CHAPTER 54: UNEXPECTED VISIT FROM THE PAST.
It was still Saturday on Evelyn’s side as she had taken Tom out to the park to meet his friend as they both agreed to meet there. Things had been going smoothly for her, was it her work and relationship? She felt utmost joy. She was always in an energetic mood, her son was always smiling and wouldn’t stop talking with Raphael now and then and she had no problem with it.
Evelyn had pleaded with Raphael to keep Tom out of Media’s eyes and maybe his family until he was ready to face them as Raphael was still under his father’s wings and Evelyn needed him to be independent on his own very soon. Until then, their complete family was in secret.
She sat down with the mother of Tom’s friend whose name was Esther. She was a nice woman and Evelyn got to know that she was also a single mother and a lawyer. They fitted each other in terms of discussion as Esther, just like Kira, was good at advising others who might need them.
Tom and Kelvin [his friend] were playing with other kids and it was so much fun for the little guy. There were safety guards that took care of the kids while their parents took their rest at the comfortability section.
“Look at how happy they are. This was the main reason why I brought Kelvin here now and then because he is bad at making friends. He is bad at communicating and I find it intriguing that he relates with Tom very well.” Esther commented with happiness evidence in her eyes. Evelyn smirked and licked her ice cream cone. It was the second one she was tasting and it was of a different flavor.
Tom might also not be good at making friends but he was very specific and selective of the ones he made.
“He has the same attribute as my son too,” Evelyn replied.
“No doubt about that.” Esther agreed.
Soon, Evelyn’s phone rang and it was a video call from Raphael. Her lips curved up and this did not escape Esther’s eyes. She took a peek at the phone and not the caller.
“Your man is calling.” She teased her and Evelyn chuckled before standing up.
“Excuse me.”
“Of course.” Esther watched Evelyn walk away from her.
Evelyn answered the call, “Hey.” She said in a soft tone.
“Are you seducing me?” Raphael asked her.
“Seducing you with what?” She questioned him.
“Your voice is extraordinarily soft and that only happens when you are speaking with someone that you are in love with,” Raphael said and Evelyn watched him shut the door. He just finished bathing, judging from the way he was wiping his hair and here he was telling her that she was being seductive.
“How many times do I have to tell you to stop being a horse? You shouldn’t gallop but walk instead.” She pouted and Raphael laughed.
“Alright, I have heard you. Where exactly are you?” He asked.
“I took Tom out to the park to meet Kelvin. It’s also a day off for me as I might not have the chance to take him out tomorrow.” She replied.
The conversation between the two continued. Raphael’s talks made her laugh uncontrollably in public while she walked to and fro in a spot, licking her ice cream. She would look at Tom and Kelvin every second to make sure that they were okay while talking. Behind her was a car parked and its owner was watching her reaction carefully to whoever it was that she was talking to on the phone.
It seemed the young miss was now happy with the type of life that she was living but unfortunately, another oncoming chaos might invade her life.
The man kept watching and when Evelyn was done talking, she was about to leave the spot when she heard someone call her name from behind. She turned around and saw Jacob coming out of the car.
She blinked and looked around protectively. What was he doing here? Jacob approached her with his two hands raised high as a sign that he was not there to harm her.
“Miss Evelyn, good day to you.” He greeted her. Evelyn was in a daze and nodded unconsciously, she still couldn’t help looking around in case there was anyone that she wasn’t expecting to be around.
“You do not have to worry, I am the only one here,” Jacob reassured her.
“Mr. Jacob, how may I help you?”
“It’s been a while, Miss Evelyn. You arrived a few months ago and you didn’t even bother coming home to check up on your family.”
“You have made a lot of mistakes with your words, Mr. Jacob. First of all, I have no home and secondly, I have no family so stop trying to influence me. How may I help you? If there is nothing to say, I will take my leave.” She turned around.
“Your father is sick and wishes to see you,” Jacob informed her. Evelyn’s eyes flickered and slowly turned to face Jacob, she tilted her head forward as an urge for him to continue speaking.
“You must have heard about the bankruptcy of his company…”
“And how does that concern me? Remember that I am no longer a part of the family…hell, I ain’t his daughter anymore so why does his sickness suddenly have to deal with me?” Evelyn couldn’t help retorting. Jacob sighed but didn’t leave his posture.
“Miss Evelyn, I know that the past must have been unbearable for you but please, he is very sick and anything might go wrong, after all, you have his blood flowing in your veins.”
“He should have thought about that before disowning me years ago!”
Jacob moved closer and whispered, “He needs to see you, Miss, and I have tried my best but please come, it could be the last time you will ever see him. You still remember the way home, right? For the sake of your mother, please come. I will take my leave now.” He bowed a bit and left.
Evelyn turned raw when she heard for her mother’s sake. She watched him turn the car around and zoomed off before returning to her seat. Esther noticed the ‘off’ in her behavior.
“Is everything alright, Evie?” Esther asked worriedly. She had seen her talking to a strange man earlier.
“Yeah, yeah, I am good. Thank you.” Evelyn replied immediately. She didn’t talk more about it and the two women continued enjoying themselves.
Evelyn rested her head and closed her eyes in deep thought. Was it true? Did her father miss her or could it be some sort of plan? But what plan could they possibly want to hatch against her when she had nothing to offer them? It sounded absurd.
After staying for more minutes till evening, the park announced its closure for the day and the parents went in search of their kids. Tom rushed to hug his mom and she checked his whole body before asking if he was alright, he nodded.
“See you next time, Tom.” Kelvin waves and Tom pulls him into a hug before grabbing his hand to do the ‘bro’ shake. This caused the two women to laugh before saying their farewells.
_*_*_*_*_*_
In Johnson’s house, Jacob was standing in front of his boss inside his office. The place was well-ventilated. Johnson was sitting with his head bowed, his fingers were tapping the table in front of him.
He looked up at Jacob and smiled.
“Well done, Jacob. You have done well.”
“Thank you very much but if you permit me, sir, I would like to give you a few tips.” Jacob volunteered.
“Go ahead.”
“When I met Miss Evelyn earlier today, she changed. It is quite surprising how big she has grown and seems to have a way of tackling words around. If she comes here, you need to know how to handle her within a few days so she can sign the papers. Don’t rush her at all.” Jacob tried explaining in a way that would not annoy the chairman.
Johnson finally agreed to what Jacob had spoken.
“Of course, I understand. Let’s sincerely hope that she comes and until then, I will warn my family to show her kindness so she can feel safe.”
“Alright, Chairman.”
“You may take your leave.”
Jacob bowed and exited the office. Johnson smiled in relief. Whatever happened to his daughter was not his fault. He had tried as a father…a good one so she could become a better person but a child no matter what would become a spoiled one and a disgrace if that was what he or she wanted to be.
So far so good, Ruby had been excelling in her occupation and was making the family more proud of her than her sister, Evelyn. Well, that wasn’t his business anymore. He was going to get what he wanted in his way, after all, how wise could Evelyn have grown?