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“Oh?”
“She said to tell you, ‘you done good and she wants a trip to Louis Vuitton’.”
"What?" My heart thuds in distress. So this was why she was coming back already.
"You didn't look at your phone?"
I shake my head. "My phone was off." I hadn't wanted to be distracted by anyone. I didn't want to hear from Jackson. I didn't want to hear from Frankie. I just wanted the time to myself to think. "I guess I should turn my phone on," I frown and head back to the bedroom
"Yeah, your fiance's most probably wondering what happened to you," she follows behind me. "He might be scared you’ve changed your mind. How long has your phone been off? Over eight hours I bet?"
"Something like that," I say, nodding as I grab my phone and power it on. "I'm going to make some coffee," I say as I head towards the kitchen. "Do you want any?"
"I'd die for a large cup of caffeine," she stretches her arms above her head and yawns. "The kids were up early and I’m still half asleep."
"I know that feeling." I look over at the kids and they are still working on the puzzle
"I want a coffee too," Luke jumps up. “A frappuccino.”
“What do you know about frappuccinos?” I stare at him and he starts laughing.
"It’s like chocolate milk, please Aunty Zara."
"You can have some orange juice," I wonder if he’s ever really had a frappuccino or if he’s just seen Elise ordering one. "Do you want some orange juice as well, Charlotte?"
"Yes, please Aunty Zara," she nods and I watch as she picks up a puzzle piece and chews on it. She then takes it out of her mouth and drops it on the ground and I just shake my head. I’m not even going to say anything.
I hurry to open the fridge and ponder what to make everyone for breakfast while simultaneously wondering what Jackson is up to at that moment. I feel like I am in an alternate reality. My stress and worry about money has almost gone. Jackson had already paid Frankie off and paid a year's rent in advance, which had been absolutely a godsend. At first, I told him I didn't want him to do it, but when he persisted in getting me to agree, I relented. I'd pay him back though as soon as I got my million dollars. I didn't want to feel like I owed him anything.
"Here's your orange juice guys. Come on," I call out to Luke and Charlotte, who both run towards the kitchen. I hand them their plastic glasses and we all stand still as the front door opens with a bang.
Elise is back. She walks in looking young, carefree and beautiful, and I watch as both kids put their glasses down and immediately run to her. It’s more than she deserves, but I know they are still too young to hold her immaturity and poor parenting skills against her.
"Mommy," Charlotte screams in happiness as she wraps her arms around Elise’s leg.
"Mom's back," Luke grabs her by the waist and holds onto her for dear life. She beams as she looks down at them.
"How are my darlings doing? The two loves of my life?" She kneels down and showers them with kisses. They look up at her in adoration. "I missed you Mummy," Luke nestles his cheek next to hers.
"I know. I missed you too, darling." She holds him close and then picks up Charlotte. "And have you been a good girl for Aunty Zara and Aunty Lila?"
"Yes, Mummy. Even when we went for the job and even when we went to the club, I was very good."
I frown slightly as Elise turns to look at me. "You went to a club with my kids?" There’s a hint of judgment in her tone.
"Elise, I know your’re not even going to say anything to me about these last few days. I am up to..." I pause as she grins.
"Hey, lucky them. I love going to the club." She puts Charlotte back down and I shake my head as she heads towards the kitchen and gives me a quick hug. "Thanks, sis," she kisses me on the cheek. I can see that her cheeks are blotchy and her eyes are red. So maybe everything wasn’t so hunky dory, after all?
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine.”.
"What's going on? What happened? Why do you look like you’ve been crying?"
"Because Brian and I broke up." Her lower lip trembles and her eyes water. “He was my everything, Zara.”
I take a deep breath and try not to roll my eyes. I could hardly judge her for being overemotional about Brian when I was here engaged to a man I met on the same night. What a bad joke. "Surely, you didn't think that was going to be a forever relationship, did you?"
