Chapter 23
1008words
"Vally will get it for you," Hannah said without moving her eyes from her husband. She used her fingers and pointed at the seat beside her. Kevin listened to wife command and pulled out the chair next to her and sat. Valdo looked between his mother and step-father smile before standing up.
When Valdo was gone, Kevin took a deep breath and started. "Uvaldo was working with the accounts department at the time. Every month he is supposed to make sure all the accounts are balanced. He made an error, and so I asked to see him, but he wasn't there. I was furious. He went out when he's supposed to be working."
"I was working," Valdo said as reentered the room with the wine in his hands.
Kevin took his eyes from me and looked at his stepson, "I didn't know that at the time." Kevin looked back at me and continued his story, "I was furious because he didn't do what he's supposed to do. When he returned, I was there waiting for him. Yes, I started shouting. I'm a man who values work ethics and so when I thought Uvaldo was slacking off I was pissed, and I was about to fire him. Then I heard a chair being pulled behind me, so I turn to look."
I let out a laugh and looked at Hannah. "Did you really do that?"
"Yup." the three of them answered in reply.
"But that's not the end. She stood on the chair and was hovering over me. At this time, I was mesmerised. I'd never met a more beautiful woman in my life. I was looking up at her all dreamy wondering where the hell she came from. Then she opened her mouth." he looked at his wife and smile.
"What did she say?"
"She frowned at me and then said 'So you like hovering over people, do you? How do you feel now having me hovering over you.' I returned her frown because I had no idea what she was talking about. Anyways. She rolled her eyes, then shouted, "Don't you dare shout at my child."
"So embarrassing," Valdo mumbled.
Kevin smiled at Valdo then continued his story, "That's when I realise that the beautiful woman in front was the mother of the worker I was shouting at. Long story short, she slapped me, then came off the chair then she grabbed Uvaldo hand and pulled him out of the office. Many of the other co-workers saw what happened and I thought about the embarrassment Uvaldo must have faced and so I looked up his address and the next day I went to apologise. But of course, that didn't happen."
"What happened?" I looked at Valdo, sitting beside me, for an answer.
But Hannah answered before he could get the chance, "I slammed the door in his face of course. I thought he was there to finish what he started."
I looked at Kevin, who was smiling at his wife. "What did you do next?"
"I gave up and went back to work. That's when I found out that Uvaldo was actually saving the company. The break he took was to go to a private investigator about the next co-worker who was embezzling money from my company. I was so happy because that employee had been stealing money from my company for ten years before Uvaldo caught him. I was grateful, and so I went to his house the following day. Luckily his mother wasn't at home at that time. I spoke to him, and I gave him his job back but with higher status. He started working as my financial adviser." he looked over at his wife and smile. "Why don't you finish the story?"
She waved her hand at him, "Maybe later. I'm starving."
We all chuckles at her words. She clapped her hands twice then looked around at everyone, "Vally, why don't you say grace?"
He nodded then bent his head now, everyone followed, including me. "Thank you, heavenly Father, for giving us another day to live. Thanks for providing family and thanks for providing food. We ask for your blessing as we eat this food. In your son, Christ Jesus names, Amen."
I lifted my head after the prayer and looked around. Praying wasn't something I'm used to. I never grew up religious; neither did my mother. I've never even stepped foot in a Church or any other place of worship before.
"Are you okay, Tiffany?" I looked up at Hannah and nodded quickly.
Kevin smiled, "Great. Let's eat. Bon Appetite" He lifted the cover off the container which held the Paella, and when he did, my mouth went dry at the look and the smell.
"It looks amazing," I whispered.
Valdo looked over me and smile. "It does, doesn't it?"
Hannah looked at us with a grin, "You should wait until you taste it."
"Thank you, so much for having me over," I said as Hannah pulled me in a hug.
She released me then smiled sweetly, "You're welcome, sweetheart. I was in your position, so I know what goes on in that head of yours. Sometimes we just want someone to care for us." She looked at her husband and son, then back at me, "We care for you."
I nod and wiped the tears from my face, "Thank you."
"You're welcome." she looked up at Valdo then back at me, "What have you been doing in the days?"
"Nothing. I slept today, and I took King to the Park."
"You must be awfully bored."
I smiled and nodded, "I am."
"Why don't you spend your days with me? I teach a baking class. I think you'd love it." she looked across at Valdo, "What do you say, Vally?"
Valdo smiled at his mom, "That would be great." he turned to me, "Of course, if you rather stay off your feet we'd understand." I smiled at the simple gesture of kindness.
