Chapter 7

Estella’s pov

A week had graduated to a month of Boss Pablo not returning.I could feel the tension in the air with Simon and Arman having a no show for a long time.I watched Alda prostrate to give her mum a peck .Somehow I wished I could relate to having that.Mother’s love.

My foster parents were fair in treatment.They had adopted three kids and I was the youngest.Portia was my closest sibling until she slept with my ex boyfriend and we had a beef up till this day.After our parents died,I fled before the authorities could locate me.Matt was my other foster sibling but I haven’t heard from him ever since.He was a good one too ,always sneaking cookies for me late at night because our mum rarely allowed us to eat much sugar.It was a bitter sweet moment.

“Hey”Alda said walking up to me

I shone my eyes in surprise because she never regarded me.

Except once.She wanted to know if I loved her fashion sense.I obliged .

I was short of words and so she continued.

“Thank you for looking after my mum.I know I’ve been distant but school work can be tiring also plus daddy won’t let me stay at the school hostel so it can be overwhelming “she said sounding like she needed to let that off.She looked a bit relieved afterwards.I looked ahead of her to see Esmeralda watching with a wild smile on her face.

“I’m so sorry about that”

Alda shrugged “It’s all good.”she said and walked out after giving her mum a quick wave.

“I knew she would come around “Esmeralda said with hope.

“Yes ma.I’m glad she’s been paying attention lately “She always did but…”

I noticed she stopped talking almost immediately

“But?”

Her look lingered on the plate of fruit salad in front of her.

“Nevermind.I need to rest now ,my doctor would be around tomorrow for his monthly visit.You could meet my son,Simon so he could tell you what my checkup schedule is like”

“Alright bet.But I’m sorry to say,I haven’t seen him for almost a week.Basically,Its just been you and madam Alda at home lately”I said trying not to come off as rude

She gave a knowing expression “That’s not an issue.I could share his contact so you carry on from there”

“I’d appreciate that.Thank you”

I hurried to let her have her privacy ..

My observation about her kids had put her off and I hated myself for that.

Hours later,I dialed Simon’s number and he picked on the second ring.

“Hey.Good afternoon”I said trying to sound like my whole body wasn’t tensed.

“Hello.Who’s this?”

I noticed the disturbing noise in his background but I chose not to ask.

“This is Estella,the chef at home.Is this a bad timing?”

“Estella?”his voice softened”Waoo..you’re the last person I would be expecting a call from”

“I’m so sorry.I called to ask about your mum’s hospital schedule “

“She should be having a visit from the doctor by tomorrow last I checked but that’s not an issue .I could foward the timetable to you after now”

“Thank you so much”

Simon was so easy going and I was grateful for it this time.

He promised to text afterwards and hung up stating that he needed to attend to something.

I looked around to see I was the only one in the dining hall.The house perceived of pin drop silence.

Somehow I felt useless because I didn’t do much cooking this days.I turned to leave the dining room and stopped in my tracks.

Arman was just walking in looking stressed.But it had nothing on his ethereal looks.Somehow the image of him being stressed looked hot.

He was hot and I was like ice that couldn’t help but melt whenever he was around.

“Hey.”I chirped giving him a wild smile.

He smiled shortly and moved to take a seat .

“Get me some water”he ordered in an impatient manner.

I obliged him and watched him help himself to some of it.

“Are you good?”I asked

I always spoke before thinking whenever it came to Arman.

“Yeah.Just tired from work”

“You didn’t come home for days”

“And do I have to be given a curfew on when to return from work”he said icingly.

The look on his eyes showed that he wasn’t in a good mood .

“I’m sorry.Just that..”

“Estella”he sighed deeply”Just let me be.I’m not in the mood for your observations.In fact you need to stop monitoring my coming in an out and focus on working for my family “

I nodded in understanding,feeling downcast as ever.

As I fled to my room,I noticed that his words hurt so much and I couldn’t bring myself to be nonchalant on it.I hated being at war with my feelings

💥Arman’s pov

I watched her leave in a hurry and the feeling of regret overtook the anger I felt minutes ago.

I knew I had gone too far but I wasn’t in a good mood also.The bust was a big one and we needed to do something fast about it.I knew papa agreed to lay low because he didn’t know other routes and so I had a plan.