“Actually, I don't know what kind of problem she is facing but that doesn't give her the mandate to be this way towards others.”
“ Anyway, enough with the Miriam stuff. Let's finish up here and race off– we got alot on our hand from here”. Hades commanded to which Gina just nodded her agreement.
Not taking note of anyone, Miriam got her order and let off from there. With a brief chat accompanying their meal, Gina had already lost track of the time.
Soon after the meal, it hit her. Gina instinctively reached out for her phone and glanced at it.
“ Oh, no– I must get going now, Hades”
She cried as she jerked to her full length.
“ It's past 3... I'm sure Mr. Tom's is already in to get me.” She explained and he nodded with a smile.
“ Thanks for the lunch.”
“ Alright, dear– take care.” He answered. With a kiss on his checks, she bid him farewell and raced off.
Hades was brief caught in the moment as he stared while her back faded out of the cafe.
Just then, it dawned on him– He got an appointment to catch before getting home and to avoid the late night heavy traffic,he had to set off early.
With this, he packed up his stuff and hurried out.
Gina's ride wasn't so bad with Mr. Tom's as they had quite a long adequate chat throughout the journey back home. In about an hour and 30mins drive, their car pulled through the gates of the house.
“ Thanks, Mr Toms – it was nice talking with you” She said
“ Don't mention, ma'am. It's actually my duty to keep you company.”
He answered with a smile as he helped her with the door. With a faint smile, Gina hurried into the house.
Her Nanny was busy at the hall when she walked in looking quite weary and drained.
“ Good afternoon, Nanny– how was your day?” She asked, her eyes spontaneously scanned at the stairs.
“ Is mom back?”
“ Such a detective you are” She teased. “ Which one needs an urgent answer now.”
Erica asked and they both chuckled.
“ I guess all” She laughed.
“ Well, my day was well enough and with your mum, she's not yet back..... Checking from the time, I'm sure she might be on her way now” She answered as she turned back to her chores with Gina gazing at the door, quite disappointed.
“ Should I serve you dinner now?” Erica howled from the kitchen.
“ Huh...Oh, no need– had a meal out with a friend.Just a juice would do.” With that she headed up the stairs. “ I'll be in my room then.” She stated.
Exhausted and drained of all energy, Gina glided up the stairs. Her legs managed to pull through every step she made as she ascended.
A ring from her phone suddenly pulled her to a halt– her eyes spontaneously fell on the bag which hanged over her shoulders.
“ Who could it be?” she grumbled as she rummaged through the bag for it. A faint smile instinctively swept through her face on noticing who it was.
“ Hey, Hades Edwards here– want to know if you're back home safely” His soothing voice evaded.
Gina smiled. “ Yeah a couple of minutes ago.”
She answered and on an impulse, added.
“ Hey, thanks for the gesture too– I really appreciate it.”
“ Don't mention, dear.” He chuckled.
“ Glad we could spend some time together. Got to go now – since you're home, there's no need to stress then. Catch up with you at school... Take care and sound sleep.”
“Likewise, dear.” She said as she resumed her steps towards her room. Just as she dropped the line, she heard a familiar voice downstairs. Turning towards the voice, she noticed her mother approaching which made her pause in her tracks. Her hungry and inquisitive gaze just tailed her all the way up.
On closing up on her, Nina just trod past her with quite an inaudible greeting of which she managed to avoid any eye contact with her ambitious daughter. She already knew what those eyes of her meant of which she wasn't ready to dive any deeper.
Gina who noticed her mother's odd attitude towards her, instinctively called back.
“ Good evening, mum– can I have a moment with you?”
“ Not now.... please. Can we do this later?
– really exhausted and need some rest.”
She objected but Gina wasn't so easy to get rid off.
“ Just 5minutes of your time– I'll make it brief.”
Nina finally made a halt along the corridor– her back faced Gina who had stopped, just a arm length behind her. She had her eyes glued on her. Nina sighed deeply– there was silence at both ends.
“ Gina, honey...” she started as she turned back to face her.
“ Huh?” She responded with a blank gaze.
“ I'm really sorry for what happened last night– I don't know what got into me. I guess I mistook that girl's name for someone else.” She explained as she neared her.
“Can we just let sleeping dogs lye now?, huh?, please.”
Gina just stared at her, perplexed. “ What?” She stuttered. The question penetrated her confused mind.
“ You were like that just because you mistook her name for someone else?– That's unbelievable.”
She feighened a churckle.
“ I believe there's more to this, mum and your looks clearly shows.” Gina growled.
Nina tried to speak but then, Gina briskly cut in.
“Fine ... you can keep it all to yourself if you want but I promise to find out.” With this, she stormed off to her room.
“ Gina!... Gina.!!” Nina called after her but she just went on without turning back at her.
“ Oh my goodness... Gina why won't you just listen.” She groaned.
“ This is for your own good and our family as well.” she cried .
*******
Back at the Parker's house, Miriam had still not returned from school which was so strange of her. It was already 4hours past closing hours which got Jane worried and stressed. Just then she dialed John's office, the door drew her attention of which she dropped back the phone on noticing her entrance.
“ Miriam...” She cried and jerked over to meet her.
“ What kept you so long today. You got me worried.”
“ Mum...” She hugged her with a bright smile.
“ No need to be so stressed– I'm home now. I was caught up in a bad traffic on my way.” She explained.
“ Anyway.... but you need to had called or sent a text.” She winced which made Miriam churckle as she rounded her hands around her and kissed her checks.
“ So sorry, mum but I promise you one thing, that I'll always take care of myself out there, huh?” She stated as she tilted her head in a questioning manner of which Jane nodded with a smile.
“ Okay.... Just get in there and freshen up– everyone is already in.”
Miriam gave a nod and sauntered off up the stairs.
“ Don't worry about dinner, mum.... I already had one on my way. I'm off to bed now.”
“Alright then, goodnight”.
“ Sound sleep– love you!” she shouted as her back faded along the corridor's.