Chapter 75 You deserve better
MIDNIGHT PACK: CLARK’S HOME
Alice and Jovy walked into the house to find Anna in the kitchen making some nice dish. Anna turned around when she heard their footsteps. “Hey girls, how was school today?” She called out to them.
“Very fine ma’am.” Jovy responded, pulling out a stool next to the kitchen island to sit down.
“Why are you the one cooking?” Alice asked, wondering what had gotten into her mother all of a sudden and why the in house chef isn’t around.
“Oh, I asked the chef to take a break. I would like for us to eat together and maybe talk.” Anna replied as she checked the oven for what she placed in it.
“Hmmm, what are you cooking? It smells really nice.” Jovy commended.
Anna chuckled lightly. “Roasted chicken and some Italian pasta.”
“I can’t believe you went all out.” Alice noted while her eyes sighted something. “Are those muffins?” She asked, pointing at the set pastries on the far end of the kitchen island.
“Yes but you aren’t suppose to eat-” Anna didn’t get to finish her sentence as Alice already moved swiftly to stuff about two in her mouth. She laughed. “You are unbelievable Alice.”
“You know I can’t resist your muffins mom.” Alice said.
Jovy laughed along when her friend gave her a muffin to eat too. “Thanks.” She muttered.
“I thought we could go running in the woods after the food. It could really serve as a bonding time.” Anna suggested as she looked at the two girls for an affirmation.
Alice giggled. “As nice as that sounds mom, we really can’t leave Jovy out.”
“Oh that’s easy. She can come with us, we would run through the woods together.” Anna insisted.
“She is a latent wolf mom. Jovy can’t actually shift.” Alice turned to look at her friend. “No offense baby just needed to let her know.”
Jovy let out a small smile. It wasn’t a new thing for her deficiency to be mentioned in front of her. Even though it has always been out of spite in the case of her family but hearing Alice say it out of being considerate it made her feel a bit relaxed.
“It’s fine, Alice. I am so sorry for being an hindrance Mrs Clark.” She said.
Anna waved her hands. “Oh please don’t mind me Jovy. I should be sorry though…for forgetting. Please forgive me.”
“There is nothing to be sorry for Mrs Clark.” Jovy assured her.
Anna clapped her hands in excitement with a bright beam on her expression. “Food is ready guys. I will need your help to move all of this to the table.” She gestured towards the dishes.
Jovy and Alice got to work as they moved the food plates swiftly to the dining table. They all settled down to eat.
“Hmmm, this is heavenly.” Jovy commented. She smacked her lips.
Alice laughed. “You should be here more often to eat mom’s meal. She cooks nicely.”
“I agree.” Jovy mumbled.
Anna blushed. “That’s so sweet of you both.”
Returning to their meal, Anna could sense faint sadness around Jovy and it was almost as if she was disinterested in whatever was going on around but only trying to act okay.
“Is everything alright with you, Jovy?” Anna asked after some minutes passed in silence.
Jovy looked up at her. “Yes…I am fine.” She answered after sharing a look with her best friend.
“You can talk to me.” Anna offered.
Jovy smiled tightly. “Thanks. I am fine.”
Alice rolled her eyes amidst a full mouth. “Don’t mind her mom, she isn’t actually fine.”
“What’s the matter dear? Please talk to me. I won’t judge you…I promise.” Anna pressed on.
Jovy heaved a sigh. She blinked rapidly before looking down on her food. “I don’t want to bore you.” She said in a tight tone.
“No I won’t get bore. Please just talk to me.” Anna said.
“So can I start from the very beginning?”
“Sure dear.” Anna responded.
“So there is this guy who I met him at a party I went to with Alice. He looked older, aside that everything about him was intriguing. I could feel that something didn’t sit right with me going home with him but I was too drunk and the need to be free and daring was just too dominating. I followed him home and I ended up spending three days at his place.” Jovy waited for an exclamation or any form of reaction from Anna, instead she looked like she only wants to hear her say more.
Jovy swallowed down her spittle before she continued. “I had thought I would be fine after that, since Alice explained it to be just a one night stand that lasted two more nights. But I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I felt the urge to see him again, but unfortunately he never called me or exchanged his contact with me…I gave him mine though. Two weeks later, he showed up at the diner where I work and said I should come with him to San Francisco and-”
“He more like ordered you.” Alice cut in.
“Please no interruption, Alice.” Anna rebuked.
Alice let out a snort, kept quiet and returned to her food. Jovy kept on, not getting deterred by Alice knowing she was only being sincere.
“We had what I thought was a good time. Without thinking, I had gone with him and I knew I would face the consequences one of which is why I am squatting with you here.”
“Do you have any regrets?” Anna asked.
“Not really, just the fact that I realized I have been taken for a fool and he never really cared about me.” Jovy wiped the single tear that trailed down her face.
Anna sighed. She gestured to Jovy for her hands and she caressed them while she stared at her lovingly. “It’s not your fault that this man is a thoughtless and arrogant being. You are a sweet girl so don’t let anyone tell you or treat you otherwise Jovy. It’s time you stand up for yourself and refuse to be treated like trash. No matter whatever it is you think you feel for him, let it go for the sake of your self respect. That’s enough of being trampled upon, you deserve better.”
“Wow!” Alice clapped. “I can’t believe a cheating husband can make one become a motivational speaker all of a sudden. I am so proud of you mom.” She fake cried.
Jovy and Anna laughed lightly. Anna stretched her long hand to flick at Alice’a nose. “You are such a naughty girl. Do you have to be so dramatic?”
Alice shook her head in disapproval. “This isn’t about being dramatic, you both are the drama queens. Crying at nothing at all.”
“So cold hearted.” Jovy retorted.
“Yeah, my wolf agrees.” Alice grinned.
“Can you not act so insensitive.” Anna rebuked her daughter.
“I am saying all of this for a good cause. Why am I always the bad egg whenever I just tell the truth?” Alice whined.
“Maybe if you-” Anna got cut short by the ring of the house phone. She looked back at the two girls. “Who could be calling the house?”
Alice shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Anna stood up as she uttered some not so colorful words. “I really hope it’s not your father cause I am so not interested in the drama he has to pull.” Moving to the phone, Anna picked it up not saying a word at first.
Then she answered. ‘Yes, she is right here. You want to speak to her? Oh ok, just a minute please.’
Anna covered the receiver with a hand. “Come take this Jovy, it’s for you.”
Jovy looked towards Alice as she wondered who it could be. Sensing her reluctance, Anna muttered. “It’s your dad.”
Fear struck at Jovy’s heart at the information. Even though she had been expecting he would seek for her presence, she hadn’t expected it to be so soon. Jovy stood up, she walked stealthily towards Anna and collected the phone.
‘Hey dad.’ She said in a whisper.
‘Jovy, I need you to come down to the address I am sending to your phone by five pm.” Tommy voice rippled through her from the other end.
‘Today?’ She asked.
‘Yes today and do not be a second late.’
And after those words has been uttered, the line went dead and leaving Jovy in a confused state.