comfort her.As a matter of fact, it was rumoured t
Becca.Thinking of that now as I drove steadily down the lane that will take us to Fernandez's Headquarters, I gave my head a hard shake.‘It must have been pure joy, knowing I will be working for such dynamic man.’ I assured myself carelessly. But in the next moment I found myself thinking again.‘Focus, girl, focus.’ I warned myself calmly.“Turn left and go straight to the last junction.’ The voice on the map directed, as if it too was bent on making me focus.Rolling my eyes towards the ceiling of the car, I glanced to the back of the car to check on the twins. They have been quiet for some minutes now which is sometimes unusual. Seeing that they were occupied with their new story books, I smiled softly.The twins are my biggest treasure in life and they never fail to bring a smile to my proud face.Few minutes later, I saw the Fernandez billboard boldly staring at me and I turned off the map. It will no longer be needed, not with this head signal I can see even from a distance.S
Christos.Restless for a reason I can’t pinpoint and unable to concentrate on much while sitting there in my spacious office, I allowed my thoughts to flash back to the incident of that morning.Having spent the major part of my night dealing with an emergency at the wolves' pack house, the last thing I wanted was to come to the office that morning. But remembering I had an important meeting fixed with the Minister of Petroleum Resources, I had no choice but to turn up.The last thing I needed though was some spoiled brats messing things up for me. Not that I hated kids, no, usually I paid them no mind as I’m just indifferent towards their existence. In case you are wondering, no, I don’t plan on having a child of mine, at least not in the nearest future, I have enough loyalists around me to inherit my wealth and fortune if it’s about that.But this morning, already feeling tired and irritated, all it took was for that little brat to drain me in water, and everything in me went on fi
Becca.I gave a loud sigh of relief as I opened the door to our new home and dropped my bags on the side table. Of course my little madam heard it and she took me up on it.“Why that sigh Mum? Was the work too much for your small shoulder?” She asked with a serious gaze and I gave a small laugh even as I rolled my eyes towards the ceiling.“No baby, my new job is cool, but that does not mean I am not glad to be home. Sitting all day in a spot ain’t really my thing.” I confessed as I moved towards the kitchen to wash my hands and make us some quick meals.The twins followed behind and I know more questions are coming.“Well, we did not have that problem. We had lots of fun.” My son enlightened me, as if it was not obvious.Really, I almost felt embarrassed today at the way my kids kept telling everyone at work that they had a good time. You would think I derived them from fun and plays at home.But yea, I know. In London, it was only me for company except when they were in school and I
Becca.Or so I thought! Until I got invited to the Boss’s office the following morning for a meet and greet and I saw that the evil man was none other than my new boss.Fitting! For a minute, I was so angry I thought of resigning right there and then just to spite this man, but I saw the glint in his eyes after the surprise left his eyes and I knew he could guess at my thought and was in fact expecting it.Well, I ain’t ready to give this man any more satisfaction concerning me and my children. Allowing my long lashes to fall over my eyes as a shield, I glanced at the man with all shades of professionalism.I have met the evil man and put him in his place.Now, it is time to meet my boss. This man right here is another person to me, as far as I am concerned I had not met him before.“Nice to meet you, Mr. Fernandez.” I responded to his first question but it was obvious from my tone that nothing about him was nice at all. Not where I was concerned.‘Obviously I’m much worse at preten
Becca.The next morning, I left my kids having their lunch in the staff kitchen with the beautiful accountant as I made my way to my office.To my greatest surprise, I found some well arranged flowers on my table. Wondering where it came from and knowing full well that there was no one I knew who should be sending me such, I pressed for the intercom on my table, calling for my assistant.“Hi Tracy! Can you come in for a minute please?” I requested and after an affirmation, I ended the call to wait patiently with a little frown of concentration.Soon, Tracy walked in and I pointed to the beautiful petals on my desk.“I am assuming this was a mistake, right? Can you please find the owner?” I asked softly, by now, distracted by the work on my table. I immediately stopped what I was searching for as my gaze went to hers in surprise reaction to her response.“What did you say?” I asked again. Wondering if I heard correctly.“I said there is no mistake, Ms. Summer. The beautiful flowers be
Becca. It was a relief to leave the workplace behind that evening as I drove myself and the kid home. The major part of my mind had been on those flowers and notes, worried that Christos Fernandez might show up or worse, call for me. But it seems the man did not care whether I acknowledged his gifts or not, which of course was a relief. Probably he was just doing it to clear his conscience. ‘Or maybe to make sure his new Head of Designs does not resign suddenly.’ The part of me who never trusts people fully thought sardonically, wondering if the man has a conscience to speak of. Well, conscience or not, I am glad the man is keeping to his space. When it comes to men, I would rather dine with a snake, than do anything with them. “Mum, you have an incoming call on your mobile.” My daughter called loudly from the back seat and without taking my eyes from the road, I passed my bag to her. “Check who is calling, my dear.” I said, totally forgetting the note I kept in my purse earli
Becca.Really! My kids could have asked all these on our way home. Why wait till now when I will have to explain the incident to the ever curious Cindy! ‘I could use my time for something better.’ I thought wryly even as I weighed the option of evading her curiosity.“Don’t even try it, girl, out with it.” She commanded, as if she could read my mind. The witch!Knowing it’s better it comes from me than the twins, I quickly sketched over the incident as I gave the details of it.Nodding like a cat whose nose is in a jar of ice cream, my friend listened attentively. The annoying curious little soul.‘Really, can’t she pretend she was not enjoying this? It’s shameless how some people love juicy stories, especially when it has to do with one’s boss.’ I thought in disgruntlement. “Oh wow, that’s so funny. I wish I was there to see your face when you found out he was your boss.” My friend finally laughed, obviously enjoying my misery.After a while, she noticed I was not laughing along an