?E Bloxham St, Tallahassee.?
It was already nightfall when Hera’s black-tinted glass Limousine pulled in front of Raymond’s apartment complex. She wrestled with her phone’s button as she tried to speed dial Raymond’s number.
When the call went through she ordered him to hasten downstairs within five minutes with a hoarse voice. She clamped on her cashmere coat tightly around her while peeking outside through the window.
Each tap of her foot on the floorboard indicates each second that passes. When Hera gives Raymond such orders, she either bites her lip as a way to count the time or taps her foot, or drums her fingers.
It was on the fifteenth tap of her foot did Raymond flap the door open and squeezed inside. He sat across from Hera and looked at her from his lashes. Raymond sprinkled his greeting and earned a faint nod from Hera.
The car is frosty but Hera’s look is more bone-chilling than the air that seeps into his skin.
Clearing her throat, she began. “I saw something today, Raymond. Something I hope isn’t true.” She looked outside through the window before spilling. “I saw a little girl that has a striking resemblance with Lucas. He may not have noticed it but I did.”
Hera’s gaze slides back to Raymond’s and he watched every budge of her lips, drinking in every word she says. Without waiting for Hera’s final order, Raymond already knows what the bottom-line of this meeting would be, though he still waited patiently for Hera to finalize.
“I’m suspecting they had a child six years ago and Lucas is hiding it from everyone else. I need you to go out there and find out the truth. I’ve this gut feeling that girl is his. Find out if they had a child before their breakup. Lucas is hiding something.” Hera her words are thick with conviction.
Raymond gave her his word about finding the truth before leaving the car. The driver puts the car in reverse and they disappeared from Raymond’s place.
By the time Hera reached the Woods villa, Danika had arrived and was sauntering outside to welcome Hera.
The grin that slid across her face is enough proof of her happiness. Her wedding is fast approaching which makes Danika elated. However, Hera is suspicious of Danika’s reasons for coming to the family house. She’s curious to find out. Maybe it’s ’cause of the smiles she sees on Danika’s face or her willingness to welcome back by coming outside when she heard the car’s hunk.
“Welcome home, mummy Hera.” Danika sprinkled her greetings while hauling Hera’s bag from her hand. They walked inside and they made small talk. “And how was today?”
Hera offered a light chuckle at Danika’s advances. This is just Danika’s means of milking her of something she so desires. And Hera wonders what Danika would want this time around.
“Cut the chase, Danika. Spill your reasons for this petty advances.” Hera’s voice took on a harsh note but she’s Danika’s mother and they have the same character. So of course, she’s already used to Hera’s harshness.
Their feet clomped on the floor, sending echoes across the walls of their foyer.
Danika gave her mother a ‘you got it wrong’ laughter before speaking with the same harshness. “I wonder since when giving my mother a grand welcome became a means to begging for something.”
The servants helped Hera out of her Cashmere coat and hung it in the closet before they matched into the house.
Stepping into the hallway, Hera’s eyes traveled to the dining room and she spotted the object of her meeting tonight sitting in the dining.
Hera flipped her suspicious eyes back at Danika and cocked her brow for further explanation.
“Just wanted us to have dinner together. Let’s just say it’s our last ritual before he and I tie the knot.” A grin moved across Danika’s lips as she offered this. She gripped Hera’s hand and guided her to the dining.
Lucas rose to his feet when he heard the fast clomping of their feet. He slightly bowed his head and rained greetings on Hera who just gave her a nod.
The servants ladled out their food and the colliding of their forks and spoons with the platter sent piercing sounds into the quiet room. Lucas wasn’t comfortable with Danika’s ‘ritual’ of a thing and sitting in the midst of them is like sitting in a prison where one’s right to move is restrained and the urge to speak is subdued by thoughts.
Lucas is wondering what Danika is up to. What was her reason for inviting him over for this dinner the moment he returned from the orphanage this afternoon?
“Who are those kids, Lucas?” Hera asked.
Lucas wasn’t expecting the first words that cut through the silence would be this question. Is Hera suspecting him? Why would she? He doesn’t have a child or secret he’s keeping, except the one nightstand he had with Sia.
“Orphans. Just some kids I met at the orphanage.” He said, gingerly.
Danika traded glances between him and her mother to make meaning of their conversation.
“You saw Lucas?” She asked Hera who wagged her brows at her in response.
“Danika, I know there must be a solid reason we gathered here tonight. Could you please spill it out?” Hera asked.
“You’re being such a pest, mother. Yes, you’re right I’ve a reason why we’re here tonight. But not until we finish eating that I’ll spit it out.” She said patting Lucas’s back.
Jesus! Danika’s attitude is fucking keeping Lucas on the edge. He slumps his shoulders and blows out a rush of air.
What could be her plans? He wonders.
Hera got a read of the sheer eagerness hovering over Lucas’s face and her cheeks creased in a smile.
“Well, I doubt you know, Danika. Your fuzzy words literally hung someone on a thread. I don’t know what it’ll be but someone else doesn’t seem relaxed by it.” Hera quipped when Lucas traded glances with her.
The dinner ended real quick and Danika begins to speak by the time their dessert was served. A mouthwatering homemade cheesecake.
“Okay. I guess I’ve been uh…vague for some time now. Not like it’s a big deal, though.” Danika said. She placed her hand on Lucas’s hand on the table and thread their fingers together.
“Mother, I’ve decided that we’ll spend our honeymoon on Capri Island. And we’ll stay there for two weeks.” She looked at Lucas and pecked his puckered lips. “Don’t worry babe, I know you’re impecunious now so I’ll handle the bills too.” She told him and Hera watched Lucas’s contorted face in glee.
“That’s a good step, Danika. But I don’t see that as a reason to host a dinner tonight.” Hera spewed with a hoarse voice like someone high on a drug.
“Of course not.” Danika piped up instantly.
Lucas’s curiosity welled up. If not about the honeymoon then what?
“Okay, here’s the thing. I have placed the Evangelista’s villa on sale at the moment.” Danika divulged.
The residual effects of those words sent a blast of shock to Hera and Danika as Lucas got a hold of his glass and chuck it across the floor-to-ceiling glass windows in the dining room. The window’s glass is a bit sturdy so the impact didn’t lead to a cluster of crack on it.
Lucas sent his heated glare at Danika and the rash gritting of his teeth made his bones to poke out on his forehead. The surge of adrenaline drifted Lucas’s senses as he pieced another glass he clamped onto with his hand. A trickle of blood oozed from the palm of his hands.
“Get a hold of yourself, Lucas!” Hera roared as she saw the damage Lucas caused. “I expected you to be grateful Danika took a wise step. Don’t let me react!” She warmed with narrowed eyes.
Lucas spiraled his eyes to Danika and yelped, “You’re fucking kidding me right?” He rubbed his blood-clothed hand on his face as frustration consumed him. “That’s my parent’s legacy! That’s my home! How could you put it on sale?” His voice wavered as sprinkles of sweat oozed from every pore in his body despite the chilly air condition in the room.
“Home?” Danika asked. “Lucas! Your new home. Our new home is here!” She yelled.
Lucas scrunched up his face in sheer horror. “What the fuck did just say, Danika?” He asked just to get a modicum of confirmation.
“The villa. This house will be our new home once we get married.” Danika said matter-of-factly.